Video: LiveMap develops augmented reality motorcycle helmet

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Russia

LiveMap Helmet

While mobile navigation for cars has evolved into a staple, in-cabin feature, motorcyclists have been stuck with paper maps and aftermarket solutions for years. A new Russian company is out to change that with a helmet that boasts integrated nav. LiveMap uses a microphone, light sensor, ear phone and micro display to convey pertinent travel information in full color that the rider can control using voice commands. The system works just like the heads up display found in modern fighter jets.

The system projects directions in the center of the rider’s visor rather than in the upper right hand corner as with Google Glass. The team behind the development says this actually safer since the light sensor keeps the directions transparent no matter what the time of day. It also allows the rider to stay focused on what’s ahead of the bike. An integrated gyroscope and digital compass keeps the projection oriented correctly even as the user tilts his head or leans the bike. Very cool.

The LiveMap helmet is supposed to offer up to a day’s worth of use thanks to a pair of lithium-ion batteries, though a USB charge plug can provide extra juice when necessary. Right now, LiveMap is sourcing funding through Indiegogo. The company is looking to raise $150,000 to create a working prototype. After that, production models could cost around $2,000. That’s steep, but hopefully the cost could come down over additional generations. Check out the introductory video below for more information.

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LiveMap develops augmented reality motorcycle helmet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2014 Cadillac ELR whirs into Jay Leno’s Garage

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Cadillac, Celebrities, Electric, Luxury

While Jerry Seinfeld was gallivanting around LA with Sarah Silverman in a Jaguar XKE, our favorite car-loving comedian, Jay Leno, was checking out the all-new 2014 Cadillac ELR. Set to go on sale later this year, Cadillac brought its ELR to Jay Leno’s Garage to show off some of its styling and technology as well as give Leno some seat time in the range-extended EV. Leno owns both a Volt and a CTS-V, and the ELR is a kind combination of the two (sort of).

In this episode, Leno spends some time talking to Frank Saucedo, GM director of advanced design, and ELR chief engineer Chris Thomason before logging a few miles on the sleek coupe. Interestingly, it seems that GM has definitely changed its tune a little since the introduction of the Volt a couple years ago; Saucedo and Leno both refer to the ELR as a hybrid, and Thomason says that it gets the “bulk of its propulsion” from the electric motors. Whatever you want to call it, scroll down to watch the latest episode of JLG with some great information and driving shots of the plug-in Cadillac.

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2014 Cadillac ELR whirs into Jay Leno’s Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Watch these dudes pull off amazing stunts with some Fiat 500C Abarths

Filed under: Convertible, Videos, Humor, Fiat

Dude Perfect Fiat 500 stunt driving

These dudes are perfect, which, we surmise, is why their YouTube channel is called Dude Perfect. But we digress. In their latest video, Dude Perfect performs some amazing trick shots with footballs, basketballs and baseballs, along with a trio of Fiat 500C Abarth convertibles. It’s perfect, dude.

Joining the dudes this week are stunt drivers Roger Richman and Samuel Hubinette from LA Motorsports, and some of their coolest tricks wouldn’t be possible without some equally precise driving. Looks like they had a total blast, but remember, these guys are professionals and performed their tricks on a closed course. In other words… do not try this at home.

Dude. Scroll down below to watch the video.

Continue reading Watch these dudes pull off amazing stunts with some Fiat 500C Abarths

Watch these dudes pull off amazing stunts with some Fiat 500C Abarths originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: The Shredder is like a jet-ski for land, with tank treads

Filed under: Videos

Blending the attributes of an ATV, a jet ski, a tank and a skateboard is no easy task, but that is just the diverse kind of capability that the BPG Werks DTV Shredder is offering to the powersports market.

The Shredder is powered by a 196cc, two-stroke gasoline engine, which is connected to a dual-CVT drive. A total of 13 horsepower offer riders a top speed of 30 miles per hour, which probably seems plenty fast on an upright rig like this one. Riders stand on a pivoting, spiked deck that turns by way of leaning, just like a skateboard, while the upright handle offers throttle and brake, and a place to hang on. And, of course, ownership of the vehicle grants one admin status on all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan boards.

We could go on, but the Translogic crew does a first-rate job of explaining what the Shredder is, as well as getting the low down about the project from BPG Werks CEO Ben Gulak. Watch it all, below.

Continue reading The Shredder is like a jet-ski for land, with tank treads

The Shredder is like a jet-ski for land, with tank treads originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: There’s no substitution for BMW’s E30 Mmmmm3

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos, BMW, Luxury

If you told someone that you had a friend with a four-cylinder BMW who “would let me wash the car,” and in exchange for the privilege then let you drive that clean BMW once around the block, your first question would probably be “What kind of BMW is this?” There’s a chance you wouldn’t be surprised once you found out the coupe in question was the E30 M3, a car our own Zach Bowman dubbed the “Mmmmm3.”

Petrolicious talks to Gabor Mester about the car he fell in love with, a black version of the original “Munich mauler” that was owned by the parents of a high-school friend – oh, and Mester was also in high school when this washing and driving took place. When the original owners were ready to sell, Mestor was ready to buy, and he hasn’t had a single regret about it since.

You can enjoy his story in his words in the video below.

Continue reading There’s no substitution for BMW’s E30 Mmmmm3

There’s no substitution for BMW’s E30 Mmmmm3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: SRT gets first standalone ad campaign

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge, SRT

2014 srt viper in carwash

SRT has more models on offer than Chrysler. It has as many models as Ram, with hotted-up versions of the Dodge Charger and Challenger, Chrysler 300, and Jeep Grand Cherokee, plus the exclusive SRT Viper. Dodge is still the top of the choice heap, but SRT wants to wave its freak flag high after building its roster somewhat quietly. Since SRT can’t roar through everyone’s neighborhood, it’s taking to television with its first-ever advertising campaign.

