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Feb 03, `08 — General Motors will showcase several gas-saving commercial vehicles at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show Feb 6 thru Feb 17.

GM’s Fleet and Commercial Operations (FCO) will display vehicles featuring outstanding fuel economy, E85 ethanol and biodiesel capability, and gas-electric hybrid vehicles designed to help GM customers go green without going broke.

Here are some of the gas-friendly vehicles designed for commercial and business use that will be at the Chicago Auto Show:

Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van
GM’s clean-burning, dependable and powerful 6.6 L Duramax engine can use B5 biodiesel and comes in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Express also has left-hand side load doors and remote release side panels for easy loading and access.

Chevrolet Silverado
The half-ton Silverado gives customers the choice of powering their truck with E85 ethanol, gasoline or a combination of both fuels. In addition, this 2008 Fleet Truck of the Year continues to delight fleet owners with its comfort, capability and best-in-class fuel economy.

Chevrolet Impala Police Pursuit Vehicle
The 2008 Chevrolet Impala Police Car can operate on cleaner-burning, renewable E85 ethanol, an energy source that can help reduce our dependence on petroleum. E85 has been a very popular choice among fleet customers – including law enforcement agencies – because its availability is growing, and because E85 vehicles are an affordable fleet option.

Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle
The Tahoe PPV is the only SUV rated as a police pursuit vehicle. The 2008 Tahoe PPV is powered by the Vortec 5.3L V-8 engine delivering 320 horsepower (238 kW) and 340 lb.-ft. of torque (470 Nm). The Vortec 5.3L features Active Fuel Management technology, resulting in improved fuel economy, and can operate on E85 ethanol.

Silverado Hybrid
The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid is a full-size pickup that achieves 40-percent greater city fuel economy and a 25-percent improvement in overall fuel economy.

The hybrid system provides all-electric driving at low speeds, allowing fuel savings to be realized even when the truck is fully loaded or towing a trailer. Silverado Hybrid can tow up to 6,100 pounds (2,767 kg).

The Silverado Hybrid goes on sale in late 2008. More at Chicago Auto Show.

Also, the AP reports, “GM says the 2009 GMC Sierra hybrid gets a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy without compromising performance, while its GMC Denali XT concept - a low-slung, muscular utility vehicle - gets 50 percent better fuel economy than a comparable small pickup.

The Sierra is the next large GM vehicle to get the company’s new two-mode hybrid system, which has also been introduced on the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles and the Chevrolet Silverado pickup. The SUVs are expected to go on sale early this year, while the Silverado and Sierra are scheduled to hit the market at the end of 2008.” More at AP.

NEW YORK - Police have found a way to help save the planet and perhaps sneak up on bad guys at the same time: an all-electric, ultra-quiet scooter, Newsday reports.

Newsday further writes, “The New York Police Department will begin road testing four of the plug-in Vectrix scooters early next month _ part of a broader campaign to make the nation’s largest police department a greener one as well.

The 36,000-officer NYPD has been looking for ways to retool its massive motor fleet to guzzle less gas and inflict less harm on the environment. A handful of NYPD hybrid cars and so-called flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on both gasoline and ethanol, are already on the road.

Vectrix recently approached several big city police departments with the sleek, two-wheel scooters, but the NYPD was the first to take a serious look, said Andrew MacGowen, president of the Rhode Island-based company.

MacGowen said the Vectrix scooters, assembled in Poland, are the first all-electric vehicles to be government-certified to travel on any highway, street or road.

The Vectrix, which has a battery pack, is heavier than the Piaggio, but with a top speed of more than 60 mph, it’s nearly as fast. And riders cruise past the fuel pump: The scooters can be recharged simply by plugging into a standard outlet for two hours. MacGowen said recharging costs a fraction of refueling _ a savings he says would quickly cover the difference in price with Piaggios, which cost the NYPD about half as much.

The Vectrix can only travel 40 to 60 miles per charge, but police officials said they may be willing to sacrifice some range for zero emissions. Plus, the scooters would have the dual benefit of “reducing air pollution and noise pollution,” said Robert Martinez, the NYPD fleet director.” More at Newsday.

Commission proposal to limit the CO2 emissions from cars to help fight climate change, reduce fuel costs and increase European competitiveness.

Brussels — Dec 19, `07 — The European Commission today proposed legislation to reduce the average CO2 emissions of new passenger cars to 120 grams per kilometre by 2012.

The proposed legislation is the cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to improve the fuel economy of cars, which account for about 12% of the European Union’s carbon emissions. The proposal further underlines the EU’s leadership and determination to deliver on its greenhouse gas commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and beyond.

