Archive for Automotive

Continental unveils Android-based AutoLinQ connected head unit

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on February 1st, 2010

Continental has announced that it will be offering a system that will put Google’s Android OS into your car’s head units. AutoLinQ, is powered by Google’s Android, and is part of a new connected services platform that car makers can choose to install in their vehicles. And why wouldn’t they? Everyone loves Android.

The head units will be able to download Android applications and Continental plans to release an AutoLinQ SDK in the first quarter of 2010 with a specific app store in the 2nd half of the year. The AutoLinQ system will also offer remote connectivity to the car via a mobile view from a phone or PC, so you can check the status or location of a vehicle.

Honda opens new solar hydrogen station

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on January 28th, 2010

Well look what we have here. When we weren’t looking, Honda has begun to operate its next generation solar hydrogen station prototype at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D America. The idea is that its a single, integrated unit which can be installed in any garage.

This Honda Solar Hydrogen Station is smaller than its predecessor and can produce enough hydrogen through an 8-hour overnight fill for the average daily commute (which is about 10,000 miles annually) for each fuel cell electric vehicle. Pretty handy being able to refill your vehicle overnight and you can sleep well while its filling, knowing that you are lowering CO2 emissions, since you take advantage of off-peak power rates. Daytime charging is solar power.

ThermaHelm helmet cools the brain, could save lives

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on January 14th, 2010

Here’s one we hope performs as well as they say. The ThermaHelm helmet could be a life saver for many. It boasts a few lightweight chemical packs built into the helmets lining. One of the packs has water and the other one nitrate. Together, in a sudden reaction, they cause a cooling reaction that can last up to 45 minutes.

That is important because it helps improve the chances of the rider’s survival after a crash, as it stabilizes the temperature of the brain. The ThermaHelm is expected to arrive in July of this year with GPS, a video camera and Bluetooth. We hope this one saves many lives.

Swivel Car Tray, juicebox not included

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on January 12th, 2010

Tired of having your food fly everywhere after you make a sudden turn? Worry no more. You are a large human mammal who needs to eat at all times, even when behind the wheel of a two ton killing machine. Thankfully some comapnies understand this and even encourage your gluttony with new products.

The Swivel Car Tray parks in your cupholder and allows you to shovel food from it’s built in tray to your hungry Jabba mouth while you roam the commuter wastelands looking for your next caloric adventure.

Cadillac debuts 2011 CTS-V coupe

Posted in Automotive by Shane McGlaun on January 12th, 2010

That sweet Viper was certainly cool, but if you need a sports car that will haul groceries and more than two people, Cadillac has debuted a new version of the powerful CTS-V. Previous versions of the CTS-V were four door cars, but the new one is a coupe.

The new coupe has the same 556HP 6.2 liter V8 engine and can be had with a 6-speed manual or auto transmission. The car also gets magnetic ride suspension and big Brembo brakes.

Dodge Viper ACR 1:33 debuts in Detroit

Posted in Automotive by Shane McGlaun on January 12th, 2010

The North American International Auto Show has kicked off in Detroit and so far, there have been cool cars to suit just about every taste unveiled. My personal tastes lean towards powerful and sexy sports cars like the dead sexy Viper ACR 1:33 that has debuted.

The first time I saw the name of the car I thought it was some sort of 1/33 scale replica or something. The name is an homage to the Dodge racing driver Chris Winkler’s fastest ever lap of Laguna Seca for a production sports car of 1:33:944 seconds.

Pocket Radar is world’s smallest speed radar

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on December 29th, 2009

We’ve seen our share of pocket-sized speed radar detectors, but the new Pocket Radar might be the first that could actually fit in your pocket. Or in the palm of your hand. Of course there are some trade-offs for the size.

Still, the company says that it “forges a new standard in speed radar performance,” and supposedly it can track the speed of everything from a fastball to race car within one mile per hour. We can only take their word for it.

Most realistic Back To The Future DeLorean ever could be yours

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on December 28th, 2009

This makes my eyeballs very happy. This is the absolute most realistic BTTF DeLorean we have ever seen. It’s probably the most realistic one that exists. Period. And it’s on eBay. So you could own this baby. Starting Bid is $89,000.00. You might recognize the house too as the photo shoot took place at the Pasadena home that was once Doc Brown’s.

