Audi R8 GT Spyder Supercar Officially Announced

Audi has finally lifted the wraps off its much awaited R8 GT Spyder, the new V10 powered convertible that promises to deliver breathtaking performance. Crafted out of lightweight materials, the German automaker has made this convertible pull down as much 85kgs. The use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic is largely responsible for this feat. This one differs from the dual-lip front spoiler owing to presence of carbon fiber winglets on the front bumper, round tailpipes, a larger rear diffuser and dark LED taillights. This one is top-of-the-line model in the R8 family and its performance is indeed formidable. The 5.2-liter V10 with an aluminum...

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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster unveiled

Mercedes-Benz has finally unveiled the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster, a car much speculated, rumored and gossiped about. Unlike its predecessor, the 2012 version of the supercar has kept away from those seagull-wing-like doors, instead opting for the usual way of getting in and out of a car. Also, this one has lost out on a roof, allowing the wind to blow into your hair instead. Taking just 11 seconds to pull the roof back on at speeds of 31mph and below, the car boasts a top speed of 197mph and sports an electronically-controlled Adaptive AMG Sport Suspension, AMG Performance Media system and an AMG Drive Unit too. After having watched picture-leaks...

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Voice alert in Toyota cars will warn drivers when travelling against the traffic

Toyota will fit its onboard navigation systems with a new function to give on-screen and voice alerts to drivers traveling against the flow of traffic as dealer-installed options from June 1. The voice alert will tell drivers, “You may be traveling against the flow of traffic. Please check your direction of travel”, while the on-screen instruction will tell them, Warning! Wrong Way! The function was made possible by advances in communications-based map-updating technology and in pinpoint position-recognition technology that uses information from global positioning system and gyro and other sensors to determine accurate vehicle movement. The...

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NTT Docomo Updates its Bike Sharing Service in Japan

It was sometime in earlier January this year when NTT Docomo had announced that it will soon start a Bike Sharing Trial service in Yokohoma through which users will be able to use their smartphone to trace the nearest location facility, book bikes and pay up instantly. The Japanese telecom company has now updated this Interstreet service with a number of different payment options and more bikes with GPS capabilities. When you want to rent a bike , you’ll have to simply touch the Osaifu Keitai (contactless payment system) enabled mobiles to the sensor pad on the machines and register their phone number and mail address on the touchscreen display....

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Be Game for Formula 1 of Electric Cars, EV Race Series Cup Debuts in US

It is quite often that we stumble onto great conceptual design of electric cars and bikes but unfortunately ease of use and commercial viability often jeopardizes their future. But it still doesn’t undermine the effort of our eco-enthusiasts who are hell bent on creating a subculture of environment-safe products. The EV Cup Race Series, which is all geared for its debut in US, is a pretty good testament to that. It is touted to be the world’s first race series which is primarily about zero-emission electric cars. This race series will first grace the streets of US, starting with a couple of race events in California at Laguna Seca in November...

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Volkswagen to give test drives of Golf R through edible print ads (figuratively)

We are familiar with images that can really make you smell food with eyes but I am not sure if visuals of roads and cars can have the same effect. Well Volkswagen begs to differ. The German auto maker is making print ads of the upcoming Golf R car which are actually edible. These have been incorporated in the Auto Trader magazine and it actually says “Eat the road.” The edible paper here is made from glutinous rice flour, water, salt, propylene glycol, FD&C color and glycerin. The whole idea behind this is giving people a test drive (in their mouth?!) right through their print ads. I think the smell car ads could still be appreciated as...

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Next Generation BMW 5- and 7-series to get customizable LCD gauges

BMW is all set to offer fully customizable LCD gauges on its next generation 5 and 7-series models within the next two years. The new LCD gauges will display the standard dials for speed, revs, fuel and temp and will also be configurable to show additional navigational data depending on the driving mode. The driver can fully configure the LCD cluster in either Comfort or Sports mode to better suit his driving needs, example: by placing the tachometer front-and-center in Sports mode and providing gear shift lights. This new approach from BMW does provide an innovative way of displaying a variety of information but may not sit well with all its...

