TomTom New Speed Camera App (for UK markets)

 
While governments place speed cameras to catch drivers that go over the limit, the private sector has come up with several anti-countermeasures such as radar detectors and jammers, which as most of you probably already know, can be illegal in certain countries. 
 
Adding to the wide selection of solutions for drivers is TomTom's new Speed Camera app for iPhone users in select European markets. 
 
The app, which is powered by the largest European driving community with 1.6 million drivers in 15 countries, gives drivers access to fixed and mobile speed camera alerts by keeping users informed about speed limits during their trip. 
 
"Our Speed Camera service can be of real benefit, helping people to stay focused as they know where the next camera will be," says Gerry Hinds, Vice President Mobile at TomTom. "We all know that confident driving is safer driving. And that’s why we’re so pleased that we can now offer this accessible service to a much larger segment of the driving community."
 
TomTom's app informs drivers of their speed, the speed limit, the type of camera ahead and the remaining distance to reach it, with real-time updates from customer reports in the UK, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
 
The TomTom Speed Camera app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store, but users are required to purchase a monthly or annual subscription. 
 
In the UK, TomTom is currently offering an introductory price of £1.49 (US$2.4 or €1.8) for one month or £16.99 (US$27.6 or €20.9) for 12 months, with the regular price being £3.99 for one month and £26.99 for a year. 

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-tomtom-speed-camera-app-for-iphone.html

Honda City facelift – how the 2012 model shapes up

This is not for the North American market....

Still no sign of the Honda City facelift, which was announced in Thailand late last year, and which we ran leaked brochure scans of, as well as a video. Presumably, the arrival of the car here has been delayed due to the effects of the severe flooding that hit Thailand last year.

Over in Australia, the car has just been introduced, so the photos give an impression of how it’ll shape up to the eye. Two variants are available there, these being the VTi (in manual and automatic form) and VTi-L, essentially the equivalent of the Thai S and SV grades.

Both variants wear the external cues mentioned in our earlier story – new chrome grille, redesigned front and rear bumpers as well as a new brake light design.

The VTi-L wears the newly-designed 16-inch alloys and adds a master door lock switch on the driver’s side, and aside from the blue-lit speedometer mentioned previously, the City gains aluminum-look treatment for the interior panels and trim, while the audio and climate controls in the VTi-L receive a chrome treatment.
There’s also a new seat fabric, with the VTi-L’s receiving additional blue stitching. Elsewhere, thicker window glass and enhanced floor carpeting has come about to significantly improve cabin quietness.

No changes to the running gear – the 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC continues on with 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,800 rpm. Given that the car has now begun selling in Australia, it shouldn’t be too long before we finally get going with it. Well, hopefully that’s the case.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2012/05/02/honda-city-facelift-how-the-2012-model-shapes-up/

Autointrends: 2015 NSX Rendering

Out of respect to the author(s) of Autointrends, I am supplying the link below, while you're there check out the rest of the site, it has a ton of useful information!

http://autointrends.com/2012/05/02/renderinghonda-nsx-sport-car-is-in-develope-and-will-arrive-by-2015/

ACURA NSX CONCEPT @ AUTO CHINA 2012 BEIJING

Beautiful....

What Honda’s Home Means for Builders

For years, homebuilders have grappled with how much and what types of technology to put into homes. With home-automation products continuing to evolve very rapidly, it can become difficult to determine what exactly to do with technology. But for many builders looking out to the horizon at concept homes can help determine what the future holds.

What will the connected home of the future look like? The next-generation home will be able to reduce emissions on an ongoing basis, and manage and generate consumption on its own.

Or at least this is what Honda Motor Co., www.honda.com, Minato, Tokyo, is testing in its new HSHS (Honda Smart Home System), which it unveiled last week. Honda has built two test homes in Saitama, Japan for single-family use, and plans to build a third in the same location. The homes will be linked for demonstration and testing, which will continue through 2018.

What makes these homes unique? The models run on a combination of gas, solar power, and a rechargeable battery. The Smart e Mix Manager obtains operation data from the various energy devices—a gas-engine cogeneration unit, a thin-film solar cell module, and a home battery unit—and analyzes household energy use. From there, the system can make decisions to optimize efficiency. Homeowners can also choose to remotely operate the data from an in-home display, a vehicle-navigation system, or a smartphone.

