Jaguar Land Rover patents facial recognition technology

Motorists could soon unlock the doors of their car simply by walking up to it and taking a selfie.

Jaguar Land Rover is developing technology that uses facial recognition and gait analysis to detect when owners of its vehicles approach, to open the doors for them. 

Details have been revealed in a recently published patent application by Jaguar Land Rover, but it is unclear when the technology might become available.

HOW WOULD IT WORK? 

Two cameras on each side of the vehicle would be angled so the car could spot someone approaching from the front or from behind.

The user of the vehicle must carry out a registration process which requires them to record a still image of their face and a moving image such as a hand gesture or their gait as they approach the vehicle.

The video of a person walking towards the car would then be compared to these original images using gait or movement recognition technology. 

A second picture would be taken when the user was standing next to the car and facial recognition software would compare this to images stored on the car's computer. 

If they match the car would then unlock the doors. 

Cameras mounted under the windows of the doors would capture both video and still images of someone walking and standing by the car, comparing them with those saved on its computer. 

If they match the car will unlock its doors and open them. 

It could save drivers the hassle of having to dig out their key when approaching their car and even make it easier if they are laden down with bags of shopping.

Details of the technology were revealed in a recently published patent application by Jaguar Land Rover. 

It describes how the two cameras on each side of the vehicle would be angled so the car could spot someone approaching from the front or from behind, like if they were walking along a pavement, for example. 

The patent states: 'The user of the vehicle must carry out a registration process which requires them to record a still image of their face and a moving image such as a hand gesture or their gait as they approach the vehicle.'

The video of a person walking towards the car would then be compared to these original images using gait or movement recognition technology. 

A second picture would be taken when the user was standing next to the car and facial recognition software would compare this to images stored on the car's computer. 

If they match the car would then unlock the doors. 

Jaguar Land Rover's patent also describes how the system could work with wireless key fobs to add extra security.

by: dailymail.co.uk
Jaguar Land Rover Patents Facial Recognition Technology................... www.redlineautosales.ca/jaguar-land-rover-patents-facial-recognition-technology.htm

Human drivers will bully robot cars, says CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA

Dietmar Exler, chief executive of Mercedes-Benz USA, is often asked why it's taking so long to develop self-driving cars.
It's not technology, he tells them. That's advancing fast.
It's not insurance and liability issues. "I do believe in lawyers," he said. "I'm a lawyer myself. We will solve these issues out."
It's not customer acceptance. As soon as someone rides in a car that can drive itself in bumper-to-bumper traffic, a convert is created, he said. "Who would argue that it's fun to be out on the 10 between 5 and 6 p.m. on a weekday?
"The real issue," he said, "is humans."
The coexistence of human drivers and robot cars, to be precise. It's not clear yet how well that will go.
Speaking at AutoConference LA, an event that runs at the same time as the L.A. Auto Show and that is co-hosted by J.D. Power and the National Automobile Dealers Assn., Exler said even if completely driverless cars were available now, they'd be sharing the road with traditional cars for 20 to 25 years.
Some people are afraid of robots taking over. Exler is worried that humans will "bully" driverless cars.
Human drivers already speed, drive erratically and cut in line.  Driverless cars will be programmed to be polite and follow the law.
When someone tries to cut in line at a traffic merge, humans won't let them in. But a driverless car will be programmed to stop when it sees an obstruction - like a line cutter. "They'll look for the autonomous car and that's where they'll cut in," he said.
Theoretically, robot cars could be programmed to be more aggressive, but he doubts regulators would allow that to happen.
Still, Mercedes-Benz is moving full speed ahead on semi-autonomous and driverless cars. The company was worried that its customers, who tend to love driving nice cars, would resist.
Market testing showed otherwise. Exler talked about a 72-year-old SLS AMG owner. He said he'd never use driverless technology because it would be "boring."
But when he got a ride in a driverless S500 Mercedes in a Silicon Valley test zone, his response, according to Exler: "I will buy this car right now. How much do you want for it?"

by: latimes.com


Human Drivers Will Bully Robot Cars............................. www.redlineautosales.ca/human-drivers-will-bully-robot-cars--says-ceo-of-mercedes-benz-usa.htm

