Volkswagen UP - concept car in India

Volkswagen UP! New Car for India from Volkswagen had its debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany. Volkswagen UP! is expected to hit Indian roads by late next year. It’s expected that both variants both petrol & diesel, will be launched India simultaneously. The fact that the engine of the up runs in the rear has a decisive influence on its exterior design. That is because the up! Has no classic radiator grille. It forges links to the Beetle.

Major design characteristics includes the headlamps which take an inward and diagonal line, between them lies the horizontally arranged air vents, the Volkswagen logo (as one of the few details kept in chrome), the tailgate that extends far forward and the smooth bumper with a circumferential black stripe.

The tailgate was produced using a transparent material beneath which integrated the high layout of the taillights. Another new visible feature is the location of the VW logo in the tailgate is placed behind glass and gets illuminated when the light is on. About design of wheels, the wheels are flush with the sporty outboard wheel arches and side skirts. The radial design of the wheels and surfaces extending right up to the edge of the rim make the 18-inch wheels appear significantly larger than they actually are.

Volkswagen UP accounts for a large spacy interior. The Hatchback offers more space than any other car of similar length (3.45 meters) and width (1.63 meters).Except the driver’s seat, all other seats can be folded and removed providing large extra cargo space. Volkswagen UP also provides high level of seating comfort that Volkswagen always provides. Similar to a self-inflating air mattress, air can be sucked out of the seat surfaces via a valve. This means that the seats can be adjusted 1:1 to the body anatomies of the occupants who have just taken a seat.

The price details of the Volkswagen UP are targeted a low $7,500 price point. The car belongs to the B segment contains a 1200cc, 3 Cylinder petrol engine provides a max power of 72 Bhp.

Volkswagen opening their first plant in India in 2009, they have aggressive growth plans in that market. By 2012 they could be building as many as 240,000 cars a year there with the production version of the up making up a large share of those. In addition to the up! VW will also build the next generation Polo at the plant in Chakan. Although building the micro-cars in India for the local market would seem logical, there is also the possibility that they will export the cars from there to the US market.

Volkswagen UP! FeaturesBody Color BumpersTachometerAlloys WheelsDual Trip MeterAC with Climate ControlPower WindowsRemote Central LockingRemote BootRemote Fuel FillerRear WiperRear DefoggerMP3 CD Player Music SystemOptional Leather SeatsBoth Side Electric Door MirrorParking SensorsFog Lamp.

Volkswagen UP! Specification
Car name: UP!
Car Body Type: Hatchback
Segment: B Segment

Volkswagen UP! Engine Specification
Displacement: 1200cc, 3 Cylinder
Engine Type: Petrol
Maximum Power: 72 Bhp

Volkswagen UP! Dimension & Other Specs
Length: 3449 mm
Width: 1631 mm
Seating Capacity: 4
Brakes: Front Disk, Rear Drum
Gears: 5 Manual

Source: Google

Nokia Booklet 3G mini laptop

Nokia rocked the world this morning by introducing its spin on the laptop, called the Booklet 3G. If you're the rude sort (like us) you could call it a fancy netbook, what with its Atom processor and 10.1-inch display, but that screen is higher res than your average Eee, and it also sports integrated 3G wireless and a hot-swappable SIM card, so it's definitely trying to define its own niche. It looks to be running Windows 7, which isn't particularly netbooky, and also has integrated A-GPS with a copy of Ovi Maps, HDMI output, a rated 12 hour battery life, and the usual Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, all in a 2cm (.78 inch), 2.7lb aluminum body that's understated, sophisticated, and should make most Nokia fans very happy -- Nokia fans who are looking for a tiny laptop, anyway. There's a fancy promotional video after the break, and while we don't have any anticipated release date or price just yet, we'll be learning more at Nokia World 09 on September 2. We promise not to make too many Foleo references.

For more information we need to wait .....

Source: www.engadget .com

Napkin PC concept

Check out this very clever Napkin PC designed by Avery Holleman that is perfect for collaborating designers. Using e-ink and RF technology it allows designers to draw in colour and skip the very tedious stage of transferring the sketch into a digital format.
Avery has done a great job illustrating the design in a scenario based presentation, so much so that I’ll let the images do the talking.