The combination of the development of solar cell panels and gas-engine cogeneration units even provide the means to keep energy for the home in case of a power outage.

The demonstration home also minimizes emissions based on data; optimizes the electricity supplied from the grid; and aims to reduce the load on public infrastructure by studying a “vehicle-to-home” system to plug-in hybrid cars and electric vehicles. In the end, the energy-management system provides a backup supply of electricity while reducing emissions from the home.

Honda’s home of the future additionally provides notifications when visitors arrive or if lights or air conditioning are left on; remote control of appliances; and the ability to run hot water for a bath or lock a door from outside a home.

Honda’s test home isn’t necessarily coming to market anytime soon, but the connected-home technology that it is creating to manage and monitor homes and energy consumption isn’t a far cry from the systems that are already available.

Today connected homes are within reach. Recent research shows more than 8% of households in the United States will own at least one smart-home product or service by the end of the year, and the market will continue to grow from $7.6 billion in 2012 to $24.3 billion in 2017, reports Strategy Analytics, www.strategyanalytics.com, Newton Centre, Mass.

For builders, the key takeaway is homes are only going to get ‘smarter’ and ‘greener’ due to the increased use of technology in the home. Looking at concepts of the future can help builders gauge what is coming next. Are you interested in learning more about how you can bring automation to homes you are building—or simply what this trend means going forward? Check out the Welcome Home panel at this year’s Connected World Conference, June 11-13.

Source;
http://www.constructech.com/news/articles/article.aspx?article_id=9251&SECTION=1

Honda Earth Dreams Technology – aiming for best in class fuel consumption in every segment, with fun to match

May 1, 2012 at 1:34 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Feature Stories, HondaAlong with concepts like the EV-STER and Micro Commuter, Honda officially revealed its banner for next generation technology called Earth Dreams Technology at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The company, and president/CEO Takanobu Ito, promises both to care for the environment and provide joy of driving under EDT. From what we’ve heard and experienced, it sure smells as sweet as Eau De Toilette!

There are few main weapons in the Earth Dreams Technology arsenal, comprising new petrol and diesel engines, a CVT gearbox, a fresh “two-motor” hybrid system, electric SH-AWD for efficient performance and of course, a compact electric powertrain for EVs.

With these, Honda is aiming high. No, forget high, let’s make it THE top. With Earth Dreams Technology, Honda is looking at being the fuel efficiency leader in every vehicle class within three years – how’s that for a mission? Alongside this FC target is a plan to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% for all products sold worldwide by 2020, relative to emission figures from year 2000.
Continue reading after the jump.


Let’s start with petrol engines and what Honda is so famous for, VTEC. Honda has enhanced its much vaunted variable valve timing and lift control system for better thermal efficiency and reduced friction. This will benefit both ends of the scale – fuel efficiency and higher output.
This “new VTEC” will be homed in a new engine series which has a new structure and higher expandability. The new range will include players in every engine class – from the JDM minicar standard of 660 cc to a 3.5 V6 that Americans require. Four cylinder units displacing 1.3, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4 litres will sit in the middle.

Another major shift is the use of the Atkinson cycle, till now only seen in Toyota’s hybrid models. The Atkinson cycle provides high efficiency at the expense of power density. It’s also not the strongest at low engine speeds, so this is where Honda’s twin cam VTEC know how comes into play, normalising the situation. Honda plans to use the Atkinson cycle from 1.3 to 2.0 litre sizes; no change for engines outside this range.
That’s not all, as 1.3L engines and above will all receive direct injection. The 1.8 and 2.0 engines, likely to power Honda’s future C-segment cars like the Civic and CR-V, will also get high capacity EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation). If used with motor assist in a hybrid, the 2.0L engine will come with an electric water pump, eliminating the need for a belt in the auxiliary drive and reducing friction.

Honda gave us a sample of this next gen engine, which in 2.4L guise features direct injection, DOHC VTEC, VTC, high tumble port, double arm chain system plus “extensive friction reduction measures” and Idle Stop. With all these, Honda claims 5% improved economy and 5% better output, along with 10% more torque – the latter is also more accessible thanks to a friendlier torque curve.
The improvements over today’s K24A is noticeable. Housed in an Accord Euro and paired to a CVT, the new engine has sharp response on take off, opposed to today’s “comes alive at high rpms” character. Can’t quite remember the top end feel though, no thanks to the CVT. But one thing’s for sure – it performs with vigour that’s not very common in the class. Figures? Over 181 hp and over 240 Nm is what they’re ready to reveal at this point.

