Yandex is a Russian multinational, multi-service tech company. Wikipedia describes the internet–related services and products firm as “the largest search engine” in that country, with “about 65% market share,” and says Yandex ranked as the 4th largest search engine worldwide, as of 2012. Continue reading “Self-Driving Cars: $7 Trillion Payoff?”
With new designs, models, and range and power capabilities appearing regularly, the future of EVs is positively electrifying.
Hyperbole, puns and political posturing aside, mobility is going green. Continue reading “Plug In. Turn On. Drive! EVs In Global Demand”
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”
The Indy 500 and the Evolution of Driving
Continue reading “Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!”
True to its history of showcasing the innovative, the inspiring, the intelligent and the incredible, the recently-concluded 87th edition of the Geneva International Motor Show had enough stellar debuts, great design and high-tech performance to keep auto enthusiasts thinking, shopping and dreaming until next year’s expo (March 8-18, 2018!). Continue reading “2017 Geneva Auto Show: Some Highlights and Future Focuses”
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”
The History, the Variety, the Beauty of Mag Wheels continue to “wow” today with sporty style and seriously rugged performance. Vintage mag wheels, either original factory-issue or aftermarket custom add-ons, have been made since the 1930s, and came into the popular spotlight in the 1950s and 60s, the Halibrand Magnesium Roadster Wheel being a true pioneer and one of the era’s best known. Continue reading “Wheels of Fortune”
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”
While everybody was focused on discussing cars (as it usually happens with car show events), the Geneva Motor Show 2017 revealed several notable changes in automotive wheels design trends. Although concave wheels still remain popular, we have spotted a lot of innovative, often more aggressive shapes. Wheels are undoubtedly the car’s most notable accessory, so let’s take an in-depth look at what top auto manufacturers select for their next vehicle models. Continue reading “Automotive Wheels Design Trends”
Self-driving automobiles were once “the future.” Well, self-driving, or autonomous vehicles, are actually “now.” Major brands like Mercedes, BMW and Tesla are pursuing the technology, with self-driving features that enable a vehicle to drive itself to some degree, if not completely, without an operator at the wheel. And in 2015, as part of the company’s ongoing goal of “building a safer driver for everyone,” Google famously “completed the world’s first truly driverless ride on public roads.”
Some research estimates project 10 million self-driving cars will be sharing the roads by 2020 (that’s only 3 model years away!) But is fully, or even mostly self-driving technology really easier and safer? How do self-driving cars navigate, integrate, anticipate–in all kinds of weather, all sorts of terrains, all types of traffic and pedestrian situations? Continue reading “Autonomous Cars: Issues, Challenges, Solutions”