HEADLINES ARCHIVE
IHS Evaluates Impact of Oil Price Decline on Global Auto Market
Low oil prices will contribute to upside potential for the U.S. automotive market in the near term, according to a recent report from IHS Automotive. Fueled by reduced prices at the gas pump, U.S. consumer confidence is expected to continue to rise.
Ferrari, McLaren Resume Engineering Rivalry at Geneva
Ferrari and McLaren take their rivalry off the track and onto the stage in March when the two automakers reveal new exotics at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show. It's common for storied automakers to seek inspiration from past vehicles for upcoming models, and both manufacturers pay tribute to past successes through future innovation.
Robotics Startup Targets Industrial Automation Sector
Modbot, a San Francisco-based start-up, is designing industrial robots that will piece together like Legos.
Lighter Steel Could Boost Vehicle Fuel Efficiency
Materials scientists at Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea report to have developed a lightweight steel which is stronger and more pliable than titanium alloys by altering the array of material compounds in the alloy.
Artificial Intelligence May Need a Co-pilot for Self-driving Cars
Professor from the University of Massachusetts delves into artificial intelligence to make driving safer.
Security System to Shield Electric Vehicles from Cyber Theft
Smart electric grids, which ingest data on consumer and supplier behavior, present new security challenges for mobile systems like electric vehicles (EVs), which may be vulnerable to both physical and electronic attacks.
Uber Robotics Center Looks at Self-driving Cars
Uber is joining forces with Carnegie Mellon University to open a research center that will develop self-driving cars, expanding its business in a new direction.
Global Automotive Sales to Rise 2.5% in 2015, IHS Says
IHS Automotive forecasts that global automotive sales will increase by 2.4% from 2014, reaching 88.6 million in 2015.This would be the fifth consecutive year of growth and sales recovery since the Great Recession in 2009. However, these numbers signal a slowdown, with just two of the high-potential
Partners to Design Scalable Electric Axle Module for Commercial Vehicles
A German consortium is partnering to design an optimized axle module for commercial vehicles. Known as ESKAAM (for Electric, Scalable Axle Module), the design is meant to be an alternative to current driving axles, which typically are too heavy, large and expensive for electric vehicles.
Toyota to Test SiC Power Semiconductor in Bid to Boost Efficiency
A technology that could lead to significant improvements in the efficiency of hybrid and other vehicles with electric powertrains is set to start testing in Japan.
Dutch Approve Self-driving Car Tests
The Netherlands wants to take a “leading role” in the development of self-driving cars and systems to allow vehicles to communicate with each other, according to the infrastructure ministry.
Ford Has a Better (Parking) Idea
For most drivers, finding a parking space in a crowded parking lot or busy downtown area is one of the most frustrating driving tasks. Ford Motor engineers are no exception to feeling such frustration, but they have been able to do something toward solving the problem.
2014 Was Bumper Year for Automotive Semiconductors
The automotive semiconductor market did exceptionally well in 2014, according to new analysis from IHS. Robust vehicle production growth, together with increased semiconductor content in cars charted a path of 10% growth year over year to reach $29 billion in 2014.
Ford Motor Expands Its Silicon Valley Research Presence
Ford Motor opened a research and innovation center in California's Silicon Valley as the automaker works to get closer to the tech industry, develop autonomous vehicles, and improve mobility, connectivity and big data applications.
NASA and Nissan Team Up for Autonomous Vehicles
The U.S. space agency NASA and Nissan Motor Co. are teaming up on a five-year R&D partnership to advance autonomous vehicle systems and commercialization of that technology.
New Process Creates Surfaces That Never Get Wet
Researchers at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y, have developed a laser etching technique that produces permanent, super-hydrophobic metal materials.
Innovations, Trends at North American International Auto Show
Manufacturers are eager to show off next-generation technology and vehicles at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Innovations are largely focused on integrating efficiency improvements and user interfaces into new vehicle platforms, such as pickup trucks or sports cars.
Who Is Supplying Components for Google's Self-driving Car?
Google has been developing its self-driving car for years, but in mid-January the company identified key technology partners that are helping to build its prototype. Project Director Chris Urmson named Continental, Roush, Bosch, ZFLS, RCO, FRIMO, Prefix and LG as companies working on the vehicle.
China Focuses on Lightweight Materials to Meet Automotive Fuel Economy Standards
Further weight reductions in passenger vehicles are needed to meet new fuel economy standards in China. Beginning in 2015, passenger vehicles in the country must reach an average fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100 km, compared with previous standards of 8 litres/100km.
Google Driverless Cars Could Reach Roads in 5 Years
Pod-like driverless auto prototypes for testing are being developed and assembled and will undergo testing at Google facilities in California in the spring. The goal is to have driverless cars available on the market within five years.