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Editorial Safety sells, they say. Should it sell driving automation? The Navigator Vehicle connectivity moves to the next generation Lockered and Loaded With its innovative Transporter, AV startup Udelv rethinks the entire concept of parcel delivery. Navigating Deep Learning to Improve ADAS How edge computing drives real-time decision making in AI for smarter, safer automated vehicles. Ensuring No Child Left Inside Up-armed with new key technologies, Gentex is making 'holistic' driver and cabin monitoring a core-brand hallmark. Precision Tech the 'Backbone' to CNH's Digital Strategy The ag and construction equipment OEM bolsters its tech stack to accelerate development of precision and autonomous solutions. AV Powers Bring May Flowers Michigan-based May Mobility survived rocky roads thanks to faith in its founders' vision and the company's autonomous tech. The Short-flight Alternative The Budget Airline Car is an EV alt-shuttle seating six adults, with luggage storage in each door.

Simulating lightweight vehicles operating on discrete terrain Researchers characterize the mobility of autonomous reconnaissance vehicles on terrain considered to be deformable, and represented as a collection of bodies of spherical shape.

Downsizing: the heat is off Ian Adcock discovers why a material developed in the nuclear industry could prove a real boon for OEMs as they look to downsize engines. Lightweight champions Could an alloy with the strength of steel, but as light as aluminium, prove to be a game changer for the automotive industry? Ian Adcock investigates. Road fatalities: eliminating the human factor In a new series on vehicle safety, Ian Adcock looks at the need for more driver intervention systems.

Electronics arms race hots up The automotive supply chain landscape is undergoing huge transformation. Dr. Elmar Dagenhart, chairman of the executive board, Continental AG, explains how his company plans to be right at the forefront Sizing up the down-sizing challenge With the impact of VW's 'Dieselgate' still being felt widely, the Aachen automobile and engine technology Colloquium was particularly pertinent this year. Ian Adcock reports on the most significant technologies and presentations. Double coupe coup! Automotive Design'sIan Adcock reflects on some of the concept cars from 2015 that caught his eye Fuelling a sustainable future What is the best route for the UK to achieve its targeted 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions?

Car of 2100 A.D. AEI gave readers a chance to speak out on what they thought people in 2100 would be driving. We have chosen the best submissions. Also, the AEI editors have included their best guess as to what cars will be in 2100. We realize that this is a guess but the real answer will not be known for 100 years. V8 power for BMW's M5 The new 294-kW (400-hp) S62 engine developed by BMW's M GmbH features Double VANOS variable intake and exhaust valve timing, electronic drive-by-wire, and oil circulation boosted as a function of lateral cornering force. Northstar revised for 2000 Improvements to the powerplant include a roller-follower valvetrain, improved combustion chamber, center-feed intake manifold, coil-on-plug cassette ignition system, and a Siemens powertrain controller. Aston Martin's first V12 Available in both the DB7 Vantage Coupe and Volante, the flexible all-alloy engine delivers 85% of its peak torque at just 1500 rpm.

Increasing the hydroforming knowledge base Tube hydroforming has become a viable economic alternative to various stamping and welding processes in automotive applications. Controlling two-stroke engine emissions With the constant rich operation of two-stroke engines, common design criteria for three-way catalysts fail. DaimlerChrysler technical symposium A year after the merger that created the new corporation, engineers from both groups came together to present a unified technical symposium to review the future direction of the new organization. Here are some highlights of the more significant technical developments. Vertical complex-shape headlamp reflectors Another improvement in lighting technology gives designers increased flexibility in vehicle appearance with no loss in lighting performance. Advances in static and dynamic exhaust system seating Major redesign, combined with minor improvements in simple details, returns significant benefits in sealing.

Controlling deceleration during a crash It may be possible to reduce occupant injury severity without increasing vehicle deformation by actively controlling the vehicle deceleration in a crash. Europe's speed, cost, quality conundrum In last month's issue, Automotive Engineering International reported how technology is helping some of the major North American suppliers cope with doing business in the digital age. This article, the second in a series, addresses the same subject with some of the major suppliers and OEMs in Europe. Digitally controlled servo-hydraulic crash simulator The automotive industry is moving to newer technologies for crash simulation to minimize time-to-market for new models, reduce costs, and meeting consumer demand for safer cars and trucks.

