I must say, TJ, you came up with a creative downside to the automatic trunk opener. I think this feature offers a very tiny plus to a vehicle. But it's a plus nonetheless.
I must say I like your "keep it simple" philosophy, VadimR, but we're going to lose that battle. Every time I attend an auto show, there's a handful of new sensor-based systems that I'd never seen before.
If you want the feature, why not put a kick plate on the back of the bumper or a switch next to the tow hitch? In both cases there is no need to verifying intent because you must be intentional to press the switch.
I personally think that we have way too many sensors and gadgets in cars. Lets keep it simple! The more complicated we make them, the more expensive cars become, the more likely they are to fail, and the more expensive they are to fix when they do fail.
This is a great use of sensing techology to make something hands free and more user friendly. I would like to know how long it is necessary to keep your foot under the bumper to have the tailgate completely rise. Hopefully, you would be able to trigger the movement then be able to back up to stay out of the way of the lifting hatch.
Ever been stopped just as you were going to load your car? A neighbor calls your name, and you turn to see why, or your spouse calls from the front door to add to your shopping list? I can see this door giving you a whack from accidental detection, the "intent" described in the article.
Still, I like the idea very much; the cost added to the power package will be my deciding factor.
Mr. Weaver's comment about an onboard network is bang-on as well, though I don't think it will go to fiber optic. Bussed sensors (Devicenet or the like) already exist; getting them down in cost should work for mass auto production.
Yes, this is a very clever idea. It will be interesting to see if it is useful enough to get picked up by the industry at large. Not sure this rises to the level of intermittent windshield wipers, but who knows?
I know DesignNews continues to cover automobile data networks, but it is innovations like this liftgate sensor that makes them all the more imperative. As automotive engineers continue to instrument each sub-system on the platform, a common, multiplexed information network will be imperative as we continue. Yards of low-gauge automotive signal and power wire will only serve to increase cost and complexity. Can an on-board, distributed fiber-optic network be far behind?
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
In a world that's going green, industrial operations have a problem: Their processes involve materials that are potentially toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. If improperly managed, this can precipitate dangerous health and environmental consequences.
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
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A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
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