Category: Auto Tech

Move over traffic! The flying car is here.

A flying car: Something that fans of The Jetsons and tech freaks have always been pining for. After all the fantasizing and day-dreaming, finally, it is one step closer to reality. The AirCar, an experimental prototype by KleinVision has recently taken its maiden flight!

Developed by the aforementioned KleinVision, which is a Slovakian company founded by Stefan Klein, the AirCar is predominantly built from advanced composite materials that were produced by the certified Slovak company SKMODEL, s.r.o. All construction parts were manufactured meeting the highest quality standards using high-tech methods. It was tested successfully at Nitra airport in October 2019.

To test a number of aerodynamic and flight control characteristics predicted by digital simulation and analyses, a Flight Demonstrator Testbed (FDT), a model in the scale 1:1, had been built and used in flight mode. All the results measured and observed with the FDT confirmed the theoretical predictions. Currently, the FDT has been donated to and is displayed in the Aviation Museum in Košice.

The AirCar comprises several functional units. Its aerodynamic fuselage provides enough space for the passengers and simultaneously contributes to better lift characteristics during the flight. Among advanced technologies are retractable wings, folding tail surfaces, and a parachute deployment system, among others. The folding tail surfaces contribute to better longitudinal stability and take-off characteristics, just like in a conventional aircraft. However, in the car mode, the retracted tail results in a more compact size.

A fully functional flying of the AirCar prototype has been developed, from an initial idea to final product in the experimental category within 18 months. Experimental categories support the complete research and verification of all technical and design tasks.

Simulation methods and design optimization have been used throughout the entire R&D stage. A simulation, based on the CFD analyses was carried out at VUT Brno in close cooperation with experts in aerodynamics. The team has performed extensive analyses using state-of-the-art simulation methods such as FEM to achieve the best overall outcome. The load and stress calculations were conducted by Dalibor Vlček, MSc., who also contributed with his experience gained while acting as a Compliance Verification Engineer within several projects overseen by EASA.

The AirCar prototype is currently subject to intense ground and flight tests in the experimental category since October 2019. The flying prototype of AirCar was introduced to the general public on November 5, 2019, at CIIE in Shanghai, China. Thorough testing will continue in the next months to come. Variations of two engines will be included in the tests, along with an amphibious version.

Though there is no news of the official launch of the AirCar in the Indian or international market, its research is expected to conclude soon, which will lead to the initiation of its commercial production.

Advertisement : Hyundai ‘Click to Buy’ x Ranvijay Singh

We introduced Ranvijay Singh to Hyundai’s online buying platform ‘Click to Buy’ which is meant to make car ownership during these difficult times – contact-less safe convenient and hassle free. Also, all of Hyundai’s models are available for purchase through this platform.

See how he gets his hands on the new wheels in just few steps. So what are you waiting for? Get your hands on the new wheels now!

Mercedes Benz EQC SUV | Are We Ready For Electric Cars?

Mercedes Benz has brought the EQC SUV to India and after a nice long drive and testing its features, we are here to make you decide if it’s worth all the hype. To stop making you wonder more about the car, we have asked all the necessary EV questions. What is the battery tech? What is the range? What features does it offer? And most importantly, is it worthy of that three-pointed star.

Take the Smart route with JK Tyre!

Have you considered a future without smart technology? It is impossible to do so. In fact, your future version will be a lot smarter than you and probably be using much more advanced technology than any of us right now. How many times have you been stuck in the middle of a long drive when your tyre just went flat? Haven’t we all faced the frustration of having a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere? Well, JK tyre, one of the leading manufacturers of tyres in India, came up with a solution that assists us in the maintenance of tyres and increases their life span as a result.

