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Walking the torque A system that fills in the torque gap of a turbocharged diesel engine, allowing a smaller power unit to punch well above its size, without the dreaded 'lag'-that has to be a winner, surely. So a decade later, why has it yet to come to market? Ian Adcock ponders the reasons Tipping the scales The original Range Rover revolutionised the automotive industry when it was launched. Some 42 years later, the latest version looks very much set to do the same as Ian Adcock reports Can computers take control safely? In the name of improved safety, some favour a future where automation takes charge of a fast-moving vehicle. The more cautious support advanced systems that simply warn drivers of potential problems. Who will win out? Chris Edwards reports

The buzz about electric aircraft Emissions limits force the aviation industry to study hybrid and battery-electric propulsion systems. Car-to-X marks the secure beamforming spot Intelligent networking of cars and infrastructure promises a future of enhanced active safety and traffic efficiency, though as an open and decentralized system, car-to-X is exposed to various attacks against security and driver's privacy. Talking big A look at factors that should be considered by OEMs when implementing a telematics solution in the heavy-duty on- and off-highway mobile equipment markets.

On the cusp of connected cars An auto consortium is set to put the wireless V2X safety network to the test with 120 cars in the Frankfurt region. Thinking long and hard about heavy-duty telematics A study of the factors that should be considered by a vehicle OEM when implementing a telematics solution in heavy on- and off-highway mobile equipment markets.

Diesel gets a promotion at SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge The main rules change for the 2015 season is creation of a new engine category (diesel), the event's organizer notes in providing an overview of the SAE Collegiate Design Series competition. Wisconsin-Stout puts faith in gearbox redesign for Baja Blue Devil Racing Team believes packaging and durability advantages more than offset weight and low-end-torque penalties. Test cell at Kansas University does double duty Single-cylinder engine test cell designed for research into biodiesel also serves as an instruction tool for students. University of Michigan students have hand in Volt battery reliability Technology co-developed by U of M monitors the quality of welds used in the joining of Chevy Volt battery cells.

Evaluation of heavy-vehicle aerodynamic drag In an attempt to achieve a balance between Reynolds number, model scale, and tunnel blockage issues, a 1:3 scale heavy-vehicle testing program has been initiated at the Monash University 1.4-MW wind tunnel. Validating performance suspension parts advances A forum at the 2013 SEMA Show discussed three approaches to ensure performance parts compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 126. Panelists also explained how simulation data, and kinematics and compliance measurements, can improve performance parts design. Active safety starts in the pilot's seat Dassault Aviation's next-generation integrated digital avionics systems contribute to enhanced air safety in civil applications. Chevrolet ups the performance ante with MY2015 Corvette Z06 Stiffer-bodied sports car gains wind-aided performance with supercharging and downforce for faster lap times.

Originality revs up Formula SAE Michigan teams More than 100 Formula SAE teams vied for top honors at the annual Michigan competition that spotlights one-of-a-kind open-wheel racecars designed and built by student engineers. American manufacturing in the hands of UNF students University of North Florida students design and build Formula vehicles for nationwide competition focused on challenging the minds of future engineers. Solar EV thunder down under Michigan is aiming for its first victory in next month's 2013 World Solar Challenge with a new asymmetrical racecar that is ready for 1860 mi (2990 km) in the Australian sun. Solar Impulse Team's next challenge: to circle the globe The next world-girdling version of the fuel-less flier will rely on featherweight polymers and composites.

Road to lab to math Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students designed a biodiesel-fueled power-split extended range electric vehicle for the latest ecocar challenge. Deep (Orange) Dive Cu-icar teams with industry to complete a student-engineered and -designed extended- range EV. Trends impacting military and defense engineering Industry leaders discussed a number of pressing issues- ranging from the need for more young engineers to significantly compressed design cycles- at the recent SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineeering Congress. Shifting gears smoothly Kleine, a 30-year veteran of Cummins Inc. and former SAE Commercial Vehicle VP, seeks continuity over change as he moves into SAE's driver's seat.

Teaming to win Oregon State University and Duale Hochschule Baden-Wurttemberg-Ravensburg announce global formula racing collaboration. Exploring Michigan's solar continuum A look back at the winning car's solar energy management strategy reveals the crucial role of software tools in the success. Engineering is art At Audi, design and engineering work together to create vehicles that meld aesthetics with physical necessity.

