Honda Unveils Latest ASIMO Robot at LA's Consumer Electronics Show

The new ASIMO has been upgraded and was given a streamlined of new design. The primary advancements of the newest ASIMO include: Enhanced human Interaction- By providing ASIMO with the ability to recognize the surrounding environment through its visual sensors, floor surface sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and by an IC Tele-interaction Communication Card1, ASIMO can more autonomously interact with people. Through the coordinated use of its eye cameras in the head and the force (kinesthetic) sensors on its wrists, ASIMO can give and receive an object such as a tray. And by using these force sensors, ASIMO can hold the hand of the person and move in sync with them. Carrying objects using a cart- ASIMO is now capable of handling a cart freely while maintaining an appropriate distance from the cart by adjusting the force of its right and left arms to push a cart using the force sensors on its wrists. Even when the movement of the cart is disturbed, ASIMO can continue maneuvering by taking flexible actions such as slowing down or changing directions.Honda's ASIMO is now more agile and is capable of quick movements - such as running nearly 4mph. Aside from the ability to run, the humanoid robot was also provided with artificial intelligence capabilities to further enhance human interaction.

Nazi-era Race Car For Auction

The silver D-Type from Auto Union, Audi's forerunner, will eventually be auctioned on February 17 in Paris as part of Christie's Retromobile auto sale. The race car is estimated to be worth millions of dollars and it is expected to fetch around $12 million to $15 million." Over 20 Auto Union series cars were manufactured between 1933 and 1939. The D-Type, designed by Ferdinand Porsche, has a body shape likened to an airplane fuselage. The driver sits sunken into the body of the metal, and the wheels. The latter appears like oversized bicycle tires having independent suspension."It took really until the early 1960s and later on to the 1980s for car design to catch up to these cars." Just before World War II, the D-Type won the 1939 French Grand Prix. The car, also called the Silver Arrow, was filmed winding through country roads for use in newsreels across Europe. "They vanished, lost behind the Iron Curtain," Erdmann added. Automakers of today are improving their line from race cars like the D-Type. Christie's said, "While Adolph Hitler gave about 500,000 reichsmarks to Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz to promote racing and technology, the car is not specifically affiliated with the Third Reich. After the historic war, the Russians discovered the cars and took them to their own country, along with dismantled Auto Union factories, to re-create motorsports. The cars were taken apart.

An American car collector came across car parts in a scrap heap in Ukraine and took them back to England. There, Crosthwaite & Gardiner's auto experts restored it. Christie's did not divulge who is selling it.

V70 Delivers New Engines,

Unlike its previous generations, the new Volvo V70 delivers with a new five-cylinder D5 diesel engine, a four-cylinder flex-fuel option, and a new top-end six-cylinder twin-scroll turbo engine, plus an E85 option. The second-generation D5 five-cylinder diesel option integrated to the estate produces 185 horsepower and 400 pound feet of torque across its range. The D5 features a new electronically controlled turbocharger,The Volvo V70 shares the same metal sheet with its siblings however it uses Volvo's new design direction that combines Scandinavian and modern styling. The latter can be reflected in its different bodystyles that include the grille and the front bumper. The dashboard and the majority of the interior of the car are basically the same, nonetheless. engine management system and more advanced multi-point injection technology. In the all-new V70, rear passengers and luggage both ride in first class." Arp added, "The attitude towards the modern wagon has undergone a significant change. With greater focus on design and comfort, the all-new V70 is both luxurious and practical.The latest version is designed to compete with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 5-Series estate versions while its predecessors were aimed at the class below. It's not just for families with growing children but also for active people that demand everything of their cars. According to the automaker comfort is a major consideration on the Volvo V70. The seats use the orthopedic design to offer utmost comfort and support. Dual-zone climate control, high end audio equipment with the Dolby Pro Logic and sub-woofers are available on all models.In fact, we expect that half of all V70 buyers won't actually be families with children."
Also featured on the front seats is the WHIPS whiplash prevention system. It also features the BLIS blind-spot sensor system that is designed to detect vehicles within its "blind spot." As a Volvo vehicle, the V70 use headlamps that are designed to provide extra visibility. The vehicle got five stars in the NHTSA safety testing.

Callaway C16 Convertible Headed for NYIAS

One of these latest products from Callaway Cars headed for New York show is the C16 Convertible super car that is based on the popular Chevrolet Corvette platform."Customers who want the exhilaration of a convertible and the daily driver convenience of a paddle-shift automatic without sacrificing the performance capabilities of a Z06 and beyond, can only get it here,"while creating a gorgeous convertible version, based on one of the best sports car platforms ever made. In true Callaway tradition it incorporates our race-proven technologies and superlative craftsmanship in an arresting and appealing style." he further explained. said Reeves Callaway, founder of Callaway Car. " Designed by veteran Callaway Cars designer Paul Deutschman, the Callaway C16 Convertible has been remodeled from the original design and received additional design cues while retaining other features of the Chevy Corvette like the power top and probably the .There are also numerous Callaway badging on the interior parts like door sill panels, steering wheel and passenger dash, to name the few. The Callaway C16 also comes with serial numbered plaque on each model that marks its identity. Well, as expected for a super car model, the Callaway C16 Convertible is equipped with a high performance engine under its sleek and stylish hood. The C16 Convertible comes with a monstrous supercharged 6.0-liter V8 engine capable of pumping out 560 hp. For customers who starve for more power output, Callaway is offering the optional Performance Package.another 6-speed manual gearbox with shorter ratios in the first four gears, and a 6-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shift. This powertrain package allows the Callaway C16 Convertible to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of over 200 mph. In spite of the powerful performance, the C16 Convertible still offers an impressive fuel economy compared to other super car models as well as low exhaust emissions.Callaway equipped the new C16 Convertible with newly developed Callaway/Eibach Multi-Pro coil-over suspension along with super-lightweight Callaway Dymag wheels dubbed as the "lightest road wheel in the industry". The C16 Convertible is equipped with 19-inch Dymag wheels on the front, and 20-inch at the rear fitted with 285/30ZR19 front and 325/25ZR20 rear performance tires.

