A brief explanation of the 48-volt mild hybrid system
By definition, a hybrid vehicle is a form of transportation propelled by two or more separate systems which can either work separately or in conjunction with each other. But that is something most people already know and are familiar with. What has got everyone talking now, however, is the ‘mild hybrid’ technology that is currently being employed by Maruti Suzuki in the diesel variants of the Ciaz and the Ertiga. This technology is not as complicated as the one employed by more conventional hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Camry, but it is cheaper and very effective. According to Delphi, vehicles with 48-Volt systems have demonstrated 70 percent of the benefit at 30 percent of the cost. In order to help you better understand the science behind this Delphi 48-Volt Mild Hybrid System we shall attempt to explain the same with the help of a few infographics courtesy Delphi Automotive.
A 48-Volt Mild Hybrid setup can have multiple layouts. One such possibility is shown here in the picture. The major additional components here are the bigger 48-Volt battery pack, step down converter, electric motor/generator and electrical supercharger.
The electric supercharger comes into action upon releasing the brake as it starts forcing air into the engine. This helps negate the turbo lag usually associated with engines that employ turbochargers. The electric motor powered by the battery packs assists during acceleration and automatically cuts off after reaching a certain speed.
Mild Hybrids come coupled with engine start/stop systems. This system turns off the motor once the car comes to a complete stop and turns it back on again once the clutch pedal is pressed. Before the car comes to a complete rest, during the time the driver’s foot is off the accelerator when the car is coasting the electric motor charges the 48-volt battery pack.
Another application of having a bigger battery pack, such as a 48-volt setup, is that some of the load borne by the engine due to parasitic accessories such as the power steering, AC, water pump, heated seats, etc. can be transferred to it. Also, the air conditioning will not turn off when the engine does as it will draw power from the battery.
According to Delphi Automotive, “48-Volt mild hybrids, for gasoline or diesel engines, could reduce the percentage of CO2emissions by double digits, capture energy typically lost while braking and provide torque in the low rpm range for anemic start-stop hybrids. The beauty of a 48-Volt solution is that drivers will not lose engine performance to gain fuel efficiency from downsized engines. Consumers would drive these 48-Volt cars the same way they would drive cars powered by conventional powertrains, and they would enjoy the 20 percent extra horsepower the 48-Volt system provides.”
By 2025, 48-Volt hybrids are expected to make up more than 95 percent of the world’s mild hybrid market and about half of all hybrid vehicles, according to Global Insight IHS.
We hope you found this post on the Delphi 48-Volt Mild Hybrid System informative and insightful. Stay tuned to Car Blog India for more such features.
Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India has sold more than 1 crore vehicles with the much publicized Combi Brake System. The Honda Combi Brake system was introduced in India with the Honda Activa in 2009. However, this system has been in use since more than 30 years internationally. The Honda Combi Brake system is a first-in-industry technology. In India, the CBS is being offered on all 9 Honda models- Activa 3G, Activa i, Activa 125, Dio, Aviator, CB Shine, CB Shine SP, CB Unicorn and CB Hornet 160R.
How does the Honda Combi Brake System Enhance Safety?
In two wheelers (scooters and bikes), there are two separate brake controls for front and rear wheels. This is true for almost all two-wheelers that I have ever seen or ridden. Most of two-wheeler riders apply only rear wheel brake, or use only rear brake in most of the cases. However for most effective braking and stopping in small distance safely without loosing control, both front and rear brakes should be used together. Most people fear using front brakes too much because if you press them too hard, the scooter/bike may skid and the rider will fall badly.
Honda Combi Brake system applies the front-brakes in the correct amount whenever rear brakes are applied. This applies both brakes when you apply only rear one. This means that the scooter rider need not worry about using front brakes, they will be used in correct amount automatically when the rear brakes are used. See the image above, the highlighted green area shows how they have put an extra-cable to brake lever control of Honda-Activa 2009 to make combi-brakes work.
Honda Combi Brake System Made its debut on the 2009 Honda Activa
I am really impressed by the Honda Combi Brake system. It should be used in all two-wheelers to improve safety, because effective braking can prevent many road-accidents and injuries. So, what do you have to say about the Honda Activa Combi Brake System? Isn’t this system a real boon for us riders? Stay tuned to Car Blog India for more on the Honda Combi Brake system.
HP Lubricants and Leo Burnett India have come up with a rather interesting anti-collision system for India’s National Highways. As part of the #RoadsThatHonk campaign aimed at making highways across India safer, special poles have been installed that communicate with one another and alert oncoming drivers of vehicles that they might not be able to spot otherwise. Conceptualised, designed and executed by Leo Burnett India, this system is already in place on NH1 in North India, along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway. How does it work? Read on or watch the video below to know more about this innovative intelligent road system.
As part of the system, ‘SmartLife’ poles are installed at sharp curves and hairpin bends. These poles detect the speed at which oncoming vehicles are travelling and communicate with each other to caution approaching vehicles on either side of the bend with a horn. The SmartLife poles are powered by solar PV modules. Watch the video below –
Innovative Intelligent Road Systems: Roads That Honk Video
Announcing the commencement of the project, Rajdeepak Das, Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett, South Asia, said, “2016 recorded numerous accidents across national highways and this is a major concern for local and state administration. We are glad to have been behind an innovation that harnesses the power of technology and uses radar signals to intimate drivers. We are confident that #RoadsThatHonk will significantly reduce accidents and save several lives every year. Every life saved is a measure of success and reinstates our belief that #RoadsThatHonk has the potential for further scale on highways across the length and breadth of the country.”
The SmartLife poles transmit electromagnetic waves in 24 GHz frequency range (K-band). They also measure the frequency shift of the reflected electromagnetic wave. The frequency shift is caused by the Doppler effect of the moving target on the electromagnetic wave. As the relative speed between the radar sensor and the target increases, the detected frequency shift also increases, thus enabling the radar sensor to precisely determine the target speed.
According to the Police department overseeing this 110 km of Jammu-Srinagar Highway, over two-three vehicular incidents occur on a daily basis. The department believes this number has reduced significantly post the installation of this anti-collision system under the Roads that Honk safety campaign.
