Technology Developments

March 2013 - Robotic Efficiencies

March 1, 2013 4:42 pm | Digital Editions | Comments

In this issue see how Starbucks' continuous improvement philosophy earns an AME Manufacturing Excellence Award, learn how mobile access to maintenance could mean easier troubleshooting, check out the 2013 Industrial Web Directory, and more.

Speedometer Top Speed Often Exceeds Reality

February 28, 2013 2:18 pm | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | Comments

The speedometer on the Toyota Yaris says the tiny car can go 140 miles per hour. In reality, the bulbous subcompact's 106-horsepower engine and automatic transmission can't push it any faster than 109. So why do the Yaris — and most other cars sold in the U.S. — have speedometers that show top speeds they can't possibly reach?

Audi Allroad: Better Than An SUV

February 27, 2013 3:58 pm | by CNN Money | Videos | Comments

These days, everybody has crossover SUVs - Audi even has two of them. But for 2013, Audi has brought the 'allroad' back to its lineup. An all-wheel drive station wagon with extra ground clearance that's more fun to drive than crossover SUVs.

Nissan - EPORO Robots Come To America

February 27, 2013 3:54 pm | by John Murphy | Videos | Comments

Seven small robots made by Nissan Motor Company could help change the fundamental way we get around forever. EPOROs - or zero emission robot car concepts - have made their debut in America and these little chick-like creatures run on electricity and use algorithms to move in harmony and in solitude.

School Helps Bring Manufacturing Jobs Back To The U.S.

February 27, 2013 3:51 pm | by AFTHQ | Videos | Comments

Austin Polytechnical Academy was founded as a partnership between labor and business to train students for high-end manufacturing jobs that often remain unfilled for lack of trained talent. The goal of this school is to educate students in all areas of manufacturing.

Apple CEO Promises Investors 'Great Stuff' To Come

February 27, 2013 2:09 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Apple CEO Tim Cook is assuring shareholders that the company is working on some "great stuff" that may help reverse a sharp decline in its stock price. True to Apple's secretive nature, Cook didn't provide any further product details during the company's annual shareholders meeting Wednesday at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.

Tesla CEO Vows To Pay Off U.S. Loan Early

February 27, 2013 10:16 am | by Matthew Daly, Associated Press | News | Comments

The chief executive of electric car maker Tesla Motors says his company plans to pay back an Energy Department loan in half the time required by the U.S. government. CEO Elon Musk said Tesla plans to pay off the $465 million federal loan in five years, rather than 10 years.

Too Big To Fly: Why Engineering Should Stay Small

February 27, 2013 8:00 am | by Chris Fox, Associate Editor, PD&D | Blogs | Comments

Everybody has heard the now-clichéd term, ‘too big to fail’, and all of the negative connotations that are associated with said title. Also, I’m sure most, if not all, of you have heard or read something about the recent problems Boeing is experiencing with the Lithium Ion batteries.

Nissan Launches High-End Model In China

February 26, 2013 10:29 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Nissan Motor Co. launched a new model of its high-end sedan Teana in China on Tuesday, a world premiere that underlines the increasing weight of the Chinese market for the Japanese automaker. According to Nissan officials, this is the first time the company launched a new car model in China ahead of all other markets.

Huawei Reveals 'Fastest Smartphone In The World'

February 25, 2013 10:12 am | by Peter Svensson, AP Technology Writer | News | Comments

Huawei, a Chinese company that recently became the world's third-largest maker of smartphones, calls its new flagship product "the fastest smartphone in the world" and wants to use it to expand global awareness of its brand. Parts of the presentation of the phone at a press conference Sunday in Barcelona, Spain, suggest that the company has some way to go in polishing its pitch for a global audience.

SRNL, Ford Study Powering Cars With Natural Gas

February 22, 2013 2:15 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Scientists at a lab at the Savannah River Site are studying ways to power vehicles using natural gas. The Savannah River National Laboratory is partnering with Ford Motor Co., the University of California-Berkeley and BASF. The project is funded by a $5.5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Boeing To Propose 787 Battery Fix

February 21, 2013 4:24 pm | by Joan Lowy, Joshua Freed, Associated Press | News | Comments

Boeing has developed a plan that it intends to propose to federal regulators to temporarily fix problems with the 787 Dreamliner's batteries that have kept the planes on the ground for more than a month, a congressional official told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Tour PlanetSolar

February 20, 2013 3:12 pm | by spectrummag | Videos | Comments

PlanetSolar is the first boat to travel around the world on sunlight alone. Christian Ochsenbein, the on-board electrical engineer during the 19-month journey, shows off the yacht's power system. For more information visit http://spectrum.ieee.org.

