Engadget

Visualized: Porsche's GT3 R Hybrid has its very own boost button

Amar Toor — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:39:00 EST

Sure, it may seem like any old Formula 1 steering wheel, but take a closer look. See that big red button sitting on the left side, just begging to be pressed? That, friends, would be a boost button, capable of giving this Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid racer an extra burst of acceleration. Unlike most battery powered hybrids, both the 911 GT3 R and the 918 RSR run on an inertial flywheel that's spun by the momentum generated whenever the car brakes. All it takes is one tap of the boost button, however, for that momentum to be instantly converted into a potent jolt of KITT-like horsepower. We still don't really know what we'd do with all the other buttons, but we definitely know which one we'd keep our thumb on.

Visualized: Porsche's GT3 R Hybrid has its very own boost button originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 May 2011 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MIT's Affective Intelligent Driving Agent is KITT and Clippy's lovechild (video)

Vlad Savov — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:48:00 EST

If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times, stop trying to make robots into "friendly companions!" MIT must have some hubris stuck in its ears, as its labs are back at it with what looks like Clippy gone 3D, with an extra dash of Knight Rider-inspired personality. What we're talking about here is a dashboard-mounted AI system that collects environmental data, such as local events, traffic and gas stations, and combines it with a careful analysis of your driving habits and style to make helpful suggestions and note points of interest. By careful analysis we mean it snoops on your every move, and by helpful suggestions we mean it probably nags you to death (its own death). Then again, the thing's been designed to communicate with those big Audi eyes, making even our hardened hearts warm just a little. Video after the break.

Gallery: MIT's Affective Intelligent Driving Assistant

Continue reading MIT's Affective Intelligent Driving Agent is KITT and Clippy's lovechild (video)

Filed under: Robots

MIT's Affective Intelligent Driving Agent is KITT and Clippy's lovechild (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2009 North Hall tour: like Hot Import Nights minus the tire smoke

Tim Stevens — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:28:00 EST

We may not have covered too many products in the North Hall at this year's CES, a mecca for vehicle customizers and their wares, but that's mainly because we have a hard time keeping up with the latest in LED and hydraulic technologies as applied to motorized pursuits. But, there were a few sweet rides scattered about, and while we can't say we'd necessarily allow ourselves to be seen in most of them, there was at least one intelligently modded muscle car in particular that we just couldn't resist capturing some video of. We think you'll recognize it below.

Gallery: North Hall Tour

Continue reading CES 2009 North Hall tour: like Hot Import Nights minus the tire smoke

Filed under: CES, Misc. Gadgets, Transportation

CES 2009 North Hall tour: like Hot Import Nights minus the tire smoke originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mio's Knight Rider GPS gets reviewed, high-fived

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:16:00 EST

Sure, we've been totally into Mio's Knight Rider GPS, but how does it really stack up? PC Magazine took it out for a test drive and found that the device is essentially a Moov 300, which they say has solid route calculation times and a straightforward menu system. The Knight Rider version comes pre-loaded with maps for the US, Canada and Puerto Rico -- an improvement over typical Mio US-only map packs -- and the reviewer likes the device's 58 POI categories (compared to the Moov 310's paltry 35). The biggest knock on the unit is the lack of live traffic on-board; you have to purchase a subscription and a separate receiver (not yet available on Mio's web site). Of course, you could always go for the aforementioned 310 with a built-in traffic receiver (and $20 lower price tag), but how cool would that be? Not cool at all. Don't take our word for it, though, hit the read link and check out the whole review for yourself.

Filed under: GPS

Mio's Knight Rider GPS gets reviewed, high-fived originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mio's Knight Rider GPS now available for pre-order

Joshua Topolsky — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:26:00 EST

Dying to get your eyes and fingers all over Mio's GPS-incarnation of KITT? Can't hardly wait to hear the voice of the voice of the original KITT barking directions at you? Well you're in luck, friend. Radio Shack has apparently begun taking pre-orders for the Knight Rider-branded satnav, which they claim will be available to own come September 24th. Ready to go? Get your credit card out, then prepare to be $269.99 lighter and 40 percent nerdier.

[Thanks, Jason]

Filed under: GPS

Mio's Knight Rider GPS now available for pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Knight Rider GPS asks, "Michael, where do you want to go today"

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:39:00 EST

You can't purchase it for few more months, so we thought you'd like to see a brief preview of Mio's $270 Knight Rider GPS unit. It boots into a KITT scanner effect and warm, "Michael, where do you want to go today" greeting. Fortunately, you can then reprogram KITT to address you from a list of 200 or so other names (with more to come). Add Flux Capacitor and your ride to nerdvana is complete. See the action after the break.

