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Are Autonomous Cars the Answer to a Future of Renewable Energy?

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Aug 292018

Cars Driving

By Guest Blogger Neko Ziron

Companies and governments across the globe are eager to nail driverless technology. For instance, the Japanese government is pressuring carmakers to perfect self-driving features in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Google’s sister company Waymo recently announced that it will purchase 20,000 self-driving vehicles from Jaguar for its future ride-hailing service. This just goes to show the company’s confidence in the driverless vehicle industry.

While driverless technology has been the talk of the town for quite some time, concerns arise over the environmental implications of autonomous vehicles. These cars may contribute to greenhouse gas emissions if they are not made to use renewable energy. On the bright side, however, companies today are exploring solutions to address this very issue.

Ride-sharing service Lyft announced its environment-friendly goals, stating that all of its driverless vehicles will be powered by 100% renewal energy. The company predicts that it will provide 1 billion rides using electric driverless cars. It was noted in the article how Lyft plans to secure renewable energy certificates in order to counter the emissions caused by fueling electric, autonomous vehicles.

Electricity-powered self-driving cars may be the answer, but other enterprises are looking towards alternate solutions. Earlier this year, Hyundai’s fleet of five autonomous hydrogen-fuelled cars successfully completed a 118-mile trip from Seoul to Pyeongchang. According to Automotive News’ report on Hyundai’s test, the automaker believes that fuel cells are a better option than purely electric vehicles, since the artificial intelligence systems in driverless cars eat up a lot of electricity. Because of that, electric-powered vehicles may not last on the road for too long when finally in use.

Hyundai used its own vehicles to make this comparison. For instance, the company’s Ionic EV runs on a 30-kilowatt-hour battery, while the Nexo is loaded with 13 pounds of hydrogen in three tanks. These can generate a total of 108 kilowatt-hours of electricity, which is clearly more than its electric vehicle’s power.

Hyundai is not alone in its support for hydrogen fuel cells. Other automakers like Toyota and Honda are also investing in hydrogen-powered vehicles. Both the Honda Clarity and the Toyota Mirai are enjoying sales success in areas that have hydrogen stations, such as California. The majority of automotive companies seem to believe that electric-powered cars are the answer, but if given more time and investment, perhaps the minority can prove otherwise.

Using hydrogen fuel cells is just one way to improve fuel efficiency in vehicles. Fuel efficiency can be enhanced further with the use of onboard electronic logging devices, especially as we wait for driverless car technology to finally hit the world’s highways. Verizon Connect’s summary of electronic logging devices discusses how they can provide insights that drivers can use to correct fuel-wasting habits, such idling, speeding, and aggressive driving. Incidentally, the data provided by these devices can also work to improve road safety. By combining onboard devices and renewable energy, one can reduce both the negative impact a vehicle has on the environment and road safety risks.

Hydrogen Cars Now regularly updates its website on news of hydrogen technology, so be sure to visit from time to time.

The Case for Self-Driving Cars of the Future

Future Cars Comments Off

Nov 242017

Over the past few years, there have been many news stories about self-driving vehicles becoming a practical part of people’s daily lives. What was once a part of science-fiction is quickly becoming reality as the technology progresses. The question becomes whether self-driving vehicles will go into widespread use sooner or later. The latest annual report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission (NHTSA) reports that 37,461 people died on American highways in 2016.

A recent report has related that even if self-driving or “highly automated vehicles” (HAVs) are only slightly safer than standard cars and trucks driven by humans, they should be put on the road as soon as possible. The reasoning is obvious as the number one reason for vehicular accidents is human error. By taking the human element out of the equation, the number of deaths on the roads will be reduced. So, saving lives becomes the paramount reason why self-driving vehicles should be on the road.

Self-Driving Car

The report itself is based on roughly 500 situations that involve vehicular safety on the road and comparing self-driven to human-driven cars and trucks. While the safety of self-driving vehicles is certainly provable using computer simulations, collecting the real-world data necessary to make all the proper changes and advancement to the technology needed in making it a reality will take years.

