Category Archives: Technology

Google Starts Testing Driverless Prototype LSVs

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Google Prototype self-driving low-speed vehicle.

Google prototype self-driving low-speed vehicle.

Earlier this week Google started testing their driverless, low speed vehicle prototypes on California streets. While designed from the ground up to be driverless, these prototypes do include a gas and brake pedals and a removable steering wheel, which can be used when needed by the safety drivers that will accompany the vehicles. The top speed of the vehicles is limited to 25 mph and they fall under NHTSA’s LSV vehicle classification. Google is working with a number of companies including  Roush, RCO, ZF Lenksysteme, Continental, Bosch, Frimo, LG Electronics and Prefix to build 150 prototype vehicles. Roush is assembling the vehicles. To date 25 have been built and only a few of them are currently undergoing testing. Learn more:  Detroitnews.com

Comment:  Designing it as an LSV certainly reduces some of the costs and allows for a staged development and testing of driverless vehicles. A next step after prototype testing might be to test them in a LSV or golf car community. It would be a more confined and controlled environment, fewer higher speed vehicles and the roadways could be more thoroughly mapped. You could then proceed to allow the vehicles to venture onto local roads within the vicinity of such communities, gradually testing the vehicles in more challenging driving conditions.

Delta-Q Technologies QuiQ 1500 Industrial Battery Charger Enters Full- Scale Production

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The new QuiQ 1500 battery charger from Delta-Q Technologies.

The new QuiQ 1500 battery charger from Delta-Q Technologies.

Delta-Q Technologies announced that their new QuiQ 1500 Industrial Battery Charger has begun full-scale production. The charger can be used with burden carriers, utility vehicles, golf cars and LSVs, and is available in 48- and 72-volt models. From an earlier post about the new charger:

The QuiQ 1500 is a higher power version of the original QuiQ 1000 that is found in many electric utility vehicles used in material handling. The QuiQ 1500 allows users to charge existing battery packs up to 30 percent faster than the QuiQ 1000 or equip machines with a bigger pack and still meet a 5- or 8-hour charging time requirement. The QuiQ 1500’s compact design matches the exact dimensions and mounting configuration of the existing QuiQ 1000, allowing swift replacement of any existing QuiQ charger. With a standard North American 110V AC power source, the QuiQ 1500 provides 1200 watts of output power, and at 220 or 230 VAC, 1500 watts of output power.

Learn more:  PRNewswire.com

 

Polaris Ranger To Be Used In DARPA Robotics Challenge

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Polaris is providing a modified Ranger XP 900 EPS for the DARPA Robotics Challenge

Polaris is providing a modified Ranger XP 900 EPS for the DARPA Robotics Challenge

A Limited Edition DARPA Polaris Ranger XP 900 EPS will be used in part of the DARPA Robotics Challenge held June 5-6, at the Fairplex, in Pomona, CA.

This DARPA Robotics Challenge was created to spur development of robotic technology that can help humans to better respond to future disasters. The Challenge Finals will have robots perform a number of tasks in a continuous course, simulating what might be encountered in a real disaster situation. DARPA will use the RANGER XP 900 EPS in one of the most difficult tasks to help demonstrate a robot’s ability to operate and to egress from a vehicle, since they are among the tools commonly on hand in disaster zones.

The Ranger XP 900 EPS was modified for use in the event including:

  • A remote SafeStop electronic throttle kill
  • Brake actuation technology
  • A 1,000 lb. capacity bed for the robot’s power supply
  • Bench seat and tilt steering to create more room for a robotic driver
  • Terrainarmor airless tires

For Polaris the event is an opportunity to further develop a vehicle platform with which robotic companies can integrate their own products. Polaris is also providing GEM vehicles for robot, people and supply transport at the event. Learn more:  Polaris.com

Comment:  The Challenge is a good opportunity for Polaris to work on product development for autonomous vehicles for both disaster relief and military applications as well as creating a vehicle platform for robotics companies. Building vehicles for speciality applications with specific features and options is also an effective way to produce higher margins in an increasingly competitive UTV market.

