Notícias soltas

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MVS mostra o seu HUD laser 3D para automóveis

Desde hace ya bastantes años, los fabricantes de automóviles están demostrando que quieren hacer de los parabrisas algo más que implacables herramientas de exterminio de insectos. Algunas como GM y BMW lleva tiempo ofreciendo sistemas HUD diseñados para mostrar información de interés para el conductor proyectada sobre el cristal, pero el Volumetric Head Up Display de MVS va un paso más lejos al añadir a sus imágenes sensación de profundidad. Usando rayos láser para proyectar direcciones procedentes desde un navegador GPS, el conductor puede saber cuándo le espera una curva sin necesidad de desviar la mirada de la carretera, y dado que la flecha virtual se sitúa de forma natural por encima de la carretera, resulta casi imposible pasarse una intersección.

La compañía, que lleva trabajando en este sistema desde hace años, mostró su primer prototipo funcional esta semana durante el Augmented Reality Event 2011, y si bien resulta evidente que aún tardaremos en ver productos comerciales basados en su tecnología (ya verás que de la representación superior a la primera demo real hay un mondo de diferencia), no es menos cierto que posee un potencial importante. Sólo hay que ver que Volkswagen ya está trabajando en sistemas de realidad aumentada basados en la misma idea, aunque por el momento sean puramente conceptuales.

 

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Apresentados faróis inteligentes que "ocultam" as gotas de chuva evitando iluminá-las

Investigadores de la Universidad Carnegie Mellon, en Pittsburgh, EEUU, han desarrollado un prototipo de faro para automóvil capaz de ocultar las cegadoras gotas de agua o los copos de nieve de una tormenta para mejorar la visión de los conductores en hasta un 90% a 4 metros de distancia. Su funcionamiento es increíblemente sencillo: dado que en sí misma no es el agua lo bloquea la visión, sino el reflejo de luz, estos grupos ópticos iluminan todo el horizonte menos las partículas en cuestión.

Utilizando un proyector DLP Viewsonic corriente y moliente, un PC con un procesador i7 quad core y una microcámara GigE Point Grey Flea3, el prototipo predice la trayectoria de las gotas de agua para, con la ayuda de un divisor de haz, evitar que los faros las iluminen. El resultado es un importante incremento en la visibilidad de la carretera; a efectos prácticos, casi como si la lluvia desapareciera por arte de magia.

El prototipo actual es capaz de funcionar a una velocidad de 13 milisegundos, pero sus responsables afirman que de ser instalado en un coche real y en medio de una fuerte tormenta, haría falta multiplicar por diez su velocidad de respuesta para dejar pasar el 90% de la luz circulando a 30 km/h. Queda por tanto mucho por hacer, pero BMW piensa lanzar automóviles con faros láser antes de 2015, no resulta descabellado pensar en la integración de sistemas similares en los coches del mañana.

Mais vídeos:
Predicción de trayectoria de gota de agua de Carnegie Mellon - http://es.autoblog.com - YouTube

Demostración del sistema de reducción de reflejos de Carnegie Mellon - http://es.autoblog.com - YouTube

 

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Investigadores japoneses transferem eletricidade através de 10 cm de betão; estradas eletrificadas estão na sua mira

El proyecto, denominado EVER (de Electric Vehicle on Electrified Roadway), pretende de esta forma conseguir que los vehículos eléctricos del mañana obtengan la electricidad directamente desde el firme en lugar de mediante un cable, aunque por ahora presenta algunas complicaciones; sin ir más lejos, la necesidad de enviar cerca de 100 veces más energía a través de una capa de hormigón el doble de gruesa que la utilizada en el experimento para que empiece a ser una opción viable. En otras palabras, que todavía queda bastante trabajo por hacer. No obstante, sus responsables se muestran esperanzados, e incluso indican que los componentes necesarios para mejorar el sistema actual son relativamente asequibles.​

De poco sirve promover el coche eléctrico como nuevo paradigma de la movilidad todavía cuando no existe una infraestructura adecuada para su implantación en masa. Desde que la idea de los automóviles a baterías volvió a coger fuerza, los principales fabricantes han puesto sus ojos en los puntos de carga públicos y domésticos como forma de evitar los surtidores de siempre, pero... ¿y si directamente la carga del coche se realizara sobre la marcha?

