You might be surprised to hear it, but guess who one of the biggest provider of car gadgets is.  Give up?  As it turns out, it’s Texas InstruUments.

Yeah, I know, I gave it away up in the headline, but that’s for the search engines.  Anyway, as it turns out, Texas Instruments is the major supplier of UHF chips, which in turn provides the basis for a surprising array of devices.  Check this list out:

TI has created the family to meet consumers’ demand for timely visibility into their vehicle status to ensure their car is properly maintained. The wide range of wireless applications in automobiles include tire pressure monitoring, auxiliary heating remote control and key features such as garage door openers or the standard remote control.

None of those things would actually run without Texas Instruments hardware located inside it.  Now, I don’t know about you, but I personally think that’s a massive slice of fried awesome.

Tags: IF transceiver, Texas, Texas Instruments, tire pressure monitoring system, UHF chips

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The 2010 Lotus Exige S240 was officially unveiled in the U.S. and Canadian markets, bringing a new transport solution for conservative and super-charged car fanatics. It comes with a new type of styling with its new rear wing enhancements for efficient aerodynamic performance. This light weight vehicle also boasts of new air intakes to ensure vehicle ride efficiency. Other highlights include a fully independent suspension, a supercharged 1.8 liter Lotus-tuned and 2ZZ-GE engine with Intelligent Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i), airbags and an on-board tire pressure monitoring system. For access and security, the Lotus Exige S240 also comes with a “Thatcham approved” alarm/immobiliser system that incorporates alarm and central locking.

Scheduled to come out this fall, the 2010 Lotus Exige S240 will start at $65,690.

(Source) Manual Gear

Tags: canadian markets, car fanatics, efficiency, enhancements, ge engine, independent suspension, liter, Lotus, lotus exige, thatcham, tire pressure monitoring system, transport solution, variable valve timing

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When it comes to what dad wants, you can be sure that having the necessary staff when traveling on a RV is certainly one of them. Though not among the immediate needs, it would be nice to note that when the time comes that dad wants to go outdoors on his RV, making sure that he has all the accessories and equipment necessary in RV adventures would be something he is bound to appreciate.

For this, Pedata RV has some suggestions for the RV Dad, something that people may want to consider getting him on Father’s Day this Sunday, June 21:

• Multi-Purpose Shovel Tool from RVToyOutlet.com has an emergency survival kit stored in the handle to help dad out of any emergency.
• Senseo Coffee Machine .Wake dad up with the smell of fresh coffee. The Senseo coffee machine is made of plastic so there’s no glass to break. Pours one or two cups of coffee at a time and has an adjustable spout. Comes in a variety of colors: white, blue, silver, black and red.
• Camco 40171 Ship Top Vent Insulator .If sunlight is getting dad up too early, get the Camco Vent Insulator. It not only helps insulate, but blocks sunlight to let dad rest a little longer.
• RVers Notebook.This software stores and organizes expense reports and maintenance records. There’s a section to track and rate campgrounds and a scrapbook to store pictures and notes from each vacation. An event planner keeps you on track and an address book lets you stay in touch with friends and family. The software also helps balance and calculate weight to keep the RV steady and items properly stored.
• Pressure Pro Tire Pressure Monitoring System.checks tire pressure wirelessly. Air pressure sensor caps replace dust caps and gives visual and audio alerts to low and high air pressure as you drive.
• Garmin Nuvi 1490T. A great tool to keep you on track, avoid traffic delays and assist with lane choices. Has hands free calling, a 5″ touch screen and driving directions. The best feature of this device is the eco-route calculator. Great for every RV dad, eco-route finds the most fuel-efficient routes as well as tracking fuel usage.

(Source) Press

Tags: air pressure, camco, driving directions, dust caps, emergency survival kit, event planner, fresh coffee, insulator, maintenance records, necessary staff, nuvi, pedata rv, pressure sensor, route calculator, rv adventures, senseo coffee machine, software stores, system checks, tire pressure monitoring system, traffic delays

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For its safety design features, the Audi Q5 has earned the nod as the Top Safety Pick award after receiving high marks on its front and side crash rating from U.S. safety regulators. A battery of results made showed that the Audi Q5 Crossover scored well in side impact, offset frontal and rear impact seat tests. The vehicle had garnered a five-star rating on all the tests.

“Audi engineers place unwavering emphasis on the protection of motorists and their passengers,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “These outstanding ratings for the Audi Q5 confirm our intent to meet the most rigorous safety standards found anywhere in the world.”

Every Audi sold in the U.S. has standard four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system, an electronic stability program, daytime running lights and a standard tire pressure monitoring system.

The Audi Q5 also features quattro permanent all-wheel standard on all models, providing high levels of active safety and traction on virtually any surface. All of these features are designed to help reduce the chances of a collision.