Overview of Design:

The Napkin PC is innovative because of its multi-flexibility. It can have multiple users, multiple interfaces, and multiple configurations. It breaks the PC down to only the interface— a pen and a space— and then gives you a multitude of both so you can let your creativity run wild.

Scenarios of UseThere are two new usage scenarios delivered by the PC. First is the brainstorming workflow. Creativity that normally starts on paper and whiteboards goes instead directly into the PC without the user changing their behavior. This creativity is richer because of the innumerable software tools and resources available on every Napkin interface. It can also be shared, compiled, and compared instantly for a smooth, speedy workflow.

The second scenario is a replacement for printing. Instead of ever putting ink on paper, the interfaces themselves instantly become “prints” when power is removed. They would then be used just like a print, pinned up, handed around, reviewed, etc. When the print is no longer needed the interface is simply returned to the base station as a fresh Napkin.

Technical Aspects:

The key technologies are full color e-Paper, multi-touch input, Inductive power circuits, and high speed RF wireless connections. The e-Paper is key because of its low power consumption, thinness and flexibility, and ability to retain an image without power. Multi-touch is simply the future of intuitive input that makes the PC fun, fast, and easy to use.

The inductive power circuits are crucial because they allow wireless power transfer and make the interface Napkin simple and inexpensive enough to be used in large numbers. High speed RF continues to keep everything wireless and intuitively seamless.

Ecology:

The environmental sustainability of the PC is most innovative with the Napkin interface. It is the most numerous component and the one most likely to need replacing due to wear over a few years. Therefore it is beneficial to make it easy to recycle which is accomplished by powering it with an inductive circuit. This eliminates a hard-to-recycle internal battery.
The second, and likely more impactful, innovation is the use of the interface as an instant “print.” This eliminates the need for printers, paper, and ink, which are used in large amounts during the creative process.

Source: www.tuvie.com & Next-Gen PC Design

Dell ADAMO ... Thinner as MAC

              If the rumors are accurate, Dell will soon launch a new laptop to compete with ultra-thin models from Apple, Lenovo and others. So just how thin would this new “Adamo” laptop need to be to lure some of those premium buyers over to Dell? Here’s how the competition measures up:

Apple MacBook Air: 0.16 to 0.79 inches
Voodoo Envy 133: 0.70 inches
Lenovo ThinkPad X301: 0.73 inches
Toshiba Portege R500: 0.77 inches
Toshiba Portege R600: 0.79 inches
Sony VAIO Z series: 1.0 inches
Amazon Kindle: 0.70 inches

However, how Dell came up with the name "Adamo" remains a mystery. Adamo in Latin means to find love or pleasure, which points to Dell trying to invoke the lust factor for the product.The naming convention is interesting on another count.

 
Based on the competition, the Adamo will almost certainly measure 0.7 inches or less. But perhaps Dell will really try to shake things up with an aggressively tapered design like that of the MacBook Air. The problem with this approach is that while the MacBook Air doesn’t have an internal DVD drive, several of the Windows competitors do. So it will be interesting to see just how radical Dell is willing to get with this new model.

My guess is that Dell will give it a decent set of features (13.3-inch LED-backlit display, internal DVD) but skip the more esoteric stuff such as SSDs and instead come in at a lower price. 

Dell earlier leaked out accessories available on its Web site for Adamo Thirteen, which it later deleted. Dell listed a 45-watt AC adapter, which is similar to the 45-watt MagSafe power adapter used in the MacBook Air.

Dell also leaked a DVD+/-RW slot drive. Few ultraportable laptops build in an optical drive because of size constraints, with one exception being Fujitsu's LifeBook P8020 laptop.

The company also listed a "DC to DC auto/air adapter" accessory, an external hard drive and Displayport HDMI and VGA video dongles for the Adamo Thirteen.

No details, specs, or prices were given (except that its design includes anodized aluminum and glass .... it will be avilable in two colors silver & black), but don't expect this one to be on Walmart's shelves any time soon, despite rumors that it is supposed to be a price-friendly competitor for Apple's Air.

