BMW has launched the ActiveHybrid 5

BMW has launched the ActiveHybrid 5, featuring a 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo inline-six cylinder engine mated to an electric drivetrain

The news comes after BMW announced that it will drop the X6 ActiveHybrid due to poor sales. The ActiveHybrid 5 is based on the BMW 535i sedan, and comes with "ActiveHybrid" badges and bespoke alloy wheels to demarcate it from standard 5-Series models.


Under the bonnet, the ActiveHybrid 5 is powered by a 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder
producing 300bhp, with an electric drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. 
The electric motor itself produces 55bhp, and the ActiveHybrid 5 has a total output of 
335bhp, allowing the car to go from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds.


BMW adds that the lithium-ion battery can store enough energy to give the car an all-electric
driving range of up to approximately 4km at an average speed of 35km/h. BMW added that
the sedan also features ECO PRO mode, which switches off the combustion engine while
coasting at speeds of up to 160km/h to further improve fuel economy.

The Most Horrific Traffic in the Entire World

IBM's aptly-titled 2011 Commuter Pain Study polled drivers around the planet to find whose life sucks the most behind the wheel, based on the following factors:
1) Commuting time
2) Time stuck in traffic, agreement that:
3) Price of gas is already too high
4) Traffic has gotten worse
5) Start/stop traffic is a problem
6) Driving causes stress
7) Driving causes anger
8) Traffic affects work
9) Traffic so bad driving stopped and
10) Decided not to make trip due to traffic.

BrainDriver: A Mind Controlled Car

This has to be the coolest gadget that I had read on the web.   Look mom, no hands.  lol.  Please read the article below.

POSTED BY: Markus Waibel  /  Thu, February 17, 2011

Imagine you could drive your car using only your thoughts. German researchers have just made that possible -- and they have the video to prove it.

Following his recent interview on the Robots Podcast about autonomous vehicles, Raúl Rojas, an AI professor at the Freie Universität Berlin, and his team have demonstrated how a driver can use a brain interface to steer a vehicle. Here's what the researchers say about the project, which they call the BrainDriver:

After testing iPhone, iPad and an eye-tracking device as possible user interfaces to maneuver our research car, named "MadeInGermany," we now also use Brain Power. The "BrainDriver" application is of course a demonstration and not roadworthy yet, but in the long run human-machine interfaces like this could bear huge potential in combination with autonomous driving.

To record brain activity, the researchers use an Emotiv "neuroheadset," an electroencephalography, or EEG, sensor by San Francisco-based company Emotiv, which design it for gaming. After a few rounds of "mental training," the driver learns to move virtual objects only by thinking. Each action corresponds to a different brain activity pattern, and the BrainDriver software associates the patterns to specific commands -- turn left, turn right, accelerate etc. The researchers then feed these commands to the drive-by-wire system of the vehicle, a modified Volkswagen Passat Variant 3c. Now the driver's thoughts can control the engine, brakes, and steering.

To road test their brain-controlled car, the Germans headed out to the former airport in Berlin Tempelhof. The video below shows a driver thought-controlling the car, Yoda-style. "Don't try this at home," the narration says, only half-jokingly.




The researchers caution that the BrainDriver application is still a demonstration and is not ready for the road. But they say that future human-machine interfaces like this have huge potential to improve driving, especially in combination with autonomous vehicles. As an example, they mention an autonomous cab ride, where the passenger could decide, only by thinking, which route to take when more than one possibility exist.

This type of non-invasive brain interface could also allow disabled and paralyzed people to gain more mobility in the future, similarly to what is already happening in applications such as robotic exoskeletons and advanced prosthetics.

Rojas group's research is part of the MadeInGermany project and follows previous work on autonomous cars, including his AutoNOMOS Project.

Image and video: Raúl Rojas/Freie Universität Berlin

BLOODHOUND reaches major milestone –build begins

News release: 7th February 2011
BLOODHOUND reaches major milestone –build begins

• 90% of BLOODHOUND SSC primary structure now in manufacture
• Roll-out for UK runway trials in Q2 2012

Having condensed thirty person-years of research and design into a mere thirty-six months, the BLOODHOUND Project today announces the attainment of its most significant milestone yet: the start of construction of BLOODHOUND SSC, the ultimate
racing car.