Commenting on the project, Mr. Chander J. Singh – Deputy Superintendent of Police, Chenani Range, said, “The Jammu-Srinagar highway is one of the most dangerous highways in the world. It has various hairpin bends and vehicles often speed at these turns resulting in fatal accidents. #RoadsThatHonk is a great innovative technology which will help save lives and make our roads safer.”
What do you think of the Innovative Intelligent road system: Roads That Honk? Do let us know via the comments section below.
According to a study by Ford India, us Indians spend about 12 hours a week in our cars. And that number is likely to go up in the coming years. With that in mind, Ford India has rolled out five new apps for the Sync AppLink system specifically for the domestic market. These new apps range from music streaming to even finding parking spots nearby! The new apps are available across all Ford products equipped with Sync AppLink including new models like the Figo, Aspire, Endeavour and the Mustang. Read on to know more about the new apps part of the Ford Sync Update for India.
Hungama music streaming app is now available for download. The app lets users stream music online from a library of around 3.5 million tracks in 5 languages. SYNC comes with voice command functions built in to control the app to prevent the driver from getting distracted. The Hungama app for Ford SYNC AppLink will be available by mid-June.
News aggregating app InShorts has made it to Ford’s SYNC AppLink. This too can be accessed via voice command. Based on the user’s preferences, the news will be read out loud. This will ensure the driver does not have to take his/her eyes off the road at any point. Maps by MapMyIndia for Ford SYNC has been updated. It now includes nearest attractions, fuel filling stations, hotels and other points of interest. To minimise distractions, the app helps navigate to any destination using spoken and textual driving directions, thereby preventing drivers from looking at their smartphone while driving.
AccuWeather, a well-known source of weather forecasts globally, is now available on Ford Sync. As the name suggests, this app tells you the highest and lowest temperatures of the place you’re in or your destination. Perhaps the most interesting of all five apps as part of Ford Sync Update for India is Pparke. The PParke app that enables Ford owners to not just identify the closest parking lot but also provides full address, distance from the current location, number of parking spots available and the price to park.
Ford SYNC 3 Images
Ford SYNC is currently available on the Figo, Aspire and EcoSport. The Endeavour SUV comes with Ford’s latest SYNC 3. It will make its way to the Mustang by the end of 2017. Expect the upcoming Ford EcoSport facelift to feature Ford SYNC 3.
“We are excited to expand Ford’s SYNC AppLink portfolio with new India-specific apps. These new apps are an easier and more convenient way for our customers to integrate their connected lifestyle with their cars,” said Julius Marchwicki, Director Connected Vehicle & Services, Ford Asia Pacific. “Today, there is an increased need for connectivity wherever you are andSYNC AppLink platform gives drivers and occupants more choices to make their driving enjoyable and informative while on the move.”
Do like the new apps available as part of the Ford SYNC update for India? Is there any other app you would like Ford to add? Do let us know via the comments section below.
Have you ever thought that Apple (yes, the iPhone maker) will one day make cars? Yes, that’s right. The Cupertino-based technology giant has confirmed in the past that it is working on self-driving car technology. However, what that statement does not tell you about is that Apple may indeed make a car. It’s not just us but even Morgan Stanley analysts who believe the tech company will get into auto manufacturing. Their rationale behind such a belief is that a company like Apple will not stop at making just the technology, especially if you take now of how its business around iPhones and Macs have expanded in all these years. In that light, here’s a look at what the Apple car may turn out to be.
The Apple Car is likely to look really futuristic (Please Note- This is a Representative Image)
Apple Car – Chicken or Egg Dilemma
A big question raised on Apple’s car making ambitions is what it wants to deal with first – hardware or software. In a talk with Bloomberg, Tim Cook mentioned that autonomous driving software is what Apple wishes to get into first. He also said that while autonomous driving software is quite a difficult task to take up, it’s something Apple considers important. As per Morgan Stanley analysts, Apple has called the software development task one of the toughest ones out there and, as a result, wants to start with it.
A company letter to California state administration says that Apple wishes for tougher self-driving car testing policies on public roads. Not just that, it also has Google (Alphabet), Tesla and others leading this race. So, it also wishes the California state officials to ask for more data from its competitors to speed up its self-driving car development.
The Interior of the Apple Car will be very modern and tech-laden (Please Note- This is a Representative Image)
This is where the other side comes in. First off, Apple has a permit from California Department of Motor Vehicles to test self-driving cars which dates back to April this year. A Lexus RX450h fitted with sensors, cameras and radars was later spotted exiting a company facility. When asked to comment on the sighting, Apple declined. Also, back in 2016, Apple hired Chris Porritt. Tesla fans know him as the former VP of Vehicle Engineering at Tesla.
Prior to this, Porritt has also worked for Aston Martin as Chief Engineer. Remember the One-77, V12 Zagato and DB9? Those were three cars apart from Model S, Model X and Model 3 developed under Porritt’s oversight. Apple also poached the head of Mercedes-Benz’s Silicon Valley research team. Apple’s designer Jony Ive has also openly complained about the “shocking” state of automotive design today. Considering that Jony Ive is a car buff, it’s not difficult to see his interest in designing a car for Apple.
Tesla’s Autopilot software is something Apple should take a look at for Apple car
What if Apple Car Does not Become a Reality?
Since Apple has made its intentions of developing self-driving tech first, chances are that an Apple car may not get into existence anytime soon. That said, knowing Apple and how it goes about its business, the chances of it not getting into manufacturing business are low. However, in case Apple postpones its car manufacturing plans, it may source its self-driving tech to other car makers. If that happens though, don’t expect the tech to come to mass-market cars until at least a few years after the tech development is done.
Firstly, Apple is a premium player in every market it is in. The iPhone, iPad and Mac computers’ positioning is at the premium end of their respective markets. So, if Apple decides to partner with an automaker, chances are it will look for a deal with a company such as McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz or Rolls-Royce. Here’s why it may deal with these companies in future:
Tesla will have Autopilot tech in Model 3, something Apple will want to achieve
McLaren – The British super car maker pushes car technology aggressively. From the folding instrument console to its computer-controlled active suspension system, McLaren has a lot going on in terms of technology and can serve as a partner for Apple. Perhaps a self-driving 570GT may happen in the future.
Aston Martin – Chris Porritt may help Apple in this regard. Aston Martin’s second-century plan can be the further leverage for a partnership, which Apple may help them in.
