This week’s technology highlight comes from Google and their self-driving vehicles. The fleet consist of six Toyota Priuses and one Audi TT, driving from LA to SF along scenic highway 101.
The cars were driving themselves using decision-making artificial intelligence software. And were accompanied by a technician to monitor the navigation system and take control if anything goes wrong.
While in San Francisco, the car even made it out to Lombard Street. The one block section that is famous for it’s steep hill along the tight and twisty turns.
Anyone who’s ever visited SF, needs to drive thru this street. Nice photo from San Francisco DiaryStar.
The test drive from SF to LA was successful, except for one minor accident where it was hit from behind. The cars were able to navigated themselves successfully in city traffic, even stopping for pedestrians too.
Google believes these driveless cars will make for safer roadways and also reduce energy cost. As a fleet of shared smart vehicles will only be driven when needed and not owned or parked by each person. A bit like Zipcars. Plus no need for designated drivers now that your car can drive you home.
Google believes the future of autonomous vehicles can be here within the next decade. But the legal issue surrounding that would be another story.
Read the rest of this entry »
A long while back, I was thinking of getting a new car. And I almost got myself a little VW Golf TDI (diesel). It was a fuel efficient car getting about 40 mpg highway. The key point being TDI: Turbocharged Direct Injection.
But that was a long time ago and California car dealers could not sell the TDI. It was due to the state’s diesel compliant law. Luckily that is not the case anymore for Californians.
Here is the new VW Golf TDI. TDI vehicles is marketed by VW as “high-performance, fuel-efficient, and environmentally conscious”. Unfortunately the hybrid version is still only a concept car.
Photo from The Car Connection. The car was reviewed last year for the 2010 market starting at $23K.
I would love to own a hybrid electric vehicle. But even if I did need a new car, the price range of some of these hybrids are still too much for me.
Read the rest of this entry »
Since the World Cup is going on at the moment, it reminded me of a neat film I saw a few years ago. La Gran Final or The Great Match is by Spanish filmmaker Gerardo Olivares.
The film follows three different tribes from around the world: Mongolian nomads, the Tuareg of the Sahara (Niger’s Tenere desert), and the Indios of the Amazon (Brazil). They are all excited about watching the 2002 World Cup between Germany and Brazil. The adventure begins when they try to figure out a way to get to the nearest television set.
It’s a simple film which makes you laugh along with the characters. It also reminds you how much we have in common, despite our different way of living.
I think Olivares also wanted to show how globalization and the information age has reached even the most isolated people in the world. It’s also made me realize how much technology is a part of our life. It truly makes you feel like it’s a small world after all.
Read the rest of this entry »
The German news magazine show DW, which is broadcast in English, is one of my favorite shows. I don’t really catch it too often, but am happy to find they have a channel on Youtube.
This series is from the “Great Gardens of Europe.”
The Loire Valley is also known as the Garden of France. The valley is filled with world-famous castles (chateau) and beautiful botanical gardens too.
Chateau Villandry was completed toward 1536 and was the last of the large chateaus built in the Loire Valley during the Renaissance. Balloon ride over the geometric garden would be amazing. Image source.
The misty garden of Chateau Villandry, looks like a nice place for a walk. You can take a virtual tour here.
“The Loire Valley was made a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000. We report on two examples, the Gardens of Villandry and Chateau Rivau. Known for their strictly geometric settings, romantic rose gardens and medieval plantation and innovative landscaping, Villandry and Chateau Rivau are two classic examples of the renaissance garden design.” - DW
Read the rest of this entry »
