http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 3:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 3:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 4:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 19th 2009 9:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 4:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/
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]]>Jul 17th 2009 3:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 4:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/
- Purely electric cars would need a nationwide electrical charging station infrastructure in place of gas/petrol stations.
- Electric cars using hydrogen fuel-cells are a great idea, but so far hydrogen is expensive to make, difficult to store safely in a vehicle, and fuel cells use very expensive platinum. In addition, fuel stations would require brand new infrastructure for hydrogen storage, and large hydrogen transport trucks could be very dangerous to have on the highways. It is far cheaper to use rechargable battery packs than fuel cells, but that takes you back to the problem of distribution stations.

hydrocarbon Bio-fuels can be refined into gasoline, diesel, ethanol, etc and are going to be efficient and far cheaper to implement since they fit right in to the current model of fuel distribution and internal combustion engines. Cellulosic ethanol has a come a long way, and can use existing agricultural waste or special fast growing plants that can be grown and harvested on land with very poor soil that is unsuitable for growing food crops.

Similarly, there is a radical new biofuel that is obtained from algae. They can grow this algae in transparent containers in enormous green houses sitting in the middle of the desert. The greenhouses are cheap and can be built anywhere that is sunny so they don't displace crop land. The Algae only require water, sunlight, carbon dioxide, and a tiny amount of nutrients. They multiple quickly, and can be continuously harvested. The secret is that, in anaerobic conditions, these algae store their "food" in the form of a thick oil-like hydrocarbon in this big pocket in the middle of their cell. For harvesting, they use a high pressure process that separates the oil from the water and organic material.

Anyways, I'm done rambling, I obviously am enthusiastic about renewable energy. ;)]]>Jul 17th 2009 5:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Why is filling stations a problem?? They are already have stuff we need... it's running their lights and pumps and all that... Some minor mods to their connection to the grid and most any gas station would be able to swap a petrol pump or two for elec..or add some. No, I think it's the lack of a standard connection due to the lack of the technology for batteries to accept a charge fast enough to be feasible in a stop, fill up, grab some papers&brew and GO!!!!---->

oh and my IPU declares jihad upon ur FSM]]>Jul 17th 2009 10:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/
I didn't mention the problem with charging batteries because I figured it was self-evident. Although, if Ultracapacitor technology that like that from EEStor becomes feasible, we may see batteries being replaced with new energy storage devices that can be fully charged in minutes, although they would need to make a standardized charging format that can handle very high current levels.]]>Jul 19th 2009 3:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 18th 2009 12:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 9:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH_3RmIdkIA ] ... Mercedes will always rule the Automobile world and Audi will always be number 2]]>Jul 17th 2009 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Mercedes break down all the time and are built in Mexico.]]>Jul 17th 2009 2:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/
my wife's is the cheap c300 and it was made in stuttgart.

vroom vroom party starter! ]]>Jul 17th 2009 3:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/ Audi]]>Jul 17th 2009 3:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/ Mercades(POS breaks down so much and all the repair parts are ALWAYS backordered from germany)
I've had a much better experience with BMW and Lexus then Merc.
Never used an AUDI though.. ]]>Jul 17th 2009 6:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/video-mercedes-benz-e-class-commercial-features-malfunctioning/

Gotta love Mercedes reliability...]]>Jul 17th 2009 11:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/
The technological problems they had (hopefully resolved - haven't followed recently) are due to their misunderstanding the importance of software and due to them being pioneers of technologies. The whole automotive industry has no clue about software, actually.

In 2003, I bought a cheap 1993 Mercedes in Germany for EUR 2000. I drove it for a year. Not only did it drive like a new car. It also didn't have a single problem. Nothing! Then I sold it again for EUR 2000 (moved to different country). Ever since then, I have had nothing but the greatest respect for Mercedes. Oh yeah and it handled 110 mph cruise speed on the German Autbahn no problems. This was by far the best used car I ever owned.]]>Jul 18th 2009 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/

]]>Jul 17th 2009 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Also your car is full of pothole resistant (hopefully) electronics already.]]>Jul 17th 2009 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 3:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/--
Researchers also point out that the lasers use less energy than their spark plug counterparts, eliminate wear items and wires (fiber optics will carry the laser beam to the cylinders), and improve fuel burn by "watching" ignition from within the combustion chamber and sending messages back to the ECU to adjust fuel mixtures, timing, and ignition.
--
I still think that there must be some sort of micro lens that terminates the fiber optics though. Probably much smaller then a CD player or something like that, but you would still have to replace it regularly I'd bet.




]]>Jul 17th 2009 3:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 4:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/
Umm... why are you pretending that when people talk about efficiency for cars, they are talking about displacement versus horsepower? It's Fuel Economy people mean when they say "efficiency" in relation to cars, and it's something people talk about ALL THE TIME, so why are you pretending you don't know that?

-Taylor]]>Jul 17th 2009 4:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/
Also, how powerful of a laser would it take to combust fuel? Where is that power coming from?]]>Jul 17th 2009 2:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/
Although I do tend to get annoyed and combust in anger, but at those times I don't do math or motoring.]]>Jul 17th 2009 2:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 4:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/Jul 17th 2009 10:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/ford-to-swap-out-spark-plugs-for-lasers-windshields-for-googly/]]>Jul 18th 2009 10:24AM