Bentley and Rolls Royce – These are two brands known for making chauffeur-driven cars. Eliminating chauffeurs via self-driving tech may make these cars feel more luxurious.
Mercedes-Benz – From the S-Class to a new brand with electric cars, it can use Apple’s self-driving tech in multiple applications.
And What About the Release Date?
If you are looking for details on how far the program has progressed, we have some bad news for you. Apple is quite good at keeping its cards close to the chest. So, no details on how its self-driving car program is progressing are available. However, what we think you should know here is that two of its competitors – Tesla and Google – have a big lead over it. Tesla has over 2 billion km of testing under its belt till date. Google’s Waymo has over 4.8 million km worth of testing data till now.
At least we can expect the Apple car to not look like this
Certainly, Apple does not have the first mover’s advantage in this regard. It may have to tie up with car makers, ride-sharing services and/or car-rental companies to fast-track the process. Now, you can comprehend why Apple wants California officials to acquire more data from those already testing their self-driving products. By using the data already available, it hopes to develop its self-driving technology faster than others. Honestly, it’s too early to comment if the Apple car is really anywhere in the offing. So, basically, it’s a tad too early to speculate on the release date.
So, Won’t the Apple Car Launch?
Considering that Apple’s car-building aspirations are not clear, we think if it gets into car production tomorrow, a final product may launch after 2020 only. There are a few reasons behind that. First off, Apple lags behind its competitors when it comes to acquiring the necessary data for self-driving software. The second reason behind it is that it lacks a facility to produce cars. Tweaking existing facilities will be difficult and may hurt its other businesses too. Lastly, acquiring suppliers may be a problem for Apple.
A tie-up with Mercedes-Benz may see Apple’s self-driving tech in S-Class
Conclusion – What’s In Store For Apple Car’s Future?
It is quite difficult to say what the future holds for Apple’s car-building or self-driving tech ambitions. The problem is that Apple likes to keep almost every product-related detail under wraps till the very end. That certainly ensures that it gets the hype machine running all the time. However, the competition in the automobile market is quite strong. Almost every major automaker is developing a self-driving car. We have seen these automakers’self-driving car prototypes at shows such as CES 2017.
It will perhaps be prudent for Apple to stick to software development for now. This is one area where it can gain an edge over its competitors. Also, it can work on other bits such as smartphone integration in cars alongside the self-driving car software. It will stand to benefit quite a bit from just software development. Once it figures out how to scale the technology for use in mass-market cars, it can then get into car production too.
We live in a fast pacing world and technology in our world is ever-changing. Today we have such technologies that we never imagined a few years back. But with this ever changing world, the transportation sector hasn’t seen much change. In India, as we impatiently debate over the fact if we’ll ever get to travel in a bullet train or not, its alternative is already in works in the far-west which could be faster and more efficient. Hyperloop which is the brain child of the billionaire, eccentric and workaholic Elon Musk is an open project aimed to change the face of transportation. He also said that soon people will be able to travel at the speed of sound that is 760mph all because of Hyperloop. If Hyperloop India becomes a reality, passengers would be able to travel from Delhi to Mumbai in just 45 minutes. Here’s all that you need to know about Hyperloop and if Hyperloop India will ever be real or not-
Back in 2013, Elon Musk the man behind revolutionary companies like Tesla and SpaceX announced an idea called the Hyperloop: a super-fast, low-friction transportation system that looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie. Musk made Hyperloop an open-sourced project which gave companies access to the vac-train design which was released by a joint team from SpaceX and Tesla. Hyperloop draws heavily from Robert Goddard’s vac-train which is based on concepts of passenger pods travelling through vacuum tubes using magnetic levitation. The Hyperloop pods will be fueled with the help of solar energy as the vacuum tubes will have solar panels on their roof. This concept has been in works since its inception and is progressing at a very high rate. It has progressed to such a level that the latest version was able to travel at a speed of 201mph. Hyperloop will change the face of public transportation and will push us one step further to future modes of transportation.
How the Hyperloop is able to travel so fast?
The Hyperloop is able to travel so fast because unlike other transportation systems, it does not rely on friction to move. The Hyperloop consists of a pod which has a compressor in the back or at the front which sucks air in to pull the pod forward. This pod travels in an ultra-low pressure vacuum tube which allows it to minimize air resistance. This all is backed up by magnetic levitation and instead of wheels these pods come equipped with air cushions. The braking energy is used to recharge batteries of the pod.
What’s the progress?
Even though the Hyperloop project is the brain child of Elon Musk, he and his companies are not developing their own commercial unit. Instead, they have created a testing facility in their Nevada plant and are holding competitions for other engineering marvels to showcase their designs and prototypes. On January 30, 2016, the SpaceX Hyperloop design competition concluded and it was a hit. More than 100 prototype pod designs were submitted and 27 teams had won the chance to test their designs on the SpaceX Hyperloop test track late in June. Out of all the teams, a team of grad students from Massachusetts Institute of Technology won Best overall design because their designed pod was lightweight and emphasized on speed and safety. The best part of their design was that they used two arrays of neodymium to keep the pod aloft while their competitors used air jets to levitate.
In January 2017, the long running SpaceX Hyperloop competition wrapped up with “Competition Weekend I,” in which completed pods raced on the test track. A team from the Delft University of Netherlands took the top prize. The second leg of this competition happened recently on the SpaceX campus. It was held from August 25-27 and this team 700 members in 25 different teams participated. The main criterion for this competition was speed and the teams met this criterion with full grace. The competition included new and old pods as well from the 1st leg of the competition. For the first time, our country was also able to send a team named Hyperloop India to compete with other Hyperloop designs from all across the globe.
The WARR Hyperloop Team out of the Technical University of Munich. The team members built a sleek little pod that clamps onto the metal rail running along the floor of the tunnel, runs on a rubber wheel and uses a 75-horsepower electric motor for propulsion. This pod was able to reach a speed of 201mph or 324 kmph and was so impressive that Elon Musk personally shared the video of the pod on his social media accounts.