Japanese carmakers are always critisised for their lack of diesel engine development, so when we were told that there’s a new oil burner for sampling, we were naturally excited.
Honda will be replacing the 2.2L diesel it uses in Europe now for a thoroughly modern downsized unit – a 1.6L that’s aiming for best in class acceleration and fuel efficiency. I can see people at VW and PSA scratching their heads in disbelieve, but Honda is saying it with a straight face.

Firstly, this new 1.6L diesel is compact and has the world’s lightest body, according to its maker. Optimising engine rigidity and combustion pressure allowed them to use an aluminium open deck for the cylinder block, saving previous grams. Reducing mechanical friction was also a main objective, and the result is on par with current Honda petrol engines. There’s also a new compact and more efficient turbocharger.
This engine will make roughly 120 hp and 300 Nm of torque, but boy, it feels much better than that. Also demo-ed in an Accord Euro, but with a six-speed manual gearbox, you hear no diesel clatter in the car, and there’s no turbo lag. What’s nice is the way it revs so cleanly without any lack of breath or added vibration at high rpms.

“Like a petrol engine” is often used to describe nice diesels, but this is even smoother revving than many petrols. And since manual gearbox feel is something of a Honda trade secret, the package is top notch. In Malaysia, we can start writing a song dedicated to Honda titled “If Only”.
Honda is on a mission to inject sportiness and fun driving back into the mix, after focusing solely on green for some time, and the new SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) represents this efficient performance mix well. Developed for future large vehicles, the new SH-AWD is essentially a “hybridised” version of the physics defying tech. Presently, SH-AWD is a mechanical torque vectoring rear axle that can be found in high end models like the Legend and US market Acuras.

The electric SH-AWD was housed in an Accord body for sampling. Up front is the new direct-injected 3.5-litre V6 with 310 hp and 360 Nm. It is assisted by a 40 hp, 130 Nm electric motor and mated to a self-developed seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. At the back, each rear wheel is connected to a 27 hp, 70 Nm electric motor. The result is four-wheel drive without a link between front and rear axles.
Each rear motor is independently controlled, and can deliver either positive or negative torque. Instead of just directing torque to the outside wheel for more traction, SH-AWD can simultaneously generate power from the inside wheel, neutralising power use.

It’s sort of like taking from one hand and putting it into the other, in every corner. The front wheels does the usual regenerating thing. It’s all extremely efficient, and Honda says that this combo can deliver V8 go with four-cylinder fuel economy. And of course, there’s the physics defying traction. View this short video to better grasp the concept.
We tried the SH-AWD Accord mule on a very short loop of the Motegi road course, and yours truly came away very impressed. Here’s a big heavy car that can corner like few other. There’s so much more traction in the corners when the regular FWD Accord would have already washed wide, leading me to carry higher than expected speeds in the corners.
It was a super brief stint, but the slalom run gave the Accord, which is already the entertainer of the class, a chance to show off its nimble feet. It danced, not plowed, around the cones, and the car’s tail played along. Ok, it wasn’t drifting, but it was obvious that it wasn’t just front end grip dragging the car around. The only negative factor is major body roll, but that’s not part of what’s being tested here. Highly promising.
There was also a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox in the evaluation car. It wasn’t conspicuous, which is a good thing to report for a DSG type ‘box.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2012/05/01/honda-earth-dreams-technology-aiming-for-best-in-class-fuel-consumption-in-every-segment-with-fun-to-match/

Here’s how the next generation 2013 Toyota Corolla sedan could look like

The Toyota Corolla sedan has been a mammoth success for the Japanese automaker over the years with the car consistently being the best selling model for decades together. A mixture of reliability, practicality and affordability have been the major factors that has led to the Corolla’s enduring success world over.  In the Indian market too, the Corolla has been a big seller, in fact the best selling D-segment sedan. Toyota has been selling facelifted version in the form of the Altis currently and this car is available in both petrol and diesel engine options. By 2013 though, the Corolla is set to get a major facelift.

