Nissan has a knack for pumping out novel safety advancements every few months, and the latest two are in the same vein as a few previous efforts. Two new technologies, Side Collision Prevention and Back-up Collision Prevention, fit into the auto maker's Safety Shield concept to "help protect the vehicle and its occupants from potential risks coming from multiple directions." As for the first, the tech utilizes side-mounted sensors to activate a warning if an approaching vehicle is detected in the drivers intended lane; from there, a yaw mechanism is "activated through brake control of individual wheels to help prevent a potential collision." For the second, an array of sensors detect potential obstacles and triggers an alarm / puts on the brakes if a collision is about to happen. Per usual, there's no mention of when these brilliant ideas will be implemented into production vehicles, but our insurance bills are pleading for "soon."

[Via Gizmag]

Infiniti has a knack for keeping technophiles grinning, and just as it did with the G35's in-dash entertainment system, it's bringing geeks even more automotive improvements to keep our minds off of those skyrocketing gas prices. Reportedly, both the 2009 FX35 and FX50 will be available with all-around cameras (you know, like those found on the EX35), Intelligent Cruise Control and Distance Control Assist. The automaker seems particularly proud of that last one, as it claims to be the first in the industry to offer up the tech. Put simply, DCA will assist drivers in releasing the throttle and applying the brakes as needed in stop-and-go / congested traffic, and (obviously) the system stays activated even after the brakes are tapped. Check out the read link for a few more sneak peeks at the forthcoming features.

According to reports, roost-ruling, green automaker Toyota has confirmed plans to launch a plug-in hybrid by 2010. Our man in Japan Katsuaki Watanabe (company president) dropped the bombshell at this year's Detroit Auto Show while detailing the automaker's plans for tackling environmental concerns. Apparently, the new lithium-ion-equipped vehicles will first be made available to Toyota's commercial customers -- such as government agencies. Watanabe gave no indication of when a general consumer rollout would occur. The vehicle, which is a modified version of the ultra-popular Prius, is capable of achieving fuel efficiency of 99.9 miles-per-gallon in EV mode, though it can only sustain pure battery power for about seven miles. The announcement will no doubt come as a total bummer to GM, which has plans to sell its own plug-in, the Volt, around the same time -- though the Chevy vehicle is said to be able to make trips of up to 40 miles on a six-hour charge. It's about time we saw some healthy competition in the green-auto-game -- let's just hope consumers reap the benefits.

Think user-controlled Transitions lenses, but for automobiles. Got it? If so, then you've got a pretty decent idea of what makes Hino Motor's concept motorcoach -- which was being shown off at this year's Tokyo Motor Show -- unique. Developed by Research Frontiers, the SPD-Smart technology covering those expansive panels there on your right "allows vehicle occupants to instantly, precisely and uniformly control the amount of sunlight, glare and heat passing through the windows, sunroofs and other glazings." Additionally, it blocks over 99-percent of harmful UV radiation and can be darkened or lightened with the press of a button. Unfortunately, we've no idea when this tech will be headed to your everyday commuter car, but we can hear window tinters the world over grumbling in unison.

[Via Gizmag]

Toshiba has shown off some auto-related products at the Automotive Engineering Expo 2007, including a mobile HD DVD player and a fresh take on touch panels. The high-definition in-dash player is under co-development with Alpine, and is planned for a 2008 release. The LCD is an improvement on traditional touchscreen technology, with no film coating -- which traditionally reduces contrast ratio and brightness -- to handle the user input, instead bundling optical sensors alongside each pixel. These sensors can then detect the shadow of a press during the day, and the reflection of the backlight at night. Toshiba also plans to upgrade that tech to use infrared instead of day/night sensors. Who cares if you can't see the difference between 1080 and 720 on a 7-inch screen, we just want our mobile touchscreen HD now!

Although Bose has become somewhat of a mainstay in the iPod speaker / overpriced headphone departments, the always controversial firm is kicking out a new device suited for your vehicle's dash. The simply-named Bose Media System head unit looks to replace that entirely antiquated cassette player you're still using, and offers up a solid mix of abilities all the while. Aside from the obvious navigation and CD playback functions, the universal player will also handle SACD, DVD-A, MP3, and AAC files burned onto a CD / DVD-R, and can also tune into XM (and Sirius?) broadcasts when not locked onto AM / FM transmissions. You'll also be graced with 5.1 playback, the uMusic mood-sensing system, proximity control sensors, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, USB 2.0 input for portable media access, and in typical Bose fashion, a mysteriously sized hard drive that reportedly holds "up to 200 hours" of content. Of course, don't expect Bose to divulge any details regarding wattage, screen specifications, or any other tidbit that could be helpful in weighing your in-dash options, but folks eying the forthcoming Ferrari 612 Scaglietti can expect it to debut in their ride for a currently undisclosed price.

Even though an almost monopolistic number of new cars come with iPod integration straight off the manufacturing line, consumers haven't relented in their search for the perfect iPod-car integration system. Based on early shots of Alpine's iDA-X001, it appears to come close to hitting this sweet spot of iPod integration. That's due in no small part to the statement that the Alpine was "designed and developed with input from Apple." Fortunately for all those iPod owners with cars out there -- we're guessing there's quite a few -- the company has started the countdown by committing to making the iDA-X001 available in February for $450.

Just in case there weren't enough alternate fuel developments going on around the world, it looks like we've got yet another vying for business over in Israel. Engineuity, a company started by Amnon Yogev, has reportedly developed a method for vehicles to "produce their own fuel" using metals such as magnesium and aluminum to create hydrogen and steam. Similar to a solar-powered "zinc-to-hydrogen" approach that gained attention in 2005, this method utilizes a "long metal coil" which would be inserted into a metal-steam combustor that stands to "separate hydrogen out of heated water." After intense heating, the metal atoms would purportedly bond to the oxygen from the water, creating metal oxide; the result would free up hydrogen molecules to be sent to the engine alongside the steam to provide the juice. The firm also insinuates that "refueling" the vehicle would be "remarkably simply," and construction could be completed on current production lines without requiring entirely new infrastructures. According to Yogev, the "running cost of the system should be equal to that of conventional cars today," and hopes to have a full scale prototype ready to rumble in "around three years."