The Smart Tyre technology from JK Tyre provides the driver with real-time information such as the pressure and temperature inside a tyre, the behaviour etc, at their disposal anytime, anywhere, on their smartphones. The company launched TREEL sensors, a smart-tyre technology claimed to be the first-ever in India, at the Auto-Expo that was held in Delhi, this year. The ‘Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)’ is an electronic system designed to monitor the air pressure inside the pneumatic tyres on various types of vehicles.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director said, “JK Tyre has always been at the forefront of innovation and technology. Being the market leaders in the Indian tyre industry, we have once again lived up to our leadership role by delivering ‘Smart Tyre’ – an extension to our promise of providing advanced mobility solutions to our customers. This technology provides an enhanced value proposition to vehicle owners, particularly fleets, by reducing their operational costs. Along with this, we have also showcased our new range of concept tyres here at the Auto Expo we have a roadmap laid in front of us, as we plan to move ahead with a number of new products including some breakthrough innovations this year.”

Almost 75% of tyres on Indian roads are not inflated to the required extent, eventually resulting in accidents, accelerated tyre wear, tyre bursts and low mileage. Smart Tyre technology tells the driver about the health of the tyres and enhances the safety and performance of your personal vehicles. The information is collected by the monitoring system connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. It can be accessed via a mobile application named TREEL CARE or on the web page. It helps in the detection of the problem and allows the user to rectify it in time. The app is user-friendly and can store data of up to 10 cars or even bikes.

The valves that come along with the sensors are fitted in the rim of each tyre. The app eventually shows the pressure in each tyre. It also flashes when the tyre pressure is really low. The Smart Tyre technology also aids in reducing the carbon emission by delivering a higher fuel efficiency up to 4-5%. Along with this, it’ll also help in reducing maintenance costs, and give a better diagnosis of the engine.

The Smart Tyre technology is compatible with cars, bikes and trucks/buses. It is available in three variants for cars- Smart Tyre Sensor Car Kit: Valve, MTrac Smart Sensor Car & Truck Kit: Valve and MPower Smart Sensor Car Kit: Valve. Similarly, it is available in two variants for bikes- Smart Tyre Sensor Bike Kit: Belt and MTrac Smart Sensor Bike Kit: Belt. An advanced set of these sensors is accompanied by a connecting rod, which tracks vehicle engine health, real-time speed, fuel levels and the live location of the vehicle. Every car kit includes 5 sensors and every bike kit includes 2 sensors.

TREEL Sensors are currently commercially available at more than 700 dealerships across India and JK Tyre plans to sell the technology online via an exclusive e-commerce sales channel to end customers. Buying a car with real-time monitoring systems isn’t expensive anymore. You can easily install the smart tyres on any vehicle at a very affordable price!

Want to try a Skoda? Now you can, touchfree!

It’s been “125 years of glorious history and heritage” since ŠKODA AUTO was first introduced to the world and has been blooming since then. With its 125th anniversary in play, ŠKODA AUTO has established the second wave of the contactless programme that all the automobile enthusiasts have been talking about. This recent development has received a great deal of encouragement across the world.  

After the country was given the freedom to unlock their homes with the implementation of UNLOCK 1.0 in early June, ŠKODA AUTO India superseded everything in the entire digital automotive purchase ecosystem with the introduction of a centralized booking platform for the customers. The platform was highly appreciated which finally paved the way for the establishment of the second wave. It is developed and designed considering the Covid-19 situation, to give an opportunity to the customers to buy cars online without having to risk their lives in the first place.  

The programme is developed in a way that is appropriate for the customers—a transparent and contactless experience that Czech marque commits to deliver along with the customer’s safety as the first priority. The platform requires you to choose the ŠKODA AUTO vehicle from the comfort of your own home in a hassle-free and convenient manner. It supports a robust live consultation suite and a contactless virtual product demonstration option, available for sign up on the website, and accessible via video conferencing over smartphones, tablets and personal computers while integrating with the 80 plus dealership touchpoints nationwide. The platform is undoubtedly safe and secure. 

The service is easily available through video conferences on smartphones, tablets and personal computers, offering customers the facility of contactless test drives at their doorsteps.  