Video of WARR Pod-
Hyperloop India Launch – Details
The main highlight for the second version of SpaceX Pod building competition-“Competition Weekend” was the participation of Hyperloop India, a team of Indian students who managed to design and build an Indian version of a Hyperloop pod. Hyperloop India overcame many challenges to represent our country in such a competition. The biggest challenge they faced while building the OrcaPod were the funds, but they overcame this challenge by raising about 60-70 lakh rupees from their corporate tie-ups and another 20-30 lakh rupees from crowd funding. The Hyperloop India team believes that Hyperloop transport might become a reality in India by 2025. They say it would cost 40% lesser than high-speed bullet trains and will run on renewable energy making it environmental friendly as well. But the main hurdle for team Hyperloop India would be to convince the Indian Railways and other decision making bodies to bring such a drastic change in the Indian Transportation System.
So, what do you think about the Hyperloop system? Do you feel that it is the perfect substitute for bullet train? Are you waiting for the Hyperloop India launch? Tell us all in the comments section below.
The Indian dream of high-speed mobility at a reasonable rate is shaping up to become a reality. Thanks to the recent development of Indo-Japanese relations, Japanese bullet train-Shinkansen is coming to India. It is well known for its safety, punctuality and speed. The bullet train in India will bring a new high-speed medium for transportation. This high-speed project was jointly inaugurated by our honourable Prime minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime minister Mr Shinzo Abe, which will link Ahmedabad to Mumbai. The Indian railways and Japanese firm, Shinkansen Technologies, will work jointly on the bullet train project. The whole project would involve a whopping investment of ₹1.1 lakh crore. Out of the total expenditure, 81% will be funded by Japan, as a soft loan at a rate of 0.1% with repayment due over a period of 50 years. So here’s all you should know about this new project-
First Bullet Train in India to launch by August 2022
The joint venture between Indian Railways and Shinkansen Technologies is expected to launch in August 2022. It was inaugurated jointly by both Prime Ministers of India and Japan- Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe respectively. It will take at least 5 years for everything to become a reality.
Bullet train in India – Initial Cost
For the bullet train to become a reality, it would take an estimated ₹1.1 lakh crores or 17 billion USD. The first bullet train corridor will be from Ahmedabad to Mumbai and it would be partly funded by Japan. Japan will finance 81% of the project as a soft loan with a rate of interest at 0.1% which has to be repaid over 50 years which sounds tempting. But considering the given difference between inflation between India and Japan, the Japanese Yen is projected to appreciate against the Indian Rupee. Over the loan repayment period, this inflation difference will wipe out the low-interest rate gains. The project will be jointly operated by the Indian Railways and Japanese firm Shinkansen Technologies. This is considered a great move to build the Indo-Japanese strategic alliance. The project is expected to finish by 2022 and will be available to the public later in 2022.
Bullet train in India – Route
For the first bullet train route, Mumbai-Ahmedabad route was chosen because of Mumbai’s economic prowess. This route is 508 km long and the bullet train is expected to cover this distance in a matter of 2 hours. This corridor will have 12 stops and will also go through the Arabic ocean, near Thane.The train will travel at a speed of 350kmph and will maintain an average speed of 250kmph on this corridor. It is expected to carry at least 750 people in 10 of its coaches.
Bullet train in India – Speed
Japanese Bullet train, the Shinkansen is known for its speed. The Shinkansen can travel at a maximum speed of 321kmph. Additionally, the train is also known for its punctuality and safety. The train is well equipped with sensors and can even withstand the effects of an earthquake. The train is also known for its timeliness with a maximum lag duration of less than 1 minute.
Bullet train in India – Fare
Indian Railways is planning to launch the first corridor latest by 2022. The fare for Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor will be relatively cheap to encourage more commuters to opt for bullet trains. It is expected that it will be cheaper than a flight ticket and will cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of ₹3000 but can go upwards of ₹5000. But initially, the fare will cost substantially low.
Bullet train in India – Comparison
Japanese Shinkansen is one of the few major bullet train platforms of the world. There are many bullet trains that run on a different design, use a completely different technology and come with best in class safety features. To name a few we have TGV from France, CRH 380A from China, ICE 3 from Germany, Talgo in Spain and many others in different parts of the world. What sets Shinkansen apart from others is the system’s technological advancements.
The Shinkansen Bullet Train system is known for its safety and punctuality. It has a lag record of less than a minute and has safety sensors that can sense an earthquake. In case of an earthquake, the Shinkansen slows down the train and eventually stops it until the tremors stop. It has a record of having zero casualties during its 50-year run and has also withstood the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011.
Bullet train in India – Verdict
Bullet Train in India is a promising venture which has a lot to offer than it meets the eye. It will promote Make in India campaign to such a level that in the coming future we might become an exporter of bullet train parts or even a fully manufactured train unit. This project has a lot of opportunities to offer with high stakes, but only time will tell, how this distant project will shape up to be.
For more automobile news, stay tuned to carblogindia.com
Twenty Two Motors Pvt Ltd has unveiled the first prototype of their Smart Scooter ‘FLOW’. The Smart vehicle, which is enabled by Artificial Intelligence, is aimed at the young and modern. The ‘FLOW’ boasts provides an amalgam of modern technology, smart features, and a lithium-ion battery. While the company was established in 2016, the Research and Development has been carried out for an extensive period of time and thus, the ‘FLOW’ is the first ever electric scooter concept from the manufacturer.
The Smart Electronic Vehicle is connected to cloud server throughout the time, thus ensuring that user can keep an eye on systems performance even when the user is a thousand miles away. Servers analyze data through complex data analytic algorithms and suggest any upcoming service requirements. As the vehicle performs, aggregate rider and vehicle data help with customized vehicle updates which are delivered automatically on the touch dashboard display. The user-centric mobile application provides a one-touch solution to control every aspect of the vehicle. The user can track the vehicle remotely, while the in-built Geo-Fencing allows security against theft. Vehicle automatically alerts the vehicle owner, once the vehicle is beyond the defined geographical boundaries, whereby the owner can shut it down using the smart APP.
