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Year in review: Car tech gets political

Fears of an energy crisis and safety concerns lead to new fuel-saving tech and automation features.

5 min read
Car tech

Year in review: Car tech gets political

By Candace Lombardi
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: December 27, 2007, 4:00 AM PST
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This year saw automotive technology turn into a political hot button.

Late in the year, President Bush signed a sweeping energy bill that sets higher fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks. But the politics of global warming and growing concern over energy use were apparent in the auto industry throughout the year.

The New York auto show's Taxis of the Future exhibit and the many green-themed cars showcased at the LA Auto Show, Tokyo auto show, and Geneva auto show this year illustrated a continued shift toward car technology with fuel efficiency in mind.

We saw thoughts on city transport vehicles, robot vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrids. In addition to far-out concepts for the real road and for the virtual road, many companies introduced fuel-sipping improvements such as Toyota's gas-saving valve engines, a diesel-powered Volvo that gets 52 mpg, and electric vehicles you can buy right now.

Audi's win at Le Mans with a diesel car fit in nicely with many automakers' evident decision to make clean diesel-powered cars the temporary fix for the U.S. energy crisis.

But hydrogen fuel seems to be the most hyped technology this year, if not a true contender, for the way things will go down long-term. Several companies are working to develop hydrogen energy technology, an alternative-energy darling with several municipalities and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The beginning of a high-tech onslaught of automation and computer technology in cars also became evident. Automakers unveiled plans for their 2008 car models that included tech options like Bluetooth, self-parking, lane departure warning systems, and adaptive cruise control--features previously restricted to luxury models.

Some owners of those high-tech cars struggled with the design of the human-machine interface and programming a car computer for the first time. Partnerships between major tech companies and automakers were also forged, with many announcing plans to have a greater presence at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show.

Roboticists also took the combination of artificial intelligence and the coming robotics revolution in cars further than ever. The DARPA Urban Challenge race featuring robotic cars took to "city" streets this year to prove autonomous vehicles have a future.

The small and young driver space heated up with the Audi A1 and VW Space Up concepts that could compete against the "carbon-conscious" yet fashionable BMW Mini if they go into production as predicted.

And in what may be the most intriguing saga of 2007, Porsche got control of Volkswagen after a lengthy court battle and almost immediately announced plans to revamp the German automaker into a high-tech powerhouse that could compete with Toyota in terms of global sales. Next year may reveal if that high-tech car dream could come true.

2007 Highlights

Photos: Cool concept cars for the highway--and for the Xbox 360

Is it more exciting to see a concept car you designed built as a full-scale model or driven in an Xbox 360 video game?

February 2, 2007

Priming the pump for hydrogen fuel

Start-up Ecotality taps NASA technology for a system that can feed a vehicle's fuel cell on-demand.

March 27, 2007

Studying the hydrogen energy chain

Turning hydrogen into a viable fuel presents many challenges, but researchers are also discovering possible solutions.

April 4, 2007

U.S. cities hot for hydrogen

Hydrogen supporters hope what happens in Vegas doesn't just stay in Vegas.

April 4, 2007

New York hails taxis of the future

With wheelchair lifts, easy-to-clean interiors and ride-sharing signs, exhibit shows New Yorkers how to improve its iconic cabs.

April 5, 2007

Revolutionary mechanical arm provides grip, feel

Team lead by Applied Physics Laboratory has come up with a prosthetic breakthrough, giving fine motor skills and sensory perception to amputees.

April 27, 2007

Sizing up the coming robotics revolution

Rodney Brooks, director of MIT's CSAIL and CTO of iRobot, discusses AI, robots and the coming bicentennial man.

May 15, 2007

Roboticist inspired by more than machines

Robotics Institute Director Matt Mason wants people to be inspired by science fiction, origami and research beyond the machine.

May 18, 2007

Toyota: Gas-saving valve in engines by 2010

"Valvematic" technology will make gas engines 5 percent to 10 percent more efficient, Japanese automaker says.

June 15, 2007

Audi's Le Mans win gives diesel street cred

Diesel engine racecars claim first and second place at legendary French endurance race.