Dell website: http://www.adamobydell.com/choose-country.html

Dell Adamo Video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyVCV_8K3bs

Nokia's concept mobile phone -- Morph

Nokia and the University of Cambridge on Monday introduced a nanotechnology concept called Morph, which demonstrates how future mobile devices could be flexible enough to transform into different shapes. 

Morph, jointly developed by the Nokia Research Center and the University of Cambridge, entails stretchable and flexible materials, transparent electronics, and self-cleaning surfaces that will give nanotechnology ultimate functionality, according to Nokia.


Imagine a self cleaning communication device that will analyse air pollution for you and will fit into your shirt pocket without feeling bulky.

With nanotechnology, anything and everything seems possible. Nanotechnology can benefit the following areas of mobility development for the future.

Watch the video below showing the MORPH concept.

Flexible & Changing Design

Nanotechnology enables materials to be flexible, stretchable, transparent and strong. “Fibril proteins are woven into a three dimensional mesh that reinforces thin elastic structures. Using the same principle behind spider silk, this elasticity enables the device to literally change shapes and configure itself to adapt to the task at hand.

A folded design would fit easily in a pocket and could lend itself ergonomically to being used as a Traditional handset. Further, utilization of biodegradable materials might make production and recycling of devices easier and ecologically friendly.”

Self-Cleaning

Nanotechnology also can be leveraged to create self-cleaning surfaces on mobile devices, ultimately reducing corrosion, wear and improving longevity.

Advanced Power Sources

Nanotechnology holds out the possibility that the surface of a device will become a natural source of energy. Built-in solar absorption might charge a device, whilst batteries become smaller, longer lasting and faster to charge.

Sensing the Environment

Nanosensors would empower users to examine the environment around them in completely new ways.

The device is ample proof of how nanoscale technologies can create a world of radically different devices that are bound to create some unbelievable opportunities for mobile devices.

Source: Nokia & youtube

Innovative design ----- The Chameleon truck

Nature didn’t make many mistakes with organic forms and wise designers like Haishang Deng understand solves for our problems can often be found just by studying what nature has already done. Enter the Chameleon Truck.

This bionic cargo transport uses an innovative segmented body remarkably like that of a centipede. This enables the truck to adjust its size to the cargo load. The resilient soft tarpaulin shelled body is strong enough to protect its cargo but also absorbs impacts in case of accidents. As an added benefit fuel savings abound since the truck’s weight is slashed in half.

Another innovative design feature is the drive cockpit which cranes over its cargo instead of being built into the frame like most vehicles today. This enables automated front loading without the need for additional support.

I would love to see this one in action. Lucky driver!

Designer: Haishan Deng

Toyota IQ concept : A small & beautiful car

Toyota is touting the iQ as the ultimate refined mode of transportation and at less than 118 inches in length, it’s certainly small enough to be a devoted city runabout.

The iQ is called a 3+1, meaning it is capable of carrying up to three adults along with a child or luggage in comfort.

Toyota is especially proud of the six engineering innovations it utilized to maximized interior space in the iQ in addition to the long wheelbase of nearly 79 inches, which minimizes overhangs but maximizes the space between the wheels. The first includes a newly developed compact differential, alone said to be responsible for over 100mm of added length in the cabin in comparison to the B-segment Toyota Yaris.

The rest includes rear-angled shocks and a flat fuel tank under the seats, a smaller heater / air conditioner unit that’s just as efficient, a center take-off steering column, an asymmetrical dashboard as well as slimmer seats claimed to contribute about 1.5 inches in length to the interior. Despite its small size, the iQ received a 5-star safety rating in Euro NCAP testing.

“We came to the conclusion that, in order to ensure a sustainable future, there was a need for a radical change in vehicle packaging. We needed to create a break-through, away

from the traditional belief that small is basic,” said Kazuo Okamoto, Executive Vice President in charge of Research and Development at Toyota.

The pushed-forward dashboard features temperature controls with an LCD display, as well as a 5.8-inch screen for satellite navigation system.

The iQ showed at Geneva sat on 16-inch wheels and powerplant choices will include two gasoline and one diesel engine. Toyota expects to sell 100,000 units of the iQ in its first year of production globally.

