Periodical inhalations with fuel fumes is quite a doubtful action. The invention by Rotec Engineering is aimed at reducing the number of harmful work places and rejecting such a job as a service station attendant.

One-handed robot doesn’t await tips when refilling your car.

It is common knowledge that laziness is the engine of the progress. If you haven’t yet noticed we’ve been among robots for quite a long period of time. Washing up, cleaning, washing… And it seems that the pace of robotization in not going to be slowed down.

The robot-refiller Tankpitstop that has been create by a Dutch engineering company Rotec Еngineering is an obvious proof. What is it peculiar for? Well, the metal friend totally manages the refilling process. The “eyes” of the “bandit” are special cameras and special ultrasonic sensors, the brain – a computer which defines the make of the car with the help of special software and then controls the electro mechanic part of the device to perform these or that actions.

The electronics via the outer cameras identifies the car when it is entering the station. In a matter of seconds the computer compares the received data with that in its database and gives out the result: the make of the car, the necessary fuel and defines where the filler is.

As soon as the car stops and the driver pays for the fuel the robot gets into action: it opens the filler cap, unscrews it, takes the gun, puts it into the tank and pushes the trigger. By the way only the cars with no lock on the tank cap will be able to use such refilling stations.

The development of the system has been going on for a few years so far, but the first beta model was launched in a refilling station in Emmeloord. It is not known whether and when the robots will get widely spread. Nevertheless, the plans of the Dutch authorities are quite ambitious – they plan to automate up to 80% of refilling stations in the country.

Tire Ratings: ContiSeal Tires by Continental Heal Themselves

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The moment of a tire puncture might not be noticed at all, but the pressure in the tank after the process of self-healing can decrease considerably. After the loss of a great amount of sealant the wheel might get a tangible misbalance.

Continental tires will heal themselves.

From the moment the wheel was invented there has always been a great problem. In the modern world with so many sophisticated systems wheel punctures are still an awful problem.

Of course, tire and car manufacturing companies have invented a number of systems to resist this type of failures. To my mind the best solution (and the best system that has been invented so far) is the technology Run-flat – forced tire sidewall that enables to run with a flat tire to the nearest tire workshop at a good speed. It is really nice but the cost is too high.

The inner surface of ContiSeal tires is covered with sticky polymer protected by a special covering. When a tire is damaged the polymer (forced by the pressure) squeezes into the aperture and there it polymerizes.

This costly technology now has a competitor represented by the technology ContiSeal in the new line of Continental tires. It goes without saying that the polymer won’t help against extensive breeches and cuts, but it will be able to handle small damage (the diameter of which is less than 5 mm). ContiSeal tires will be installed on various European cars by the end of spring. At the same time they will be available for retail purchase. One of the first cars to try the new technology will be Volkswagen Passat CC.

At the moment we cannot know how much the new tires are going to cost – Continental hasn’t announced the prices. But in any way they aren’t likely to cost much more than the average tires of the same size and features.

Microsoft Exchange: Sync System for Ford 

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Sync is installed as an option on 12 Ford models and on Lincoln and Mercury. This pleasant addition costs $39.

I have an impression that the modern automobiles are nor automobiles any more but skillfully crafted moddings of cabinets which are set on wheels and produced by millions. It is impossible to go by without electronics, but the software developers are eager to computerize automobiles even more!

Microsoft plans to come to an agreement with one of the biggest can manufacturers to develop a hew multimedia system. What it will be like and at what stage the negotiations are the head of automobile branch of Microsoft Martin Thall hasn’t told. But he pointed out that the goal of the company is to make advanced multimedia an integral part of any car.

Let me remind you that recently Microsoft has been supplying Ford with communication and entertainment system Sync. The system is equipped with USB-interface and Bluetooth module, which enables the users to attach mobile phones, communicators and other storage devices. Sync is able to work with a number of other peripheral portative devices like iPod, Microsoft Zune, PlaysForSure

The intelligent multimedia system allows to call via the inbuilt microphone and acoustic system, work with contact lists right through the central console. It enables voice calling, power reserve display, network connection signal and shows icons attached to certain entries of the contact lists. You can even playback the installed ringtones through the car’s acoustics. It is natural that Sync can handle the navigation as well.

