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Aug 21

Bloomberg: General Motors to add wireless chargers on some 2014 car models

Smartphone wireless chargers are easier to find than ever, but built-in inductive systems for cars? Those we don’t see often. According to Bloomberg, General Motors will incorporate wireless charging systems for phones on some of its 2014 car models, joining the ranks of Toyota and Chrysler. Unlike the chargers aboard the 2013 Avalon and the Dodge Dart, however, GM’s cars will (officially) be the first ones to use Powermat. When the carmaker first announced a $5 million stake in Powermat in 2011, it said the Volt will be the first to offer the wireless charging perk. A two-year delay might have changed GM’s plans — it originally wanted to launch an in-car system in 2012 — but we won’t know for sure until the company releases official details.

Filed under: Wireless

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Via: Autoblog

Source: Bloomberg

Jul 03

GM and Honda team up to produce next-gen fuel cells by 2020

Posted in: Today's Chili

You’d be forgiven for thinking that hydrogen fuel cell cars have vanished when EVs rule the headlines, but GM and Honda haven’t forgotten them — in fact, they’ve just unveiled a new fuel cell partnership. The automakers are jointly developing next-generation hydrogen systems and storage, using their collective resources to cut costs and accelerate their schedule. If all goes well, the two companies will show “commercially feasible” fuel cell products around 2020. Don’t fret if that sounds too distant, however. Honda has already committed to launching an FCX Clarity sequel in 2015, and GM is promising additional fuel cell details at a “later date.”

Filed under: Transportation

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Via: New York Times

Source: GM, Honda

Jan 15

Cadillac ELR unveiled: A Volt for the luxury set (updated with pictures)

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Cadillac ELR unveiled A Volt for the luxury set updated with pictures

It’s taken a good, long while for the Cadillac Converj concept to break cover as a production machine, but at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the car has finally shrugged off its camouflage. You can think of this as the Chevy Volt’s better-mannered big-brother if you like, as this machine relies on the same Extended Range Electric Vehicle platform as its predecessor. That is, it has the same basic hybrid structure as the Volt that allows it to run as a pure EV for up to 35 miles before switching over to a more traditional parallel hybrid mode, burning gasoline for a maximum range of over 300 miles. But, that’s not to say this is a Volt that’s just made a trip to the tailor for a better-fitting suit — there’s a bit more to it than that. Join us after the break for the details.

Gallery: Cadillac ELR eyes-on

Continue reading Cadillac ELR unveiled: A Volt for the luxury set (updated with pictures)

Filed under: Transportation

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Jan 06

Chevy’s Siri and TuneIn in-car apps hit 2013 Sonics and Sparks, we go hands-on (video)

Posted in: Today's Chili

Not enough Siri in you life? Hop into a 2013 Chevy Spark. Those vehicles rocking a MyLink radio are eligible to upgrade to Apple’s friendly iPhone 4S / 5 helper. Using the Bluetooth button on the steering wheel, you can access the assistant. We got a demo from a GM rep, who showed us how to access messages, read back to you through the car stereo.

If you’re feeling vocal, you can also dictate responses and Siri’ll shoot them back off, all without ever having to take your hands off the wheel. You can also ask for things like recommendations for local businesses, but those won’t play through the display. Siri also won’t answer your philosophic questions, as GM doesn’t want to display Wikipedia pages on the screen while you’re driving. From the demo, the whole thing seemed pretty straightforward for anyone who’s ever used an in-car Bluetooth system, checking things like stock prices and sports scores, if you’re so inclined.

We also received a quick demo of TuneIn, an iPhone app that pulls in radio stations around the world, featuring recommendation features like a Favorites button, local trending and a Jump button, which uses an algorithm to pull songs and the like based on your listening habits.

Jon Fingas contributed to this report.

Gallery: Chevy MyLink Siri and TuneIn hands-on

Continue reading Chevy’s Siri and TuneIn in-car apps hit 2013 Sonics and Sparks, we go hands-on (video)

Filed under: Transportation

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Oct 05

Chevy Volt EcoHub app tells drivers how little they pay to charge, goads them into staying green (video)

Posted in: Today's Chili

GM’s OnStar team would really like us to stay on the electric side of the Chevy Volt’s powertrain as much as possible. That’s the selling point, after all. Rather than simply preach green driving and hope for the best, the division is testing a new EcoHub app that reminds Volt drivers just how miserly their plug-in hybrids can be. Qualifying owners who opt in or subscribe to OnStar have the Volt’s energy usage costs compared to their home’s total electricity bill, showing how much cheaper it can be to avoid the gas pump. There’s more if money isn’t enough of a motivator — the app also builds in a counter that estimates how much gas Volt drivers are saving nationwide. The eco-friendly ego boost is currently limited to Android users participating in Pecan Street’s smart grid project in Austin, but long-term plans have the app reaching iOS and all Volt fans eager to justify their ride.

