Foursprung: We want you for editor!

You might have noticed that Foursprung is not updated as frequent as usual.
That's why we are looking for passionate readers who love cars and gadgets as much as we do to jump on the other side of the table and become an editor with us.

Besides the fun you will have writing about your favorite toys, we will split the ad revenue with you depending on your effort and buzz (read: revenue) you create with your posts.

If this sounds like the perfect deal for you, just drop us a mail to show your interest in the position.

We are looking forward to your application.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS (e.g. with Lamborghini)

Dear readers,
it's christmas time and as well the Foursprung team take it's time with traditions.
We hope you have some wonderful days in peace with a lot of gadgets.

Do it like the fellows at The German Car Blog and have the Lamborghini of christmases.

Enjoy your time.

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Source: The German Car Blog

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Safety: Non-rotating airbag

TRW intros a new airbag concept.

The next-generation asymmetric airbag / steering wheel system features a "non-rotating airbag" that stays put while the wheel around it moves to meet the driver's demands. By utilizing a circumferential gear to keep the airbag stationary, the mobilized unit provides "enhanced crash protection" while allowing automotive designers to add more "convenience and aesthetic features" (read: buttons, switches, and other gadget-controlling togglers) to the steering wheel itself.

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Source: Engadget

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Interiour: Green alternative to in-car foam

30 to 40 pounds of heavy foam rubber are in your car, mostly made of petroleum. But there are alternatives, green in two ways: it's lighter and made of soy.

Auto-foam makers have actually had a really tough time recently. With huge pressures to keep costs down, and fluctuating oil prices making that difficult, several foam companies have gone bankrupt. But Lear Corp. has begun producing a light-weight foam made of soybean oil that is sheltered from fluctuations in the oil market, and is just as cooshy as any petroleum based foam.

The foam has already made it into the Chevy Impala and the Ford 500, and it is likely that a wider market shift will begin. Soyfoam is currently a bit more expensive than traditional foam rubber, but that will likely change dramatically as oil prices increase and the use of soyfoam increases.

We may not even notice the change, but this light-weight natural foam will probably permeate the automobile industry in the next five years, reducing our dependence on oil, while making cars cheaper and more fuel efficient.

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Source: Treehugger

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GPS: Car-shaped Bluetooth receiver

There are lot of Bluetooth GPS receivers available. Here comes one a little bit different. If you don'lt like these standard boxes but current SiRF Star III technology made of plastic, have a look at these "Gold Kiwi" devices. They are made of plastic as well but look like toy cars. As this might entertaint your kids on the road as well, this is a classic two-for-one deal.

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Source: Engagdet

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Toys: Ford Racing Arcade Unit x2

Go back in time to the days when you were young and dreaming of your own racing game machine.

Amazon is currently selling a twin unit of the Ford Racing arcade game complete with force feedback steering wheels, foot pedals and racing-inspired seats. Unfortunately though now that I'm an older kid who has to pay for grown-up related things the $18,999 that Amazon is asking for the arcade unit will force me to let that dream pass once again...

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Source: OhGizmo!

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EV: Truly plug-and-play car from Phoenix Motorcars

Not a hybrid but a pure electric vehicle working fine.

this is the Phoenix Motorcars electric SUV, which can be plugged into a wall socket and recharged with the same plug that powers your garden party boombox. Just grab an extension cord, plug in your truck for six to seven hours, and bam, it's good to roll. Simple concept, right? Worried about power under the hood? It'll do 0 to 60 in under 10 seconds, and can sustain a top speed of 110 miles per hour. What about the range? It'll stayed juiced for up to 250 miles, which is a little more than half the distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Wanna take one for a spin? You'll have to throw down $45,000 for the pleasure -- the first 500 are due out in 2007, and the next 6,000 will be out the following year.

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Source: Engadget

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Camper Lotus: 2 people, 2 Wheels, 0 emissions

The Camper Lotus promises a new way of driving.

The Camper Lotus, designed as "a personal commuter" for China in 2012. Seats 2, is rechargeable and is balanced by gyroscope technology. "With zero emissions, it offers a means of helping to achieve cleaner air. For comfort, it offers customisable personal space both inside and out. Its small footprint allows easy parking, and it is rechargeable with household electricity. Lotus may be customised and retailed both online and in showrooms. Short-term leasing options on parts such as external polycarbonate panels may be ideal so customers are able to enjoy updated looks, and old parts can be properly recycled."

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Source: Treehugger

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Toys: Car covered by 4000+ cars

Scientists say that all small things and strucutures are repeated those large ones. This car covered by thousands of small cars is the other way round.

You see, a London artist by the name of James R. Ford has taken his 1981 Mk III Ford Capri and turned it into a General Lee look-alike. Well, if you squint from a block away, maybe.

The "paintjob" on this particular replica is actually a mosaic covering that uses 4,342 scale model cars. James apparently made a global appeal for toy cars for his project, and received donations from as far away as Australia.

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Source: Autoblog

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Ford: Made by Mac

We all know about a Mac integrated to your car. But at Ford the cars are built by these wonderful little machines.

Ford Motor's contractor has installed the Apple-made computers in two of the automaker's northern Indiana factories as part of a sequencing solution to boost assembly line efficiency.

...

A total of 14 Mac minis running on Intel Core Solo chips have been operational at the plants since early November, helping Ford assemble 800 cars a day.

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Source: MacCentral

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Gifts: Twelve last-minute tips

Christmas comes nearer and nearer. Do you have all the gifts for your beloved? We give tips on this every day, now Techno Ride but together twelve last minute gift ideas for car gadget enthusiasts. In the list are Microfiber cloth, Diagnostic tester, In-car laptop transformer, Universal car cell-phone charger, LED flashlight with lithium batteries and other gadgets.

Read the complete list here.

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Source: Techno Ride

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GPS: Garmin Nuvi with MSN Direct

There are only few GPS devices coming to market with new features these days. But here is one: The Garmin Nuvi 670 / 680 combine the GPS functionality with Microsoft's MSN Direct data services.

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Source: Engadget

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Motorcycles: Catalytic converter made of paper

Motorcycles get new catalytic converters. F.C.C. Co., a manufacturer of clutches for motorcycles and cars - developed it and uses paper as manufacturing material.

Conventional automobile catalytic converters are made from ceramics, but motorcycles use converters made from nickel and other metals that can better withstand vibrations. The weight of the devices and the high price of the metals has limited their application to larger and more expensive motorcycles.

...

The catalyst material was developed in collaboration with Kyushu University. The porous structure of the current paper catalyst increases its efficiency compared to earlier attempts as the air gaps are the site of the catalytic reactions. The catalyst powder is highly homogeneous and can cover a large area at low cost using the manufacturing method.

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Source: Green Car Congress, pic via alibaba.com

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Toys: Build-It-Yourself Land Rovers and Jeeps

What a gift for your kids. Great Build-It-Yourself Land Rovers and Jeeps.

Powered by one or two 12-volt, 180-watt direct-drive motors, these Toylander I & II kiddie cars are based on the Land Rover Series 1 and Series 2.

The heirloom-quality toys are built from half-inch thick birch and aluminum, and are built from plans sourced from UK-based Real Life Toys, which also offers other models, including Jeeps.

More pictures here.

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Source: Winding Roads

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Accessories: Never forget about your parking time again

Unfortunately automated paying for parking fees is not really wide spread so most of us have to pay in advance and guess how long they will need.

To forget about your parking time can end in a parking ticket and this is avoided by the Parking Timer Key Chain.

All you need to do is program how much money you've inserted into the parking meter, and the keychain will automatically alert you 10 minutes before your time expires. Forgetful types will also appreciate where they've parked their vehicle as it comes with a 10-second voice memo feature.

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Source: Ubergizmo

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EV: Free charge-up in London

If you live in London an EV becomes more attractive. The city installed two charching points.

"Putting free charging points on the street where people need them most is a simple concept which we hope will help galvanise broader appeal for electric car use," the local councillor said. Electric car owners in London do not have to pay the congestion charge and they park for free. About 750 G-Wiz cars have been sold in London, 250 in the last six months alone. Despite the introduction of the congestion charge, the city has the highest level of air pollution in Britain, due to volume and type of traffic coming in and out of central London.

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Source: Treehugger

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GPS: World's smallest Bluetooth GPS receiver (yet)

World's yet smallest Bluetooth GPS receiver comes for less than $100 from Emtac. (Let's see how long this title last for the device in the world of microelectronics).

You shouldn't have much trouble pocketing the 0.7-inch thick girth, and the no-slip rubber casing should make it easy to keep the widget up on your dashboard. Just like everything else GPS-related these days, the device is based on a SiRFstarIII chipset, and conveniences like a user replaceable 8 hour lithium-ion battery and a mini-USB charging plug always help.

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Source: Engagdet

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Parking: Space measuring system fom Bosch

Citroen already offers this new parking assistant from Bosch that measures if the parking lot is large enough for your car (actually the perfect gadget for me :-), as I don't drive a LEGO car).

The Bosch system already uses four ultrasound sensors on the vehicle to help drivers avoid collisions while parallel parking but now adds two additional ones for measuring the size of a prospective parking spot. I don't care how accurate your auto-parking system is, if the car's not gonna fit into the spot you have a problem.

With the Bosch system once an available spot is found the driver simply has to activate his turn signal so the vehicle knows what side the spot is on and then drive past at a speed of up to 20 km/h. The sensors will precisely measure the gap between the two vehicles and will let you know if the spot is big enough, a tight squeeze or too small.

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Source: OhGizmo!

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Car audio: Digital Power Station promises improvements

There is hope for you audiophilists: the Digital Power Station, a sound processing technique that squeezes sophisticated high-quality audio out of even cheap speakers. JVC brings this to market.

The Digital Power Station adapts intelligently to music to give even cheap speakers a full, robust sound and compensate for the deficiencies of the listening space. Bongiovi built an analog device to produce the same effect, but it was the size of a refrigerator. So he turned to Glenn Zelniker, a specialist in digital signal processing, to develop a chip to do the same thing.

The chip is programmed specifically for each car model, taking into account the characteristics of its speakers and interior. Bongiovi demonstrated the chip on the standard speakers for a Ford Focus, which produced radically different sound quality with the Digital Power Station chip engaged. The sound reportedly swelled to give an impression of space, and the bass was rich and distortion-free, thanks to the chip synchronizing all speakers to act as one "virtual subwoofer." Stereos with the chip installed will cost $700 to $1,000 depending on the make of the car.

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Source: Techno Ride

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Parking: LEGO toy car parks itself (with video)

Self-parking features are offered through various models. But none does as fine as this LEGO toy car does.

