Volkswagen and MIT’s AIDA to be a friendly robotic navigator

AIDA is a project created by MIT’s Personal Robots Group, the SENSEable city lab and Volkswagen Group of America’s Electronics Research Lab. The cute robot is lovingly called AIDA, but its real name is a long Affective Intelligent Driving Agent...

AIDA is a project created by MIT’s Personal Robots Group, the SENSEable city lab and Volkswagen Group of America’s Electronics Research Lab. The cute robot is lovingly called AIDA, but its real name is a long Affective Intelligent Driving Agent. It sits on the dash and not only takes over the duties of the navigation system, but also keeps a track of the driver’s preferences and driving style.



The bot will know what time you get off work, what you like to do on your way back home, and if you’re running out of gas. With all that info at its command, AIDA will provide you with suggestions and recommendations of your interest. It can also checkout the traffic ahead and suggest alternative routes if it is likely that the car is headed to a jam.

Oh, and perhaps just to get cozy, it can wink, smile and the lights on its face can change to warning signs to alert the driver of any hazard.

Via: cnet/ Dvice

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/volkswagen-and-mit-...

So-called Batmobile replica for sale on eBay

We’ve seen a whole lot of Batmobile replicas, but this one is just a bit too weird and off the line to be called a Batmobile. Perhaps it’s the black paintjob and the wing-like things that earn it the title of being a Batmobile replica, or maybe...

We’ve seen a whole lot of Batmobile replicas, but this one is just a bit too weird and off the line to be called a Batmobile. Perhaps it’s the black paintjob and the wing-like things that earn it the title of being a Batmobile replica, or maybe it’s the strange windscreen, it is tough to be certain.



Created by a designer called “Koon,” the Batmobile is based on a 1984 Ford Granada. Apart from giving the attempted Batmobile replica wings and a strange windscreen, the designer also gave it an electric circular saw blade at the front and there’s supposedly room for the BatPod, or in this case, a Batcycle in the trunk.

Via: eBay/ Carscoop

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/so-called-batmobile...

Ford starts on the way of bringing cloud computing to Sync

To take its widely popular Sync to the next level, Ford has joined hands with the University of Michigan to bring cloud computing to Sync. Called American Journey 2.0, the project will tap the power of innovation in the students and will hopefully go.

To take its widely popular Sync to the next level, Ford has joined hands with the University of Michigan to bring cloud computing to Sync. Called American Journey 2.0, the project will tap the power of innovation in the students and will hopefully go to the “next level.”



A major reason for the success of the Sync have been young buyers mostly in their twenties, so using the same demographic to create the next level, Ford hopes to make Sync even more attractive to its buyers. Students of course, will get a chance to unleash their creativity in preparing the car to contact and communicate well with the external world. Ford on the other hand may get its hand on a much more advanced improved Sync.

Via: Wired Autopia

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/ford-starts-on-the-...

MuscleCar tuner drag race: MotorTrend puts three tuned muscle cars on the track

Recently, MotorTrend put three tuned muscle cars to the test, and well, there’s nothing like a drag race to soup things up a bit. The competing cars were the 705hp Chevrolet Camaro HPE650, the 725hp Shelby Mustang GT500 super snake, and a 700hp...

Recently, MotorTrend put three tuned muscle cars to the test, and well, there’s nothing like a drag race to soup things up a bit. The competing cars were the 705hp Chevrolet Camaro HPE650, the 725hp Shelby Mustang GT500 super snake, and a 700hp SpeedFactory Dodge Challenger SRT8. Nothing like pure muscle roaring down the road! Checkout the video to see the winner, and click here to read MotorTrend’s road test.

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/musclecar-tuner-dra...

Photograph collection shows the centennial beauty of Bugatti

Photographer Laurent Nivalle has brought out the beauty in a century of Bugatti through his photographs that capture the marque in a very unique and striking way. Nivalle’s photographs keep focus on the car’s mechanical part, rather than the...

Photographer Laurent Nivalle has brought out the beauty in a century of Bugatti through his photographs that capture the marque in a very unique and striking way. Nivalle’s photographs keep focus on the car’s mechanical part, rather than the complete car. The photographer has not used digital tools on the images for his ‘1909 Bugatti 2009’ series, but has created them in a vintage, and vivid look, making them a lot more appealing.

Via: Laurent Nivalle/ Definitive Touch

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/photograph-collecti...

Restyling Volkswagen Tiguan. First Photo

In internet appears first photo of a front part restyling Volkswagen Tiguan which will appear on sale in the beginning of next year. Alas, quality of this picture leaves much to be desired, however, and on it is possible to understand, how will look updated Tiguan (in a photo above new Tiguan, and below nowadays exhausted).

Predictably, the car will receive "muzzle" in new corporate style Volkswagen (the same design of a front part already have Golf, Polo and Transporter). What changes will occur in technical part Tiguan, yet is not informed. Most likely, the car will keep a present ruler of engines though, some motors and can receive minor alterations.

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Original source : http://autostream.blogspot.com/2009/10/restyling-v...

The most powerful BMW M5 is shown

BMW is absolutely unexpected for all has presented the fastest version of sedan М5. While this model exists only in the single copy, and the management of the Bavarian concern has informed that to start in a series the car is not planned.

