Category Archives: market trends

More Robotic Military Vehicles

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Robotic "mule" military vehicle developed by Lockheed Martin

I recently wrote a post about a robotic Gator??that has been developed for military applications. ??Another vehicle with a similar purpose, helping haul gear for combat troops, is now being tested in??Afghanistan. ??This “mule” was developed by Lockheed Martin and is much larger than the M-Gator, weighing in at 3,800 lbs for the six-wheeled vehicle.

Four of the vehicles will be tested over several months by troops operating in the field. ??The vehicles will be used to haul gear, water, ammunition and other supplies. ??In addition, the vehicles have a battery recharger onboard for the plethora of batteries that troops now need to operate a range of high tech equipment. ??The vehicle also has a “follow me” operating mode.??” The vehicle will memorize the optical profile or shape and size of a person that it is told to follow, and it will track the person and stay a certain distance behind, moving around obstacles that fall in its path.” If the vehicle performs well, the Army??could initiate a bid competition in late 2012. ??Learn more: ??Nationaldefensemagazine.org

AARP Releases Study On LSVs/Golf Cars

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The AARP Public Policy Institute recently released a research study on LSV and golf car usage. ??The purpose of the study is “...to assess??current trends and identify key issues and??best practices for safely accommodating??golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSVs),??particularly neighborhood electric vehicles??(NEVs), within community transportation??networks.” ??The Institute hopes the study will provide some guidance for municipal planners and law enforcement officials trying to integrate the vehicles into their local transportation networks. ??The study includes four case studies of LSV and golf car usage in??The Villages, Florida, Peachtree City, Georgia, Western Riverside County, California and Linton, Indiana. ??Learn more: ??AARP.org


					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Street-Legal Golf Car Use Up In Florida

			
						

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According to a recent story, the use of street-legal golf cars is on the increase in Florida. ??State records indicate that????there were 6,271 golf carts registered in 2010, up 14 percent from 2009 despite a lower level of government incentives. ??The trend is being driven by the desire for people to live/work/play in one area as well as increased fuel prices. ??A majority of the vehicle use is centered around gated or master planned communities and golf centered developments, although public road use is increasing as well. ??Learn more: ??Sun-sentinel.com

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
STOV Market Trender:  Solar Powered EVs

			
						

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In Huntsville, AL a local hospital purchased three GEMs and are using solar power as their electricity source. ??In some instances solar panels are being installed on the roof of LSVs, golf cars or electric UTVs but in this case the solar panels are installed on top of a parking deck. ??They are attached to a bank of eight batteries that are used to store the electricity until the GEMs need to be recharged. ??As a side note, the GEMs were purchased to replace two gas powered vehicles. ??Learn more: ??blog.al.com

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
STOV Market Trender:  Hybrid UTV

			
						

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Recently launched ASW Landmaster Crew Hybrid from American Sportsworks


American Sportsworks recently introduced a hybrid utility vehicle, the??ASW Landmaster Crew Hybrid. ??The vehicle features two drive systems a 48V electric drive in the front and a 653cc gasoline, V-Twin Subaru, powered rear wheel drive system. ??The vehicle can be driven with either drive system alone or using both together. ??The batteries can be recharged while operating the gas engine.


This vehicle really exemplifies two trends in the market: ??the first is the increasing presence of electric powered UTVs and the second is the ongoinging adoption of technologies and features from highway capable on-road vehicles. ??Learn more: ??UTVweekly.com

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Boeing UK & John Deere Introduce Robotic Gator For Military Market

			
						

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R-Gator A3 ACS developed jointly by Boeing UK and John Deere


Boeing UK and John Deere recently introduced the R-Gator A3 Assisted Carriage System (ACS) robotic utility vehicle for military applications. ??In development for two years, the vehicle has a 635 kg payload to help carry some of the gear modern soldiers require in the field. ??The vehicle can operate autonomously or manually under daylight or night conditions. ??John Deere borrowed from their M-Gator platform as well as their navigation, guidance and obstacle avoidance technology and expertise developed for the agriculture sector. ??The vehicle also features “…multiple tie-down points for sling loading, underbody skid plates, a front cargo rack and a rifle mount system to carry military specific loads.” ??Learn more: ??Defense-update.com

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Polaris Reports Record Results In 3Q

			
						

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Polaris Industries continues exhibiting strong growth in a down economy, increasing sales 26% in the 3Q to reach $729.9 million and increasing net income to $67.6 million from 47.2 million year over year. ??Year to date sales increased 37% to compared to last year. ??Management expects full year sales to increase 32% over 2010 figures to reach over $2.5 billion. ??Gains were made in a number of areas including net income, earnings per share, margins and in overseas markets, including the sluggish European market.


The Off-road division grew 25% for the quarter and 38% year to date based on gains in side-by-sides, military and international markets. ??Side-by-sides business increased over 20% in the quarter for Polaris compared to “low double digits” for the North American market as a whole. ??The ATV market continues to decline but Polaris is still gaining market share. ??Management also reports continuing success in penetrating commercial and rental markets through their partnership with Bobcat.


Learn more: ??Seekingalpha.com??(conference call transcript)

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Jordan Initiates EV Solar Charging Project

			
						

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The Jordanian government is working with a consortium of companies to develop a pilot project demonstrating the use of solar powered charging stations. ??The consortium includes AllCell (USA), Nissan (Japan), DBT (France), MATRA (France), Sun Phocus (USA), Nissan Jordan and NETenergy, a Jordanian start-up company. ??The Ministry of Environment has signed a memorandum of understanding and is planning on procuring 300 Nissan Leafs as well as other “light electric” vehicles such as e-bikes, e-scooters and NEVs. ??Learn more: ??Zawya.com

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
STOV Market Trender

			
						

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Thought I’d start a new type of post that highlights specific trends in the STOV market. ??This??inaugural??post covers the replacement of full-size pickups with utility vehicles. ??In Volusia County, FL they are phasing out the use of pick-ups for beach patrol duties. ??Citing a reduced threat to pedestrians and sunbathers, the county is now using Honda ATV’s and will be trying out a couple of Polaris 6×6 Ranger’s for beach patrol duties. ??Learn more: ??News-journalonline.com

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
News Briefs

			
						

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Group Promotes LSVs in Augusta, GA – A newly formed group, the Augusta Greenway Alliance, has been formed to help increase awareness and support of LSVs. ??One vision includes linking the medical and downtown districts with LSV lanes. ??Learn more: ??Chronicle.augusta.com


Polaris Chooses Agency for GEM – Polaris Industries has chosen Nelson Schmidt Inc as the new agency to provide marketing and sales support for the recently acquired GEM business. ??Learn more: ??Wisbusiness.com


GM’s EN-V for China’s Eco-City – GM’s trio of two-wheeled neighborhood electric vehicles are being incorporated into plans for Tianjin, China’s futuristic eco-city. ??Being developed in conjunction with partners from Singapore, Tianjin will be


“…a large-scale prototype for the sort of sustainable, high-density communities we???re expected to see in the coming decades.??Key features include a focus on renewable energy, mass transit (in the form of a light rail system) and ??? you guessed it ??? a development of GM???s EN-V.” ?? 


Learn more: ??Carscoop.blogspot.com