Tag: CAR TECH

Looking to compete with Ford's Sync's messaging technology, GM's OnStar may soon add text messaging and Facebook updates to its on-board communication system. According to The Detroit Free Press, a source claims that OnStar subscribers will be able to transmit text messages and Facebook updates via the on-board communications system by the end of the month. Before you safety advocates go berserk, ...

digg_url ='http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/researchers-hack-cars-via-wireless-tire-pressure-sensors/'; Back in May, we told you about a study that proved it's fairly easy to remotely hack into a car's onboard computer. Now, according to Technology Review, researchers at the University of South Carolina and Rutgers University have figured out how to hack into the tire-pressure-monitoring ...

With a massive, controllable robotic arm, many unprecedented and momentous tasks become achievable. Such an appendage could perform difficult rescue missions, extraordinary construction tasks and urgent emergency responses. But, its greatest perk might be the reactive, mid-air environment it can contribute to incredibly awesome gaming sessions. Germany's Max Planck Institute for Biological ...

Portland General Electric (PGE) and NEC unveiled what they've billed as "North America's first public-use, quick-charge station for electric vehicles" yesterday. Governor Ted Kulongoski helped to juice up a yet-to-be-released Nissan LEAF at the station, which will charge lithium-ion-battery-based vehicles to 80-percent of their capacity in 20 to 30 minutes. "The station was awarded public-use ...

China thinks it may have a solution to its growing car and congestion problem: giant buses that straddle the road. Although calling these monstrosities "buses" seem misguided (as they run on tracks, and independently of other street traffic), it's obvious that they could greatly increase the speed and quality of your average Beijing commute. The shuttles arch over the road, allowing other ...

Based on observations made during our daily commute, people have trouble parallel parking. But, thanks to a project between Volkswagen and Stanford University, humans might not have to worry about squeezing into those small spots anymore. Our friends at Autoblog report that engineers have developed a car that can autonomously reverse power slide into a parking space. Originally part of the ...

After failing in its first attempt to popularize two-wheeled transportation in large urban areas, Segway has partnered with General Motors (GM) to introduce a new concept car. According to Wired, the Electric Networked Vehicles, or EN-Vs, will be revealed to the public at the World Expo 2010 this May in Shanghai. The two-wheeled cars have a carbon-fiber shell and can run at about 25 mph, on a ...

If you have the cash to drop on a brand-new Audi, you're probably not going to choose one with baseline features. Leather seats, a first-class sound system, a navigation system -- all luxury must-haves. But if you purchase the 2011 Audi A8, according to Engadget, you'll be one of the first drivers on the streets with a built-in navigation system that's equipped with Google Earth. So while you're ...

Back in the day, we'd have to drive to a local car dealership to check out the different models and options, and to maybe even bring home a colorful brochure with the same information. These days, we just start up Firefox, type in a URL, and virtually shop for cars from the comfort of our own homes. But not every car maker's Web site is as good as the next. According to a Web site usability ...