Thursday, January 29, 2009 | Posted by ASIF at 1:45 PM 4 comments
Embedded Electronics Technology in Automobiles
As automobiles become increasingly user-independent and ‘intelligent,’ the demand for embedded electronic devices for use in cars is steadily increasing. This was indicated by increased demand for printed card buses (PCBs) that were destined for use as embedded devices in automobiles. PCB production rose in several parts of Europe, and experts in the industry are predicting moderate growth worldwide in the near future.
Embedded systems, because of their small size, low power consumption and rapid response rates have become valuable to the automotive industry as parts of safety components, sensors and on-board computers.
Virtual Mechanisms Powered by Embedded Systems
Car manufacturer, Porsche, in cooperation with dSPACE of Germany, has developed an electronics system that simulates the forces at work when one shifts gears. The shift force simulator simulates the normal operating conditions of a car from a driver’s perspective. Available inputs include the gear stick and pedals. Data from those input methods are then fed into a computer, which calculates the appropriate type and amount of feedback to the user.
Porsche’s shift force simulator aims to give developers better testing facilities before a prototype is designed and fabricated. The fabrication of a prototype was necessary in previous cases in order to fully test the effectiveness of a gear shift design. The model is equipped with a dSPACE- manufactured Controller board. The software systems are designed primarily by Porsche.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is Chevrolet’s sport coupe that returns to the lineup early in 2009 as a 2010 model after a seven year absence. Originally debuting as a 1967 model, the Camaro was Chevrolet’s entry into what would later be called the “pony car” segment and although the new Camaro is a modern design with modern technology, it boasts styling cues that connect it with well-known Camaro designs from the past. Although it has always been available with options to suit a wide range of sports-coupe buyers, performance has been what the name Camaro brings to mind for most people. The Camaro continues the muscle-car tradition as a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with available V8 power.
The all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro marks the return of the storied sport coupe offered in LS, LT and SS versions. The LS and LT are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 298 horsepower while the SS is powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 rated at 430 horsepower when equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. When the 6-speed automatic transmission is chosen, the SS is powered by 6.2-liter L99 V8, based on the LS3 but adding Active Fuel Management and producing 400 horsepower while delivering an estimated 23 mpg on the highway.
Posted by Sk Automobiles at 11:02 AM 0 comments
2008 Bangkok International Motor Show : Nissan Intima Concept
Submitted by peter on 8 April, 2008 - 10:13.
Car shows in Thailand are basically glorified showroom. Thankfully some of the car makers still get the idea, and offer at least one concept car. At the back of the Nissan display, on a raised revolving platform sat the Nissan Intima concept.
Some concepts give us some vague idea of what some future cars might look like, but this Intima concept looks like it was the concept that the current Nissan Teana was derived from, but more than likely it points to the next generation Teana, due out this year in Asia, with a Thai launch sometime in 2009.
The most outstanding thing about the concept is the doors, which look like the stops are broken allowing them to swing around to allow very easy access for passengers. The rear features suicide doors, that are very unlikely to find their way into production.
Also likely to be dropped is the system allowing the passenger seats to swing out of the car which would make climbing in and out of the car a thing of the past. Alas, these sort of things are just not practical to implement in a production model, although you do see this feature in some vans to provide access for the disabled.
Toyota aim to build Camry Hybrid in Thailand
Submitted by peter on 19 March, 2008 - 20:59.
According to reports coming out of Singapore, Yasuyuki Kawamoto, the chief engineer of the Thai assembled Corolla Altis, has said that Toyota would be assembling the Camry Hybrid in Thailand.
Currently only available in the US, the gas-electric Camry Hybrid would be good news for the Thai industry which is currently all about crude one-ton pick-up trucks. And although this will change next year with the arrival of the cheap (and hopefully cheery) eco-cars, but Hybrid technology would represent a "high-tech" step forward for the Thai motor industry.
Apparently we can expect Thai assembly of the Camry Hybrid within the life of the current model, which was launched two years ago. This would mean that the Camry Hybrid would run out in the next 3-4 years.
Toyota is still testing the Thai market for Hybrid technology and before we start getting excited and thinking of local production of the Prius, it is worth pointing out that the hybrid-drive system will come in from Japan. This means that the 105-kilowatt motor and battery pack, as well as the drive system and electronics for the hybrid system will come from Japan. Local assembly will reduce the required understanding of these systems to the black-box level.
The sight of a few more hybrid cars on the road will be a good thing though, and hopefully will boost awareness and thinking to shift in the direction of alternatives. I don't see "hybrid" as being the answer, but any options are worth exploring, and in the short-term, there aren't that may options. Expect to see the Hybrid Camry in Thailand in the next few years, with the 3rd generation Prius to follow? We'll see.
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