You know those black boxes that they have on airplanes? You know, the ones that you recover in the event of a crash to describe what was going on at the time the plane went down?  They’re also called flight data recorders.

Well, now there’s one for your car.  It’s called the Driving Reporter Gadget, and thanks to a combination of GPS and USB connectivity, your car will now keep a running record of where you’ve been, how fast you were going, and plenty more.  You can even watch your trip play out on the surface of the planet thanks to Google Earth.

This is probably one of those things that’d be great for parents, but could be misused so easily it’s not even funny.  I mean, seriously–what if people started putting these things under other people’s cars? Then they could watch everything you do in a typical day, or at least know where you go.

That’s one to think about.

So TomTom’s beginning to realize that some people haven’t grown up with the internet and such and that they’re having some problems wrapping their heads around the whole GPS concept. To that end, they’re taking the bull by the horns and introducing the starter edition of the TomTom, the TomTom Start. It’ll run you a hundred and ninety nine dollars per (which is actually quite a bit more than other, more “advanced” models that have been out for years), and will offer a three and a half inch touch screen, a supposedly easy to use menu (though that’s subjective at best), and voice over for street names. In addition, the new gadget comes equipped with an EasyPort mount which, makers claim, can easily be slipped in pockets, bags and glove compartments, ostensibly so you can find your way back to your car should you go on a walking tour or something.  Not necessarily a bad idea, that. I’m not sure if this’ll be as “easy” as they claim, but it’s definitely something worth keeping an eye on.

TomTom, which you may be surprised to know is actually based out of Amsterdam, just recently announced its newest line of navigational hardware, the GO I-90.  It’s a double DIN navigation and radio tool that allows for easy, point to point directions between any two points most anywhere in the world, as long as they’re somehow connected via roadway.

Oh, but this isn’t just another navigational device, either–TomTom brass promises that the device offers  “full radio integration with the car speakers for high quality audio when using spoken instructions, or making hands-free phone calls.”

So not only does it get you from point to point, it also lets you call ahead to tell that point you’re arriving.  That’s actually pretty cool.

As if that weren’t good enough, users will be able to add annotations to the maps via TomTom HOME and Safety Alerts, telling other motorists about accidents, road construction, and those pesky speed traps.  You can also hook your MP3 player to it.

There’s a lot to like about this device, and its ninety nine dollar price tag is just icing on the cake.

For a while there, drivers in Victoria in Australia were about to be forbidden from using their cell phones as navigation devices while driving.

This actually may have been a good idea, if somewhat unenforceable–you’d have to actually see into every car to find out who was doing it, especially if they kept the phone below the window line–because, after all, most cell phones are distractions waiting to happen in cars, and distractions are just accidents that haven’t happened yet.

But VicRoads, the agency that oversees Victorian road use, realized they were sort of tossing the baby out with the bathwater, and instead agreed to allow the devices if they were in cradles or remotely operated.

This is probably all for the best anyway as, when it comes to car navigation, you really want something that announces your turns and such, not something you have to read, especially while you’re driving.  You want your attention focused as fully as possible on the road ahead, not on some LCD screen in your car.

Volvo is making sure that their new model scheduled for release in 2010 will be filled with safety features both for the driver and the pedestrians. As most people seek safer cars these days, avoiding accidents and injuries to people on the road may yet take turn for the better with the new Volvo S60’s new Automatic Braking Technology.

The Automatic Braking System will be able to detect pedestrians who walk in front of the car and avoid impacts at speeds below 15MPH. To make this possible, the system is made up of key parts such as a radar unit at the front grill and a camera by the rear view mirror. In short, the system acts as a reliable alternative just in case a driver would overlook the presence of people around the vehicle.

Volvo’s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Safety will debut on the Volvo S60 in 2010.

(Source) Auto India

Car owners who are eager to upgrade their car audio systems are going to love this new in-dash Blu-ray player from Panasonic. Panasonic has officially released the first car in-dash Blu-ray player, the CY-BB1000D. The release of this latest in-dash Blu-ray player coincides with the release of three new Strada-branded car navigation systems which includes the CN-HX3000D for the Japan market.

The Panasonic CY-BB1000D carries the following features:

• HDMI port
• SD card
• AVCHD and AVREC support

As for the CN-HX3000D, it is highlighted by a 7” LCD screen and an HDMI port as well that allows lucky owners to enjoy HD video content right inside their vehicle.

The CY-BB100D Blu-ray Player retails for 99,750 JPY while the CN-HX3000D navigation device costs 365,400 JPY.

(Source) Aving

Motorists who own SUVs or trucks may want to check out this device. It is a Land Meter from UxSight which tells you exactly how your vehicle is tilting. Power is generated from a cigarette lighter and can be placed accordingly on the usual car dashboard with the aid of a self-adhesive bottom.

It measures 124mm x 57mm x 80mm and retails for about £12. This Land Meter is great for people who travel off-road and often want to know the state of position of their car.

(Source) Slippery Brick

Technology may soon resolve the problem of parking if this technology from Ford were to be a gauge. Parallel parking has to be one of the challenging and stressful means a driver has to deal with but with the new Ford feature, the Ford Active Park Assist System, you car can be practically placed on auto-pilot as it maneuvers itself into parking spaces without much effort.

The whole system seems to be like giving a car a mind of its own. But while it seems dandy, you have to wonder if the system is full proof and free from issues. One issue is what should happen if it should malfunction in the middle of the parking motion. While most cars have sensors, would it stop or leave you in a precarious position?

