Automotive

Hyundai Showcases Autonomous Driving Tech In Las Vegas

Hyundai is showcasing a host of future mobility and transportation technology at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), happening now in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hyundai is demonstrating their advanced autonomous IONIQ models on the roads surrounding the venue.

On the test route, autonomous IONIQ models navigate using an advanced form of LiDAR technology, a laser and radar-based detection system. It scans and identifies the precise location of other vehicles and objects, traveling safely through the test route.

Hyundai uses a different approach in the placement of their sensors, foregoing the typical roof mounted apparatus. Instead, the LiDAR technology is hidden behind the autonomous IONIQ’s front bumper. This helps maintain a sleek design for the car but also allows engineers a more functional, less complex setup. Hyundai’s self-driving systems are kept as simple as possible by integrating existing functions from the production models, including the forward-facing radar of the Smart Cruise Control and the Lane Keeping Assist cameras.

A GPS antenna is also utilized to search for the location of other vehicles while high-definition mapping software returns vital data to the car. This data includes things like road gradient, curvature, and lane width. Between the LiDAR, GPS antenna, and existing safety features, the complete system is able to navigate even the most difficult situations, readily identifying other cars and pedestrians, to small pets, speed bumps, and traffic signs.

Hyundai is currently conducting extensive urban testing with the primary goal being the safe execution of autonomous driving with less computing power at a lower cost. Throughout CES, two Hyundai cars will be navigating test routes around Las Vegas. Visitors can further experience Hyundai’s autonomous technology through Virtual Reality simulators at the Hyundai Motor booth.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Hyundai Autonomous IONIQ Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.

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Uber ignores California's grounding of self-driving Volvo XC90s tests

2016 - Uber launches self-driving Volvo XC90s

Uber hasn’t even completed a week of live testing of its fleet of completely-autonomous Volvo XC90s and they’re already in deep doo-doo.

What’s going on?

Uber has been hitting the headlines with the launch of its first wave of self-driving, completely autonomous Volvo XC90s in San Francisco for a series of real-world tests. It hasn’t been a full week since the cars began testing and already they’re causing trouble.

It all started when a video surfaced on the web of a self-driving Uber XC90 clearly running a redlight sometime last week. Since then, California regulators and the DMV called for a complete grounding of the XC90 fleets. However, Uber isn’t complying and thus has yet to pull the XC90s from the road.

Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good. What are California regulators saying?

Because of the clear video showing the Uber XC90s are still problematic and a safety hazard, the California Attorney General’s office threatened legal action if Uber doesn’t ground the fleet.

The letter was sent later Friday, demanding Uber to apply for the proper permits to allow for continued testing of its XC90s. The permits need to be supplied by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

However, Uber contested these demands claiming its cars feature technology that’s no different than the equipment used on other advanced driver-assistance systems. As a result, the fleet of self-driving XC90s do not need those permits to continue testing.

But Momma California says otherwise…

According to California’s Vehicle Code Section 38750, the DMV amended new legislature regulating the testing and public use of autonomous cars on California’s public roads. Because of these clear statues, the DMV issued a cease-and-desist letter to Uber on Dec. 14 under this code.

But Uber argues that code section only applies to fully-autonomous vehicles with no steering wheel, no pedals, or human driver. The XC90s are still XC90s, just with a bunch of autonomous tech on it.

The debacle is ongoing.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: USAToday

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The 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S is a not-so-extreme SV

Think of it as the Lamborghini Aventador S without the V.

What’s going on?

Lamborghinis are pretty rambunctious and it’s hard to imagine how much more ridiculous they could get. How does more power, more aerodynamics, and more performances sound?

With the 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S, that’s exactly what you get. But you don’t get as much performances as the SuperVeloce. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if the the Aventador SV is just a little too much Aventador for you. Instead, the Aventador S is basically like a SuperVeloce without the Veloce.

Ok. So how much more power are we talking?

The 6.5L naturally-aspirated V12 already offers a whopping 690hp and 508 lb-ft of torque for a 0-60 time of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 220 mph. Because the Aventador S essentially gets the SV’s revised V12, that means power jumps up to 740hp with torque remaining the same as the regular car. The SV’s mill however gets a higher redline as well. But interestingly, the zip to 62 mph still takes around 2.8-2.9 seconds.

All that extra power but not that much more performance…what else is new with the Aventador S?

To match the extra power, the body gets slightly reworked to serve up more downforce at speed for better stability and handling. Additionally, “overall efficiency” is claimed to increase by 50 percent. Downforce at the front increases by 130 percent and a stunning 400 percent at the rear.

Also new is an active four-wheel steering system, which is new for the Aventador. During low speed maneuvers, the rear wheels can steer in the opposite direction as the front for a better turning radius. When traveling at faster speeds, the system reverses its actions to improve high-speed handling.

How much will this Aventador S cost?

A lot of money, as you can imagine. Prices for the 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S start at $421,350. Check enough boxes on the options list and you’ll pass $500,000 very easily.