Maruti suzuki splash in 2008

                        Maruti  Suzuki Motor Corporation, the world leader in the compact car segment, introduces Splash, an all-new compact model aimed at building on the success of the loveable Swift. Following Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, Splash is the fourth all new Suzuki model within just three years, and it epitomises Suzuki’s ‘Way of Life!’ philosophy, underpinning its strategy of building cars that excite customers all over the world.

Splash for Europe will be built in Esztergom, Hungary, by Magyar Suzuki Corporation, a Suzuki subsidiary that already builds Swift, SX4 and Ignis. Suzuki will also be manufacturing the second generation Agila for Opel/Vauxhall at this plant. With identical engineering, the main visual differences between Splash and Agila include different styling at front (bonnet, wings, headlamps and bumper) and rear (tailgate, tail lights and bumper). 

Suzuki is targeting annual sales of approximately 60,000 units throughout Europe. Opened in 1992, the Esztergom factory has produced over one million Suzukis to date. 

Splash cannot be considered to be the successor of the Wagon R+, the enlarged version of the Wagon R which in 1993 was originally developed for the Japanese market, and later also introduced in Europe. “Based on completely different criteria, Splash’s design is mainly tailored to the requirements of European customers,” explains Toshihiro Suzuki, the project’s Chief Engineer. Splash comes with attractive styling, compact dimensions, responsive handling, very good build quality and a high degree of environmental compatibility.

While the focus of Phase One of Suzuki’s “World-Strategy” was on sportiness, Splash is the first model in Phase Two which will focus on young families as its main target group. Apart from fresh and sporty styling, young couples with and without children attach great importance to attributes such as spaciousness, flexibility and economy. 

Rather than a purely functional box shape, the designers have endeavoured to provide Splash with styling that lives up to its name, epitomising youthfulness, freshness and zesty, energetic performance.

Styling and the design philosophy

The styling team for Splash was headed by Akira Kamio (44), who also played a big part in the styling of Swift. As early as 2003, he began to analyse the necessary characteristics for a future European mini-MPV. 

It soon became clear that whilst it should not look like a shrunken version of a full-sized MPV this car must keep all of its advantages: the high seating position and resulting good all-round visibility, the pleasant feeling of space and great flexibility allowing the rear compartment to be easily turned into a substantial stowage space.

In order to get up-to-date information, a group of 10 Suzuki designers from Japan travelled to Germany in January, 2004 to spend a period of six months there. They analysed European trends in cars, fashion, lifestyle and design. 

Out of their impressions and findings, they finally distilled three models, which, in so called ‘car clinics’, were then presented to audiences of owners of compact cars and small MPVs. In the end, these audiences favoured the model offering the optimum combination of dynamic sportiness with youthful styling, implying a positive attitude to life and maximum suitability for everyday and recreational use. 

At the Paris Motor Show in late September 2006, Suzuki presented ‘Project Splash’, a concept car showcasing a taste of the styling of the future production-version Splash. The extremely positive response of the audience confirmed to Akira Kamio and his team that they had taken the right path for Splash. One thing is certain: Splash will be a major player in the mini-MPV segment. While ideally suited to tight parking conditions, the 3.72 m-long car nevertheless offers sufficient space for up to five occupants plus plenty of sports and leisure equipment.

Apart from attractive styling, a cute minicar also requires the best engineering. This includes safe and precise handling, outstanding ride comfort, a high degree of environmental compatibility, and optimum passive and active safety. Hence Splash uses a 30 mm shorter wheelbase version of the Swift’s platform, Suzuki’s current best seller. 

The chassis, steering and brakes were adapted to the new parameters in extensive tests, which included tens of thousands of miles of testing over various types of European roads, from English cobblestones, through twisty southern Spanish tracks to fast German autobahns.

Choice of three engines

Splash will make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, with sales commencing in Spring, 2008. Customers will have the choice of three engines – two petrol and a diesel. The petrol units are 100% Suzuki designs, a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit producing 65 PS (48 kW) and a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine developing 86 PS (63 kW). Both are of advanced four-valve-per-cylinder design, offering a sophisticated combination of smoothness, low-end torque and fuel efficiency.

