Not content to make money the old fashioned way, a team of MIT grads has been hard at work for the past couple of years working on a two passenger flying car drivable airplane. Terrafugia's Transition recently took a drubbing on Slashdot for even attempting to reconcile the oftentimes contradictory goals of aviation vs. automotive engineering. The CEO was kind enough to respond to his detractors here, stressing ad nauseum that future Darwin Awards will be strictly limited to licensed pilots. Eons ago (in TTAC time), Jonny Lieberman pointed out the limitations of carbon fiber in car construction. And we could go on forever about the bicycle tire-sized contact patches, side-wind gusts from an oncoming train of curious SUV drivers, lack of suspension travel, and the challenge of manually parallel parking the damn thing (oh, and downforce? what's that?!). At least the Terrafugia Transition sounds a lot better than the Flying Pinto which killed its inventors during its maiden flight. Good luck, guys, I'm looking forward to the resulting Hollywood treatment.

According to the AP [via Yahoo News!], Panasonic Japan is offering a new in-car navigation system that interfaces with internet-capable mobile phones, that allows drivers to surf their favorite porn sites. Just kidding. They can use it to check-up on their homes. The "Strada F-Class" system– which sounds  like a Chinese knock-off of an Alfa-Mercedes– can keep an eye on pets (I'm sorry Rover, I'm afraid you can't do that), turn lights on and off (to freak out the neighbors), adjust the A/C ('cause a thermostat just isn't web 2.0 enough) and lock the front door (cause you remembered that you forgot). Of course, all this "convenience" comes at a cost: $3.4k. While you could just use your cell to communicate with a "web-enabled" home, Panasonic claims their "Strada F-Class" system is way safer. Oh, and user-san must have a web-enabled camera and front door, along with other plug-in shit. For some reason, Panasonic is hoping to sell 8k of Strada F-Classes each month to early adopters. The line forms on June 13. While we're one with Stevie Wonder on that whole superstition thing, we'd like to point out that the 13th of June falls on a Friday. Just sayin'.

You know BMW is serious about improving efficiency when you hear they're equipping the M5 with a stop-start system. But what else have the bayerische wissenschaftlers been cooking up to improve efficiency? Auto Motor und Sport brings us up-to-date on the innovations unveiled by BMW at its unimaginatively named "Innovation Day 2008." One concept that's sure to have green chins wagging: solar roof panels designed to run the cars' electrical systems. BMW estimates a square meter of roofspace in northern European conditions could deliver 200 watts; more still if the entire roof's covered in photovoltaic cells. Solar panel could be used to reduce dependence on efficiency-sapping alternators for on-board systems, which could deliver small improvements to efficiency (0.3 fewer liters per 100km driven) or pre-heat the engine and fluids, improving inefficient cold start fuel consumption. Bimmer's boffins are also looking at generating electricity from excess engine heat. BMW claims that current thermodynamic generators from aerospace applications could deliver 200 watts of electricity today, with up to 1k watts available next Thursday (or so). The combination of thermodynamic generators, solar panels and engine pre-heating could yield a five percent increase in efficiency. We'll wait until we see a cost – benefit analysis, but the propeller people deserve credit where CAFE credit's due.

Credit where credit's due: Ford was the first automaker to risk afflicting their customers with the blue screen of death and install the Microsoft SYNC system in their products. Not only did Microsoft's in-car multiple device Bluetooth-enabled voice-activation thingie not serve-up a code 10, but Ford put it in their entry-level models AND milked it with plenty o' marketing. But Bill Gate's mob let it be known from the start– as did responsible members of the media– that SYNC was heading into rival products after an 18-month "window of exclusivity." And so, at the end of the year, Ford's bragging right will be defenestrated by none other than Korean budget car maker Hyundai– a Ford wannabe if there ever was one. Yup, Hyundai is next to SYNC up. The New York Times reports "Windows Automotive will first appear in Hyundai vehicles in North America in 2010, said Martin Thall, general manager of Microsoft’s automotive business unit. Subsequent versions will give drivers voice control over navigation systems and video entertainment, in addition to cellphones and digital music players." There was a brouhaha recently when rumors circulated that Ford would allow Microsoft to use SYNC for advertising, which they vigorously denied. Or at least didn't confirm. Yet. What's the bet Kia/Hyundai show similar restraint? 