Deliveries are scheduled to commence in spring of 2017.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Lamborghini

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GM halts production for cars from heavy crossover SUV demand

Like you’ve never heard us tout how popular crossovers are before…

What’s going on?

Crossovers! “Oh jeeze…” Yea. I know what you’re thinking. We get it. They’re popular. I get it too.

But this is how crazy it can get. Car demand is so slow for General Motors, multiple reports indicate the Big Three’s General had to put a stop on various assembly lines. The reason: the demand for crossovers is just too damn high!

According to AutomotiveNews and The Detroit News with info provided by Autodata, GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck, Fairfax, Lansing Grand River, Lordstown, and Bowling Green will all hit the stop button on everything for several week periods.

That’s a lot of plant locations. What cars are affected?

Here’s a quick list of what each plant builds:

Detroit-Hamtramck Facility to shut down for three weeks, builds:
- Buick LaCrosse
- Cadillac CT6
- Chevrolet Volt
- Chevrolet Impala

Fairfax, Kansas to shut down for three weeks, builds:
- Chevrolet Malibu

Lansing Grand River to shut down to for two weeks, builds:
- Cadillac ATS
- Cadillac CTS
- Chevrolet Camaro

Lordstown, Ohio to shut down for one week, builds:
- Chevrolet Cruze

Bowling Green, Kentucky to shut down for one week, builds:
- Chevrolet Corvette

Currently, an overstock issue is a larger issue for the company with many vehicles still heavy in supply. There simply is no more room to store inventory.

On the flip side, crossover and truck supply is lower than company standards because dealers can’t keep those on the lots. The lower gas prices in recent years stimulated crossover, SUV, and truck sales over more fuel-efficient alternatives.

To try and coax more buyers into the showrooms, GM will soon begin offering more incentives and discounts.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: AutomotiveNews, The Detroit News

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The 2018 Honda Odyssey will enter a new generation in Detroit

Actually, the real teaser of the next-gen 2018 Honda Odyssey is after the jump.

What’s going on?

Honda’s on the verge of revealing an all-new Odyssey for 2018, just as we’re all on the verge of celebrating the holiday season at its peak on top of a new year. To make sure we’re aware, the company teased the new model by having some children of the Odyssey team members draw up some sketches of what’ll most likely be their next space shuttle.

Watch out current auto designers–these kids have a bright future in auto design!

The current Odyssey minivan has been with us since 2011 and is pretty much due for a replacement. That replacement is set to be revealed at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

Check out the actual teaser after the jump.

So Honda’s got a new people-carrier and baby-hauler (or maker) in the works. What’s new about it?

2018 Honda Odyssey Teaser Scribble

Well, as depicted by one of the junior Odyssey team member’s vision, it will be dark purple with a light purple roof, while sitting on two eyeballs and looking like a purple elephant with a pocket protector as its butt. Or it might look like a pirate hat rolling on four donut magnets and two yellow eyes. Heck, it might even be rainbow colored!

Now, as cool as that would be…

It unfortunately won’t really be as adorable as the sketches above. But like previous generations of Honda Odyssey, the new one is to be based on the same platform as the latest Honda Pilot crossover, which takes its platform from the latest Accord.

Because it’s a family oriented vehicle, the Odyssey should come with sweet family oriented quirks. Like the outgoing generation’s optional integrated vacuum system meant to handle those little ones who like to throw things.

Thanks to its typical Accord and Pilot-based roots, the new Odyssey, like previous versions, should continue to come with happy Accord-like driving dynamics. Meaning, it shouldn’t be a total bore to drive, proving the Odyssey is the best choice for petrolheads who need to provide for their families without too much compromise.

No specific details were released with the teaser. But we imagine the new 2018 Honda Odyssey will come with a similar powertrain to the Pilot, the company’s latest beloved V6.

And here’s that actual teaser of the new Odyssey.

2018 Honda Odyssey Teaser Sketch

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Honda

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2017 NAIAS Teaser: The new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, this is almost it

The next-gen Chevrolet Traverse should predictably be a more value-oriented version of the GMC Acadia, like the outgoing model.

What’s going on?

The Chevrolet Traverse has been with us for a very long time. In fact, it’s been with us for so long (since 2009), people seemed to have forgotten about it since it’s so stale. But now, Chevrolet is finally getting around to revealing the second gen model.

And they just released a teaser to confirm its pending arrival.

Oooo…so Chevy’s replacing it’s rental-destined Traverse. Will it be all-new?

Yes! It will be all-new and like the current Traverse, it should essentially be a Chevrolet version of the GMC Acadia since they’re basically cousins. They come from the same platform.

The outgoing model rides on the GM Lambda platform, an enlarged and heavily modified version of the GM Epsilon platform, which is also shared with previous versions of the Chevrolet Malibu. Now, GM has an all-new Epsilon platform out and it currently underpins the latest Cadillac XT5 and the all-new GMC Acadia.

What will power it?

So far, as with every teaser, all the details are currently being withheld. That is, until Chevrolet reveals the new car at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Chevrolet

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