This is because computer simulations only work with the information that is programmed into them. It is estimated that hundreds of millions, if not billions of miles will be needed before enough information is collected to create safe self-driving vehicles. And that might take hundreds of years given the current pace of testing.

Another aspect of the report that is being called into question is the actual number of lives that might be saved. It is not known if the number estimated is closer to the truth or not, even if it is generally agreed that self-driving vehicles should, under normal conditions, be safer that those driven by humans.

Getting the number of traffic fatalities down is the prime goal of self-driving vehicles, but the question is whether pushing more of these vehicles on the road now makes sense before the technology is fully ready. There is also the natural fear and apprehension that many people have about trusting their driving to a computer instead of themselves. It will likely take a new generation growing up with self-driving vehicles on the road that have proven to be safe before most people are comfortable with having them around. As for now, far more drivers are interested in having computer support systems that help them drive safer and more efficiently.

With so much that is still not known about the interaction between computer and human-driven vehicles and the myriad of situations that occur on the roadways, it will take years before all the kinks can be worked out. This means that you will likely see automated large trucks, taxis, and other transportation vehicles on the road first because their routes are more predictable.

References:

https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/there-may-be-one-million-reasons-self-driving-cars-make-ncna819111

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/609450/autonomous-vehicles-are-you-ready-for-the-new-ride/

BlockChain Meets Jaguar Land Rover for Mobile Future

Cryptocurrency, Future Cars Comments Off

Sep 062017

What is the BlockChain?

The system was created to function as an open-source, which is free and offers an accounting system with no centralization. At BlockChain, transactions are recorded on a range of computers. The system was initially designed for Bitcoin the first cryptocurrency. However, the system can adapt to anything, such as electrons. For example, it will allow you to record electricity unites flow, from your vehicle to the charging station. Allowing you to offer your services in the charging station industry.

What are other Uses of BlockChain?

Another use of BlockChain can be independent driving, where you will require an open platform. This will allow you to transfer data from the vehicle owner of the car, to you. You will be able to see the infrastructure, insurers, providers, and much more. This is the reason why many startups are playing with the idea of using Blockchain ideas and developments.

DOVU is a UK startup that plans to use the idea, and become a global marketplace, that transport data. The will open official token sale on the 3rd of October, 2017. The flow of cash will be used to fund their distributed marketplace. They will be powered using DOV tokens and will share their take on transport related APIs.

There is a range of startup’s that are pitching the same idea, and running the same concept. However, what sets DOVU a step ahead is their transport sector. In April this year, the startup received funding from Jaguar Land Rover’s investment arm, Creative England (funding that is backed by the local government), and InMotion Ventures.

Irfon Watkins, the CEO, and founder of DOVU is a well-known entrepreneur, who has founded and established many companies in the API range.

Transport Data Details

Currently, transport data is locked on a number of levels, but with the help of the BlockChain technology platform DOVU wishes to gain the trust of corporations, and individuals. Which will allow it to make the data available for enterprise and public use.

How Does The System Work?

The system DOVU is using creates a distributed platform that allows data transport. This will allow the insurance companies, car hire, car-pooling, and other matters can be brought together to create a transport data resource. This shared data is valuable because it is simply “shared data”.

During an interview, Watkins said “The transport sector is well aware of where it wishes to head and with the help of real time data, and technology. However, it does not know how to get there. Which is why DOVU will act as the missing piece of the puzzle and offer a reliable, efficient, and secure data sharing tool.”

With the help of DOVU, you will be able to combine the vehicle data with the vehicle’s insurance data, which will allow you to ensure efficient policies. In addition, you can use geolocation data, and combine them with weather statistics. This will offer great insight to ride-hailing corporations.

The platform will reward contributors with tokens, and the reward will be based on the quality of their contribution. This will not only allow you to unlock a shared vehicle using your smartphone, but you will be able to share the data while driving.

In addition, the system will allow you to track your every movement during cycling, running, driving, or walking. If you wish, you can sell this information to DOVU for tokens, which can be used to buy petrol, bus ride, or train rides.

So, baby pull me closer in the back of your Rover as we are about to ride this BlockChain train together (Okay, I ad-libbed this last part).

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