For a measly $249, the crew at Mindstorms NXT will sell you a complete kit to build an SPC (self-parking car) of your own.

The SPC will detect a space large enough to park, perform all steps necessary to successfully complete the often difficult task of parallel parking, and then with a verbal "GO!" pull out of the spot on to the road, only slightly tapping the "car" in front on the way out.

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Source: Autoblog

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Safety: Smart seats can predict a hit

Car seats will predict and move away from a hit in future.

The system shields drivers and passengers from 'T-bone' smashes, the most dangerous kind of collision. Sensors trigger a side airbag, and move the seat away from danger.
Leading airbag maker Autoliv wants to fit radar devices in vehicle doors which can detect an impact a fraction of a second before it occurs. If the car is struck, a seatback-mounted airbag is automatically activated and swings the seat towards the centre of the cabin.

Another airbag is sandwiched in the space underneath the chair and inflates on impact to stiffen the floor. This boosts resistance and prevents crumpling.

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Source: Auto Express

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VW: Purses with classic motives

The perfect gift for fans of old classic VW's.

Available Exclusively on The Samba... Featuring some of the best VW Promotional Photos, these Purses are hand made using a variety of colors, fabrics, and handles, that best accent the photo.

These are not iron-ons. Special, Inkjet-printable fabric is used. Then, with our own patterns, the purses are individually cut out and sewn together with handles, a snap, and even a cell phone pocket inside!

Other styles and photos are currently being made, and will be listed, so check back often! We will also create a purse for you, featuring your own car, or any photo you wish!

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Source: TheSamba

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Bio fuel: Cross the country for $47

Savings at its best.

A cross-country road trip in a hugemongous RV for a mere $47 of diesel fuel sounds like a bit too much fun to pass up. That's exactly the adventure the Adler family undertook this year, and while the $100k+ spent on the RV and waste vegetable oil conversion doesn't make the whole undertaking an exact steal, we've still got mad love for the project. With help from the crazies over at Frybrid, who specialize in diesel/vegetable oil engine conversions, Mr. MidLifeCrisis Adler was able to get his 21 ton, 40-foot luxury RV outfitted for sucking up waste vegetable oil from fast food joints, and converting that gunk into usable fuel on the fly as the Adler fam enjoyed the countryside. The whole trip, originally slotted for 3 weeks, ended up lasting 78 days and costing 6-year-old Julia her tooth fairy money to get through the final toll booth, but the story proves to be quite a bit more entertaining than Robin Williams' RV, and the alterna-fuel experiment is a notable one.

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Source: Engadget

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GPS: How to decide?

We present you a lot of GPS devices. But how to decide which is the right one? Inside Line provides you some help for the first step of the decision whether you like an in-built device or an PND.

Today, state-of-the-art onboard electronic navigation systems — whether a portable navigation device (PND) made by any of a wide range of brands, including Garmin, Pioneer, Sony, TomTom and more, or a built-in navigation system for your new car — can guide you with spoken directions and detailed maps, and there's no need to fumble with paper as you hurtle down the highway.

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Choosing a navigation system is no easy task, however, especially if you're shopping for a new car. Should you buy the optional factory-installed system, or get a PND? Your decision is one you'll have to live with for as long as you keep the vehicle.

Here we'll discuss the key differences between portable and built-in navigation systems, suggest some strategies to make effective comparisons and take a look at what's expected of new navigation systems down the road.

Read the complete article on how to decide here.

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Source: Inside Line

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VW: Unique fuel-cell

Volkswagen developed an unique type of high temperature fuel cell (HTFC).

It eliminates numerous disadvantages of low temperature fuel cells (LTFC) previously known and used in virtually every type of vehicle with this propulsion system in the world. Prof. Jürgen Leohold, head of Volkswagen corporate research comments: "The high temperature fuel cell independently developed by Volkswagen in seven years of research work will make the overall system in the car lighter, more compact, stable and cheaper. And those are the decisive criteria for putting fuel cells on the path towards mass series production." Prof. Leohold continues: "We believe that the high temperature fuel cell is part of the future. In contrast, we no longer give much chance to low temperature fuel cells going into series production."

In detail, Volkswagen Research specially developed a new membrane and new electrodes for the fuel cell. Membrane, electrodes, cells - these conceal the exceptionally complex process of extracting electrical energy from chemical energy to power the electrical engine of future fuel cell cars. If you disregard this complicated process and just look a the newly developed parts "membrane" and "electrodes", compared to the low temperature fuel cell the Volkswagen system provides the following advantages:

Low temperature fuel cells are operated at a membrane temperature of approx. 80 degrees celsius. If the temperature greatly exceeds this value fuel cell performance breaks down and irreparable damage is done to the fuel cell. This is why vehicle prototypes with LT fuel cells have an extremely sophisticated and expensive cooling system. The cooling surface alone is approximately three times as large as for diesel engines. In addition, in an LT system the supply of hydrogen gas and air must be continuously humidified, because otherwise the production of energy will also break down, permanently damaging the fuel cell. This humidification of the water molecules stored in the membrane also adds unwelcome additional weight, eating up both space and money.

In contrast, the high temperature membrane developed by Volkswagen can in combination with newly designed electrodes, be "driven" at temperatures of up to 120 degrees celsius with no loss in performance without humidification. Novelty and background: In the HTFC protons are exchanged via phosphoric acid. This acid has good electrolytic properties similar to water, yet demonstrates a higher boiling point. This is why a significantly simpler cooling system and water management is sufficient for the HTFC. And this significantly reduces the weight and costs. The space required for the fuel cell system is also lowered by more than 30 percent.

However, one problem remained unsolved up to now: What's referred to as product water formed, just as on the low temperature membrane. The water permeated the membrane and washed out the phosphoric acid. This in turn interrupted the flow of current. At this point all attempts up to now to make a high temperature fuel based on familiar materials useable have failed. For this reason, intensive Volkswagen basic research came to the result that in addition to a new membrane special modifications of the electrodes are necessary which are able to prevent product water from penetrating the membranes.

The solution: On a special screen printing machine like the ones used in the field of semiconductor technology the researchers at the Volkswagen Technology Center in Isenbüttel coated several cloth elements made of carbon fiber with a new type of paste. The newly created electrodes then underwent extensive testing in fuel cell stacks. The clear results: Product water can no longer penetrate the membrane and dilute the phosphoric acid. HT technology is thus ready for the next research step. A peek into the future could look like this:

More higher performance high temperature fuel cell systems come about that are perfected step by step and are expected to power the first research vehicles in 2010. In about 2020 the first Volkswagens with a fuel cell drive that is affordable and suitable for everyday use - the decisive factors - could appear.

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Source: Fuel Cell Works, pic via hfpeurope.org

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PND: Five problems with it

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Porsche: Twinkling Swarovski Speedster

During christmas time everything twinkles a little bit more. So does this Swarovski Porsche.

Now PGO Automobiles brings forth a retro Cevannes entirely covered with 300,000 little shiny crystals. I can vividly imagine the dedicated workers applying these. The car is a one-of-a-kind but it makes me think that maybe there should be more crystal-covered cars.

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Source: Luxist, pic via edmunds.com

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Lamborghini: Murciélago luggage from carbon fibre and leather

The Murciélago is not originally meant for transporting a lot things but two people. If want to keep some things for your holiday trip anyway here is a nice piece of taylor-made luggage.

This Lamborghini case is designed to perfectly fit the trunk of the Lamborghini Murciélago. The outside of the case is made of calf's leather whilst the structure is made of carbon fiber, like the car itself. The carbon fiber is visible from the interior only. The case measures 60 cm by 45 cm by 13 cm and weighs six kilograms. It is available now from Lamborghini dealerships.

Like everything Lamborghini price doesn't matter.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Lamborghini, Murciélago, accessories, luggage

Source: Sybarites

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PMP: The Eclipse AVN 5495

The Eclipse AVN 5495 is a nice in-dash-GPS-multi media combo.

This navigation and entertainment combo system ships with a 30GB hard drive that not only stores all your audio and video content, it is used to house the navigation database, the Music Jukebox feature, and more maps than you can shake a stick at. The Eclipse AVN 5495 is capable of providing navigation assistance while keeping the entire family entertained with the latest DVD simultaneously. Features include a 6.5" touchscreen display, a touch control, voice guidance, Sirius and High-Definition compatibility, and an integrated tuner.

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Source: Ubergizmo

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Brabus: World's fastest police car

The title for world's police car moved to Brabus.

In June this year German Performance Vehicle Manufacturer Brabus set a record for the world's fastest sedan car when its 348,000-euro (US$437,575) Mercedes CLS-based Brabus Rocket, clocked an incredible 362.4 km/h at the famed Nardo test facility in Southern Italy. The new police vehicle on show in Essen is destined for police forces that need to be able to run down autobahn abusers. Throw in the specialist communications equipment and we doubt you'll get much change from half a million US dollars, but you will be the fastest policeman in the world.

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Source: Gizmag

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VW: World's best transmission technology in Golf GTI

Volkswagen group's DSG is well known to us. Now it's called World's best transmission technology in a Golf GTI.

Awesome DSG Transmission

The optional direct shift gearbox (DSG) is an auto-shifting manual transmission. Though the GTI has no clutch pedal for the driver, its gearbox has two automated clutches; when it's time to upshift, the next gear is already online. You can shift yourself with the paddle shifters on the steering wheel, or let the car choose for you.

This front-driver is a hoot to pilot, but if you're a good citizen and don't punch the throttle, you'll get 30-plus mpg. Trouble is, with 200 hp on tap from the four-cylinder turbocharged engine, you might find it hard to be good.

The biggest drawback to the otherwise excellent drivetrain is VW's drive-by-wire throttle system, which eliminates jackrabbit starts by modulating the throttle. As with other VWs, the GTI can be slow to respond when you really want to get through the intersection in a hurry. Try leaving the DSG in Sport mode at stop signs for a more responsive throttle, even if that means burning a little more gasoline. It's still cheaper than the insurance deductible if you get T-boned. Anyway, while we may be short on $1.50-a-gallon gasoline, there's plenty of undiscovered $4 gas, for the near term at least.

Read the full review here.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Volkswagen, VW, Golf, GTI, transmission

Source: Techno Ride

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iPod: The Brando iTransmitter

Yet another iPod FM transmitter. The iTransmitter from Brando seems to integrate into Apple's design maybe a little bit more than competitors.

Features include stereo output, a trio of one-touch buttons, and backlight capability. It is powered by your iPod, so there is no need to lug around an additional charger.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, MP3, FM transmitter

Source: Ubergizmo

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Accessories: The Porsche 917 Sofa

There are other sofas inspired by cars and here is the next one for Porsche and racing enthusiasts.

