Category: Automobiles

Ford is making significant strides in its electric vehicle (EV) lineup, with plans for an impressive electric truck and a high-performance SUV. The automaker’s CEO, Jim Farley, described the forthcoming electric pickup as a “Millennium Falcon with a back porch,” while also unveiling details about the upcoming electric three-row utility vehicle. Led by Doug Field, Ford’s new chief officer of EVs and digital systems, who brings expertise from Tesla and Apple, the brand aims to deliver innovative electric vehicles that cater to different customer needs.

A Speedy SUV Companion:

The new electric SUV, revealed by Doug Field, will be similar in size to the Expedition but will not replace it. Both models will be sold alongside each other and target different customer segments. Field explained that converting the gas-powered Expedition into an EV would compromise its performance as an electric vehicle and its capabilities as an Expedition. Instead, Ford is focused on developing a distinct electric SUV that offers exceptional features and performance.

Continue reading… “Ford Accelerates Towards Electric Truck and SUV Innovation”

● Industry-first use of the latest cloud streaming video game technology allows customers to configure their ideal 2023 Outlander Plug-In Hybrid and see it in motion 
● Upon completion, customers receive personalized interactive microsite featuring images and videos of their vehicle 
● ZeroLight‘s cloud-based, plug-and-play visualization platform complements Mitsubishi Motors’ ClickShop digital showroom experience

Mitsubishi Motors has announced the launch of the world’s first real-time cinematic vehicle configurator, which will enable customers to configure and visualise their vehicles in a more immersive and interactive way. The configurator is set to be launched in the UK in May 2023, and will be available on the company’s website.

According to Mitsubishi Motors UK’s managing director, Rob Lindley, “We are excited to be launching this cutting-edge technology, which will provide our customers with a more engaging and interactive way to configure and visualise their vehicles. This is a game-changing technology that we believe will revolutionize the way people buy cars.”

Continue reading… “Mitsubishi Motors to Launch World’s First Real-time Cinematic Vehicle Configurator”

BMW Panoramic Vision head-up display

BMW has unveiled a new innovation in automotive technology: a windscreen-wide head-up display. The new technology is designed to provide drivers with a more immersive and intuitive driving experience, with important information displayed on the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight.

The new head-up display system uses augmented reality technology to project information onto the windscreen, including speed, navigation instructions, and alerts about potential hazards. The system also features a 3D display mode that provides a more realistic view of the road ahead.

According to BMW, the new technology is designed to reduce driver distraction by providing important information without requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road. The windscreen-wide display also provides a more comprehensive view of the road ahead, which can help drivers to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.

Continue reading… “BMW’s new head-up display spans the windshield“

The Synthesis concept helps you multitask when your hands are off the wheel.

By Jon Fingas

Chrysler has yet to deliver an electric car or otherwise leap into the future, but it’s at least willing to hint at what that future will look like. The Stellantis brand is debuting a Synthesis cockpit concept at CES that previews what you can expect in next-generation electric vehicles. Most notably, the two-seat demonstrator is built around Level 3 self-driving technology — that is, it assumes you’ll have your hands off the steering wheel in limited conditions.

The 37.2 inches of infotainment display area provides the usual media and navigation controls, but is also designed to be useful when autonomous driving is active. You can participate in video calls, play games, sing karaoke or even create your own music. It’s not clear how this would integrate with a production car (there’s no steering wheel in the concept), but Chrysler is joining Mercedes, Tesla and other automakers offering in-car productivity and entertainment apps to drivers.

Continue reading… “Chrysler’s future car cabins will be built around partial self driving”

By Cody Carlson

CAR manufacturing startup Namx has revealed a prototype version of their debut hydrogen-powered vehicle – and it will be able to get nearly 500 miles out of just one charge. 

The vehicle, known as the HUV, is the first model to be partially powered by a patented removable tank system created to make hydrogen fuel widely available.

Continue reading… “H-POWERED – NEW PININFARINA WITH SWAPPABLE HYDROGEN BOTTLES WHICH THREATEN TESLA’S ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE SET FOR PRODUCTION”

By Chris Burt

BASF subsidiary trinamiX has formed a partnership with Spain-based Grupo Antolin to integrate face biometrics for driver authentication into the latter’s product portfolio.

Grupo Antolin is a global developer of technologies for car interiors, and will integrate trinamiX Face Authentication in vehicle trim to confirm the identity of the driver as they approach the vehicle.

TrinamiX Face Authentication provides strong, patent-protected biometrics with liveness detection based on skin analysis, as described in a reference design developed through a collaboration with Qualcomm.

The deal extends trinamiX’s biometric technology beyond smartphones, for which it is offered for in-display authentication solutions.

Continue reading… “TrinamiX partners to build biometric driver authentication capability into vehicle trim”

Could cars one day run on thin air?

By Rob Waugh

It sounds like science-fiction, but in the future, cars could run on air itself – specifically, on the water carried within humid air.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne have created a prototype dry-air electrolyser that harvests hydrogen from air instead of liquid water.

In the near future, hydrogen is expected to be commonly used as a ‘clean’ fuel which creates no carbon dioxide during combustion.

The device absorbs moisture, then turns it into hydrogen and oxygen – the hydrogen can then be used as fuel.

The prototype device created by the Melbourne team was able to work for 12 consecutive days, even in a dry environment of around 4% humidity.

The researchers write: “This so-called direct air electrolysis (DAE) module can work under a bone-dry environment with a relative humidity of 4%, overcoming water supply issues and producing green hydrogen sustainably with minimal impact to the environment. “

The scientists said that the technology could help to overcome one of the key challenges of using hydrogen as a fuel – the availability of freshwater.

Continue reading… “Cars could soon ‘run on thin air’ thanks to hydrogen breakthrough”

The in-vehicle experience is set to change as cars turn autonomous and electric.

By Elle Farrell-Kingsley

According to MarketsandMarkets, the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) market is projected to grow from US$20.8bn in 2021 to US$28.4bn by 2027, at a CAGR of 10.8%. Research suggests that the IVI market is driven by the increase in vehicle production, technological advancements, telematics regulations, and increasing demand for luxury vehicles. 

 In the wake of these trends, the entertainment offering is constantly evolving. “Infotainment in cars is approaching a critical inflexion point where many of the traditional forms of in-car entertainment are on the precipice of becoming extinct,” says Iliya Rybchin, Partner at Elixirr, a consulting firm which has advised automotive and entertainment companies. Rybchin specialises in customer experiences, particularly how changing consumer expectations and business model disruption impact various industries.  

Continue reading… “Next-gen cars will create new forms of entertainment ”

By

Tim Levin  

Hyundai unveiled its latest electric car on Monday: the Ioniq 6. 

It’s a weird-looking, ultra-curvy electric sedan. 

Hyundai will reveal more details about the Ioniq 6 in July. 

Continue reading… “Hyundai revealed a futuristic electric car with cameras instead of mirrors — see the Ioniq 6”