Jaguar boosts I-Pace efficiency with system tweaks Improvements have come from developments on the racing Jaguar Jaguar has rolled-out a range of updates to its I-Pace range, which see the pure-electric model’s range improved by up to 12 miles on a single charge. The improvements have come about thanks to technical knowledge gained from the I-Pace e-Trophy single-make race series. Battery management, thermal systems, and all-wheel drive torque settings have all been tweaked. The changes will be implemented on all new I-Pace models going forward, and existing customers are being invited to have the improvements retro-fitted to their models. The upgrade is complimentary, and enhanced over-the-air software upgrade functionality will be added at the same time. This means that the I-Pace now has a range of up to 292 miles (WLTP), despite no physical changes being made to the car’s hardware. Jaguar has changed the torque distribution between front and rear motors to offer greater efficiency in Eco mode. The I-Pace retains its permanent all-wheel drive status however. Thermal management improvements see greater use made of the active radiator vanes, closing them more frequently to smooth out aerodynamics more often. The car’s usable battery capacity has been improved too, allowing the I-Pace to run down to a lower state-of-charge than previously. Again, the gross capacity of 90 kWh remains, but the net capacity has been increased. Jaguar has also worked on the brake energy recuperation system to use regen more efficiently when the battery has a high state of charge, and the amount of energy recovery has been increased at lower speeds for a similar effect. Finally, the predictive range calculation algorithm has been refined for a more accurate and consistent estimate, one more reflective of the driving style. Performance figures remain the same, with a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds possible, while recharging is still possible at 100 kW on ultra-rapid points.
Origin: Jaguar boosts IPace efficiency with system tweaks
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General Motors patents a slightly less annoying start-stop system
One of the many double-edged new features in vehicles is the modern start/stop system. Designed to save a few teaspoonfuls of fuel by shutting down a cars engine under certain conditions while its at rest, this invention amuses and annoys in equal measure.On one hand, it is saving fuel; on the other, it can kill power steering on some cars, and roar back to life with a rude judder in others.GM thinks it may have a way around some of these annoyances. At present, a start/stop system looks for a number of criteria before shutting down an engine, including road speed and accessory load. According to a new patent filed by The General, the addition of a camera and slick AI programming could make the systems that much more bearable. Using the cars onboard GPS to help determine location and situation, GMs patent will allow a start/stop system to recognize the difference between being in a parking lot or on the 401 during rush hour. Combined with machine learning, it would theoretically be able to deactivate the start/stop during parking lot maneuvers, or when pulling into a driveway.Few things in this life are more irritating than a car shutting off the instant one stops outside their home only for it to fire again when the driver moves their foot off the brake. If the driver is not quick enough to clue into whats going on raises hand theres a good chance theyll stab a finger at the ignition button to turn off the car but, because the system has already turned the car off, such action results in the engine re-firing for no reason. It can be infuriating.Technically, the system could also read traffic data from the cloud in an attempt to prepare itself for start/stop duty when it might not otherwise be needed. If ones commute is generally light on traffic, such knowledge harvested from the cloud would allow the car to recognize upcoming congestion and permit the start/stop system to operate once thrust into that environment. Since the car is monitoring its whereabouts, Luddites will surely carp about privacy.Its an intriguing solution to a wholly self-created problem. Well keep our ears to the ground for more
Origin: General Motors patents a slightly less annoying start-stop system
Mercedes-Benz reveals “world’s first” autonomous valet parking system
German authorities have granted approval for a fully automated valet parking system at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. The system, claimed to be the world’s first, will be in daily use at the facility’s parking garage. It collects and returns vehicles automatically, with no monitoring human behind the wheel. The system is operated via a smartphone app; drivers can exit their vehicle, activate the parking process on their phone and then leave the building while the vehicle parks itself in a designated space. Bosch-provided sensors throughout the car park communicate with the Daimler-developed receivers in the vehicle to guide it safely through the driving corridor. The vehicle will stop automatically if an obstacle is detected. The system uses Level 4 driverless technology, which is defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers as “driverless driving in a geographically discrete area”. Daimler says the function is “a comprehensive safety concept with appropriate testing and approval criteria that can be applied beyond this pilot project”. As there was no existing legal framework in place for the regulation of an automated valet system, the Stuttgart regional administrative authority and the local transportation authority were on-hand during development to assess the system’s operating safety. Dr Markus Heyn, member of the Bosch board of management, said: “Driverless driving and parking are important building blocks for tomorrow’s mobility. The automated parking system shows just how far we have already progressed along this development path.” This project is the latest in a series of collaborations between Bosch and Daimler. The supplier is currently developing artificial intelligence software for Daimler’s planned driverless taxis, and recent photos appeared to show a test rig for a new synthetic fuel being co-developed by the pair of German
Origin: Mercedes-Benz reveals “world’s first” autonomous valet parking system
Jaguar Land Rover is testing a mood-sensing AI system
Jaguar Land Rover understands that driving can be stressful. Traffic, construction, annoying passengers, whatever it is you’re late for — it can all add up to an unpleasant experience behind the wheel. In fact, as the British automaker points out in a recent press release, reports indicate that 74 per cent of people admit to feeling some form of stress every day. That’s why it has been developing a “mood-detection system” that uses AI-powered tech to track facial expressions and implement subtle changes to help restore some tranquility to the driving experience. Here’s how it works: A driver-facing camera and biometric sensors function in tandem with software that interprets facial expressions to communicate a driver’s #currentmood to the car’s central system, which can then make potentially mood-boosting adjustments. The system might adjust the ambient lighting and emit some calming colours if it detects you screaming in rage at the person you’re tailgating. Or it might lower the cabin temperature or play your favourite pump-up songs if it detects you’re getting tired. All the while, the system’s AI is working to interpret the nuances and changes in facial expressions and in the driver’s preferences, allowing it to make “increasingly tailored adjustment.” And it’s not just concerned with the driver, either. JLR has stuffed the tech into the headrests and aimed it at rear passengers, hoping to help tired travellers catch some zzz’s en route by automatically tinting windows, dimming lights and raising rear-seat temperatures. No word yet on when/if it’ll find its way into cars that we can drive, but the brand promises this is “the next-generation of Jaguar Land Rover’s existing driver-tracking technology.” Sounds lovely in theory. But be warned, if you’re the type of person who gets irate when your passengers adjust the temperature or change the radio station without asking, this might not be for you.
Origin: Jaguar Land Rover is testing a mood-sensing AI system
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