September 2, 2006, 9:29 PM CT

Routing from the Comfort of Your Car

Engineers have developed a system for taking anonymous cell-phone location information and turning it into an illuminated traffic map that identifies congestion in real time.The system takes advantage of the steady stream of positioning cues--untraced signals all cell phones produce, whether in use or not, as they seek towers with the strongest signals. It is the first traffic-solution technology that monitors patterns on rural roads and city streets as easily as on highways.

Developed by IntelliOne of Atlanta, Ga., the TrafficAid system could not only help guide drivers around tie-ups, but also tell emergency responders where accidents are or how effectively an evacuation is unfolding by pinpointing clusters of cell phones.

"Unlike sensors and other equipment along major freeways that are expensive and take years to deploy, our system takes advantage of existing cellular networks in which wireless carriers have already invested billions of dollars," said National Science Foundation (NSF) awardee and IntelliOne CEO Ron Herman, a former engineer and computer scientist.

Herman was inspired by a friend's demonstration several years ago of a proof-of-concept Palm Pilot software that used real-time California Department of Transportation travel-time data to route the drivers around traffic snarls."I was completely sold," said Herman. "I believed then the next 'killer app' for mobile would demand live traffic data for every road--not just select highways equipped with speed sensors--and set out to make it happen".........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

August 29, 2006, 6:54 PM CT

Get a Quadski and ditch the hitch

No, you're not viewing a still from a James Bond movie. And, no, it's not a Lotus Esprit, either. But, it is a vehicle that's just at ease on the open road as it is on the open water.

Gibbs Technologies Limited, based in the UK, has harnessed the High Speed Amphibian Technology it perfected into an RTV, sports car and an SUV.

The recently released Quadski combines the fun of a jet-ski with a four-wheeler. This true ATV is more than just for fun, as the manufacturer points out, it has great potential as an emergency vehicle for beach rescuers.

The Aquada sports car [pictured above] and the Humdinga SUV have appeared to date only as concept vehicles, but production is moving along and even the US government has expressed interest in the SUV for military purposes. With it's convertible top and water skiing apparatus, the Aquada is definitely for the fun-in-the-sun crowd.

So, whether enjoying a seaside holiday on your Quadski, outrunning men with steel teeth so you can save the world in the nick of time in your feisty roadster, or performing military maneuvers in the Humdinga, there's sure to be a hybrid vehicle just for you. So, now instead of driving your car to the water with your boat in tow, you can 'ditch the hitch!'.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

August 29, 2006, 6:24 PM CT

Cruising With The Camaro

GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner met with members of the media Friday at the Athens Coney Island in Royal Oak, Mich., to talk about the Chevrolet Camaro.

The new Camaro will be built at the Oshawa, Ontario, car plant with early production versions at the end of 2008 and sales in early 2009.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

August 29, 2006, 6:21 PM CT

Mazda Recalls Award-Winning Engine on the RX-8

Mazda is recalling almost all of its RX-8 models including 2004, 2005 and 2006. The recall is for the RX-8's award winning rotary engine. Mazda is saying that there is a problem with rotary engine where it can leak oil, leading to severe damage.

Owners of a Mazda RX-8 can bring it in for a vacuum test and if the test fails, Mazda will replace the entire engine. During the recall, Mazda will also be checking the starter and the battery.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

August 29, 2006, 6:18 PM CT

Designer Garage for Citroen's New C6

Car manufacturer, Citroën, has unveiled the world's first 'designer garage' for its new executive model, the C6. Penned exclusively by acclaimed architects, Neutral, the unique structure comes with a pounds112,330 price tag (pounds 95,600 + VAT) - three times the cost of a range-topping C6.

With credits including the Munich football stadium, the Allianz Arena, to their name, Neutral partners, Tapio Spellman and Christian Grou, conceived the garage as a sculptural design to "envelop and present the C6 in a truly unique and independent environment".

Drawing inspiration from the pronounced architectural forms of the Citroën C6 itself, the garage is formed by three solid strands, which create the 'skeleton' of the main building that stands 3m tall and covers 50m2.

Constructed out of light transmitting concrete with transparent sliding 'doors' to the sides, which allow the vehicle to enter from either the front or the rear, the building securely encloses the C6 in the traditional sense of a garage, but at the same time allows it to be displayed to the passer-by.

The transparent sliding plates have been constructed of reinforced, environmentally friendly polycarbonate sheets with coloured LCD layers in the sheets allowing for opacity when the car owner switches on the privacy mode.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

August 20, 2006, 9:54 PM CT

Driving Australia's light metal dollar

CSIRO today launched a national research partnership aimed at positioning Australia as a technology leader in designing lighter car components - a key to making cars more fuel-efficient.

The new venture will also develop technology to make Australia competitive in manufacturing high-value titanium metal and metal products from the country's rich titanium ore deposits.

The Australian Partnership in Light Metals Research is the latest initiative of the Light Metals Flagship, one of six flagships established by the CSIRO to tackle major challenges facing the nation, such as adding value to its mineral resources.

The new light metals partnership is the second in the national Flagship Collaboration Fund program to enhance collaboration between CSIRO, Australian universities and other publicly funded research agencies.

As part of the $305 million over seven years provided by the Australian Government to the National Research Flagships, $97 million was specifically allocated to the Fund.

The partnership brings together three centres for light metals research and development - the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Design in Light Metals based at Melbourne's Monash University; the Brisbane-based CAST Cooperative Research Centre (CRC); and the CSIRO Light Metals Flagship.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

August 7, 2006, 3:34 PM CT

And Now Something More Refreshing

We have to hand it to our friend Phil. He plugs along on his site, posting daily about old cars. He's got everything we don't:

No ads.

Big, pretty images.

Good writing.

If you're a fan of old cars and good writing, you owe it to yourself to check out the Classical Drive site. What's particularly interesting (to us, anyway) is that Phil knows many of these old cars firsthand, but he's still reviewing cars today.

Anyway, we can send you to Phil's site with no sense of guilt because he's not trying to sell you anything. He's just helping you remember (or maybe teaching you about) "The Cars. The History. The Fun Stuff." Thanks, Phil.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

August 7, 2006, 3:28 PM CT

If You Buy A Scion, You'll Probably Buy A Toyota

AutoWeek reports: All in the Family. Yeah, yeah, this does make perfect sense. But, you see, when ever we see the words "All in the Family" in a row like that, we think of the TV show. And then we think of Archie Bunker. And we think of Archie arguing with his son-in-law, Mike Stivic. And then we think of our favorite ending to one of their argument:

Archie Bunker: Do you know how to swim?

Mike Stivic: Yeah.

Archie Bunker: Then why don't you go take a flying leap into the middle of Lake Polack?.

See? Regardless of whether you drive a Scion, Toyota or Ford-that's funny!........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

August 7, 2006, 3:24 PM CT

Chrysler PT Cruiser

Give your PT Cruiser an eye-catching upscale look with the Chrome Accent Package and turn heads no matter where you are.

The available PT Chrome Accents Group sparkles. Inside and out, your customized PT will reflect the "style" in your lifestyle.........

Posted by: Jim      Permalink         Source

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