President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso stated: “This proposal demonstrates that the European Union is committed to being a world leader in cutting CO2 emissions and the development of a low carbon economy. At the same time, we are committed to promote the competitiveness of our industry and its global technological leadership.”

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: “The aim of the legislation is to reduce CO2 emissions from cars in order to help fight climate change. The legislation will also ensure important fuel savings which will translate into considerable benefits for consumers. Moreover, it will encourage the car industry to invest in new technologies and actively promote eco-innovation, which is a driver for more and high-quality jobs.”

Emissions reductions
The proposal will be a major step in lowering CO2 emissions in the EU. It will reduce the average emissions of CO2 from new passenger cars in the EU from around 160 grams per kilometre to 130 grams per kilometre in 2012 as part of the EU’s integrated approach to achieve overall 120 grams per kilometre. That will translate into a 19% reduction of CO2 emissions and will place the EU among the world leaders of fuel efficient cars.

How the legislation will work
The draft legislation defines a limit value curve of CO2 emissions allowed for new vehicles according to the mass of the vehicle. The curve is set in such a way that a fleet average of 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre is achieved. A manufacturer must ensure that by 2012 measured fleet average emissions are below the limit value curve, when all vehicles manufactured and registered in a given year by the manufacturer in question are taken into account.

This means that the level of emissions by heavier cars will have to be improved proportionately more than lighter cars compared to today. Manufacturers will still be able to make cars with emissions above the limit value curve provided these are balanced by cars which are below the curve as long as the fleet average remains at 130 grams.

The proposal will now be communicated to the Council and to the European Parliament as part of the co-decision legislative procedure. More at European Commission here and here.

Chicago, IL – NAVTEQ on Wednesday, Dec 12, announced that its stockholders have approved the previously announced merger agreement entered into with Nokia at the special meeting of stockholders held earlier today.

Over 75% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock eligible to vote, representing over 99% of the total votes cast at the special meeting, were voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement.

Adoption of the merger agreement by NAVTEQ stockholders satisfies one of the conditions to completion of the merger between NAVTEQ and Nokia. Completion of the merger is also subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of the other closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement. More at Navteq.

SCiB, a Safe, long-life, rapid charge battery to come to market in March 2008.

TOKYO, Japan — Toshiba Corporation on Tuesday, Dec 11, announced the commercial launch of the SCiB the Super Charge ion Battery a breakthrough rechargeable battery primarily targeting the industrial systems market that can recharge to 90% of full capacity in less than five minutes.

The battery offers excellent safety and a long-life cycle of over 10 years, even under conditions of constant rapid charging. Toshiba aims to make this high potential battery a mainstay of its industrial systems and automotive products businesses, with global sales of 100 billion yen targeted for fiscal year 2015. The first SCiB will be shipped from March 2008.

In order to realize the outstanding characteristics of the SCiB, Toshiba adopted a new negative electrode material, new separators, a new electrolyte, and new manufacturing technology. The result is a highly reliable rechargeable battery with well-balanced performance, offering excellent safety, a long-life cycle and a rapid charge-discharge capability.

The SCiB is housed in the SCiB Standard Module ten 4.2 ampere-hour (Ah) SCiB cells aligned in series connection which maximizes the battery characteristics with a battery management system function (BMS) that monitors voltage and temperature in order to protect the cells in case of emergency, and that balances the state of charge in each cell.

In addition to applications that include battery-powered bicycles, motorcycles, automated guided vehicles, electric forklift trucks and construction machinery, which already use rechargeable batteries, the SCiB is also a promising candidate for emergency power sources, electric power regeneration in wind power systems and stabilization of electric power supply.

Application in hybrid cars is also planned, with the intent of extending application to electric cars in the future, after advancing development of a high-performance SCiB cell. More at Toshiba.

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Nov 30, ‘07 — EU governments agreed Friday to jointly complete the development of the much-delayed Galileo satellite navigation project after mollifying Spain, which had demanded a bigger stake in the venture, the AP reported.

Spain was the lone holdout in a 26-1 vote at an EU meeting on moving ahead with the $5 billion undertaking.

In seeking unanimity, the EU later won Spain’s approval with a deal that said a secondary ground station - planned for Spain to monitor emergency services on Galileo channels - may one day be a full-blown ground control station if Spain pays for that upgrade.

The European Commission set a Dec. 31 deadline for final approval of the satellite program. When completed, by 2013, it is expected to rival the American global positioning system, which also is satellite-based.

