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Editorial Trust, testing and transition SAE Standards News SAE updates J3016 automated-driving graphic View from a Visionary Chris Urmson helped give birth to vehicle autonomy. His company, Aurora, is leading the technology to maturity and widespread adoption. Extending EV Range Using AV Programming Intelligent programming of autonomous electric vehicles offers potentially big energy savings, according to a study by IAV. Intel Study: Autonomous Vehicles Expected to be Common-in 50 Years New U.S. consumer survey sees most Americans "expect" AVs, though many currently fear the technology. Europe's Latest AV Testing Facilities Key for Swift Autonomous Adoption The need for data sharing and commonality in burgeoning AV technologies is bringing new meaning to the words 'proving grounds.' End Public 'Shadow' Driving! The best way to test and train AI for autonomous vehicles is through proper simulation, systems engineering, and an end-state scenario matrix.

Editorial The consolidation plot thickens The Navigator As the world turns to C-V2X, Europe picks WiFi Complexity of Autonomous-Systems Simulation, Validation Soars to the Clouds Scalable, cloud-based architectures are gaining greater acceptance for simulating and testing the myriad development aspects of automated driving. Connectivity Solutions for AVs The promises of fully connected autonomous vehicles are great, but so are the challenges. What M&E Can Teach the AV Industry About Data Media & entertainment offers important learnings on data retention, management, scalability and security. The Rodney Dangerfield of Automated-Driving Sensors Radar and lidar get all the attention, but Inertial Measurement Units are the backbone of sensor fusion. Suppliers are scrambling to make IMUs more accurate-and much less expensive. The Sense-itive Side of Autonomous Vehicles BASF is exploring how specific materials-and even paint colors and finishes-can improve the capabilities of AV sensors.

Editorial Autonomous 'Uncola' bubbles up The Navigator Cruise Origin points the way for AV architecture The Mind of Argo AI Co-founder and CEO Bryan Salesky brings a realistic approach to the self-driving technology "mission." Metamoto Goes Deep on AV Simulation Simulation based on the actual physics of vehicles and sensors continues expanding to replace millions of miles of potentially dangerous real-world testing. ZF Establishes Level 2+ ADAS Cost-effective technology solutions to meet diverse customer needs are what the "new pragmatism" in driver-assistance tech is all about. Senior VP Aine Denari explains. Lidar in a Flash Continental delivers a short-range 3D flash lidar sensor that's expected to find increasing application in commercial vehicles and off-highway ma-chines in 2020. Sensor Heat Relief Canatu's carbon nanobots keep critical sensor surfaces - and LED head-lamps - clear in sub-freezing weather.

Getting the aero advantage Team Rahal has come up with several innovative ways of integrating and implementing Fluent Inc.'s computational fluid dynamics softwarae into its engineering process. Jordan Grand Prix benefits from 3-D design This motorsports team's transition from 2-D design to 3-D digital modeling using SDRC's I-DEAS software has resulted in shorter lead times and improved part fit. The 2002 Explorer/Mountaineer Ford engineers further improve ride, handling, and safety while increasing the vehicles' power. Cadillac's re-engineered Escalade The 2002 model has a host of new, advanced features including "Northstar-inspired" powertrains, StabiliTrak stability control, and a Road Sensing Suspension system. Explorer Sport Trac breaks new ground Ford says its 2001 Explorer Sport Trac, based on the 2001 Explorer four-door, was engineered for improved ride and handling, and is the first traditional SUV with an open cargo area.

Avoiding crashes through engineering Sensor fusion and FlexRay adoption pose big challenges for active-safety systems developers. Sounds of silence NVH analysis comes into the spotlight as traditional targets are addressed and new trouble spots are uncovered. Fuel cells power up As the alternative-propulsion technology moves from lab to limited production, car makers are looking for new design solutions and materials to reduce costs.

Cars become more understanding Software and hardware advances are enabling voice-recognition technologies to rise to industry challenges. Wanted: Broader knowledge, new skills Continuous learning is a must for engineers to meet greater technology and productivity challenges -- and boost their own marketability. Seeing green Environmental and cost benefits are driving the auto industry to adopt materials derived from renewable sources such as soybeans and corn. Searching for fossil-fuel alternatives Future engine and drivetrain programs at Volkswagen are focused on alternative fuels and radical changes to engine combustion, but the battery may yet provide the light at the end of the technology tunnel. Emissions rules keep labs humming As long as there are regulations, engineers and technicians will be busy running tests in laboratories.