(Source) Press

Tags: anti lock braking system, audi of america, audi q5, Crossover, daytime running lights, electronic stability program, lock braking system, motorists, rigorous safety, safety design, safety regulators, side impact, star rating, tire pressure monitoring system, traction, wheel disc brakes

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Despite being killed off late last month Pontiac has managed to outfit 35,038 G8 2008 and 2009 sedans with faulty engineering. All 35,058 G8s are being recalled for following two reasons.

First of all, Pontiac says that the brake pedal position switch may have been incorrectly programmed potentially leaving the brake lamps lit up even when the brake pedal isn’t pressed. All sorts of chaos could have ensued had the problem not been found.

Second, Pontiac points towards the tire pressure monitoring systems which could have also been improperly programmed. In a nut shell, the improper programming could potentially lead the system unable to identify under inflated tires leading to all sorts of problems.

Pontiac says that G8 owners should head to their local dealerships starting on June 8th to remedy the problem.

Read (Autoblog)

Tags: brake pedal switch, g8, Recall, safety, Sedan, tire pressure monitoring system

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The 2010 Forte Koup makes its debut today during a press conference at the New York Auto Show. Joining the Forte family in the KMA lineup, the company’s first-ever two-door coupe embodies the brand’s current bold design direction.

Based on the design styling of the KOUP concept vehicle shown during last year’s show, Forte Koup offers an aggressive stance with swept-back wrap-around headlamps, aggressive air intakes and a low, sleek profile. Available in two trim levels (EX and SX), Forte Koup offers a muscular yet sophisticated design.

Forte Koup EX is driven by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, producing 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque. The SX features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also with CVVT, which delivers 173 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque, more than the Scion tC.

Like the Forte sedan, two transmission options are available for both 2010 Forte Koup models: a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission (EX models). The SX model features a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic.

Forte Koup offers a class-leading level of standard safety equipment, with features such as dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

(Source) Press

Tags: electronic stability control, sx model, tire pressure monitoring system

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We have seen various multimedia solutions for vehicles, led by the injection of DVD viewing through the various LCD solutions that allows passengers to enjoy movies while on the road. Funtoro raises that level to another point with the announcement of this newest Multi-media On Demand System in the world–FunStar Professional. This product owns the special design of entertainment system as in flight cabin, integrating with an idea of mobile office to make your car become the most luxurious entertaining and mobile office!

With unique patented multimedia technology, they are now offering the First Multi-media Entertainment On Demand System in cars to support 6 to 12 independent zones simultaneously. Everyone owns the monitor to enjoy their movie, photo, music, AV game, USB playback and without interfering the contents others are playing.

1.Server-Client Entertainment System
-Many True On-Demand Clients (Up to 12)
-Multi-Media and Legacy AV playback
-Local Playback by USB & AV-IN Inputs

2.Easy to Use
-Integrated TOUCH HMI
-Optional Remote controller

3.Patented “Never Stop” Technology
-Auto Recovery (Watchdog)
-Dual Boot
-Last Good

4.Intelligent peripheral integrations
-Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
-Car information by OBDII

5.Integrated Language Learning System
-Chinese electronic flashcards and bilingual contents are embedded in your car entertainment system
-Easy to learn Chinese fast in car no matter what language you use

(Source) MSI

Tags: auto recovery, car entertainment system, car information, electronic flashcards, lcd solutions, mobile office, multi media entertainment, multimedia solutions, multimedia technology, remote controller, tire pressure monitoring system

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It looks like Ford is far from being satisfied as far as the Ford Escape is concerned. After being the best vehicle to withstand car crashes, it is increasing its technology leadership with the addition of five new features that improve safety, reduce driver distractions and aid drivers by automatically parallel parking their vehicle.

The new Escape, in showrooms this summer, will add MyKey(TM) teen-safety technology, Integrated Spotter Mirrors – both offered standard (MyKey on XLT and above models) – optional Rear View Camera System and SYNC with real-time Traffic, Directions and Information. The new model also will be the North America’s first SUV to offer Active Park Assist, which uses an ultrasonic-based sensing system and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to position the vehicle for parallel parking, calculate the optimal steering angle and quickly steer the vehicle into a parking spot.

The 2010 Ford Escape’s standard safety technologies also include:

• AdvanceTrac(R) with RSC(R) (Roll Stability Control) – the world’s only system with a gyroscopic sensor that actively measures and helps prevent both side-to-side “yaw” and roll movements
• Safety Canopy(TM) – a side air curtain technology offering protection for the first and second seating rows, and helps provide rollover and ejection protection with extended deployment in rollovers
• Personal Safety System(R) – a suite of seven safety technologies, including new dual-stage front air bags for the driver and front-seat passenger, side air bags and a front passenger sensor system
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System – alerts drivers when tire pressure is low. Properly inflated tires not only are important for safety – they also can help improve fuel economy.

(Source) Press

Tags: air curtain, car crashes, driver distractions, ford escape, fuel economy, inflated tires, parallel parking, rear view camera, rear view camera system, safety technologies, safety technology, seat passenger, side air bags, stage front, technology leadership, tire pressure monitoring system

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