Garmin, Volkswagen "Click & Ride" together

Volkswagen and Garmin have teamed up to create Click & Ride, an integrated GPS system made exclusively for VW vehicles. The system is based on the Garmin Nuvi 7X5 Series of portable navigation devices and features a cradle that connects the device to the vehicle.

Click & Ride is similar to the Garmin integration that we saw in the 2009 Suzuki SX4, with the GPS unit being charged by the car's power supply while its audio is routed through the car's stereo system. The device features a 4.3-inch color touchscreen, text-to-speech, lane assist, and traffic services with the ability to route around congestion.

Like previous Garmin OEM solutions (Volvo, Suzuki), we suspect the unit comes preloaded with Volkswagen dealer locations, as well. However, this hasn't been explicitly stated.
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Nvidia Tegra to push 3D displays in cars

In the future, cars will be powerful enough to run Half-Life 2. We know this because Nvidia has persuaded car manufacturers to adopt its Tegra system-on-ship (SoC)--a hardware package originally designed to bring 3D graphics to next-generation smartphones.

It means cars of the relatively near future will have dynamic displays capable of showing 3D graphics. Instrument panels could be user-configurable, or be clever enough to change display modes depending on driving conditions. Sporty driving, for instance, could yield a larger, more accurate rev counter, which would make way for larger audio or eco driving-related readouts during more sedate motoring.
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An electric motorcycle powered by the sun

Richard Gryzch has developed what he believes to be the first completely solar-charged electric motorcycle.

The Solar Flyer--named after the famous Radio Flyer red wagon--is a modified motorcycle covered in solar panels that generate enough electricity to power the vehicle for 50 miles (about 80km) at a top speed of 90mph (about 144kmh).

Grych has been working on this project for the past two years, and he sold his house and other motorcycles to finance his dream.

But the hobbyist from from Apache Junction, Ariz., isn't finished tinkering with his zero-emissions bike--ultimately, he'd like the Solar Flyer to have a 300 mile (about 482km) range.

Via CNET

Electric car battery swap station trial in Japan

Japan's Ministry of the Environment announced a program this week to test electric vehicles and a network of charging stations, some supplied by auto startup Better Place.

The electric vehicle feasibility study will give local Governments access to 50 electric cars for several months. Cars included are Mitsubishi Motors' iMiev, the Plug-in Stella from Subaru, the Honda Clarity fuel-cell vehicle, and the Erezo electric motorbike under development.

Better Place will install battery exchange stations in the trial. The deal in Japan is similar to those made recently with several countries, the city of San Francisco and the state of Hawaii that have signed on with Better Place, which has developed a system to accelerate electric car use through battery leasing and automated swapping.

The trial is part of Japan's national goal of having electric cars make up half of all new vehicle sales by 2020. The program will also include a facility for rapid car battery charging.
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Cordarounds keep bikers in bright sight on light nights

Cycling commuters are forced to deal with a million obstacles on the ride to and from work. In urban areas, cars remain our biggest foe, largely because people don't make the effort to look out for our blinking lights. Plenty of companies offer cycling-specific clothing, but they're terribly unflattering in all the wrong places.

But check this out: Cordarounds has developed these Bike to Work Pants. The inside of the pockets and pant cuffs are actually made from a material that reflects lights, thus increasing a cyclist's visibility and safety.
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