The BLOODHOUND Project is an international education initiative focused around a 1000mph Land Speed Record attempt. As the event is for unlimited designs the BLOODHOUND team looks for particular expertise, vision and commitment from those organisations helping to build this unique vehicle.

HAMPSON INDUSTRIES Plc, COSWORTH and ADVANCED COMPOSITES GROUP (ACG) have just these qualities and thanks to their considerable support 90% of BLOODHOUND SSC’s primary structure is now in the manufacturing stage.

With 64 years experience supplying precision fuselages for the world's leading aerospace organisations, Hampson has unrivalled expertise with complex aluminium, steel and titanium structures. However, creating this supersonic prototype will test even their skills to the full.

BLOODHOUND SSC Engineer Brian Coombs formally hands over one of the drawings (picture above left)

The steel-lattice rear chassis not only has to contain 47,000lbs of combined thrust (equivalent to 133,000 hp) from the car’s Eurojet EJ200 jet and Falcon Project hybrid rocket, it must also cope with 30 tonne suspension loadings, air pressures on the bodywork of up to 13 tonnes per square metre and substantial additional loads generated by the tail fin, air brakes and parachutes.

Hampson's engineers get their first look at the drawings

BLOODHOUND’s chief engineer Mark Chapman handed over the first technical drawings to Hampson three days ago so work fabricating the rear chassis can begin this week.

Advanced Composite Group (ACG) is creating the front section of the car for Q1 2012.
With a 30-year pedigree acquired in the demanding markets of Formula One, oceangoing racing yachts and aerospace, ACG is ideally positioned to deliver the composite design and manufacturing expertise required to build this astonishing vehicle.
Using ACG’s high performance ‘prepreg’ materials, the Group’s engineering division, Advanced Composites Engineering (ACE), will manufacture the entire front section of the car. It will also construct the master models and tooling from which critical elements of the car’s bodywork and structural components, such as the monocoque and nose, will be produced. The air intake and rear wheel fairings, both areas vital to the aerodynamic performance of the car and subject to extreme stress loadings, will likewise be made by ACE.

Mark Chapman said, “It was clear very early on that we could build a strong and creative partnership with the ACG team. We valued their input from the start when they helped us optimise our designs to make best use of composite’s capabilities. We’re looking forward to working with them closely in the coming months as we move beyond the design phase and start to build”.

Another key member of the BLOODHOUND SSC technical team is the world-renowned electronics, Formula One and aerospace company, Cosworth.

The Cosworth CA2010 engine

The Northamptonshire-based team is supplying BLOODHOUND with vital data logging and telemetry systems, as well as their state-of-the-art CA2010 F1 engine. This will drive the Falcon rocket oxidiser pump via a BLOODHOUND-designed gearbox featuring gears by Xtrac and an AP Racing clutch.

With construction now underway, the aim is to have BLOODHOUND SSC ready to roll out for UK runway trials in Q2 2012 ahead of the start of high speed runs in South Africa and the climb to a new World Land Speed Record in late 2012 – 2013.
Commenting on today’s milestone, Mark Chapman said, “After three years of working on a virtual car, Hampson, Cosworth, ACG and our other technical partners are helping us make it a reality at last! It’s a great moment for a team which has invested the equivalent of thirty years getting the programme to this stage.”

The build of BLOODHOUND SSC underpins a rapidly expanding education programme that is the raison d’etre of this ‘engineering adventure’.

