The first asphalt roads built for cyclist?

Most motorist assume the asphalt road was built for the automobile, but the truth is the first flat asphalt roads were not built for the automobile as commonly believed they were built for cyclist. More than 100 years ago cyclist campaigned for flat roads. The flat hard road surfaces still in use today are relatively new. The asphalt road surfaces were not put into wide-ranging use until the 1930’s.

Mercedes-Benz incorporates a navigation system with Google Glass

Mercedes- Benz has developed a system that integrates a navigation system with Google Glass. Google Glass uses a pair of glasses that in one of lenses is a voice activated interface. The idea behind the system is to merge digital living with the driving experience. The overall concept is to allow the driver to access the same information that is stored on his/her Smartphone form their car. An example of the system is that it can direct a driver to his/her car and transfer destination address into the navigation system.  Mercedes-Benz stated they will offer the system when Google makes the glass commercially available.

Recall on Toyota Sedans

Toyota is recalling approximately 803,000 sedans in the United States. The reason for the recall is potential problems with air conditioning condensers, water leaking from the condenser can leak onto the airbag control module which could lead to the airbag to deploy and inflate at the wrong time. In addition the power steering could be affected by a leaky condenser. Models included in the recall are the Camry, Avalon and Venza sedans model years 2012 and 2013.

Dual Fuel Impala

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson announced GM will offer a version of the Chevrolet Impala sedan that will have the ability to switch between natural gas and gasoline. Due to a boom in U.S. drilling natural gas has become a more viable fuel for cars. Akerson stated “there will be nothing like it on the road”.

The dual fuel Impala will have two fuel tanks one for compressed natural gas and one for gasoline. The dual fuel Impala is set for sale next summer as a 2015 model.

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes were patented in 1901 by Frederick William Lanchester a British inventor.

General Motors adds enhanced features to the 2014 Malibu

In an effort to improve the overall profile of General Motors 2014 Malibu, GM has added text-to -voice technology  which reads text messages over the car's audio system. To achieve greater fuel economy the 2014 Malibu has standard stop-start and variable intake valve and transmission enhancement. According to Chevrolet Global Chief Marketing Officer Tim Mahoney the midsize sedan segment is one of the most competitive in the industry. "The new enhanced features makes the  2014 Malibu a smarter choice, putting it at the heart of the strongest Chevrolet passenger lineup in our history."

The next big trend for automakers may be self-driving systems. 

In two years Toyota Motor Corporation is planning to introduce systems enabling cars to communicate with each other to avoid car crashes. Using radio waves to collect the data from other vehicles the system enables the car to maintain a safe distances thus avoiding collision. Another system showed the use of radar, control software and cameras that helps a vehicle stay in a lane on its own.

Other automakers to follow; General Motors’ autonomous vehicles by 2020 and the Nissan Leaf with an advanced driver assist.

Toyota is recalling 615,000 Sienna minivans in the US. The reason for the recall is that the transmission may able to be taken out of Park without depressing the brake pedal which leads to an increased risk of the vehicle rolling away on its own. The effected model years are 2004-2005 and 2007-2009. Toyota stated that the recall is voluntary.

In 1935 Oklahoma City was the site of the first coin-operated parking meter.