Driverless mini-cars UK researchers are developing an autonomous model car. Driverless full-size cars have already been developed, for instance in the DARPA challenge. By using model cars the researchers hope to make developing the technology far easier and cheaper.
Soya-based Car Seats Car interior supplier Lear Corp. has developed a soybean-based flexible foam material for car seat fabrics. The 'SoyFoam' is up to 24% renewable compared to petroleum-based foam, which is infamous among car manufacturers for its lack of recyclability
Hummer gives back Oxygen to Nature The GM Hummer O2 is only a drawing submitted in the LA Design Challenge, it is designed to turn harmful CO2 into oxygen. Algea-filled body panels transform carbon dioxide into pure oxygen that is subsequently released back into the environment.
Road Testing BMW's Hydrogen 7 Jules Verne, in his 1874 novel The Mysterious Island, described hydrogen as an "inexhaustible source of heat and light." 132 years later, Wired News was invited to test-drive the BMW's new Hydrogen 7 with its innovative hydrogen-combustion engine.
Are Airbags and ABS Safe? A study by Purdue University concludes that ABS and airbags may encourage aggressive driving. The research team that studied five years of car accidents in Washington State also concludes the safety devices make drivers less vigilant.
GM had Hybrid-system in 1968 In an interview with carlist.com, GM's product boss Bob Lutz says GM already had a hybrid system for buses back in 1968. He regrets his company did not bring the hybrid technology to market sooner. GM will offer an two-mode hybrid systems on trucks.
100% recycled Mercedes The RECY concept is one of the entries at the LA Auto Show Design Challenge. This breath-taking Mercedes-Benz is made out of 100% recycled wood, alloys, glass and rubber. An elegant, environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional roadster.
Filling your Car with Foam Security experts at Fujitsu Ten have found a way to use expanding polystyrene foam to stop thieves from taking your car or even escaping. When the device detects movement, it releases a liquid chemical, the foam expands and fills the car.
Hybrid Race Car to hit the Track A hybrid race car will make its debut next year at the European rounds of the World Touring Car Championships. The N.T07 has been developed from the Formula Renault car, and is powered by a four-cylinder engine and an electric motor.
Korean breakthrough in Hydrogen storage Korean scientists have found a way of storing hydrogen as a solid at relatively high temperature and low pressure, for instance in fuel cell vehicles. The scientists have developed a material that can store and emit hydrogen using little energy.
