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Coming soon: World’s First Flying Electric Car Racing Series

“Electric flying cars are a coming reality that will liberate our cities and answer the long-term mobility challenges we face. Nothing drives technology as fast as competition. The F1 racers of the early 20th century possessed a pioneering spirit we are harnessing today to rapidly accelerate progress. This seed investment represents a significant leap forward in the next great mobility revolution,” says Matt Pearson, founder of the Alauda performance electric flying car company and its racing series, Airspeeder.

Alauda is poised to go racing following the successful completion of a seed investment round. This progress represents significant steps forward in their aim to accelerate the development of electric flying cars through sporting competition.

Airspeeder claims to deliver on the promise of a future proposed in science fiction and gaming. Inspiration from the latter will take the form of a cockpit, furnished with latest augmented reality technology to assist the pilot in navigating the course.

Races in the air
Set to be the most exciting and progressive form of motorsport on the planet, elite pilots will use the sky as their playground in intense head-to-head competition. Multiple teams and manufacturers will be provided the hardware by Alauda as a turnkey solution but afforded freedom to set strategy and draft pilots.

The roster of teams will include established names in racing and entirely new entrants to motorsport who are enticed by the fusion of intense sporting competition and next generation technology. This approach is expected to create the close and intense sporting competition traditional motorsport fans crave.

The Speeders are propelled by the latest electric powertrains co-developed with technical partners drawn from the elite motorsport world. This state-of-the-art form of propulsion will accelerate a zero-emissions future. Rapid electric pitstops and short, intense head-to-head competition will serve the requirements of a generation, native to Esports.

Final ‘manned’ tests of the Speeders are technically ready. These flights will take place in the desert surrounding the firm’s headquarters in South Australia once restrictions relating to the global health crisis are lifted. The first head-to-head dual races are planned to take place in late 2020 with first locations to be announced soon.

Taking a giant leap
A technical facility has been established in Adelaide, South Australia, a region rapidly becoming a global centre of space and aerospace technology with its surrounding deserts the perfect place to test both manned and unmanned flights.

The facility will be both company’s technical base and will house a growing team of engineers and technical specialists drawn from the leading names in aerospace, motorsport and engineering including Rolls-Royce and Babcock Aviation.

A global commercial base in London, England has also been established. It provides important proximity to key technical expertise in motorsport, aviation and the UK’s furtive and rapidly expanding electric powertrain development industry.

Now testing
The firm is currently at a stage of advanced testing as its MK2 electric flying multicopters successfully completed trials throughout 2019. A team of test pilots recruited from the US Air Force and Martin Aviation will test the MK3 advanced development prototype in California’s Mojave desert elite pilots Eventually, they will be able to go up to speeds of 200 km/h in the largest, most powerful octocopters on the planet.

The MK4, first shown as a concept last year will be co-developed in the UK and South Australia, with the latter proving the perfect testing ground for both ground control and manned flights as the sport nears its inaugural ‘Beta Season’. This will include public manned test flights that will demonstrate Airspeeder’s potential.

PLUS urges motorists to ensure sufficient balance in tollcard, especially at Penang Bridge

During the period of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which will last until April 14 (unless extended, which we will know after April 10), the general public is required to remain at home. They are not totally ‘locked down’ and can still travel to buy essential items, medical supplies or visit hospitals and clinics. But no makan angin drives and no dining at eating places, only takeaway.

The aim is to ‘flatten the curve’, which refers to bringing down the number of cases of COVID-19 so that our hospitals and healthcare system can cope. You will have read that in some countries, the number of cases has grown to such a huge, unexpected number that the hospitals do not have sufficient capacity and vital medical equipment is insufficient.

We are fortunate that we have not reach such a critical level but if we do not do our part – staying at home is what the general public can do to help – then we too could end up like Italy. And if the curve does not flatten, the government may most likely maintain the MCO longer which does no one any good.

Flattening the curve — *By flattening the curve, the number of cases will be less and the hospitals will be able to help more infected people.*

For those living in Penang and use the Penang Bridge, PLUS is urging motorists to ensure that they have enough balance in their Touch‘nGo card before they cross the bridge which the concessionaire manages. Topping-up needs to be done at locations other than the toll plaza which no longer does reloads to avoid the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.

It is believed that many hundreds of vehicles approach the toll plaza daily with insufficient balance in their tollcard. This causes a jam which affects the flow of commercial vehicles that are bringing essential items to the island.

Petrol station — *The convenience stores at petrol stations can do tollcard reloads or there are ATM machines that also do it.*

“We urge highway users to always ensure that they have sufficient balance in their Touch‘nGo card. They may do reload at numerous top-up zones such as bank ATM machines, convenience stores and petrol stations which are conveniently located around the island and the mainland. Self-service kiosks are also available at various points along the PLUS highway,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.

