Car Tech
Ford to Introduce Airbags in Seatbelts
Posted: Nov. 06, 2009 10:11:16 a.m.
In today’s new cars, front seat occupants are usually well-protected by a number of airbags. Some models protect front seat occupants with as many as four airbags each. They pop out of the dashboard and steering wheel, out of the seats to the side, out of the ceiling across the windows, and in some cases, below the dashboard to cushion the driver’s knees in a crash.
In the rear, most cars have just a head-curtain airbag to protect ...
Volkswagen, MIT Develop In-Car Robot
Posted: Nov. 02, 2009 09:11:13 a.m.
If you thought the voice-activated navigation system in your car was cool, you ain't seen nothing yet. Your next car could come with a far more advanced navigation aide - one that can hold up its end of a conversation.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Volkswagen and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are working together to develop "a dashboard-mounted robotic device that uses myriad sources of information to help you plan travel routes, dodge traffic jams, find heretofore unrealized ...
Chrysler to Bring Live TV to Cars
Posted: Oct. 30, 2009 10:10:58 a.m.
Listen up, kids. You want to talk mom and dad into a Chrysler. Got that? A Chrysler.
It's the only one with Spongebob.
Edmunds Inside Line reports, "Chrysler said it will roll out a live mobile TV option starting in late December that will be available on several 2008-'10 models with factory DVD entertainment systems." The TV service will be available on the Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro ...
In-Car Internet Coming to Some GM Trucks, SUVs
Posted: Oct. 28, 2009 10:10:09 a.m.
For an up-front cost of $500, and a monthly fee of $29, you'll soon be able to surf the web in your Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac truck or SUV.
Autoblog reports, "Everywhere connectivity is even closer with the announcement that GM will be offering dealer-installed Autonet routers in its SUV and truck offerings." The routers can be ordered on new vehicles, or installed in existing ones. There is no word on whether GM plans to extend the offer ...
Car Theft Hits 20-Year Low
Posted: Oct. 21, 2009 10:10:11 a.m.
It's a tough time to be a car thief. Owners are going to greater lengths to protect their cars - and its working.
The Detroit Free Press reports, "Reported vehicle theft has fallen to a 20-year low even as the number of vehicles on the road has doubled, as manufacturers install sophisticated anti-theft technology in cars and police target organized car-theft rings." According to the FBI, in 2009 car thieves stole "315 cars for every 100,000 people. That's ...
OnStar Ends First Police Chase
Posted: Oct. 21, 2009 10:10:48 a.m.
That little OnStar button on the rearview mirror of your General Motors car can do a lot of things. This week, the system was used to end a high-speed chase for the first time.
The AP reports, "Police in California say General Motors' OnStar communications system stopped a dangerous high-speed chase and helped them capture a carjacking suspect by disabling a stolen sport utility vehicle." The Chevy Tahoe was stolen by a carjacker, who used a sawed-off shotgun to threaten ...
Consumer Reports Tests What To Do When Your Gas Pedal Is Stuck
Posted: Oct. 16, 2009 10:10:12 a.m.
Last month, Toyota recalled nearly 4 million vehicles because a faulty floormat design could cause the cars to accelerate out of control if the floormat should slip out of position, holding the gas pedal down. The recall lead many media outlets to post news stories theorizing on how to stop a car that is accelerating out of control. Now, Consumer Reports has tested these theories, using a closed race track and a few cars. Their results are not particularly surprising ...
Some Automakers Have Already Solved Toyota's Floormat Problem
Posted: Oct. 09, 2009 10:10:55 a.m.
A series of complaints to federal regulators, and a recent highly-publicized accident that killed four people, forced Toyota to recall nearly 4 million vehicles this month. Investigators believe the accident may have been caused when the vehicle's accelerator pedal snagged on an improperly-secured floormat, causing the car to accelerate out of control. Toyota owners nationwide have been instructed to remove their drivers' side floormat, and Toyota dealers are installing zip-ties to restrain the floormats on vehicles remaining on their ...
Soon, Nissans Will Almost Drive For You
Posted: Jul. 27, 2009 11:07:34 a.m.
If Nissan has its way, before long you'll be able to climb into your car, push the start button, and kick back with a good book while it drives you to work. At least, it seems that way.
Autoblog reports, "The new Nissan Fuga (known here as the Infiniti M), debuting this fall at the Tokyo Motor Show, will feature fresh technology including new driver assistance systems." The company "has integrated the GPS navigation system with the M's ...
Small Cars Mean Huge Bills in Minor Crashes
Posted: Jun. 12, 2009 10:06:54 a.m.
The Hyundai Accent is currently the least expensive car in America, by MSRP, at just under $10,000. With four minor, parking-lot speed accidents, you can reduce its worth by $7,203, according to a new report.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an automotive safety research lab funded by a consortium of insurance companies, conducted the tests. They crashed seven small cars into a barrier representing the bumper of another car at 6 mph, once to the front bumper ...