Científicos de la Universidad Politécnica de Toyohashi, Japón, han conseguido transmitir electricidad a través de un bloque de hormigón de 10 centímetros de grosor, y así lo demostraron esta misma semana en una feria relacionada con la electricidad inalámbrica que se celebró en Yokohama, donde mostraron que es posible enviar entre 50 y 60 vatios directamente a un par de neumáticos. Como otros sistemas similares, este de hoy también está basado en el acoplamiento inductivo, más conocido por su uso para cargar teléfonos móviles y otros pequeños aparatos electrónicos.


El proyecto, denominado EVER (de Electric Vehicle on Electrified Roadway), pretende de esta forma conseguir que los vehículos eléctricos del mañana obtengan la electricidad directamente desde el firme en lugar de mediante un cable, aunque por ahora presenta algunas complicaciones; sin ir más lejos, la necesidad de enviar cerca de 100 veces más energía a través de una capa de hormigón el doble de gruesa que la utilizada en el experimento para que empiece a ser una opción viable. En otras palabras, que todavía queda bastante trabajo por hacer. No obstante, sus responsables se muestran esperanzados, e incluso indican que los componentes necesarios para mejorar el sistema actual son relativamente asequibles.

 

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Como se faz um coletor de escape independente?

La magia de los colectores de escape está en poder ofrecer recorridos de idéntica longitud a cada salida de escape de cada cilindro antes de llegar al sistema común de escape, de manera que no haya desagradables contrapresiones concentradas en un punto, o reverberaciones causadas por ellas que afecten al motor. Pero lograr esta dimensión común para cada tubo de escape es bastante complicado.

Normalmente, para coches "comunes", lo que hacen los fabricantes es montar un colector que se despreocupa de este tema geométrico, pero es una de las medidas más sencillas para mejorar la respuesta de un motor cuando quieres empezar a preparar cierto coche.

Para que te hagas una idea de la complejidad de fabricar un sistema de colector de longitudes equivalentes te hemos dejado un vídeo tras el salto de un fabricante estadounidense que te va a dejar boquiabierto.​

 

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Artega files for bankruptcy

At the Geneva Motor Show just a few months ago, we noted the fact that Artega, the small German car company selling a single Henrik Fisker-designed coupe, was still a going concern. It even brought an Artega GT with a panoramic roof to the show. According to a short notice posted on its website, however the company remains a going concern, but it's now an insolvent one: Artega has filed for bankruptcy.

Sale of the company to an Asian investor fell through, which necessitated the move. Two years ago, the company was sold to a Mexican beer baroness, and the notice on the site about her purchase declares that it "bought with it sufficient funding to secure the increased serial production and the sale launch of the model," that it would enable an electric version to come out, and that Tresalia Capital – her investment company – wasn't in this for short-term success. What a difference two years makes.

The company remains open and is looking for new investors.

De Tomaso files for bankruptcy

Another small automaker is heading to bankruptcy court in less than a week with the report that De Tomaso has run out of cash and credit. When Artega filed for bankruptcy last week, we felt a bit of a twinge since the German firm has a cool little sports car that just never really got going. And although we're not happy about De Tomaso name plowing into that financial brick wall again, perhaps this time terminally, if it means the end of the ungainliness that was the Deauville resurrection seen above, then we'll accept it.

At the end of 2011, it was reported that Gian Mario Rossignolo, the former Fiat executive who took over De Tomaso, had sold the rights to build the Deauville to a Chinese concern and that he had raised millions of euros to build a new Pantera sports car. We don't know how much of that report didn't come true, but Rossignolo's aims couldn't get over the hurdles of too many words, not enough funds, and one regrettable crossover. If any company does buy what's left of the De Tomaso name, it should take this as lesson number one for its new model business plan: start with the Pantera.

 

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Entretanto nos EUA....

Fewer teens bother to get drivers' licenses, study shows

DETROIT -- As some automakers seek ways to better market to young consumers, a recent study may make them think twice about the investment.

Young drivers' ambivalence toward cars and driving has raised concerns among automakers in recent years as U.S. light-vehicle sales recover from the recent historic low of 10.4 million units in 2009. A recent AlixPartners study referred to young, reluctant drivers as Generation N, as in "neutral about driving."

A University of Michigan study released today found that only six in 10 Americans ages 17-19 have drivers' licenses.

Thirty years ago, that number was eight in 10.

Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle, researchers at the university's Transportation Research Institute, found that the rate of decline has increased significantly in recent years:

• In 1983, 87 percent of 19-year-olds, 80 percent of 18-year-olds and 69 percent of 17-year-olds owned drivers' licenses.

• In 2008, the numbers fell to 75 percent of 19-year-olds, 65 percent of 18-year-olds and 50 percent of 17-year-olds.

• Now, in the study's latest results from 2010, the numbers have declined even further. Only 70 percent of 19-year-olds, 61 percent of 18-year-olds and 46 percent of 17-year-olds had licenses.

Although the findings show a significant decline in licensing among teenagers, Sivak said the share of licensed drivers has fallen in most age groups because of the increasing popularity of the Internet.

"Virtual contact, through electronic means, reduces the need for actual contact," Sivak said.

An exception to the national trend is Americans ages 25-29 and over 70, of which a slightly increasing share were licensed drivers in 2010.

in Autonews

 

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Num mundo cada vez mais interactivo e tecnológico os progressos no âmbito da segurança são sempre de enaltecer.

GM desenvolve sistema wireless de deteção de peões (com vídeo)

Would identify pedestrians by their smartphone

General Motors has announced they are developing a wireless pedestrian detection system that could easily identify people even in poor visibility.
The system relies on the Wi-Fi Direct peer-to-peer wireless standard which normally allows smartphones to communicate directly with each. GM has taken this technology and expanded its potential by developing a system that could detect pedestrians via their smartphone.
Ideally, the automaker would develop an app for pedestrians and employees that work close to the road (ie: bike messengers and construction workers). When a pedestrian is detected near the vehicle, a warning would be displayed to alert the driver.
According to Nady Boules, GM Global R&D director of the Electrical and Control Systems Research Lab, "Wi-Fi Direct has the potential to become an integral part of the comprehensive driver assistance systems we offer on many of our Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles."
​

Source: GM

 

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Aí vêm as previsões para as cores da nova estação (que é o mesmo que dizer, para os próximos anos).

BASF prevê uma mudança nos gostos cromáticos

El gris metalizado es el rey desde hace años en los colores de los coches nuevos. El blanco apareció hace poco con renovadas fuerzas, pero son los colores que podríamos llamar setenteros los que, según el proveedor BASF, podrían tomar el relevo en el liderato de ventas de coches.

BASF apuesta por "colores naturales" como el marrón, el azul o el verde para dominar las elecciones de los clientes automovilísticos de aquí a cinco años. Combinaciones de estos tonos pastel también deberían tomar especial importancia. Y todo esto por la influencia de los gustos asiáticos, cada vez más importantes a la hora de determinar en qué colores se venden los coches. En cinco años veremos si esta predicción era, o no, buena.​

 

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Um veículo-robô com lagartas que passou do grande ecrã para a realidade com uma finalidade muito nobre.

Man Builds Real-Life Working Version of WALL-E for Kids with Cancer - Carscoop

You no doubt remember WALL-E, the love-stricken robot from the successful Pixar movie that bears his name. Now, some four years after the film hit theaters, WALL-E has come to life, no thanks to the efforts of California robotics enthusiast Mike Senna, who some of you may remember for building a life-sized, working R2-D2 from the Star Wars saga.
Blastr reports that Senna decided to work on WALL-E after he begun taking R2-D2 to events for City of Hope, a pediatric cancer charity, and saw the reactions of the kids to the robot. He says that he then wanted to create something with a little "more emotion".
The California resident estimates that it took him between 3,200 and 3,800 hours to complete the project from scratch working an average of 25 hours a week for more than two years. Did we mention that he paid everything from his own pocket and that he has a regular job?
Senna says that his reward comes from the look on kids' faces when they see the remote-controlled robot come to life.

For more photos of WALL-E, check out Senna's blog here.

 

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Curiosity, um "jipe-robô", é o "automóvel" mais caro do mundo (2 mil milhões de euros) e irá passar 2 anos em Marte a recolher informações acerca da existência de vida naquele planeta.
Não, não estão à procura de marcianos verdes no planeta vermelho, que esses já por aqui andam há muito... mais conhecidos como cromos.

Informação completa: Curiosity pousa com sucesso em Marte

Imagens captadas em Marte.

 

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Autocarro velho transformado em secretária de trabalho
Looking for a really cool place to do your work in that’s both secluded and wide open? Here’s an idea!

