AUTONEWS

How to check the aDBlue level? Step by step

Diesel cars are often blamed as a source of particulate matter, but today cars that run on diesel engines are equipped with various systems that reduce these problems. Although we know that these systems are very useful and allow the emission of polluting gases to be dramatically reduced, they can also cause complications if they are not used correctly or the necessary maintenance is not carried out.

In addition to particulate filters and the EGR system, which are elements that can cause many problems if they break down, diesel cars that meet the requirements of the Euro 6 standard also use AdBlue. This additive works by converting NOx particles into nitrogen and water vapour, eliminating part of their toxicity. AdBlue works through the SCR or catalytic converter system and like all the elements of a car, it can break down.

ADBlue is essential in reducing polluting emissions for modern diesel vehicles. Knowing how to know the aDBlue level in your car and that it is adequate is not only important for its efficient operation, but also to comply with environmental regulations. Here we explain how you can check the aDBlue level effectively.

What is aDBlue?...ADBlue is a solution composed of deionized water and urea that, when injected into the hot exhaust gases of the vehicle, breaks down into ammonia and carbon dioxide. This process helps transform nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water vapor, significantly reducing harmful emissions.

How to check the aDBlue level?...To check the aDBlue level, you must follow these steps:

-Check the indicator on the vehicle's dashboard

Most modern vehicles equipped with aDBlue systems have a specific indicator on the dashboard. This gauge will alert you when the aDBlue level is low and needs to be topped up.

It is the easiest and most straightforward method as it provides an automatic alert without the need for manual inspections.

-Inspect the aDBlue tank manually...Typically, the aDBlue tank is located near the fuel tank or in the trunk of the vehicle.

If your vehicle does not have a gauge on the dashboard or you want to confirm the level manually, you can use a dipstick to check the fluid level in the tank.

-Use an OBD2 scanner...Plug the scanner into the on-board diagnostic (OBD) port, usually located under the dashboard near the steering wheel.

The scanner will allow you to access the engine management system and check the aDBlue level, as well as identify potential problems in the system.

This tool not only checks the level, but can also offer more comprehensive diagnostics on the overall condition of the vehicle.

-Consult a specialist workshop...If you have doubts about how to carry out the check yourself or if the system indicates recurring problems, professionals can carry out a more detailed check, top up the aDBlue if necessary and provide additional maintenance.

Benefits of aDBlue:

-Emission reduction: It significantly helps to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, a major pollutant in diesel vehicles.

-Performance improvement: Maintaining the correct level of aDBlue ensures that the selective catalytic reduction system works efficiently, which is essential for good engine performance.

-Regulatory compliance: It ensures that your vehicle complies with environmental regulations, avoiding fines and restrictions, especially in urban areas with strict emissions regulations.

Maintaining the correct level of aDBlue is essential for the optimal performance of your vehicle and to minimise its environmental impact. With these steps, you can ensure that your vehicle not only runs efficiently, but also contributes to a cleaner environment. Perform regular checks to ensure that you always have the right amount of aDBlue in your system.

Mundoquatrorodas

AUTONEWS

New infrared camera aims to enhance safety in autonomous driving

Fall is here, bringing rain, fog, and early darkness. For road users, this means heightened caution, as visibility conditions increasingly deteriorate. Thermal imaging cameras that can reliably detect people even in poor or limited visibility conditions can ensure greater safety here. This is particularly true for autonomous vehicles where there may not be a human constantly observing the road ahead.

A team from Fraunhofer IOF has therefore set themselves the goal to develop a thermal imaging camera for road traffic applications. The result is a novel infrared camera that operates in the wavelength range of 8 to 14 micrometers—precisely the same range in which thermal radiation emitted by humans is found, both day and night. Additionally, the researchers have succeeded in realizing this technology in a particularly cost-effective yet powerful manner.

"This technology can significantly improve road safety and prevent accidents," explains project manager Martin Hubold from Fraunhofer IOF. "This is achieved by supplementing conventional camera systems and sensors, e.g. LIDAR or RADAR, under challenging visibility conditions without requiring active illumination."

Flat design with fast optics and high angular resolution...When creating the innovative infrared camera, the researchers were guided by their experience with multi-aperture cameras. "The core idea is to build the camera from several small and cost-effective uncooled bolometer arrays," says Hubold. The individual image segments are combined by software into a large overall image with a current resolution of approximately 530 x 210 pixels over a field of view of 34 x 13 degrees.

