The U.S. company Valence Technology specializes in developing solutions to energy storage technology based on lithium phosphate: it redefined the technology and performance of the lithium battery by marketing the first battery lithium phosphate sector that is rechargeable , safe and reliable. It permits operation of hybrid vehicles, hybrid rechargeable vehicles and 100% electrical including cars, trucks, scooters and motorcycles.

Valence Technology announced it had signed with the French company PVI a contract to supply non-exclusive multi-year on its energy storage systems U-Charge ® XP. Read the rest of this entry »

Belts, Airbags, Antilock Braking Systems and Electronic Stability Control greatly enhance vehicle safety while driver support systems such as (adaptive) cruise control and navigation systems facilitate driving.

Sensing and control Systems
Major developments in safety and comfort are foreseen by further development of sensing technologies regarding vehicle motion and tyre-road contact, radar sensing of vehicles and other objects, and finally car to car and car to infrastructure communication. The advent of an increasing number of driver assistance systems for enhancing vehicle handling/comfort properties challenges the need for an integrated control/management approach. Topics of research include Global Chassis Control (GCC), drive-by-wire technology and force sensing bearings.

The human aspect
The human aspect must be central in automotive design. Comfort, driving pleasure and safety are key factors in car sales. Automotive and Aviation applications have been shown that vehicle control strategies which relieve the human controller can lead to reduced driver attention as evidenced by prolonged reaction times. Therefore our strategy is to develop driver interfaces that optimally inform the driver for instance using augmented force (haptic) information to steering wheel and gas pedal.
When a crash is unavoidable the injury severity can be reduced by controlling airbags and belts to optimally adapt for crash conditions. To further optimise safety we need to better understand body motion during impact as well as the actual injury mechanisms. Given the increasing number of aged drivers, effects of aging shall be addressed both in human machine interfacing and in injury biomechanics.

Reliability
Cars needs to perform reliably in the unstructured environment of real world driving where weather, road conditions, and the behaviour of other vehicles are inherently unpredictable. Furthermore, it must be taken into account that current sensors and actuators can fail within the vehicle lifetime. Finally, the human driver is inherently variable and prone to fail. Fault tolerant management and control are therefore of key importance in future automotive developments.

Our focus
Coordinated research at TUD addresses the need for reliable intelligent vehicle control strategies leading to enhanced driving pleasure and comfort while enhancing safety. Projects focus on Automotive applications as well as other transport modes and deal with (future) needs of vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.

The financial crisis has not only shaken the financial situation rather automobile world, but also fundamentally altered their understanding of how to look like a modern car. Economical and eco crumbs - this is the motto of the Los Angeles showroom.

A Japanese prime minister, perhaps more than all. And nemudreno. American and European concerns are not in better financial shape (or rather, a very trifling), and why not celebrate at the motor show is something you want. Nissan introduced in Los Angeles its novelty - coupe 370Z. The total weight of the vehicle through the use of lightweight materials has decreased by more than 170 kg, has a new 3.7-liter engine and new 6-speed gearbox. Read the rest of this entry »

The city of Los Angles is taking up the world’s most ambitious solar power project. Till date this project will be the largest solar power plan started by any city in the world. They are planning to install 1.3 Giga Watts (GW) of solar power and register their city’s name in the book of green economy. The plan was announced by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Jan Perry and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). This program is known as Solar LA. They aim to replace the fossil fuels during peak energy requirement and the program lays out a far-reaching and long-lasting course of action for a network of residential, commercial and municipally-owned solar systems to replace fossil fuels during peak energy demand. (more…)

Original post by Alternative Energy

Hydrogen-powered fuel cells hold enormous promise as a power source for future generations. Hydrogen is the simplest element known to humans. Each atom of hydrogen has only one proton. It is also the most abundant gas in the universe. Hydrogen has a unique property. It carries the highest energy content of any common fuel by weight (about three times more than gasoline), but interestingly it has the lowest energy content by volume (about four times less than gasoline). Hydrogen is the lightest element, and it is a gas at normal temperature and pressure. Hydrogen is not a widely used fuel today but it has great potential as an energy carrier in the future. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources (water, fossil fuels, and biomass) and is a byproduct of other chemical processes. (more…)

Original post by Alternative Energy

ARLINGTON, VA — Most new small cars now earn good ratings in frontal crash tests but not when it comes to side and rear crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently completed front, side, and rear tests of seven 2009 model small cars: Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra, Suzuki SX4, and Toyota Matrix. All earn the highest rating of good for occupant protection in frontal crashes. Only the SX4 and Matrix and its twin Pontiac Vibe also earn good ratings for protection in side crashes. Among seat/head restraints evaluated, only those in the Focus earn a good rating for protection in rear impacts. The Institute also tested the Mini Cooper, a minicar that earns good ratings for front and rear crashworthiness but not for side protection.

Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import

ARLINGTON, VA — Despite growing numbers on the road, fewer older drivers died in crashes and fewer were involved in fatal collisions during 1997-2006 than in years past, a new Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study reports. Crash deaths among drivers 70 and older fell 21 percent during the period, reversing an upward trend, even as the population of people 70 and older rose 10 percent. Compared with drivers ages 35-54, older drivers experienced much bigger declines in fatal crash involvements. Reasons for the fatality declines aren’t clear, but another new Institute study indicates that older adults increasingly self-limit driving as they age and develop physical and cognitive impairments.

Original post by WP-AutoBlog Import

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS),U.S.A., Inc. will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2010 Toyota Prius at a press…

Original post by Mick Duffy

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS),U.S.A., Inc. will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2010 Toyota Prius at a press…

Original post by Mick Duffy

Having met with Congress last week GM has reported details of its restructuring plan. Included in the report…

Original post by Mick Duffy