On Nov 23, EU governments agreed to a taxpayer bailout for the project, several months after a consortium of private companies walked away from it in a financing dispute. Most of the €2.4 billion ($3.56 billion) needed to complete the project will come from unspent funds originally earmarked for agriculture

Tokyo — On Nov 28, Toshiba Corporation announced the latest additions to its market-leading lineup of 2.5-inch hard disk drives (HDD) for automotive applications: an 80GB drive offering the industry’s largest capacity, and a 40GB drive.

The drives will be used in such applications as car navigation systems, and will be released in industrial and retail versions. Sample shipping of the drives has started and mass production will start in March 2008

Toshiba’s line of automotive HDDs enable a variety of applications, such as GPS navigation, digital music and video, and other telematic systems. With an altitude specification of 5,500 meters, the rugged MK8050GAC and MK8050GACE drives meet the operating extremes of a road environment. More at Toshiba here and here.

Brussels — Nov 28, ‘07 — The European Commission has opened a detailed investigation under the EU merger regulation into TomTom’s proposed acquisition of Tele Atlas, both of The Netherlands.

TomTom produces portable navigation devices (PNDs) and Tele Atlas is one of two producers of navigable digital maps, a crucial input for PND manufacturers.

The Commission’s initial market investigation has indicated that the proposed merger raises serious doubts with regards to vertical competition concerns. A decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of the investigation. The Commission now has until 17 April 2008 to take a final decision on whether the proposed transaction would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area (EEA) or a significant part of it.

Tom Tom is active in navigation software and manufacturing of PNDs and is the market leader in the EEA. Tele Atlas is one of only two producers of navigable digital maps offering a complete coverage of Europe and North America (the other being U.S firm Navteq).

After a preliminary review, the Commission has identified serious doubts that the acquisition by TomTom of Tele Atlas might, in the light of the duopoly market for navigable digital maps and TomTom’s strong position on the market for PNDs, lead to a significant impediment of effective competition within the EEA.

Navigable digital maps are essential inputs for producers of PNDs. The proposed acquisition raises vertical competition concerns because TomTom acquires one of the current two map suppliers that provide maps for the whole of Europe. The Commission’s in-depth investigation will focus, inter alia, on assessing whether the transaction would increase the costs of other PND manufacturers for navigable digital map or limit their access to these maps, and as a consequence harm consumers. More at European Commission.

Nov 26, ‘07 — BBC News is reporting on the first of the new Jaguar XF models being rolled off the production line.

BBCNews further reports, “The car maker is currently up for sale and it is hoped the new model, which replaces the S-Type, will help secure the future of hundreds of jobs.

It was designed and engineered in Whitley, Coventry, and is being built in Castle Bromwich, near Birmingham. The basic 3.0 litre model starts at $67, 789 (£32,925) while the most expensive 4.2 litre SV8 costs $111,026 (£53,925).

Ford has said it has had a number of bidders for Jaguar Land Rover, which it plans to sell by early 2008. Last week, the union Unite said its preferred bidder was the Indian car manufacturer Tata. More at BBCNews.

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Nov 23, ‘07 — The European Union’s troubled Galileo satellite navigation system will be financed from leftover EU funds, EU ministers decided Friday, after Germany and three other countries that had opposed the arrangement relented.

Most of the €2.4 billion ($3.56 billion) the EU says is needed to complete the project will come from unspent funds originally earmarked for agriculture, officials said. Some €300 million (US$445 million) was also earmarked to launch the EU’s new technology and innovation institute, meant to rival the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The decision means Galileo — which nearly folded after a consortium of private companies tasked with developing it failed to make progress — will be completed. It is to give Europe its own satellite navigation, ending its dependency on the U.S.-run Global Positioning System.

Germany got on board after the EU’s executive Commission proposed new tender rules meant to ensure the multibillion-euro project is not dominated by a single company.

In Berlin, a German Transport Ministry spokesman welcomed the Commission proposal, saying it would secure competition and could lead to benefits for German companies.

A source close to EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said the project segments would include satellites, launchers, ground mission infrastructure and control, system software, and other tasks.

There would be the possibility of two tenders to build 26 satellites that make up the system, which is expected to have 30 satellites in total. “The bidder will have to put an offer for all 26, but then we will contract only for a first batch of 10, for example,” the source said.

Bangalore — Nov 22, ‘07 –Indian automobile major Tata Motors and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are gearing up to launch the prototype of the world’s cleanest car that will run on hydrogen and emit a mere wispy trail of water vapour, reports Rediff.