The sensors are equipped with a catadioptric optics system, composed of mirrors and prisms. This allows for an exceptionally flat design of just 10 millimeters. In cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology ISIT in Itzehoe, scalable and cost-effective lithographic methods were used for its production, along with materials established in the automotive sector. As a result, the camera boasts fast optics (F/1.1) and high angular resolution (16 pixels/degree), while maintaining a space-saving form factor.

The infrared camera is designed with a particularly wide horizontal field of view to detect pedestrians or cyclists even under poor lighting conditions, such as darkness or glare from oncoming traffic, making it well-suited for driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles (Level 3 and above).

For comparison: The entire catadioptric optics take up only a fraction of a standard housing (shown here in gray) for conventional infrared cameras. Credit: Fraunhofer IOF

Scalable manufacturing enables diverse applications...The innovative approach of the camera utilizes commercially available infrared sensors and optics that can be manufactured at wafer scale. "By manufacturing the core optical elements at wafer level, we can simplify production and significantly reduce costs for this technology," says Hubold.

In addition to the use in autonomous vehicles, the infrared camera also offers a wide range of possibilities for other applications. These include detecting heat losses, safety applications for monitoring landfills, or during fire department operations, as well as new concepts in industrial process monitoring.

Provided by Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Optik und Feinmechanik IOF

 

AUTONEWS

Charging, not range, is becoming a top concern for electric car drivers

The Biden administration is using tax credits, regulations and federal investments to shift drivers toward electric vehicles. But drivers will make the switch only if they are confident they can find reliable charging when and where they need it.

Over the past four years, the number of public charging ports across the U.S. has doubled. As of August 2024, the nation had 192,000 publicly available charging ports and was adding about 1,000 public chargers weekly. Infrastructure rarely expands at such a fast rate.

Agencies are allocating billions of dollars authorized through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for building charging infrastructure. This expansion is making long-distance EV travel more practical. It also makes EV ownership more feasible for people who can't charge at home, such as some apartment dwellers.

Charging technology is also improving. Speeds are now reaching up to 350 kilowatts—fast enough to charge a standard electric car in less than 10 minutes. The industry has also begun to shift to a standard called ISO 15118, which governs the interface between EVs and the power grid.

This standard enables a plug-and-charge system: Just plug in the charger and you're done, without contending with apps or multiple payment systems. Many existing chargers can be retrofitted to it, rather than needing to install totally new chargers.

Tesla's decision to open its reliable Supercharger network to non-Tesla vehicles promises to further expand access to fast chargers, although this shift is proceeding slowly.

As a researcher studying the adoption of EVs, I'm encouraged by these advancements. But there's still a need to make the charging experience more reliable and accessible for everyone. Stories of charging woes abound online and are a popular focus for EV critics. Here are the key issues drivers are confronting.

Broken, slow or inaccessible...Although EV charging infrastructure has improved in the past several years, reliability is still a critical issue. For example, a 2022 study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that nearly 30% of public non-Tesla fast chargers in the Bay Area didn't work. A national study in 2023 that used artificial intelligence models to analyze driver reviews of EV charging stations reached a similar result.

These findings highlight the need for more robust maintenance and monitoring systems across charging networks. Federal guidelines require that chargers must have an average annual "uptime," or functional time, greater than 97%, but this metric is not always as clear-cut as it sounds. While many charging-point operators report high uptime percentages, their figures often exclude factors such as slow charging speeds or incomplete charges that degrade users' experience.

Many drivers complain about throttling—chargers that dispense electricity at less than the maximum rate the car is capable of accepting, so the car charges more slowly than expected. Sometimes this is normal. Cars will charge more slowly as their battery gets closer to full in order to avoid damaging the battery. Other factors can include weather conditions and the number of other vehicles simultaneously using the charging station.

Drivers' issues with chargers involve more than just uptime. Technical barriers, such as payment processing and vehicle-charger communication, can sometimes prevent a charge from starting or being completed.

To ensure that all EVs can charge smoothly on any network, groups such as the National Charging Experience Consortium and CharIN are bringing automakers, charging providers and national laboratories together to address these issues.

Other obstacles are more local, such as long lines at charging stations and chargers that are blocked by parked cars, snowbanks or other obstacles. Finding vehicles with internal combustion engines parked in EV charger spots is common enough that it has a name: getting ICEd. There's a clear need for more comprehensive solutions to help the charging experience keep pace with demand for EVs.

A street-level view...At the University of California, Davis, we are working with the California Energy Commission to understand the range of charging obstacles that EV drivers face. As part of a three-year study, we are sending undergraduate students out to test thousands of chargers across the entire state of California.

