Kia adding Optima production line to Georgia plant

Filed under: Sedan, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Kia

2011 kia optima ex

2011 Kia Optima EX – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Kia Optima has been a resounding success from the minute the midsize sedan’s redesigned 2011 model hit dealer showrooms. Optima sales have nearly doubled since its November introduction, which has helped the automaker claim a 36 percent sales increase on the year.

The Korean automaker seems to think the good times will continue into the future, announcing a third hiring wave at the Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia plant. The additional employees will help increase Optima output when the 2012 model arrives in the third quarter. This is good news for the red-hot Kia brand, and those looking for work in Georgia are likely excited as well. Kia says in the post-jump press release that its hiring spree will increase the workforce at the facility to 3,000 workers. Hit the jump to read over the official release.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Optima EX: Review

2011 Kia Optima EX2011 Kia Optima EX2011 Kia Optima EX2011 Kia Optima EX2011 Kia Optima EX

Photos copyright (C)2011 Dan Roth / AOL

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia adding Optima production line to Georgia plant

Kia adding Optima production line to Georgia plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Georgia Tech pairs autonomous Porsche Cayenne with two R/C airplanes

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Porsche, Luxury

GTRI CUSTD project

GTRI CUSTD Project – Click above for high-res image gallery

By now, cars that drive themselves have become old news. Every time we turn around there’s another organization out to wander half the globe with a driverless van or tackle one of the world’s most demanding hill climb events with an automated Audi TT. It just never ends. But the guys and gals at Georgia Tech Research Institute have taken things one step further with its Collaborative Unmanned Systems Technology Demonstrator. During a demonstration for the US Army, the school effectively demonstrated how vastly different robotic vehicles could work together. You know, to get us coffee, take over the world or whatever.

As a part of the 2010 Robotic Rodeo, GTRI used two unmanned aerial vehicles to work in coordination with a roboticized Porsche Cayenne. Once airborne, the two RC planes take over everything from navigation and target location.

So what can all this tech do? GTRI says that in one instance, one of the UAVs can locate a target and radio the location back to the UGV, or unmanned ground vehicle, which then navigates around buildings and obstacles to the location. Meanwhile, the second UAV can continue to use its sensors to evaluate the surroundings. Welcome to the new world.

Head over to the GTRI site to learn more about the program.

Gallery: GTRI CUSTD project

[Source: GTRI]

Georgia Tech pairs autonomous Porsche Cayenne with two R/C airplanes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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