Getting an engineering foundation through Formula SAE Having an underclassman with no leadership experience as team captain proved to be no hindrance to the University of Texas-Arlington Formula SAE team. Experience and innovation walk hand in hand Team from Pontifical Catholic University carries success in native Brazil to U.S. in SAE Aero Design competition. 'Complete, finish, win' University of Stuttgart team rides that motto to victories and podium finishes by the dozen.

Advancing toward driverless cars Autonomous-driving technology is set to revolutionize the auto industry. But getting to a true "driverless" future will be an iterative process based on merging numerous individual innovations. Overcoming the challenges of HCCI combustion Homogenous-charge compression ignition (HCCI) holds considerable promise to unlock new IC-engine efficiencies. But HCCI's advantages bring engineering obstacles, particularly emissions control. Simulation for tractor cabin vibroacoustic optimization Method of identifying and stopping an electronically controlled diesel engine in runaway mode Electrification not a one-size-fits-all solution Efforts in the off-highway industry have been under way for decades, but electrification technology still faces implementation challenges. 700 miles, hands-free! GM's Super Cruise turns Cadillac drivers into passengers in a well-engineered first step toward greater vehicle autonomy.

Alternative fuels and challenges Automotive powertrain development: virtually-connected hardware co-simulation Functional Safety-progressing towards safer mobility Electric rockets and the future of satellite propulsion Achates powers toward production A potential ICE game-changer, the Achates OP engine is being tooled up for production at one OEM while a new 2.7-L triple for light-truck demonstrations enters the build phase. Engineering with simulation and data Companies are discovering new simulation techniques, especially optimization; the next step is to combine simulation with sensor data and predictive analytics to create even more robust off-highway equipment.

Base-engine value engineering for higher fuel efficiency and enhanced performance Continuous improvement in existing engines can be efficiently achieved with a value engineering approach. The integration of product development with value engineering ensures the achievement of specified targets in a systematic manner and within a defined timeframe. Integrated system engineering for valvetrain design and development of a high-speed diesel engine The lead time for engine development has reduced significantly with the advent of advanced simulation techniques. Cars poised to become 'a thing' Making automobiles part of the Internet of Things brings both risks and rewards. Agility training for cars Chassis component suppliers refine vehicle dynamics at the high end and entry level with four-wheel steering and adaptive damping.

Rockets re-engineered-a step further into the cosmos Powertrain design for reliability Ice breaker Mazda's Skyactiv-X beats the big companies to market with a promising new engine that marries Otto and Diesel attributes. Advances for off-highway engine design As manufacturers continue to drive out cost and meet a worldwide patchwork of regulatory frameworks, the tools for developing those engines are advancing. From showcase prototypes to advanced analytical techniques, suppliers are helping the cause. Aeroacoustic simulation delivers breakthroughs in aircraft noise reduction Autonomy testing: Simulation to the rescue Autonomous technology development injects new rigors on vehicle-development testing.

Out of thin air Thomas Korn, Alset Global's VP of product development and technology, talks to Ian Adcock on the company's pioneering hydrogen dual fuel system Quest for the missing link Modelling tyre behaviour and how that influences vehicle dynamics is a key factor in developing ride and handling, as Ian Adcock discovers Emissions mission: 2020 vision Variable valve timing for petrol engines is everywhere to be seen. So are we ready to go beyond that yet? Tony Lewin finds out

Editorial As Argo taps out, the AV industry resets The Navigator 2022 a mixed bag for the AV sector Volvo's New Sensor Sweet A Luminar Iris lidar in the 2024 EX90 is engineered to enhance both automated driving and safety. Inner Visions Automated-driving and ADAS functionalities continue to influence some of the latest cabin safety and materials trends. The Olfactory Factor in AV Interiors Aryballe Technology's unique sensors-on-a-chip solution aims to end the subjectivity of the human nose while neutralizing vehicle cabin odors. AV Life After Argo AI Every new industry sector goes through a consolidation process where the strongest survive, and so it is with automated and autonomous driving technologies. Robotic ADAS Testing Bridges the Sim Gap ASI's Swarming technology allows collision-avoidance and other tests at high speeds on vehicles that human drivers find hard to match. New Tools & Technologies