Billed as a "unique piece of creative art" the sofa is designed to look like the front end of a Porsche 917 which was raced at LeMans in the early 70's. The body of the sofa is made with actual fibreglass and is painted with nine coats of two-pack automotive paint for a great looking, durable finish. Even the underside of the sofa looks good and is made from 16 gauge tubular steel that is finished with a black powder coat.

Functioning headlights and brake lights are available as an option and if the blue and orange paint job doesn't do it for you the sofa can be finished with any color scheme or graphics you like. Keep in mind though that being the envy of all your car-loving friends does come at a price, specifically about $7,500.

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Source: OhGizmo!

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Honda: Wing-mirror cameras

Honda's latest gadget brings total transpareny.

Car giant Honda is patenting a scheme that would let drivers see traffic conditions on the road ahead with their own eyes. It could even let them see how full a car park is, before leaving their house in the morning.

The idea is to build tiny cameras into its cars' wing mirrors. These "car cams" would look at the road both ahead and behind and use cellphone connections to send real time video back to a central server. Each car would also transmit its GPS location and speed, allowing the central server to build a collection of road views and traffic information, integrated into a digital map of the area.

Honda envisages a free access scheme, allowing any participating driver to use a home computer or an in-car navigation device to click on a map and view real-time road conditions and details of car speeds. Fixed cameras by the roadside could supplement the data.

For privacy, Honda suggests that all video footage would be supplied anonymously, and that all cameras would automatically switch off whenever the GPS device detects that it is close to the driver's home or office.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Honda, mirror, camera

Source: New Scientist Tech, pic via Autoblog

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Volvo: Safety system for avoiding collisions at low speeds

Swedish automaker Volvo is famous for car safety. And they are improving this image with a new safety system for avoiding collisions at low speeds.

Statistics reveal that 75 per cent of all reported collisions occur at low speeds of up to 30 km/h (18.7 mph). The Volvo system, called 'City Safety', is active up to 30 km/h and keeps a watchful eye on traffic up to six metres in front of the car with the help of an optical radar system integrated into the upper part of the windscreen. If a car in front suddenly brakes or is stationary, the system will automatically pre-charge the brakes to help the driver avoid an accident by slowing down in time, or steering away from a potential collision. However, if a collision is imminent, the system will activate the car's brakes automatically.

"The system offers benefits to all involved. For the occupants of the car in front, the risk of whiplash injuries is avoided or reduced, plus it can help reduce or even eliminate the cost of repairs to both vehicles," says Ingrid Skogsmo, director of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

The system runs a calculation 50 times per second to determine what braking speed is needed to avoid a collision based on the distance to the object in front and the car's own speed. If the calculated braking force exceeds a given level without the driver responding, the danger of a collision is considered imminent and 'City Safety' helps avoid or reduce the consequences of a collision by automatically activating the car's brakes and reducing the throttle.

The 'City Safety' system works equally well day or night, but will have the same limitations as any other radar systems, so can be limited by fog, mist, snow or heavy rain. If the sensor on the windscreen is obscured by dirt or snow the driver is alerted via the car's information display.

"It is important to emphasise that the system does not absolve the driver from driving with adequate safety margins in order to avoid collisions. The automatic braking function is only activated when the system assesses that a collision is imminent. The system then steps in to limit the consequences of the imminent collision or, in some cases, totally avoid it," explains Ingrid Skogsmo.

The 'City Safety' system should be available within two years. However, Volvo recently introduced Collision Warning and Brake Support active safety systems with the all-new Volvo S80, which also help to avoid and reduce damage and injuries from collisions. These systems alert the driver via audible and visual signals if the gap to the car in front is reducing so quickly that an impact is likely. It automatically pre-charges the braking system so that braking is as effective as possible in an emergency situation but doesn't offer full auto-braking.

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Source: Gizmag

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GPS: Ambulance lost way

We told you several times not to totally trust your GPS. British ambulance should read and believe us.

An ambulance crew attempting to transfer a patient from a hospital from London (King George Hospital) to another in Brentwood -- a mere 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) to the northeast -- ended up blindly following their nav unit, which somehow guided them 200 miles to the northwest, all the way to the outskirts of Manchester. Eight hours after setting out on their journey, the ambulance finally made it to the appropriate destination (Mascalls Park Hospital) -- luckily for them, according to United Press International, the "patient's health was not jeopardized" and "the drivers have been told to study their geography and learn to think for themselves."

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Source: Engadget

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Audi: The R8 MagneRide Suspension

Nice feature on Audi R8's suspension. High-tech - like the whole car.

The MagneRide semi-active suspension uses magneto-rheological fluid to provide continuously variable real-time suspension damping control. It responds in real time to road and driving conditions based on input from sensors that monitor vehicle body and wheel motion. Audi Magnetic Ride is based on a magneto-rheological principle. When in a magnetic field, small iron particles in the suspension fluid align themselves in the direction of the magnetic flux.

The electromagnetic coil is integrated into the damper piston in such a way that when it is energized the magnetic flux runs exactly transversely to the admission ports in the damper piston. As the piston moves, the aligned iron particles cling together and create flow resistance in the flowing suspension fluid. The greater the energy applied and the stronger the magnetic field, the greater the attractive force between the iron particles, thereby creating greater resistance and damping power.

The energy is controlled in relation to driving dynamics and impulses from the road. This means for every road situation optimal damping power is available. This damping power produces - according to OEM desire - a more comfortable feel or sportier vehicle handling. The control of these dampers is done by an electronic controller that communicates with the vehicle's sensors and other chassis controllers in order to determine the prevailing driving situation in a matter of milliseconds. Because damper valving is eliminated by using magneto-rheological controlled fluid within the damper, the technology has a very short response time.

The damping force is only dependent on the power applied to the magneto-rheological fluid and can be adjusted up to 1,000 times a second. Audi uses the magneto-rheological dampers for both comfort and sport. In its basic mode, the suspension allows for a more comfortable vehicle feel. In sport mode, the vehicle offers a more responsive ride thanks to a push of a button.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Audi, R8, suspension, MagneRide

Source: all4engineers

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Toys: RC Porsche with camera at Tchibo

How long will it take until the former coffee roaster will sell real cars? In meantime they start with an camera-equipped RC toy.

With a price of £130, the Porsche is controlled by a remote and transmits images from its windshield camera to the 2.2-inch LCD on the controller.

The camera is capable of shooting at 129,000 pixels while the car drives forwards, backwards, to the left, or to the right. The model car features a sturdy suspension so that it can traverse over fairly rough terrain, headlights that light-up, and 2 speed settings.

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Source: Pocket-Lint

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VW: Steering wheel suggests counter steering

A new approach in safety systems from Wolfsburg.

Roadholding technologies such as traction control and stability programs are becoming standard on many cars, but VW takes a further step with its steering-impulse system. When your car's tires are slipping and the car is thinking a little countersteer (turning toward a sideways skid) is called for, VWs with steering impulse give the steering wheel a little tug in the right direction. VW points out that the car is not steering for the driver, just making an almost subliminal suggestion about which way you should be moving the wheel. VW claims that stopping distance can be decreased by up to 10 percent with the right amount of countersteer. VW makes the system standard on its Golf, Jetta, Eos, and Passat.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, VW, Volkswagen, steering, safety

Source: CNET, pic via ukcar.com

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Toyota: Hybrid pedal power

Toyota designed a new hybrid using pedal power and electricity.

Toyota has designed a concept car for that time when we'll all be towing our Priuses with a team of horses, calling its creation a Renewable Lifestyle Vehicle (RLV). It takes the word "hybrid" to the next level, splitting its powertrain between pedal power and a battery-powered electric motor.

Yep, it's like that little pedal-powered fire truck you had when you were a kid. It's super light, made of aluminum, bamboo and something called "bioplastic," known to you and me as garbage. Why was this designed, anyway?

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Source: Gizmodo

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GPS: Fail-safe system?

Will lost ambulances be part of the past?

Researchers at the Sarnoff Corporation in Princeton, New Jersey claim to have built a better GPS system, one that'll never fail, even when confronted with impenetrable obstacles like tall buildings, tunnels, and for the spelunkers among you, caves. The secret ingredient, it seems, is a new video processing technology the Sarnoff researchers have developed, which makes use of two forward-facing and two rear-facing cameras placed on a vehicle or helmet that capture stereoscopic video to help determine the location of the vehicle when the GPS goes dark. The complete workings of the technology are still under wraps, but according to the MIT Technology Review, the system can pinpoint the position of a vehicle or individual to within one meter after traversing a half a kilometer without access to GPS.

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Source: Engadget

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Mercedes-Benz: Anto microsleep system

Mircosleep is dangerous on the road and causes many accidents. Mercedes wants to do something against it.

To put things into perspective, adding a single second to the time an eye stays closed while blinking in a vehicle that is hurtling down the asphalt at 60mph will render the vehicle driverless for 88 feet. Mercedes-Benz is currently working on a few systems that help warn the driver of microsleep. These systems include monitoring the driving habits as well as detecting the blinking patterns of a driver. We won't know when these new systems will be introduced, but just remember to stay safe this holiday season by getting enough rest before setting out, and taking a power nap when you're exhausted.

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Source: Ubergizmo

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Lamborghini: Clean your kitchen

Make an Italian sports car clean your kitchen. So cool!

Ever wished the kids could get off their console-playing butts and start helping out around the house instead? As we all know, everybody has a price and perhaps this modified radio-controlled Lamborghini Gallardo will make them volunteer the next time the floor needs to be cleaned. Forget about forking out a big wad of cash for ad advanced vacuuming robot like the Roomba, all you need is a standard radio-controlled car that is powerful enough to move an electrostatic dust mop around. D.I.Y. dads will do well to take note of cheap and fun presents that you can make for your whole family.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Lamborghini, RC toys, cleaning

Source: Ubergizmo

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Renault: Green plans

Renault works on a solution that will eliminate CO2 emissions while the car is in motion. The system uses electric energy and is part of an overall environmental plan to reduce gas emissions causing the greenhouse effect.

This technology is being jointly developed with Nissan as part of the Alliance. A vehicle application is expected in 2010. As part of Renault Commitment 2009, the company has firmly committed to cutting its vehicles CO2 emissions significantly in order to help reduce the greenhouse effect.