What Does The Election Mean For The Auto Industry

The results are in, and we can now say that starting in January, Donald Trump will be the President of the United States.
While there were many issues that were debated and disputed during this election, the auto industry has many challenges ahead, and how Trump handles them will widely affect the industry.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra said that the auto industry is facing "more change in the next five to 20 years than it has in the last 50."
David Cole, director-emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research said that the election is "really, really important" for the industry.
But why?
Economic growth, trade, technology, and regulations are all challenges that Donald Trump will face while he is the President. And the outcomes of each of these areas will have a major affect on the state of the industry.
Economic Growth
The auto industry plays a large part in the US economy, which unfortunately is growing at a snail's pace, according to experts. There are discussions about companies like Ford who have moved production out of the United States, something Donald Trump has been adamantly against. Perhaps having him in office would entice manufacturers to localize production, creating jobs and improving cost position.
Trade
For the auto industry in particular, economic health goes hand in hand with trade. While localizing production may be helpful for the economy, experts like Professor Marina Whitman from the University of Michigan, warn that limiting free trade could potentially hurt the industry. How will Donald handle trade negotiations, and would taxing manufacturers who have moved production outside of the US have a negative impact on trade?
Regulations
With a win for Donald Trump, automotive leaders are now expecting rollbacks on strict regulations set up in previous years. Trump senior policy advisor John Mashburn released a statement earlier in the election saying "The Trump Administration will complete a comprehensive review of all federal regulations. This includes a review of the fuel economy and emissions standards to make sure they are not harming consumers or American workers."
Technology
President Obama was particularly interested in industry safety lapses, and promoted a shift towards higher-tech safety systems. Will these types of high-tech requirements continue, or will there be a shift towards other types of technology? With continuing tech changes, Trump will have to consider infrastructure, roads, and mass transit. There will also be the discussion of unskilled laborers versus automation, and the need for both in coming months and years.
One thing is certain however, with the election over and the next 4 years ahead, only time will tell exactly what will happen to the auto industry.

by:drivingsales.com


What Does The Election Mean for The Auto Industry................................. www.redlineautosales.ca/what-does-the-election-mean-for-the-auto-industry.htm

Volkswagen And Toyota In Neck-And-Neck Race For Global Top Spot

Usually, when the leaves turn golden outside, the World's Largest Automaker title is a foregone conclusion. This time, it's dramatically different. Toyota and Volkswagen have produced nearly exactly the same number of vehicles this year so far, and the race remains wide open.
January through September, Volkswagen Group and Toyota Motor Co. produced 7.609 million units across all their brands, data released by the companies show. Officially, Toyota is ahead of VW by a mere 336 units, a fraction of a rounding error for companies that are used to making 10 million cars per year, each.

Who might nose ahead in the final spurt? The stats are on Volkswagen's side. VW is looking at a year-on-year growth of 2.4%, while Toyota added only 1.2% to last year's January-September results. But then, Toyota was behind Volkswagen in the first part of the year, and only edged ahead in August.
Would Volkswagen grab the title this year, it would reach a target set by former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn who wanted VW to become world's largest automaker by 2018. Winterkorn is gone, his Strategy 2018 has been scrapped and replaced by a more mallable Strategy 2025.
Number 3 General Motors is far behind the dueling giants.

by: forbes.com



VW and Toyota are in Neck and Neck Race for Global Top Spot............. www.redlineautosales.ca/volkswagen-and-toyota-in-neck-and-neck-race-for-global-top-spot.htm

What will the world of Wheels be like in 30 years?

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Last month, Toronto Star Wheels observed its 30th anniversary. Yes, hard as it is to imagine, it's been 30 years since the late Dennis Morgan was asked to create a section for the SaturdayStar in which all of the automotive advertising of the day could be accommodated.

Called Wheels (after Arthur Hailey's 1971 novel about the automobile industry), it was an instant success and there was soon as much editorial content in it as there was advertising.

Over those 30 years, this section traced the evolution of cars, trucks and motorcycles. This column today is about where the world of Wheels might be going in the next 30 years.

To find out, I talked to two people involved in the retail sales industry as well as a University of Ottawa professor who is an expert on solar-powered EV charging stations.

First, Todd Bourgon, Executive Director of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA):

Where are we going?

The question mark for me is fuel. The next big thing was supposed to be hydrogen, or propane or electricity. They're touting electricity now, but we were touting hydrogen, propane, natural gas and other sources of fuel 10 years ago and they went nowhere.

So, for me, the next 30 years will be waiting to see who invents the best way to fuel a vehicle.

Will there be as many dealers?

