Ideabing - Ideas for the world, FREE! Blogs on Ideation, Innovation, Technology and such. » cars

Feed Your Car Some Whiskey And Save The Planet

Allison Reilly — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Professor Martin Tangney, a scientist from County Cork, Ireland has invented a new bio-fuel made from Scotch, and can be used instead of gasoline in cars. This invention is part of a project aimed at developing a biobutonal, the next generation of biofuel, which gives 30 percent more output power than ethanol. Tangney and Edinburgh Napier University are planning to create a company that will market this fuel to a gas station near you.

Audi “Unboxing” The Car

Akshaya Murthy — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:00:22 +0000

There’s been a massive change in car design in the last 10 years. From boxy to sexy. Audi leads the pack when it comes to shedding the boxy appeal of the car to create smooth curves and sharp lines. Not just aerodynamic, these cars look good. Audi created an advertisement for the Q5 that tried to convey this message of “unboxing” of the car via an animated sequence. The message is so crisp that you cannot ignore the smooth curves anymore. Video after the break.

LAMBORGHINI ANNOUNCES NEW CENTER FOR CARBON FIBER RESEARCH IN SANT’AGATA BOLOGNESE

Akshaya Murthy — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:00:06 +0000

Sant’Agata Bolognese — Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. announces a new Advanced Composites Research Center (ACRC) at its headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese. The center carries out research on innovative design and production methods for carbon-fiber elements. Both the ACRC and an all-new, highly efficient production process for extremely complex carbon-fiber structures were developed at the same time. The process is secured through an array of patents and constitutes a breakthrough into the next generation of carbon-fiber components.

Carbon-fiber technology is crucial to the future

“The consistent development of carbon-fiber technology is a key element of our strategy,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. “The most important parameter for super sportscars is, now as in the future, the weight-to-power ratio; therefore, as there is a limit to power increase due to emission regulations, we must work on weight reduction. Extensive use of carbon fiber, even at structural level, allows Lamborghini to be at the forefront of development techniques. The real difference is in the correct use of technologies and materials to satisfy technical and financial concerns. This is what the Center is all about.”

Key technology for super sports cars

Carbon composite materials are crucial to tomorrow’s automotive engineering, especially for high-performance sports cars. These materials are made from carbon-fiber reinforced polymers and combine the lowest possible weight with excellent mechanical properties. Cars become lighter, thus improving fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The decisive factor for any sportscar is improving its power-to-weight ratio and thus its performance. A super sportscar built using composite materials in carbon fiber has improved acceleration and braking as well as superior handling.

Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera: lightweight engineering champion thanks to carbon fiber

The current Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera offers a perfect example: compared with the already extremely lean Gallardo LP 560-4, its weight has been trimmed by a further 70 kilograms. One major contributing factor is use of exterior and interior components made from carbon fiber. The super sportscar from Sant’Agata Bolognese weighs in at no more than 1340 kilograms – the new benchmark for the exclusive market segment occupied by Lamborghini.

Over thirty years of experience at Lamborghini

Lamborghini has many years’ experience in composite elements. The first carbon-fiber based chassis prototype was built for the Countach as far back as 1983. Series production parts first appeared in 1985. The current Lamborghini Murciélago is built largely of carbon fiber, with 93 kilograms of structural carbon-fiber materials in its bodyshell. The Gallardo Spyder’s engine cover is the largest component ever produced in the automotive world with RTM technology and a class-A surface optimum finish.

ACRC’s functions

The new Lamborghini Advanced Composite Research Center comprises two facilities covering an area of more than 2,600 square meters. A team of 30 people, engineers and technicians, works here to develop vehicle components of all shapes and sizes. They build prototypes and the associated tools, production tools, and develop optimized production technologies. Sophisticated systems largely developed in-house allow extremely high precision levels as engineers simulate manufacturing processes as well as carry out crash tests on complex carbon-fiber structures.

Focus on innovative technologies

The ACRC is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, such as a test laboratory with sophisticated testing and measuring devices, automated cutting and casting equipment, a heated, 1,000 ton press and several autoclaves to harden carbon-fiber parts under high pressure and temperatures. Efforts focus, however, on “out of autoclave” technologies such as Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), whereby carbon-fiber structures are compressed under high pressure; or vacuum RTM, whereby resin is forced into carbon-fiber using negative pressure.

Breakthrough on production processes

Lamborghini ACRD’s specialists have already achieved a definitive breakthrough with the invention of an innovative technology: they have developed one new process which combines the benefits of existing methods. Thanks to the extensively patented “RTM light” process, Lamborghini can use minimal pressure and relatively low temperatures to manufacture carbon-fiber components to the highest levels of quality, precision and surface finish, from small parts to complex vehicle structures. Further benefits include higher process speeds, lower costs, and extremely light tooling.