Breathing new life into old objects is often a really tricky thing to do. But if done right, it can be really rewarding. The old object in question happens to be a worn out bus. After years of service on Eastern Europe’s roads, it deserved to be put out to pasture.

But somebody had other ideas. The front end of the Hungarian-built Ikarus was cut of using a grinder. The old paint was then stripped away to reveal the bare metal, which was then primed and painted in the original colors of red and white.

The bus then became a desk, complete with working computer, laptop, a chair and plenty of lights.

 

[reckoner00]

Melkus Declares Insolvency

German sports car manufacturer, Melkus, declared insolvency earlier on today. German press sources have revealed that Melkus filed with the Dresden district court for bankruptcy. It appears that sales volumes for the Melkus RS2000 were not enough to help the company stay afloat. Melkus had hoped to produce 25 hand built examples per year.

Historically, the company manufactured single seat racing cars and sport cars between 1959 and 1986 from its facility in Dresden, Germany. During this time it produced one road car, the Melkus RS1000. Since 2006, the company had been relaunched with a new road car, the Melkus RS2000.

The Melkus RS2000 was powered by a two-liter turbo-engine with a six-speed gearbox and 325hp. It featured a unique design incorporating gullwing doors and a classic GT-shape. The suspension consisted of an aluminium frame with a monocoque and double wishbones at front and rear.

The company plans to reorganise and look at starting afresh.

 

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Bosch lança novo sistema ESP 9 premium

Bosch es líder en el mercado de los sistemas de control de estabilidad, como lo es también en ABS y otros dispositivos electrónicos de ayuda a la conducción. Esta semana ha presentado una nueva generación para su sistema de control de estabilidad, bautizada como ESP 9 premium. El apellido premium está pensado para dirigir el nuevo producto exactamente hacia ese segmento del mercado.

La idea es que esta variante del sistema ESP presente un funcionamiento más refinado, con menos vibraciones en el pedal de freno. Además, ESP 9 premium está pensado para integrarse mejor en el vehículo, contando con elementos de menor tamaño y peso para la construcción de sus bombas, ahorrando 800 gramos respecto a la generación anterior del dispositivo.

Su lógica permitirá además la integración de funciones como el control de cambio involuntario de carril, control de crucero adaptativo con control de distancia, distribución activa del par entre las ruedas motrices, control del subviraje, y todas las funciones ya conocidas de los ESP.

No tardaremos en verlo implementado en algún modelo de nueva generación de VAG, Mercedes o BMW.

 

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O futuro parece correr sobre rodas!

Mando Footloose Chainless Folding e-Bike

Some innovations fit so well together that we often wonder why they weren’t designed in tandem in the first place.

One example to support the claim are e-bikes, which use pedal power to both drive the rear wheel, as well as charing up a small battery pack which allows the rider to effortlessly get to anywhere he needs to go, and if the juice in the battery runs out, all one has to do to replenish it is pedal.

A bike which has really taken advantage of this concept is the Mando Footloose bike, which does away with the conventional chain and replaces it with . . . nothing. On the Mando, all the pedals do is charge the battery which feeds power to a rear hub motor, which in turn propels the bike and rider forward.

Another plus point for this particular bike is its very clean and stylish design, as well as the fact that it looks very solid and is extremely easy to fold - no more than 10 seconds are required to complete the operation.

There are currently no details regarding any technical or pricing details, but we are sure people will see the promise behind it and back it - there is a very good chance to see it on the road in coming months/years.

E mais outro vídeo:
Mando Footloose - Folding - YouTube

 

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Parece saído de um filme da saga "Guerra das Estrelas".

Working Hover Bike Is a Reality!

As far as innovation is concerned, since the invention of the car, motorbike, airplane and helicopter, the principles behind these vehicles have remained largely unchanged, and while they may have evolved considerably in the last century, there have been very few true breakthroughs in the field since the actual machines first moved under their own power.

Now, a new kind of vehicle is looming over the horizon - literally. It is a Star Wars-esque hover bike, which has already taken to the air, and by the looks of the video, it looks very stable and controllable. What’s interesting is that this bi-rotor craft does not use any complicated software system to keep it level, and all that’s keeping it straight is the rider’s imput.

We must admit that we are really impressed by Aerofex (a California-based company) and their very interesting one-manned craft. If they get past the testing phase and the craft is deemed safe, we could see it take off in a big way - again, literally.

