Now You Can Ride in a Google Self-Driving Car

After eight years of testing, Waymo is ready to go public: Google's autonomous vehicle spin-off is offering families in the Phoenix area the chance to try out its self-driving cars as part of a new pilot ride-sharing program. The move brings the technology a step closer to becoming a day-to-day reality and coincides with efforts by other entrants into the fast-emerging field who are rapidly expanding the number of autonomous vehicles now on public roads. The pilot program could cement Waymo's position as a leader in the technology while also giving a big boost to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the automaker that will now provide another 500 Pacifica plug-in hybrid minivans for use in the Arizona project.

Waymo had quietly begun offering rides to a "handful of Phoenix, AZ residents…over the last month," the Alphabet subsidiary's CEO John Krafcik revealed in a statement issued overnight. "Now residents in the Phoenix area can apply" to join the trial, with Waymo planning on "accepting hundreds of people with diverse backgrounds and transportation needs who want to ride and give feedback about Waymo's self-driving cars."

From Science Fiction to Reality

Then a small project launched by Google, Waymo was one of the first to begin exploring the idea of making autonomous vehicles, long the stuff of science fiction, an everyday reality. Since then, the company says it has clocked more than 2 million miles of driving on public roads with a variety of different prototypes.
Early versions relied on modified Lexus SUVs. Two years ago, Google turned to Detroit auto supplier Rousch to produce about 100 sci-fi-style bubble cars specifically designed to test its autonomous technology. Some of those will eventually be put on the road in completely driverless form, with no pedals or steering wheel.
The Arizona pilot, however, relies on a specially modified version of the new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a plug-in minivan. Waymo unveiled the first of 100 at the North American International Auto Show in January. It will now take delivery of 500 more.
While a relatively modest number by ordinary automotive standards, that's a big development for FCA. The automaker has been slow to enter the autonomous research field, unlike rivals like Ford, General Motors, Toyota and Nissan. It opens the possibility of a much larger, longer-term collaboration between FCA and Waymo that could leapfrog the smallest of the Detroit makers into a position of leadership.

First to the Market

The tie-up also helps Waymo cement its position in the autonomous hierarchy. Long seen as a leader, it was downgraded in a recent study of self-driving technology by Navigant Research, which put Ford at the top, followed by traditional automakers including General Motors, Nissan and Daimler AG. Navigant cautioned that despite having great technology, Waymo lacked a "pathway to production."
The expanded ties to FCA - as well as a new deal with Honda - could offer Waymo a path to go from concept to pilot to real world applications.
"This collaboration is helping both companies learn how to bring self-driving cars to market, and realize the safety and mobility benefits of this technology," said Waymo's Krafcik in the company release.
While Fiat Chrysler is providing the minivans for the Arizona pilot, Waymo is handling the technical end. It has been producing its own sensors to help its cars "see" the world around. That includes a new generation of laser-based LIDAR. These high-definition, 3D sensors cost about $70,000 apiece until recently, a hefty price tag considering four are needed. At the January auto show unveiling, Krafcik said Waymo's LIDAR sensors are down to $7,000 apiece - and some experts believe they will eventually fall to as little as $50, making widespread use affordable.

Not Completely Driverless Just Yet

The modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans are capable of operating without a driver onboard, something that would be permitted under Arizona regulations, but Waymo will, at least for the near future, continue to have a trained "operator" at the ready behind the wheel in the event of a problem.
How consumers will respond to the open public invitation remains to be seen. Another recent study, this one by J.D. Power and Associates, found a sizable majority of Americans remain wary of self-driving vehicles and unwilling to ride in one - the exception being Millennials.
One reason for such concern, according to Power Vice President Kristin Kolodge, has been news about crashes involving autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. Waymo itself has experienced more than a dozen incidents, albeit most of them minor and only one blamed on one of its vehicles. In recent weeks, two crashes have occurred in the Phoenix area, one involving a self-driving Uber prototype, another a Tesla Model X running in semi-autonomous Autopilot mode. A fatal accident was reported last May involving Autopilot, though a federal investigation largely put the blame on the driver.
Waymo actually isn't the first to give everyday consumers a chance to participate in an autonomous pilot. Ride-sharing giant Uber has been operating a program in Pittsburgh, near its self-driving research center. It also launched a test in San Francisco last December, shutting it down a week later as a result of a run-in with state authorities - and reports that some of its prototype Volvo XC90 SUVs had violated traffic laws.
Uber recently returned to San Francisco, though it is not yet picking up paid customers. It is also testing some of its own vehicles in Arizona, a state that has been aggressively trying to position itself as a center for autonomous vehicle development.
The race to bring autonomous vehicle technology to market has accelerated, not only on the road but in the courts. A number of lawsuits have been filed in recent months, notably including one ongoing case pitting Waymo against Uber. The Google spin-off claims former employees stole intellectual property when they left to form their own self-driving truck company. That firm, Otto, was later acquired by Uber.