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Car radio goes smart with the Pioneer AppRadio

Pioneer unveiled its latest innovation, the AppRadio, which seamlessly integrates into the iPhone and iPod touch (4th generation) via a 30-pin connector, to utilize its processing power, storage capacity, network connectivity and apps. The device features a large 6.1-inch (WVGA 800 x 480) multi-touch capacitive touchscreen with an interface designed specifically for safer in-vehicle operation. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity/external microphone for hands-free calling, an input for an optional vehicle mounted rear back-up camera, external GPS antenna, built in AM/FM tuner, wired remote steering wheel control adapter and an external amplifier...

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Fastest helicopter in the world touches speeds of 267mph, the Eurocopter X3

Helicopters are known to travel at speeds of about 130 or 140 knots, that’s about 160 mph. the Eurocopter X3 however pushes the speed needle a little above the top, turning out to be the fastest helicopter on the surface of the earth. For now a prototype, the Eurocopter X3 uses a hybrid system to take it to a whopping 267 mph in stable, level flight. For this, the Eurocopter X# uses two turboprops mounted on little wings by its sides. Now the mileage on this one probably might not stand out as much as that of a usual helicopter, though the speed at which it travels sure makes up for that shortcoming! And we all know the fact that a person...

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Robot-wheelchair makes life easier for the elderly

The elderly have their fair share of trouble trying to get around. Keeping that in mind, researchers at the ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories have developed a wheelchair with a touch of automation, enabling better mobility for the elderly. The robot-wheelchair packs GPS, ubiquitous sensor networks and mobile devices. On a test run, the wheelchair spotted an elderly shopper at a shopping mall using a smartphone app through which she’d booked the chair and contacting her by matching GPS co-ordinates. The chair then assisted her around the mall with her shopping! video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V78KPs8Y44&feature=player_embedded Boy...

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Volvo and Flanders' Drive developing wireless induction-based charging system for EVs

Wireless technology to charge up electronics is catching on faster than ever these days. In the near future, you probably won’t need to hook up your electric car to a power outlet. Volvo and Belgian tech specialists Flanders' Drive have joined hands and are busy chewing their pencil tops, trying to put together a induction-based charging systems for cars that will directly juice up electric vehicles from the surface of the road itself. Volvo and Flanders' Drive will use the C30 Electric as a prototype for the induction-charging system, using charging plates buried in the ground. With this, you might just be able to charge up your car at every...

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Turning left now made accident-free by BMW

Turning left can be a downright pain, particularly if you’re at the wheel of a left-hand-drive car. A substantial number of accidents today are caused by drivers turning to the left, hitting pedestrians and motorcyclists in the bargain. German car manufacturer BMW has just come up with a system that’ll assist you make your left turn without causing too much of a roadkill problem. Using camera and sensors on the vehicle to scan for any nearby objects, the system automatically has the car brake when detecting any such obstacles and notifies the driver. This might however lead to a damaged rear bumper though, given that a car braking suddenly isn’t...

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Tiny and slow, the energy-efficient all electric Renault Twizy

We wouldn’t call this one a car. This four wheeled contraption by Renault called the Twizy should have, on a lighter note, be called the Twinkie instead, given that it lacks the macho and aggression you’d probably look for in a car. It sticks to the cutesy side and is highly efficient though, unlike those bulky Hummers and such, with a 17 hp (13 kW) motor, while the Twizy 45 version sports a five-horsepower (4 kW) electric motor. If the horses on this one don’t keep you satisfied, we’re pretty sure the range will, delivering 100 km (62 miles) on a single charge and taking about 3.5 hours to charge from a 10 amp source. Oh and don’t get racey...

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MV Agusta unveils powerful and mighty 2011 F4 RR bike

[Autoblog] Claims do not necessarily have to be true, some can be over-exaggerated too. Well, we’ve taken it for granted that the boastful claim MV Agusta has made with this powerful machine on two wheels is true. The 2012 MV Agusta F4 RR bike could very well be the most powerful sports bike currently on the surface of the planet earth. Packing a roaring 198hp engine, a larger titanium intake, and reeks a powerful 13,400 rpm with a short stroke lightweight forged set of pistons, this one rumbles beneath with all its might. Weighing in at 423 pounds, this beastly machine uses multi-adjustable 43-millimeter forks and a stabilizer bar up front and...