At home, in metro and at work we are surrounded by a great number of computerized gadgets. Soon cars won’t be an exception (and I really doubt whether they are now!). Now we have faced that beginning of media technology promotion in the automobile branch.
Ford’s exclusive right for Sync expires at the end of the year. That’s why Microsoft has got down to contacting other companies. The goal is obvious – further adaptation of the system to their models. By the by, it is not possible that Microsoft negotiates a few car manufacturing companies at the same time, and Sync might be made and incorporate brand.

At the moment the other multimedia invention by Microsoft is being installed on Fiats. The system is called rather ambiguously – Blue&Me. It has an inbuilt Bluetooth module, USB-interface, and just like Sync it works with a great number of outboard devices. It framework includes a video player and GPS-navigation.

Media system in a car has become a usual thing. But the possibilities enabled by the modern systems soon won’t be enough. In Future integrated computers won’t be only entertaining the passengers and help the drivers, but also increase safety levels of cars on the whole. Autocomputers will be able to connect to the Internet, automatically download new versions and parameters for various car systems. The first steps to this marvelous future have already been made.

Compatibility and Names Test: Where Did BMW Names Come From? Part 2

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Have you ever thought of where do the names of BMW motorcycles come from? The history of the names of air-engines, motorcycles and car is full of straight lines and incredible curves and angles… 

After the purchase of a manufacturing plant in Eisenach in 1928 it was decided to create separate numeration systems for air-engines, bikes and cars. The National Socialist authorities oversaw an intensification of rearmament in Germany from 1933. In order to simplify the expansion of the Luftwaffe, the Reich Air Ministry apportioned fixed numbering systems to its various engine manufacturers. BMW was given the index span from 100 to 199.

The new instructions were taken as a reason for a new inner system of designation. The digits from 100 to 199 were already fixed with air-engines, so the digits from 200 to 299 were used for motorcycles, and for cars – from 300 to 399. The names of the existing models were accurately included into the new system – they were changes and added. For instance, R32 became 232. Despite the fact that the chanes affected the entire system, the traditional names were excluded from the change lists. From the middle of the 30s there appeared a tendency to add the capacity of the engine in the name of the model. For example, a 500-ccm engine got the name BMW R5 and the next model – BMW R51.

After WWII BMW continued the development of its previous inventions. The first after-was motorcycle was only slightly different from its before-was ancestor (1-cylinder BMW R23). Motorcycles with boxer engines maintained their previous names R (which was followed by the digit that stood for the capacity of the engine) for the decades to come. The modifications of a basic model were different by additional abbreviations: for instance, G/S stood for Gelande/Stra?e (SUV/Crossover), GS – Gelandesport (Sport SUV), RT – Reisetourer (made for travelling).
After the manufacturing of straight-engine motorcycles was launched, the models of the new series got a new name – with the letter K. The naming principle remained the same: the letter K was accompanied by a digit which depicted the capacity of the engine. BMW used the same principle for 1-cylinder cars which were sold from 1993. In 2006 the new generation of 1-cylinder light motorcycles got the letter G.

In search of a new concept of mobility the company has started to work in the opposite direction. The name BMW C1 (a covered motorcycle by BMW) contains the letter C which stands for “City”, because a city is the major field where the models can be used. In 2005 BMW came up with a new SUV-motorcycle, and for the first time the company derived from the typical name system. It was named BMW HP (High Perfomance) 2 (2 cylinders) Enduro. The series Megamoto and HP2 Sport were also included in the new system. And what’s for the time-tested codes of the models R, RS, S, CS, C, CL, GS, RT, RS, GT and LT?

For the first time the R was taken into consideration in connection with the model R100 (which came in 1991); in this case R stands for Roadster. S – Sport; for the first time the letter appeared in the names R50 S and R69 S, and later in 1973 – R90 S. The later models R1100 S, R1200 S, K1200 S also have this letter in their names.

In the 60s there were CS cars (which stood for Coupe Sport). This name was used in motorcycling history in 1980 after the rebirth of R100 S, but in fact in was fixed with Classic Sport. It was again mentioned in 2001 when the audience was showed F 650 CS, a motorcycle with a rotary engine, but this time it meant City Scarver.