[Thanks, Joe P.]

Continue reading Video: Knight Rider GPS asks, "Michael, where do you want to go today"

Filed under: GPS

Video: Knight Rider GPS asks, "Michael, where do you want to go today" originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mio's Knight Rider GPS speaks with the voice of KITT -- we're in love

Nilay Patel — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:36:00 EST

Move over, Dash Express. Take a seat, Garmin and Tom Tom. As of right now there's only one GPS unit worth buying, and it's this trick Knight Rider unit from Mio that issues directions in the voice of KITT. Yep, ~~Mr. Feeney~~ William Daniels is gonna be right there with you, although we doubt he'll be as tolerant of your skin-tight pants and unkempt chest hair this time around. Underneath the hood it's basically the same Mio kit as you'd expect, only it boots up by saying "Hello Michael, where do you want to go today?" uses a cartoon Trans-Am to represent your car, and features dual LED scanner lights on each side. Yes, we're in love. $270 is all it'll take when this thing hits in a few months -- 10 points to the first reader to get a picture of it inside a KITT replica.

[Via Autoblog]

Filed under: GPS

Mio's Knight Rider GPS speaks with the voice of KITT -- we're in love originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original K.I.T.T. up for auction: impressive exterior, laughable interior

Darren Murph — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:01:00 EST

Enough of these kit (ahem) cars, we're ready for the real deal. Up on the auction block today is a genuine 1984 Pontiac Trans Am that was used in the third and fourth seasons of Knight Rider. Yep, this is the one with the coveted Super Pursuit Mode, and legend has it that cops won't even ticket you for using it. At first glance, one can't help but be impressed with how spectacular this bona fide piece of history looks, but one glance at the interior and you realize there's quite a bit of work left to do. Personally, we could think of a limitless number of better ways to spend 26 large, but hardcore Hasselhoff fans will likely insist on differing.

[Via Autoblog]

Filed under: Transportation

Original K.I.T.T. up for auction: impressive exterior, laughable interior originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screen grabs: KITT the chatty car somehow still needs an Apple Bluetooth keyboard

Ryan Block — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:20:00 EST

Our latest micro-series, Screen grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.

You'd think a car with AI sophisticated enough to carry on a lengthy conversation with its driver would kind of obviate the need for a keyboard, but hey, maybe that's why we're not in the TV business.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Peripherals

Screen grabs: KITT the chatty car somehow still needs an Apple Bluetooth keyboard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KITT's scanner light gets explained

Nilay Patel — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:30:00 EST

We still have mixed feelings on the soon-to-be-revived Knight Rider franchise -- sure, we're gonna watch it, but we'll probably do it with tears streaming down our face -- but that doesn't mean we're going to turn down an inside look on how KITT's iconic red scanner light works. According to Pierre Hoffman, whose Auto Indulgence shop built the new scanner, the units consists of 240 LEDs per side in three rows of 80. The goal was to make the scanner look like a heartbeat, so early prototypes were actually triggered from a music interface connected to samples of different heart rhythms. Sadly, the final design isn't nearly as slick, using a complex timing-based circuit board instead -- but that doesn't mean we aren't filled with a rush of conflicted emotions every time we see that red glow. Check the whole interview with Pierre at the read link.

Filed under: Transportation

KITT's scanner light gets explained originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knight Rider case mod does K.I.T.T. proud

Donald Melanson — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:21:00 EST

Not everyone can afford to buy their own K.I.T.T. or K.I.T.T clone off eBay, but that doesn't mean you can't show your Knight Rider affection in other entirely non-subtle ways, as evidenced by this elaborate PC case mod by Thomas Fan (which we can only assume is not an alias for the 'Hoff himself). As you can see in the video after the break, the red LEDs faithfully mimic K.I.T.T.'s faint glimmer of intelligence and, while you can't carry on a conversation with it, you can at least make believe thanks to some familiar start-up and shutdown sounds. Sadly, Thomas hasn't provided any plans for building you own, though we're guessing that when it comes to something like Knight Rider, most fans would prefer to put their own personal touch on things anyway.