by:nbcnews.com


Now You Can Drive in a Google Self Driving Car.......... www.redlineautosales.ca/now-you-can-ride-in-a-google-self-driving-car.htm #redlineautosales

Here Are The Six Best Cars In The World Right Now

Jaguar Land Rover North America

The Jaguar F-Pace SUV clinched a double victory in the 2017 World Car Awards.

Deciphering the increasingly crowded automotive landscape is difficult, especially if you're in the market for a new car. The World Car Awards, administered by a Toronto-based non-profit and voted upon by 75 jurors (myself included) in 23 countries, cuts through the noise, putting new cars through the paces all year long before putting them up for a vote. This year's picks were announced at the New York Auto Show last week. Here's a closer look at the winners across six categories: design, luxury, performance, green, urban, and overall.
The Jaguar F-Pace SUV claimed a double win for World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year. Released last spring, the British brand's first-ever SUV proved an instant hit and is now the bestselling vehicle in its portfolio by a wide margin.Its exceptional dynamics, daily utility, and bold design swayed the jury in favor of the performance-oriented SUV over the other finalists, the Audi Q5 and Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUVs. "The F-Pace is the first SUV that actually turns heads," said Peter Lyon, chairman of the World Car Awards. "Many of our 75 jurors voted for the F-Pace not just because it's Jaguar's first-ever SUV, but because the R&D team did such a great job with the vehicle's industry-leading design, sports car-like driving dynamics, well-weighted steering, high comfort levels, competitive price and superb engine range, especially the supercharged 3.0-liter with eight-speed transmission."  The F-Pace also edged out the Mercedes-Benz S-Class executive sedan and Toyota C-HR subcompact SUV for the World Car Design category, which is vetted by six design experts before the jurors vote.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class triumphed over the the BMW 5-Series and Volvo S90 and Volvo V90 sedans for the World Luxury Car distinction. Mercedes has dominated the category in recent years, with the S-Class coupe honored in 2015 and S-Class sedan in 2014 (The BMW 7-Series executive sedan won the honor last year.) The brand has been a juror favorite in recent years: In 2015, the German automaker scored a triple win, taking home the World Car of the Year title for the C-Class compact sedan and the World Performance Car award for the AMG GT.
This year's World Performance Car award went to Porsche for the fifth time. This year, the Boxster and Cayman, based on Porsche's legendary 718 mid-engine race cars, trumped the other category finalists: the Audi R8 Spyder and McLaren 570S. Porsche won in the title in 2014 for the 911 GT3, 2013 for the Boxster and Cayman, 2012 for the 911, and 2006 for the Porsche Cayman S.
In the environmental category, the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model X may have received the lion's share of this year's automotive headlines for their superior electric range, but the Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid captured the honor of World Green Car. Toyota's Mirai fuel cell vehicle won last year's award. Meanwhile, the World Urban Car, an inaugural category marking the global importance of smaller, fuel-efficient cars, went to the BMW i3. The luxury electric vehicle, which beat the Citroen C3 and Suzuki Ignis for the title, proves that small vehicles don't have to be cheap, undesirable, or unpleasant to drive, according to jurors.

by: forbes.com

Here are Six Best Cars in the World Now...... www.redlineautosales.ca/here-are-the-six-best-cars-in-the-world-right-now.htm #redlineautosales

Public hydrogen fueling stations on the way

The Government of Canada has announced that it will be contributing to the construction of public hydrogen stations in the Greater Toronto Area. As part of Budget 2017, Navdeep Singh Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced the federal government's intention to "support a new Canadian market for fuel-cell vehicles" by allocating  $1,625,000 towards the construction of two public hydrogen stations, according to a news release.
"We are very pleased to receive this funding and support from the Canadian government for additional fuelling stations in and around Toronto," said Daryl Wilson, President and CEO of Hydrogenics Corporation, a Canadian company that has been involved in more than 50 hydrogen refuelling station projects worldwide since 2000, and which has been named as the project proponent.
"Driven by automotive OEMs such as BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota, we're seeing an increase in demand for hydrogen-based clean vehicles in Europe, California, the UK and Japan - and now here in Canada. Using our renewable hydrogen fuel, the GTA will be one step closer to enabling carbon-free fuelling for zero-emission vehicles," said Wilson in the release.