The abbreviation RS was used in the models made for professional multistep races. In the case with R51 RS which was released in 1939 it stood for Rennsport plus the abbreviation SS – Supersport. From 1976 RS meant Reisesport (sporty for travelling) and it was accompanied by the following abbreviations: RT (Reise-Tourer – for travelling), LT (Luxus-Tourer – luxury travelling), C (cruiser motorcycle), CL (Cruiser und Luxus – luxury-class cruiser), GT (Grand Tourisme – clear what it means, isn’t it?).
The widely knows GS appeared only in 1980. GS stands for Gelande/Stra?e (SUV/Crossover). And, of course, ST which was used in 1982 for the street version of GS; ST stands for Stra?e/strada (street) and this abbreviation can be found in the latest model R 1220 ST.

Compatibility and Names Test: Where Did BMW Names Come From? Part 1

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Have you ever thought of where do the names of BMW motorcycles come from? The history of the names of air-engines, motorcycles and car is full of straight lines and incredible curves and angles.

When BMW stated the production of air-engines the names for them were borrowed from the ancient history. Germany’s air corpus used Roman digits for splitting air-engines into classes according to their power and the majority of engine manufacturers adopted the system. Such a system was used for naming water- and air-cooled engines until 1932 – from BMW IIIa to BMW XV.

Nevertheless BMW car and motorcycle engines were not appropriate to be given wartime names. Instead of this there was created a new trade mark - Bayern-Motor after which usually came the digit that stood for the power. The new system had been developed on the base of technical data: the number of cylinders, the number of series and the project number. That was the way appeared the names like M4A1 and M2B15, which look quite mystique at first sight. But it is quite easy to figure out by splitting the names into parts. M stands for Motor (Germ. “engine”), the next digit – the number of cylinders, then comes the series and the number of the project. For instance, M4A1 – is a 4 cylinder (line engine) of the A series with the project number 1. The system was decided to be simplified in the middle of the 1920s. The number of cylinders was decided to be rejected in the name. Now the engine name featured the engine (M from Germ. “engine”), transmission (G from the Germ. “Getriebe”), motorcycle frame (R from the Germ. “Rahmen”), and the chassis for cars (F from the Germ. “Fahrgestell”).

Thus that was the way the first BMW motorcycle got its name. When the frame of the new bike was included on the project list it was given the project number R32. The engine got the name M2B33 which was later on shortened to M33. The transmission of the bike was named G 34. So the name was BMW R 32. R stands for Rad (from the Germ. “Motorrad” - motorcycle). By the way people often confuse Rad and think that it stands for the German word “Wheel.”

In the middle of 1920s the company had to find a new approach to naming its bikes. Before that each bike had its own frame construction but now the constructors started to use one and the same frame for different models (though they still differed by the modifications of engines). This flow of events lead to the fact that the names could no longer be given based on the frame project numbers. R remained by now it was followed by 2-digit number different from the number of the project. Bikes had to get new names. A little later a new system was introduced. According to this new system 1-cylinder models got 1-digit number and 2-cylinder ones – 2-digit numbers.

Drinking Games: Car Systems vs Drunk Driver

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Here and there you can find top lists of the most beautiful or the most expensive cars, but unfortunately our cherished desires for ‘the car of our dream’ can remain dreams for long. According to a survey, when people see crashed cars, some of them do feel somewhat of a relief.

I ‘ve made a Top 10 with the wrecked police cars, thanks to wreckedexotics.com. I hope these pictures will give you a couple of funny smiles!

10. Ops! The rest of the car is still there!

9.It’s all about the SUV’s! These cars can suffer some accidents, too!

8.This police cruiser has managed to turn turtle completely.

7.Lucky the keepers of law and order have such a long arm when it comes to retrieving their cars.

6.The driver must have been pretty cold in there…

5.Thanks God, because there is still the Fire Brigade!

Nissans won’t let drunk drivers at the wheel

Nissan has recently got down to testing cars equipped with drivers’ breath analyzers. The analyzer won’t allow a driver to start the car if hi is not sober. The system analyzes the alcohol level in the breathed out air, and if it is higher than the tolerable norm the ignition is automatically blocked.

At the moment this system will be installed on the cars exploited in those regions of Japan where these norms are very strict. Moreover, the testing process has just been launched and it is too early to speak about a serial application of the system.

They reckon that mass usage of analyzers is impossible in Japan now because of the lack of legislative base: the government is to decide whether the installation of the system is obligatory or optional.

Volvo as well won’t allow drunk drivers to start their engines.