So far, our results show that just over 70% of charge attempts have succeeded. Many issues have caused failed charges, including traffic congestion at charging stations, damaged or offline chargers, difficulty using navigation apps to find charging stations, and malfunctioning chargers.

Quantity and quality both matter...As federal investments continue to pour money into EV charging, our findings indicate that it's important to use these resources not only to expand the network but also to improve the user experience at every step.

Areas for improvement include stricter oversight of charger maintenance; more robust uptime requirements that reflect real-world performance; and better collaboration between automakers, charging-point operators and software providers to ensure that vehicles and chargers can work together seamlessly.

The future of EV adoption depends not just on how many chargers are available, but on how reliable and easy they are to use. By addressing specific pain points that drivers face, policymakers and industry leaders can create a charging ecosystem that truly supports the needs of all EV drivers. Reliability is key to unlocking widespread confidence in the EV charging infrastructure and ensuring that it can keep pace with the growing number of electric vehicles on the road.

Provided by The Conversation

 

HONDA

Honda Announces Lineup of Electrified Motorcycles

Honda aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all its products and corporate activities by 2050, and across all its motorcycle products by the 2040s. To this end, Honda is taking initiatives to electrify its motorcycles as a key pillar of its environmental strategy.

Honda has positioned 2024 as the first year for its global electric motorcycle expansion and will begin large-scale entry into the electric motorcycle market. Honda considers 2026 as its market entry period, 2026 to 2030 as its business expansion period, and 2030 and beyond as its large-scale business expansion period.

The e: CUV and ICON e: are the 10th and 11th models, respectively, of the ‘30 electric models to be launched globally by 2030’ announced at the Honda Electric Motorcycle Business 2023 press conference held on November 29, 2023, in which Honda is steadily making progress.

Honda plans to manufacture both the e: CUV and ICON e: in Indonesia at locations appropriate to the needs of each region, and will expand from Indonesia to other regions globally. The expanded lineup of electric commuter vehicles will include not only models equipped with the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: but also models with fixed batteries, increasing the variety of options to meet customer needs and making electric motorcycles more affordable.

Honda will accelerate its efforts to develop a full lineup of electric motorcycles, including commuter models, to meet the needs of more customers, and will continue to develop a wide range of electric motorcycles.

 CUV e--The CUV e: is a 110cc equivalent model powered by two Honda Mobile Power Pack e: interchangeable batteries, and is the result of the development of the SC e: Concept model, which was exhibited as a world premiere at the JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023 held at Tokyo Big Sight in 2023.

The name of the CUV e: is derived from the CUV ES (Clean Urban Vehicle Electric Scooter), the first electric scooter sold on lease by Honda in 1994. The CUV e: was developed with the same urban transportation concept as the CUV ES, as an electric scooter that provides convenient mobility for many people in cities, and with the ‘e:’ signifying that it is a Honda electric vehicle, it is positioned as a new era of personal transportation.

The design features the simple and elegant style characteristic of electric vehicles, and the combination of iconic front and rear features that make it instantly recognizable as the CUV e:.

Two interchangeable Honda Mobile Power Pack e: batteries are used as the power source for the e: CUV, and Honda’s in-house developed motor contributes to improved range by optimizing the magnetic circuit and structure to achieve higher efficiency.

The e: CUV is equipped with three riding modes (STANDARD, SPORT and ECON) to suit various riding situations according to customer preference, and a reverse mode is also available for maneuvering in tight spaces.

In addition, a model equipped with Honda RoadSync Duo, Honda’s exclusive service that allows users to make calls and use navigation features by connecting the motorcycle to a smartphone via Bluetooth, is also available.

ICON e--The ICON e: is a new model based on the EM1 e:, equipped with the Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, and is equivalent

to a Class 1 moped in Japan. The main electrical components, including the battery, have been changed, and its exterior has been redesigned for Indonesia.

The ICON e:’s power source is a ternary lithium-ion battery, widely used in China, and can be recharged in two ways: on board the ICON e: or as a stand-alone battery.

A compact in-wheel motor is used for the rear wheel, and the power control unit efficiently controls the motor output to achieve a range of over 50km*5 per charge, while providing a clean and quiet ride.

The ICON e: also features under-seat storage space for a helmet, as well as a luggage compartment for small items. In addition, a front inner rack and a convenient USB Type-A socket for charging mobile devices are standard equipment. The ICON e: includes features that are easy to use in everyday life.

The headlight features a simple, flush design, creating an iconic look. High-brightness LEDs contribute to a sense of safety when riding at night.