HID for both beams Automotive Lighting engineers have developed HID lighting for high-beam as well as low-beam functions. High-flux LED light sources Hella's advances in LED design provide new options for signal lights and styling variations for indirect lighting. Top 10 technologies for 2000 Readers have selected the most interesting technology stories appearing in Automotive Engineering International during the past year. The rankings are based on reader responses from feature articles and shorter technology items. Some of the stories appear here in shortened form. Synthetic diesel engine oil Researchers at ExxonMobil have developed an advanced lubricant for heavy-duty diesel engines. Disel Emission Control--Sulfur Effects The objective of this government-industry program is to determine the impact of fuel sulfur levels on emissions-control systems of diesel engines.

Solving the driver distraction problem Is voice-recognition technology the silver bullet? No, engineers agree, but it has its place. Succeeding in the alliance game It was General Motors' Arvin F. Mueller, Chairperson of the SAE 2001 World Congress, who came up with "Succeeding in the Alliance Game" as the theme for the March 5-8 automotive engineering event in Detroit. Ferrari 360 aerodynamic development The search for downforce without aerodyamic devices, such as wings or spoilers, led to novel solutions for the car's suspension. Renault's Euro 3 engine Flexible injection systems allowed Renault VI engineers to balance many conflicting priorities in developing Europe's first heavy-duty diesel engine with a fully electronic high-injection-pressure common-rail injection system. Meeting future emissions standards with diesel SUVs AVL List believes that diesel engines could be one way to improve the environmental acceptance of sport utility vehicles.

Toyota Prius: Best-Engineered Car of 2001 Following the Japanese introduction of the first-generation Pruis in 1997, the significantly re-engineered second-generation model features new technology to meet the demands of the Western market, including improved driving performance, lower emissions, and reduced costs. Introducing Niel Schilke, SAE President for 2001 General Motors' former top engineer in Canada brings a systems engineering mentality, along with high expectations, to the SAE presidency. Fuel cells start to look real It is looking more and more as if the fuel-cell-powered car--the long-awaited "clean personal transportation of the future"--is moving from laboratory vision to technical reality, if not yet market actuality. Fuel-cell testing Capabilities that deliver reliable monitoring and control, as well as offer the benefit of a flexible configuration, are critical to keep pace with evolving fuel-cell technology, according to National Instruments.

Global viewpoints: technology leads the way From fuel cells to flexible circuitry, advanced technologies are helping North American automakers and suppliers build vehicles that deliver increasingly high levels of safety, reliability, performance, and comfort/convenience. Sensor development for occupant rollover protection Delphi Automotive Systems pursues new devices for the pecularities of rollover conditions. Several steps toward recovery Making new vehicles out of old vehicles--as well as discarded carpeting--enables automakers to do the right thing for the environment, society, and their balance statements. Englightened interiors Product developers at Chicago Miniature Lamp discuss trends and advances in automotive interior lighting. Geneva Motor Show highlights Vehicles on display at the event, held in early March, ranged from the bizarre to the functional.

Ford's Focus on the fuel cell The company's Aachen research center for advanced powertrain and environmental technologies provided the backdrop for a first drive of its latest fuel-cell prototype. Global viewpoints: Europe embraces the AT-factor The central pillar on which the success of every international automotive company now rests is the AT-factor, which stands for advanced technology. Target-vehicle modeling in crash analysis Ford engineers have refined their computer crash models for simulating vehicle compatibility between light trucks and cars. Reticulated polyurethane foam The new generation of materials has added safety, performance, reliability, and value to a number of automotive applications. Sorting through new automotive technologies Developments in powertrain, interior, and chassis technolgoies are improving the performance of vehicles in all corners of the world, including Europe.

Driven to test As automotive manufacturers and suppliers continually attempt to cut costs and reduce development cycle times, outsourcing of testing is becoming more prevalent in the industry. Testing resources This section highlights some of the latest testing products, equipment, and technologies used in sundry automotive applications from the industry's suppliers. Transmission options In this comprehensive review of technology, ZF's Group Vice President for Product Development concludes that the future belongs to automated manual, continously variable, and six-speed automatic and manual transmissions with increased capacities. Automotive moodular developments Engineers from Plastic Omnium Auto Exterieur and Inoplastic Omnium discuss design considerations for front-end module and plastic tailgate concepts. Flexible controls architecture for hybrid-electric vehicles General Motors and Motorola collaborate on a prototype vehicle for PNGV.