“Making this announcement in Bangalore on Thursday, ISRO chairman Madhavan Nair said that the car would roll out early next year. According to Nair, the car will run on Hydrogen and would emit water vapour, thus making it extremely environment friendly.

Nair said that an agreement for the pilot project to see whether hydrogen can be used as fuel for automobiles had been signed and work had already commenced on the project. He said that ISRO is working with the Tatas and, if all goes well, the car will be rolled out in early 2008.

This car will have engine as it will be completely electricity-driven, and hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen will be combined in the fuel cell to produce electricity that will propel the car. The car will also have hydrogen storage and regulatory control systems, Nair added.

It seems as though the first batch of cars will be launched in New Delhi. Currently, hydrogen-powered cars are being run in the research campus of Indian Oil Corporation. These cars will come out on the roads once the first hydrogen dispenser comes up in New Delhi.

Delhi is better geared to host hydrogen cars due to the CNG revolution that took place there. For vehicles running on CNG there would not be any major modification required as 10 per cent blend and the hydrogen could be stored in the CNG cylinder.” More at Rediff.

AMSTERDAM, Netherland – Nov 18, ’07 – Two days after Garmin dropped its effort to buy Tele Atlas NV, TomTom NV said it would begin an offer of $43.88 a share for the digital-mapping company.

The other global map maker, Navteq, has agreed to be acquired by cell phone manufacturer Nokia Oyj for $8.1 billion.

The period in which Tele Atlas shareholders can tender their shares will begin on Nov. 19 and end on Dec. 18, the companies said in a joint statement on Sunday.

Tele Atlas will hold an extraordinary shareholders meeting on Dec. 7 to discuss the offer.

TomTom Press Release:

“With reference to the press release of 7 November 2007, TomTom NV and Tele Atlas NV hereby jointly announce that TomTom is making a recommended public cash offer for all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR 0.10 each in the capital of Tele Atlas.

Highlights
- The Offer is a cash offer for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Tele Atlas of EUR 30.00 per Share.
- The acceptance period commences at 9:00 hours, Amsterdam time (3:00 hours New York time) on 19 November 2007 and will end at 15:00 hours Amsterdam time (9:00 hours New York time) on 18 December 2007, unless extended.
- Tele Atlas will convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held on 7 December 2007 during which the Offer will be discussed.
- The Boards fully support the Offer and recommend the Offer to all Shareholders for acceptance.
- A condition to the Offer is that the number of Shares tendered for acceptance under the Offer, together with the Shares that are held at that time by the Offeror, represents at least 80 per cent. of all issued and outstanding Shares as set out in the Offer Memorandum.

The Offer
TomTom is making the Offer, subject to the terms and restrictions contained in the offer memorandum dated 18 November 2007.

Shareholders tendering their Shares under the Offer will be paid, under the terms and subject to the conditions and restrictions contained in the Offer Memorandum, in consideration of each Share validly tendered and delivered (geleverd) a cash amount of EUR 30.00.”

More at TomTom, Tele Atlas.

Cayman Islands — PR Newswire — Nov 16, ‘07 — Garmin Ltd. announced today that its subsidiaries, Garmin International Inc and Garmin Corporation, have signed a six-year extension to their agreement with NAVTEQ, a leading provider of digital map data for location based solutions and vehicle navigation.

The agreement allows Garmin to continue using NAVTEQ data through 2015, with an option to renew for an additional four-year period. In addition, the parties have agreed to pursue expanded points of cooperation that will result in improved mapping quality and coverage worldwide, and will drive further device innovation into the future. The parties did not disclose specific details of the agreement.

“Garmin has partnered with NAVTEQ for many years. We utilize their map data in the majority of our products and we have always appreciated their commitment to the market,” said Garmin CEO Dr. Min Kao. “Extending our agreement with NAVTEQ ensures the availability of quality mapping data for our customers, and provides a basis for enhanced cooperation which is a win-win for both Garmin and NAVTEQ. We believe the outcome creates the best value for Garmin, our customers, and stakeholders.”

In addition and with reference to the press release dated October 31, 2007, Garmin also announced today that in light of these developments it does not intend to pursue its offer for Tele Atlas N.V.

Garmin is a leading, worldwide provider of navigation, communications and information devices with subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil and Singapore with pending acquisitions in Denmark, Italy and Spain. More at Garmin.