Google To Begin Testing Self-Driving LSVs

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Google Prototype self-driving low-speed vehicle.

Google Prototype self-driving low-speed vehicle.

Google is planning on testing its own Google prototype self-driving vehicles on the roads of Mountain View, with safety drivers aboard. The vehicles will be low-speed vehicles (LSVs) produced by Roush Industries and will be on the road this summer. Roush provides services to move from concept to prototype to manufacturing and has experience in the automotive, motorsports and alternative fuel vehicle markets. The vehicles will have manual controls to conform with California autonomous vehicle code but Google has reported that it plans to make vehicles in the future without steering wheels or manual brakes. Learn more:  Autoconnectedcar.com

Comment:  Perhaps the next place to test the vehicles will be in gated communities where there is a defined and limited road network and all the traffic is low-speed.

Get Your Electric or Gas Golf Car Ready For The Season

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ev-batt2

We’ve posted a pair of articles in our tech section on annual maintenance for electric and gas golf cars. It’s aimed at the owner who is pulling their vehicle out of storage for seasonal use but can also be used as an annual or semi-annual maintenance guide, if you use your vehicle year around. If you are a hands-on owner, most or all of the maintenance can be done by yourself. If not, some of the maintenance checks you can do yourself and the more complicated procedures can be handled by your local golf car dealer. In any case, the guides give you some knowledge about key areas of your electric or gas golf car that you should check at least once a year. The guides are courtesy of Jack Triolo of Mountaintop Golf Cars in Banner Elk, NC and www.golfcarcatalog.com.

How To Extend Battery Life

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An article from Battery Watering Technologies has been posted in our Buying Guides/Tech section. The article provides some tips on when and how to water your electric vehicle batteries and provides some information about their single point watering system and new i-Lite sensor which helps you keep track of water levels. Learn more:  Smallvehicleresource.com

GPS Industries Reports Strong Start For Telematics In 2015

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One of the Visage system's screen views. GPS Industries has partnered with Club Car to provide the Visage system for fleet management and content delivery.

One of the Visage system’s screen views. GPS Industries has partnered with Club Car to provide the Visage system for fleet management and content delivery.

GPS Industries reports that they have signed more than 100 installation contracts to date to provide telematics and fleet tracking technology. Properties now using the technology include The Phoenician (AZ), Turnberry Isle Resort (FL), Omni Interlocken (CO) and Journey at Pechanga (CA).

GPSI has an exclusive partnership with Club Car whose Connected Precedent i3 golf car showcases the Visage Mobile Golf Information System and recently-launched Visage Media Network. The mixture of technology and software allows properties from golf courses to master-planned communities to track, control and deliver promotional content.

According to GPSI, “The Visage system offers hole-by-hole graphics and flyovers, scoring and gaming, on-course food and beverage ordering, and addressable promotional messages on high-resolution 10-inch touch screens mounted to Club Car Precedent golf cars. Featuring in excess of 75 million-plus page views monthly, the Visage Media Network represents the largest connected global audience of golfers.” The company is also working on new applications to leverage the platform for social media and user generated content.

The appeal for golf courses and the like is that they can reduce costs through better fleet management, increase revenues from food service and promotions and provide a better experience for their customers. Learn more:  GIuser.com

Startups Aggregating Mini-trucks In India’s Local Delivery Market

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Some of the mini-trucks and owner-operators part of the LOTrucks.com network.

Some of the mini-trucks and owner-operators part of the LOTrucks.com network.

LOTrucks.com, an Indian startup, is using technology to aggregate the highly fragmented local delivery market in the country. Major cities such as Bangalore employ a hub and spoke delivery system where the last mile is handled by mini-trucks and other vehicles driven by owner-operators. The problem has been connecting the large number of owner-operators with potential clients in an efficient and cost-effective manner. LOTrucks joins similar companies such as The Porter, Blowhorn and Shippr who are operating in Mumbai and Bangalore. LOT stands for Logistics, Optimization and Transportation.