Plan "120/140" has a precise target for 2008: to sell one million vehicles emitting less than 140 g of CO2/km, with one third emitting less than 120 g. One of these alternative technologies is a mobility solution that uses electric energy. As part of the research underway in cooperation with Nissan, Renault is looking into a solution that is ideally suited to city driving and does not emit any CO2 at all when the vehicle is in motion. The project has reached an advanced stage and the company is already working on all the future vehicle's components. Both are working together on Lithium-Ion battery technology and packaging, the electric motor and the software that is needed to manage the solution. Work is also underway on a process to recover energy when the vehicle brakes. The company will focus mainly on the fleet market in France and Europe in 2010.

Other solutions include the optimization of conventional engines, as demonstrated by their downsizing strategy that consists in reducing cubic capacity, while maintaining equivalent performance. The latest petrol engine, the 100 hp TCE delivers the100 hp output of a 1.4-litre engine and the 145 Nm of torque characteristic of a 1.6-litre engine, this 1.2-litre powerplant enables Modus and Clio to achieve combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.9 litres/100 km, representing just 140 g/km of CO2 emissions. Renault has also committed to offering a complete range of vehicles by 2009 that run on biofuels. In keeping with this target, in 2007 the company will be one of the carmakers to offer its European customers a double biofuel deal. In spring 2007, a 1.6-litre 16v 110 hp version of Megane will be launched with an E85 bioethanol-compatible powerplant.

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Source: all4engineers

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CyberTyre: Pirelli's Intelligent Tire Monitoring

Pirelli comes up with a patent for a new intelligent tire pressure monitoring system.

The system monitors tire footprints and automatically optimizes vehicle behavior, which would enable Pirelli to deliver its much-anticipated CyberTyre product to market.


CyberTyre is one of a number of new technological systems, including X-Pressure, Safety Wheel System, and CyberWheel, created with the aim of making tires more intelligent and interactive. It instantaneously measures and wirelessly transmits information about the forces regulating vehicle dynamics with miniaturized electronic sensors, using the vehicle's on-board computer to provide the driver with real-time data regarding the operational status of the tires. All the identifying information relating to the tire, from its manufacture to its performance in diverse conditions, are transmitted to and recorded by the vehicle, keeping drivers safe and informed.

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Source: TechnoRide

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GPS: New Navigon device guides you to stay within law

This EUR 650-GPS has all the well-known features - plus one innvation: it tells you about law in the European state you drive in.

If having a DMB tuner on your GPS device doesn't get you excited, perhaps some more practical info will. Navigon has just released its latest nav device, the TS 7000T Europe with MobileNavigator 6 -- yeah, yeah, it's got all the stuff you'd expect, like a 4.3-inch screen, 16:9 aspect ratio, and loads of maps of 37 European countries pre-installed on a memory card (we're guessing SD, although we're not totally sure). But the best part of the 7000T is that each time you cross one of those European countries, be they in the European Union (France), or not (Switzerland), you'll get a popup that will not only tell you points of interest, but things that may help you stay out of trouble, like the traffic rules of the country, speed limit, or the maximum blood alcohol rate (really!).

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Source: Engadget

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Navigation: Windows Live Search vs. Google Maps Mobile

There are several ways to use navigation services. The colleagues over at Gizmodo compared two of them: Windows Live Search from Microsoft and Google Maps Mobile.

Windows Live Search runs on both J2ME (Java) phones and on Windows Mobile phones, whereas Google Maps only works on J2ME phones.

So which is better? Without a doubt, Microsoft's was the winner.

This matchup could have been a bit uneven. We were running WLS on a Windows Mobile phone, seeing as the Windows Live Search had a "native-app" feel, because it was a native app. Google Maps on Java ran like Java always does. Painfully.

Read the full comparison with reasons for the results here.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, navigation, Microsoft, Windows Live, Google Maps

Source: Gizmodo

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Zune: iPod car holder work also with Zune

I still don't think the Zune will become a serious competitor to our favourite mobile media player from Apple, although it seems you don't need a new car holder if you switch. Good for you, because if you do, I am sure you will soon switch back.

As you can see, the Belkin TuneDok for the iPod works just fine for the Zune. Suction cup holds nicely even on the rubberized plastic finish, and the iPod connector hole is big enough for the Brown Ninja—that's our Zune's name.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, MP3, Microsoft, Zune

Source: Gizmodo

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Road signs: Let your car handle them

Siemens VDO developed a new systems that reads and interpretes road signs for you and can even act on them.

A special camera captures video of, and an onboard computer with pattern-recognition reads, any road signs. If the system spots a speed limit sign, for example, it places that information side-by-side with your actual speed in a heads-up display, which floats in your field of vision in the windshield. You can also set cruise control to adjust your speed to the posted speed limit. They want to start selling these to car makers in two years.

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Source: The Raw Feed

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Audi: Gifts made easy

Collecting all the gifts for your beloveds for christmas is easy for Audi enthusiasts. Fourtide collected some ideas in their Audi Gift Guide to be found here.

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Source: Fourtitude

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Parking: RoadMaster Wireless Backup Camera

Not being able to afford a luxury car does not necessarily mean that you have to miss a camera as a parking assistant.

The RoadMaster Wireless Backup Camera targets those who want to install a rear camera to help them ease their jalopy into an available parking lot, and since it costs a mere $140 and can be installed in virtually any car, you just know it targets the average Joe market who have problems with spatial recognition (this is where wasting my life on Quake many years ago helped me). The camera comes with a wide angle lens, while the 2.5" LCD should be large enough for you to see if you're about to scrape off some paint from the neighboring lot.

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Source: Ubergizmo

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Hummer: Christmas Edition

GeigerCars came up in time for the current season with a special 110,000-Euro-Christmas Hummer. For this you'll get everything you can imagine inside - including a chimney.

The body was also modified extensively. The front doors no longer open in the conventional way; they now open by swinging up like gullwing doors. Tin-coated metal moldings that have been welded seamlessly into the rear side window openings turn the H2 into a true panel cruiser. To perfect the Christmas looks the body was further fitted with 250 LED lamps that clearly define the H2's contours at night.

The H2 also provides everything Santa needs for his winter fitness program: A specially designed external rear luggage rack safely holds two HEAD Snowboards as well as two EBRA curling stones and hockey sticks. A large roof carrier box is also part of the exclusive equipment as is an old-fashioned sled.

The spectacular GeigerCars.de Christmas HUMMER looks are further characterized by 10Jx22 chrome wheels with Pirelli Scorpion ATR tires in size 325/55 R 22.

And should the snow get too deep for even the HUMMER H2, Santa Claus can switch to the snowmobile painted in the same theme as the HUMMER itself. The GeigerCars.de technicians custom-built a special trailer based on an ALKO chassis that runs on the same 22-inch light-alloy wheels as the Christmas HUMMER.

Special emphasis was placed on a cuddly interior ambiance. Master upholsterer Andi Richter fitted the entire interior with red leather and carpet, color-coordinated with the exterior color. Walnut-burl applications add further attractive visual highlights.

Reportedly Santa Claus is a big music enthusiast and thus sound specialist Thomas Regler equipped the HUMMER with a custom-tailored JBL sound system with 3,800 watts. But why stop there? The images from the digital TV receiver or from a DVD play on no less than three screens; in the front row, in the lavish rear compartment and in what used to be the trunk.

All it takes to start a great après-ski party is to open the liftgate: The restyled trunk now not only offers maximum viewing pleasure with a 42-inch LCD widescreen TV, and sound from the mighty JBL speakers: Integrated thermos cans provide hot mulled wine while a heated stainless-steel box can hold warm cookies.

For a comfortable and romantic time after the party the rear compartment - visually enlarged by a mirror on the rear wall - features an electric fireplace with white fake bearskin rug, an auxiliary Webasto heater and a large red leather couch.

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Source: Gizmag

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XBox: The GamerBUS for mobile LAN parties

Mobile gaming on the road in a new definition comes with this Gamer Bus while I would prefer other console service than the XBox (actually I prefer Playstations and the Wii will be my next console when it hits Europe).

If you've got 63 friends or so, and you're not claustrophobic, you can pack your posse into the 37-foot customized RV and get your game(s) on. Sporting a bevy of comfortable seating options, sixteen Xbox 360 "gamer stations" (pictured after the jump) with their own 23-inch Philips HDTV, and all the CAT5 cable / electricity you could ever need, this redefines the party on wheels. Essentially offering a mobile gaming LAN, the bus operators will gladly wire up a 16-person system-linked round of Halo 2 (or a variety of other titles) while you provide the Cheetos and air fresheners. Although weekday hours boast an understandable discount, weekend rates range from $125 to $150 per hour, depending on how long you occupy the vehicle.

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Source: Engadget

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Ferrari: ART.ENGINE audio system

Ferrari-sound differently this time...

The ART.ENGINE is not just a speaker, but 16 speakers in a somewhat standalone audio system. The Engine can accept either RCA inputs for various audio source connectivity, or streaming WiFi signals from computers.

Costing $20,000, Ferrari says, "It's a statement."

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Source: Gizmodo

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Toys: Street Mouse VOIP for Beetle enthusiasts

A full-featured $40-toy for the computerised VW enthusiast...

Not only does this boring gray car move your pointer, but it also features a VOIP-ready internet phone, integrated mic, headphone plug and working LED headlights.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, VW, Volkswagen, Beetle, VoIP, mouse

Source: Gizmodo

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GPS: The 200-EUR-device

Navigation becomes cheaper and cheaper. If you don't need any multimedia features it now starts at EUR 200.

Meet the PVST-SPN350 Phillar Vision Navigator, an inauspicious device that gets rolling with a 276MHz processor, 32MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, a 3.5-inch screen (320 x 240), and an SD/MMC card slot. Apparently it doesn't come with the ability to play audio and video files (you gotta pay extra for that), which may be part of the reason that the Vision Navigator appeals to the spendthrift set; the whole unit will set you back a pair of Baroque bridges (that's €200, or $256).

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Source: Engadget

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Lotus: Unmanned Elise

Unmanned vehicles are interesting from the gadget lover's point of view, but on the other hand some vehicle are too nice not to drive them yourself.

Students from NC State's College of Engineering are readying a highly modified Lotus Elise for next year's autonomous vehicle contest, and are working with Insight Technologies as well as Lotus' own engineering group to craft what's likely to be the sexiest unmanned vehicle on the track. Dubbed the Insight Racing team, the crew is loading the whip with "sensors and onboard computers that have been programmed to autonomously maneuver it through an urban setting complete with traffic, intersections and traffic circles." Moreover, the highly-coveted machine will be able to handle its own parking duties (and pose for glamour shots) when the day's done.

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Source: Engadget

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Transmission: New Cross-axle Torque Vectoring demonstrated

A new cross-axle torque vectoring was demonstrated by Ricardo in an Audi A6.

