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21 Nov 22:07
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It's certainly good to see some other wheeled vehicles doing their part for the environment, even if it is an airplane -- especially if it's an airplane. Actually this news isn't about the plane itself, but a "pilot-controlled towing vehicle" for an airplane called a "TaxiBot."
Ricardo -- the same folks that make car components -- have engineered the TaxiBot to allow a plane to turn off its main engines when taxiing to the gate and around the concourse. The trick is an automated clamper placed within a standard tug; once the pilot guides the nosewheel into the clamp, the pilot steers, turns, and brakes the tug with the airplane controls. Instead of motive force coming from giant Pratt & Whitneys, the tug's two 500-hp V8s can pull planes up to 747s and A340s.
If adopted widely, the TaxiBot could save airports and airlines millions of dollars in gas and debris damage as well as sparing the world tons of CO2 emissions. You can get the details on the taxibot and its implementation in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Ricardo]
Filed under: Etc., Technology
Ricardo TaxiBot -- Click above for high-res image gallery
It's certainly good to see some other wheeled vehicles doing their part for the environment, even if it is an airplane -- especially if it's an airplane. Actually this news isn't about the plane itself, but a "pilot-controlled towing vehicle" for an airplane called a "TaxiBot."
Ricardo -- the same folks that make car components -- have engineered the TaxiBot to allow a plane to turn off its main engines when taxiing to the gate and around the concourse. The trick is an automated clamper placed within a standard tug; once the pilot guides the nosewheel into the clamp, the pilot steers, turns, and brakes the tug with the airplane controls. Instead of motive force coming from giant Pratt & Whitneys, the tug's two 500-hp V8s can pull planes up to 747s and A340s.
If adopted widely, the TaxiBot could save airports and airlines millions of dollars in gas and debris damage as well as sparing the world tons of CO2 emissions. You can get the details on the taxibot and its implementation in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Ricardo]
Continue reading Ricardo develops airplane taxi bot to reduce emissions, noise
Ricardo develops airplane taxi bot to reduce emissions, noise originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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21 Nov 20:27
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The 2010 Chevy Spark is still said to be an "on-and-off thing" when it comes to the U.S., although now we are in an "on" phase. That's according to GM's Jack Keaton, the man in South Korea overseeing GM's minicar development. The miniature runabout is expected to make do with a 66-hp, 1.0-liter four-cylinder or a 78-hp, 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine that will be good for 47 mpg. Keaton's team is also investigating peripheral connectivity and, as if that weren't enough, he says, "We can even package the Spark for Big Gulp cupholders."
The issue is getting it here and on sale at the right moment. While this is an "on" phase, there are still regulatory issues and the matter of whether U.S. buyers are ready to make a minicar profitable. It will take something compelling to get Americans back into the frugal mindedness of last year, and gas isn't nearly expensive enough for that yet. The Spark's appearance in Chevy's American lineup does look to be an eventuality, though, when Keaton says "We have to start thinking now about how to meet the standards... and people will be looking for minicars and small cars to lead the way."
Nevertheless, while the Spark looks to be coming to America, it probably won't be built in America -- at least not until GM sees that the market here will be large enough to support it. We're all right with that for now; just get it here and make sure it doesn't do anything to remind us of Skid from Transformers.
[Source: Ward's Auto]
Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet
The 2010 Chevy Spark is still said to be an "on-and-off thing" when it comes to the U.S., although now we are in an "on" phase. That's according to GM's Jack Keaton, the man in South Korea overseeing GM's minicar development. The miniature runabout is expected to make do with a 66-hp, 1.0-liter four-cylinder or a 78-hp, 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine that will be good for 47 mpg. Keaton's team is also investigating peripheral connectivity and, as if that weren't enough, he says, "We can even package the Spark for Big Gulp cupholders."
The issue is getting it here and on sale at the right moment. While this is an "on" phase, there are still regulatory issues and the matter of whether U.S. buyers are ready to make a minicar profitable. It will take something compelling to get Americans back into the frugal mindedness of last year, and gas isn't nearly expensive enough for that yet. The Spark's appearance in Chevy's American lineup does look to be an eventuality, though, when Keaton says "We have to start thinking now about how to meet the standards... and people will be looking for minicars and small cars to lead the way."
Nevertheless, while the Spark looks to be coming to America, it probably won't be built in America -- at least not until GM sees that the market here will be large enough to support it. We're all right with that for now; just get it here and make sure it doesn't do anything to remind us of Skid from Transformers.
[Source: Ward's Auto]
REPORT: Chevrolet Spark still under consideration for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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21 Nov 18:09
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Spike TV has opened up the voting for its Video Game Awards, and the finalists are down to four: DiRT 2, Need for Speed: Shift, Forza Motorsport 3, and Gran Turismo PSP. It's a bit of a motley list, but then again it's been a motley year for driving games, and we're still waiting for a vision of the unicorn otherwise known as Gran Turismo 5. If you want to vote, cast your ballot on Spike's site. If you need a refresher because you insist on being an informed voter, follow the jump and check out some gameplay.
[Source: Spike]
Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games
Spike's Video Game Award finalists -- Click above to watch trailers at Spike.com
Spike TV has opened up the voting for its Video Game Awards, and the finalists are down to four: DiRT 2, Need for Speed: Shift, Forza Motorsport 3, and Gran Turismo PSP. It's a bit of a motley list, but then again it's been a motley year for driving games, and we're still waiting for a vision of the unicorn otherwise known as Gran Turismo 5. If you want to vote, cast your ballot on Spike's site. If you need a refresher because you insist on being an informed voter, follow the jump and check out some gameplay.
[Source: Spike]
Continue reading Spike announces nominees for Best Driving Game of the Year
Spike announces nominees for Best Driving Game of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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This is a permanent link to this article. A great way to save it.
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