Children from a local school enjoy making balloon cars at Hampson Industries

Over 4,000 UK schools have already signed up to the BLOODHOUND Education Programme, which provides curriculum-ready resources to help bring science and maths lessons to life. This number is expected to grow dramatically once the car has been built. In addition, six million teachers worldwide will have access to the Project via IT Partner INTEL Corporation’s ‘Skoool’ initiative.
Ends

First Commercial Jet Packs for £50,000

It is the perfect way for city high-fliers to miss the morning rush hour. A company is set to produce the first commercial JETPACKS - and one could be yours for just £50,000.
The traffic jam-beating packs will be manufactured after a multi-million pound deal was signed with an international aircraft company this week.  
Martin Aircraft Company, in Christchurch, New Zealand, aims to make 500 packs a year allowing first-person propulsion through the skies for commuters.

The 200 horsepower dual-propeller packs can travel at 60mph for up to 30miles on a full tank of fuel. They have been reached heights of 7,800ft in tests.
At 250lbs when empty, the jet pack is not heavy enough to require a pilot's licence, although users will take part in a Martin Jetpack training programme.
However, the gadget is not environmentally friendly burning 10 gallons of fuel per hour - five times as much as the average car.

The 5ft by 5.5ft device is the brainchild of Kiwi inventor Glenn Martin who unveiled his machine for the first time in July last year.  While jetpacks are traditionally powered by jets of escaping gases, the new device uses a gas engine with two ducted fans to provide lift.  Pitch and roll are controlled by one hand, yaw and the throttle by the other.  Martin Aircraft Company chief executive Richard Lauder said the pack could be perfect for the emergency services, private users and even the military. 

 

 

Mr Lauder said: 'This could be life-saving stuff. For us this is an excellent commercial step.'
The device has safety features to combat the inherent dangers of flying through the air. It has both an internal roll cage to protect the pilot from side impact and a a ballistic parachute system that works at low altitudes.

Jetpacks first emerged in science fiction in the 1920s and were tested by the U.S military by the 1960s, but have never 'taken-off' commercially.
Astronauts on the International Space Station wear rocket packs during space walks called a 'Safer.' This can be used in emergencies should they become detached from the station.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1253670/First-commercial-jetpack-sale-50-000.html#ixzz0i4VMVnho

Toyota's giant solar flowers popping up across US to bring good will, free WiFi, and charging stations

Now here's a smart marketing campaign. In an effort to raise awareness / interest in its 2010 Prius, Toyota planted five 18-foot tall "solar flowers" in Boston's Prudential Plaza and provided free Wi-Fi and electricity that was "partially powered" by the solar panels attached to the petals and stem. The so-called "Harmony Between Man, Nature and Machine" just disappeared from Boston but will next germinate in New York, followed by Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. We're not exactly in the market for a car right now, but we promise to think about it while we lovingly enjoy the free laptop charge and internet access.

Garmin Nuvi 780 Portable GPS Navigator

The latest and most popular range of navigational instruments is, of course the Nuvi range, of which the Garmin Nuvi 780 GPS Navigator is slowly and steadily making its presence felt as a pathfinder with which to reckon.

Outstanding features

Many people have found that the Garmin Nuvi 780 GPS system is just this little bit pricey, but you have to remember that it is a Garmin product and it is going to give you a bit more than you expected. This is naturally going to include your choice of keyboard, which can either be an ABC one or a Qwerty one. Direct services from MSN are inbuilt into this GPS system, so there is no question of your ever losing your destination, even if you find yourself in a pea souper, flurry or a fog with visibility levels nil. By the way, it works excellently in bright sunlight too! One of the best points which customers found to their liking is that it has a feature -- where am I, which means How Far Am I from the nearest hospital, gas station, police station, intersection or of course your destination.

Re: Car locator

And if you happen to be just like I, finding it rather difficult to remember where you parked your car, it has a very handy feature, which is known as the car locator. The moment you remove it from its mount in the windshield, it is going to note on the exact position and location of the car. And that is that, when you come back after your visit to the dentist, all you have to do is make like Batman and use this feature to reach your car. Of course, Garmin has not gone into making a navigational system which can automatically start up your car and bring it to you, but I would be very surprised if you do not find this technology hitting the market one of these days!