June 18, 2007

And the winner is...diesel?

Talk all you want about ethanol and hydrogen, the car industry seems to have already picked its "alternative" fuel.

June 20, 2007

Body of a car, brains of a PC

Software is becoming the new competitive weapon in the car market, and Big Blue is working to build a "network on wheels."

August 13, 2007

Volvo C30 to get 52 mpg

C30 'Efficiency' version lives up to name, and Volvo says other 2008 models will also see fuel-sipping improvements.

August 20, 2007

Are drivers ready for high-tech onslaught?

Next year will be a model year of change as high-tech features spread from luxury models to entire lineups. But how much tech is too much?

August 28, 2007

Photos: Electric vehicles you can buy right now

You don't have to wait for the big automakers to come through. There are options on the road already.

August 31, 2007

Photos: Cleaning up at the Frankfurt Auto Show

Car lovers have their eyes on central Germany for the latest designs from Ferrari, Ford and more. Eco-friendly is definitely in.

September 11, 2007

Roboticists to ride wave of power, chip and sensor improvements

Executives at MIT forum say improvements and reduced costs in sensors, computation and batteries will spur industry revolution.

October 11, 2007

Photos: Hot, quirky and green at Tokyo auto show

This year's biggest auto show in Asia features sports cars, minis, and personal transporters with an eye toward the environment.

October 26, 2007

Photo: Full speed ahead at LA Auto Show

From the new Mustang Bullitt to a home hydrogen fueling station, here are some of the must-see items from the show.

November 16, 2007

Additional Headlines

Tech design with thought

MIT offers City Car for the masses

Help! I can't program my car

GM chairman to keynote CES

Robot race in 'DARPA city'

DARPA race pushes robotics forward

The RoboCars of 2057

Photos: Carmakers paint Geneva green

Photos: Fun cars hit the road in Frankfurt

Photos: Peugeot, Xbox 360 car design winners emerge

Images: Car tech for the masses

Photos: NY auto show's fast and funky

 
Car tech

Year in review: Car tech gets political

By Candace Lombardi
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: December 27, 2007, 4:00 AM PST
Tell us what you think about this storyTalkBack E-mail this story to a friendE-mail Add to your del.icio.usdel.icio.us Digg this storyDigg this

This year saw automotive technology turn into a political hot button.

Late in the year, President Bush signed a sweeping energy bill that sets higher fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks. But the politics of global warming and growing concern over energy use were apparent in the auto industry throughout the year.

The New York auto show's Taxis of the Future exhibit and the many green-themed cars showcased at the LA Auto Show, Tokyo auto show, and Geneva auto show this year illustrated a continued shift toward car technology with fuel efficiency in mind.

We saw thoughts on city transport vehicles, robot vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrids. In addition to far-out concepts for the real road and for the virtual road, many companies introduced fuel-sipping improvements such as Toyota's gas-saving valve engines, a diesel-powered Volvo that gets 52 mpg, and electric vehicles you can buy right now.

Audi's win at Le Mans with a diesel car fit in nicely with many automakers' evident decision to make clean diesel-powered cars the temporary fix for the U.S. energy crisis.

But hydrogen fuel seems to be the most hyped technology this year, if not a true contender, for the way things will go down long-term. Several companies are working to develop hydrogen energy technology, an alternative-energy darling with several municipalities and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The beginning of a high-tech onslaught of automation and computer technology in cars also became evident. Automakers unveiled plans for their 2008 car models that included tech options like Bluetooth, self-parking, lane departure warning systems, and adaptive cruise control--features previously restricted to luxury models.

Some owners of those high-tech cars struggled with the design of the human-machine interface and programming a car computer for the first time. Partnerships between major tech companies and automakers were also forged, with many announcing plans to have a greater presence at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show.

Roboticists also took the combination of artificial intelligence and the coming robotics revolution in cars further than ever. The DARPA Urban Challenge race featuring robotic cars took to "city" streets this year to prove autonomous vehicles have a future.