“The ŠKODA AUTO contactless programme testifies our commitment to use technology as a tool to stay connected with our customers and deliver an uncompromised sales and service experience, more so in these unprecedented circumstances. The latest initiative provides customers with an opportunity to explore and experience our exciting new range of products from the comfort of their home”, said Zac Hollis, the Brand Director of ŠKODA AUTO, India. 

 Also, Czech marque believes in the typical practice of digitizing the ownership experience by providing a single window interface between an existing or a prospective customer and the branch through the latest MyŠKODA mobile application. The MYŠKODA App is available for download on the iTunes App Store for iPhone and Google Play store for Android devices. Customers can select their most preferred dealership, book an appointment according to their preferred time slot. They can also access service history, understand cost estimation through the cost calculator, buy accessories, itemized billing records and connect to ŠKODA customer care, if needed.  

‘Simply Clever’ philosophy introduced by ŠKODA AUTO provides technologies like AI enabled Chat Bot, facilitating 24×7 support services, reduced turnaround time, and enhanced interactions. Amidst the pandemic, the automobile industry is going to great lengths to provide the best services possible to its customers. We simply have to use them!  

 

Wished Spy Kids was real? Meet the Audi AI: RACE.

We were barely breaking in our teens when we were introduced to the Spy Kids franchise. The cool, futuristic setting of the movies was only complemented by the fast and furious vehicles in the movie. Perhaps taking inspiration from them or out of sheer automotive genius, German automobile manufacturer Audi has created the AI: RACE.

First introduced in 2018, the car is a symbol of futuristic technology, as it supports wireless charging that can juice up the battery in just 15 minutes! It is expected to be offered with a solid-state 95kWh capacity battery that will give the AI: RACE a range of 500 kilometres. It also offers a segment-first transforming cockpit. 

No, the car does not transform into a talking robot, unfortunately. However, the cockpit can be adjusted to suit the racetrack or the road. This is possible as the driver’s seat and the cockpit are integrated into an inner monocoque shell that can be slid laterally. This allows the driver to position the steering wheel in the centre of the car- a perfect setup for the racetrack. Naturally, the pedals can be shifted as well, while all of this is made possible by the by-wire design that eliminates the need of a mechanical connection.

Gael Buzyn is Head of the Audi Design Loft in Malibu – where the Audi AI:RACE was born. He describes the most important item in the specifications: “We want to offer the driver an experience that is otherwise available only in a racing car like the Audi R18. That’s why we developed the interior around the ideal driver’s position in the center. Nevertheless, our aim was to also give the AI:RACE a high degree of everyday usability, not just for the driver, but also for a potential passenger.”

The AI:RACE is 4.53 meters long, 2 meters wide and just 1.15 meters tall (14.5 x 6.4 x 4.6 ft). These dimensions alone speak of a classical sports car. The wheelbase is 2.70 meters (8.9 ft) and the overhangs are compact. Wide and flat light units with integrated digital matrix technology and laser high-beam headlights complete the face of the AI:RACE.

Powering the futuristic concept are three electric motors – one in the front and two at the back. Audi, sticking to its quattro roots, divides the output of the AI: RACE accordingly. Though the maximum power output stands at 500kW, the driver can temporarily churn out an additional 70kW with boosting. The AI: RACE makes a combined peak torque of 830Nm, that propels the car from a standstill to 100kmph in barely more than 2 seconds.

As mentioned earlier, the AI: RACE supports wireless charging and is designed to charge with 800 volts. The Audi Wireless Charging (AWC) works by placing a charging pad with integral coil on the floor where the car is to be parked, and connecting it to the power supply. The alternating magnetic field induces an alternating voltage in the secondary coil fitted in the floor of the car, across the air gap.

The German luxury carmaker will be manufacturing the AI: RACE in a limited production run. There are 50 units expected to be produced in total and will be sold to exclusive customers.