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Roosevelt Hotel’s façade magically transformed into interactive billboard by Lexus

Lexus know their way around advertising. The car maker recently turned the façade of the legendary Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California, one of the world’s most iconic hotels, into a playground for its advertising campaign of the all new CT200h Hybrid hatchback. Using cutting edge 3D projectors, the company used the hotel façade as an interactive billboard that appears to tear open, have flowers and roadways sprout out of it, and a whole lot more. Passersby are sure to walk by, jaws dropped to the floor and eyes wide open in wonder with a billboard campaign as such. Extremely innovative with a perfect host for the campaign, the Roosevelt...

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Sign language translator helps disabled folk

Hearing and speech impairment is quite a hurdle among those seeking to build entertainment or communication systems that are universal in nature. Finally, we have hope for those with these disabilities. NHK Science and Technology labs from Japan has managed to craft a unique sign language translator that will offer sign language cues along with subtitles. Now, this system works well for Japanese and has scope for other language support as well. When? We cannot say yet. video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7c5JEWZxjI&feature=player_embedded The translation system isn't completely fool proof but surely manages to live the dream of...

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Remote controlled helicopter does lateral drift

When you talk about helicopters and the wonderful vehicle they manage to be in times of leisure, crisis and more, you really never run out of attributes. However, that's not what the ardent fans of remote controlled replicas have. One of the most awesome features of the helicopter is its ability to move laterally. So, we have this cool RC replica of a full size helicopter that does just that. It is capable of side-to-side drifting, thanks to the horizontally inclined mini rotors on either side. You can fly it for 7 minutes after 40 minutes of charging. $70 isn't much for a toy this cool.[Coolest-Gadge...

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Bar and Grill system manages to give your outings a crispier, drunker feel

Why wouldn't systems such as this cool Bar and Grill system from Alpina exist all those years ago? Now, it's incredibly difficult to understand how well we can have made use of this two i one problem solver if it was commonplace like the legendary toaster. It has both, a tap and a grilling surface so that you get the food and the drink you would need on a warm summers day. So there you go, it has wheels to move around easily and is an efficient griller as well. The Bar and Grill system is good no doubt, but it costs an almost unbelievable $11,000. Well, there goes the toaster analogy.[Gizmo...

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LEGO Technic Unimog U 400 DIY model unveiled in partnership with Mercedes-Benz

LEGO, the world’s third largest toy manufacturer, has just proved itself to be a lot more than just building bricks once again. In a partnership with Mercedes-Benz, the firm has unveiled a do-it-yourself Unimog U 400 (1:12,5) using about 2048 elements and complete with a electric drive and pneumatics. This model replicates the original to the smallest of details and being DIY kit, can have you spend quit a few hours constructing it. Perhaps one of the most detailed models unleashed by LEGO, the Technic Unimog U 400 is up for sale with a price tag of 190 Euros. You can pick yourself this piece of boyish heavy machinery made to commemorate the...

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ICould users can bask under the Cloud Lamp concept

Apple's design sense has been an inspiration for multitudes. One of the finer examples is the Cloud Lamp that couldn't look any more real. The company's iCloud service is a wonderful analogy of how it's grdually taking over the world. So, now we have this charming white cloud of a lamp that will softly illuminate your room, telling you that half your life is out there, in the Cloud, waiting to be accessed from anywhere and at anytime. The Cloud Lamp has been designed by Chinese designer Zhao Liping. It's a concept that we soon expect to see fleshed out as a mainstream household favorite. [Gizmod...

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The entire DC Universe will reboot in September. Fingers crossed

This is one piece of news that will make comic fans do a flip. After weeks of speculation, DC Comics has officially confirmed a massive reboot. This means that each of their entire super-hero comic lineup will have a new #1 issue, and all previous continuity will be erased. It’s like writing these stories right from scratch. The company will release 52 of such new comic books for all its titles. As suggested by their executives, this would inject a new life in their characters and story line with ‘younger’ continuity. The new covers would include Justice League written by DC superstar Geoff Johns and drawn by DC co-publisher Jim Lee which will...

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