Top Stories

Natural Materials Are the New Job One at Ford

Doug Smock, Contributing Editor, September 9, 2009
Today a six-member engineering team at Ford is looking for new applications for soybeans and other sustainable materials in an industry-leading effort to replace hydrocarbon-based materials. More
Tesla Engineer Boosts EV Range to New Heights

Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor, July 30, 2009
JB Straubel is the winner of this year's Design News Engineer of the Year Award for his dogged determination to boost the range of battery-powered electric vehicles. More
Automakers Aim to Simplify Electrical Architectures

Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor, July 29, 2009
By reducing the number of microcontrollers in a vehicle, engineers hope to eliminate thick wiring bundles, cut weight and slash costs. More
Challenges Loom on Tesla's Model S Project

Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor, June 24, 2009
Battery experts say the Tesla Model S, with a 300-mile driving range and $49,900 price tag, will present big challenges for engineers. More
New Engine Technology Will Boost Fuel Mileage

Doug Smock, Contributing Editor, June 9, 2009
Electronic management of oil and transmission fluid temperatures promises to substantially boost engine efficiencies and extend oil life. More
Drag Racing Goes Electric

Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor, May 25, 2009
Electric vehicles with such names as White Zombie, Crazyhorse, Maniac Mazda and KillaCycle are beating Corvettes and Dodge Vipers in drag races. More
Shock Absorbers Boost Fuel Economy

Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor, May 7, 2009
Levant Power, a spin-off company formed by MIT students, has developed a hydraulic technique for harvesting energy from bumps in the road. More
Students Apply Math-Based Tools in EcoCAR

Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor, April 24, 2009
Engineering suppliers are helping student teams build an "EcoCAR" by contributing math-based design tools and software that enable them to create "virtual vehicles" before they ever fabricate a prototype. More
Sensors Detect Damage to Military Vehicles

Jennifer Roy, Contributing Editor, April 16, 2009
A diagnostic speed bump-like cleat, equipped with triaxial accelerometers under development at Purdue University, will detect damage in military vehicles, saving time and money. More
GM, Segway Join to Reinvent Urban Transportation with Project P.U.M.A.

Jennifer Roy, Contributing Editor, April 9, 2009
General Motors and Segway are teaming up on a project that will bring two-wheeled, two-seater, electrically powered vehicles to city streets. More
Honda, BMW Drive Aluminum Use Higher

Doug Smock, Contributing Editor, March 31, 2009
Automotive use of aluminum continues to rise as North American automakers look for proven technology to reduce curb weight. More
HDR Vision Could Come to Entry-Level Cars

Chuck Murray, Contributing Editor, March 26, 2009
A new single-chip sensing technology introduced at Convergence 2008 could enable automakers to incorporate high-dynamic range (HDR) color vision sensors in entry-level cars. More
Product Speeds Dashboard Design

Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor, March 21, 2009
QNX Software Systems rolled out QNX CAR, a hardware and software platform aimed at helping engineers develop infotainment systems and instrument clusters. More
Technology-Based Features Drive Automotive Sales

Randy Frank, Contributing Editor, March 16, 2009
While automakers' pricing and financing options provide a strong incentive to buy, the technology-based features are what could bring car buyers back to show floors. More
Automotive Engineering Still Shines in Detroit

Doug Smock, Contributing Editor, January 28, 2009
The Big Three automakers may be struggling, but not because of design engineering. The Ford Flex is one example of the technical breakthroughs being made by American engineers. More
A Smoother Ride Ahead

Howard Baldwin, Contributing Editor, January 4, 2009
At the recent Vehicle Dynamics Expo, held in Novi, MI, Wabco introduced a new line of high- and medium-power compressors for electronically controlled air suspension systems. More
Innovative Fuel Tank Wins SPE's Grand Auto Design Prize

Doug Smock, Contributing Editor, November 21, 2008
A revolutionary new system for producing plastic fuel tanks is the grand winner of the 38th annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition held by the Society of Plastics Engineers. More
Electric DeLorean Goes Back to the Future

Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor, November 10, 2008
Dr. David Delman's DeLorean uses thirteen 12V lead-acid batteries which drive a series-wound nine-inch DC electric motor that's mated to a five-speed manual transmission. More
Ford Flexes Engineering Muscle

Doug Smock, Contributing Editor, October 29, 2008
Ford put a lot of engineering muscle into its 2009 Flex crossover, witnessed by eight technical innovations that were awarded finalist status in the 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Division Innovation awards. More
Autos, Energy and Handheld Drive DSPs

Rob Spiegel, Contributing Editor, October 6, 2008
The automotive industry is going through a transformation toward energy efficiency, from hybrids to hydrogen-powered vehicles. More

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