Ferrari Portofino & Motorola Razr I Sleek Convertible X Futuristic Foldable Screen

Presenting the first of its kind review where we experience pitch-perfect performance of the Ferrari Portofino alongside the revolutionary, stylish and sensational Motorola razr (@motorolain). While the Ferrari Portofino is set to dominate its segment thanks to the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 capable of 591bhp, the Motorola razr shatters the status quo with its cutting-edge technology and iconic design. We meet the industry disruptors to find out how versatile they actually are.

#ferrari #portofino #motorola #razr #exhibit #topgear #Motorolarazr #FlipYourWorld

Want a free Harley Davidson? Just purchase this watch!

Sometimes it is necessary for you to match your wrist watch to your vehicle. While most owners make do with aesthetic similarities, Swiss watchmaker Carl F. Bucherer has taken it one step ahead. Collaborating with American motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson, the company has created the ‘Bucherer Blue’ watch.

The watch is based on the manufacturer’s Patravi TravelTec II and gets a rose gold finished case with a black bezel and a blue face. Its front has a sapphire anti-reflective face while its back sports a transparent window. Its rubber strap is also designed as a tyre tread. The watch runs on CFB 1901.1 calibre automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve. Apart from the hour, minute and second dials, it also shows a date counter and three different time zones.

The owner of this watch will probably get the world’s most expensive watch holder. It is a customized Harley Davidson Softail Slim S which is called the Blue Edition. It has two armoured glass domes inside its fuel tank, which hold the watch and a solitaire ring. The holder, which is insulated with silicone rings to absorb the motorcycle’s vibrations, also doubles up as a watch winder. This charges the watch while it is sitting in the box.

Harley Davidson roped in chop-shop specialists Bundnerbike to complete their project. The basis for this bike is the Harley-Davidson Softail Slim from 2017, which was rebuilt in detail. Even the smallest parts, including bolts, were made by hand and given a high-quality finish. The wheels were specially designed for the Blue Bike, and the saddle is also hand-stitched – made in Switzerland.

 

The motorcycle is also embedded with heat-resistant LEDs on the inside that illuminate the various gold-plated components of the motorcycle. The tank doubles up as the watch holder, as well as the holder of a six-prong solitaire ring with a 5.4 carat diamond.

Mechanically, the motorcycle remains unchanged and carries forward its 107cu.in. (1753cc) V-twin engine that makes 92HP of maximum power and 145Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Patrick Graf, Chief Commercial Officer at Bucherer says, “We are delighted to be able to take advantage of our many years of experience and our close relationships with our partners to create exquisite, one-of-a-kind watches and products as part of the Bucherer BLUE collection, which are available for purchase exclusively at Bucherer.”

The iridescent paint job of the motorcycle was achieved after an elaborate process of silver plating the motorcycle completely. It was then painted with six coats of different colours, that has resulted in the rich, deep blue colour.

As expected, this luxury comes with an incredible price of Rs 15 crore (when converted) of which almost Rs 12 crore go towards the costing of the motorcycle, making it the most expensive one in the world! Still, Rs 3 crore for a wrist watch is quite a fancy deal, don’t you think? Naturally, it is safe to assume that the Harley Davidson Softail S Blue Edition will definitely not be an everyday sight.

Evolution of Marketing in Tech during COVID

All of us have been constantly talking about the impact of COVID in various industries. In this post, let’s read about the evolution of marketing in tech during the COVID-19 era. All we have seen are adverse effects albeit a few industries like online education, e-commerce, mobile apps and social media platforms have seen a growth. When we talk about tech, we know that’s the future and the good thing is that we already are in the future! With artificial intelligence slowly taking centre stage, being under control of our businesses is becoming easier. With all of this, there’s one thing where we want to spend the money right now and at the same time we don’t want to. Marketing. We need recall more than ever but do we have the funds? If we have the funds and if marketing is the priority, do we have the right ways, channels, communication methods to do it? 