There were concerns that we would see fewer. The reality is that, right now, some manufacturers are adding more dealerships. There are people who say the dealerships will diminish because people will buy cars online, but I don't necessarily believe that, because if that was the case, they'd be doing that now. People will want to see the car they're going to buy.

Dealerships have changed dramatically. Where do you see that going?

It's all about the customer experience and realizing that customers have choice - and making their experience in the dealership that much more positive. At the end of the day, if you take your car in to be fixed, it's going to cost you money. So, the idea is to give people a positive experience, to not make it any worse for them.

I see that trend continuing and growing. I see dealerships now that are putting in cook counters, where you can have a full lunch. They have Wi-Fi, work stations, printers so you don't have to miss time from work. It's no different than the hotel industry, which is a home-away-from-home environment. Dealerships are just reflecting that.

I see that growing. We've done a good job as an industry.

Next, I called Bob Redinger, President and General Manager of Ready Honda in Mississauga who writes the Dealer's Voice column for Wheels:

Where are we going?

I see fractional ownership among millennials. They are either going to own cars and sub-rent them out or they will just rent what they need. But that will change once they have families and then the need (to own) will increase, and I think you'll see a shift back to typical ownership like we see today.

Dealerships have changed dramatically. Where do you see that going?

I see a different model. Millennials are buying things like clothing online, and they go to retailers to see the product, but then go home and order it/them online. I see that happening in our industry.

You will still have the service aspect, but that may change. It might be that servicing will be done at the consumer's convenience. You will take a mobile service to the consumer, and if it's something major, then you bring the vehicle into the shop. The example I use is that you don't take your washing machine in to have it fixed; somebody comes to fix it at your house.

What will electrification do to the automobile industry?

I see a mix. I see fuel cells and internal combustion. I think electricity is just the catalyst to get the movement going in that direction. I don't think it's the end game. It's not viable.

Autonomous cars? I see driver-aided cars, but I don't see them being completely autonomous. There is too much to rely on, starting with the system in the car itself. What if it fails? It's a skill to be able to drive. Do you want to lose that skill? I don't think so.

There is something positive about autonomous cars, though. They will be great for older generations. There won't be restrictions if you're 85 or 90 - you can still own a car and not have to worry.

Last, I talked to Prof. Hussein Mouftah, Canada Research Chair and Distinguished University Professor, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Ottawa.

Where are we going?

There will be more electrification of cars, whether they are taxis or shared cars. Buses will also be electrified.

More than 75 per cent of vehicles will be electrified. But not all of them will be autonomous because some people will still like to drive. I would suggest 30 to 40 per cent of vehicles in the next 30 years will be autonomous.

People who do not like to drive will participate in shared-car networks.

What will electrification do to the automobile service industry?

There will be a changing of skills and manpower. When automation was introduced, we were concerned that jobs would disappear. But the jobs did not really disappear; they just changed in nature. We have seen the Internet. There were fears that some jobs would disappear but it turned out that other jobs were created and people are now working in the Internet industry.

Jobs will be created according to the change of technology - the advancement of technology.

Will there be fuels other than electricity?

For sure. We've been talking 75 per cent electrification, but hydrogen will play a part, as will gasoline. However, if I compared the hydrogen business with the electricity business, I would say electricity will grow much faster.

What about batteries? They take up half the car these days

Batteries will become smaller, and as they get smaller, the rate of electrification will become that much faster. You might change the battery instead of charging it. And if that happens, the batteries will also be cheaper.

The Ontario government wants many more people to purchase EVs. Will the price of electricity go up for EV owners?

Not necessarily. The government is encouraging people to buy EVs, and that's why they have a rebate system. But those rebates may stop if a large number of EVs are on the road. Perhaps the attention will then turn to mass transit - buses and trains will be electrified. LRTs will be completely electrified.

And to all of the above, I say: We'll see.

by: thestar.com

What Will the World of Wheels be Like in 30 Years?.................................. www.redlineautosales.ca/what-will-the-world-of-wheels-be-like-in-30-years-.htm

The Apple Car is Dead, as Efforts Shift to Software

Code named Project Titan, Apple's highly secretive foray into building its own car is in a major tailspin. According to Automotive News Apple has abandoned the project in favor of developing a software-based autonomous drive system. Apple insiders note a cataclysmic failure of leadership at Project Titan, which has seen "hundreds" of team members quit, fired, or reassigned.AN reports that Apple executives have introduced a deadline of late 2017 for Project Titan to demonstrate the capability of its autonomous drive system and settle on the division's future. Although Apple is leaving open the possibility of making a self-driving car, all evidence points to it developing autonomous drive software that would be sold to automakers and other third parties.
Despite enormous investments, a hiring spree, and an ambitious target of early next decade, Project Titan hit numerous snags by the end of 2015 after kicking off just one year before. Whether its wary tech investors, executives and engineers jumping ship, or supplier issues, Apple's self-driving car project has been on the rocks more than it's been on the straight and narrow.