Amsterdam, 12 November 2007 – TomTom today announces the availability of the new TomTom ONE XL High Definition Traffic (HD Traffic) in the Netherlands. This unique portable navigation device combines smart navigation software with the world’s most advanced traffic information. Where traditional traffic information providers in the Netherlands cover approximately 45% of highways and provide no traffic information of secondary roads, TomTom’s new High Definition Traffic monitors the entire main road network, which covers all highways and the vast majority of the secondary (N) roads. TomTom High Definition Traffic – how it works
TomTom’s new High Definition Traffic uses anonymously collected and processed traffic data using multiple sources and techniques:

• Traffic data generated by the movement patterns of mobile phones in cars, via Vodafone’s Dutch GSM network
• Third party information provided by traffic authorities and road operators

Via the Vodafone network, a live connection with the TomTom HD Traffic centre delivers traffic data to the TomTom XL HD Traffic every three minutes, twenty times an hour and five times more often than any other traffic information available on the market.Availability and Price
The TomTom ONE XL HD Traffic is available in shops in the Netherlands from November 2007 and includes a 12 months High Definition Traffic subscription. The recommended retail price of the TomTom ONE XL HD Traffic is €399 Euro.

Specs
- Highly Sensitive GPS Receiver
- 4.3″, 480×272 TFT 64K Color LCD Touch Screen
- Internal Memory 1GB
- GPRS Modem with built-in SIM card for live data connection
- SD slot
- Internal Lithium-Ion battery (2 hours operation)
- 119×86x27 mm, 230 grams

More at TomTom

AMSTERDAM, Nov o7, ‘07 – TomTom, the world’s biggest maker of navigation devices, raised its offer for TeleAtlas, the mapping company, by 41 per cent on Wednesday and bought 28 per cent of the target’s shares in a bid to see off a challenge from US rival Garmin.

Garmin sparked a bidding war for Tele Atlas last week with an unsolicited €2.1bn bid that trumped TomTom’s initial offer. The Dutch company raised its cash offer for TeleAtlas to €30 a share, valuing TomTom at about €2.9bn.

“We are now well positioned to buy Tele Atlas”, said Harold Goddijn, chief executive of TomTom. “We are now their biggest customer and their biggest shareholder.”

The bidding war for Tele Atlas comes at a time of consolidation in the digital mapping industry. Tele Atlas, like TomTom based in the Netherlands, is one of only two large global providers of digital maps. Navteq, its competitor, was bought by Nokia for $8.1bn in September.

Tele Atlas shares rose 18 per cent to €31.80, above the offer price, signalling investors believed Garmin may raise its offer. TomTom shares fell 1 per cent to €56.

Garmin and TomTom both want to own a mapping company to keep down the cost of maps and develop new products. Sales of navigation devices are set to double this year from 16m in 2006.

“The whole navigation and mapping industry is still relatively young.” Mr Goddijn said. “This is not the endgame but I think it’s an important transition phase in the industry.”

San Francisco, CA — Nov 07, ‘07 — Lost drivers soon will be able to use “Applause” for help at the pump. As part of a partnership to be announced Wednesday, Google will dispense driving directions at thousands of Gilbarco gas pumps across the US beginning early next month.

The pumps, made by Gilbarco Veeder-Root, include an Internet connection and will display Google’s mapping service in color on a small screen. The service is dubbed “Applause Media System“. Motorists will be able to scroll through several categories to find local landmarks, hotels, restaurants and hospitals selected by the gas station’s owner.

After the driver selects a destination, the pump will print out directions. Eventually, Gilbarco Veeder-Root hopes to enable motorists to type in a specific address and get directions. “We think the service will create more customer loyalty for retailers,” said Gilbarco Veeder-Root spokeswoman Lucy Sackett.

Greensboro, N.C.-based Gilbarco Veeder-Root will initially offer the service in about 3,500 gas pumps and expand based on retailer demand.

Unlike most of Google’s services, this one won’t include ads bringing the company income. But participating retailers will be able to make extra money from other merchants that offer coupons on the service. Making maps available at gas pumps appealed to Google because the Mountain View-based company wants to make its services available whenever and wherever people need them, said Karen Roter Davis, a principal business development manager for Google.

Calling up a map at a gas pump should be particularly popular among motorists who are too stubborn or embarrassed to pull over and ask someone for help, Roter Davis said. “This will be sort of a Googley, more stealthy way of getting directions.” More at Gilbarco.

DES PLAINES, Ill. – Nov 06, ‘07 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — For the second time in as many years, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is launching another free service to help protect the nation’s consumers.

Over one million vehicles have been stolen annually in the United States since 1986. With an annual average recovery rate of just 63 percent,
several million vehicles remain unaccounted for and could possibly end up being purchased by unsuspecting consumers.