This 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 was built by Gary Weaver, a Back to the Future fan who is also apparently the authority on DeLorean time-machine replicas. He also owns BTTFparts.com, which I’m sure helped tremendously. Even so, this car took six years to complete.

Airtrax re-invents the wheel, makes it omnidirectional

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on December 27th, 2009

You can’t re-invent the wheel. Or can you? Airtrax has done just that, with omnidirectional wheels that actually work. The new wheels will target industrial vehicles, where all of that rolling forward, back, sideways and diagonally will come in handy.

Who knows, maybe we will see these on passenger cars eventually. Sure would help with getting stuck in the snow.

Ford Sync turns your car into a WiFi hotspot

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on December 21st, 2009

Ford’s next generation of Sync systems will have yet another useful feature. This time around it’s built-in Wi-Fi, turning your car into a rolling hotspot. You’ll be able to share a 3G connection with a driver-defined list of devices.

Of course you’ll need to use your own 3G card, which will plug into the Sync’s USB port. I’m sure other auto makers will offer Wi-Fi soon as well. Then we really will always be connected.

New Audi A8 with Google Earth 3D

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on December 17th, 2009

New Audi A8 with Google Earth 3DIn early 2010 Audi will be bringing the next generation of the A8 to the masses. You’ll be glad to know that the new vehicle will have a variety of Google services on board. The multimedia interface (MMI) navigation plus features a highly evolved operating concept with a touchpad called the MMI touch.

The system also boasts an integrated hard disk for navigation, phone and audio data along with a graphics processor capable of high-quality 3D images. The MMI system will also analyze navigation data and relay information to the control unit managing the automatic cruise control with Stop & Go, adaptive lights and the 8-speed tiptronic gearbox. Yep, this is like a Batmobile.

The Batmobile Limo

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on December 15th, 2009

The Batmobile LimoThis stretch limo Batmobile is what Batman and Robin ride around in on their off hours. Maybe Bruce wants to take Robin out for some Ice cream or to the opera. Nothing wrong with a rich dude taking his child ward out on the town in a stretch limo is there? I mean sure, you could take a lady friend, but…We’ll you and boy wonder have an odd relationship.

Maybe they have the Joker in the trunk. Who knows. What I do know is that Bruce Wayne sure knows how to travel in style while giving away his secret identity.

Chevy Volt gets cozy with iPhone and BlackBerry

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on December 10th, 2009

Chevy Volt gets cozy with iPhone and BlackBerryThe Chevy Volt electro-carriage will roll out for drivers next year, and when it does it’ll be iPhone and BlackBerry friendly. The image above was shown off at the L.A. Auto Show, revealing a BlackBerry displaying the Chevy Volt’s battery charge status.

The iPhone and Blackberry apps will start off with the ability to control when the Chevy Volt gets charged. The Volt will alert your cellphone when it’s fully charged. Chevy also hinted that other cellphone platforms will be compatible with the Volt eventually as well.

Predator Motorcycle

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on December 10th, 2009

Predator MotorcycleSo you are out for a leisurely drive one fine Sunday and suddenly you hear an ungodly roar, then see this thing zip past. It went by so fast you can’t even be sure there was a rider. But you know a Predator face when you see one. It could mean only one thing. Invasion. And they obviously now have cycles. We are screwed.

It’s actually from New Jersey custom bike shop Pitstop Motors who built this Predator motorcycle on commission. It’s fully functional. The owner even got two tickets on it’s maiden voyage, due to onlookers holding up traffic.

Hyundai Genesis dissected in time lapse video

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on December 9th, 2009

Hyundai Genesis dissected in time lapse videoNormally if you want to see what it looks like to dissect a car piece by piece, you have to get out the tools and sacrifice your own ride, throwing parts all over the yard. Thanks to Hyundai, you won’t have to do any work at all.

Just watch the video below of a Genesis completely disassembled. I love how the above image looks like parts from a model kit that you might buy in a box. Don’t try this at home. You’ll have parts leftover when you rebuild it.





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