The idea of autonomous cars is slowly but surely seeping into the consciousness of the general public, even as concepts, one-offs, limited editions and vehicles with some degree of actual self-driving capabilities are being manufactured and marketed.

According to CB Insights, a “tech market intelligent platform” that predicts emerging trends and pinpoints growing industries, “Private companies working in auto tech are attracting record levels of deals and funding, with autonomous driving startups leading the charge.”  CB Insights has identified 44 companies developing roadgoing self-driving vehicles, with projects and partnerships in varying stages, and with names like Audi, Tesla, Nissan/Renault, Nvidia, Hyundai, Honda, Valeo, Volkswagen, Toyota, Alphabet (Waymo) and GM among them.  Continue reading “Self-driving Cars Go with the Flow, and Even Improve It” →

Too often, for too many drivers, speed is the primary concern.  “Zero-to-sixty in X seconds!” ”Top engine speed (”How fast can she go?”).”  But for most drivers, and even professional racers (for whom speed is a major factor), the better question to ask is, “How long does it take to stop if you’re travelling at 100 mph or higher?!”

Vehicle speeds are a crucial factor in overall traffic safety and accidents, fatal or otherwise. The U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has estimated that speeding is involved in approximately 28% of fatal motor vehicle crashes (2014 data).  (The same report says that in that same year only 13 percent of speeding-related fatalities occurred on interstate highways.)  Continue reading “Safe Driving = Safe Stopping” →

Compared to the wide variety of design and material content options of wheels–whether factory-installed or specialty aftermarket models–tires can seem a little boring.  They’re round and basic black. . .what else can you say about them?  But can you think of a more essential component of your car?  After all, tires are the only point of contact that your vehicle has with whatever surface you’re driving on.  You rely on them every time you turn on the engine and start out on your journey.  You’re going nowhere without them, and they need to be in good, dependable working condition at all times. Continue reading “In the Groove: Make Your Tires Last Longer and Perform Better” →

$300,000 for a motorcycle? That’s the price tag for Ecosse Founder’s Edition FE TiXX, from Ecosse Moto Works, Inc. (U.S.) where 15 artisans craft exclusive cycles like the TiXX  that’s fashioned with a hand-brushed titanium chassis, and a 2.1-liter fuel-injected engine that cranks out 200 hp.  And this 15-year-old firm isn’t the only one producing low volume, high performance, absolutely unique and stunning, state-of-the-art motorcycles, also known as superbike, (that are still road-legal) from sometimes exotic raw materials (like ‘raw aluminum’ that needs to be parked in a heated garage to stave off corrosion).  Serious, well-moneyed bikers are driving the market for luxury machines that set them apart from the crowd.  Continue reading “Magnesium, Super-Materials and the State of the Superbike” →

Autonomous vehicles are just around the proverbial corner, and when the technology hits the streets in big numbers it will bring with it revolutionary ideas about mobility, including educating drivers about how self-operating cars work and how to operate them safely.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is getting ready for that day when streets and highways see a mix of autonomous and conventional driver-operated vehicles as the norm, a situation that will require research and oversight on safety issues (for drivers and occupants), drivers’ tests, licensing, regulation, and more.  Continue reading “Test Drive A ‘Self-Driving’ Car? Proactive NHTSA Can Help” →