Editor Blogs

February 2018

Automakers Must Add Sounds to Electric Cars by 2020

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

The government has set a 2020 deadline for automakers to comply with “quiet car” regulations. Not to curb noise pollution, mind you – but to solve an incidental quandary with electric vehicles. Most electric and hybrid cars are as raucous as golf carts, and that’s a big problem for the blind communi

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02/27/2018

Fiat Chrysler to Phase out Diesel Vehicles by 2022

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

Fiat Chrysler might be sitting out the electric race, but they are taking concrete steps to wean off fossil fuels – even if their motivation is selfish. CNET Roadshow pointed out that “Dieselgate” – an emissions testing scandal from several years ago – has marred diesel sales in Europe. And while Volkswagen was

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02/26/2018

Generating Electricity From the Human Body

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

A new research project from the University at Buffalo and the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) could make huge strides in bioenergy harvesting. The study has produced a small metal tab capable of generating electricity when attached to the body. The researchers relied on triboelectric charging, which is when mater

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02/22/2018

Toyota aims for 50 per cent reduction in rare-earth elements with new magnetic

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

Rare-earth elements have proven to be a critical part of our technological advancements. The attributes they bring can change the way normal materials act, or enhance their attributes. They are vital parts of many different products, from hard drives to wind turbines, and even the screens for our tablets and sm

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02/22/2018

Concept art for UberAir.

Uber to Launch Air Taxi Service in 5-10 Years

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

In the future, when you call an Uber, you might have to specify air or ground. The peer-to-peer ridesharing company reaffirmed its commitment to an air taxi service that could proliferate globally in 5-10 years. By that point, “UberAir” (and a horde of competitors) could radically transform the notion of

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02/20/2018

New Zealand City Launches Electric Car-Sharing Service

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

Within several years, auto companies worldwide are launching fully-electrified lineups, and New Zealand’s third-largest city wants in on the action. Christchurch, NZ debuted an electric car-sharing scheme involving 100 cars dispersed amongst 10 regional hubs. In what the NZ Herald is dubbing the “largest

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02/16/2018

Google hastens AI adoption by renting out AI chip time

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

The IoT will impact every area of our lives, at work, in our homes and even during our leisure time. At the heart of the IoT is the artificial intelligence that takes data from sensors, analyzes it and then makes a decision using all of the information available. That decision may be when a driverless car needs to

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02/15/2018

The Volkswagen I.D. Buzz.

Volkswagen Models Electric Cars After Apple Design Aesthetic

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

So what’s next from VW? Dense user agreements with vital info tucked away in section III, subparagraph II? Not that I’m bitter.... Volkswagen announced that they’d be looking at Apple for a little design guidance. Not that Apple has much experience with autos, mind you, but the Cupertino giant’s chic style (and

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02/15/2018

Could California go Zero-Emissions by 2050?

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

Norway’s goal of electrifying all short-haul flights in 22 years is a pittance compared to this – a green NGO believes California can be emissions-free by 2050. The goal is part of the “Right to Zero” campaign from the ominous-sounding “Earthjustice” group, the “premier nonprofit environmental law organization” which wields “the power of law and the strength of p

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02/08/2018

Power in focus at Hannover

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

Hannover Messe is more than likely the biggest industrial exhibition in the world. Almost a quarter of a million visitors turned up last year to view the latest technologies on show by 6,500 exhibitors and to listen to over 150 speakers in the technical sessions. Companies and visitors from all over the world he

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02/08/2018

"Strong Demand" for Replacement Batteries After iOS SNAFU

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

So consumers are interested in a replacement battery after a discreet amendment to a software update slows down their devices? My response is unprintable, but suffice to say, it involves creative use of “Sherlock.” For those who’ve been living under a very tiny rock, Apple infuriated consumers with an inco

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02/06/2018

Concept art of an airplane with Zunum's electric motor.

Norway Wants Its Puddle Jumpers Fully Electric by 2040

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

Norway has an ambitious goal – to electrify all short-haul flights lasting 1.5 hours or less. The target date? 2040. No pressure … Avinor, Norway’s state-owned airport operator, specified their target – “This would cover all domestic flights and those to neighbouring Scandinavian capitals,” said Avinor chief execut

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02/05/2018

The Tesla P100D.

FIA Approves All-Tesla Racing Series

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

The Formula E electric racing series is about to have competition. On Thursday, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) gave the green light to an all-Tesla racing series. The Verge reports that the Electric Production Car Series aspires to be an ultimate battle royale between the best all-around electric

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02/01/2018