Gearing EVs for greater efficiency Ingear, an innovative 2-speed transmission born in Canada, aims to unlock electric-vehicle performance and efficiency. Built-in Google vehicle apps arrive Android Automotive OS opens the door, cautiously, for third-party developers. Riding on air: Activated carbon aims at autos An old piece of science is set to bring new applications across the mobility spectrum. Allison builds a testing powerhouse Allison Transmission's new Vehicle Environmental Test center in Indianapolis is open for business for external and in-house customers alike. The VET has everything vehicle development teams need to improve testing efficiencies. Editorial The EVs are coming. Now what?

Honda airs it out Honda's aerodynamic and NVH development gets a breath of fresh air from its first full-scale wind tunnel in North America. Two-wheeled tech: The latest in motorcycle applications Drawing heavily from automotive advances, the latest in connectivity, safety and convenience are infiltrating the moto world. Nobium: magic metal for battery anodes? Increased cell capacity and rapid recharging in thermal extremes are potential benefits of electrode chemistries fortified by the humble element Nb. Editorial Reconsidering hybrids Supplier Eye Preparing for a lumpy EV transition SAE WCX 2022: ICE won't melt amid shift to EVs ICE life-extension: searching for more solutions Stellantis' Hurricane is coming Bringing back the hot hatch: 2023 Toyota GR Corolla 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee plugs in Q&A Eunjoo Hopkins, vehicle synthesis manager for the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, talks about meeting vehicle-integration "science goals" for the hybridized 2022 Grand Cherokee.

Light and mighty Finding innovative ways to reduce vehicle weight while maintaining vehicle safety will be key to achieving the 2025 fuel-economy target. Controllers bulk up to manage engine's intricacies Chips hold more memory and boost throughput to help improve fuel efficiency. Electric Renault also focused on internal combustion Already becoming known in Europe as the 'electric company,' Renault, together with Alliance partner Nissan, is determined to pursue EV solutions but in parallel with intensive ICE programs, says Philippe Klein, Renault's Vice President, Corporate Planning, Product Planning, and Programs. Volvo plugs into high technology The company may be on a high-technology roll with its new plug-in diesel hybrid and its shift to a maximum four-cylinder philosophy-with three-cylinder units likely, according to Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President of Research & Development.

The need for speeds The recent automatic-transmission introductions by Toyota, DaimlerChrysler, and ZF highlight the trend toward greater gear-ratio spreads for better launch performance and cruising efficiency. Mechanical advantage Ride and handling can be influenced and controlled by the latest electronics, but careful mechanical design of the suspension can deliver significant benefits. Hard drives Driven by the insatiable demand for more usable navigation information and entertainment content, automotive disk drives will become commonplace, but not until cost and other issues are overcome, experts predict. Trucks get aerodynamic touch Light truck and SUV designers must reconcile conservative customer tastes with the need for reduced drag to bost efficiency. Pedestrian protection possibilities Carmakers consider a variety of solutions to the problem of saving lives outside the vehicle.

Spec Formula One The series is moving forward with new rules to reduce cost and make racing more directly relevant to road-car development. Adding foresight Radar and cameras will work together to help drivers avoid accidents. Lexus LS 460:AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2007 The fourth generation of Lexus' global flagship sets new standards in engineering, technical innovation, refinement, and workmanship. Hot off the grid New interest in plug-in hybrids has sparked intense R&D in battery chemistries and systems integration. Digital developments Ever-improving computer-based tools are helping engineers complete more complex designs in shorter time frames with downsized staffs. Illuminating technology Sensor-linked lighting systems, automatic high-beam control, LED headlights, and brand-identifying cabin lighting are enhancing safety, convenience, and the feel-good factor.

The chain in China North American suppliers must confront some challenging supply-chain issues as they take aim at what could potentially become the world's largest automotive market. Visteon researches composite truck chassis The company used computer analysis extensively in a research project aimed at reducing the mass and complexity of a chassis structure while increasing strength and stiffness. Simulation goes beyond engineering Computational fluid dynamics simulation and visualization software vendors are introducing products to extend the value of CFD throughout the product life cycle, according to Acuitiv Software. Ford still riding Six Sigma quality horse Ford is combining Six Sigma with kaizen events at its plants around the globe to coax new ideas from its hourly workers in hopes of closing the gap with perennial vehicle-quality leader Toyota.

Editorial Tragedy to Transform AV Testing? Detecting Pedestrians Safety of vulnerable road users is driving new technologies as pedestrian deaths rise worldwide. When Autonomy Underperforms: the Evolving Liability Model As autonomy-related accidents expand, expect legal liability to shift to products rather than people. Seeing Through Fog Fog, rain and snow are big challenges for optical sensors, particularly active systems. Engineers need to understand the impact of fog conditions on cameras and thermal sensors used in AVs. Rethinking Architectures: From Chips to the Cloud New concepts and strategies for controls architectures are emerging as AV boundaries expand and options skyrocket. Cabin Fever As humans do less actual driving, autonomous vehicle interiors will transform radically to provide more creature comforts. Threat Vector: Car Washes! For vehicles with automated-driving sensors, the “cleansing” experience can go too far.