by: canadianautodealer.ca

 

 

Public Hydrogen Fueling Stations On The Way................................................. www.redlineautosales.ca/public-hydrogen-fueling-stations-on-the-way.htm #redlineautosales

Top reasons why consumers turn to ride-sharing services

Since ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft were launched about seven years ago, they continue to have a greater influence on our mobility and culture. Thousands of people have become ride-share drivers, millions of ride-share trips occur daily and billions of dollars are spent on these services each year. Yet ride-sharing has only scratched the surface.
The business premise behind ride-sharing-and of all sharing-economy business activities-is a relatively simple one: The efficient use of shared-resources to reduce overall consumer costs, while providing superior services and shorter wait times.
In addition to these objectives, one unforeseen (and pleasant) outcome of the increase in ride-sharing services has been the positive effect that ride-sharing has had on consumers' decisions about driving when they have been consuming alcohol. Indeed, according to a recent consumer survey conducted by J.D. Power, among people who use ride-sharing services, the most frequently cited reason for using ride-sharing services is when a person knows that they will be drinking alcohol.
Single Most Important Reason to Use a Ride-Sharing Service like Uber or Lyft

This finding supports a study by Uber and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)-that says:

• 88% of respondents over the age of 21 agree with the statement that "Uber has made it easier for me to avoid driving home when I've had too much to drink."
• 78% of people say that since Uber launched in their city, their friends are less likely to drive after drinking.
• And after hearing about Uber's impact on drunk driving already, 93% of people would recommend a friend take Uber instead of driving if the friend had been drinking.

According to the Uber/MADD report, drunk-driving crashes in California (among drivers under 30 years old and in markets where Uber operates) have declined by an average of 60 per month and have had a substantial positive effect on the reduction of property damage and personal injury. In addition, examining major metropolitan areas around the country, requests for Uber rides tend to peak between midnight and 2 a.m., around the time when most bars are closing and when most drunk driving crashes occur.
Clearly, ride-sharing has already made a positive effect on making roads safer from drivers who have been drinking alcohol. Even better, it appears there is room for even greater improvements in safety as ride-sharing becomes available in more markets and as consumers gain greater awareness of its benefits. According to our research, only about 25% of consumers say they have ever used a ride-sharing service, a number that is sure to grow.
Having a drink with friends has been a time-honored tradition in many cultures for millennia. In America, we can practically set our calendars around peak drinking occasions (New Year's Eve, Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick's Day, etc.). Now, with the advent of ridesharing services, these holidays can continued to be enjoyed by everyone, with the added reassurance that drivers who imbibe are now less likely to drive afterward.


by: jdpower.com


Top Reasons Why Consumers Turn to Ride Sharing Services......... www.redlineautosales.ca/top-reasons-why-consumers-turn-to-ride-sharing-services.htm

Drivers Think Autonomous Vehicles will End Distracted Driving

As the theory that is self-driving vehicles moves closer to reality, drivers clearly have mixed feelings on what it means for them; however, a new study shows that most think a major benefit will be substantial reduction in distracted driving.
According to a new survey released by Erie Insurance, 59% of drivers believe automated vehicles will eliminate distracted driving. In fact, 66% of the men firmly believed this while just a little more than half, 52%, of the women felt this way.
However, those results there reveal that consumers don't have a clear picture on what the role of the driver is when behind the wheel, or big red button depending upon which automated vehicle is being driven.
"The term 'self-driving car' suggests I can hop in my car, enter a destination and have it take me from point A to point B. But that car doesn't exist yet," said Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Erie Insurance commissioned the national survey, conducted by Harris Polling, on licensed drivers' attitudes toward self-driving cars and distracted driving.
"According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, human error is a factor in 94% of car crashes While we believe that fully autonomous vehicles will greatly reduce that number, it's hard to predict how soon they will be widely available," said Cody Cook, Erie Insurance vice president and product manager of Erie's auto department.
"Current technology is going a long way to keep us safer on the road, but the last thing we want is for people to become over-confident as this technology continues to evolve. Unfortunately, our survey finds that many people are getting ahead of themselves-making plans for what they'll do in the car instead of paying attention to the road."
Some of the behaviors that lead to the crashes are often the behaviors that many potential users of automated vehicles believe they'll be able to engage in while in "driving."
Sleeping promises to be a popular pastime in self-driving cars. Roughly half of licensed drivers (51%) say one of the biggest advantages of self-driving cars would be the ability to go longer distances without worrying about being drowsy while driving. About a fifth of licensed drivers (19%) say they'd sleep or nap while operating a self-driving car.
Other activities licensed drivers plan to do while operating a self-driving car include texting (34%); checking and sending emails (34%); reading (27%); and playing video games (11%). Ten percent said they'd meditate and perhaps surprisingly nearly 1 in 5 men ages 18-34 (18%) say they would engage in this activity.
Seven percent of licensed drivers say they would engage in romantic activities while operating a self-driving car, with men almost four times more likely to do this than women (11% vs. 3%, respectively).
The problem is that one of the key elements, at least currently, is that drivers must remain alert when using the current versions of "self-driving" vehicles and there is an expectation that when fully autonomous vehicles do hit U.S. roads that the driver must be ready to take over at a moment's notice in the event of a system failure.
"We hope people will remember that despite technological advances, it's still critical-for now, anyway-to keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind on what you are doing."
Harris conducted the survey online within the United States from Feb. 28-March 2, among 2,932 U.S. licensed drivers ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