The vehicle weighs approximately 85 kgs and is equipped with a DC motor, which is powered by a Lithium-Ion Battery, which can be charged within a short span of 2hours and can travel through a distance of more than 80kms with an unmatched speed of 60 KMPH, with a single charging session. The product will be available with an option of dual battery at the higher-end. FLOW is facilitated with numerous features such as telescopic suspension, in-built mobile charger with sufficient storage space for 2 helmets. Flow is expected to be priced at INR 65,000 to 70,000
Commenting on the launch Parveen Kharb, CEO and Co-Founder, Twenty Two Motors said “We are super excited to unveil the prototype of FLOW to the consumers in India. FLOW boasts of industry-defining features which are going to be the benchmarks for others to follow. We conducted surveys and open houses for about 500 customers in NCR, Pune and Jaipur and the response was overwhelming. We have put an initial investment of about 5mn in the manufacturing facility in Bhiwadi which has an installed capacity of 10,000 units”
Flow Electric Scooter Concept Images
“We will look at increasing the capacity of the manufacturing facility but that would be decided by the rollout of the first batch of Smart vehicle sometime early next year” he further added.
Nissan unveiled research today that will enable vehicles to interpret signals from the driver’s brain, redefining how people interact with their cars. The company’s Brain-to-Vehicle, or B2V, technology promises to speed up reaction times for drivers and will lead to future Nissan cars adapting to make driving more enjoyable.
Nissan will demonstrate capabilities of this exclusive technology at the CES 2018 trade show in Las Vegas. B2V is the latest development in Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s vision for transforming how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society.
“When most people think about autonomous driving, they have a very impersonal vision of the future, where humans relinquish control to the machines. Yet B2V technology does the opposite, by using signals from their own brain to make the drive even more exciting and enjoyable,” said Nissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci. “Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, we are moving people to a better world by delivering more autonomy, more electrification and more connectivity.”
This breakthrough from Nissan is the result of research into using brain decoding technology to predict a driver’s actions and detect discomfort:
Predict: By catching signs that the driver’s brain is about to initiate a movement – such as turning the steering wheel or pushing the accelerator pedal – driver assist technologies can begin the action more quickly. This can improve reaction times and enhance manual driving.
Detect: By detecting and evaluating driver discomfort, artificial intelligence can change the driving configuration or driving style when in autonomous mode.
Other possible uses include adjusting the vehicle’s internal environment, said Dr. Lucian Gheorghe, senior innovation researcher at the Nissan Research Center in Japan, who’s leading the B2V research. For example, the technology can use augmented reality to adjust what the driver sees and create a more relaxing environment.
“The potential applications of the technology are incredible,” Gheorghe said. “This research will be a catalyst for more Nissan innovation inside our vehicles in the years to come.”
Nissan’s B2V technology is the world’s first system of its kind. The driver wears a device that measures brain wave activity, which is then analyzed by autonomous systems. By anticipating intended movement, the systems can take actions – such as turning the steering wheel or slowing the car – 0.2 to 0.5 seconds faster than the driver, while remaining largely imperceptible.
Nissan will use a driving simulator to demonstrate some elements of the technology at CES, and Gheorghe will be on hand to answer questions. Nissan’s display will be at booth 5431 in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Hall.
Stay tuned for latest news updates on B2V technology for future Nissan cars.
In this article, we explain to you what are CBU and CKD cars and what is the difference between them. While CBU means Completely Built Units and CKD means Completely Knocked Down Units. CBUs are costlier than CKD units. Read ahead to know the difference between both of them.
Completely Built Units (CBU) refers to several imported cars and bikes which are direct bought in ready shape for its sale. The whole car has to be booked and an order has to be placed for you to buy it. It certainly demands very high charges like Excise duty and such. High-end cars like Mclaren, several Ferraris, even the Maybach is a CBU unit. On the other hand, Completely Knocked Down Units refers to high-end cars whose parts are officially imported from foreign countries and are assembled in the selling country. CKD cars in India include Renault Fluence, Jaguar’s XE, XF, XJ, Land Rover’s Evoque, Discovery Sport, and many others. CKD units are generally cheaper than the CBU units because of the local manufacturing leading to evasion of certain taxes. However, most of the supercars and superbikes are CBU units in India. Read ahead to know more about them.
What Is CBU – Completely Built Unit
A completely built unit is the terminology when a car/bike is imported/exported to/from some other country as a complete car fully assembled. These automobiles do not require an assembly before they can be sold out to the buyers in the target country’s markets. Most of the imported cars and bikes in India come as a CBU.
What Is CKD – Completely Knocked Down
Completely knocked down car/bike is one which is imported or exported in parts and not as one assembled unit. Such units are first sent to an assembly plant in the target country where all these parts are assembled and one complete vehicle is made using the imported components. These kinds of units generate employment in the target country as more machinery and manpower investment is needed to assemble the components to make the vehicle.
What’s The Difference: CBU Vs CKD
CBU and CKD do not differ much in terms of technological sense except for the fact that CBU cars/bikes/vehicles are assembled in the same country where they originate and then exported to the target country. CKD cars/bikes/vehicles are assembled in the target country where all the parts of the vehicles are assembled and then sold to the end customers.
When talking from the Indian perspective, CBU and CKD have a sharp difference in the import duties. At present, the import duties on a CBU vehicle coming to India from abroad is liable for an import duty of nearly 110% while the CKD attracts 60% duty. This sharp difference is strategically kept like this because CBU does not create as much of revenues and employment for the target country (India in this case). A CKD, when assembled in the target country, requires technology, infrastructure and manpower investment which generates business and employment opportunities in the target country, which is why it is motivated.
A brief explanation of the 48-volt mild hybrid system
By definition, a hybrid vehicle is a form of transportation propelled by two or more separate systems which can either work separately or in conjunction with each other. But that is something most people already know and are familiar with. What has got everyone talking now, however, is the ‘mild hybrid’ technology that is currently being employed by Maruti Suzuki in the diesel variants of the Ciaz and the Ertiga. This technology is not as complicated as the one employed by more conventional hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Camry, but it is cheaper and very effective. According to Delphi, vehicles with 48-Volt systems have demonstrated 70 percent of the benefit at 30 percent of the cost. In order to help you better understand the science behind this Delphi 48-Volt Mild Hybrid System we shall attempt to explain the same with the help of a few infographics courtesy Delphi Automotive.
A 48-Volt Mild Hybrid setup can have multiple layouts. One such possibility is shown here in the picture. The major additional components here are the bigger 48-Volt battery pack, step down converter, electric motor/generator and electrical supercharger.