Based on an Audi A6 4.2l V8 Quattro Avant, the vehicle is fitted with the very latest generation of Ricardo's Torque Vectoring technology that enables moment-by-moment redistribution of drive-torque in response to driver demand, vehicle speed and road conditions. In doing so it enables the vehicle to follow more faithfully the driver's intended path, ultimately leading to a potentially safer, more enjoyable and rewarding driving experience.

The design of the Torque Vectoring unit is highly compact and can be contained with very limited intrusion into an existing differential packaging envelope, its small size enabling minimal reduction in drive shaft length and articulation. The novel arrangement allows the actuation system to be contained on one side of the pinion axis, providing improved packaging whilst allowing the unit centre of gravity to be located on the vehicle centre line and ensuring side shafts of equal length. System actuation is flexible depending on vehicle architecture, compatible with hydraulic, electro-hydraulic and electro-mechanical control strategies. The Torque Vectoring technology in the demonstration system unveiled today is capable of delivering a cross-axle torque bias of 1400Nm and differential wheel speed delta of 20 per cent. Response time targets for the demonstrator vehicle have been set at a maximum of 50ms from request to start of torque activation and 100ms to achieve 90 per cent full torque demand.

Ricardo aims to license Torque Vectoring technology to interested parties for incorporation in vehicle programmes with anticipated production implementation as early as the 2009 model year. For those unable to be present in person at the CTI-symposium, the company is inviting vehicle manufacturers and related system suppliers to register interest in evaluating the new cross-axle Audi A6 4.2L Torque Vectoring demonstrator vehicle during the coming weeks and subsequent Winter Test programme planned for the first quarter of 2007.

"The Torque Vectoring system unveiled today at the CTI-symposium underscores Ricardo's leadership in driveline and associated active safety technologies", commented Ricardo CEO, Dave Shemmans. "The technology of this system is available for automakers and Tier 1 suppliers alike to licence, offering them a means of accelerating time to market and significantly reducing development effort. Torque Vectoring once again demonstrates the future of automotive technology where both mechanical and electronics engineering are exploited in an integrated manner to deliver tangible improvements in vehicle safety while also enhancing the driving experience. Ricardo continues to work actively in these and other key areas in order to deliver robust, leading-edge technology and exceptional value to our customers."

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Source: Gizmag

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Porsche: Rename your car

If you want to express yourself and/or your Porsche a little bit more just rename it.

Instead of the type designation on the back, you can have a customised text in the same font placed on your Porsche.

nameyourporsche.com, the company behind the idea, says that Texts can be made for all 911 models - Cayenne - Boxster and Cayman.

Those looking for garish colours will be disappointed however as the company will only make the lettering in the same colours as the type designation, in grey or black, or "chrome" or "gold".

The company suggest that not only could you have your name, or that of your favourite pooch, but perhaps a phrase such as "back off", "follow me" or "have a nice day".

According to the website orders will be sent via UPS within 30 days.

The cost?

A mere €375 or $450 for five letters in the original colours - grey or black. Extra letters cost €50 or $60 each. A chrome or gold name or text costs an additional €75 or $90.

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Source: Pocket-Lint

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Ferrari: Wrist watch

This Ferrari-styled wrist watch is available for UKP 162.00.

The watch is an exact replica of what members of the Prancing Horse pit team wear during the GP weekend. The winder and buttons are made from aluminium and titanium, while the strap is modelled on an F1 car's tyre tread. There's also a 24-month warranty.

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Source: Auto Express

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TV: DirecTV on the road with Tracvision

You can use your in-car LCDs not only for watching DVDs. Watching TV is an option as well.

Of course in the age of satellite TV who's going to want to watch local over-the-air broadcasts while on the road? The TracVision system from KVH Industries allows you to enjoy actual DirecTV programming from your van or SUV. Instead of a dish the service uses a motorized, phased-array satellite antenna that looks like a squashed dome sitting on top of your vehicle. But at only 5-inches high there's little chance of it being sheared off the next time you enter a parking garage.

At the moment TracVision offers 185 channels of DirecTV plus 70 channels of XM satellite radio for those who'd rather watch the road than an LCD screen. The hardware retails for about $2500 (that's the dish only from what I can tell) and I can only assume an additional monthly fee is needed for the DirecTV service even if you're already a subscriber at home.

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Source: OhGizmo!

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Dock: One to dock them all

Having several devices to dock in the car without having to install several docks is what the iMe Dock enables you to.

It lets you dock any player onto your car's dashboard, from Apple's ubiquitous iPod to SanDisk's newest Sansa. Once docked you connect it to your car's entertainment center and the iMe can charge your player while blasting out your tunes. It's not what we'd call revolutionary, but if the pricing is right and you have multiple MP3 players, its a quick way to simplify your accessory collection.

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Source: Gizmodo

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GPS: Magellan device with AAA spots

It's hard for developers to provide any new hardware or software features with GPS devices. But improvements in content can still be interesting.

Magellan is busting out a portable RoadMate navigation device with all the AAA-recommended hotspots already laid out. Teaming up with America's best-known roadside aid and "TourBook" creator, Magellan's new RoadMate AAA RS2.0 comes pre-stocked with AAA rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions as a part of the built-in goodies available only in this special edition unit. The device touts a small 5- x 4- x 1.5-inch enclosure, 3.5-inch touchscreen, "QuickSpell" technology, multi-point routing, and JPEG / MP3 support. AAA Mid-Atlantic, California State Automobile Association, AAA Western / Central New York, and AAA Auto Club South will be offering the lightweight GPS to its club members online and in their respective offices soon for an undisclosed (but probably discounted) price.

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Source: Engadget

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Audi TT: The auto-dimming rear view mirror

The new Audi TT is not only the most beautiful car in the world. It has some gadgety innovations as well - like the Gentex Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror.

This unique mirror system will automatically darken all three rearview mirrors when responding to the headlamp glare of vehicles approaching from the rear. The darkening is relative to the brightness of the vehicle behind, making driving at night a much safer experience. In addition, you also get a video display that is located within the Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror, showing what is behind the vehicle the moment your gear is shifted into reverse to avoid untoward accidents. There is no word on pricing at the moment.

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Source: Ubergizmo

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Lamborghini: Cellphone released with Nokia

Several car manufacturers have their own collection of cellphones together with a cellphone maker. An exclusive brand like the Italian sports car manufacturer has to meet high expectations in this but it semms they did quite well.

Nokia and Lamborghini have teamed up to create the limited edition Lamborghini Nokia 8800 Sirocco cellphone. Expect features like the 262k color TFT scratch-resistant display, a 2 megapixel camera, 128MB of internal memory, and Bluetooth connectivity to remain along with cosmetic changes like specially made Lamborghini ball bearings which are used in the slider mechanism. Additional bonuses include a range of Lamborghini themes and ring tones as well as a video documentary. This limited run will see just 500 handsets available worldwide, adding to its already sky high desirability.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Lamborghini, cellphone, Nokia, 8800 Sirocco

Source: Ubergizmo

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Toys: Home Pro Racing Simulator

Driving has not necessarily to stop at home.

Costco, a big-box wholesale retailer, is shipping an equally ridiculously-sized $4,000 rig that apparently acts as the perfect cockpit for racing (no, not the actual kind) or flying video games, coming complete with a steering wheel, foot pedals, 10-inch woofer, a handful of tweeters, and of course the optional, but obligatory, joystick. While the Simulator is also advertised as a "movie-going experience", we're not really sure how you're going to cuddle up to your loved one in a single seat while squashed behind a steering wheel -- we're not trying to replicate makeout point in our home theater, ya dig?

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Source: Engadget

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The Autoloc Exhaust Flame Thrower

The usual emissions from your exhaust pipe are not enough? Check this one out.

This flamethrower mounts in the exhaust pipes, and shoots out flames up to 20 feet back. The activation solenoid has a safety switch, and it comes in a single tip model for $130, and a dual tip for $200. For "offroad use only." Did you know that one of my pet peeves is tailgating? This could be far more persuasive than those Yosemite Sam "Back Off" mud flaps. I just wouldn't be able to resist scorching the paint on some jerk's hood.

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Source: Gizmodo

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Accessories: Stove made from Volkswagen parts

You won't see at first sight (at least I didn't) but htis stove is made from old Volkswagen parts.

H.O.T. Creative Designs is a little firm run by artist blacksmith Daniel Harding in Cornwall, United Kingdom. His HOTPOD stove was born out of necessity as he tried to stay warm while living in an old VW surf-bus. Built from recycled gas cylinders and old VW parts, the HOTPOD is an exercise in function and form. After several iterations, Harding decided to market a limited edition run of 350 units of this unique multi-fuel stove. The design of the HOTPOD may have evolved, but it’s original function remains: to warm the soul. Visit Harding’s website if you would like to warm your soul with this unique stove.

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Source: The Style Files

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GM: Green plans

GM goes green.

GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner outlined the automaker’s planned efforts to diversify the sources of energy that power vehicles in the years to come. First on the list for GM is optimizing the use of conventional gasoline and diesel through increasing engine efficiency and working on partial fuel substitutions such as alternatives, biofuels (including flex-fuel vehicles) and synthetics.

Second is the development of electrically-driven vehicles, “beyond what have already committed to with our fuel cell and hybrid programs.”

"I’m announcing today that GM is significantly expanding and accelerating our commitment to the development of electrically driven vehicles...

First, electricity offers outstanding benefits…beginning with the opportunity to diversify fuel sources upstream of the vehicle. In other words, the electricity that is used to drive the vehicle can be made from the best local fuel sources—natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, hydroelectric, and so on. So, before you even start your vehicle, you’re working toward energy diversity.

Second, electrically driven vehicles…when operated in an all-electric mode…are zero-emission vehicles. And when the electricity, itself, is made from a renewable source, the entire energy pathway is emissions free.

Third, electrically driven vehicles offer great performance…with extraordinary acceleration, instant torque, improved driving dynamics, and so on.

Now, some of you may be thinking, “Wait a minute—what about hybrids? What about fuel cells? Didn’t GM already commit to those technologies?” And the answer is, “Yes, we did.” They are both big parts of our broader commitment to electrically driven vehicles…so, rest assured, we remain committed to both."
—Rick Wagoner

As part of the expanded focus on providing a range of electrification options, of providing what Troy Clarke, the President of General Motors North America described in a subsequent speech as “offering [a range of] fuel savings fuel at varying price levels,” GM:

Officially introduced GM’s first hybrid car, the Saturn Aura Green Line, which is based on the GM Hybrid System used in the VUE Green Line—a belt-alternator starter hybrid technology. GM has already announced plans to expand the Hybrid system to the Malibu as well.