by: thedetroitbureau.com

 

 

Drivers Think Autonomus Vehicles Will End Distracted Driving.... www.redlineautosales.ca/drivers-think-autonomous-vehicles-will-end-distracted-driving.htm #redlineautosales

Best Used Cars for Teens

by: consumerreports.org

When choosing a car for a teen driver, it is important to look further down the road than just today's budget limitations to ensure you buy a good, reliable model that can safely transport your child for years to come.
Choosing the best used car for a young driver will usually involve compromises, from practical considerations to the wants of an image-conscious teen. Simply put: The best bet is to buy the newest, most reliable model with the most safety equipment you can afford.
Make sure the vehicle you buy has advanced safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC) and curtain airbags, as well as good crash-test results. The lifesaving assistance those systems can provide is worth every penny in an emergency situation, and they can be especially beneficial to an inexperienced driver. Do not even consider a car without antilock brakes.
Finding such a car now is simpler, because all cars are equipped with ESC since the 2012 model year. And ESC is readily available in models since 2010, but you do need to check the specific car you are considering, as it may have been optional.
Safety equipment carries much promise, but to fully access the safety of the car overall, do consider crash performance in tests conducted by the government and by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

As far as what type of vehicle is best, large pickups and SUVs are not recommended for young, inexperienced drivers because they are more prone to roll over than other vehicles. Sports cars increase the risk of speeding and have a higher rate of accidents, and consequently, they carry tuition-sapping insurance premiums.
Reliability is key when choosing a used car because it probably will not have the warranty protection common on new cars. Further, you may intend for your teen to drive this first car for years to come, while money is funneled to college and starting independent adult life. To provide insight on car reliability, Consumer Reports surveys its subscribers and shares their experiences. Our model pages feature reliability Ratings spanning 10 years, with data from more than 500,000 vehicles, to provide an invaluable look at how cars hold up over time.
But keep in mind that every used car gets treated differently. The older a car gets, the more its care and maintenance history will affect its overall performance and reliability. Once you have narrowed your shopping list to cars that are likely to be smart choices, have the specific car you are considering purchasing thoroughly inspected by a qualified mechanic before you make the purchase.

There many factors to consider in selecting the right car for your teen. To make this easier, we have created the following list with the best used cars the meet our criteria for being safe and reliable, and each has performed well in Consumer Reports tests. Some used cars below are differentiated by years depending on when ESC became standard or reliability performance.

 