The electric supercharger comes into action upon releasing the brake as it starts forcing air into the engine. This helps negate the turbo lag usually associated with engines that employ turbochargers. The electric motor powered by the battery packs assists during acceleration and automatically cuts off after reaching a certain speed.
Mild Hybrids come coupled with engine start/stop systems. This system turns off the motor once the car comes to a complete stop and turns it back on again once the clutch pedal is pressed. Before the car comes to a complete rest, during the time the driver’s foot is off the accelerator when the car is coasting the electric motor charges the 48-volt battery pack.
Another application of having a bigger battery pack, such as a 48-volt setup, is that some of the load borne by the engine due to parasitic accessories such as the power steering, AC, water pump, heated seats, etc. can be transferred to it. Also, the air conditioning will not turn off when the engine does as it will draw power from the battery.
According to Delphi Automotive, “48-Volt mild hybrids, for gasoline or diesel engines, could reduce the percentage of CO2emissions by double digits, capture energy typically lost while braking and provide torque in the low rpm range for anemic start-stop hybrids. The beauty of a 48-Volt solution is that drivers will not lose engine performance to gain fuel efficiency from downsized engines. Consumers would drive these 48-Volt cars the same way they would drive cars powered by conventional powertrains, and they would enjoy the 20 percent extra horsepower the 48-Volt system provides.”
By 2025, 48-Volt hybrids are expected to make up more than 95 percent of the world’s mild hybrid market and about half of all hybrid vehicles, according to Global Insight IHS.
We hope you found this post on the Delphi 48-Volt Mild Hybrid System informative and insightful. Stay tuned to Car Blog India for more such features.
Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India has sold more than 1 crore vehicles with the much publicized Combi Brake System. The Honda Combi Brake system was introduced in India with the Honda Activa in 2009. However, this system has been in use since more than 30 years internationally. The Honda Combi Brake system is a first-in-industry technology. In India, the CBS is being offered on all 9 Honda models- Activa 3G, Activa i, Activa 125, Dio, Aviator, CB Shine, CB Shine SP, CB Unicorn and CB Hornet 160R.
How does the Honda Combi Brake System Enhance Safety?
In two wheelers (scooters and bikes), there are two separate brake controls for front and rear wheels. This is true for almost all two-wheelers that I have ever seen or ridden. Most of two-wheeler riders apply only rear wheel brake, or use only rear brake in most of the cases. However for most effective braking and stopping in small distance safely without loosing control, both front and rear brakes should be used together. Most people fear using front brakes too much because if you press them too hard, the scooter/bike may skid and the rider will fall badly.
Honda Combi Brake system applies the front-brakes in the correct amount whenever rear brakes are applied. This applies both brakes when you apply only rear one. This means that the scooter rider need not worry about using front brakes, they will be used in correct amount automatically when the rear brakes are used. See the image above, the highlighted green area shows how they have put an extra-cable to brake lever control of Honda-Activa 2009 to make combi-brakes work.
Honda Combi Brake System Made its debut on the 2009 Honda Activa
I am really impressed by the Honda Combi Brake system. It should be used in all two-wheelers to improve safety, because effective braking can prevent many road-accidents and injuries. So, what do you have to say about the Honda Activa Combi Brake System? Isn’t this system a real boon for us riders? Stay tuned to Car Blog India for more on the Honda Combi Brake system.
HP Lubricants and Leo Burnett India have come up with a rather interesting anti-collision system for India’s National Highways. As part of the #RoadsThatHonk campaign aimed at making highways across India safer, special poles have been installed that communicate with one another and alert oncoming drivers of vehicles that they might not be able to spot otherwise. Conceptualised, designed and executed by Leo Burnett India, this system is already in place on NH1 in North India, along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway. How does it work? Read on or watch the video below to know more about this innovative intelligent road system.
As part of the system, ‘SmartLife’ poles are installed at sharp curves and hairpin bends. These poles detect the speed at which oncoming vehicles are travelling and communicate with each other to caution approaching vehicles on either side of the bend with a horn. The SmartLife poles are powered by solar PV modules. Watch the video below –
Innovative Intelligent Road Systems: Roads That Honk Video
Announcing the commencement of the project, Rajdeepak Das, Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett, South Asia, said, “2016 recorded numerous accidents across national highways and this is a major concern for local and state administration. We are glad to have been behind an innovation that harnesses the power of technology and uses radar signals to intimate drivers. We are confident that #RoadsThatHonk will significantly reduce accidents and save several lives every year. Every life saved is a measure of success and reinstates our belief that #RoadsThatHonk has the potential for further scale on highways across the length and breadth of the country.”
The SmartLife poles transmit electromagnetic waves in 24 GHz frequency range (K-band). They also measure the frequency shift of the reflected electromagnetic wave. The frequency shift is caused by the Doppler effect of the moving target on the electromagnetic wave. As the relative speed between the radar sensor and the target increases, the detected frequency shift also increases, thus enabling the radar sensor to precisely determine the target speed.
According to the Police department overseeing this 110 km of Jammu-Srinagar Highway, over two-three vehicular incidents occur on a daily basis. The department believes this number has reduced significantly post the installation of this anti-collision system under the Roads that Honk safety campaign.
Commenting on the project, Mr. Chander J. Singh – Deputy Superintendent of Police, Chenani Range, said, “The Jammu-Srinagar highway is one of the most dangerous highways in the world. It has various hairpin bends and vehicles often speed at these turns resulting in fatal accidents. #RoadsThatHonk is a great innovative technology which will help save lives and make our roads safer.”
What do you think of the Innovative Intelligent road system: Roads That Honk? Do let us know via the comments section below.
According to a study by Ford India, us Indians spend about 12 hours a week in our cars. And that number is likely to go up in the coming years. With that in mind, Ford India has rolled out five new apps for the Sync AppLink system specifically for the domestic market. These new apps range from music streaming to even finding parking spots nearby! The new apps are available across all Ford products equipped with Sync AppLink including new models like the Figo, Aspire, Endeavour and the Mustang. Read on to know more about the new apps part of the Ford Sync Update for India.
Hungama music streaming app is now available for download. The app lets users stream music online from a library of around 3.5 million tracks in 5 languages. SYNC comes with voice command functions built in to control the app to prevent the driver from getting distracted. The Hungama app for Ford SYNC AppLink will be available by mid-June.