The small and young driver space heated up with the Audi A1 and VW Space Up concepts that could compete against the "carbon-conscious" yet fashionable BMW Mini if they go into production as predicted.

And in what may be the most intriguing saga of 2007, Porsche got control of Volkswagen after a lengthy court battle and almost immediately announced plans to revamp the German automaker into a high-tech powerhouse that could compete with Toyota in terms of global sales. Next year may reveal if that high-tech car dream could come true.

2007 Highlights

Photos: Cool concept cars for the highway--and for the Xbox 360

Is it more exciting to see a concept car you designed built as a full-scale model or driven in an Xbox 360 video game?

February 2, 2007

Priming the pump for hydrogen fuel

Start-up Ecotality taps NASA technology for a system that can feed a vehicle's fuel cell on-demand.

March 27, 2007

Studying the hydrogen energy chain

Turning hydrogen into a viable fuel presents many challenges, but researchers are also discovering possible solutions.

April 4, 2007

U.S. cities hot for hydrogen

Hydrogen supporters hope what happens in Vegas doesn't just stay in Vegas.

April 4, 2007

New York hails taxis of the future

With wheelchair lifts, easy-to-clean interiors and ride-sharing signs, exhibit shows New Yorkers how to improve its iconic cabs.

April 5, 2007

Revolutionary mechanical arm provides grip, feel

Team lead by Applied Physics Laboratory has come up with a prosthetic breakthrough, giving fine motor skills and sensory perception to amputees.

April 27, 2007

Sizing up the coming robotics revolution

Rodney Brooks, director of MIT's CSAIL and CTO of iRobot, discusses AI, robots and the coming bicentennial man.

May 15, 2007

Roboticist inspired by more than machines

Robotics Institute Director Matt Mason wants people to be inspired by science fiction, origami and research beyond the machine.

May 18, 2007

Toyota: Gas-saving valve in engines by 2010

"Valvematic" technology will make gas engines 5 percent to 10 percent more efficient, Japanese automaker says.

June 15, 2007

Audi's Le Mans win gives diesel street cred

Diesel engine racecars claim first and second place at legendary French endurance race.

June 18, 2007

And the winner is...diesel?

Talk all you want about ethanol and hydrogen, the car industry seems to have already picked its "alternative" fuel.

June 20, 2007

Body of a car, brains of a PC

Software is becoming the new competitive weapon in the car market, and Big Blue is working to build a "network on wheels."

August 13, 2007

Volvo C30 to get 52 mpg

C30 'Efficiency' version lives up to name, and Volvo says other 2008 models will also see fuel-sipping improvements.

August 20, 2007

Are drivers ready for high-tech onslaught?

Next year will be a model year of change as high-tech features spread from luxury models to entire lineups. But how much tech is too much?

August 28, 2007

Photos: Electric vehicles you can buy right now

You don't have to wait for the big automakers to come through. There are options on the road already.

August 31, 2007

Photos: Cleaning up at the Frankfurt Auto Show

Car lovers have their eyes on central Germany for the latest designs from Ferrari, Ford and more. Eco-friendly is definitely in.

September 11, 2007

Roboticists to ride wave of power, chip and sensor improvements

Executives at MIT forum say improvements and reduced costs in sensors, computation and batteries will spur industry revolution.

October 11, 2007

Photos: Hot, quirky and green at Tokyo auto show

This year's biggest auto show in Asia features sports cars, minis, and personal transporters with an eye toward the environment.

October 26, 2007

Photo: Full speed ahead at LA Auto Show

From the new Mustang Bullitt to a home hydrogen fueling station, here are some of the must-see items from the show.

November 16, 2007

Additional Headlines

Tech design with thought

MIT offers City Car for the masses

Help! I can't program my car

GM chairman to keynote CES

Robot race in 'DARPA city'

DARPA race pushes robotics forward

The RoboCars of 2057

Photos: Carmakers paint Geneva green

Photos: Fun cars hit the road in Frankfurt

Photos: Peugeot, Xbox 360 car design winners emerge

Images: Car tech for the masses

Photos: NY auto show's fast and funky