To help prevent innocent people from buying a stolen vehicle and to help recover stolen vehicles that may enter the commerce stream in the
future, NICB today is activating the nation’s first Unrecovered Stolen Vehicle Database as a free service to the public.

Anyone anywhere can now run a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through this database and determine if it has been reported stolen by one of NICB’s over 1000 member insurance companies.

To check a vehicle simply visit the NICB VinCheck and follow the on-screen directions for the VINCheck search feature which is located on the home page.

Anyone with information concerning auto theft and insurance fraud can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422) or by visiting NICB.

VICTORVILLE, Calif., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A self-driving SUV called Boss made history by driving swiftly and safely while sharing the road with human drivers and other robots. The feat earned Carnegie Mellon University’s Tartan Racing first place in the DARPA Urban Challenge.

Officials of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) today declared Boss the winner of Saturday’s event, which pitted 11
autonomous vehicles against each other on a course of suburban/urban roadways. The first place prize includes a $2 million cash award.

After reviewing judges’ scorecards overnight, DARPA officials concluded that Boss, a robotized 2007 Chevy Tahoe, followed California driving laws as it navigated the course and that it operated in a safe and stable manner. Surprisingly, many of the robots made good decisions, said DARPA Director Tony Tether.

That meant speed became the determining factor, Tether said, and Boss was the fastest of the competitors by a large margin. Boss averaged about 14 miles an hour over approximately 55 miles, finishing the course about 20 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher, Stanford.

“Robots sometimes stun the world, inspire a lot of people and change the belief of what is possible,” said William “Red” Whittaker, a Carnegie
Mellon robotics professor and team leader of Tartan Racing. “We’ve seen that here and once the perception of what’s possible changes it never goes back. This is a phenomenal thing for robotics.”

Showing the world that autonomous driving technologies are robust and will ultimately make driving safer and more enjoyable has been a major goal of the 45-member Tartan Racing team.

“This is really a fantastic accomplishment,” Tether said. “I watched these things driving and I forgot after awhile that there was nobody in
there.” Autonomous driving technology will save lives on the battlefield, he said, by removing soldiers from supply convoys and other vehicles in harm’s way, he added.

DARPA had declared Boss the top-rated robot in the event based on its performance on a series of qualifying runs at the former George Air Force Base in the week prior to the final event. Boss was slated to start first on Saturday morning, but radio frequency interference caused in part by a Jumbotron television monitor next to the start chute jammed GPS signals to Boss. The TV monitor was subsequently shut down, the GPS signals returned and Boss was ready to go.

The delay cost Boss the pole position it earned in qualifying runs and resulted in Boss being the 10th robot to start. But the robot performed
impeccably despite occasionally being caught behind slower moving vehicles in the early going. With each of its three required missions, Boss steadily gained time on its rivals. Stanford’s robot, which started second and about 20 minutes ahead of Boss, was the first to cross the finish line, but Boss beat Stanford’s time by 20 minutes.

“Everything that I saw Boss do looked great,” said Chris Urmson, the team’s director of technology. “It was smooth. It was fast. It interacted
with other traffic well. It did what it was supposed to do.”

As the second place finisher, Stanford received $1 million. Virginia Tech’s Victor Tango team finished third and received $500,000. The robots
entered by teams from the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell and MIT also finished the race, though Cornell and MIT both exceeded the six-hour time limit set by DARPA.

Tartan Racing includes Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff and students from the School of Computer Science’s Robotics Institute, as well as Carnegie Mellon’s College of Engineering. It received major support from General Motors, Caterpillar and Continental AG. Strengthening the team were engineers from GM, Caterpillar, Continental and Intel who were embedded with the team in Pittsburgh.

Boss was rigorously tested during its development, with two identical versions of the machine logging more than 2,000 autonomous miles, many on a brownfield site in Pittsburgh known as Robot City. One of the team’s advantages was a software system it developed called TROCS, which produced graphic animations of Boss’s sensor and data inputs during each run. Much as game day video allows the Pittsburgh Steelers to review and analyze their play, TROCS enabled Tartan Racing to understand what Boss saw as it drove and how and why it responded to its environment. DARPA Urban Challenge, TartanRacing.

Victorville, CA –Nov 03, ‘07 — Cars sprouting whirling lasers on top, moving cameras on the sides, and banks of computers inside sped through the streets of a California desert ghost town on Saturday in a robot race — no drivers needed.

Spectators gasped as cars with empty driver’s seats pulled out of the starting blocks, steering wheels turning on their own, and headed into the neighborhood streets of a deserted air force base.