News aggregating app InShorts has made it to Ford’s SYNC AppLink. This too can be accessed via voice command. Based on the user’s preferences, the news will be read out loud. This will ensure the driver does not have to take his/her eyes off the road at any point. Maps by MapMyIndia for Ford SYNC has been updated. It now includes nearest attractions, fuel filling stations, hotels and other points of interest. To minimise distractions, the app helps navigate to any destination using spoken and textual driving directions, thereby preventing drivers from looking at their smartphone while driving.
AccuWeather, a well-known source of weather forecasts globally, is now available on Ford Sync. As the name suggests, this app tells you the highest and lowest temperatures of the place you’re in or your destination. Perhaps the most interesting of all five apps as part of Ford Sync Update for India is Pparke. The PParke app that enables Ford owners to not just identify the closest parking lot but also provides full address, distance from the current location, number of parking spots available and the price to park.
Ford SYNC 3 Images
Ford SYNC is currently available on the Figo, Aspire and EcoSport. The Endeavour SUV comes with Ford’s latest SYNC 3. It will make its way to the Mustang by the end of 2017. Expect the upcoming Ford EcoSport facelift to feature Ford SYNC 3.
“We are excited to expand Ford’s SYNC AppLink portfolio with new India-specific apps. These new apps are an easier and more convenient way for our customers to integrate their connected lifestyle with their cars,” said Julius Marchwicki, Director Connected Vehicle & Services, Ford Asia Pacific. “Today, there is an increased need for connectivity wherever you are andSYNC AppLink platform gives drivers and occupants more choices to make their driving enjoyable and informative while on the move.”
Do like the new apps available as part of the Ford SYNC update for India? Is there any other app you would like Ford to add? Do let us know via the comments section below.
Have you ever thought that Apple (yes, the iPhone maker) will one day make cars? Yes, that’s right. The Cupertino-based technology giant has confirmed in the past that it is working on self-driving car technology. However, what that statement does not tell you about is that Apple may indeed make a car. It’s not just us but even Morgan Stanley analysts who believe the tech company will get into auto manufacturing. Their rationale behind such a belief is that a company like Apple will not stop at making just the technology, especially if you take now of how its business around iPhones and Macs have expanded in all these years. In that light, here’s a look at what the Apple car may turn out to be.
The Apple Car is likely to look really futuristic (Please Note- This is a Representative Image)
Apple Car – Chicken or Egg Dilemma
A big question raised on Apple’s car making ambitions is what it wants to deal with first – hardware or software. In a talk with Bloomberg, Tim Cook mentioned that autonomous driving software is what Apple wishes to get into first. He also said that while autonomous driving software is quite a difficult task to take up, it’s something Apple considers important. As per Morgan Stanley analysts, Apple has called the software development task one of the toughest ones out there and, as a result, wants to start with it.
A company letter to California state administration says that Apple wishes for tougher self-driving car testing policies on public roads. Not just that, it also has Google (Alphabet), Tesla and others leading this race. So, it also wishes the California state officials to ask for more data from its competitors to speed up its self-driving car development.
The Interior of the Apple Car will be very modern and tech-laden (Please Note- This is a Representative Image)
This is where the other side comes in. First off, Apple has a permit from California Department of Motor Vehicles to test self-driving cars which dates back to April this year. A Lexus RX450h fitted with sensors, cameras and radars was later spotted exiting a company facility. When asked to comment on the sighting, Apple declined. Also, back in 2016, Apple hired Chris Porritt. Tesla fans know him as the former VP of Vehicle Engineering at Tesla.
Prior to this, Porritt has also worked for Aston Martin as Chief Engineer. Remember the One-77, V12 Zagato and DB9? Those were three cars apart from Model S, Model X and Model 3 developed under Porritt’s oversight. Apple also poached the head of Mercedes-Benz’s Silicon Valley research team. Apple’s designer Jony Ive has also openly complained about the “shocking” state of automotive design today. Considering that Jony Ive is a car buff, it’s not difficult to see his interest in designing a car for Apple.
Tesla’s Autopilot software is something Apple should take a look at for Apple car
What if Apple Car Does not Become a Reality?
Since Apple has made its intentions of developing self-driving tech first, chances are that an Apple car may not get into existence anytime soon. That said, knowing Apple and how it goes about its business, the chances of it not getting into manufacturing business are low. However, in case Apple postpones its car manufacturing plans, it may source its self-driving tech to other car makers. If that happens though, don’t expect the tech to come to mass-market cars until at least a few years after the tech development is done.
Firstly, Apple is a premium player in every market it is in. The iPhone, iPad and Mac computers’ positioning is at the premium end of their respective markets. So, if Apple decides to partner with an automaker, chances are it will look for a deal with a company such as McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz or Rolls-Royce. Here’s why it may deal with these companies in future:
Tesla will have Autopilot tech in Model 3, something Apple will want to achieve
McLaren – The British super car maker pushes car technology aggressively. From the folding instrument console to its computer-controlled active suspension system, McLaren has a lot going on in terms of technology and can serve as a partner for Apple. Perhaps a self-driving 570GT may happen in the future.
Aston Martin – Chris Porritt may help Apple in this regard. Aston Martin’s second-century plan can be the further leverage for a partnership, which Apple may help them in.
Bentley and Rolls Royce – These are two brands known for making chauffeur-driven cars. Eliminating chauffeurs via self-driving tech may make these cars feel more luxurious.
Mercedes-Benz – From the S-Class to a new brand with electric cars, it can use Apple’s self-driving tech in multiple applications.
And What About the Release Date?
If you are looking for details on how far the program has progressed, we have some bad news for you. Apple is quite good at keeping its cards close to the chest. So, no details on how its self-driving car program is progressing are available. However, what we think you should know here is that two of its competitors – Tesla and Google – have a big lead over it. Tesla has over 2 billion km of testing under its belt till date. Google’s Waymo has over 4.8 million km worth of testing data till now.