From 2008 the company is planning to kick off the sales of S80, V70 and XC70 equipped with a special alco-tester which will enable to test the level of alcohol intoxication of the driver. If a drunk driver is at the wheel the system won’t let him start the car. The system which got the name Alcoguard is a tiny wireless unit. It is going to be placed in a niche behind the central console where it will be recharged.

Before starting a car the driver will have to breathe out into the device. After that the system will define the alcohol level and if it is higher than the norm the ignition blocks. If the level is all right the device sends a signal and the driver will be allowed to start the car. The driver can learn the result of the test by signal lights or by the message that is displayed on the screen of the on-board computer

The representatives of the company state that the system will be trick-resistible and one won’t be able to deceive it using a pump. Special sensors detect only methanol and the results are saved for 30 minutes after the engine is shut down.

Toyota will tackle drinking at the wheel

Toyota has announced a new system that won’t let a drunk driver use his car. With the help of special sensors (built into the rims of the steering wheel) the system defines the alcohol level and if it is higher than the norm the car will automatically come to a halt and the shout down the engine.

Moreover, the system can be used in cooperation with a special sensor that defines the manner of driving and a small camera which traces the sight of the driver – and if the system decides that the driver is too aggressive or his sight is unfocused (which speaks of tiredness) it can also brake the car to a halt.

According to the words of the representatives of the Japanese company the mass usage of the system on serial cars of the company can start as early as 2009. The system is planned to be tested first in Japan and then in all cars sold in Europe and America.

Automotive Emissions Laboratory Results: Supercars Are Going Down 

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Ferrari will reduce its supercars’ emissions by 40%

The general manager of Ferrari Amedeo Felisa has promised to reduce the level of CO2 emissions in all new cars from 400 g/km to 280-300 g/km. At the same time the engineers will do their best to make sure that the reduction of fuel consumption and thus emissions level doesn’t affect the power and speed figures of the cars.

The promise to minimize CO2 emissions (CO2 is the major cause of climatic change on the planet) and at the same time to make cars more economical includes also super-powerful cars, which are unable to reach the low levels of these figures without losing its advantages – power, dynamics and speed.

Meanwhile the strict Euro Parliament oblige to do it by promising to introduce a new requirement levels by 2010 – 130 g/km. The cars which won’t come under the regulations will be prohibited in Europe.

The Parliament’s decision shocked a number of companies. Last year in Geneva the head of lambordhini Stefan Winkelmann stated that if Europe will introduce new emission levels his company will have to be closed as powerful and fast cars cannot match such requirements as a matter of principle. He underlined that such cars account not more than 1% of all vehicles an people seldom drive in the to work or to do shopping. The analogical statement was made by the head of Porsche Wendelin Wiederking. Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley, Maserati are still adding power to their cars.

However if the requirements are passed the companies will have to follow them. Ferrari announced the 40% reduction of CO2 emissions. But it is still a long way from the required 130 g/km. Nevertheless, one can call it a brave decision as it seems an engineering wonder to achieve such figures.

Meanwhile all the companies which produce powerful cars work on the pollution problem by the sweat of their brow and the result of these work is evident even today. Nowadays even the most powerful versions can consume no more than 10 liters and emit no more than 250 g/km of CO2. And a 400-hp Mercedes ML45 Hybrid consumes 7 liters per 100 km and emits 170 g of CO2 per 1 km. At the same time Mercedes continues to insist upon the effectiveness of diesels and diesel fuel. Its concept F700 uses a diesel technology and petrol and emits 127 g/km.

Mass demand cars are able to consume less than 4.5 liters like the new Ford Focus or Opel Corsa (3,75 l). A the exhaust of Peugeot 308 is 140 g/km which is equal to 4 tons of saved harmful emissions per car if the time of exploitation is considered. The head of Peugeot says that the company has a diesel with the emission rate of 80 g/km.

Marketing Plans: Car as a Source of Marketing 

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A car is a source of marketing

Merchants have known for a long time that any product which is anyhow similar to a car is sold faster. Now car accessories feature also Audi TT mobile phone, Mini-style restaurant and a Murano-like tent.

Quick-witted merchants have already invented a great number of goods for auto maniacs. Among these goods are couches styled like seats of American cars, toilet cistern levers that look like car levers and much more. Now it came to car phones. Online stores offer their customers a mobile phone that looks like Audi TT. The bulky device is equipped with a 2-inch sensor display on the bottom of the car and a 1.3-pixel camera on the cowling. The phone also has Bluetooth, audio- and video-players. Memory – 1 Gb.