The ICON e: dashboard features fully digital gauges on an inverted LCD display. In addition to the speedometer and clock, various information such as remaining battery level is displayed in a simple layout, contributing to excellent readability.

Autonews

 

AUTONEWS

Texting while walking puts pedestrians in danger, finds study

New UBC research analyzing actual pedestrian interactions with vehicles on busy streets concludes that distracted pedestrians face higher safety risks compared with undistracted road users.

Previous studies have speculated that distracted pedestrians, such as those texting and talking on the phone, are at higher risk of being hit by a car due to failing to react to oncoming traffic or straying off designated crosswalks.

Indeed, the new study, published recently in Accident Analysis and Prevention, found that distracted pedestrians often remained unaware of their surroundings, making fewer adjustments to their path or speed, which decreased their overall navigational efficiency. This level of distraction can increase the severity of vehicle interaction and near misses by 45 percent.

"Non-distracted pedestrians made safer choices when interacting with vehicles," said lead researcher Dr. Tarek Sayed, a civil engineering professor and transportation safety expert in the faculty of applied science. "They maintained greater distances from vehicles, yielded more frequently to oncoming traffic and adjusted their speed when necessary."

The researchers also noted differences in driver behavior. Drivers often decelerated when approaching distracted pedestrians, indicating they recognized the increased risk posed by their unpredictable movements.

An image of one of the sites used for the study, at the Granville and Smithe intersection in Vancouver, BC. Credit: UBC Applied Science

The study used a computer vision system developed at UBC and artificial intelligence simulation models to analyze video traffic data from two busy intersections in downtown Vancouver. Analysis focused on distracted pedestrians—those texting, reading from a phone, talking on the phone or listening to music—undistracted pedestrians, and traffic conflicts, or situations in which road users, such as vehicles and pedestrians, are on a collision course and so, at risk of an accident.

The findings can inform pedestrian safety models and interventions to reduce traffic risks. "For example, we can accommodate the risk of distracted walking and design safer infrastructure by adjusting crosswalk signal cycles or introducing audio signals to let pedestrians know when it is time to cross. City planners could also display warnings specifically for pedestrians distracted by their phones—perhaps even introduce mobile notifications that prevent pedestrians from using their phones while crossing," said study co-author Tala Alsharif, a graduate student in civil engineering at UBC.

The insights can also support infrastructure design by identifying high-risk zones that should be mobile-free and implementing methods such as sensor-based alert systems to minimize distraction. In locations with a high frequency of pedestrian distraction, raised crosswalks could make pedestrians more visible to drivers.

"By incorporating our findings into future research and traffic management approaches, we'll be better able to assess pedestrian risks and develop strategies to improve road safety," said Gabriel Lanzaro, a UBC civil engineering graduate student and co-author of the study.

Provided by University of British Columbia 

 

FERRARI

The Ferrari Roma Spider: a journey towards excellence

Ferrari recently presented a unique version of the Ferrari Roma Spider created by the Tailor Made department. The most curious should know that the car will be on display from this week at the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, as part of the 'Ferrari One of a Kind' exhibition, dedicated to the Maranello manufacturer's exclusive world of customization.

The aim of this particular Roma Spider is to highlight innovative component production techniques, made possible by the use of special and refined materials. Among them, the work on the fabric of the central panel of the seats stands out with manual stitching, which uses leather on the inside and uses thread obtained from recycled tires.

On this car, Ferrari has begun laser work on aluminum body components for the front spoiler emblem, as well as the option to personalize the hood design with a compass rose and the geographic coordinates of Maranello. Aluminum recycled during the production phase at the Ferrari foundry is also used to create some components of the twin-turbo V8 engine, minimizing the volume of waste.

Other notable features are the use of chrome-free nappa leather and wood of controlled origin on the hood and rear floor, as well as components made with sand in the center console, recycling the sand extracted from the molds at the Maranello foundry.

Ferrari's collaboration with Montblanc was also of great importance, as Ferrari's partner created a special edition of the famous Meisterstück for the occasion. This iconic writing instrument now sports the same ‘Oro Mida’ color, specifically chosen by the Maranello Style Center to characterize the Ferrari Roma Spider Tailor Made. This exclusive item is also adorned with a handcrafted Au750 solid gold and platinum-coated nib with a special compass motif, as well as a platinum-coated hood and sections.

Autonews

 

AUTONEWS

Canadian urban mobility is woefully lacking, but building a better future is still possible

Canadian cities are falling behind globally when it comes to efficiently moving people. Long commute times, high congestion rates and infrastructure that is vulnerable to climate change are symptoms of a mobility crisis.