Stanford University’s “Junior” was the first to pass the finish line, followed by cars outfitted by Carnegie Mellon University and Virginia Tech within the six-hour time limit.

The joint University of Pennsylvania-Lehigh University vehicle arrived close to the limit, while cars from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cornell University were the last of the 11 finalists to get through the course, both arriving about seven and a half hours after the start.

The winner of the $2 million prize, scheduled to be named on Sunday, will be determined based on safety as well as speed through the 60-mile (100-km) course.

“We could not be more pleased with our finish in this tough competition,” said Dr. Burkhard Huhnke, executive director, Electronics
Research Laboratory, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Junior performed exceptionally and has helped provide Volkswagen with valuable information as we continue to work on advancing passenger safety technologies and help to bring these technologies to future drivers.

“This research is an important step for Volkswagen Research towards the next generation of vehicle electronics, and vehicle safety features that will ultimately benefit our customers,” Huhnke continued.

“Junior” is one of only 11 vehicles that advanced to the final round of the DARPA Urban Challenge, an autonomous driving challenge where vehicles traverse an urban environment for 60 miles — merging with moving traffic, navigating traffic circles and busy intersections, avoiding obstacles and finding parking spots. Out of 167 teams who participated in the DARPA “Site Visit” in June and July 2007, 35 were chosen to advance to the National Qualifying Event, held October 26-31. More at PRNewsWire, DARPA Urban Challenge.

“Smart Cities” team at MIT Media Lab is developing this cool stackable electric car and concept scooter.

City Car:

The City Car is a stackable electric two-passenger city vehicle. The one-way sharable user model is designed to be used in dense urban areas. Vehicle Stacks will be placed throughout the city to create an urban transportation network that takes advantage of existing infrastructure such as subway and bus lines. By placing stacks in urban spaces and key points of convergence, the vehicle allows the citizens the flexibility to combine mass transit effectively with individualized mobility. The stack receives incoming vehicles and electrically charges them. Similar to luggage carts at the airport, users simply take the first fully charged vehicle at the front of the stack. The City car is NOT a replacement for personal vehicles, taxis, buses, or trucks; it is a NEW vehicle type that promotes a socially responsible and more effective means of urban mobility.

The City car utilizes fully integrated in-wheel electric motors and suspension systems called, “Wheel Robots.” The wheel robots eliminate the need traditional drive train configurations like engine blocks, gear boxes, and differentials because they are self-contained, digitally controlled, and reconfigurable. Additionally, the wheel robot provides all wheel power and steering capable of 360 degrees of movement, thus allowing for Omni-directional movement. The vehicle can maneuver in tight urban spaces and park by sideways translation. This technology is patented-pending and under design development at the MIT Media Lab.

Scooter with ITRI and Sanyang Motors:

The MIT Media Lab is co-developing with ITRI and SYM an innovative concept scooter. The vehicle design reflects innovations in new materials, ergonomics, emerging connectivity, mass customization, and social networks. The project embodies new aesthetics as a result of novel and re-organized functionality by achieving high levels of styling and product packaging.

Working with SYM and ITRI, MIT is also considering future product planning, branding strategies, and new ownership/business models. The final show-quality prototype will be formally presented at the Milan Motor show in November of 2007. More at MIT Media Lab here and here.

Santa Ana, CA–BUSINESS WIRE– V7, the exclusive house brand for Ingram Micro Inc, and the maker of world class IT and CE global solutions, today launched two advanced functionality Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs), redefining value and utility for GPS customers.

The NAV730 and NAV740 GPS PNDs are targeted at value-conscious GPS consumers and commercial fleets. Both are portable navigation devices featuring V7 Navigation Software with turn-by-turn, text-to-speech capabilities that allow users to see and hear where they are and how to get to their destination.

The NAV730 and NAV740 come with many features typically available only in higher-end priced models, including a 3.5-inch 320×240 TFT-LCD high resolution display (NAV730) or 4.3-inch 480×272 TFT-LCD high resolution display (NAV740). Both models are touch-screen enabled with an easy-to-use, intuitive graphical user interface and turn-by-turn voice instruction including text-to-speech. Featuring an attractive, lightweight and slim (only 19.8mm thin) design, the NAV730 and NAV740 can easily slip into your pocket, making them truly portable navigation devices.

