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Italian Car Maker Develops Wiper-Free Windshield

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science, Transportation,

Imagine not having to deal with the noise and hassle of replacing windshield wipers. This is exactly what Italian Car Designer Leonardo Fioravanti has done with his prototype Hindra. The windshield not only filters out UV rays, it repels water. “Nano-dust” forces dirt to the glass edges activated by sensors. Electricity is used to run the entire mechanism. The process is completed by drag which allows freer flowing air over the windshield. The Hindra and its technology will be on display next month at the Geneva Motor Show.

Make Sandwiches While You Drive

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Transportation,

This must have been designed for cab drivers, security guards, soccer moms/dads, and those that want fast food without the grease. The Road Pro 12 Volt Sandwich Maker plugs into your cigarette lighter socket and runs on 5 amps. It has a power-on indicator light, is non-stick, and has a 5 ft. power cord in case someone in the back has the munchies, too. The Sandwich Maker carries a 90 day warranty and a price of $19.50, not much more than a Crave Case of White Castle Burgers.

CES 2008 Video: Microsoft SYNC Car Recognition

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Full Episodes, Gizmatic, Cell Phones, CES, CES 2008, Features, Microsoft, Podcasts, Transportation, Videocasts,

We learned all about Microsoft Sync at CES, and have lots to share. Sync is integrated software that’s factory-installed in certain Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars. It allows you to control your cell phone and music player via voice recognition. Once your cell phone is “synced” with the software and your contacts are transferred, just press the button on the steering wheel and speak your command, such as “Call Mom.” Mom is immediately dialed, and you can talk to her without ever touching your phone. What’s also cool is that you can control your entire music library via voice as well, just by saying the name of the artist, song, album or even playlist. Just sync up your iPod (except the Shuffle), iPhone, MP3 player or even a thumb drive, and you’re good to go.

NAIAS 2008: Jaguar XKR

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Design, Transportation,

The Jaguar XKR was just too special to pass by. It carries a MSRP of ~$90,000 and is the elitest of the elite. With 420 horsepower and a 4.2 liter V-8 engine, we assume you are going to rule the road with this one as it can hit a top speed of 155 mph and accelerate to 60 in 4.9 seconds. It was the luxury that we just couldn’t get past. Reach up and the ceiling is all kid leather. You don’t just get new car smell in this car. It figuratively screams, “I am so rich!” The seats and steering wheel adjustments are so exact, even the shortest of us fit. A couple of interior shots after the jump. All we can say is that this is the car we want to be buried in.

Click to continue reading NAIAS 2008: Jaguar XKR

NAIAS 2008: China Left Outside Main Hall

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Transportation,

We headed for the NAIAS in Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit yesterday and were surprised at how little was going on, but greatful because we showed up on an industry “crowd” day so there wasn’t a lot of hype. Even before you get in the main floor, you notice that the Chinese cars weren’t allowed in with the American cars, so we wandered over to a couple of them before going inside. One of these is the TX4, created here as a taxi. This is what LTI refers to as a “multifunctional classic business car.” Included in its advantages is u-turns without 3-point turning, ABS for anti-lock, and basic comfort for passengers.

CES 2008: Magellan Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS

Posted by Jenny Lewis Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2008, Google, GPS, Wireless / WiFi,

Magellan has premiered their newest GPS unit for autos, the 5340+GPRS, the first GPS unit with Google Local Search. Users can search their area for events, businesses and services, receiving real-time results from Google based upon the user’s current location or a specified location.

The wireless GPRS service also enables the unit to deliver up-to-the-minute information on traffic and weather. Additionally, users planning trips in advance can send addresses or other information directly to the unit using the wireless service. In case a change to an itinerary is needed while the trip is in progress, third parties can send changes to the unit using the Magellan website.

Like the rest of the recently-introduced Elite line, the 5340+GPRS features voice command, a USB port and 6 million points of interest. It also features a 533 MHZ S-Media 3362 processor and and a 5-inch WQVGA widescreen. The Maestro 5340+GPRS will be available for puchase in March for and estimated $1299. Full press release available, after the break.

Click to continue reading CES 2008: Magellan Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS

Hybrids To Be Sold at Wally World

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Transportation,

Hybrid Technologies removes internal combustion engines from cars and turns them into electric vehicles. Founder Richard Griffiths is trying to convince people to think of battery power as a high-end option. High-end indeed. Griffiths takes such cars as the Chrysler Crossfire, the PT Cruiser, and MINI Cooper and makes them hybrid. The result will be a $65,000 MAXI Cooper, which can run 120 miles on a charge and go from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds.

Here’s the rub. Griffiths plans on initially selling his electric cars through Wal-mart at a starting price of ~$35,000.00. We are not sure what that means unless he believes that the shopping place of the “everyman” will convince us to spend twice the cost. We have two questions. If the cars do not sell at that inflated price, will Wal-mart roll back their prices? And if so, will the cars be made in sweat shops like most of their clothing?

New Device Stops Car in its Tracks

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Transportation,

If you saw the movie “2 Fast 2 Furious,” you will probably recognize the electromagnetic system that can stop vehicles. Researchers at Eureka Aerospace are creating a device that is about 7 x 3 feet and weighs 200 lbs. Attached to a car or aircraft carrier, it sends out pulsing microwave radiation to disable the microprocessors that keep the car engine going. Chief Exec James Tatoian says that the system may be available for security purposes within 18 months. That gives us less than two years to beat out those speed traps or buy a car made before 1972, which was when electronic control modules were first placed in them.

This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: November 6, 2007

Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Buena Vista, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Short Films, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Period, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Distribution, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases,

Blu-ray Ratatouille Disney/Pixar’s quaint animated story about Remy the rat and his penchant for the culinary arts releases on Blu-ray this week, shortly after taking the US and UK by storm. And with no other major title to contend with (Chuck & Larry do not count), Ratatouille is sure to take high-def home entertainment by storm too.

Other titles worth noting include a cross-format The Aviator from Warner, South Korean cult film Old Boy from Tartan, and some modestly-priced box sets from Warner and Disney.

Check the full list of high-def releases after the jump.

Click to continue reading This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: November 6, 2007

Latest DARPA Urban Challenge is Successful

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science, Transportation,

Junior This past weekend, the Defense Department’s Urban Challenge 2007 took place in the desert between LA and Las Vegas. Driverless, the computer-run vehicles had to maneuver around neighborhood streets and obstacles at a deserted AF base. Although “Junior,” Stanford’s 2006 Volkswagen Passat station wagon diesel, crossed the finish line first, the grand prize went to the Tartan Racing team, based on safety as well as speed. Stanford was second, followed by team Victor Tango. This time, 6 of the 11 finalists crossed the finish line. We can see why the military would be interested in this technology, especially when you consider its shock value application. Check out a video we shot of the Carnegie-Mellon team qualifying for the DARPA event.

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