“Above all, the best move to curb the spread COVID-19 is to stay home and practise social distancing. By ensuring your Touch‘nGo card has sufficient balance for toll transactions, it eliminates the need to physically interact with our Customer Service Assistants and at the same time, ensure social distancing is observed,” Encik Zakaria added.

Volkswagen having virtual motor show online for 2 weeks

Following the cancellation of this year’s Geneva International Motor Show (which was to have been held last month), the Volkswagen brand show stand can now be visited online. Starting from today, visitors can ‘experience’ all the new models of the brand for 2 weeks.

Furthermore, they can do so at any time of the day, from their homes anywhere in the world. This would be welcome by people in the increasing number of countries where there is a lockdown or restricted movement.

Click here to go to the Volkswagen Virtual Motor Show

The 360° tour offers an interactive digital experience allowing visitors to be immersed in the motorshow. They can ‘stroll’ across the booth, view vehicles from all sides and also change colours and wheel rim configurations with the easy-to-use functions. This may well be the beginning of a new trend in the industry of presenting new models, given that social distancing will be emphasised in future.

“I am pleased that our marketing team has succeeded in making our booth available to all visitors despite the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show. Virtually, they can experience our team’s attention to detail in the presentation of this show and our product highlights. Once again, this demonstrates that special situations call for special solutions,” said Jurgen Stackmann, Member of the Volkswagen brand Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing and After-Sales .

“We are convinced that we will be able to reach even more people in future through virtual show visits in addition to the real presentation of vehicles,” he added.

All the vehicles and the booth planned for Geneva have been digitally processed for the 360° experience and give visitors a 3-dimensional experience of being at the show. The main focus is on the new products of 2020 which range from the future electric vehicle ID.3 to the new R2 with plug-in hybrid technology. There is also the latest generation of the iconic sports versions of the Golf, the GTI, GTD and GTE.

Users take part in a guided tour of the booth but can control their visit individually. By clicking integrated additional features and interactive exhibits which allow vehicles to be displayed with different colours or wheel rims, users are encouraged to interact with the presentation.

“Our first digital booth is only the opening chapter in our new sustainable concept for future innovative online experiences,” said Jochen Sengpiehl, Chief Marketing Officer of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand. “Exploiting the opportunities offered by virtual reality is part of our digitalization strategy. It will become an integral component of our experience marketing, the entire external presentation of the brand and interaction with customers and fans.”

Volkswagen has an online showroom

Mazda marks 100th anniversary with exclusive range of models

In 2020, Mazda celebrates its 100^th anniversary, a milestone in its history from being a company making cork products to the highly respected and admired carmaker it is today. Among the many activities the company had planned to mark the milestone is the 100th Anniversary Special Edition series.

This is a range of special versions of all the key passenger models in Mazda’s global line-up. The range was to have been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last month which, unfortunately, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic growing in seriousness.

Designed to celebrate the company’s centenary, the 100th Anniversary models adopt a white-and-burgundy two-tone exterior/interior combination, inspired by high-grade versions of Mazda’s first passenger car – the Mazda R360 Coupe.

Mazda R360 — The R360 Coupe was Mazda’s first passenger vehicle, introduced in 1960. The company had its sights set on becoming a full-line automaker, and its first undertaking made a memorable splash with a futuristic design and unique technologies.
Developed with extraordinary passion, the car was designed for people who wanted to fulfil their dream of owning their own car and contributed to the motorisation of Japan. Symbolizing that intention was a 4-stroke engine — unprecedented among micro-mini passenger cars of the time — and an automatic transmission that made driving easy.
Also noteworthy were the extensive weight-reduction efforts aimed at making the R360 Coupe nimble on the road. The powertrain used a good deal of light alloy materials, and the body adopted a monocoque construction.
A distinctive and stylish coupe form also contributed significantly to the weight-savings. These factors combined to provide — at an affordable price — driving performance that eclipsed the era’s preceding micro-mini passenger cars.

Mazda 100th Anniversary Models 2020 — *The 100th Anniversary series consists of all the global models in the current Mazda range.*

With Snowflake White Pearlescent exterior paint contrasted with burgundy interior carpet and burgundy leather seats, the 100th anniversary cars are a stand-out celebration of Mazda’s centenary.

Additionally, they feature a host of customised touches to further add to their exclusivity. This includes the unique 100th Anniversary badge featuring on the burgundy floormats, on the key fob and embossed into the headrests. Externally, the same badge is on the wheel centres and the side of the car. Additionally, the 100th Anniversary MX-5 Convertible features a Dark Cherry fabric roof.

