Toyota Developing Solar Cars?

Toyota Developing Solar Cars?

Author ColGlobe | 02.01.2009 | Category Japanese Technology, automobile

Japan is moving towards a solar powered vehicle

Don’t get too excited yet, but early leaks from the Toyota Motor Corp indicate that solar energy powered cars may be on the very near horizon. The new cars, with are rumored to use existing technology electric fuel cells, will be chargeable by home and work powered solar generating stations, and may even be supplemented by solar panels placed on the tops of vehicles.

As the world becomes more and more conscious of the dangers of fossil fuels, technology focuses increasingly on renewable resources, of which nothing known to mankind is more dependable or longer lasting than the sun. Of all possible fuel sources, sunlight is the only one which is already being supplied in vast quantities to the earth’s surface, where it is contributing to feared global warming. Harvesting that raw energy could have far reaching environmental repercussions, beginning with reduced carbon emissions, and progressing all the way through the gamut of ways to combat human-influenced global warming.

The Chevy Volt

Author ColGlobe | 17.11.2008 | Category Technology, automobile, world news

The Electric-gasoline hybrid, Chevy Volt

GM is finally releasing the long-awaited Chevy Volt. This Electric hybrid is ideal for local driving, as it provides an MPG as low as 2cents per mile when driven in entirely eletric mode. And since it can be charged up by ordinary house current, even fueling the car will be a cleaner than what is involved in operating on fossil fuels. 

Top View of the Chevy Volt

At a price of around 40 thousnad dollars, the Volt doesn’t come cheap, but the estimated savings could recoup the cost very quickly, perhaps even recoup the price of the entire vehicle. And even when operating on the engine, expected mileage cost is expected to be no more than 10-15 per mile, providing an over all fuel cost that is less than half of what you’ve been paying all these years.

The one drawbackis that the electric range for the car is only about 40 miles, but since the car is being marketed as an urban commuter vehicle this shouldn’t be a problem. Plus it in at work, plug in at home, and you’re good to go. And this baby looks sweet!

Tesla Electric Sedan

Author ColGlobe | 01.11.2008 | Category Technology, automobile

The new All-Electric Tesla 4-Door Sedan

EcoGreen is good. An electric car that has a 240 mile range is excellent. To get It in a package that looks like the Tesla 4 door sedan is fantastic! The Tesla Model S, as it will called, is a 5 passenger car with the ability to go from 0 to 100Km/hr in only six seconds. And it has an estimated price tag of $60,000 which is a bit pricey, but in line with the price of similar cars that cause far more damage to the entire.

The car isn’t expected for release until 2010, but that definitely is a sporty sedan worth keeping an eye on.

BMW To Use Open Source OS

Author ColGlobe | 24.10.2008 | Category Computers, automobile

BMW will be using Open Source in its cars in a few years

BMW, yesterday, announced an invitation to other automakers to join in bringing an open source platform to the on-board computers of cars. While there were no immediate takers on the offer, BMW still plans to move forward with the plan itself, and expects to offer an open source OS in new cars within the next 5-7 years.

After the announcement by BMW, a Ford executive stated that Ford had already done so, by putting an estimated 200,000 cars on the road with an operating system created by Microsoft. It is unclear whether the Ford executive was joking, or just doesn’t realize what open source means. Microsoft has a long-standing reputation as one of the least open of any operating system on the market, and has been cited as one of many reasons that developing such public OS’s is so important, to avoid the near stranglehold monopoly that Microsoft has held for so many years, and is only now started to lose. Many software developers say that the apposite type, proprietary, stifles development of new software, slowing down the advancement of new software trechnologies.

An open source operating system is one that is developed through collaboration and is made available free of charge to consumers. Two examples of open source operating systems are Linux and the new Google Android, which was finally rolled out earlier this week after earlier false starts.  In recent years, the move towards open source has grown on many fronts, from the PC to cellphones, and now to cars.

Toyota Scion Comes To Canada

Author JoeDigital | 22.10.2008 | Category Japanese Technology, automobile

Canada is going to get a chance to buy the Toyota Scion after all!

Japanese automaker, Toyota Motor Corporation, has decided to introduce it’s fuel efficient Scion to Canadian markets after all.  Earlier, Toyota had stated that Canadian urban attitudes did not warrant the marketing of the Scion in the country, but this summer’s rising fuel prices has prompted a change of heart, and now the vehicle is scheduled for introduction in 2010.  Even though this a change of heart for Toyota’s announced plans, the Scion name has been trademarked in Canada for quite some time.

The scion is targeted for urban youthful markets with concerns about the economy and fuel economy, areas in which the Scion excels. 

Toyota denies allegations that this move is an effort to unload unsold stocks that aren’t selling well in American markets due to the tightening of credit and budgets, which have reached the lowest levels seen in 15 years.  Regardless of the reason, the Scion is sure to be a hit with those who are conscious of global warming and fears of impending Peak Oil production.  

Interestingly, studies have shown that 72% of those who purchase a Scion have never purchased a Toyota vehicle before, but once they’ve bought one, are far more likely to become loyal Toyota customers for future purchases.

Honda Develops Faster, Safer Airbag

Author ColGlobe | 17.10.2008 | Category Japanese Technology, automobile

Honda has developed a faster, safer airbag for passenger of all sizes.

Honda Motor Co Ltd announced Sept 18, 2008, that it has developed a new automobile airbag that both deploys more quickly, and provides increased protection to people.  The new design is meant to fill up with gas more quickly, but hold the inflation for a longer period, resulting in a benefit to passengers, regardless of the sitting situation in the vehicle.  The new system is scheduled to debut in the “Life”, next month.

The problem so far has been that most airbags are better suited for taller drivers.  Shorter people sit closer to the steering wheel, and the design meant an increased chance of impact against the steering column befor ethe bag had a chance to inflate, while using an inflator device meant the taller people would be hitting more forcefully by the bag on expansion.  The new design inflates using a sprial seam design, allowing the bag to infalte in stages as the sprial seam spearates to allow continuous and effective expansion.

The GYM: A Different Kind of Concept Car

Author ColGlobe | 31.08.2008 | Category Innovation, automobile

Have you ever jumped in the car so you could drive to the gym?  But how about the idea that you can jump in your gym, and then go for a drive?  A student at Coventry University, in the UK, has designed a concept car that combines physical fitness with alternative fuel, and made it look good.

The student/designer, Da Feng, used magnesium alloy and a bit of carbon-fiber body molding to design the outer appearance of this sexy vehicle.  But the outside isn’t where the real innovation is found, that would fall to the built-in fitness gym that can be used to help charge the batteries.  The interior of this single-person ride doubles as a personal fitness device, with a step machine, rowing machine, and even a pull-up device.  And yes, you can just plug the car into an electrical outlet, but that takes most of the fun out of having a portable gym that turns the ladies’ heads, wouldn’t you say?

Why are there no Japanese mini cars in canada?

Author JoeDigital | 23.05.2008 | Category Japanese Technology, automobile

On my recent Visit to Japan I once again fell in love with the japanese mini car. The concept of having a small engine car that is cheap and fuel efficient (660cc engines at about 45miles a gallon, costs brand new about 10,000$ and used for about 2000$) be common place on the roads makes sense globally as gas prices are on the raise and the scare of global warming is thretening to ruin our planet (the Japanese government gives tax back incentives for purchasing a mini car such as cheaper insurance). The Japanese mini car not only helps with pollution it also looks cool! check out some of these photos (my favourite one is the VW mini Van hack — its a subaru sambar or Suzuki every)