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Giving unique insight into Toyota's 2011 technical developments, this book includes 18 papers that chronicle the Japanese OEM's R&D activities in a variety of technologies during that year. This volume has a special focus on next-generation electric storage, and 10 of the papers highlight developments in such things as batteries, fuel cells and next-generation energy. Title highlights include: Next Generation Electric Storage and Its Applications • Secondary Battery Development for Hybrid Vehicles at Toyota • Development Trends and Popularization Trends for Fuel Cell Vehicles • Renewable Energy and Its Effective Usage Other Technical Areas • Drivetrain Development for the Lexus LFA • Development of Scratch-Resistant Universal Clear Coat • Development of Environmentally Friendly Machining Process for Aluminum Parts

Giving unique insight into Toyota's 2010 technical developments, this book includes 19 papers that chronicle the Japanese OEM's R&D activities in a variety of technologies during that year. This volume takes a special look at the Prius, Toyota's popular hybrid, along with other technical innovations. Title highlights include: Prius Technology • Hybrid Technologies in the 3rd Generation Prius • Chassis Development for the 3rd Generation Prius • Design of the Prius as an Eco-Icon Other Technical Areas • Introduction of the World's First Rear Seat Occupant Restraint System for Rear-End Collisions • Development of Fuel Consumption Estimation Technology Using VHDL-AMS • Development of Electrode Structure for High Performance Fuel Cell Using CAE

Millions of automobile accidents occur worldwide each year. Some of the most serious are rear-end crashes, side crashes within intersections, and crashes that occur when cars change lanes or drift into a lane. The holy grail of traffic safety is to avoid automobile accidents altogether. To that end, major automakers, governments, and universities are working on systems that allow vehicles to communicate with one another as well as the surrounding infrastructure (V2V/V2I for short). These systems show promise for such functions as intersection assist, left-turn assist, do-not-pass warning, advance warning of a vehicle braking ahead, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot/lane-change warning. This compendium explores the challenges in developing these systems and provides the latest developments in V2V/V2I technology. It begins with a series of overview news stories and articles from SAE’s magazines on the progress in this technology.

This combination of 27 papers covers a decade of technical information reviewing the wide-range of approaches to Variable Valve Actuation (VVA). Each approach has unique benefits and a range of applications. These papers present a balanced view of the progress and challenges associated with VVA technology. Fuel economy and reduced emissions continue to be large factors in engine technology. Therefore the continued development of VVA will become necessary on virtually all gasoline engines, and must be adopted on diesel engines. The benefits achieved with the applications of this technology include: fuel economy, reduced emissions, improved power, performance, reliability and durability.

This ground-breaking new report from ABOUT Automotive assesses to what extent the automotive industry has started to clean up its act, and reduce its environmental impact. The report tackles two clear problems; the damage we are causing to the planet (climate change), and the fact that we, as a society, are dependent on a finite resource (peak oil). The report also assesses the industry’s response to the answer to these two problems – a reduction in energy use and a switch to sustainable renewable energy sources. Central to this new research is the exclusive “Green ranking.” The 12 leading vehicle manufacturers are individually assessed, and ranked according to a variety of criteria – using examples of best practice as benchmarks. The vehicle manufacturers covered are: • BMW • Daimler • Fiat • Ford • GM • Honda • Hyundai • Nissan • PSA • Renault • Toyota • Volkswagen The activities, attitudes and strategies of the 12 vehicle manufacturers are also charted.

The efficiency of thermal systems (HVAC, engine cooling, transmission, and power steering) has improved greatly over the past few years. Operating these systems typically requires a significant amount of energy, however, which could adversely affect vehicle performance. To provide customers the level of comfort that they demand in an energy-efficient manner, innovative approaches must be developed.

Around the world, the major automakers are developing their strategies for conductive and wireless charging technologies, with concerted efforts to establish technical standards on wireless electric vehicle charging, mainly focused on the safety considerations and inter-operability. Wireless Charging Technology and the Future of Electric Transportation covers the current status of wireless power transfer (WPT) technology and its potential applications to the future road and rail transportation systems. Focusing on the applications of WPT technology to electric vehicle charging and the future green transportation field, Wireless Charging Technology and the Future of Electric Transportation was written collaboratively by nine experts in the field, led by Dr. In-Soo Suh, a professor and researcher from the Korean Advanced Institute of Technology (KAIST).