Continue reading Chevy Volt EcoHub app tells drivers how little they pay to charge, goads them into staying green (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Mobile

Chevy Volt EcoHub app tells drivers how little they pay to charge, goads them into staying green (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 23:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 15

Fisker lands former GM exec and Chevy Volt guru Tony Posawatz as CEO

Posted in: Today's Chili

Fisker hasn’t had what you’d call the best year so far, but it may have found the ticket to turning its hybrid vehicle business around. Meet Tony Posawatz, Fisker’s new CEO — and, until just weeks ago, GM’s Vehicle Line Director. Despite being the second new chief executive at Fisker since Tom LaSorda arrived in February, Posawatz needs little explanation for his sudden rise to power. He’s an original member of the Chevy Volt leadership structure and could very well know a thing or two about developing a hybrid car from start to finish. His influence might only be keenly felt when the Atlantic wheels its way towards driveways in 2014, but there’s no doubt he’s onboard to right the good ship Karma and improve Fisker’s reputation in the short term. We wouldn’t want to be in GM’s shoes as it watches one of its EV-friendly veterans so publicly jump ship, however.

Continue reading Fisker lands former GM exec and Chevy Volt guru Tony Posawatz as CEO

Filed under: Transportation

Fisker lands former GM exec and Chevy Volt guru Tony Posawatz as CEO originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 09

General Motors invests in NanoSteel, hopes to lighten its load

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What’s the simplest way to improve fuel efficiency? Build a lighter car, of course. That’s GM’s plan, at least, and it’s taking its first step toward a more efficient future by investing in a nano-structured materials design firm called NanoSteel. “Over the next several years, light-weighting of vehicles will be a major focus area to improve fuel economy.” GM’s Jon Lauckner said of the deal. The nano-structured Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) GM’s betting on has the potential to shave excess pounds off of a vehicle without sacrificing structural integrity. It’s easier to work with too, and can be shaped and cut without being heated. The size of GM’s contribution to the cause hasn’t been disclosed, but NanoSteel CEO Dave Paratore seems encouraged by the partnership, stating that it will allow them to “accelerate the final phases of development” for its nano-structured AHSS. Maybe together, the two firms can meet President Obama’s 2025 mileage goal. Read on for the official press release.

Continue reading General Motors invests in NanoSteel, hopes to lighten its load

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Transportation

General Motors invests in NanoSteel, hopes to lighten its load originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 27

GM testing pedestrian detection system powered by WiFi Direct (video)

Posted in: Today's Chili

Car makers have been peddling wireless pedestrian avoidance systems almost as long as there have been automobiles. (We believe one of the earliest was called the “side view mirror.”) GM’s new experiment though, differs from other implementations by skipping out on the 3G, cameras and radar — instead going for a model built around WiFi Direct. The peer-to-peer 802.11 standard hasn’t exactly set the world on fire, but the WiFi Alliance is diligently tweaking the platform and apparently GM thinks its a perfect match for connecting cars, cyclists and pedestrians to each other. Unlike 3G-based systems, there’s little lag between locating and identifying bikes or people crossing the street since the signal doesn’t have to be bounced off a satellite. It also has a leg up on radar detection since WiFi can be a two way pipeline — alerting someone out for a stroll of an oncoming vehicle. Of course, it will be some time before anything like this actually makes it into a production vehicle. But, in the meantime, you can check out the PR and video after the break.

Continue reading GM testing pedestrian detection system powered by WiFi Direct (video)

Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

GM testing pedestrian detection system powered by WiFi Direct (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 17

OnStar seals partnership with RelayRides, makes renting out your car even easier (hands-on video)

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Remember that partnership between OnStar and RelayRides we wrote about last March? Well it’s finally coming to fruition today, with the peer-to-peer car sharing service launching support for remote door unlocking via OnStar’s proprietary API. As a result, RelayRides members with OnStar-enabled vehicles no longer have to exchange keys in person if they so choose. Another benefit is that participants can list their automobile on RelayRides directly from their OnStar account — renters then benefit from the added safety and security that comes with OnStar.

We had the chance to test an early version of the functionality on a Chevy Volt at SXSW a few months ago and it worked pretty much as advertised. There was a bit of a delay between the time we sent the unlock command from RelayRides’ website on the demo iPad and the moment the doors actually unlocked on the car, but we’re told this has been significantly improved since our hands-on. Of course, RelayRides also supports remote unlocking via text message. Take a look at the galleries below then hit the break for our hands-on video, RelayRides’ video and OnStar’s PR.

Gallery: RelayRides with OnStar hands-on