Diesel fans can choose the 1.3-litre common-rail direct injection engine available with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Producing 75 PS (55 kW), this 4-cylinder unit is manufactured by Suzuki at its new diesel engine plant in India under licence from Fiat Group Automobiles. 

All three engines are combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The 86 PS petrol version can also be ordered with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Given the stricter standards now being demanded with respect to environmental compatibility, all engines are Euro4-compliant, with CO2 emissions between 120 and 140 g/km in combination with manual transmissions.

Safety

Suzuki has paid great attention to safety measures in the design of Splash. Active safety features include ABS, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and ESP. Passive safety features include six airbags (dual front side and curtain airbags), a crash-optimised, rigid passenger cell, plus seatbelt-force limiters and seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats. For enhanced pedestrian protection the front end of Splash is fitted with energy-absorbing structures carscoop.

Expect in 2008 in India

We can expect this car to be launched in india by this year end.

The engineering shows a judicious use of space. For example, the rear seats of the Splash can be folded back to make a flat load floor and a compartment below for storage. Cute and affordable, the Splash is very likely to make a huge splash in the Indian market.

Spectacular sky show on February 2008

                       During the last days of January and the first days of February the two brightest planets seen on Earth will appear close together in the dawn twilight of the southeast sky, and the waning crescent Moon will drop by, too.

The most spectacular celestial sights over the next couple of weeks are reserved for the early morning sky. Two bright planets will converge, and then be joined by the moon.

Such an eloquent description certainly fits our current morning sky, for these final days of January and the first days of February will be an exceptional time for predawn sky watchers with a beautiful pairing of the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter. They will appear closest together in the dawn sky of Friday, Feb. 1, and a few mornings later, the waning crescent moon will later drop by to join them.

Dazzling "double planet"

For the past several months, dazzling Venus has been prominent in our morning sky. And about a week ago, brilliant Jupiter also began to emerge from out of the glare of the Sun.

The two planets are currently rising out of the east-southeast horizon about two hours before sunrise.

From now through the end of January, the gap between the two will noticeably close, until on Feb. 1 they'll be separated by just over one-half degree, which is roughly the apparent width of the moon (The width of your fist, held at arm's length roughly corresponds to 10 degrees). Jupiter will shine brilliantly at magnitude -1.9, yet it will appear only 1/7 as bright as Venus, which will gleam at magnitude -4.0.

Together they will make for a spectacular "double planet" low in the dawn twilight. In the mornings thereafter they will appear to slowly separate, but before they have a chance to get too far apart the moon will join the picture.

Celestial summit meeting

At last quarter (half) phase on Jan. 30, the moon will stand alone, high toward the south at sunrise. But with each passing morning, as it wanes to a slender crescent, it will shift toward the east, ultimately into the same region of the sky as our two planets.

Early on Sunday morning, Feb. 3, the moon will sit well off to the west (right) of the planets. On the following morning, Monday, Feb. 4, the show will reach its peak when, about 45 minutes before sunrise, Venus, Jupiter and the moon — the three brightest objects of the night sky — will form a striking isosceles triangle, with the two planets 3 degrees apart and the moon marking the vertex of the triangle just over 5 degrees below the "dynamic duo."

Imagine the astrological significance that the ancients might have ascribed to a celestial summit meeting such as this!

You might want to check your southeast horizon in advance to make sure that there are no tall trees or buildings that might obstruct your view of the moon which will be sitting very low to the horizon.

Like a painting, this celestial tableau might, at first glance may appear rather flat and one-dimensional. But by gazing at this scene long enough, our minds can perhaps picture these objects strung out across the solar system, along our line of sight as they really are.

Beyond our moon — figuratively a stone's throw away at 247,000 miles (397,000 kilometers) — we first reach Venus, about 510 times farther out, or 126 million miles (203 million kilometers) from Earth. The lesser gem flanking Venus — Jupiter, largest of all the planets — is nearly 4 and a half times more distant than Venus at a distance of 560 million miles (901 million kilometers).

