Mini Reveals Augmented Vision

When it comes to innovation in the auto industry, there are quite a few technologies out there that show huge potential. One of those is augmented reality, whereby digital forms overlay the real world to create an enhanced perspective to serve a specific purpose. One new player in this space is Mini, which will bring its "Augmented Vision" concept to the Auto Shanghai show later this month, offering a new high-tech way to navigate, communicate, park, and stay safe.

"Mini Augmented Vision gives an insight into how intelligent connectivity between a Mini car and eyewear into which relevant content is projected might work in the future," says Dr. J rg Prei inger, project-manager at BMW Group research and technology, in a press release. "Working with several Qualcomm companies, we have created an interlinked system and augmented reality eyewear with a characteristic Mini design that revolutionize the experience both in and outside the vehicle."

Both customizable and interactive, the AR eyewear projects images and information into the driver's view while keeping other cars and road elements visible. Features include directions when looking for your car in a crowded parking lot, navigation arrows "on" the road leading to your intended destination, highlighted points of interest (such as open parking spaces), vehicle speed and posted speed limits, audible text messaging, "transparent" body panels that eliminate blind spots, and parking cameras.

With this new concept, Mini joins the ranks of several other companies in exploring the possibilities of augmented reality for automotive purposes. JLR, for example, has proposed the idea of transparent body panels before, while Pioneer proposed AR navigation concepts as early as 2011.

Continue reading to learn more about Mini's augmented vision eyewear.

Mini Reveals Augmented Vision originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 13 April 2015 09:00 EST.

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Car Tech News

This week's car technology report includes more news on self-driving cars, free iPhone and Android telematics apps for accident alerts, health telematics for a race car driver, and a law-enforcement push to catch texting drivers.

To learn more, read on....

Car Tech News originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 13 April 2015 10:00 EST.

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Video: Tribute To Audi UrQuattro

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We've all come to appreciate Audi's iconic quattro technology, one of the world's most potent all-wheel-drive systems. Its what makes modern Audis such great vehicles, from the full-size A8 sedan to the Q7 SUV and the R8 supercar.

Now in its seventh generation, the quattro system has been enabling Audi engines to send their power to all four corners for 34 years. That's not to say it took the Germans more than three decades to achieve perfection. No, the quattro was equally revolutionary when it was introduced in 1980, but sometimes it's a good idea to look back on those brilliant ideas that changed the automotive world forever. And that's what Petrolicious did with its latest video, which pays tribute to the UrQuattro, the first four-ringed vehicle to receive all-wheel-drive.

The UrQuattro, also known as simply Quattro, debuted in 1980 as a midsize, two-door coupe. While not exactly spectacular by design, the Quattro was the first vehicle to benefit from Audi's then brand-new all-wheel-drive system. The feat proved to be decisive into turning the boxy UrQuattro into a legend on both the road and rally courses.

Although the production car remained largely unchanged until it was discontinued in 1991, the Quattro spawned a series of fierce rally cars. It all began with the A1 in 1980, which then developed into the Group B-spec S1 evolution. The latter was one of the most extreme rally cars ever built and went on to win several WRC events and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb three years in a row. In all, the quattro system helped Audi score 23 rally wins and two WRC titles, among other trophies.

Sure, Audi is no longer building rally cars, but that's not to say the quattro has abandoned its motorsport roots. The connection is still obvious in the company's results at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race the Germans have won 13 times the last 15 years.

But enough with the history, now hit the play button above for a trip down the memory lane with the initial Audi UrQuattro.

Video: Tribute To Audi UrQuattro originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 26 September 2014 20:00 EST.

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Video: Meet the AirDog Prototype; the GoPro Drone that Follows You

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I have a GoPro Hero 3+ and aside from the Aston Martin DB5 and good Scotch, I think it is basically the greatest thing ever created. I use it to do all of my in-car review videos here on site, as well as every time lapse video you have seen from me. The only real problem with the GoPro, is that it is mounted to what I am driving. If I want an external shot, there are multiple people involved and it can be kind of hassle. But now there is a new thing called the AirDog, and it might just make my list of greatest inventions ever.