Not only the world has changed in terms of the economy and health but also in mindset and behaviour. How do you present yourself in front of someone who has no intention to buy right now, especially if you don’t fall under the category of ‘essential goods’. While so many tech brands suffer from figuring out the right way to communicate at the moment, some others have taken this opportunity to gain a new set of audience and to build more credibility. Honestly, it’s the way you perceive the situation and build a strategy on it. Let’s take a look at some of the tech brands and what have they been doing in the last few months to stay in their people’s minds. 

1. Amazon

For years Amazon has been responsible for changing a buyer’s mindset, thereby changing their behaviour when it comes to online shopping. While for regular things such as books, household items, etc it was always the ‘go to’ app, lately it’s focus on groceries has given fruitful results. Initially where customers were apprehensive of buying grains and pulses from an app that has never done so before, today they’re not only buying groceries but are also trusting the giant for long term usage for the same. Insane. Isn’t it? They’ve also been focussing on promoting sellers who provide health and fitness products or services. After all, our well-being is of utmost importance in such times. We’d say, Amazon has been quick to make this happen and the communication to the consumer has been effective. 

Take a look at how Amazon has been doing this via their social media platforms:

As you can see the introduction of ‘Wow Wednesdays’ is a great idea. Promoting OZiva that deals in natural and herbal products and focusing on wellbeing via special IG TV episodes has helped Amazon Garner attention. While these sessions also help the brand OZiva, at times like these, Amazon is in a complete win-win situation. Topics like fitness and mental health are sure to keep the customers interested for a long time to come and choosing social media to run ‘episodes’ that revolve around the same will keep the audience coming back. 

Right. Now, it is best to make the most use of social media for all kinds of marketing. The benefits as we know are:

  1. You already have an audience.
  2. Lesser spends give you more reach. 
  3. That’s where everyone is spending the most time right now. 

Not only has Amazon picked the right channel but also the right products and messaging. The subject of wellness and fitness is something that is a universal favourite at the moment. 

Here’s a few other essentials they’ve been focussing on and all the focus is on the things you can do at home right now. 

We think this is a great way to communicate not only with your audience but also an opportunity to showcase all the essential products and services you offer to them during a phase like this. Directly shoving your products in the customer’s face right now is of no use. This is an ‘authentic’ way to show you care. 

Read about Facebook Shops

2. Audi

We know that the automobile industry has been negatively impacted but Audi’s communication to the audience is simple, concise and effective. While they can’t change the fact that the whole industry is going downhill, they’ve made sure that the message they give is positive and reassuring; focussing on the ‘journey’ ahead. They’re not losing hope and are holding on to their audience with comforting communication. 

Take a look. 

Their quick thinking drove them to create the MyAudi Connect App that lets you book services, know your trip history, get fuel updates and more! 

The same Audi with a different messaging, offering an ‘app’ experience to all the customers. Very evolutionary and very quick. 

3. Apple

Hasn’t Apple always done something unique that touches people’s lives and hearts? It has always had an ‘inclusive’ culture where it always has made efforts to be a part of its own community. With a human touch, Apple has never failed to impress it’s audience, despite all the controversies it has been a part of. With the lockdown during the pandemic, it’s no different. Here’s how they’ve been working on keeping everyone together and connected during ‘COVID times’. 

#TheAtHomeSeries is the hashtag they’ve added to #ShotoniPhone when people are sharing their images. This, along with sharing the stories associated with those images is intriguing and uses ‘storytelling’ to captivate it’s audience. 

Storytelling can never go wrong, especially in times like these where everyone is seeking a more authentic human connection. Marrying the art of storytelling that involves ‘at home’ activities with the impeccable quality images shot on iPhone is a brilliant idea. The images become a part of the story and build the much needed empathy and connection. 

While all of these are just a few examples of how tech brands are perceiving the pandemic and using the opportunity to showcase a different kind of messaging, there are many who are trying their best to keep up with the times. However, survival will belong to those who ‘evolve’ with the times. 

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