Introduced the new 2008 Saturn Vue which will also have an updated version of the VUE Green Line Hybrid powertrain;

Announced that in 2008, the VUE will become the first front-wheel application of the GM two-mode hybrid system being applied in the larger format Tahoe/Yukon SUVs. (GM has already announced that in 2008, the 2-mode hybrid system will expand to the Cadillac Escalade full-size SUV and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra crew cab full-size pickups.)
Announced that in 2009, the 2-mode hybrid system in the VUE Green Line will offer an electric all-wheel-drive.

"I’m pleased to announce today that GM has begun work on a Saturn VUE plug-in hybrid production vehicle. The VUE plug-in hybrid, GM’s first, will use an advanced battery, like Lithium-Ion.

...production timing will depend on battery technology development. But based on our work with EV1 and our different hybrid-electric vehicles, we at GM already have a lot of experience developing and integrating advanced battery technology into our vehicles…and we’re working today with a number of battery companies to develop the technology necessary to build a plug-in hybrid.

The technological hurdles are real…but I can tell you that this is a top priority program for GM, given the huge potential it offers for fuel-economy improvement."
—Rick Wagoner

GM expects that the Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid will offer electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles. At higher speeds or when conditions demand it, such as brisk acceleration, a combination of engine and electric power or engine power only will propel the vehicle.

In addition to plug-in capabilities and the modified 2-mode hybrid system, the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid SUV’s powertrain will feature lithium-ion battery technology, two interior permanent magnet motors and GM’s 3.6L V-6 gasoline engine with direct injection.

When ready for production, the li-ion energy storage system will be replenished when the battery charge is depleted to a specified level by utilizing the 2-mode hybrid system’s electric motors and regenerative braking systems. When the vehicle is parked, the battery can be recharged using a common household exterior 110-volt plug-in outlet.

The 2-mode hybrid system will be altered for use with plug-in technology. It maintains two driving modes—one for city driving, the other for highway driving—and four fixed mechanical gears to maximize efficiency while maintaining performance. In addition, special controls will be utilized to enable higher speeds during electric-only propulsion and maintain electric-only propulsion for longer periods of time.

GM rates the VUE Green Line hybrid as delivering a 20% fuel economy improvement over the base model. The company said that it expects the front wheel drive, two-mode hybrid VUE to improve overall fuel economy by 45% over today’s base VUE. Saturn chief Jill Lajdziak during her announcement of the plug-in work that she expects the plug-in powertrain to double the fuel efficiency of any SUV on the road.

"I should point out that GM’s commitment to improving fuel economy, reducing vehicle emissions, and developing electrically driven vehicles is not a short-term strategy. We’re in this game for the long term."
—Rick Wagoner

GM said that it will provide additional announcements on the development of electrically driven vehicles during the coming auto show season, including the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GM, General+Motors, hybrids, electric vehicles

Source: Green Car Congress, pic via nclr.org

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Bluetooth: Parrot Online Game

Parrot is well-known for aftermarket Bluetooth devices. For their new MINIKIT they also offer a little piece of online entertainment to us: a little mini game to be played online.

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Source: Parrot, via the bluetooth car weblog

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In-car PC: Open source gives flexibility

You can't find your fitting PMP/GPS device in all these hundreds of devices in the market? So program your own funtions with the DashDaq open source onboard computer.

The small handhelt unit plugs into your vehicle's OBD-II port and can be used for data acquisition, diagnostics, as an extra set of gauges and as a good old fashioned handheld computer. The secret to this little guy's high must-have quotient is the fact it runs on Linux and comes with tools to help you write custom software for it. So besides what it can do out of the box, a clever programmer can have it be a GPS sat nav unit, multimedia player, or even an actual onboard computer. The fact that its maker, Drew Technologies, is keeping the DashDaq open source gives it a huge advantage over other devices, most notably high-end sat nav systems, that come with similar features but can never be modified to do more.

Aside from the flexible software, the actual hardware is impressive too, particularly the 4-inch TFT LCD screen that displays 16.7 million colors (that's all of 'em) and features 480 x 272 resolution.

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Source: Autoblog

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USB: Car-shaped ashtray

For those smoking car gadget lovers here comes the USB-connected gadgety car-shaped ashtray.

Ask any non-smoker and they will tell you that they detest the smell of cigarette smoke clinging on to their freshly pressed clothes, while going home from a smoky social event requires one to take a thorough head-to-toe bath. If you're a smoker, why not spare the people around you the agony of some cancer inducing secondhand smoke by purchasing the Smokeless Ashtray? Shaped like a car, this £8.95 USB-powered device will suck in whatever smoke that is released whenever your cigarette is placed within.

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Source: Ubergizmo

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Hybrids: Full Hybrid Demo Vehicle from Siemens VDO

Siemens VDO's full hybrid vehicle is meant for demonstrating their hybrid components including high- and low-voltage motor inverters, electric motors and vehicle control algorithms and integration capabilities.

Simulations on the prototype—based on a Mercedes C230 K Sport Coupé—in FTP driving modes show improvements in fuel economy of 30% to 38%, depending on driving strategy. The hybrid functionality includes stop/start, regenerative braking, pure electric drive, gear shifting optimized to electric drive and regeneration and operating mode shift.

The non-hybrid base vehicle—a C230 K Sport Coupé—features a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with 141 kW (189 hp) of power and maximum torque of 260 Nm (192 lb-ft). Acceleration from 0 to 100 kph takes 8.1 seconds, fuel consumption is 9.2 liters/100 km (25.6 mpg US), and CO2 emissions are 219 g/km. The engine is mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

For the hybrid drivetrain, the Siemens team used a parallel architecture, with a primary motor, a clutch, and a second, smaller motor (Side-Mounted Starter Generator—SSG). The main motor connects directly to the input shaft of the automatic transmission and replaces the torque converter. The second electric machine is located in the belt drive, and is responsible for engine starts. Once the engine is synchronized to gearbox speed, the interconnecting clutch is closed.

The primary traction motor delivers peak power of 75 kW, with continuous torque of 97 Nm (71.5 lb-ft) over a wide speed range and peak torque of 276 Nm (203.6 lb-ft) for 30 seconds from 0 to 2,700 rpm.

The secondary motor also contributes to the operation of the hybrid vehicle when the battery is low and with high vehicle load at steep grades—conditions in which the electric clutch needs a lot of electric energy. The SSG can deliver 5 kW of power continuously.

The inverter electronics are one of the main focus points of the toolbox, according to the Siemens team. The prototype inverter in the Sport Coupé offers a voltage range of up to 450V, continuous phase current of 75°C. The inverter also houses the control board with the microcontroller. Monitoring, diagnostics and basic safety concept is included.

The Siemens team chose a nickel-cobalt-based lithium-ion battery with an average power density of 1.3kW/kg at the cell level. The cells have 6.8 Ah capacity, and a peak recharge power of 200A for 10 seconds.

The battery pack consists of 100 cells connected in series, and is 80 liters in size.

Siemens VDO terms its driving strategy for hybrids IPM (Integrated Powertrain Management). IPM comprises two main parts: Traction Energy Management (TREM) and Torque Management.


TREM receives the current battery status regarding state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) from the battery management system. Depending on these characteristics the different driving modes are released or limited. TREM can deactivate the Boost function, for example, to prevent the battery from further discharge.

TREM sets charge and discharge limits depending on the current battery status. Those limits are specific for the type of energy storage.

Torque Management includes a driver and situation detection function, which includes a driver pedal interpretation for the accelerator and the braking pedal. The Operating State Control determines the different driving states: Launch, Pure Electric Driving, Boost, Regenerative Braking and several more.

A special challenge for the system is the transient behavior between different driving states. Dynamic transients must not cause shocks in the drivetrain and must not be recognized by the driver.

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Source: Green Car Congress

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Nissan: Battery-powered vehicles to market within 3 years

Also Nissan wants to join the game of eco-cars. Quite late, isn't it?

Japanese manufacturer Nissan is planning to sell battery-powered electric cars within 3 years in a bid to catch up with its rivals in the market.

The AFP news agency carried a story from the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper, stating that the light, sub-compact electric model would be powered by Nissan-developed lithium-ion batteries. Most electric cars cannot travel far between charges, with most only able to make 40 miles or so, but Nissan is aiming for a range of 125 miles.

Mitsubishi Motors and Fuji Heavy Industries are leading the development of battery-powered vehicles. Nissan is also planning to accelerate the expansion of its diesel car range and the development of bio-ethanol cars in co-operation with top shareholder Renault, the newspaper added.

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Source: Pocket-Lint

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Parking: Laser Assistant

Avoid parking damage by using laser technology

This Dual Laser Park works on an AC adapter and 3AA batteries, which shines down onto your hood when you're deep enough inside your garage.

Both useful and not too expensive ($39.95). Hit the jump to see a family with a $50,000 car that wishes they had this system.

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Source: Gizmodo

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GPS: Ferrari-themed device by Becker

Pimp your cockpit to red Italian sportscars...

Becker has unveiled a Ferrari-branded Traffic Assist Pro that takes navigation to an entirely different level. Originally crafted to fit in the exquisite F430 automobile, this luxurious GPS sports a 4-inch touchscreen, SiRF Star III receiver, 400MHz processor, 64MB of RAM, 64MB of flash memory, SD / MMC slots, USB 1.1 connectivity, 3.5-millimeter audio output, 2-watt integrated speaker, and a connector for an external antenna. Moreover, it boasts MP3 / WMA playback, doubles as a JPEG viewer, and houses NAVTEQ maps of 37 European countries. As expected, a list of speed radars will always be on tap thanks to its connection to the SCDB database, so you can put those massive vented brakes to use just in time; also, you'll have access to a basic flow of traffic information with the purchase, while a "premium" (read: more expansive road selection) service will be available for €50 ($64) per year. So if you need yet another exotic gadget to tide you over until you can afford the real deal, Becker's Ferrari-styled GPS will be available later this month for €699 ($898).

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Source: Engadget

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GM: Hummer goes green

GM presented a a green vision of the currently no so green Hummer: The Hummer O2, a fuel-cell powered vehicle with a phototropic body shell that produces oxygen (O2) even while parked

The concept features algae-filled body panels that consume atmospheric CO2 and produce oxygen that is released back into the environment. The O2’s construction specifies the use of 100% post-consumer materials like aluminum for the frame and VOC-free finishes.

Each phototropic body panel functions essentially as a leaf. Each panel contains an optimized photobioreactor where a solution of algae and water transforms the CO2 into oxygen.