Editorial Safety, standards crucial to AVs' advance The Navigator Imaging radar is the next big thing Cabins Reimagined Automated driving technologies, electrification, and shifting customer priorities are inspiring the transformation of vehicle cockpit design and materials. Prepping Cities for Vehicle Autonomy Deployment of new V2I technology and upgrades to existing roadway infrastructure can assist AVs and improve safety for all road users. Keeping Pace with In-Vehicle Data Speed Higher speed and bandwidth for in-vehicle networks, switches, and connections that carry data demand new development and testing solutions. Experts from Keysight Technologies explain. Honda Puts AVs to Work With the second generation of its Autonomous Work Vehicle, Honda advances the concept of automated vehicles as jobsite helpers.

Oak Ridge answers A/C-on fuel use questions The lab runs fuel-economy tests with A/C on maximum vs. A/C 'comfort level,' A/C-off and with windows open and closed. Some results are surprising, including an unexpected 'crossover' point in testing on a Toyota Corolla.

I was promised flying cars Though flying cars seem unlikely to become reality anytime soon, driverless vehicle technology is improving more quickly than you might expect. Quantum leaps toward world solar car title Armed with a dramatically lighter and aerodynamically cleaner racecar, the University of Michigan team likes its chances down under in the 2011 World Solar Challenge. Designing an aerodynamic undertray for a Formula style racecar Using CFD analysis, a master's student discovers an effective design for the undertray of a Formula SAE racecar. Hypersonic possibilities When it comes to reviving high-speed air travel, it all comes down to propulsion, propulsion, propulsion.

Formula SAE-a winners again Monash University took the top spot in the 2010 Formula SAE-Australasia student competition for the second year in a row. Dual-fuel lab engines achieve high efficiencies, low emissions Experiments conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as at Oak Ridge National laboratory demonstrate that partial blending of two fuels in the cylinder can promote a more ideal combustion process. Detroit motor show Small and efficient cars stole the show at the recent North American International auto show. nextgen today and tomorrow The FAA has reached a major milestone on the next generation air transportation system initiative to modernize America's national airspace system.

Why Volt? After 48 months' development, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt has enetered series production. The pioneering "E-REV" is as important to the mobility industry as it is to GM. Creating the heart of Volt GM's battery requirements meant creating new state-of-the-art in-vehicle engery storage - and doing it in less than four years. Top GM and supplier engineers reveal how they did it. Engineering with maniacal focus A dedicated, cohesive team and a conservative engineering approach put this innovative vehicle into production at moon-shot speed. A unique electrified transaxle Hybrid or not? Definitions aside, what really matters is GM wisely leveraged its next-generation Two Mode propulsion technology to give Volt greater overall efficiency. Sweating the body details Extensive wind-tunnel work gave Volt a shape that's slicker than it looks. But engineers aren't happy with the curb weight.

High-speed education @ formula hybrid event Annual competition provides a hands-on learning experience for undergraduate and graduate engineering students. Body-shaped for supermileage Six different single-occupant vehicles designed and built by teams of collegiate engineering students snared four-digit fuel economy at Eaton Corp.'s Marshall, MI, test track during the 31st annual SAE Supermileage competition in June. Mercedes-AMG goes with the current flow Opening the doors on new technology. First flight approaches for 'disruptive' new UAV engine An earlier iteration of UAS' Nightwind 2 in flight, powered by an off-the-shelf industrial engine. Three resume tips for college grads Employers often hire recent graduates to mold new hires to their own corporate culture and work philosophy, leading some employers to look more for potential than for specific experience.

No hands, lots of brains A hefty amount of computing power built with new hardware and software architectures will be needed when vehicles begin taking over more of the driving tasks. Aerodynamics and flow simulations come of age With the advent of faster computers, engineers are using CFD software as a practical tool, shaping designs early in the product development cycle. The challenges today are in how best to use it and by whom. New rules shuffle the F1 deck New turbocharged hybrid-electric power units and revised aerodynamics may scramble the familiar order in Formula One for 2014. Stars of the show floor The editors of Automotive Engineering annually select from among SAE World Congress exhibitors the technologies that meet their criteria for a coveted Tech Award. Judging is based on level of design and engineering innovation, uniqueness, potential for 'real world' production application, and potential benefit for industry customers and end users.