You may have already been lucky enough to catch one of the Body and Soul spots that launched on June 8 on cable. There are 30-, 60- and 90-second versions of the commercial, and a web-only full version that clocks in at 2:15. It’s a nice piece of evocative writing by David Morring, who served as Creative Director for agency The Richards Group.

“We wanted to infuse our first-ever SRT creative campaign with grit, beauty, longing, desire and nostalgia,” said Olivier Francois, Chrysler’s Chief Marketing Officer. SRT President and CEO Ralph Gilles also weighed in about the campaign, saying “it’s the feeling of when you get behind the wheel and step on the throttle for the first time and feel the power of the engine. It’s that feeling and legacy that Chrysler Group has forged with owners and ther vehicles over the last cetury; something that SRT brand is creating with a new set of consumers for the first time.” Keep reading to check out the spots for yourself, read the press release, and see if they nailed it.

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SRT gets first standalone ad campaign originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Liverpool tourist duck boat sinks, rescues caught on video

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Safety, Videos, UK, Specialty

Duck boat sinking in Liverpool - video screencap

Visit just about any major city on the water, and you’re sure to find duck boats taking tourists out for a different view of the city. The safety of these land and sea vehicles have been questioned following some high-profile accidents including a fatal collision with a barge in Philadelphia back in 2010. Over the weekend, a duck boat in Liverpool, England sank just after entering the water. Fortunately, all 31 passengers managed to escape without serious injury, though 17 passengers were taken to the hospital for treatment.

A man was able to capture the boat sinking on video, but he obviously failed to realize the severity of the situation as he laughs while passengers jump into the frigid water. Fortunately, a nearby boat quickly sprung to action and showed up on scene just as the amphibious vehicle was fully submerged. The Herald Scotland reports that the company that owned this particular duck boat also had another vessel sink back in March with no passengers aboard. After that incident, the company’s fleet of duck boats was ordered to stay out of the water, but it isn’t clear what (if anything) changed before this latest accident occurred. Scroll down for some videos of the incident including a news report, first-hand amateur video and another video that allegedly shows this very boat struggling to get out of the water in the past.

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Liverpool tourist duck boat sinks, rescues caught on video originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Watch this story of a father, a son and a classic Plymouth on Father’s Day

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Videos, Specialty

Father's Day Plymouth

They met in high school. Bev was a cheerleader, Joe played sports. The pair got married, and the first car they shared, driving off into their mutual futures together on their wedding day, was a 1948 Plymouth convertible. As is often the case with first cars – and especially cars as classically stylish and memorable as the Plymouth – they were left with nothing but fond memories after being forced to sell the car after Joe was drafted into the military.

Fast forward 60 years and their son has pulled off a brilliant surprise. The result of which is summed up rather nicely by Bev herself: “Uh oh. Grandpa’s got tears.” And you may, too. Scroll down below to see the video, produced and shared by Hagerty, for yourself.

Happy Father’s Day from the crew here at Autoblog.

Continue reading Watch this story of a father, a son and a classic Plymouth on Father’s Day

Watch this story of a father, a son and a classic Plymouth on Father’s Day originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee season 2 opens with Sarah Silverman and Jag E-Type

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Videos, Jaguar, Celebrities, Humor

Season Two of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee kicked this week in style. How much more style is there to be had than in a 1969 Jaguar XKE, after all? This time around, Seinfeld and Sarah Silverman spend some time driving around in the “slinky, sexy” Jag, talking comedy and then grabbing breakfast.

In addition to the kickoff of the show’s second season, this episode also represents the start of a 24-episode sponsorship with Acura. The original deal promised short ads at the beginning and end of each episode, but this time around, Seinfeld “stumbles upon” a 2014 Acura RLX, which is obviously – and admittedly – the work of product integration. Scroll down to watch Seinfeld and Silverman exchange banter with the Jag’s beauty as a happy backdrop.

Continue reading Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee season 2 opens with Sarah Silverman and Jag E-Type

Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee season 2 opens with Sarah Silverman and Jag E-Type originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Jun 2013 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: McLaren MP4-12C totalled during Goldrush Rally

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Videos, Luxury, McLaren

Every year in the Goldrush Rally, a convoy of high-end luxury cars snake across the States, their occupants enjoying all the opulence their $14,000 entry fees can afford. As our own Michael Harley can attest, it’s a low-speed affair, not an all-out speed-fest.

As the rally passed through Texas headed through Dallas on Thursday, Hsinho Chen of Massachusetts, driving a McLaren MP4-12C Spider, says he swerved into the highway median to avoid a truck that had pulled in front of him. After slamming the $268,000-car into a ditch, Chen and his passenger went beneath a fence and then took flight before crashing into a metal storage building.

The couple weren’t injured, but their high-powered, low-production supercar won’t be rallying again anytime soon. While there is no indication the car was exceeding the speed limit, Chen was ticketed for reckless driving. But that’s not the worst of his problems. The McLaren was a $2,900-a-day rental from Black & White Car Rental in Los Angeles. B&W didn’t respond to our email, but unless Mr. Chen is one of the company’s owners, we’re betting he doesn’t get his deposit back. Watch video of KLTV’s coverage below.

Continue reading McLaren MP4-12C totalled during Goldrush Rally

McLaren MP4-12C totalled during Goldrush Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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