A special 100th Anniversary symbol overlays the current Mazda badge atop the original round logo of the Toyo Kogyo company. The design reflected the desire of Jujiro Matsuda, Mazda’s founder, to contribute to the world through engineering and the determination to constantly strive forwards.

The 100th Anniversary Special Edition series is also intended to express gratitude to the millions of people who have had dealings with Mazda over the years. It represents a pledge that though it may aim for the stars, the company will never forget its roots in the car-making business.

The exclusive series will be offered in Japan and certain other markets but Bermaz Motor, which represents the brand in Malaysia, says that they will not be available in Malaysia.

Mazda starts 100th anniversary celebrations in Hiroshima

Toyota Mobility Foundation offers connected and sanitized mobility services

In the battle against COVID-19, healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, hospital administrative staff, including cleaning and transportation staff, are on the frontlines, putting their professionalism and expertise at the fore, to fight for the rest of us.

Respecting the contribution of these heroes, Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), an independent not-for-profit foundation aimed at enabling mobility for all, announced its intention to provide 10 connected and sanitized shuttles that would be made available free of cost to certain hospitals that are treating COVID-19 cases.

These shuttles will be equipped with software that allow the commuters to book seats on routes that are dynamically generated to ensure that the most effective route is designed for the passengers requesting rides. The passengers will have certainty on the pick-up location and time to ensure that they can get to work at a designated time and transportation when they leave.

The ‘Just-in-Time’ software is designed by Singapore-based SWAT Mobility, a company that provides demand-responsive, ride-sharing solutions. The shuttles will also be adapted for sanitization with products and services including air purification devices, seat covers that can be periodically changed, and frequent cleansing services. Social distancing guidelines for passenger numbers will also be followed.

Representing TMF, Pras Ganesh, Program Director for Asia Region, said: “The aim of TMF is to provide the best possible mobility solution which allows the healthcare workers to have a safe, convenient and free commute which also allows peace of mind at this uncertain time. Based upon the Bangkok experience, we also aim to roll this service out in some Southeast Asian countries. Once standardized, the operating procedure, will also be made available to anyone who would like to provide similar services.”

The services will be rolled out with operational support from Toyota Motor Thailand and Toyota Daihatsu Engineering & Manufacturing Co., Ltd. It aims to start from mid-April and operate for a period of at least 3 months.

Go Auto to supply police with Toyota Corolla Altis as patrolcars

Why Nissan designers didn’t put a tablet display in the Ariya Concept

When digital graphic displays were available for use in cars, they were inserted in the dashboard, usually in the middle section. Before long, interior designers began to bring the display ‘out’, giving it the form of a tablet like an iPad slotted onto the dashboard. Perhaps this made installation easier and users would also have appreciated the familiar tablet shape.

However, Nissan designers who work on next-generation vehicles consider other aspects as they attempt to balance design, technology and utility. For the Ariya Concept, they chose a different path when developing the display.

This prioritized design and vision over the latest trends. Instead of a tablet, the all-electric crossover has a curved, two-screen display reminiscent of a wave. It adds to the sense of a ‘horizon’ throughout the car, from elements in the door all the way to the rear of the cabin.

The layout reflects Nissan’s new ‘Timeless Japanese Futurism’ design language, also expressed in the Ariya Concept’s unique frontal ‘shield’. But the horizontal design wasn’t chosen for its good looks alone. In addition to conveying information better for the human eye, the layout does so from a safer location — in the line of sight, closer to the road.

By matching the cabin’s horizon aesthetic, it becomes a seamless part of the dashboard. Nissan’s design team calls this engawa – the undefined space between where you are, and where you are going.

“The human eye naturally looks from side to side when driving,” explained Tomomichi Uekuri, Senior Manager of the engineering team involved in HMI (Human-Machine Interface). “People can see and absorb more information if it’s laid out horizontally. Peripheral vision works this way as well.”

The Ariya Concept’s display keeps driving information in an instrument cluster location similar to that of a traditional car, while displaying entertainment information, comfort controls and system status in the centre screen. Both are wrapped together in a sleek panel that flows seamlessly between driver and passenger.

Even though there are two screens, information can move or be swiped between them to create the feeling of a single display. For example, if you want your route directions and map in front of the steering wheel, they can appear there. They can also move to the centre, or disappear when no longer needed.

“The display’s wave construction is innovative and utilizes an ergonomic layout for both the meter display and the centre display, not only for visibility, but also allows the driver to easily reach the touch screen,” Uekuri said.

It took the design team many tries to arrive at the innovative display. The team built similar displays into a large black ‘box’ that they affectionately named ‘the Monolith’, a nod to the movie ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’. They chipped away, figuratively speaking, at the housing until it became what’s seen in the final concept car.

As a result, the sleek, seamless display looks like a natural, integrated part of the interior design – not a slab out of time and place.