[Thanks, Mike]

BMW's fairly well known for its nifty in-car implementation of technology, and although certain aspects have received their fair share of criticism, the firm has something brewing that could cause quite a stir -- of course, that would require us to actually know what it is. A snazzy flash website unveils a sleek, continually morphing device that touts the ability to play MP3s, DVDs and CDs, has USB and Bluetooth connectivity options, can recognize voice commands, and has a 65,000 color LCD to boot; but in the end, we're still left to wonder how it relates to the company's vehicles (if at all). Sure, we've seen BMW-branded watches and the like, but it's not exactly usual to see an automaker producing multifaceted consumer electronics, and while it may end up just another technological aspect of a car, it looks like something you just might tote around. Thankfully, we shouldn't have to wait too awfully long until the veil is removed, as it should get official in just a few weeks, but until then, be sure to click on through for a few more glamor shots.

[Via Autoblog]

While vehicle manufacturers are taking this "safety thing" to new heights (not that we're complaining or anything), the ole airbag sure takes a lot of heat regarding its questionable design and potentially harmful nature. The love / hate relationship with this very necessary device has been going on for years, and TRW Automotive Safety Systems is hoping to quiet the protestors a bit with its latest creation. The next-generation asymmetric airbag / steering wheel system features a "non-rotating airbag" that stays put while the wheel around it moves to meet the driver's demands. By utilizing a circumferential gear to keep the airbag stationary, the mobilized unit provides "enhanced crash protection" while allowing automotive designers to add more "convenience and aesthetic features" (read: buttons, switches, and other gadget-controlling togglers) to the steering wheel itself. Although TRW fails to point out just how much automakers will be forced to pay for its invention, it does note that it can be customized to the fit the feel, color, and style of any vehicle, and since the firm has already landed a contract with "a major European vehicle manufacturer," we could see this non-turning technology go stateside anytime.

With Linux hitting it big on everything from the PSP to Monster's network media and automation devices, it's no surprise to see the OS taking charge on DrewTech's DashDAQ. The portable conglomerate is a "cross between a data acquisition system, diagnostic tool, automotive gauge display, and a handheld computer," and is targeting automotive gurus who crave performance monitoring, data charts, and customized gauges / diagnostic meters. With a bit of 1337 programming skills, the device can display nearly anything you desire, and can double as a navigation monitor, CarPC display, or snazzy tachometer to boot. It boasts a 4-inch QWVGA touchscreen, adjustable backlight, 200MHz ARM processor, 64MB of internal RAM, MMC / SD card slots, USB 2.0 connectivity, a serial port, and support for optional Bluetooth / WiFi add-ons. It also plays nice with OBDII, EGT, O2, and a plethora of other vehicle sensors. If this hodgepodge has you in a tizzy, but the gearhead in you longs for "one more toy," be sure to peep the video of DrewTech's multi-purpose device in action to determine if its worth the $595 pricetag.

Last night a host of fancy society-types, car buffs and our good friends from AutoBlog got a unique chance to check out Tesla's electric sports car. The zero-emissions whip (it's so green it doesn't even have a tailpipe) will get about 250 miles on a single charge, and reaches speeds of about 130-miles per hour, with a 0-60 time hovering around a pretty impressive 4-seconds. Stop driving it long enough to peek under the hood and you'll find a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor and a Power Electronics Module at the heart of this slick ride. Don't run out to the car dealership yet, as these babies aren't hitting the streets until mid-2007, and when they do, they'll run you somewhere between $80,000 and $120,000. It sounds like a lot, we know, but just think of the looks you'll get as you drive by at 124-mph, completely silently. Plus, it'll be a great place to install your new Bluetooth-enabled head unit. Check the source link for a lot more pictures and even video from the big unveling.

Being the mass transit junkies that we are, we don't spend a lot of time in cars, flying or otherwise, but we know many of you hit the highways each day, so we're presenting to you Sony's new Bluetooth-enabled head unit. The MEX-BT5000 acts as a hands free kit for any Bluetooth phone (although we're sure they'd prefer if it was one of their own), giving you access to up to 50 of your contacts and six of your speed dial entries through its "high resolution" screen and integrated noise-reducing micophone.Once you're done risking everyone's life talking on the phone, fire up your Bluetooth-equipped DAP -- or just stick in a CD -- and you can stream high-fidelity audio throughout your ride, while checking out on-screen track info and navigating your music with the wireless remote. Sure, this isn't the first time we've seen most of these features jammed into a head unit, and at $400, it's still not the cheapest, but we thought it might help hold you over until the CD-ripping 2007 Infinity G35 starts showing up on sketchy used car lots.

Motorola, which has been shedding non-core businesses for years (including its semiconductor business, which was spun off to become Freescale in 2004) will scrap another of its classic lines, the company's automotive electronics arm, which includes sensors, telematics and safety-related electronics. The division will go to Continental AG, a German company best known in the US for its tires. The sale further focuses Motorola's business on cellphones and other communications technologies such as cable modems, two-way radios and set-top boxes. The move takes Motorola out of the automotive industry for the first time since 1930, when the company created the first successful car radio (hence the name "Motorola"). Of course, Moto's been out of that sector for years, and most car owners are unlikely to notice that the current divestiture has even happened, since most of the assets being sold are related to behind-the-scenes systems that don't include heavy consumer branding.