There’s plenty of hype in the media about autonomous driving technology. Quite a bit of this is fueled by the eager press releases and slick marketing copy produced by automakers and tech companies, which are trying to please investors and excite the public. There’s a problem with this dynamic because it isn’t entirely honest about how difficult reaching Level 5 autonomous tech will be.
Germany, the birthplace of the modern automobile, has long held quite a bit of power in the car world. In fact, 80 percent of all luxury vehicles sold globally are from German brands. It wasn’t that long ago Volkswagen boasted in all of its ads of the German engineering that goes into its vehicles. If you haven’t noticed, the auto industry is in a bit of a transformational moment, if by “bit” I mean a complete overturning of pretty much everything. Read the rest of this entry »
Lighter weight and more energy efficiency go together in automotive design. It’s what many auto manufacturers strive for to be competitive and meet consumer demand. 3D printing is helping them achieve this goal. Read the rest of this entry »
Electric cars have generated a lot of buzz this year. While you might know of several coming out, the following vehicles might not be on your radar, yet.
You likely have at least some sense of big changes coming to the automotive industry. Most people know about Tesla, but other young startups, plus a plethora of other companies are in the process of disrupting our personal transportation options. As a result, we’re about to see what I term the Carpocalypse.
If you pay attention to the mainstream media, you likely think of Tesla as some promoter of technological advancements. The truth is much more sinister, because it seems the California automaker and tech giant is keen on taking down rival technologies with a vengeance.
If you’re old enough to remember the Brady Bunch, even when the show was in re-runs on network TV, you probably spent at least some time riding in the back of a station wagon, like the fictional family. The station wagon from my childhood wore a Ford badge and faux wood paneling, making it resemble a log with wheels, and I thought it was pretty cool. My dad had a different opinion.
Are you into technology? If you are, I’ve got a great read for you. Chances are you’ve heard about autonomous cars or self-driving cars, cars that don’t require a human to drive.
While many have been incredibly shocked by the news that General Motors will shutter multiple factories and lay off thousands of workers, some in the auto industry could see this coming. That doesn’t make the shift any less difficult for the families who now wonder what the future holds for them financially.