car news

Sam says that computer processors have been in cars since the late 70s, as manufacturers have sought to improve the efficiency of car engines. But with each new feature, Sam says it seems that another processor gets added to the overall car design. Now just about everything in your car is controlled by a processor, and they're getting more and more powerful. The more advanced a car is, the more code to control it. Some cars have over 100 million lines of computer code. So they are quite complicated and powerful. But with the rise in power, comes a rise in price.

Sam joins Leo to talk about the Lexus 500H, a hybrid that will have the Toytota Team system, the brand's first hands-free driving system. It will also use LIDAR, which is different from the RADAR found in most cars with hands-free driving options. It's chiefly interactive, sending out a laser to read the 3D space around the car, but it falls short in measuring distance and speed. But its higher resolution can see through the 3d space to pick up details RADAR may not see.

Sam joins Leo to talk about cars. This weekend is the Indy 500 and Leo says it's a lot different from Formula 1, which he thinks is more exciting, especially when you go to Monaco. Sam says that in the last 25 years, the technology transfer from racing to consumer-driven cars has been greatly diminished due to regulations. But there are still some advancements that influence car design, even if it's not noticeable.

Sam is back to talk about hands-free driving technology and the regulations that may be in the way of its development. The process of creating an autopilot has been an evolution as car manufacturers and government regulators seek to figure out the safest way to do it. Elon Musk complains that regulations are in the way, but they are there for safety purposes. But now Europe has put forth regulations for level 3 systems designed to make the development of hands-free steering more harmonious.

Scott joins Leo to talk about Citroen's new car subscription service called "Free2Move." It's a car-sharing subscription service that's ideal for people living in the city. Great for people who may have a need for a car from time to time, but don't really want the expense that comes with parking spots and insurance. The Citroen Ami cars are electric and have a top speed of about 28 mph and a range of about 200 miles on a single charge.

Sam joins Leo to talk about the extreme shortage of rental cars right now, as rental agencies sold over half their fleets during the pandemic, and now they can get new cars to replace them. 

Sam joins Leo to talk about the news that Tesla data indicates the car that crashed in Houston may not have been on autopilot at the time of the crash that killed two people. Sam says that doesn't mean it wasn't on autopilot before the crash though, and Tesla hasn't responded to when exactly the autopilot disengaged. If it disengaged a few seconds before the crash, and with the driver foolishly sitting in the back seat, there would be no way to regain control of the vehicle.  So the point is rather moot. 

Sam joins Leo to talk about another Tesla that crashed due to overreliance on Tesla's autopilot. Two people died. The facts of the accident are that both people climbed into the back seat while the car was navigating itself. With no one to take control when the autopilot failed, the car went off the road while going around a curve, hit a tree, and caught fire. Sam says that in spite of the hype, there is no car with a so-called autopilot feature, that is truly self-driving.

Sam joins Leo to talk about Ford's on and off manufacturing of the Ford F150, which is caused by a chip shortage. During the pandemic, Ford closed manufacturing for several months and canceled chip orders. This caused factories to shift to other chip designs that were in demand. Now that things are opening up, Ford is stuck without parts, and they have to wait for manufactures to get back to it.