Make and Model	Price Range
Acura TSX	$8,650 - $22,600
Buick Regal (2012-2013)	$11,675 - $19,450
Chevrolet Cruze (2014 or later)	$10,850 - $16,725
Chevrolet Equinox (4-cyl., 2012 or later)	$11,800 - $27,375
Chevrolet Malibu (non-turbo, 2010 or later)	$6,850 - $20,075
Chevrolet Sonic (2015 or later)	$9,875 - $15,325
Ford Edge (2016 or later)	$25,575 - $34,550
Ford Focus sedan (2010-2011)	$5,150 - $7,275
Ford Fusion (4-cyl. & hybrid 2010 and later)	$6,625 - $23,050
Honda Accord (4-cyl. 2008 or later)	$7,475 - $22,750
Honda Civic (non-turbo, non-SI 2012 -2015)	$7,650 - $20,850
Honda CR-V (2015 or later)	$18,825 - $30,675
Honda Fit (2011 and later)	$8,500 - $17,600
Honda HR-V	$19,175 - $25,500
Hyundai Elantra (2012 or later)	$8,775 - $14,850
Hyundai Santa Fe (V6, 2007-2009, 2011-2012; no third row )	$6,000 - $16,050
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (2014 and later)	$17,550 - $28,400
Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl., non-turbo, 2006-2010, 2013 or later)	$4,725 - $20,475
Hyundai Tucson (2010 or later)	$9,675 - $21,050
Kia Forte (2010 or later)	$5,200 - $14,800
Kia Optima (non-turbo, 2011 or later)	$9,075 -$17,650
Kia Soul	$6,000 - $16,050
Kia Sportage (4-cyl., non-turbo, 2011-or later)	$10,275 - $20,100
Mazda CX-3	$23,600 - $24,825
Mazda CX-5	$14,025 - $27,850
Mazda 3i Touring (2011 -2015)	$6,525 - $21,350
Mazda 6 (4-cyl., 2009 and later)	$6,750 - $25,475
Mitsubishi Outlander (2007 to 2013, no third-row)	$4,700 - $18,250
Nissan Altima (4-cyl., 2010 to 2012, 2014 and later)	$7,225 - $15,900
Nissan Rogue (2008-2013 and 2015 or later)	$6,050 - $25,775
Nissan Sentra (2011-2012, 2015)	$6,425 - $14,950
Scion iA	$13,875
Scion iM	$16,875
Scion xB (2008 or later)	$6,250 - $15,850
Scion xD (2010 or later)	$7,175 - $11,525
Subaru Crosstrek	$21,875 - $25,125
Subaru Forester (non-turbo, 2009 or later)	$8,700 - $27,575
Subaru Impreza (non-turbo, 2011 or later)	$9,975 -$20,475
Subaru Legacy (4 cyl., 2010 or later)	$9,150 - $21,175
Subaru Outback (4 cyl., 2009-2015)	$8,875 - $25,075
Toyota Camry (4 cyl. 2010 or later)	$8,075 - $22,025
Toyota Corolla (2010 or later)	$7,375 -$17,250
Toyota Matrix (2010 or later)	$8,025 -$13,450
Toyota Prius (2010 or later)	$9,750 - $19,775
Toyota Prius V	$14,375 -$19,575
Toyota RAV4 (4 cyl., no third row 2004 or later)	$5,519 - $27,750
Volkswagen Golf (2011-2012)	$8,275 - $22,325
Volkswagen Rabbit (2009)	$5,800 - $6,175
Volkswagen Jetta (2009-2013)	$5,000 -$17,300
Volkswagen Tiguan (2014 or later)	$15,000 - $26,875
Volvo S60 (2012-2014 and 2016)	$13,000 - $31,375

 

 

Best Used Cars for Teens......................... www.redlineautosales.ca/best-used-cars-for-teens.htm #redlineautosales

Mississauga might say “No” to more dealerships

A City of Mississauga Planner is recommending that any future construction of auto dealerships be outlawed in "business employment land" zones, a move that will limit dealership expansion and the creation of new jobs, according to the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association. "Car dealerships are a low employment density land use that would not maximize the productivity of lands," wrote Romas Juknevicius in the report entitled "Municipal Comprehensive Review of Employment Lands." The report was submitted to the city's planning and development committee on March 7.
"We urge Mississauga City Council to shelve this report," said TADA President Bob Redinger in a news release. "In order for new car dealers in Mississauga to remain competitive and grow, City Council should be a willing partner to facilitate the many dealerships that are re-imaging their store front."
Redinger explained that the structure and size of new car dealerships are decided by the manufacturer, leaving the dealer without a say in the matter.
"From my understanding, those behind the report are trying to push residential buildings to land that's already developed," said Frank Notte, TADA Director of Government Relations in an interview. "I think car dealerships were easy targets for the lack of land in Mississauga, which is absurd."
According to the report, the average Mississauga dealership currently employs 46 people, 17 fewer than the average 63 workers in an industrial building situated on 1.8 hectares, a similar amount of land used by the average dealership.
"They recently welcomed a new BMW distribution centre with open arms, and should do the same with new car dealers looking to set up shop or expand," he said. Notte believes that people generally associate the word "auto" with manufacturing. The challenge, he said, is to "educate" policymakers about how small and medium-sized businesses, such as dealerships, are also part of the "auto reality" and employ roughly 53,000 people province-wide while generating $37 billion per year in economic activity.
Notte also pointed out that bigger dealerships provide Mississauga with more property taxes and that the economic benefit is significant when one includes other auto-related jobs such as providers of auto insurance and parts, among others.

by: canadianautodealer.ca


Mississauga Might Say "NO" to More Dealerships....... www.redlineautosales.ca/mississauga-might-say--no--to-more-dealerships.htm   #redlineautosales