The new technology has been said to be set out and among the vehicles that carry this technology is the 2010 Ford Taurus. Regardless, the people who have issues on parallel parking may finally be put to rest although some questions in mind may need to be explained further.

(Source) Dvice

The technology shown by the Survival Consultants International people may be geared towards the military vehicles but I wouldn’t be surprised it the same technology would soon be applied to commercial and private vehicles. With the world getting to be a dangerous place to live in, it is apparent that advanced modes of safety has become a need with reference to world terrorism.

We are aware of airbags and how they are set off once cars get into accidents or collisions. With this new technology, the airbags were designed to withstands blasts for military personnel which could be typified to the various bombings which has been plaguing the world. No one can tell when such would hit the public but perhaps a safer interior airbag system of the same nature would be suitable.

The key here is the sensor, allowing the system to make use of the light sensors to ignite the airbags to safeguard the vehicle passengers. Leave it to the car manufacturers to pick up a thing or two from this and apply it to the modern day vehicle. It is something that will really be useful.

(Source) Dvice

When it comes to smoother rides and better care for car tires, Audi of America knows that using the best tools will be the proper route to take. And to make sure that most of its Audi line of vehicles carry that niche, Audi of America promotes the Haweka Wheel Balancer Tooling which is now available to all U.S. and Canadia Audi dealers.

Proper care for wheels used is equally important both for safety and financial-related issues. And as far as Audi is concerned, adding that privilege via these Haweka flange plates will be useful when it comes to balancing the wheels of their various Audi vehicles. This new technology provides accurate road balancing results thanks to a better stabilizing method to safeguard the top coating of the wheels.

This should be a great benefit as well for consumers as tire used can be consumed better not to mention smoother rides which would translate to better fuel consumption for all Audi vehicles concerned.

(Source) Press

The proper tire pressure we need to help conserve fuel has been something we have been hearing and now, a device can make sure that we do just that. With the ability to program the tire pressure of vehicles, the Accutire MS-4350B Programmable Digital Tire Gauge will make sure that you get the proper inflation for your tire and a smoother ride for economical gas consumption.

It has an extra-large blue, backlit LCD that should make it easy for you to read it and an ergonomic easy grip shape as well for proper handling.

Price: $12.99

(Source) Amazon

Motorists can start getting the best routes and avoid traffic congestions as SageQuest unveils a new feature in their GPS devices with the Mobile Control feature. This feature is made possible in real time courtesy of commercial vehicles which become access points where key information is transmitted for the best roads to pass through.

The integration allows dispatchers to build and optimize a route in Mobile Control for drivers in the field, then immediately push the route to a driver’s Garmin device. The driver simply presses “Go” and turn-by-turn directions begin. Routes can be re-prioritized and updated in real time as conditions change.

With the clamor for fuel efficient means, wiser and traffic-free routes are the best ways to help ensure a smoother driving experience. With the continuous flow of traffic, cars can burn fuel better rather than be kept idle and leaving the motor running with no real place to go.

(Source) Press

This summer, many people are going to be out traveling. Now while that should not be surprising, the roads may not necessarily be dry all the time. With global warming providing us weird weather conditions at times, drivers just never know when a sudden downpour would occur.

And with such an event uncontrolled, there are certain road conditions to consider. One of them includes roads to become greasy and suddenly slippery. Hence, dangerous car skids or losing control may be something that could be dangerous during the vacation time.

So while all people are expected to be wild and wooly this summer, just remember that driving also requires wise driving despite the given conditions. Slow down and know when to accelerate and when not to. Make your summer meaningful, something that Saga Car Insurance reminds us with these motoring thoughts.

(Source) Press

If there is one thing that motorists have to take into consideration, it would be the type of roads that they drive on. Unlike in marquee countries which have great infrastructure, some countries like the Philippines have a rough and tumble roads that make it entirely toxic for cars when you talk about smooth driving and car maintenance.

In short, the smoother the road finish, the longer it is for that satisfying car performance. Add to the fact that better roads mean better fuel consumption since you get a silky smooth ride with no worries along the way.

Perhaps if technologies such as this one from Penetron, road conditions play an important role when it comes to smooth motoring and fuel consumption. Penetron’s Crystaline Concrete Waterproofing addresses the various conditions such as rain where concrete used can only get better. It clearly addresses the issues raised when water penetrates and causes problems for concrete roads today.

“Once the concrete has been made waterproofed,” adds Mr. Christopher Chen, North American Sales & Marketing Director, “a host of additional problems generally brought on by water is now eliminated. Penetron takes care of problems such as freeze-thaw and scaling damages seen in colder climates and corrosion from deicing salts or seawater.”

(Source) Press

Summer is here and most people are on vacation. All except some workers who may be busy doing some construction or related public repair work that takes advantage of the vacation period. Hence, motorists should be careful when passing by these areas.

Accidents or untoward mishaps may ensue. Avoiding the potholes or the workers themselves needs the proper alertness of drivers. One wrong navigational tactic could lead to serious injuries and of course unscheduled car repairs.

“Given the backlog of transportation needs across the country, AAA advocated dedicating a portion of the economic recovery funds to transportation,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. “It’s important for the driving public to be aware of the increased construction activity and to adjust to changing driving conditions and work zones when they encounter them, especially during this peak travel period,” added Darbelnet.

(Source) Press