Mobility is an essential public good, and modern policies aim to move people in a safe, efficient, accessible and non-polluting way. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and worsened existing vulnerabilities in Canada's urban mobility systems, undermining progress toward these goals.

Our new book, Urban Mobility: How the iPhone, COVID, and Climate Changed Everything, explores how technology, the pandemic and climate change have shaped, and continue to shape, urban mobility, particularly for those with inadequate transportation networks.

Population growth outpacing transit...One of the primary challenges Canadian cities face is that they have grown faster than their sustainable transportation options. While urban populations have expanded, investment in public transportation has not kept pace, resulting in a gap between capacity and potential.

The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted city life in profound ways, and urban life and economies in Canada are still being affected to this day. Remote work became the norm for many, reducing the number of people commuting and causing a significant drop in public transit ridership.

Additionally, the shift to hybrid work has permanently altered how Canadians engage with their cities. People are shopping online more, using public transit less, and central business districts and physical retail spaces are seeing less foot traffic.

Urban economies, which have been designed to rely heavily on the movement and presence of large numbers of people through public transit and local businesses, are still grappling with this new reality. Activity levels, for instance, are down by about 20 percent from pre-pandemic levels in many downtown spaces still.

Tech platforms and mobility...Digital platform firms like Zoom, Uber, Amazon and Instacart adapted quickly during the pandemic, offering safe work-from-home options, private transportation and online shopping services to people. These platforms disrupted the traditional urban economic model, which relies on transit, physical stores and foot traffic.

Ride-hailing services drew passengers and their fares away from local economies into foreign-owned ride-hailing companies. Transit systems not only depend on the massive built public infrastructure, but also passenger fares and other government funding to maintain the public system over time.

In addition, these tech platform companies come with equity and accessibility concerns. Research on the use of ride-hailing and public transit during the pandemic found that its usage in Toronto was clearly organized along class, neighborhood and social lines. People identifying as one or more of the following were more likely to continue riding transit during the pandemic: low-income, immigrant, racialized, essential workers and car-less, in large part because other options were not available to them.

Similarly, in Calgary, private technology experiments in electric scooters privileged wealthier neighborhoods. Electric scooters were used more in wealthier neighborhoods, and as poverty levels increased at the neighborhood level, the use of them dropped. The researchers concluded that greater attention needs to be paid to ensuring all communities, regardless of economic status, have access to micro-mobility options.

Canada has a history of importing technological solutions, rather than creating its own. Montréal, however, offers a successful example with its Bixi bike program, the third largest bike share system in North America after New York and Chicago, with 11,000 bikes and almost 900 stations. A non-profit runs the program, Rio Tinto Alcan provides aluminum for the bikes and Cycles Devinci manufactures them in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

Canadian cities need to build innovation opportunities that promote economic development and improve mobility at the same time. Canada's technology sector is woefully undersupported at present.

Credit: University of Toronto Press (image below)

Climate crisis intensifying challenges...The third, and perhaps most pressing challenge facing Canadian cities is the growing climate crisis. Cities are both instigators and victims of climate change. They contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, but are also heavily impacted by severe weather events, heat waves and other side effects.

These impacts are becoming increasingly concerning with the intensification of wildfires, urban flooding and other extreme weather events.

By the end of the 20th century, most large Canadian cities were heavily investing in strategies to encourage people to use alternatives to cars, such as transit, light rail, biking and walking.

However, shifting priorities, ideologies and budgetary adjustments led to government cutbacks to transit funding and a lack of new transportation innovation. In Ontario, for example, the government continues to push unrealistic road-building ideas at the expense of more active transit options.

This failure to effectively move people around has left an opening for new mobility experiments led by private companies, but some of these programs don't really integrate well into the Canadian urban mobility ecosystem. Many of these mobility options—such as ride-hailing—are also costly and exclusive. Others, like electronic scooters, can lead to e-waste.

Building a better future...The disruptions caused by technology, the pandemic and climate change are reshaping how people and goods move in cities. To build a better future, Canadian cities must address the interconnected challenges of three transitions: digital, health and environmental.

While all sectors need to invest, strong leadership and policy action from governments at all levels is needed to create a more climate-friendly, economically vibrant and equitable urban mobility future. Governments will need to embrace bold, innovative solutions that address all three of these challenges.

This means policy frameworks that reduce carbon emissions through climate action plans, leveraging political will and funding in efforts to shift away from private automobiles and toward transit, bike lanes and pedestrian pathways, and experimenting with digital mobility services while still prioritizing sustainability.

Provided by The Conversation