The 2013 model of the next generation Corolla is expected to retain the dimensions of the current model. However, the styling could see a full revamp. The 2013 Corolla is expected to borrow design and styling cues from the Camry sedan. So, expect the Corolla to feature flatter headlamps and more grown up styling to appeal more to the European sensibilities. However, that isn’t to say that we’re going to have some design flair. From the speculative renderings that have surfaced onto the interweb, the 2013 Corolla looks as conservative(read boring) as it has ever been.

All the talk of Toyota going in for a complete reinvention of its design philosophy seems just that, mere talk. That said, the typical Corolla buyer, who will be in the 40s to 50s might still be pleased with Toyota’s latest effort as the conservative styling has been one factor that has been common to Corollas across generations. From the renderings, it seems that Toyota has given the new Corolla a grown up look with more edges than curves. Though a little boxy, the new design looks much better than the outgoing version although there will always be a line of thought berating Toyota for doing too little on the design front.

Source;

http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/2013-next-generation-toyota-corolla-sedan-india-58789/#more-58789

Harley Davidson Motorcycle Washed up in B.C. is Japanese Tsunami Debris

 
An estimated 1.5 million tons of flotsam believed to be headed to Canada

CBC News - Posted: Apr 29, 2012 5:53 PM PT Last Updated: Apr 29, 2012 5:50 PM PT

A beachcomber on British Columbia's Haida Gwaii islands has discovered what may be the first piece of debris from the Japanese tsunami to arrive in Canada.

Peter Mark was riding his ATV, exploring an isolated beach on Graham Island on April 18, when he made a spectacular find.

"You just never know what you're going to stumble upon when you go for a drive, and lo and behold you just come across something that's out of this world," he said.

Mark found a large white cube, like the back part of a moving truck, just below the high tide mark.

"The door was ripped off it and I could see a motorcycle tire sticking out," he said. "So I went closer and looked inside and saw a Harley-Davidson motorcycle."

The bike was rusty, particularly on the wheels and handlebars, but the logo on the fuel tank was unmistakable.

"First I thought, this has got to be the craziest thing anyone has ever found," he said.

"Then I looked a little closer and the license had Japanese writing on it. The wall of the trailer had Japanese print on the tags. And the first thing that popped into my head was this is likely from the Tsunami in Japan."

The motorcycle's licence plate shows it was registered in Miyagi Prefecture, and writing on the container matches photos of a commonly used Japanese moving van.

Mark also found a few golf clubs, tools and camping equipment in the container.

"It defies all logic," he said. "I cannot for the life of me figure out how that stuff stayed in there. The motorcycle was not strapped down. Everything was just laying loose on the bottom of the floor."

'Quite an eerie feeling'

Miyagi Prefecture was the worst hit part of Japan, with more than 11,000 people dead and missing. Video taken at the time of the tsunami shows numerous white trucks, similar to the cube that washed up on Haida Gwaii, getting washed away.

The Kuroshio ocean current runs in an almost direct path from Japan's east coast over to North America, passing right by the islands of Haida Gwaii.

Mark said seeing someone's possessions wash up on a beach 5,000 kilometres away was incredibly sobering.

"I gotta say, the first thing that popped into my mind when I was looking at the scene [was] I really wonder what happened to this person. I really hope this person is OK," he said. "It's quite a shock to actually see it and to actually walk into it … [It's] quite an eerie feeling, knowing what happened to Japan and to those people. It kind of hits home quite a bit."

The beach where the motorcycle washed up is remote — getting there requires an off-road vehicle and crossing several rivers — which is partly why Mark left everything where he found it.

"I think the most important thing is that people treat the things they find with respect," he said. "These are parts of people's lives. Some people lost everything in the disaster, and I think people have to keep that in mind when they make a find like this."

The Japanese consulate in Vancouver has the licence plate number and is trying to determine who owned the items — and whether that person is still alive.

"In many cases, I believe the original owners will welcome reuniting with their lost objects," said Hideki Ito, Japan's consul general in Vancouver.

Ito expects discoveries of personal items in the debris will be extremely rare, as most larger items will sink.

More than 1.5 million tonnes of tsunami debris is drifting across the Pacific Ocean toward Canada's West Coast, but until now only bottles, buoys and other small items have washed ashore.

Source (via www.autoblog.com);
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ccc_1335772866