Car Tech

New car technology that connects to the connected car

Volvo testing self driving, autonomous cars at AstaZero

volvotaVolvo has opened AstaZero as a test site for traffic safety solutions, in the hopes that by by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car. Volvo has been working with magnets that can be sensed in the snow. The Volvo XC90 has advanced run-off road/brake at intersection and AT&T 4G LTE. Volvo also tests autonomous cars in Gothenburg.

Volvo plans development of active safety systems, to prevent accidents with AstaZero as the premiere proving ground, near Volvo Cars headquarters in western Sweden.

EV charging stations # >Starbucks & 1st BMW i DC Fast & apps

chargepointappThere are more ChargePoint charging stations than Starbucks, McDonald’s, 7-Eleven: 8,160,Dunkin’ Donuts or Wal-marts. BMW’s new fast chargers are supported. EV owners can find charging stations online or via Android and iPhone apps.

When drivers realized there are so many places to  charge an EVs, they’re more likely to consider buying EVs.  There are many charging stations are at many stores.

With 18,000 charging locations across U.S. and Canada, ChargePoint has more spots than the number of Starbucks: 14,958, McDonald’s: 13,890, 7-Eleven: 8,160, Dunkin’ Donuts: 7,681 and Walmart: 5,256.

 

Connected Car Expo previews at CTIA Vegas 9/9-11

connectedcarexpoThe Connected Car Expo has announced the roster for CTIA Super Mobility Week in Las Vegas, NV, September 9-11. The event is expected to a preview of the Connected Car Expo at the LA Auto Show November 18-20.

Before the show are several days devoted to Ford, with the Ford App Developer Conference on September 8, the over night Ford Hackathon (9/8-9/9) and Ford App Pursuit (9/9-11).

There is a CCE pavillion with mobile apps from Hertz Neverlost, Lixar, OnStar and Speaktoit.

Tesla 2 hire connected car hackers from other side

tesla8Tesla Motors is calling all computer hackers to break into their head—units and win a spot on their blog or even a job.

Telsa plans to hire up to 30 employees/hackers/programmers and displayed at the Def Can conference in Las Vegas, last week.

In connected car apps to reach 269 million by 2018, thanks 2 CarPlay and Android Wear

telematicsfeturesA new report by Juniper Research on the telematics sector  found that the number of in-vehicle apps in use is expected to reach 269 million by 2018, representing a more than five fold increase on last year’s figure.

Connected Cars: Consumer & Commercial Telematics and Infotainment 2014-2018 reports growth will be fueled by solutions such as Apple’s CarPlay, which will promote in-car apps.

Teens don’t like parents texting while driving either

teensparentstextdrivingIt’s not only teens who text while driving but parents engage in distracted driving in front of their children.

A new survey from Liberty Mutal Insurance and SADD shows that parents drive without a seat belt, text, and driving after consuming alcohol, the same practices parents tell their kids to not do.

Tesla S warranty extended to 8 yr unlimited mile warranty

tesladashTesla CEO Elon Musk announced today that the Tesla Model S drive unit warranty has been extended to match that of the battery pack. That means the 85 kWh Tesla S, now has an 8 year, infinite mile warranty on both the battery pack and drive unit. It will cover all the owners of the cars, new or used.

The warranty extension will apply retroactively to all Model S vehicles ever produced.

Free app for teens to prevent texting while driving

SafeCell360iPhoneappSafeCell 360 is an app available to teenage drivers in the United States for the 2014/2015 year free. It enables the teens and parents to block apps, text messages, emails and monitor them.

The app provides parents the ability to limit the use of their teenage drivers access to their Android and iPhone devices while driving. SafeCell 360 is designed to run in the background and monitor for motion.