Continue reading Knight Rider case mod does K.I.T.T. proud

Filed under: Desktops

Knight Rider case mod does K.I.T.T. proud originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knight Industries Three Thousand specs revealed

Evan Blass — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:44:00 EST

While you may or may not agree with NBC's decision to make KITT a Ford Mustang in the new Knight Rider series, we're pretty sure that you're gonna tune in next February nonetheless if for no other reason then to see what modern technology can do to a talking, crime-fighting car. Well luckily Popular Mechanics has what is reportedly an exclusive spec sheet detailing all of the Knight Industries Three Thousand's many capabilities, including much of the in-vehicle biometric and genetic testing you'd expect, along with such military features as laser weapons, a missile defense system, and even a targeted electromagnetic pulse for frying an enemy's gadgets or pulling off the odd casino heist. One cutting-edge device that has been left out is a breathalyzer-based ignition system, which was allegedly scrapped at the last minute after designers learned that David Hasselhoff would not in fact be getting behind the wheel this time around.

[Thanks, cant0r]

Filed under: Transportation

Knight Industries Three Thousand specs revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knight Rider storms back, new K.I.T.T. showcased

Darren Murph — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:52:00 EST

We know, it's a little sad how dear Knight Rider is to our hearts, but honestly, we couldn't be more elated to find that the show is finally getting a new breath of life. Starting in February, an updated version of the classic will be hitting NBC, and while we could spend hours gushing over the cast, our eyes are fixed on the star pictured above. The new K.I.T.T. will be played by a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR, and while three versions will make appearances, it should come as no surprise to hear that out personal favorite is the driverless K.I.T.T. Remote. Go on, indulge in the links below for more pictorial goodness, we won't tell anyone.

[Via TVSquad, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Transportation

Knight Rider storms back, new K.I.T.T. showcased originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another K.I.T.T. up for sale: the years have been cruel to Hasselhoff

Evan Blass — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:10:00 EST

So it looks like the last two decades have been hell on the once proud Knight Industries: after a disastrous attempt to leech onto the dotcom boom by having Michael Knight trawl the internet for cyber-criminals with his virtual sidekick C.L.I.P.P.Y., the company was forced to disband its FLAG division and sell off most of its assets, including cars, semi-trailers, and saddest of all, RC3 and Bonnie. The upside of this blow to vigilante law enforcement was that car nuts could finally get their hands on an original Knight Industries Two Thousand (only ten were ever made), with a version hitting the auction block in 2004, and now one of the four original K.I.T.T.s up for sale by a California business. Kassabian Motors is offering the 1982 Pontiac Trans Am V-8 for a cool $150,000, which gets you a restored interior, those retro light up controls, and of course the snazzy red nose scanner, but unfortunately, no oil slick or Super Pursuit Mode. Finally, as a special bonus to overseas bidders, Kassabian will also reportedly retrofit the car with a CD changer sporting all of David Hasselhoff's many hits at no additional charge: "Michael, we seem to have a problem; these songs totally suck."

[Via Boing Boing]

Filed under: Transportation

Another K.I.T.T. up for sale: the years have been cruel to Hasselhoff originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knight Rider K.I.T.T. clone hits eBay sans Turbo Boost

Darren Murph — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:16:00 EST

Sure, we're probably all guilty of fanboy bickering at one point or another in our lives, but even if you prefer the whips found in Back to the Future or Ghost Rider above all, just about anyone who appreciates restorations (and whiz-bang interiors) would be forced to give this faithful clone its due credit. The Ontario-based 1984 Pontiac Trans Am reportedly became a $40,000 project to turn an ordinary ride into a blast from the past, as the owner took extra care in crafting the posh dashboard and sleek exterior cues to mimic the real K.I.T.T. (which already sold) found in Knight Rider. Aside from the throwback lighting system and branded steering wing, this bad boy packs twin four-inch LCDs, "real working gauges," DVD / CD / MP3 players, and a custom stereo system with amplifiers. No, this ride doesn't come with any sort of warranty (nor a functioning Turbo Boost, sadly), and unless you're a Canuck, you'll be making a trip across the border to pick it up, but if you've got the $19,000 (or more) to burn, here's your chance to be David Hasselhoff incarnate. Click on through for a few more pics, or hit up the auction for the full spill.

[Via Autoblog]

Continue reading Knight Rider K.I.T.T. clone hits eBay sans Turbo Boost

Filed under: Transportation

Knight Rider K.I.T.T. clone hits eBay sans Turbo Boost originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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