Tag Archives: Automobile Technology

Stop Adding Air To Your Tires

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According to Goodyear, the days of manually adding air to under inflated tires could soon be a distant memory. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, with the help of a government grant from the United States Department of Energy, are developing a technology that will enable tires to remain inflated at the optimum pressure without the need for external pumps or electronics. All components of Goodyear’s Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) will be fully contained within the tire.

According to industry research, driving on under inflated tires can decrease your fuel mileage by as much as 3.3%. Properly inflated tires will not only save you money at the gas station, but will lower automobile emissions, give a longer tire life, and will enhance the safety and performance of your vehicle.

Goodyear did not say when this technology would be available at tire retailers, but said the timetable would be accelerated due to recent government research grants in United States and European Union.

Making Hybrid Vehicles Better With Ultra Capacitors

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Ioxus, a start up company in Oneonta, N.Y., are experimenting with ultra capacitors in hybrid and electric vehicles in order to make batteries work better and last longer.

In order to improve fuel economy on hybrid and electric vehicles, the engine shuts down when the car stops. When the vehicle starts to move again, a large amount of power is needed. While lithium ion batteries can store large amounts of energy, they are not able to discharge quickly enough to get the vehicle going again. Lead acid batteries can deliver the power needed, but the life of the battery is sacrificed in the process.

Ioxus is using ultra capacitors to work with the battery, allowing the burst of energy needed to get the vehicle going and allowing quick recharging for the next stop. According to Mark E. McGough, the company’s chief executive, this technology could also be used to run an electrically driven power steering system, making hybrid and electric vehicles work even more efficiently. While this technology is not being used commercially on hybrid and electric vehicles, it has been proven to be very effective in turning the blades on wind turbines.

Automobile Quality Drops For 2011 Models

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According to this years J.D. Power & Associates annual U.S. automobile quality study, 2011 model year automobiles have ten percent more problems than last years models. While the overall quality of vehicles has improved, consumer complaints seemed to focus on significantly redesigned cars and trucks. The Ford Motor Co. took the biggest hit, falling to 23rd from 5th place just a year ago. Most complaints, however, were about the on board MYFord Touch infotainment system offered on the 2011 Edge and Explorer crossovers. According to Dave Sargent, vice president of vehicle research at J.D. Power, Ford would have been one of the top contenders in reliability if it wasn’t for MyFord Touch. “They made the decision to be a leader in this area, leaving them in a vulnerable position.”

The top of the list was controlled by luxury automakers and foreign brands, Japanese vehicles moved up ahead this year but played it safe by not introducing too many new models to its already established line up. Lexus lead the pack with Honda close on it’s heels receiving seven segment awards. Toyota saw an impressive increase in reliability after being plagued by problematic recalls of previous years.

The top 10 most reliable auto manufacturers, based on the least number of problems reported in the first three months of operation were:

  • Lexus
  • Honda
  • Acura
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Mazda
  • Porsche
  • Toyota
  • Infiniti
  • Cadillac
  • GMC

Ford Sync Technology Expands

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Ford has announced that they will be expanding their Sync AppLink software program to an additional ten models for the 2012 new vehicle line up, as well as significantly increasing their development team for the Sync over the next four years. Ford’s Sync infotainment system, first introduced on the 2011 Fiesta, has become popular amongst drivers who demand communication and internet mobility hands free through their smartphones. According to Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s Connected Services Solutions, the number of apps for the Sync has grown over 150% in the last six months and developers have shown much interest in working with Ford to develop their apps to work with Sync. It is important to develop the Sync system to keep up with the demands of the customer while allowing for easy upgrades in app development.

The Sync AppLink will be available in the 2012 Ford Fusion, Fusion hybrid, Fiesta, F-150, F-150 SVT Raptor, Super Duty, Expedition, E-Series, Shelby GT500 and Mustang. Ford also said it will expand the availability of rear seat inflatable seat belts to three additional vehicles beginning next summer. They will now be made available on the 2012 Ford Flex as well as the Lincoln MKT and MKZ.

Asleep Behind The Wheel Drowsy While Driving

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and over 100,000 accidents each year. Drowsy driving is considered as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. It causes slower reaction times, vision impairment, lapses in judgment and delays in processing information. Still, over 50% of American drivers say that they drive while drowsy, and 28% admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel. According to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), drowsy driving has become more of a problem than previously estimated.

This week is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, a NSF public awareness campaign to educate drivers about sleep safety. Drowsy driving is a year round problem with transport drivers pushed by deadlines and shift workers working odd hours, but during the summer, the problem gets even worse. People trying to make the most of their vacation tend to ignore the signs of fatigue, resulting in an increase in drowsy driving accidents on the road.

Automakers and independent electronics companies have come up with solutions to this problem ranging from simple head positioning monitors to integrated sensor systems. While both are effective, they do have their limitations and can be expensive. The makers of a new device called the Anti Sleep Pilot are taking a different, more affordable, approach to keeping drivers alert on the road. The Anti Sleep Pilot offers a standalone model as well as an IPhone app that requires regular input form the driver to ensure that they are alert. The device is constantly calculating the drivers personalized driving fatigue levels according to 26 different input parameters. It not only alerts drivers that they are falling asleep at the wheel, but was designed to prevent drivers from getting into a dangerous situation in the first place.