The original gadget is offered for $160. But there is no agreement with Audi on the production of the device as it comes right from China and the attached instruction comes…you won’t believe it!…in Chinese.

The European advertising agency Luderic has bought the building of the museum Grand Palais in Paris (for 1.5 million euro). Now the agency plans to open the restaurant “Mini Palais.” A few years ago in Sydney one of the dealers of Mini parts opened a similar restaurant for its clients. The interior was done in Mini style. In the Parisian restaurant in comparison to the Australian one cars won’t be part of the interior. All which aims to remind the clients about Mini is a few nameplates of the company, 2 British flags, a clock with a logo and images of the car. The menu won’t feature anything connected with the brand either.

Nevertheless, the organizers are sure that the establishment will be popular with auto fans and the owners of Mini.

Nissan has created a tent which can be attached to any SUV by the company - Murano, Pathfinder, X-Trail or Qashqai – specially for active rest fans. The tent is attached to the rear end of the cars with the help of regulated top cords and a canvas “sleeve” with a polymerous covering. The size of the sleeve enables to open the rear door of the cars inside the tent.

The tent looks like a marquee with two doors and two windows. Its dimensions are 3×3 meter, owing to which it is possible to accommodate up to 4 sleeping bags inside. The height of the tent is 2 meters and it enables to move inside full-height. The cost of the device is $490. At the moment the tent is available only in the UK, but in the near future active car owners will be able to buy it all over Europe.

How to Dress For Success (Rolls-Royce) and Dress for Failure (Bertone)

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The renowned Italian body design manufacture Bertone (which works with a great number of auto companies and specializes on their own concepts and special models) will be sold to Gruppo Prototipo, a company that owns a racing track Nardo (the south of Italy) and helps Fiat in organizing and conducting tests of pre-serial cars. The renowned designer brand was brought down by huge burden to shareholders and creditors.

During the past three years the losses of Bertone made overall 37 million euro. The message about the selling of the company has been a real shock for the Italian business community and it appeared just a few days before official preliminary hearing on the company’s bankruptcy.

Earlier it was said that Bertone in order to somehow save its financial situation tried to:

• launch the production of a Chinese brand Zhejiang Gonow
• explore the production of trailers with Fiat chassis and BMW engines for the American market

However, all the plans blew up and the company didn’t come to any solution. The sum of the new agreement hasn’t been announced.

About Bertone

Bertone was founded in 1912 and since that time has taken part in the creation of many models by renowned auto manufacturers (including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Volvo, BMW). So, it is one of the most famous designer studios situated in Torino. It possesses own school studios (transportation systems, industrial design) and creates custom-designed prototypes. Moreover, the company has its own short-batch car production and assembles Opel Astra Cabrio, Fiat Punto Cabrio and some other models. But you see that it is getting harder and harder to survive in the world of “Couture.”

Rolls-Royce

While Bertone has gone bankrupt Rolls-Royce has sold its production one and a half years in advance.

If you decide to order the models Phantom and Drophead Coupe, your order will be ready not earlier than autumn 2009. And some of the dealers stopped taking orders at all.

Not long ago Rolls-Royce was suffering about the same problems as Bertone. At the beginning of 2003 took place the debut of a new model Phantom, the manufacturers planned to sell 1000 cars annually. But by 2006 the amount of realization made about 500-800 cars per year.

Nevertheless, after the debut of the luxurious convertible Drophead Coupe the interest to the brand was renewed. At the end of 2007 the British company increased its sales by 25%.

Phantom Drophead Coupe, showed in Geneva in 2004 has an aluminum body, two doors opening opposite the motion, two-color cowling, LED lights. The soft top (made from multi-layer canvas) can be folded by pressing a button. The suspension – independent, pneumatic with active absorbers – it allows to regulate the height of the clearance. 0-100 km/h is dealt with in 5.9 seconds with the help of a 450-hp V12, the max speed is 240 km/h.

Another model that is now popular with the clients of the company is Phantom Silver Edition.

Rolls-Royce is planning to invest from 10 to 15 million pounds (around $25 million) into the modernization of its plant is Goodwood and thus create 400 work places which will help increase the production by 10% (around 100 cars more per year).

In 2009 the company is expected to launch the production of a smaller luxurious Rolls-Royce on the base of BMW 7-series.

Dual Clutch by Volvo: Automatic PowerShift 

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