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Design

When Autonomy Underperforms: the Evolving Liability Model

When humans drive a vehicle, safety liability issues are well-established and depend largely on whether a state has adopted no-fault liability or whether a product was at the root...

Articles

AR/AI

Nvidia’s ‘Kitchen Sink’ for AV Testing

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang laid out the problem during his keynote address at the company’s 2018 GTC conference in San Jose in late March. Autonomous driving technology is “probably the hardest...

Articles

Transportation

Engineering the Motivo Way

“When we hire new engineers, I’m usually the last guy to talk with the candidate during the interview process," said Praveen Penmetsa, CEO and founder of Motivo Engineering. “And that’s when I to try to...

Articles

Transportation

Not dead yet: The resilient ICE looks to 2050

For the sake of discussion, let’s say that 25% of the world’s light-vehicle production in 2030 will be battery-electrics. Such a prediction may seem quite optimistic, compared with most...

Q&A

Transportation

Scouting for Start-up Innovations with the Autotech Council

How do start-up companies and entrepreneurs get their new technology ideas in front of the mobility industry? Conversely, how can OEMs and suppliers who are searching for...

Articles

Transportation

Big Data, Big Challenges

Connectivity lets automakers and service providers collect tons of valuable data from vehicles and their operators, but it also brings the challenge of finding ways to glean useful information from huge databases....

Articles

Transportation

Reinventing the Automobile’s Design

The 2030 view inside the Mobility Industry, towards fully autonomous electric vehicles and robotaxi business models, has swiftly evolved from skepticism towards conventional wisdom. If the current view...

Articles

Transportation

Autonomy and Electrification: A Perfect Match?

The electric powertrain and autonomous vehicle marriage may well be ‘made in heaven’ — but like any strong partnership it also needs care and attention. Read on to learn more.

What We’re Driving

Transportation

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti

It had to happen: Alfa Romeo doing an SUV. And I suppose it’s about time, com- ing 16 years after the Porsche Cayenne debuted and even following Bentley and Maserati’s prestige utility vehicles. Named for a...

What We’re Driving

Transportation

2018 Volkswagen Arteon

It is called the Volkswagen Arteon Elegance, only it isn’t—elegant, that is.

What We’re Driving

Transportation

2018 Cadillac CT6 Platinum AWD

I’m on the fence about the CT6’s merits as a flagship sedan. Its plutocrat-grade back-seat has heat, massage and deep recline on the outboard positions, although the generally over-the-top accomodations seem...

Editorial

Transportation

Fear and Loathing on the Path to Level 4 Driving

One of the perks of my job is access to the latest vehicles. Such hands-on product exposure is essential, I believe, for understanding the rapid advances of automated-driving technology and...

Articles

Transportation

Mercedes Adopts Harman UX for A-Class

Mercedes-Benz’s ‘User Experience’ digital cockpit, previewed at the 2018 CES, is entering production in the new 2018 A-Class (W177). The cockpit is the first in a new generation of...

Articles

Propulsion

Spark of Genius

In 2016, after six frustrating years of R&D invested in an ultra-lean-burn, high-compression gasoline engine, Mazda’s managing executive officer, Mitsuo Hitomi, 63, had this brainstorm: Adding spark ignition might...

Articles

Transportation

Taking Aim at the Drowsy-driver Threat

Semi-autonomous technology designed to significantly reduce the 7000 annual fatalities in the U.S. attributed to driver drowsiness has been developed by Hyundai Mobis North America. A “low-cost”...

Articles

Manufacturing & Prototyping

When Steering Isn’t Steering Anymore

High-level autonomy requires new thinking for even basic vehicle controls. Steer-by-wire technology eases some of the complexities automated driving presents—and offers desirable new possibilities.

Articles

Robotics, Automation & Control

Who’s Ahead in the Automated-Driving Race?

The 2018 Navigant Research Leaderboard study brings new insights into the industry’s progress. Read on to learn more.

Articles

Transportation

GM’s Self-Driving Car Strategy: Vertical Integration

Using maximum control to mitigate risk, GM can generate trillions in revenue by creating an autonomous ride-hailing ecosystem. Read on to learn more.

Articles

Transportation

ADAS Computing on a Greater Scale

Samsung engineers are developing next-gen domain controllers to meet specific performance needs of automated/autonomous driving. Read on to learn more.

Articles

Green Design & Manufacturing

LEAF Turns to the 2020s

The 2018 Leaf, now packing 150-mi (241-km) operating range, and with +200-mi (321-km) battery capability coming for 2019, will lead Nissan’s electric march into the new decade. Read on to learn more.

Articles

Transportation

Electrification Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution

Some electrification efforts in the off-highway in dustry have been quite successful, yet others still need either time to catch on or may just flat-out not be suited for electrification. It is not an across-the-board solution, nor does it necessarily need to be one. Read on to learn more.

Articles

Green Design & Manufacturing

SuperTruck REDUX

In fall of 2016, truck makers that participated in the first five-year phase of the SuperTruck program made like the Blues Brothers and “put the band back together” for phase two of the U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored initiative. Read on to learn more.

Articles

Manufacturing & Prototyping

Automated Data Translation in THE HOT SEAT

Seating development and manufacturing are full of variables that need to be streamlined and made manageable to accommodate a complex array of customers, partners, product variants and end...

Articles

Automotive

A Rebel’s Guide to Chassis Engineering

Herb Adams didn’t invent modern American car handling, though he was present at the creation. Read on to learn more about his trials and tribulations.

Articles

Unmanned Systems

New SAE President Focused on Big Data

Well-known in the mobility industry for his expertise in mechatronics and propulsion-system engineering, Mircea Gradu, Ph.D. begins his one-year term as SAE International President amid technology shifts that are rocking the automotive status quo.

News

Software

Nissan Xmotion Blends Interior Artistry and Technology

The influence of Japan’s landscape and traditional wood crafting techniques are dovetailed in Nissan’s Xmotion (pronounced cross-motion) concept CUV, a design exploration that...

News

Transportation

New Toyota Avalon Gains Advanced Suspension, Lighting Systems

An adaptive variable suspension that improves ride and handling, and a dynamic headlamp system that illuminates the surroundings on curved roadways represent brand-first...

Articles

Energy

Who Wants Afreecar?

One billion people globally survive on less than $2/day but desperately need personal mobility and electric power. One of the auto industry’s most creative minds offers what could be a unique and sustainable solution.

Articles

Power

Dana Opens New Chapter on CVTs

VariGlide’s 2020 market entrance underscores not only Dana’s faith in the fundamental Fallbrook technology, but also the fact that the next decade will see many exciting new driveline solutions emerge beyond the battery-electric “revolution” that is taking longer to arrive than some expected.