Trends in advanced chassis control Motorola vehicle system developers examine the state-of-the-art microprocessor and other electronic technologies driving the development of advanced braking, steering, suspension control, and collision warning/avoidance systems. Wheel design and engineering Consumer demand is driving the automakers' move to large-diameter, shiny, alloy wheels. Telematics and the digital car As development of new telematics products and services gain speed, OEMS, suppliers, and other players in the automotive industry are using simulators as a tool to gain greater understanding of driver distraction. NisSun Rising Nissan is back, according to President and COO Carlo Hosn, thanks to a revised product development structure that makes better use of employees and technology. Back to the future for Ford manufacturing The Vice President of Vehicle Operations said the company's goal is raw materials to finished goods in one day.

Concepts from Tokyo The Japanese brands showed an impressive number of concept vehicles at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, from styling exercises in search of what will come next, to "reference models" that are very close to production. Formula One technology: 2001 Engineering highlights of the recently completed season were the return of traction control, the widespread use of launch control, and the move toward wide V-angle engines. Adaptive front lighting Though there have been several early attempts at giving lighting systems some mechanical "intelligence," Hella believes the time is drawing near for the burgeoning capability of processors and sensors to play a significant role in enhanced frontal illumination. Instrument-cluster design trends Optrex America engineers show how automotive interior designers can use light to their advantage in designing displays for dashboard clusters.

Spark-ignition engine trends In the face of growing competition from diesels and alternative power sources, some of the latest prototype and production gasoline-fueled engines show how continued engineering development is meeting demands for more power, reduced fuel consumption and emissions, and more efficient packaging. Expanding supplier capabilities through consolidation The pace of consolidation in the automotive industry has slowed somewhat, but its importance has not diminished. Raymond A. Morris named SAE Executive Vice President THe 27-year SAE veteran promises to focus on the needs of the customer and to become better acquainted with the Detroit automotive industry.

NAIAS production vehicles Editors review the engineering highlights of the show's production-vehicle introductions. BMW 7 Series: AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2002 With help from its suppliers, BMW has produced a vehicle that blazes the engineering trail with innovations that will influence passenger vehicles for years to come. Developments in fuel cells Automotive engineers are concentrating on providing quick startup, cost reduction, mass manufacturability, and crash safety. AEI Tech 2002 Awards Automotive Engineering International editors highlight the top products and technologies that were displayed at the SAE 2002 World Congress. Introducing S.M. Shahed, SAE President for 2002 From humble beginnings, S.M. Shahed carves out a seat at the society's top spot. Urea selective catalytic reduction Testing by Ford researchers of a small-diesel emissions-control system proved successful in meeting ULEV emissions standards.

Business via the Internet E-business may not be the cure-all as originally perceived a few years ago, but it does have its place in helping automotive OEMs and suppliers achieve their supply chain goals. Collaborating via the Web The next stage of product development and engineering support software looks to enhance engineers' ability to collaborate with each other via the Internet. Power by Honda A new strategy--headlined by the Civic's hybrid twin-plug IC engine/electric powertrain--propels the company's "global dreams." End of the line for belching buses? In an effort to reduce the negative impact buses have on urban air quality, many transit agencies already have begun switching their fleets from diesel fuel to natural gas. Now, some are turning to diesel hybrid technology.

Bouncing back The economic slowdown of the past year or so tooks its toll on the U.S. automotive industry, with U.S. OEMs suffering the brunt of lost sales. This four-section article explores some of the issues shaping the U.S. auto industry and some of the technologies U.S. OEMs and suppliers are using to combat their emboldened overseas competitors. Powering the future It's anyone's guess as to what type of power source will ultimately drive the majority of future vehicles in North America, but one thing is certain: advancements in various powertrain technologies from industry players are ready to make today's and tomorrow's cars more environmentally--and customer--friendly. Inside North American vehicles Vehicle interiors are incorporating more and more electronics, telematics, and other advanced technologies, challenging engineers and desginers to make them simple, safe, comfortable, and appealing.

Engines for growth Is this the beginning of the end for IC engines? A view from the inside The selection of materials is one of many choices vehicle interior designers face when addressing issues such as ergonomics, aesthetics, comfort, and safety. Electronics and materials for chassis and body The advent of electronics to enhance ride, handling, and braking, and the application of computer-aided design and engineering to create ever stiffer structures, have together transformed both chassis and body technology. Creating reality together In the creation of concept cars, as in the creation of production vehicles, GM designers and engineers work together. E-safety spotlight This Focus on Electronics section highlights some of the latest applications of electronics and communications technology to improve automobile safety. Technology and the Indy Racing League Rule changes and new participants next season mean the series is going to get much more technically interesting.