According to Reuters UK, Sony's senior producer for Gran Turismo has revealed that Japanese consumer electronics giant has changed the videogame's, uh, emphasis. Taku Imasaki says "Our goal is to become another medium for car companies [to run ads], like magazines and TVs." The admission comes hot on the heels of a "teaser installment" of "Gran Turismo 5 Prologue," for PS3 (the full version of the driving simulator is due next year). Embedding automakers' ads into the game is just the beginning. Imasaki-san says "Ideally we could become the MySpace or Facebook for auto enthusiasts." As Sony's PS3 is fully net compatible, the commercial opportunities are endless (e.g. "click here for a real world test drive."). There's no word [yet] on more "subtle" if fast becoming "traditional" in-game advertising– background billboards, sponsor decals, architectural features (gas stations?). It appears that some of the world's best cars are already powering down that slippery slope. 

In yet another technological answer to a question nobody is asking, Indian IT firm Satyam is developing an in-car entertainment/connectivity platform which will choose your music for you based on a proprietary "mood sensing" technology. The development is part of Satyam's "dot auto" initiative, which combines GPS navigation with internet access, video conferencing, social networking, electronic money transfer as well as other applications which have no business in an automobile. The wildest promise by far of the hardware-software development is the "mood-sensing" stereo, which will respond to the number of passengers and the destination input into the navigation system. Satyam R&D chief Venkatesh Chandrasekaran says that, for example, "the system would detect if a driver had passengers and was heading downtown, and perhaps cue up some party music. On the other hand, if the driver is on his own, the system will not cue up 'sad, moody music.'" Because who wants to drive by themselves while listening to "Everybody Hurts?" Chandrasekaran expects the system to be market-ready in 16 months, and the company is already talking with potential customers in the auto and broadband fields. We look forward to hearing our stereo sing "A Bicycle Built For Two" in a pathetically diminishing voice as we pull out its memory chips out sometime in the next few years.

Despite the fact that Japan has some of the lowest rates of auto theft in the entire developed world, Honda is introducing an on-board navigation feature which will alert drivers when they park near reported crime hotspots. The system will automatically route information about criminal activity from police computers to participating navigation systems, providing news of recent thefts, damaged vehicles and break-ins. The system will also rate districts by risk levels, telling drivers which vehicular crimes have afflicted the immediate area. Honda has not announced whether the system will be offered outside of Japan. For now US motorists will only be able to monitor the police wirelessly. Priorities.

Thus far, the New Chrysler's (domestic) turnaround strategy has been very emo: lots of cutting and complaining, and not much else. A press release indicates they hope to turn that image around.  Trumpeting a "barrage" of technologies and innovations, they purport to offer customers improved fuel economy, performance, flexibility and convenience. Increased internet connectivity is promised on "future model-year vehicles" via combined WiFi and 4G technologies which will "transform the vehicle into a 'hot spot' to deliver Internet and e-mail access, and movie and music download capability." Rear-cross and blind-spot monitoring systems will be offered on the company's minivans, an "in-class" exclusive says the release, piggy-backing on last weeks Ford announcement. Chrysler continues its game of catch up with Ford by offering improved voice-activated systems ala SYNC, throwing in iPod integration and a swivel-screen for the backseat in minivans. The only major bone tossed to enthusiasts is a new active transfer case for 2009 AWD 300 and Charger models. The new transfer case improves traction and fuel economy, while also allowing front-axle shutoff, creating a seamless transition between RWD and AWD modes. Hey, something is better than nothing.

The breathlyzer ignition lock has been around for years; several courts have mandated a "blow in" device for convicted DUI offenders' cars. Automotive News [sub] reports the web site www.dadss.org (DADSS = Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety) is soliciting ideas from technology developers for a passive system that will prevent the car from starting if it decides the driver's alcohol level is high enough to cause impairment. The automakers are already looking in that direction; last year Nissan featured a concept car with various air sniffers, sweat sensors and a facial monitoring system to deactivate the car's ignition if the driver had one too many. Obviously there's still a lot of work to do on the concept but experts estimate such a system could save 9k lives annually. They hope to have working prototypes within five years.

Ford apparently just realized that blind spots in rear-view mirrors are an issue for drivers. In a move to get out in front on this brave new challenge to modern motoring, Ford will be offering special blind spot viewing mirrors on the upper corner of side-view mirrors. That's right, drivers of America, what you once had to pay ten bucks for at Autozone will now come as standard feature "on a few Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models to start, eventually making them standard across most of its lineup." But if cheap, uninspired solutions to the silent killer we call blind spots aren't for you, maybe you'd prefer something overly complicated and gimmicky? Ford has you covered there too, announcing an optional radar-based blind spot warning system as a (doubtless) expensive option on select models. With a little light on your rear view mirror to warn you that an intruder has penetrated your blind spot sector, your "Cross Traffic Alert" system will ensure that you never have to be aware of traffic around you ever again. 

