In a complete reversal of its longstanding policy, Toyota has decided to stop suing every manufacturer that dares to offer a hybrid vehicle to the public in an effort to protect its more than 24,000 patents on the technology. It says everyone is free to use those patents without paying royalties from now until 2030. Why? Because it thinks there is more money to be made … [Read more...] about Toyota Releases Thousands of Hybrid Patents
New Technology
LA 2018: Volvo Shows Off Autonomous Car Breakthrough
While I was busy scribbling away at our annual Best Fuel Efficient Motorcycles list, the 2018 LA Auto Show (going by the name, "Automobility 18") got underway with announcements from several major brands. I'll kick that coverage off, then, with one of my favorites: Volvo. Volvo did something pretty wild in LA, too. They didn't show a single car. That's right. No shiny, … [Read more...] about LA 2018: Volvo Shows Off Autonomous Car Breakthrough
Google Maps Adds Motorcycle Option
Anyone who's spent a significant amount of time on two wheels will tell you that the best route for a car isn't always the best route for a bike. This is especially apparent when plotting a road trip on Google Maps, but the big Goog has made that particular anxiety a thing of the past with a new "motorcycle" route option. The new feature, originally launched in India, now also … [Read more...] about Google Maps Adds Motorcycle Option
CES 2018: Expect Annoying Ads in Your Car, Soon
Are you the type of person who watches the Super Bowl "just" for the commercials? If so, you're going to love a new advertising startup called Telenav, because they are going to start beaming ads right into all the fancy screens that are crowding the interior of your connected car. Yes, really. Telenav Wants Your Autonomous Car to Play Ads … [Read more...] about CES 2018: Expect Annoying Ads in Your Car, Soon
Mazda: New Survey Shows 71% Don’t Want Autonomous Cars
Autonomous cars are coming, so they say. Autonomous cars, trucks, bikes, drones- all of that. It's coming. Autonomous is the family-friendly future, and everyone who says otherwise is an antisocial anachronism, Hell-bent on destroying the planet and crushing pedestrians beneath two tons of rolling steel. If you want to drive yourself, you are sick and wrong. Which means that, … [Read more...] about Mazda: New Survey Shows 71% Don’t Want Autonomous Cars
Uber Announces Plans to Buy 24,000 Self-driving Volvo Cars
Volvo and Uber have been collaborating on autonomous ride-hailing and cab tech for a while now, with a small number of self-driving Volvo XC90 SUVs already in Uber's fleet in Pittsburgh. Today, the two companies announced plans to expand their collaboration- to the tune of tens of thousands of new SPA platform Volvo cars. Volvo was chosen by Uber because its vehicles- equipped … [Read more...] about Uber Announces Plans to Buy 24,000 Self-driving Volvo Cars
Tesla LMP1 All-electric Race Car Concept for 2030
Tesla might have a hard time convincing people outside its echo chamber that it will ever reach its 10,000 unit per month production goal for the Model 3. There is no denying, though, that the company builds some seriously fast machinery. As such, it should come as no surprise that the ludicrously fast Tesla Model S and Model S GT have inspired some artistic gear heads to … [Read more...] about Tesla LMP1 All-electric Race Car Concept for 2030
Formula 1 Engine Rules 2021: What’s New, What’s Different?
Formula 1 has announced a raft of changes to its engine regulations formula for the 2021 season. The new formula is expected to reduce costs- both development costs and running costs- and, in so doing, attract new manufacturer and "privateer" teams to the sport. At the same time, the new formula has to balance the needs of the sport, which include a "high tech" image and … [Read more...] about Formula 1 Engine Rules 2021: What’s New, What’s Different?
Deep Dive: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Transaxle (w/ Video)
The new-for 2017 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid represents the first mainstream attempt to bring hybrid technology to the North American minivan market. Part of what makes the trend-setting minivan so unique is its innovative Si-EVT Hybrid yransmission. All those letters in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid tranny nomenclature stand for Single-input (Si) Electronically Variable Transaxle … [Read more...] about Deep Dive: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Transaxle (w/ Video)
Honda Previews New Airbag for Scooters
Honda has been developing a revolutionary new airbag system that works to protect a motorcyclist's head and torso during certain types of collisions. The system has been shown, before, on Honda's biggest touring bike- the GL1800 Goldwing and Valkyrie- but most of the world's motorcyclists don't ride massive 'Wings. Most of the world's motorcyclists ride small, 50-125cc … [Read more...] about Honda Previews New Airbag for Scooters