Auto Shop Safety

In today's auto shop there are many potential hazards to the fragile human body. In order to have a safe and productive work environment, there are simple steps that need to be taken in order to insure the physical safety of everyone in your automotive service shop. There are many tools and pieces of equipment in use that can potentially seriously injure someone. The first step is to take census of your auto or mechanical shop and locate machinery and tools that can be potentially hazardous. Any machine or tool that can cause a serious injury must be safeguarded. For example, a band saw is common tool in a mechanical shop and has the ability to cut off fingers and limbs. Safety cannot be sacrificed for convenience. But remember machinery is not the only hazard, you need to be aware of in the shop. The power cords and air hoses that power equipment also presents a tripping hazard.There are similar devices for extension cords as well. Lets face it, a mechanic is much more inclined to keep his air hoses and power cords retracted if its easy and an air hose reel makes it easy. Also, spilled grease oil and oil can collect on a shop floor and produce a slipping hazard. It is inevitable that motor oil and grease will end up on the concrete floor.Most mechanics wear gloves to prevent burns and cutting while working on automobile. But gloves are also needed for a variety of other tasks as well. Do not handle chemicals and solvents with out wearing gloves and remember to remove watches and other jewelry as well. Always be aware of where you fingers are especially when lifting heavy objects. It may seem obvious but it is all too common to crush your fingers by letting a heavy object down on them. Mechanics gloves are a great choice when you need to work with small parts and tools. Mechanics gloves are light and tight fitting on your hand. This allows you to feel the parts and tools and still maintain protection. Most auto shops have containment spill kits that can contain the oil spill and aid in cleaning it up the minute it happens. Many auto shops have several air hoses and power cords stretched all over the place and most of them are not even being used at the moment.

Engine Overheating? Problem is Solved with the Toyota Thermostat!

A Toyota Thermostat must be installed so that the engine temperature can be maintained in a functional level. The thermostat is part of the cooling system of the vehicle and without it, the coolant will not be able to flow into the cavity of the engine block and the temperature of the engine will continue to go up until such a time when the cylinder head will crack, rendering the entire engine useless.The cooling system should be in tip top condition to avoid the overheating of the engine and its very important parts. Overheating causes the engine and its parts to expand, creating difficulty in sliding and causing the failure to generate power.
This can only be done if the cooling system will not send coolant during the warm up to keep it from interfering in the heating of the engine the moment it is started. However, once the engine is heated up, the cooling system must start to deliver coolant into it. Because of the presence of the Toyota Thermostat, the proper regulation is done. While the engine is cool, the thermostat closes the valve so that no coolant will enter the engine's body.If it is already melted, then it is able to push a rod to open the valve and let the coolant flow into the engine. When the coolant is already in the engine's body, the temperature will then be maintained. After the coolant has absorbed heat, it will proceed to the radiator where the heat will be dissipated through the radiator fins. Sometimes, the Toyota Thermostat may also break down and this will have two possible outcomes.
If it is clogged shut, the engine will constantly overheat because no coolant will flow into the engine's body. Either way, it is detrimental to the engine and to the entire automobile. Keeping the engine's temperature is the technique to avoid expensive engine damages such as melted seals and warped heads.

Ford Owners Introduction to Parts and Accessories

Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company envisioned a method that would allow factory workers to get higher wages while producing affordable automobiles en masse, thus allowing all its employees to eventually but the very products they just assembled. Ford has also entered into other ventures, acquiring other car brands to tap into the global markets, providing financial services like the Ford Motor Credit Company, which deals mainly with auto loans, as well as producing and distributing auto parts through its Motorcraft brand.This proved to be successful during the birth of the Ford in 1903 and the crucial years of its growth, using methods such as the first moving assembly line, which cut car production dramatically, and providing the blue print for the 40 hour work week and minimum wage law in the United States.Although Motorcraft's inventory comes with all the necessary components, such as oil filters, spark plugs and the like, it has little in the way of customizing the exterior of Ford's various automotive models. Outside of the usual racing upgrades for the sports car, body paint and replacement or addition of non-horsepower related parts are not unheard of. Replacing Ford Mustang tail light covers to look more Euro (while it may be considered blasphemous due to the Mustang's as a symbol of American engineering) are just one of the few ways to go about customizing the legendary pony car.With the sudden rise of customization amongst classic and modern automobiles thanks to the hobby gaining prominence in popular culture (movies like the Fast and the Furious and TV shows like MTV's Pimp My Ride ), other companies have popped up to contend with Ford's Motorcraft not only in offering interior car parts such as engine related parts and electronic gadgets, but aesthetic aftermarket components as well.