The new V7 NAV730 and NAV740 feature 400MHz CPUs for faster map redraws and enhanced AV capabilities, SD card technology for expandable storage, preloaded maps, and a built-in high performance multimedia (audio and video) player that supports the most popular audio, video, and digital picture formats (MP3, WMA, OGG, MPEG4, AVI, WMV, GIF, JPG, TIFF). Easy-to-install mounting hardware and auto adapters are included as standard products. Both units carry a two-year warranty. Suggested retail price is $199 for the NAV730 and $299 for the NAV740. More at V7 – NAV740, NAV730.

Oct 31, ‘07 — Navigation device maker Garmin has made a $3.3bn offer for digital map provider Tele Atlas, trumping a bid from rival Tom Tom.

US-based Garmin is offering 24.50 euros for each Tele Atlas share, 15% higher than the 21.25 euros-per-share offer made by Tom Tom back in July. Analysts said they expected Tom Tom to return with a fresh counterbid.

Both Tom Tom and Tele Atlas are based in the Netherlands, and Tele Atlas is Tom Tom’s main map provider. Garmin’s move comes after Tele Atlas’ only global competitor, US-based Navteq, agreed earlier this month to be bought by Finnish firm Nokia for $8.1bn.

Petercam analyst Eric de Graaf said TomTom made a strategic error not to build a stake in Tele Atlas before, but could not afford to lose out now.

“The only logical conclusion can be that TomTom takes the next step and significantly raises its bid,” De Graaf said, adding TomTom should bid at least 27 euros per share, with a knock-out bid being closer to 30 euros. Both TomTom and Tele Atlas said they would study Garmin’s proposed offer and gave no further comment.

Garmin is planning to launch its offer by December 4, the scheduled expiry date for TomTom’s offer, and has secured financing commitments. The offer will be conditional on at least 66.67 percent of Tele Atlas shares being tendered.

When Nokia unveiled its offer for Navteq, analysts said the move was most problematic for Garmin, which is mainly supplied by Navteq, as it could fall behind because TomTom or Nokia would have first access to new technology and could integrate it more tightly.

Tokyo, Japan–October 29, ‘07–Audi has unveiled Sony Ericsson, UK made mobile phone with its new hybrid concept car “Metroproject Quattro” at 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007.

Tech-On! reports, “The terminal(mobile device) works as a verification system when starting the engine and supports mobile phone, car navigation system and video player capabilities. These capabilities can also be operated from outside the car. With a port located at the center console inside the car, the terminal can be fit in there.

The Audi mobile device can render images shot with the camera set inside the car, as well as letting users remotely set automobile air conditioner and music programs playback from outside the car. Communications between the car and the terminal uses wireless LAN (WLAN).

If the car is stolen, for example, and goes outside of the WLAN connection area, a 3G mobile phone access module equipped with the car will automatically turn on and inform the car’s present location to the terminal.” Cool. More at Tech-On!

Berlin, Germany – October 26, ‘07 — Seven police cars chased a go-cart at high speed for three miles through the winding streets of the western German town of Moenchengladbach but were not able to keep up with the teenage speedster.

“We were chasing him across town, but the squad cars couldn’t keep up because the go-cart was able to take the corners faster and he was able to get away,” police spokesman Willy Thevissen said on Friday.

Police later discovered the go-cart driver hiding in a garage. The 18-year-old driver admitted he had taken refuge there after seeing the garage door open while fleeing the police. ”He told us he knew driving a go-cart on the street is illegal,” the spokesman said. “But he had purchased the vehicle from a friend and said he had no other way of getting it home.”

Moenchengladbach is the home of two Formula One racers: Nick Heidfeld of BMW/Sauber and former driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen. GuardinUnlimited/Reuters

BROOKLYN, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 22, ‘07– adNav, a GPS marketing solutions company, announced today its upcoming launch of Boomerang, an ad supported mobile concierge system integrated with GPS navigation. The Boomerang system offers tools and applications such as restaurant and city guides, weather, currency exchange calculators and mobile internet access connected via cellular networks and WiFi to assist an every day traveler to enhance their navigation experience while away from home.

The product will be available at adNav partner hotels and car rental agencies as an added amenity for their customers and guests. Partners’ services will include concierge recommendations and constant connectivity to the concierge desk. Boomerang is currently scheduled to be available first by early November in San Francisco, with launches in Vancouver, Canada and NYC to follow before the end of the year.

Through the integration of an advertising interface, adNav will supply the Boomerang through their partners at a minimal fee to the end user eventually being free. In addition to full functioning voice guided GPS navigation, the Boomerang will include unlimited access to the web through WiFi and cellular networks. Users will have unlimited access to live flight information, weather, language translator, currency exchange calculator, tip calculator and, of course, games.

More at BusinessWire