World-leading expertise in crash simulation

Carbon-fiber materials have impressive advantages. However, exceptional levels of expertise are necessary in order to muster fully their application as, for instance, in crash simulation. Together with The Boeing Company, Lamborghini initiated a crash analysis research program in 2007. In 2009, the Automobili Lamborghini Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory (ACSL) was established at the University of Washington, with Boeing and other US companies as partners. Around 20 scientists work in the fully-equipped laboratory and support the team in Sant’Agata Bolognese primarily in the field of crash and dynamics analysis. Results so far achieved are unmatched anywhere else in the world and have delivered extensive benefits to Lamborghini super sportscars’ safety and build quality.

[via VW]

Ideabing Daily Roundup: Cars Edition

Akshaya Murthy — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:03:06 +0000

Hey, Now We Have Wireless EV Chargers

When In A Ford, Listen To Tweets Handsfree

When In A Ford, Listen To Tweets Handsfree

Akshaya Murthy — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:18:44 +0000

Ford introduced the “Applink” interface for the Sync multimedia system some time back. Applink allows users to run apps on their iPhones or Blackberries through voice control connected to the car’s Sync system. The piece of software can read out text messages to users and now it can also read out tweets to them. All this, hands free.

The system does not allow you to tweet back to make sure you don’t think too hard while driving. This is to make sure you are not distracted from your primary job at the wheel – DRIVE. But experts say that this may only lead to the driver reaching out to the phone to tweet back. Now come on, if the system can take voice commands it can also tweet, right?

“Making SYNC even more intuitive and easier to use will encourage more drivers to take advantage of its hands-free capabilities, helping them keep their focus on driving,” said Mark Fields, the Executive Vice President of Ford Motor Company.

The future’s going to be quite interesting given that there’s going to be some augmented reality, some tweeting and some self controlling cars. But for now let’s stick to what we have.

[via PSFK]

Hey, Now We Have Wireless EV Chargers

Akshaya Murthy — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:17:02 +0000

Think only the iPhone can be charged wirelessly? Evatran has released the first wireless “Car Charger” for your plugin EV. This tech works thanks to magnetic induction via a wireless charging tower and an adapter on the car’s charging port. 2 drawbacks – 1- its wireless, so expect some energy loss while charging. 2- it will take out about $4300 of green from your pocket before a $2000 tax refund. But come on, do you want to bend you back and plug that wire into the car everyday? Guess the loss of green is worth it. So much for wired power! Wireless power is the way of the future and I think technologies like these will keep the world on track for wireless power. Remember the wireless induction charging article we had posted some time back?

The company is running a field trial program right now so if you are a tree hugging EV owner go here.

[via Inhabitat]

Automated Parking? Yes Please.

Akshaya Murthy — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:10:22 +0000

Every item i go to the airport it’s a pain to look for a parking slot and park it. Plus, there is the trauma of finding the spot where I parked the can once I am done with my business. A parking lot in Budapest, Turkey has solved this problem by making the whole process, well, automatic. You just leave the car in one of the designated “entry zones” and the system takes care of the parking for you. The system also delivers the car back to you in “driving direction” so that you dont have to back your car up. All this, under one of the most beautiful squares in the world. 4 levels of parking with a capacity of 404 cars under the city. Wow! I will wait for this to come to Chicago. Watch the video if you want to witness true parking splendidness.

Ideabing Daily Roundup: Tesla Roadster Edition

Akshaya Murthy — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:00:14 +0000

Tesla Releases Roadster 2.5, Shows Off Innovations

Design: Bamboo Taxi

Legos For Gorwnups

Tesla Releases Roadster 2.5, Shows Off Innovations

Akshaya Murthy — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:25:38 +0000

Just 2 days after its IPO, Tesla’s released a new roadster. Its called the Tesla Roadster 2.5 (3.0 in the offing this fall?) and it packs a lot of technology within its full carbon fiber body. If 0-60 mph in 3.7seconds blows your mind away, consider this. The new Tesla Roadster 2.5 packs the industry’s most advanced battery pack. One charge takes you about 245 miles before you have to find a plug point again. All this with zero* emission. Tesla’s making sure they show off this beautiful creature just like a public company must. All the innovations that have gone into the car are generously showed off on their website (here). Go buy one if you think you have the cash (starts at $101,000 after tax rebate) and the patience (deliveries start sometime next year) for the roadster. We still think that this one’s the most sexy of all the EV’s out there, so go buy it anyway.

*If you don’t consider the emissions out of the coal that was burnt to produce the electricity that charges your car. Huh, so much for the zero emissions tag.

[via Tesla]

Design: Bamboo Taxi

Akshaya Murthy — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:10:34 +0000

You have probably seen images of overloaded two wheelers in Phillipines but try overloading this one! A fully functional bamboo taxi built with all the necessary detailing (and seating for three). I hope this one doesn’t burn down like this one did. Don’t know if this qualifies under “legos for grownups”

Thanks Deepti

Ideabing - Ideas for the world, FREE! Blogs on Ideation, Innovation, Technology and such. » cars

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