Algae would be replaced annually, with the used algae recycled as biomass for the production of fuel.

The flow of CO2 and oxygen is regulated by a two-way valve system in the corner of each panel. These devices control and monitor the amount of CO2 and source nutrition required by the algae, and optimize oxygen production and distribution.

The concept uses four modular, self-contained hydrogen fuel cells to power hydraulic motors attached to each wheel. The hydrogen tanks sits in the center of the vehicle.

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Source: Green Car Congress

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Navigation: Use your cellphone with interactive maps

An alternative to GPS-based navigation devices?

A group of researchers at Southampton University in the UK have devised a new means of getting interactive maps on your cellphone: by snapping digital pics of readily available paper maps. Thankfully, there's actually quite a bit more to it than that (though we've seen worse ideas). Dubbed, Map Snapper, the app will take that fresh pic of a portion of your paper map, send it off to a central server for analyzing, and promptly send it back to you, complete with details on all nearby points of interest. Just rinse and repeat every couple of blocks. While the developers are quick to acknowledge reality and admit that their system is useless for anyone with a GPS-equipped cellphone, they're nevertheless looking for commercial partners to bundle Map Snapper with their handsets -- meaning, of course, you can't get it right now.

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Source: Engadget

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Bluetooth, GPS: CarComm BTCC-45 Bluetooth GPS Receiver

Here is another stand-alone Bluetooth GPS receiver that seems to be worth to be recommended for using your PDA as a navigation device.

CarComm of Netherlands subjected the BTCC-45 Bluetooth GPS Receiver to an intensive slimming program, and the results have been stunning to say the least. Measuring a svelte 11mm in thickness, a Bluetooth GPS receiver of this size makes it perfect to accompany various compatible devices such as smartphones and PDAs. This highly sensitive GPS receiver is capable of tracking up to a dozen satellites simultaneously, giving the user an accurate satellite positioning data in an instant. It eschews the SiRFStar III chipset in favor of the CarComm S2 GPS receiver. A full charge should get you 17 hours of usage.

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Source: Ubergizmo

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PS3: Pimp your ride

Yes, Sony's upcoming flagship console is a topic for us car gadget lovers, too.

A custom Scion xA with a PS3 stuffed inside. The car has an ~20-inch Sony LCD in the rear window, thirteen LCDs up front, and Sony's Xplod series of auto subs that take up less space, but make more bass. [lyrics by Valerie]

The PS3 is running Gran Turismo on some embedded LCD or Plasma, and it sits in between half a dozen of those subs. Here I am wondering how much rumble it will take to make a Blu ray player skip.

The car is controlled by the six axis controller, too. Seems like the natural progression for drive by wire system.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Sony, Playstation, Playstation 3, PS3

Source: Gizmodo

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Audi: taylor-made luggage for R8

The Audi R8 is a great car. Even greater if you travel with style.

Audi had their three-piece luggage set specifically designed for the R8 on hand for attendees to check out. The leather/carbon fiber set will be available as an accessory once the car comes to market in the spring for Europe and by the third quarter of next year for America.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Audi, R8, accessories, luggage

Source: Fourtitude

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The VW Sled

In the northern hemisphere it's getting colder so VW comes with a perfect gift: the VW sled. Available in several varieties honouring the GTI, the Beetle and others.















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Source: Carscoop

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FM transmitter: Legal now in the UK

If you live in the UK and own one these iPod FM transmitters it's time to relax.

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ESTI) and Ofcom has said that the use of personal FM Tranmission products will be legal in the UK from next month.

The news which has been welcomed by FM transmitter makers means that you'll be able to use devices like the Griffin iTrip and Belkin TuneBase FM to get songs from your MP3 player to your Car Stereo without the need for a tape deck.

Griffin Technology and its UK distributors have been campaigning to change the law allowing low power FM transmitters since February 2003. Since October 2004 MP Don Foster joined the cause.

Steve Hawkins, MD of AM Micro the distributor and original campaigner for the law change said "Both Ofcom and Don Foster MP have been tremendously supportive of the iTrip law change. It's a fact of life that the wheels of broadcasting law turn so slowly, but we are overjoyed that our efforts have finally borne fruit."

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, MP3, FM transmitters

Source: Pocket-Lint

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Wheels: Clear Polycarbonite wheels

Next generation of wheels is clear and 100% Polycarbonate.

D'Vinci Forgiato has come up with clear wheels. Yes, clear. As in absolutely transparent.

Apparently made of "Lexan or something", they give the appearance that your tire is simply floating around your disc brakes. The reps say that these wheels are just as safe as any other wheel on the market, but I'd imagine it'd be a bit of a pain in the you-know-what to clean out the brake dust. There are also versions available for motorcycles.

$2,000 each...

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Source: Mobile Magazine

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Volvo: City Safety System

The name probably mostly related to car safety once again showed their competence in this area.

Volvo has said its latest high-tech safety system, "City Safety," could help drivers avoid 50 percent of all rear-end, low-speed accidents that often happen in urban settings or slow-moving traffic.

The new system, which was announced on Friday, should be available on production vehicles within two years.

"City Safety" is active up to 18.5 mph and keeps an eye on traffic via an optical radar system built into the upper part of the windshield. If a car in front suddenly brakes or is stationary, the system will automatically precharge the brakes to help the driver avoid an accident by slowing down or steering away from a potential collision. If a collision is imminent, the system will activate the car's brakes automatically.

The system runs a calculation 50 times per second to determine what braking speed is needed to avoid a collision, based on the distance to the object in front and the car's own speed.

Volvo said the system works day or night, but "will have the same limitations as any other radar systems, so [it] can be limited by fog, mist, snow or heavy rain."

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Source: Inside Line

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iPod: Monster iCar Player

Yet another iPod FM transmitter, but this one has won an innovation award.

This FM transmitter is a bit different than the average iPod FM transmitter. It has an AutoScan that will automatically scan all of the FM networks to find the clearest one to work with your iPod, and it will also display the station information on the actual iPod screen itself. Add in charging functionality and 3 programmable buttons makes this device pretty damn nice (except the $100 price tag).

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, MP3, FM transmitter

Source: Gizmodo

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Accessories: Maserati Cufflinks

Very nice and very stylish. But I keep the Audi cufflinks I weared first at my wedding.

Just in time for Christmas, Maserati is unveiling its new line of branded swag, the Maserati Collection, at the Bologna Motor Show next week. In doing so, they join other premium marques like Ferrari and Bentley (plus many other less exclusive brands like Ford, Jeep, etc.) in exploiting people's desires for logo gear. Hey, if they can't afford a new GrandSport, maybe they'll still be willing to shell out 200 bucks on an Alcantara shoulder bag, right?

The collection is broken up into six distinct product lines: Pure, Executive, Liesure, Gift, Passion and MC.

The Executive collection is home to products like travel bags, briefcases, pens and the Trident-logo cufflinks (£70) you see above. They're silver with carbon fiber accents. The partial carbon fiber construction keeps weight down, lessening the wearer's required effort when making the "Waiter, I'll take the check now, please" hand gesture.

There are more accessories from the collection, to be found right here .
Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, accessories, cufflinks, Maserati

Source: Autoblog

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Batteries: Intelligent Battery communicates via PDA and cellphone

The new generation of car batteries.

The passenger vehicle could be considered the largest and most widespread stand-alone technical consumer system requiring an on-board energy supply. However, the vehicle has no permanent power supply of its own and uses its battery as a buffer for consumption peaks, which have dramatically increased over the years to higher than 3,000 watts. Therefore, Siemens VDO developed a full product line of Battery and Energy Management (BEM) solutions to help meet vehicles' increased demand for electrical energy - of which its Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) innovation will go into series production in 2008 on European passenger vehicle applications.

More than one-third of all vehicle breakdowns in the United States are a result of a form of battery failure. Across the globe, dead batteries remain the leading reason why vehicles fail to start - which is not surprising, as the battery is the only source powering a vehicle's electricity consumers remaining active when the ignition is off. Siemens VDO's IBS is an essential element to managing and optimizing the battery's electrical energy resource. The shunt-based IBS supervises all vehicle modes from key-off to cranking with a high degree of accuracy. It measures battery current, voltage and temperature for any new or aged lead acid battery.

"Using the information from the battery sensor, our self-adapting Battery Monitoring Algorithm diagnoses the battery in terms of energy content and the ability to provide vehicle functions with power," said Siemens VDO Business Development Manager Ward Randall.

Advantages of using a Battery Monitoring System (BMS):

— Vehicle breakdowns could be lowered by up to 80 percent due to reduced battery drainage and advising drivers on battery replacement;

— Driver satisfaction can be enhanced through ensured ignition cranking, even after long periods of vehicle rest;

— Battery warranty cost can be reduced through failure mode detection;

— Cost reductions and improved quality can be achieved in production by immediately detecting and replacing defect components;

— Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions can be reduced by using reliable battery status; and, information to support engine efficiency solutions, Stop-Start system functions.

The Battery Monitoring System is part of the modular and scalable BEM solutions and serves as a base product for future vehicle energy architectures. The increase in by-wire solutions and the electrification of safety-relevant functions require fail-safe architectures, including additional energy storage devices and safety function strategies for on-board energy use. While by-wire functions, like the electronic wedge brake and electric power steering increase safety, efficiency and performance, it is vital for these functions to be available in the event of a possible failure of conventional energy systems.

Another focus point for energy management solutions will be to minimize any noticeable degradation of comfort function performance in the event of a weak power supply. The system also can help mitigate the risk of destabilizing the onboard electrical system if a driver creates an overload by activating too many comfort and convenience functions. This is ensured by the Power Trader solution, a feature providing a stepless distribution of energy throughout the vehicle.

In principle, Power Trader is part of a global approach to vehicle energy management and can be employed to optimize every type of vehicle energy system, including hybrid drive solutions.

The growing consumer concern of increasing fuel prices and pollution is leading to the desire for optimized travel. Today, Siemens VDO is trying to take up the energy challenge by developing an innovative Eco-Driving solution with the objective to help drivers become active stakeholders in environmentally sustainable mobility.

The Gerico Eco-Driving approach is an on-board ecologically friendly driving assistance system coupled with GPS navigation functionality. The Eco-Driving assistant system visually and audibly provides the following information to the driver without directly interfering with vehicle operations:

— Optimum speed for each road type.

— Optimum gear ratio according to speed.

— Actual fuel consumption in comparison to optimum use.

— Help and alert messages adapted to individual driving style, traffic conditions and route topography.

