Hasta La Gadget!

Still waiting for those Cadillac ELRs to roll off the production line and onto the forecourt? Well, when they do, turns out they’ll be OnStar-enabled and Smart Grid ready. The OnStar EV-specific mobile app lets you control and schedule when you charge your new wagon up. It’ll even let you locate renewable energy sources (via an third-party services provided over an API), or set it to only charge during off-peak times — to soften some of the inevitable sting from the estimated $75k sticker price. OnStar’s been part of the Volt experience for some time, but GM’s clearly keen to see it come to the bigger vehicle too. It’s even throwing in a year of premium service to get you hooked started.

Filed under: Transportation

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Source: GM

Mitsubishi has just announced that they will be offering a multi-modal character-input interface for Chinese language car navigation systems, targeting such next generation systems. This human-machine interface (HMI) is able to accepts not only QuanPin but ShuangPin input as well through the use of PinYin phonetic symbols. Apart from that, it is also able to recognize handwriting and audible commands, giving you a grand total of four input modes.

With the multi-modal character input system, those who are interested in checking in out will be able to do so – assuming you happen to be in Tokyo anytime from November 23 to December 1, over at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013. It will be showcased alongside Mitsubishi’s EMIRAI 2 concept vehicle, which should by itself, draw a fair number of curious onlookers to the scene. Why concentrate on China? That country happens to be the world’s largest market for car navigation systems, and the demand from those living in China does not look as though it is on the way to a downhill decline. The many faceted features of the Chinese language, however, has revealed that there is a rather strong need for flexible character-input methods which would be easy to use for all Chinese speakers. [Press Release]

Mitsubishi Reveals Multi-modal Character-Input Interface For Chinese Language Car Navigation Systems original content from Ubergizmo.

Nearly a couple of years ago, we were treated to a look at the EMIRAI conceptual car interface from Mitsubishi. Well, it has been two years since, and we are pleased to announce that Mitsubishi themselves have come up with some progress concerning this concept. In fact, the EMIRAI 2 will be a whole concept car by itself, and if you happen to make your way to the Tokyo Motor Show that is happening over the course of this weekend, it will be on display there. This particular ride happens to continue from where the original EMIRAI left off, where it will still feature a rear projection customizable dashboard display, biometrics capabilities, as well as a complete sensor array.

The pair of EMIRAI 2 electric-vehicle concept cars that are on display should not be short of curious onlookers. One of the two will feature an EV powertrain, while the other would boast of a driving-assistance system which is touted to make driving on the road safer as well as more comfortable. Just what will the EV powertrain system come with? For starters, it will incorporate high-accuracy traction control as well as acceleration control, while the driving-assistance system would boast of an integrated image sensing in addition to powered on-board display technologies. It will be a sight and treat for motorheads for sure.

Mitsubishi EMIRAI 2 Concept Car To Go On Display At Tokyo Motor Show original content from Ubergizmo.

What are the clouds of Mars made of? That’s the question that’ll be answered when NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) probe reaches our neighbor. Before that can happen, however, it needs to leave home on its long journey, which is scheduled to commence around 1:30pm ET today. The stream kicks off from 11:00, showing the preparations live from Cape Canaveral, so if you’re interested in watching what goes down, or, more appropriately, what goes up, head past the break and grab some popcorn.

Filed under: Transportation, Science, Alt

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Via: Space.com

Source: NASA

Electric cars are great for the environment as they don’t need to consume gas in order to keep moving. They are, however, rather inconvenient as they will need to be charged and charging stations are not only not as common as gas stations, but charging and electric car also takes much longer than filling up a tank of gas. Scientists at the North Carolina State University might have come up with a solution to fix that, which is to take power from roadside stations and transfer them to passing electric cars. This is not a new concept as it has been thought of before. (more…)

Scientists Come Up With A Way To Beam Power From Transmitters To Electric Vehicles original content from Ubergizmo.