Investors are reportedly wary of the auto industry's slimmer profit margins of "well below 10 percent," compared to much more abundant return in the tech world. Debates over strategy among management didn't help either, nor did the exit of project head Steve Zadesky (formerly of Ford) in early 2016. By May, new project chief Bob Mansfield, a "highly regarded manager" responsible for the original iPad, put the kibosh on the Apple Car. That move unsurprisingly did not inspire confidence, resulting in the exodus of engineers in the following months. Two sets of layoffs, in August and September, followed soon after.
AN reports that in addition to regulatory experts helping navigate the complicated red tape of the auto industry, the remaining software engineers are "working on autonomous programs, vision sensors, and simulators for testing the platform in real-world environments."
It's unclear when we'll know more, given the heavy veil of secrecy surrounding Project Titan up to this point. If anything has become clear, however, it's that developing an autonomous car is proving a whole lot more complicated than the tech industry thought.



by: automobilemag.com

The Apple Car is Dead, as Efforts  Shift to Software............. www.redlineautosales.ca/the-apple-car-is-dead--as-efforts-shift-to-software.htm

BMW expecting hybrid, EV sales boost within 10 years

BMW expects sales of its electrified cars to surge in the next decade as the technology hits the mainstream, putting it in a race against Tesla and Mercedes Benz.

Plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars across the BMW and Mini brands could account for between 15 and 25 per cent of sales in about 10 years, BMW CEO Harald Krueger said in an interview. To put it in context, that's potentially more than half a million cars based on 2015 sales of 2.25 million vehicles, and compares with a 2 per cent share of deliveries now.

"With more range and more infrastructure being available, you'll see more electrified vehicles," Krueger said during a visit to Los Angeles. "We need some time for this movement and development, but it's nothing that'll go away."

Automakers are under pressure to sell more battery-powered vehicles to make good on heavy investment in the technology and meet tightening emissions regulation. Volkswagen, Opel and Renault are among the European automakers readying models that can drive several hundred miles on a single charge. Volkswagen's I.D. concept - due to go on sale by 2020 - will have a range that's almost twice as long as Tesla's upcoming Model 3.

BMW, which has an all-electric car and a plug-in hybrid that make up its more environmentally friendly "i" sub-brand, was one of the first European manufacturers to produce a standalone electric vehicle. Last month, it unveiled plans for a battery battery powered Mini and an all electric version of the BMW X3 crossover, indicating that the company considers the technology ready for a mainstream rollout.

Luxury Rivals

After claiming the first-mover crown among major carmakers, BMW's efforts slowed as limited driving range and high costs made buyers wary. The i3, which came to market in 2013, costs about $42,400. BMW also offers seven models with plug-in hybrid technology, such as the 7 series and the i8.

As ranges improve and costs drop, competition is intensifying. Mercedes-Benz, set to overtake BMW this year as the world's best-selling luxury automaker for the first time in a decade, predicts electric vehicles will account for as much as 25 per cent of its deliveries by 2025. Mercedes plans to produce at least 10 all electric models by then, and is working on a coupe-style SUV that's part of a new standalone sub-brand dubbed EQ.

European automakers are responding to the threat posed by Tesla, which has proved that cars can be eco-friendly and cool at the same time. The U.S. company is boosting output at its California factory with the aim of making 500,000 vehicles a year by 2018.

Tesla's more established rivals have emphasized plans to manufacture electric models on production lines that also make cars with combustion engines, setting them up for a flexible response to growing demand.

"Electric cars are very important for the future - if you'd like to offer sustainable mobility solutions then you need electrified products," said Krueger. "But in the next couple of years you'll still have combustion engines."

by: driving.ca



BMW Expecting Hybrid, EV Sales Boost Within 10 Years.................. www.redlineautosales.ca/bmw-expecting-hybrid--ev-sales-boost-within-10-years.htm