However charged BMW M5, constructed only for driving on a track, nevertheless it is worthy our attention. Still, after all this car has received motor V10 in volume of 5,5 l – for comparison, at standard «M5» volume of 5,0 l. Besides increase in volume of the power unit under a cowl there was a new oil cooler, other final system also has been established. As a result, on predesigns, the engine power has grown about 507 h.p. to 580 h.p. the twisting moment (with 520 Nm to 540 Nm) has slightly increased also.

Besides the engine, the suspender and even a body with interior has undergone to modernisation. So, the roof at this M5 is made from carbon, and in interior there are no rear armchairs is has allowed to lower weight a little. But for Bavarians the result, to be exact circle time on a Nurnburgring is more important. It yet is not informed. Representatives BMW have only modestly informed that track version M5 passes a circle approximately for 20 seconds faster standard «M5».

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Original source : http://autostream.blogspot.com/2009/10/most-powerf...

New Porsche Cayenne will appear in March

About that company Porsche conducts works on creation of the second generation of off-road car Cayenne, i already wrote. But here today the date of official presentation of this model became known – Cayenne II will show in March of next year on a motor show in Geneva.

And, for model statement on the conveyor Germans will be compelled to reconstruct the factory seriously. The new equipment which installation will be begun in January is for this purpose already bought. That is possible to assume that old Cayenne will stop to exhaust in December of this year.

According to preliminary data, new Cayenne become hardly less than the present car, but thus the car will appear is even more strongly focused on high-speed driving on equal asphalt. Well and under a cowl new Cayenne it will be possible to see gasoline engines well familiar to us in volume of 4,8 l which, the truth, will be seriously finished. Still there will be a diesel engine in volume of 3,0 l and hybrid version.

As to interior it will be made in style of big hatchback Panamera – between front armchairs there will be a huge tunnel on which buttons of steering by systems of the car and a powerful shift lever will be located.

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Original source : http://autostream.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-porsche...

Subaru Legacy B4 GT300 for Super GT

Having left the World championship on rally, company Subaru has closed many sports projects. But in 2010 the company intends to exhaust on a racing line super car Subaru Legacy B4 GT300.

The car intended for national series Super GT, equip 2,0-litre turbo motor, developing about 300 h.p. The Car will equip with a drive gear on all four wheels and six-high-speed transmission. The car debuted last month on autodrome Fuji Speedway where he without any problems has managed to overcome 300 km and to occupy as a result of 18 place.

The equipped weight B4 GT300 will make an order of 1270 kg. It will provide to a novelty good dynamics and high speed.

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Original source : http://autostream.blogspot.com/2009/10/subaru-lega...

Renault Twingo gets all high and mighty with a Range Rover V8

The Renault Twingo is no monster, and we guess it would never be one. Lazareth’s take on the Twingo mini is perhaps the closest this car gets to being a monster, or at least formidable. The French custom car builder took out the tiny...

The Renault Twingo is no monster, and we guess it would never be one. Lazareth’s take on the Twingo mini is perhaps the closest this car gets to being a monster, or at least formidable. The French custom car builder took out the tiny front-mounted engine the Twingo had, and replaced it with a mighty 180hp 3.5-l V8 sourced from Range Rover.

The mid-mounted engine transfers power to the rear wheels via a five speed manual transmission. This process of course isn’t as easy as pulling out an engine and plonking in another one. Lazareth had to modify the Twingo’s chassis with the addition of a rear tubular subframe, a new suspension, brakes and some more changes.

While they were at it, the tuners also added a matte gray exterior paint finish, MOMO bucket seats, sport steering wheel and new digital gauges. The Twingo Trophy V8 costs €70,000 ($105,000).

Via: Carscoop

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/renault-twingo-gets...

Saucer vehicle concept lets lazy drivers sleep comfy

Conventional wisdom says sleeping while at the wheel is a surefire way to drive into the other life, but the saucer vehicle concept totally shuns the idea to let its driver sleep, in fact, it lets the driver sleep all cozy and comfortable on the bed!.

Conventional wisdom says sleeping while at the wheel is a surefire way to drive into the other life, but the saucer vehicle concept totally shuns the idea to let its driver sleep, in fact, it lets the driver sleep all cozy and comfortable on the bed! The futuristic autonomous vehicle has a soundproof interior to allow the driver to lie down, relax or just have a good nap.

Designer John Bukasa’s idea is to provide a feasible travel option to those whose busy schedule may prevent them from a good sleep and may further lead to poor driving. Such individuals can travel safely in the car, and also relax. A compartment at the car’s rear provides storage for luggage. And as its name suggests, it is inspired from alien flying saucers.

Via: Tuvie

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/saucer-vehicle-conc...

Mercedes Synergy Concept gets weird doors, inspiration from nature and emotions

The Mercedes Synergy concept from designer Sylvain Wehnert was created with the aim of combining the environment and the emotions. To meet these requirements, the design has gone bionic, with special emphasis on vertebrates. It has a frame that...

The Mercedes Synergy concept from designer Sylvain Wehnert was created with the aim of combining the environment and the emotions. To meet these requirements, the design has gone bionic, with special emphasis on vertebrates. It has a frame that resembles the spinal frame of vertebrate animals, and to this suspension are attached the fuel cells, wheels, suspension and the seat controls.



Powered by fuel cells, the concept has a special arrangement to hold two tanks of hydrogen in the concept’s central tube that is analogous to the spinal cord of vertebrates. The queer designing of the concept allows for “a new type of doors.” These sliding doors go beneath the car to open, which we’d guess looks like the exact opposite of gullwings.

Via: Cardesing.ru

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/mercedes-synergy-co...