In a basic sense, the AirDog is a just a camera drone, a quadcopter. There are dozens for sale all over the internet and they allow you to fly a machine with a GoPro attached to it to get some great aerial shots. With this setup you still need a second person to fly the drone though, so it still isn't very useful to someone who does solo filming like I do. What makes the AirDog special is that it actually flies itself and follows you wherever you go.

It does this thanks to what the company calls an "air leash." This device connects to the Airdog, and then it stays strapped to the owner's wrist. The Airdog will continually follow the leash and stay at a defined height and distance. This gives you perfect aerial tracking shots without the help of another person. It is insanely brilliant. The wrist device allows you to change settings on the AirDog while it is in flight, and it is waterproof and shockproof so you don't have to worry about it.

The project was started as a Kickstarter, but it blew WAY past its funding goal and secured more than $1.3-million in funding. The project is off the ground now, and you can place a pre-order at Airdog.com.

First shipments are expected in December 2014.

See more videos of AirDog after the jump.

Video: Meet the AirDog Prototype; the GoPro Drone that Follows You originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 27 September 2014 18:00 EST.

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Ferrari Considers Supercharged Engine With Electric Turbocharger

If you thought the new era of F1 with small, hybrid, turbocharged cars was a bad idea, listen up. Not only have Mercedes and Audi revealed new engines and cars that are using an electrified turbo system similar in function to the new F1 cars, Ferrari has jumped into the mix now too. According to a new report from 4 Wheel News, Ferrari is working on a new engine that features both a supercharger and an electronic turbo.

Now if you are a Ferrari purist, please put down the gun/torch/big stick and listen. The report clearly states that Ferrari's high-end, V-12 cars will remain, and that the V-12 engines powering them will also remain naturally aspirated.

The supercharger will help provide lots of power with a small footprint, and the instant torque and boost from the electric turbocharger will reduce lag in the forced-induction system and help cut emissions and increase fuel economy.

We don't have any information on what size or configuration the engine will come in, but considering the main goal of this engine is to cut emissions, I wouldn't be surprised to see smaller V-8. A de-bored version of the California T's 3.8-liter down to 3.6-liter wouldn't be improbable. Ferrari could also go for a V-6 configuration. Whatever it chooses, expect power outputs to still be well above the 500-horsepower mark.

It is still a Ferrari after all.

Click past the jump to read more about Ferrari's future supercharged engine.

Ferrari Considers Supercharged Engine With Electric Turbocharger originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 29 July 2014 12:00 EST.

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Ferrari Will Use Turbocharged and Hybrid Systems to Reduce CO2 Emissions

As soon as the California T started revving its turbocharged, V-8 engine, we began to wonder how long will it take before Ferrari starts adding turbos across its entire lineup. Well, it appears all V-8s are set to receive forced induction over the next six years, as the Italians want to reduce their fleet CO2 emission by 20 percent by 2021.

That's the word coming from Ferrari Powetrain Director Vittorio Dini, who said Maranello needs to reduce emissions by three percent each year and by 20 percent by 2021, Automotive News reports. To achieve this daring goal, the company will turbocharge its V-8 engines and develop hybrid technology for each V-12-powered supercar. Additionally, V-8 engine displacement is to decreased, meaning no unit larger than the current 3.9-liter V-8 will be available once Fezza retires the 4.5-liter unit.

Ferrari's average CO2 emissions are currently about 270 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Ferrari is one of many manufacturer that obtained derogations from the European Environment Agency in recent years, alongside Aston Martin, Spyker, Koenigsegg, and Lotus. For the record, companies such as Fiat, Renault, and Peugeot average less than 120 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Click past the jump to read more about Ferrari's new hybrid system.

Ferrari Will Use Turbocharged and Hybrid Systems to Reduce CO2 Emissions originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 26 June 2014 20:00 EST.

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