Generally speaking, at least for the immediate future, conjunctions between Venus and Jupiter will come in pairs. The first conjunction takes place in the morning sky, followed about 10 months later by another in the evening sky. Then, after about two and a half years, Venus and Jupiter are again in conjunction, again in the morning sky.

When Venus and Jupiter next get together, it will be in the evening sky late next fall, on Dec. 1. After that, we'll have to wait until May 2011 (morning sky) and Mar. 2012 (evening sky) for the next set of Venus-Jupiter conjunctions.

Inkless printer....amazing technnology.

Remember the mini printer that fits in your pocket from Zink? They have partnered with the creator of instant photo, Polaroid to push Zink Imaging into an instant and inkless mobile printer that’s capable to produce a full 2”x3” in less than 60 seconds. The pocket-sized mobile printer uses zero ink technology aka ZINK photo paper that embedded minuscule dye crystals in the photo paper. Heat from printer activates the dye crystals to form the ‘inkless’ image. It’s water resistant and dry instantly, even come with a peel-off sticker in the back for multipurpose uses.

The portable supports Bluetooth-wireless and PictBridge for direct printing via USB connection that works with digital cameras and camera phones. The printer is selling for $150 and cost of paper per sheet is around $40 cents.

How it works:

Camera Phone:

The Polaroid Digital Instant Mobile Photo Printer is the easiest way to print photos from a camera phone. Wirelessly transfer images from a Bluetooth-enabled camera phone to the Mobile Printer and print instantly. Using the built-in OBEX (object exchange profile) Bluetooth in the phone and the printer, connecting and printing becomes instant.

Digital Camera:

Instantly printing images from a digital camera is as easy as connecting the USB cable to the PictBridge-enabled camera and printer. Once connected, follow the PictBridge screen on the camera display. Simply select what image to send to the printer and within 60 seconds, the print is ready to be shared.

The below picture indicates actual printer from Polaraid.

What You Get:

• 2” x 3” borderless, sticky-back prints• Bluetooth, PictBridge compatible• Smudge-proof, water-resistant, tear-proof photos• Fade-resistant, long-lasting images• No waste – no ink cartridges• Prints in about 60 seconds• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery

ZINK technology:

ZINK™ stands for Zero Ink™ - a new and simpler approach to printing where high quality, colorful, durable and affordable prints are magically created – all without a drop of ink. The ZINK Technology, invented by ZINK Imaging, encompasses both the ZINK Paper™ and the intelligence embedded in every ZINK-enabled device. Over 100 patents and patents pending were generated in the development of this breakthrough technology.

The below picture indicate how ZINK technology work.

The heart of this new "ZINK" category of printing is the ZINK Paper™. The patented ZINK Paper is an advanced composite material with embedded yellow, magenta and cyan dye crystals, activated with 200 million heat pulses, in 30 seconds, in a single pass. With 100 billion crystals in a 2x3" print, the paper is 100% inkless. A ZINK-enabled printer uses heat to activate and colorize these crystals. Because there is no ink, every ZINK-enabled device has the unique benefits of being small, simple, elegant, and eco-friendly.

Polaroid is leveraging the ZINK Technology to bring a new family of digital instant products to the marketplace. The Polaroid Digital Instant Mobile Photo Printer is the first ZINK-enabled device available.

specifications:

Mobile Printer:

Size: 120mm (4.7”) H X 72mm (2.8”) W X 23.5mm (0.9”) D
Weight: 8 oz (without paper) includes battery
Battery: 7.2V rechargeable lithium-ion15 Prints per charge at 25 C Battery is replaceable
User Interface: 2 Tri-Color LED indicators
AC Adapter: 9V output Universal Input 100V to 240 VACPrinter will print when plug into the AC adapter

Connectivity: Bluetooth (Class 2) OPP USB 2.0 USB A connector
Print Speed: 60 seconds per print, from send to share

ZINK™ Paper:

Size: 50mm (2”) X 76.2mm (3”)
Features: Full-bleed, borderless imageZINK™ inkless printing embeds color into the paperPrints dry-to-touch, waterproof, tear-proof, smudge-proofPeel-off, sticky-backed Automatic image quality optimization.