autobahn
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Germany tests its first 'electric highway' for trucks
Germany is joining the ranks of those countries betting on "electric highways" to foster eco-friendly trucking. The country has started real-world tests of an eHighway system on a 3.1-mile stretch of the Autobahn between Frankfurt and Darmstadt, with an electric-diesel hybrid truck merging into everyday traffic while it received power from overhead cables to keep it from using its combustion engine. Earlier tests in the country relied on either slow nighttime tests or the safety of an unused military airfield.
German climate proposals could put an end to no-limit Autobahns
Germany's Autobahns are legendary for segments with no speed limits, but you might have to wave goodbye to those unfettered driving experiences. Reuters has obtained draft proposals from a transport committee that would cap speeds at 130km/h (about 80MPH) in a bid to curb emissions and mitigate climate change. That's still quite fast, but it might dampen the enthusiasm of someone trying to push their Porsche to the max.
Watch Faraday Future's high-speed FF 91 field tests
Faraday Future hasn't given up on the FF 91 despite going through a financial crisis and losing executives along the way. Now, a few months after a Hong Kong investor reportedly threw the startup a $1.5 billion lifeline, it has dropped a new video showing the tests it recently conducted to validate the luxury EV's battery, thermal and powertrain controls. The company's engineers staged what they call the "Autobahn drive cycle" and "Operation 120 mph" tests, which are critical to the FF 91's engineering process. Chou Yeh, Faraday's Senior Manager of Powertrain and Thermal Controls, said the tests will help "eliminate issues before they arise and [continue] to add value to the vehicle during the final stages of verification."
Kraftwerk performing 3D-enhanced retrospective concerts over 8 nights at MoMA
New York City isn't Europe and eight straight nights isn't exactly endless (though, it's plenty long if you're talking about lamp oil), but this humble metropolis is good enough for electronic and Krautrock pioneers Kraftwerk. The robo-rockers are heading to MoMa on April 10th and will be playing eight albums in chronological order, starting with Autobahn, over eight nights. The performances will sadly only feature one member of the classic lineup, but it will be augmented with 3D video and other visual media (presumably including neon lights). Tickets for the concert series, Kraftwerk-Retrospective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8, go on sale at noon on February 22nd for $25.[Image credit: Andréas Hagström, Wikipedia]
Medion GoPal PNA 460, 465, and 470 bring inexpensive GPS
Medion, better known for its low-end consumer electronics that blanket Europe, has just trotted out three new GoPal GPS navigation units on the cheap. Each device measures just 130 x 90 x 20mm (5.1 x 3.5 x 0.78 inches), and includes 2D and sorta-3D directions with the included Berlitz City Guides for 50 major cities on the continent. And if that wasn't enough, apparently Medion is also including "speed camera locations saved to the memory card" so you can attempt to avoid hefty fines while zooming down the autoroute. The trio of navigation units come in three flavors, the PNA 460, 465 and 470, which range from £200 ($371) to £300 ($557). The basic model, the PNA 460, comes with maps of the UK and Ireland on a 256MB memory card, while additional European maps will set you back £80 ($148). The middle-level gives your all those European maps pre-installed, and comes with a Traffic Message Channel receiver so you can get around those jams as you barrel down on somewhere like Geneva. Finally, the flagship of the bunch comes with standard maps but also has integrated Bluetooth so you can make hands-free calls in your car and keep your eye on navigating that treacherous autobahn.
