Category Archives: Transportation

The Future Of Driving: Michigan To Build USA’s First “Autonomous Vehicle Corridor”

The Detroit  News (Aug 13, 2020)— Michigan is angling to build a first-in-the-nation connected and autonomous vehicle corridor in the state’s southeast corner, the latest bid to ensure the region remains the epicenter of an auto industry moving rapidly into a technology-driven future.

Local and state government officials, members of Michigan’s congressional delegation, Ford Motor Co. executives and project developer Cavnue confirmed plans Thursday for a roadway that would stretch from downtown Detroit to Ann Arbor. Along the way, it would connect to such key milestones as the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and would parallel parts of Interstate 94 to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. 

The roadway would be publicly accessible and could feature both public transit and shared mobility options. It will be called the “Michigan Connected Corridor,” officials confirmed, sharpening a vision Ford shared when it acquired the historic train station two years ago. 

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Technology: “China’s Self-Driving Car Boom” (WSJ)

Autonomous-vehicle road testing has skidded to a halt in the U.S. amid the Covid-19 pandemic. But China’s startups have pushed ahead by more than doubling the number of self-driving car projects, with a boost from the country’s 5G network.

Photo: Lorenz Huber for The Wall Street Journal

Classic Cars: “1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso”

RM Sotheby's logoRide along with Global Head of Auctions, Gord Duff as he drives chassis 5379, the 235th Lusso produced, and the only example ever provided in this Avorio over Rosso color combination. Purchased by the late Dr. Raymond Boniface in 1974, the Lusso would go on to be part of his collection of outstanding Italian cars and subsequently was a regular guest at many FCA and concours events over the next 30 years. Having been driven just 46,770 miles at the time of cataloging, this highly original Lusso is full of character—offering a glimpse into 45 years of keen custodianship, exhibition history, provenance, and everything else that comes with driving a classic, blue-chip Ferrari in America.

Travel & Leisure Videos: “Driven – The Rise Of RV’s”

Looking to take a vacation while avoiding COVID? Many families are heading out AND staying home, exploring public spaces while avoiding hotels and public bathrooms, by traveling in an RV. The pandemic is driving up sales of midrange recreational vehicles, which have nearly doubled compared to last summer. And as The New Yorker magazine’s Kelefa Sanneh finds out, some motorhomes have amenities you may not even have in your own home.

Business: “How Tesla Became Most Valuable Auto Company” (WSJ Video)

Tesla’s stock has more than tripled since the start of the year, giving it a market capitalization larger than many behemoths of American industry. But its rise wasn’t necessarily driven by fundamentals. WSJ explains.

Illustration: Jacob Reynolds/WSJ

Retro Technology 4X4’s: “Premium Classic Electric Vehicles” From Zero Labs

First Generation vintage 4×4’s holds a very special place in the heart of auto enthusiasts across the world. Here at Zero Labs, we share that enthusiasm and love of these iconic vehicles, but also want to see them driven well into the future in a way responsible for the environmental and safety demands needed in today’s world. 

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Zero Labs Premium Classic Electric Vehicle

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Travel Economics: “How Airlines Can Survive The Pandemic” (WSJ Video)

After an unprecedented drop in air travel due to the coronavirus, passenger airlines are being forced to make long-term, make-or-break decisions at a time of great uncertainty and minimal cash flow. So how are they planning to survive? WSJ finds out.

Composite: George Downs/The Wall Street Journal

Aviation: “Top 15 Solar & Electric Aircraft” (2020)

Featured Electric Aircraft and Airplanes:

  1. 0:28 Bye Electric eFlyer All-electric training aircraft https://electricflyer.com/ Starts at USD $350,000
  2. 1:18 Yuneec E430 Low maintenance & simple to fly https://www.yuneec.com/en_US/home.html Starts at USD $89,000
  3. 1:58 Eviation Alice World’s first all-electric commuter https://www.eviation.co/ Starts at USD $4,000,000
  4. 2:49 Colomban Cri-Cri Smallest twin-motored manned aircraft Designed by Michel Colomban. Price depends on the build
  5. 3:34 EuroSport Crossover Two-seat motor glider Designed by Eurosport Aircraft Price unavailable
  6. 4:17 Long ESA Aircraft First electric aircraft to break 200 mph http://www.flightofthecentury.com/ Price depends on the build
  7. 4:54 Pipistrel ALPHA Electro World’s first two-seat electric trainer https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/ Starts at USD $98,000
  8. 5:49 AutoFlightX V600 Dual-wing, two-seater https://autoflightx.com/ Price unavailable
  9. 6:45 Pipistrel Taurus Electro First electric production two-seater https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/ Starts at USD $129,500
  10. 7:40 Airbus A3 Vahana Single-seat, tilt-wing eVTOL https://www.airbus.com/ Price unavailable
  11. 8:33 Sunseeker Duo First two-seat, solar powered airplane https://www.solar-flight.com/ Price unavailable
  12. 9:25 Ruppert Archaeopteryx High-wing, pod-and-boom, micro lift glider https://www.ruppert-composite.ch/en/ Starts at USD $78,000
  13. 10:17 NASA X-57 Maxwell Experimental aircraft from…NASA! https://www.nasa.gov/ Price unavailable
  14. 11:18 Solar Impulse 1 Experimental, long-range solar aircraft https://solarimpulse.com/ Price unavailable
  15. 12:12 Antares 23E Self-launch capable sailplane https://www.lange-aviation.com/ Price unavailable

Future Of Mobile Living: The “Ultimate ‘Self-Build’ Van Conversion (Video)

Dietlind Schirmer (AKA Schirmer Shoots) built this self-build camper over the course of 6 months in cold, wintery England. She has done an incredible job with this van conversion and I would say it’s one of the best I’ve seen. The shower wet-room is really cool with it’s stone wall like finish and the way she has managed to fit a fixed double bed, permanent dining area, bathroom, kitchen and hidden storage for two surfboards is ingenious. Not to mention the massive underfloor storage and hidden secret compartment!

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