Other amazing features include a Bluetooth, transmitter using FM, as well as entertainment features, which means that you can listen to the music while this system does the navigation for you. All, you have to do is make sure that your destination is loaded up on your Garmin 780 GPS system and there you are! Hurrah, computerized voice directions are definitely a thing we need not see in a science-fiction flick any more, with Microsoft Sam telling us, "you have overshot your destination” in a nasal constipated voice. A Garmin voice activated system is definitely going to lead you on your way in a more sedate and proper manner! And it is also going to tell you that " you are going rather fast, buddy, take your foot off the accelerator" in a polite way.

10 Tips on how to drive more efficiently

1 Drive smoothly

If you drive aggressively, you can burn up to a third more fuel than if you drive smoothly. Avoid accelerating or braking too hard and try to keep your steering as even as possible.

2 Use higher gears

When you drive in higher gear, you’ll use less fuel, so change up a gear whenever you can.

3 Keep the windows closed

Wind blowing through an open window can slow you down. And, to compensate, you’re likely to speed up. Instead of opening windows why not use your car’s internal ventilation system, just so long as this doesn’t make you feel drowsy.

4 Use cruise control

Using cruise control on major roads can help you maintain a constant speed and helps you make all those drops count.

5 Avoid excess idling

Stuck in a jam? Idling gets you nowhere, but still use up fuel. Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue until you need it. As a rule, if you’ve stopped for over 10 seconds, switch off your engine.

6 Avoid over-revving

Change gear in good time when you pull away or when you’re accelerating. Never ‘redline’ the rev counter.

7 Avoid high speeds

The faster you go, the more wind resistance you’ll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume just to maintain speed. Remember that according to the UK Department of Transport figures, at 70mph you could be using up to 30 per cent more fuel than at 50mph. So keep it slow.

8 Use air-conditioning sparingly

Sometimes it’s hard to avoid using your air-conditioning, but remember that it does put added strain on your engine on hot or cold days. And, it can increase your fuel consumption by up to 8%. On temperate days, you can always use your car’s internal ventilation system instead.

9 Avoid rush hour

If you can travel outside of peak times, you’ll spend less time stuck in traffic and use less fuel as a result.

10 Keep a constant speed

Instead of coasting when you reach a downward slope, maintain steady engine revs. This will help you to maintain a constant speed rather than picking up speed and is likely to have a positive effect on your fuel consumption.

10 Tips for you and your car

1 Service your engine

Did you know a poorly maintained engine can increase your fuel consumption by up to 50%? Just replacing dirty spark plugs can improve your fuel consumption by up to 5%.

2 Keep your tyres at the right pressure

If your tyres are under inflated by just 1psi, your fuel efficiency can be reduced by up to 3%. So pump up those tyres up once a week or whenever you fill up.

3 Avoid carrying excess weight

For every extra 100 lbs (45 kg) you carry, your fuel efficiency can drop by 1-2%. So clear your car of unnecessary items that just add weight to your vehicle when you can.

4 Take the roof rack off

If you’re not using your roof rack or your roof box, remove it. A roof rack can affect the aerodynamic efficiency of your vehicle, creating drag which can result in your car using up to 5% more fuel.

5 Check the air filters

Air filters keep impurities from damaging your engine. Remember to check and replace your air filter if clogged.

6 Use the correct oil

Using the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant can help improve fuel efficiency by 1-2%. Higher quality motor oils can also help your engine operate more efficiently.

7 Check the seal on your fuel cap

Fuel evaporates every time you open the fuel cap. Make sure your cap is properly screwed on every time after every fill up

8 Plan your trips

Cutting down on the time spent in the car is the easiest way to conserve fuel. To reduce driving time, combine all your short trips and errands into a single journey or call ahead to avoid wasted journeys.

9 Keep hydrated

Don’t forget to drink water. When you’re well hydrated, you concentrate better. Keep a bottle to hand as you drive and make sure you drink your recommended eight glasses a day.

10 Keep calm

That way you’ll be able to drive smoothly and anticipate what’s going on ahead of you. When you keep calm, you also drive with plenty of distance between your car and others.