According to the founders “When we noticed some important issues like large idle time of vehicles, no standard pricing, customer-driver communication gap and billing problems, we thought this can be addressed using technology.” LOT has reduced the time from order booking to processing to 30 minutes, implemented a standard mileage based pricing system to eliminate negotiating and trains drivers for communicating in the diverse city. An online payment system using a mobile is in the works. LOT currently has over 500 trucks including the LOT MINI, aTata Ace with 800kg capacity, and the LOT MAX , a Tata 407 with 2.5ton capacity. The founders plan to perfect their system in Bangalore before expanding to other cities.  Learn more: Yourstory.com

Yamaha’s Wolverine R-Spec UTV Shipping To Dealers

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The new Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec UTV hitting dealer showrooms this month.

The new Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec UTV hitting dealer showrooms this month.

Yamaha’s new UTV, the Wolverine R-Spec, is coming off the production line in Georgia and will be available at dealers this month. The Wolverine R-Spec is targeting hunters and off-road recreation users. Key features of the vehicle include:

  • 708cc EFI engine
  • 2WD, 4WD, locked 4WD Drive Train
  • Yamaha Ultramatic V-Belt transmission with all-wheel engine braking
  • 26″ tires and steel wheels
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Independent double wishbone suspension front and rear with 9.7″ and 10.6″ of travel respectively
  • Ultra-long-stroke KYB nitrogen gas charged piggyback shocks
  • 11.4″ of ground clearance
  • 300 lb. cargo bed capacity
  • 1,500 lb. towing capacity
  • Sun hard top
  • Electronic power steering (EPS) versions

The models are currently available in Hunter Green and Steel Blue with a RealTree Xtra Camo version available in May/June. MSRP for non-EPS models starts at $12,199 and for EPS models starts at $13,199. Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

Comment:  After several years of minimal UTV product development Yamaha has come back in a big way the last few years. First with their Viking lineup of UTVs targeting work and crossover recreation use in the 2014 model year and further expanded for model year 2015, and now with the new Wolverine series targeting purely recreational use. I would expect Yamaha to expand the Wolverine lineup with a 4-person version and more sportier models. Although the latter might be handled by another product line launch specifically targeting high performance/sport recreational use.

Cub Cadet Expands UTV Lineup With Challenger Series

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A new UTV from Cub Cadet's new Challenger series.

A new UTV from Cub Cadet’s new Challenger series.

Cub Cadet is expanding their utility vehicle lineup with a pair of new models, the Challenger 500 and Challenger 700, which launch their new Challenger series of UTVs. The 500 is powered by a 471cc EFI engine and the 700 by a 686cc EFI engine. Other key features for both models include:

  • 350 lb. cargo box capacity
  • 1,200 lb. towing capacity
  • Four-wheel drive with a front locking differential
  • Four-wheel independent, adjustable suspension
  • Four-wheel disc brakes
  • Large-capacity, mid-mount air intake
  • Hard-top roof
  • Quick-release windshield
  • Alloy wheels
  • Front-mount winch
  • 26-inch off-road tires
  • Digital display
  • 2 person capacity

The specs for the Challenger 700 show a top speed of 45 mph and 11″ of ground clearance. Similar specs are not available on the Cub Cadet website for the 500. The MSRPs for the Challenger 500 and 7000 are $8,499.99 and $9,499.99 respectively. Both models will be at Cub Cadet dealers in May and are available in yellow or camo. A four person version will be available later in the summer. Learn more:  agriculture.com

Comment:  This launch is another sign of the intense competition in the UTV market. Not only are more well known powersports brands launching new vehicles and new product lines but smaller volume brands as well. If they want to stay relevant in the market they must, given the fast pace of product development and innovation for UTVs. With the nice set of desirable features and price points, these vehicles are clearly targeting the value segment of the market. Kymco and CFMoto have found some success in this price range, which is several thousand dollars less than many offerings from more well known UTV brands. Being an American brand with some history may give Cub Cadet an edge against the foreign competitors in this space.