Using Explosions To Power Soft Robots

February 20, 2013 3:07 pm | by Harvard University | Videos | Comments

Using small explosions produced by a mix of methane and oxygen, researchers at Harvard have designed a soft robot that can leap as much as a foot in the air. That ability to jump could one day prove critical in allowing the robots to avoid obstacles during search and rescue operations following a disaster.

New Airbag Protects Pedestrians

February 20, 2013 8:08 am | by Meaghan Ziemba, Editor, WDD | Articles | Comments

Car safety has come a long way since the very first Ford Model-T took to the streets back in 1908. From air bags to digital rear-view mirrors, drivers can now feel more comfortable when they get behind the wheel — and safer. Now that the driver is more secure, the automotive industry has shifted its sights to increased safety features for pedestrians.

IMTSTV: National Engineers Week

February 19, 2013 11:41 am | by IMTSTV | Videos | Comments

As part of National Engineers Week, AMT partnered with the SME Education Foundation, Gardner Business Media, and Modern Machine Shop magazine to produce a video titled "Women in Engineering," featuring Becky Miller, a Quality Control Engineer at GE Aviation. The purpose of this video is to educate young women about the possibilities offered by a career in manufacturing.

WV Gov Proposes End To Plug-In Car Credits

February 19, 2013 10:23 am | by David Gutman, Associated Press | News | Comments

It's not often that environmental organizations and the coal industry come down on the same side of a policy debate. But that's happening in West Virginia, where both groups have concerns about Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's proposal to eliminate a state tax incentive for plug-in electric cars and other alternative fuel vehicles.

What It Costs To Make BlackBerry's Z10

February 18, 2013 3:00 pm | by CNN Money | Videos | Comments

It's been a rough few years for Blackberry, watching as its phones lost market share to the likes of Apple and Samsung. Trying to reverse its fortunes, the Canadian company overhauled its hardware and software, and the result is the Blackberry Z10. Here's a breakdown of the first BlackBerry 10 device that shows the Z10's costs are competitive with Apple's iPhone.

Speedier EV Charging Touted At Toronto Auto Show

February 15, 2013 1:12 pm | by Will Campbell, The Canadian Press | News | Comments

High-powered charging stations may be popping up in a mall parking lot near you as Canadian companies look to expand the number of places hybrid and electric cars can stop and juice up. The Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto features not only bold concept vehicles, but also several firms looking to plant a charging station in your home and on the highway.

FAA Moves Toward Widespread U.S. Drone Flights

February 15, 2013 12:51 pm | by Joan Lowy, Associated Press | News | Comments

A future in which unmanned drones are as common in U.S. skies as helicopters and airliners has moved a step closer to reality with a government request for proposals to create six drone test sites around the country. The Federal Aviation Administration made the request Thursday, kicking off what is anticipated to be an intense competition between states hoping to win one of the sites.

Honda Civic Sedan Is Back As A Smart Buy

February 15, 2013 12:01 pm | by Ann M. Job, For The Associated Press | News | Comments

The Honda Civic is back as a smart-to-buy compact sedan, with a premium look inside and out, a more solid-feeling ride and a standard rearview camera on every model. The Civic's steering is revised for 2013, too, and new standard equipment includes Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, iPod interface, and Pandora Internet radio compatibility.

Airbus To Drop Lithium-Ion Batteries In A350

February 15, 2013 10:18 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Airbus abandoned its plans to use lithium-ion batteries for its new A350 airplanes due to the uncertainty surrounding the technology following the grounding of Boeing's 787, the company said. The European aerospace group said Thursday it would revert to conventional nickel-cadmium batteries for the A350.

How 3D Metal Printing May Change Manufacturing

February 14, 2013 9:11 am | by Penn State | Videos | Comments

At a recent additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, showcase at Penn State, engineers demoed some of the latest technology in the field. Hear from experts about how 3D metal printing may change manufacturing in the United States, and what challenges it faces.

Manufacturing For Growth

February 14, 2013 9:08 am | by WorldEconomicForum | Videos | Comments

During 2012, the Forum built on the findings of the Future of Manufacturing report with the Manufacturing for Growth project, creating a platform for business executives, policy-makers and members of civil society to identify key strategies and recommendations for driving economic growth and job creation through the production of goods.

Hybrids, Hype Roll Into Toronto Auto Show

February 13, 2013 10:12 am | by Will Campbell, The Canadian Press | News | Comments

Hybrid engines going mainstream and a bumper year for new vehicle rollouts are expected to make this year's Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto one to watch. Canada's leading auto festival marks its 40th anniversary with the Canadian debut of more than 40 cars, SUVs, trucks and concept vehicles.