The Motor Authority reports that GreenRoad Technologies has developed a monitoring system that determines whether or not the person behind the wheel is "aggressive" or "safe." They claim that transforming one to the other equates to a "54% reduction in crashes and an 83% reduction in crash costs." To achieve these unbelievable results, GreenRoad's G-force meters measure roughly 120 different driver actions: acceleration, turning, breaking, middle finger saluting, etc. If the computer deems that a driver's too "aggressive," a red light flashes. Because that's safe. The box also builds a "user profile," which is (presumably) stored by GreenRoad Technologies and could be (theoretically) sent to the police, future employers and/or insurance agents. Using the same battle cry as the Simpsons' Mrs. Reverend Lovejoy, GreenRoad is hocking the system to parents who want to monitor their teens' driving habits. While my driving style would burn that red light out in seven minutes flat, in the 17 years I've had my license, I've caused zero accidents, injured zero people and died zero times. Unless you count "died and gone to heaven." Include me out.

Sometimes I go overboard making fun of people who drive cars that I don't like. But not this time. Toyota's "Look at us – we're on the Internet" blog has a post about a guy who claims to have converted his Prius to look like a shuttle from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Whereas before he had a car that should have gotten all the chicks, he probably now has to scrape them off the hood of the car. Willie Yee – a psychiatrist! – has painted his Prius (Sharpie?), put on new space-age wheels, and a has a CD with sound effects from Star Trek that makes the sound system display look vaguely Enterprise-ish. Sounds like he really went overboard with the conversion process, which seems about as intense as a four-year-old pimping out his tricycle. So if you see Yee on the road, you don't have to think "A Prius driver… maybe he's a nerd." You'll know he's a nerd. And not a very good one; the blue uniform from Next Generation seasons 4-7 that he wears is for science officers. He wouldn't be allowed to drive. Now who's the king nerd?

Speedtrapped.com and tripleblaze.com (among others) have offered maps of reported speedtrap locations for some time, but it seems the war on speeding tickets has gone mobile. A new "Speed Trap Sharing System," going by the uninspired name of "Trapster," offers live updates of local speed traps (as reported by users) sent to a free smartphone program as well as your Google MyMaps account.  You can report speedtraps anonymously, and receive mobile alerts when you drive near a reported trap, possibly giving you a drop on Johnny Law. The boys in blue don't even mind so much, creator Pete Tenereillo tells AP Wired News, because the mobile service "inevitably encourages drivers to slow down." No word from any actual cops yet. If this is all sounding a bit fawning, keep in mind that the system is still in beta testing. As of this writing, the Trapster front page has a notice reading "A message to our users: Service troubles, our most sincere apologies…" If they can fix the bugs though, and keep it free… this could be pretty cool. (Hat Tip: El Jalop)

On Monday, when we reported on Audi's newly revised turbocharged four-cylinder engines, commenter Joshvar said "Still no DSG?" Well, according to Ward's Auto, now there is. Audi is finally moving ahead with a dual clutch transmission (DCT). Supposedly, they developed the new box completely in-house (BorgWarner makes the current DSG in the A3 and GTI). Ingolstadt's version offers seven (count 'em seven) gears and can handle up to 406 ft.-lbs. or torque. On top of that, it's been specifically engineered for the longitudinal setup of engines throughout Audi's lineup. This writer's guess: as soon as they can make enough of them, there will be a DCT available in every car Audi sells. Meanwhile, Tiptronic my ass. Where the Hell's Porsche's paddle-shifted semi-manual miracle?

Our ’06 Volvo V50’s battery crapped-out three days ago. I jumped it, got 100 yards down the driveway… The dash panel turned into a Christmas tree. POWER SYSTEM FAILURE! SERVICE IMMEDIATELY! The engine, brakes and steering died; the car had to be flat-bedded to the dealer. And then the 2004 Porsche Boxster’s battery lunched. It exhibited so many odd symptoms— power windows flopping up and down, radio mysteriously turning on, baffling warning lights— that I never thought instant battery failure. Independent techs who work on Eurolux cars tell me that Audi and Porsche and Volvo (and the like) batteries are so under-sized (in the interest of economy) and overstressed (thanks to electronic-toys overload) that they’re failing prematurely. If this is the state of the 19th century lead-acid art, what are we to expect when millions of cars are powered by batteries?