The Gerico Eco-Driving solution provides the general public with the technology advantage allowing them to better control their fuel bill, maintain driving enjoyment and respect the environment. For even greater sustainable mobility, Gerico Eco-Driving will eventually be available in personal vehicles, as well as for professional fleets.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, batteries

Source: Telematics Journal, pic via ladpw.org

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BMW: The Hydrogen 7

BMW came up with the Hydrogen 7 - the "world’s first hydrogen-drive luxury performance automobile".

Based on the familiar 7 Series model, it is equipped with an internal combustion engine capable of running either on hydrogen or on petrol.
Running in the hydrogen mode, the BMW Hydrogen 7 essentially emits nothing but water vapour. Hydrogen technology dramatically reduces emissions generated by personal transport and, in particular, minimizes the emission of CO2.

With all the comforts and amenities of a non-hydrogen BMW 7 Series, the BMW Hydrogen 7 is powered by a 191 kW twelve-cylinder engine that accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 9.5 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 230 km/h.

The BMW Hydrogen 7 also features a dual-mode power unit – controlled at the touch of a button – that can switch quickly and conveniently from hydrogen to conventional premium grade unleaded.

The car’s dual-mode drive provides a hydrogen mode cruising range of more than 200 kilometres, with another 500 kilometres in petrol mode.

With this overall cruising range of more than 700 kilometres, the driver of a BMW Hydrogen 7 is able to use the vehicle without problem even when the nearest hydrogen filling station is far away.

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Source: Gizmag

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VW: Nanospyder with next-gen automotive technology

VW shows next generation car technology in their Nanospyder concept car.

Futuristic nanotechnology supported by hydrogen fuel cells, solar power, wheel-mounted electric motors and inflatable organic body panels combine to form the bonkers shape of the two-seater concept. The work of a team of three young designers from Santa Monica came up with idea from a design brief that asked for a vehicle able to make the most of California without harming the environment.

According to its creators, the Nanospyder would be formed out of a latticework of billions of tiny programmable nano devices measuring less than half a millimetre in diameter. Each of these tiny devices can be programmed to be as strong or weak as required to create active (and we mean active) "crumple zones".

The nano-lattice would then be surrounded by panels formed out of a mix of organic materials, some of which can inflate to provide further cushioning in the result of an impact. The material doubles as a power source as polysynthesis (pay attenntion at the back) generates small amounts of electricity. This coupled with hydrogen fuels generates power to drive the tiny electric motors mounted within the hubs of all four wheels.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Volkswagen, VW, Nanospyder

Source: Pocket-Lint

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Suzuki: Amphibious crossing English Channel

If driving only in the streets and as well off-road driving bores you Suzuki takes you to the next step with it's amphibious vehichles.

The Suzuki Dutton S2, as it is called, crossed the English channel to France in 7 hours and 5 minutes. That's not as fast as the Gibbs Aquada amphibious car, but you have to take a few things into consideration: first it is fully road registrable, and has 4WD capabilities. You can buy it with a regular gas engine or diesel engine. You can order a right or left drive for those driving on the "wrong" side of the road, and to top it off it costs less than US$50,000, which is more affordable than other aqua vehicles out on the market.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Suzuki, amphibious

Source: OhGizmo!

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GM: Feature-packed key fob

Instead of increasing functionality or quality of their vehicles GM seems to concentrate on the key and announced this fully-loaded key fob to enter the market in April 2007.

In addition to the mundane task of unlocking your doors, it'll display your car's tire pressure, odometer reading, and the amount of fuel in the tank, as well as let you change the radio station settings before you step outside (we're still trying to wrap our heads around that one), not to mention start the car if you get the remote start package along with it. GM also claims that the fob's two-way community will give it four to six times the range of competing units. Of course you'll have to pay a premium to get all that excitement at your fingertips: $150, and it won't be available on all GM models (at least to start with), just full-size SUVs, pickups, and crossover-utility vehicles.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GM, key

Source: Engadget

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Toyota: Camry Hybrid is Green Car of the Year

Toyota got an important award at LA Auto Show.

The Toyota Camry has been the top-selling vehicle in America for eight of the last nine years. This year, the 2007 version was unveiled with a hybrid option. The hybrid system bumps mileage from 24/34 mpg to 40/38 mpg but the price stays reasonable at base price of $26,000.

While Honda's newest hybrid model, the Accord hybrid, uses it's hybrid drive train more to boost performance, Toyota is betting that Camry consumers will be more interested in efficiency. Hopefully, they're right. This 60% increase in city driving efficiency today brought Toyota one of the highest honors of environmental automobiles, Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year award.

This new Camry increases efficiency in more ways than one. The car uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and has been redesigned to decrease aerodynamic drag. The hybrid system is basically the same as that of the Prius, but they've brought it to an already extremely popular model and it will help Toyota realize it's goal of selling 300,000 hybrid vehicles in 2007.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Toyota, Camry, hybrids

Source: Treehugger

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Toys: Go-Kart in a suitcase

The perfect gift for mobile people: a miniature go-kart game in a serious-looking aluminium case.

In fact while the mini train kits were as boring to play with as most train kits are the go-kart kit improves on things by introducing a little bit of competition. The track actually allows for two karts to be raced head to head through the use of two wired remotes. The winding course is full of hairpin turns and a couple of short straightaways and in total runs for about 2 full meters. And from what I can tell the whole thing is powered by a 9V battery providing up to five hours of play time.

The Suitcase Go-Kart kit is available from Pro-Idee for about $780 after currency conversion.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, go-kart

Source: OhGizmo!

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VW: New climate center

Volkswagen invested to make your future car even more weather-proof.

The massively expensive facility (about 30 million euros or $38.3 mil) is actually designed to save VW money. It will allow them to simulate more extreme weather conditions than they would encounter in the wild and will also permit them to speed up the development process by not having to rely on Mother Nature. The test center can replicate temperatures ranging from -40 to +150 degrees Celsius (-40 to 302 degrees F), direct sun exposure, up to 95 percent humidity, high altitudes and extreme winds. "This is an investment that sets new standards for the automobile industry," added Engine Development Head, Dr. Rudolf Krebs.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, VW, Volkswagen, climate

Source: Autoblog

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Zune: FM transmitter from Belkin

I don't like the Zune. For those of of you who do and would like to use this ugly device as well in the car comes the first accessroy from Belkin.

This is the standard TuneBase FM transmitter, but refined for the Zune. It will transmit on FM channels 88.1MHz - 107.9MHz and also include a line-out for cars that include auxiliary ports. Programmable memory preset and an LCD display are included. The most Zune-specific feature about this accessory is the flexible neck. They did this to allow the Zune to be rotated to landscape mode so the passengers can watch movies easily. The TuneBase will retail for $79.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, MP3, Microsoft, Zune, FM transmitter

Source: Gizmodo

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MP3: Low-cost FM transmitter from Logitech

There are a lot of FM transmitters in the market. Here is one from Logitech.

Logitec's new LAT-FM110U does provide a low cost means to both charge and play your MP3 player while scooting about with four on the floor. The unit plugs into your vehicle's lighter socket for power and hosts both stereo-mini and USB jacks to pull the tunes while juicin' the the battery of your favorite portable audio player. Better yet, this new transmitter is said to decrease noise while improving sound over previous Logitec transmitters. Cable hell on the console? You betcha. Kicking out of Japan starting early December for about ¥4,980 or right around $42.

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Source: Engadget

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GPS, Bluetooth: Mini Bluetooth solar-powered GPS

If you use your PDA for navigation this Mini Bluetooth solar-powered GPS is very good way to save our ressources.

The advantage of a solar Bluetooth GPS is power consumption. Note that these models are solar-assisted. They can't run solely with the sun's energy, but the solar panel assists the battery, prolonging the battery's life by up to 2x. It is also possible to recharge the GPS by leaving in direct sunlight, which is quite convenient when hiking.

Since our first review, Ftech has released two other models: the first one had a better GPS receiver chip with 20 channels (vs. 8), with improved the time to first fix. The second one (this photo) is a smaller version with improved solar efficiency.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GPS, Bluetooth, solar power

Source: Ubergizmo

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Gaming: Backseat virtual reality entertains passengers

A new in-car entertainment concept uses GPS and your cell phone to integrate you in the game.

An in-car gaming system that creates an interactive game corresponding to a vehicle's real-world route could keep passengers entertained on long journeys, say Swedish computer scientists. It turns passing sights like forests, buildings and rivers into locations for in-game characters and events.

The Backseat Playground consists of a GPS receiver, a handheld computer and headphones, all connected to a laptop in the trunk of the car.

The laptop uses the GPS data to maintain a three-dimensional model that keeps the car correctly positioned within the virtual world. A database of geographical information is used to match events in the game to suitable locations. Players interact using the handheld computer.

The game begins with a radio newsflash, relayed by the handheld computer, which places a passenger at the start of a murder mystery or a werewolf thriller. As the car travels along its route, the player receives further phone calls and walkie-talkie messages from characters in the game.

Like a novel

Although the game is largely audio-based it can easily draw players in, says John Bichard, who created Backseat Playground with colleagues Liselott Brunnberg and Oskar Juhlin at The Interactive Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

"It's like a novel," Bichard explains. "We are trying to suggest spaces and places and events and have the user fill in the gaps to build a narrative."

A videoexplains the system and shows two children testing out a prototype (13MB, MP4 format). For now, the game only works over an area of 35 square kilometres in Stockholm.

"We are doing an evaluation of the prototype at the moment to test how people respond to the game," Bichard says. Initial feedback has been positive, and the team would like to add voice recognition to the set-up. "Being able to talk directly to the characters would be great," he says.

"This is a very interesting way to deliver content," says Rob Aspin, a researcher from the Centre for Virtual Environments at the University of Salford, UK. "It can create a high sense of presence and interaction while hiding most of the technology from the user."

Aspin adds that attempts to implement analogous visual systems using augmented reality have been hampered by the fact the resolution of GPS tracking is limited to around a metre. "Objects appear to drift, which is very disorientating to the user," Aspin says, though he believes this could be solved in the future.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GPS, cellphone, in-car entetainment

Source: New Scientist

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Saturn: Driving with Mickey

A colleague over at Technoride found out about about a well-known passenger while test driving the new Saturn Aura.

Hadn't I seen the cupholder designs somewhere before? Two circular cutouts (for cups), a rectangle (for the cell phone or sunglasses), and three circles orbiting a circle in the middle (for whatever).
Are they from the game of round pegs, square pegs? Not exactly, because what about the circles-around-the-circle? Then it came to me. Of course: The wonderful world of Disney.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Saturn, cupholder, Mickey Mouse

Source: Technoride

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