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Year in review: Car tech gets political
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Digg thisThis year saw automotive technology turn into a political hot button.
Late in the year, President Bush signed a sweeping energy bill that sets higher fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks. But the politics of global warming and growing concern over energy use were apparent in the auto industry throughout the year.
The New York auto show's Taxis of the Future exhibit and the many green-themed cars showcased at the LA Auto Show, Tokyo auto show, and Geneva auto show this year illustrated a continued shift toward car technology with fuel efficiency in mind.
We saw thoughts on city transport vehicles, robot vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrids. In addition to far-out concepts for the real road and for the virtual road, many companies introduced fuel-sipping improvements such as Toyota's gas-saving valve engines, a diesel-powered Volvo that gets 52 mpg, and electric vehicles you can buy right now.
Audi's win at Le Mans with a diesel car fit in nicely with many automakers' evident decision to make clean diesel-powered cars the temporary fix for the U.S. energy crisis.
But hydrogen fuel seems to be the most hyped technology this year, if not a true contender, for the way things will go down long-term. Several companies are working to develop hydrogen energy technology, an alternative-energy darling with several municipalities and the U.S. Department of Energy.
The beginning of a high-tech onslaught of automation and computer technology in cars also became evident. Automakers unveiled plans for their 2008 car models that included tech options like Bluetooth, self-parking, lane departure warning systems, and adaptive cruise control--features previously restricted to luxury models.
Some owners of those high-tech cars struggled with the design of the human-machine interface and programming a car computer for the first time. Partnerships between major tech companies and automakers were also forged, with many announcing plans to have a greater presence at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show.
Roboticists also took the combination of artificial intelligence and the coming robotics revolution in cars further than ever. The DARPA Urban Challenge race featuring robotic cars took to "city" streets this year to prove autonomous vehicles have a future.
The small and young driver space heated up with the Audi A1 and VW Space Up concepts that could compete against the "carbon-conscious" yet fashionable BMW Mini if they go into production as predicted.
And in what may be the most intriguing saga of 2007, Porsche got control of Volkswagen after a lengthy court battle and almost immediately announced plans to revamp the German automaker into a high-tech powerhouse that could compete with Toyota in terms of global sales. Next year may reveal if that high-tech car dream could come true.
2007 Highlights
Photos: Cool concept cars for the highway--and for the Xbox 360
Is it more exciting to see a concept car you designed built as a full-scale model or driven in an Xbox 360 video game?
Priming the pump for hydrogen fuel
Start-up Ecotality taps NASA technology for a system that can feed a vehicle's fuel cell on-demand.
Studying the hydrogen energy chain
Turning hydrogen into a viable fuel presents many challenges, but researchers are also discovering possible solutions.
U.S. cities hot for hydrogen
Hydrogen supporters hope what happens in Vegas doesn't just stay in Vegas.
Topics
New York hails taxis of the future
With wheelchair lifts, easy-to-clean interiors and ride-sharing signs, exhibit shows New Yorkers how to improve its iconic cabs.
Revolutionary mechanical arm provides grip, feel
Team lead by Applied Physics Laboratory has come up with a prosthetic breakthrough, giving fine motor skills and sensory perception to amputees.
Sizing up the coming robotics revolution
Rodney Brooks, director of MIT's CSAIL and CTO of iRobot, discusses AI, robots and the coming bicentennial man.
Roboticist inspired by more than machines
Robotics Institute Director Matt Mason wants people to be inspired by science fiction, origami and research beyond the machine.
Toyota: Gas-saving valve in engines by 2010
"Valvematic" technology will make gas engines 5 percent to 10 percent more efficient, Japanese automaker says.
Audi's Le Mans win gives diesel street cred
Diesel engine racecars claim first and second place at legendary French endurance race.
And the winner is...diesel?
Talk all you want about ethanol and hydrogen, the car industry seems to have already picked its "alternative" fuel.
Body of a car, brains of a PC
Software is becoming the new competitive weapon in the car market, and Big Blue is working to build a "network on wheels."
Volvo C30 to get 52 mpg
C30 'Efficiency' version lives up to name, and Volvo says other 2008 models will also see fuel-sipping improvements.
Are drivers ready for high-tech onslaught?
Next year will be a model year of change as high-tech features spread from luxury models to entire lineups. But how much tech is too much?
Photos: Electric vehicles you can buy right now
You don't have to wait for the big automakers to come through. There are options on the road already.
Photos: Cleaning up at the Frankfurt Auto Show
Car lovers have their eyes on central Germany for the latest designs from Ferrari, Ford and more. Eco-friendly is definitely in.
Roboticists to ride wave of power, chip and sensor improvements
Executives at MIT forum say improvements and reduced costs in sensors, computation and batteries will spur industry revolution.
Photos: Hot, quirky and green at Tokyo auto show
This year's biggest auto show in Asia features sports cars, minis, and personal transporters with an eye toward the environment.
Photo: Full speed ahead at LA Auto Show
From the new Mustang Bullitt to a home hydrogen fueling station, here are some of the must-see items from the show.
Additional Headlines
MIT offers City Car for the masses
DARPA race pushes robotics forward
Photos: Carmakers paint Geneva green
Photos: Fun cars hit the road in Frankfurt
Photos: Peugeot, Xbox 360 car design winners emerge
lousy 1mpg increase by 2010 "sweeping"....?!?
So why has California been joined by Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, the District of
Columbia, New York City, the Center for Biological Diversity,
Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense and
the Sierra Club in a lawsuit against the Federal government on
that very subject...??
Either Candace Lombardi is totally clueless as a staff writer or
has bought into the Bush administration's propaganda machine
on the environment to help support the family's oil business.
"Either Candace Lombardi is totally clueless as a staff writer or
has bought into the Bush administration's propaganda machine
..."
So we have two options here:
1. She's totally clueless -OR-
2. She's bought into fuhrer bush's propaganda machine.
My question is this: doesn't option 2 require option 1 to begin
with?? If you buy into anything this lying treasonous terrorist in
the white house has to say, don't you have to be totally clueless
already??
How secure are the keys to your alter-ego,... the automobile?
Can you remake your keys anytime you want, wherever your car might be?... As opposed to having to get an appointment with your dealer to make/remake your car keys.
Can you make one of a kind keys? In other words, no other car in the world has keys that can be used with your car.
Can you the car owner make much more secure keys than currently available RFID car keys?
Can you have all of the above with a cost at near pennies per key?
Yes! To all of the above. It could be done. Why doesn't it happen?