By Beverly & Steve Smirnis
BMW’s i3 is
all about forward-thinking technology with aluminum chassis driven by an
electric motor, augmented by a two-cylinder gasoline-fueled “range extender”
engine. The passenger cell is skinned in
carbon fiber to keep its weight down for improved efficiency and quicker
acceleration. It is rated to cover 72
miles on electricity while the 170-hp range extender gas motor keeps it going
for approximately 70 more miles. The
cabin is surprisingly roomy in BMW’s rather funky-looking intro to the future.
With a price tag in the $50K range, it is likely to be purchased as a toy
second car by Euro sports car drivers.
While truly
driverless cars are still a few years away, Tesla Autopilot, available on its
new Model S, functions like the systems that airplane pilots use when
conditions are clear. The driver is still responsible for, and ultimately in
control of, the car. Tesla designed Autopilot to give more confidence behind
the wheel, increase safety on the road, and make tedious everyday driving a
thing of the past. Using cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors, Autopilot takes
the stress of stop-start traffic away by steering, changing lanes and adjusting
speed for you.
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The Audi RS 7 piloted driving prototype
“Robby” tested limits of speed and handling at Sonoma Raceway |
Rupert
Stadler, chairman of the executive board of AUDI, says, “The intelligent car
can unfold its enormous potential only in an intelligent city.” Audi
and the city of Somerville, Massachusetts agreed to develop an urban strategy
for Somerville, applying technologies automated parking, and networking cars
with traffic lights. In addition to networked
infrastructure, Audi is bringing automated parking to the project. Self-parking
cars result in three different benefits:
1) Parking garages can be relocated from the city center to less
attractive places. 2) The parking area
required per car is reduced by approximately two square meters. 3) The cars park closer together and need
fewer, much narrower lanes in garages, where pedestrian paths, elevators and
stairs are no longer required. A parking garage of the same size can then take
up to 60 percent more vehicles – sufficient to end curbside parking.
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