 

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Na terra dos cangurus

Mitsubishi Australia CEO: "I don't know why people buy a Mitsubishi" []

While we appreciate candor among executives, it is generally unwise for the CEO of any company to slight their own brand – even if they really dislike their product. Mutsuhiro Oshikiri may not have gotten the memo.

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the new CEO of Mitsubishi Australia isn't mincing words, saying "the product is too old...the prices are too high." Oshikiri took over the Australian branch of the Japanese automaker just ten weeks ago, and says the brand needs to be updating its product portfolio more quickly.

"I don't know why people buy a Mitsubishi...What is the benefit?...I have to find out."

The comments are more introspective to the brand than outright defamation, but that doesn't mean that Oshikiri's comments aren't making waves.

Struggling Mitsubishi is set to roll out three new models in the Australian market shortly, including a new Outlander and a revival of its low-cost Mirage subcompact (above). The next question Oshikiri may be asking is, "Will it be enough to make the brand relevant?" Only time will tell.

in Autoblog

 

[Fahrenheit]

E caíram todos em cima de Sergio Marchionne quando este disse que o Alfa 159 tinha sido um erro. []

Our Global Interests
As a Mitsubishi owner, you're part of a company that touches the lives of people all over the world, in more ways than you might imagine. In Australia alone, for instance, we have interests in Information technology, petroleum and LPG, mining, shipping, aircraft manufacturing, electronics, textiles, construction, farming, food production and of course, cars.

Mitsubishi History - Dealer Network - Mitsubishi Motors Australia

 

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E caíram todos em cima de Sergio Marchionne quando este disse que o Alfa 159 tinha sido um erro.

Não disse nenhuma mentira, porque um carro não é só feito de estética.
Como não existe nenhum tópico dedicado, aqui fica a notícia.

Bürstner Grand Panorama, um autêntico apartamento com rodas

El Caravan Salon 2012 que se celebra en Düsseldorf está siendo especialmente importante este año ante la gran cantidad de novedades presentadas. Entre ellas hoy hemos selecionado un auténtico apartamento con ruedas, fabricado por Bürstner y que comenzará su comercialización en unas semanas en toda Europa.

Catalogada como una autocaravana integral, el Grand Panorama presume de las mismas comodidades que podrías encontrar en cualquier apartamento y añade la movilidad para convertirlo en un excelente compañero de viajes. La oferta ofrece versiones con una longitud de entre 8,42 metros para la más pequeña y los 9 metros de los más grandes.En todas ellas se incluye de serie el enorme parabrisas panorámico, algo que mejora la luminosidad de su habitáculo.

 

[Fahrenheit]

Não disse nenhuma mentira, porque um carro não é só feito de estética.

Concordo. Sempre faltou algo ao 159. Mas à beira desta declaração do CEO da Mitsu-Austrália, a do Sr. Marchionne parece de meninos []

BTW:

Brasil e México devem renegociar acordo automotivo

A imposição de cotas de importação de veículos mexicanos caiu como uma bomba no mercado nacional e também nas relações entre os dois países.
Parece que agora, alguns meses após a instituição do regime de cotas, o Brasil quer renegociar o acordo com os mexicanos a fim de evitar maiores prejuízos na relação comercial.
O México é um importante parceiro do Brasil e um acordo de livre comércio ainda é um dos objetivos dos dois governos. As cotas foram impostas por causa do grande déficit na balança comercial brasileira, negativa em relação ao México desde 2008.
Algumas montadoras saíram prejudicadas pela imposição de cotas, sendo assim obrigadas a importar volumes maiores que o permitido e pagando 35% de II e IPI a partir de 37%.
Apesar de um possível acordo para expansão do comércio para outros setores e o fim dos limites para importação, o plano já estabelecido entre os dois lados será mantido.
Assim, as montadoras poderão importar US$ 1,45 bilhão em 2012, US$ 1,56 bilhão em 2013 e US$ 1,64 bilhão em 2015. Só então, o possível novo acordo entraria em vigor, beneficiando novamente a importação de carros mexicanos.

Noticia importante para algumas mega-construtoras no activo no Brasil, mas não só.
Esta medida/noticia pode permitir a outras empresas alargar o seu mercado alvo afim de salvar algum prejuízo acumulado dos ultimos tempos de vendas "residuais".

 

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The Drift Trike - O mais divertido que consegues ter com 3 rodas