A Smarter Planet, getting from A to B. (IBM)

(IBM) Smart Planet, a smarter planet, getting from A to B.

Clogged roadways need new approaches
Next time you're stuck in traffic ground to a halt, think about this: as smart as our cars have become, our roadways are about to get a whole lot smarter.
It's certainly needed. Cities everywhere are battling an increase in demand and an inability to build sufficient infrastructure to cope. For example, in the U.S., as population grew nearly 20% between 1982 and 2001, traffic jumped 236%.
Building new roads and new lanes often just isn't possible any longer, but building intelligence into the roads and the cars—with roadside sensors, radio frequency tags, and global positioning systems—certainly is.
In Stockholm, a new smart toll system has reduced traffic and carbon emissions by impressive percentages.
In London, a congestion management system has lowered traffic volume to mid-1980s levels.
In Singapore, a traffic prediction system is helping re-route and manage traffic citywide, preventing major back-ups and congestion.

IBM issues rosy 2009 outlook
BUCKING the trend of high-tech competitors, IBM posted a 12 per cent gain in fourth-quarter profit and gave an upbeat outlook for 2009.
Although facing "an extremely difficult economic environment," IBM said it expects to continue to benefit from the increasing profitability of its software and services businesses. Despite the global slowdown, IBM said customers are continuing to sign up for outsourcing and other services contracts.

IBM Global Innovation Outlook (Download PDF)

IBM Driving Innovation, new technologies and ideas (Download PDF)

Cars of the Future

Nova TV (PBS.org) has a very good research item about The Car of the Future. Check out this site!

Model of Efficiency

Two decades ago, physicist and energy expert Amory Lovins came up with a notion he called "Hypercar," a general class of vehicles so fuel-efficient it might, Lovins hoped, radically reduce oil consumption in the U.S. and worldwide. A tailpipe dream? Perhaps not. While the Hypercar SUV that Lovins and colleagues designed in 2000 remains a one-of-a-kind concept vehicle, many automakers are beginning to embrace the underlying principles of Hypercar. In this audio slideshow, Lovins describes the key characteristics that any Hypercar would have, and he offers a glimpse of a Hypercar-like Toyota vehicle that may soon be driving through your neighborhood.—Susan K. Lewis

Beyond Technology

Plug-in hybrids, carbon-fiber composites, hydrogen fuel cells—a wide range of innovative technologies may make our future vehicles more efficient and less reliant on oil. But as David Greene of the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory* explains in this interview, technology alone will not solve the looming crisis we face with our petroleum-powered fleet. We also need smart government policies.

NOVA Open Content: Car of the Future on YouTube


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NISSAN | Concept Car PIVO 2

Despite its compact dimensions, Pivo 2's ultra-thin motor - jointly developed with Fujitsu General Ltd - has twice the torque output of a conventional electric motor. This is achieved by optimising the layout of its electromagnetic coils and permanent magnets, and by adopting a 3D magnetic-flux-path structure to help the flux flow efficiently. For optimum performance, the whole assembly is designed to fit within the Pivo 2 wheels.
ECO Drive Support Service provides the information to support driver's fuel efficient driving. By changing driving habit through ECO Drive Support Service, individual drivers can help contribute to reduce CO2 emission.


NISSAN | Concept Car PIVO 2
Pivo 2 takes the idea of an environmentally friendly electric urban commuter vehicle and delivers fun.