Editorial Threats to automation's reputation The Navigator Increasing EV range through increased compute efficiency The Road to Zero Prototypes ADAS and HMI development are important applications for new simulation solutions. Lidar vs. Everybody in the Onboard Sensor Race Future vehicle systems will feature a reduced sensor array, but still will need a technology combination for safe performance. Toyota's Advanced R&D Puts Humans First Creating technologies that amplify human experience and endeavor to help solve society's biggest challenges is the mission of the Toyota Research Institute. Tesla's FSD Recall Impacts AV Industry The automaker's recall of its Full Self Driving Beta leaves a significant dent in automated driving's credibility. Mercedes Mimics Microsoft Mercedes-Benz developed an in-house operating system to join an all-new vehicle platform architecture to enhance automated driving, OTA updates and other features. New Tools & Technologies

Editorial Fool Self-Driving II The Navigator What will result from NHTSA's Tesla Autopilot investigation? Data Drives Driverless Truck Launch Smart diagnostics and advanced validation help support the reliability metrics required to gain confidence that autonomous trucks are ready for the road. Peering into the Distance New sensors of all types look out longer distances - and provide higher resolutions - for engineers pushing ADAS capabilities and higher-level vehicle automation. Ford Drives into SAE Level 2 Driver monitoring was an essential component to engineering the new "hands-free" BlueCruise/Active Glide enhanced ADAS system. A Chore No More? The Detroit Smart Parking Lab opens to develop and test emerging parking technology in real-world settings. Share and Share Alike The concepts of rideshare and urban mobility continue to evolve as new projects test what's possible.

Editorial When ODDs and business cases collide The Navigator Volvo leads the shift to 'driver understanding.' Going the Last Mile Magna's full-vehicle expertise, systems savvy and startup mindset are opening new mobility markets - with extra pepperoni. Steering Toward Full Vehicle Autonomy Radar scene emulation helps bridge the gap between simulation and real-world testing of autonomous systems for SAE Level 4 capability. Hopeful but Closer Scrutiny for SAE Level 4 Automation The Autonomous initiative's flagship conference pinpoints safety and collaboration to advance high-level vehicle automation. Accessibility: The Future of Mobility Innovation allowing us to use our time more flexibly and efficiently has become more important than finding ways to speed up travel. The implications for automakers are profound. New Tools & Technologies

Editorial Bill Visnic: Expect the unexpected The Navigator Sam Abuelsamid: Separating illusion from magic in AV deployment The Road to Automobility The era of electrified, self-driving vehicles is upon us. Engineers are key to the transformation - with much hard work still to be done. Far and Away: Remote Drivers Monitor Autonomous Vehicles Remote operators are helping autonomous shuttles and other AVs navigate through complex situations. Mapping Canada - Centimeter by Centimeter A Montreal-based company leverages artificial intelligence to take on the task of developing high-definition maps of Canada. You've Lost That Queasy Feeling… Transcontinental research aims to understand the complex nature of motion sickness to help improve the automated-vehicle experience. 3D Sonar Sees Objects Overlooked by Costlier Sensors A dream of robotic fish inspires inexpensive automated-driving sensing technology that works for the critical areas close to the vehicle.

Editorial Making Safety Standard The Navigator Sensor Monoculture is a Terrible Idea 3D-printed Radar Rises Toward Production Lunewave's unique Luneburg-lens technology aims to simplify vehicle radar arrays - and deliver better ADAS and AV performance. Accelerating Automotive Radar NXP's new, fifth-generation chipsets unleash 16-nm FinFet technology to the ADAS and AV markets. Autonomy's Computing Backbone Cloud-computing networks are speeding AV development and preparing to manage tomorrow's data-reliant AV fleets. Get in Line Evolving truck-platooning techniques are paving unique paths to high-level commercial vehicle autonomy. Ford in 'No-hands' Land BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist is available later this year for the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 pickup. ADAS-equipped Trucks Save Bucks Bosch research finds one specific driver-assistance feature may reduce costs associated with property damage by up to 35% for Class 7 and 8 trucks.