At least we can expect the Apple car to not look like this
Certainly, Apple does not have the first mover’s advantage in this regard. It may have to tie up with car makers, ride-sharing services and/or car-rental companies to fast-track the process. Now, you can comprehend why Apple wants California officials to acquire more data from those already testing their self-driving products. By using the data already available, it hopes to develop its self-driving technology faster than others. Honestly, it’s too early to comment if the Apple car is really anywhere in the offing. So, basically, it’s a tad too early to speculate on the release date.
So, Won’t the Apple Car Launch?
Considering that Apple’s car-building aspirations are not clear, we think if it gets into car production tomorrow, a final product may launch after 2020 only. There are a few reasons behind that. First off, Apple lags behind its competitors when it comes to acquiring the necessary data for self-driving software. The second reason behind it is that it lacks a facility to produce cars. Tweaking existing facilities will be difficult and may hurt its other businesses too. Lastly, acquiring suppliers may be a problem for Apple.
A tie-up with Mercedes-Benz may see Apple’s self-driving tech in S-Class
Conclusion – What’s In Store For Apple Car’s Future?
It is quite difficult to say what the future holds for Apple’s car-building or self-driving tech ambitions. The problem is that Apple likes to keep almost every product-related detail under wraps till the very end. That certainly ensures that it gets the hype machine running all the time. However, the competition in the automobile market is quite strong. Almost every major automaker is developing a self-driving car. We have seen these automakers’self-driving car prototypes at shows such as CES 2017.
It will perhaps be prudent for Apple to stick to software development for now. This is one area where it can gain an edge over its competitors. Also, it can work on other bits such as smartphone integration in cars alongside the self-driving car software. It will stand to benefit quite a bit from just software development. Once it figures out how to scale the technology for use in mass-market cars, it can then get into car production too.
We live in a fast pacing world and technology in our world is ever-changing. Today we have such technologies that we never imagined a few years back. But with this ever changing world, the transportation sector hasn’t seen much change. In India, as we impatiently debate over the fact if we’ll ever get to travel in a bullet train or not, its alternative is already in works in the far-west which could be faster and more efficient. Hyperloop which is the brain child of the billionaire, eccentric and workaholic Elon Musk is an open project aimed to change the face of transportation. He also said that soon people will be able to travel at the speed of sound that is 760mph all because of Hyperloop. If Hyperloop India becomes a reality, passengers would be able to travel from Delhi to Mumbai in just 45 minutes. Here’s all that you need to know about Hyperloop and if Hyperloop India will ever be real or not-
Back in 2013, Elon Musk the man behind revolutionary companies like Tesla and SpaceX announced an idea called the Hyperloop: a super-fast, low-friction transportation system that looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie. Musk made Hyperloop an open-sourced project which gave companies access to the vac-train design which was released by a joint team from SpaceX and Tesla. Hyperloop draws heavily from Robert Goddard’s vac-train which is based on concepts of passenger pods travelling through vacuum tubes using magnetic levitation. The Hyperloop pods will be fueled with the help of solar energy as the vacuum tubes will have solar panels on their roof. This concept has been in works since its inception and is progressing at a very high rate. It has progressed to such a level that the latest version was able to travel at a speed of 201mph. Hyperloop will change the face of public transportation and will push us one step further to future modes of transportation.
How the Hyperloop is able to travel so fast?
The Hyperloop is able to travel so fast because unlike other transportation systems, it does not rely on friction to move. The Hyperloop consists of a pod which has a compressor in the back or at the front which sucks air in to pull the pod forward. This pod travels in an ultra-low pressure vacuum tube which allows it to minimize air resistance. This all is backed up by magnetic levitation and instead of wheels these pods come equipped with air cushions. The braking energy is used to recharge batteries of the pod.
What’s the progress?
Even though the Hyperloop project is the brain child of Elon Musk, he and his companies are not developing their own commercial unit. Instead, they have created a testing facility in their Nevada plant and are holding competitions for other engineering marvels to showcase their designs and prototypes. On January 30, 2016, the SpaceX Hyperloop design competition concluded and it was a hit. More than 100 prototype pod designs were submitted and 27 teams had won the chance to test their designs on the SpaceX Hyperloop test track late in June. Out of all the teams, a team of grad students from Massachusetts Institute of Technology won Best overall design because their designed pod was lightweight and emphasized on speed and safety. The best part of their design was that they used two arrays of neodymium to keep the pod aloft while their competitors used air jets to levitate.
In January 2017, the long running SpaceX Hyperloop competition wrapped up with “Competition Weekend I,” in which completed pods raced on the test track. A team from the Delft University of Netherlands took the top prize. The second leg of this competition happened recently on the SpaceX campus. It was held from August 25-27 and this team 700 members in 25 different teams participated. The main criterion for this competition was speed and the teams met this criterion with full grace. The competition included new and old pods as well from the 1st leg of the competition. For the first time, our country was also able to send a team named Hyperloop India to compete with other Hyperloop designs from all across the globe.
The WARR Hyperloop Team out of the Technical University of Munich. The team members built a sleek little pod that clamps onto the metal rail running along the floor of the tunnel, runs on a rubber wheel and uses a 75-horsepower electric motor for propulsion. This pod was able to reach a speed of 201mph or 324 kmph and was so impressive that Elon Musk personally shared the video of the pod on his social media accounts.
Video of WARR Pod-
Hyperloop India Launch – Details
The main highlight for the second version of SpaceX Pod building competition-“Competition Weekend” was the participation of Hyperloop India, a team of Indian students who managed to design and build an Indian version of a Hyperloop pod. Hyperloop India overcame many challenges to represent our country in such a competition. The biggest challenge they faced while building the OrcaPod were the funds, but they overcame this challenge by raising about 60-70 lakh rupees from their corporate tie-ups and another 20-30 lakh rupees from crowd funding. The Hyperloop India team believes that Hyperloop transport might become a reality in India by 2025. They say it would cost 40% lesser than high-speed bullet trains and will run on renewable energy making it environmental friendly as well. But the main hurdle for team Hyperloop India would be to convince the Indian Railways and other decision making bodies to bring such a drastic change in the Indian Transportation System.
So, what do you think about the Hyperloop system? Do you feel that it is the perfect substitute for bullet train? Are you waiting for the Hyperloop India launch? Tell us all in the comments section below.
The Indian dream of high-speed mobility at a reasonable rate is shaping up to become a reality. Thanks to the recent development of Indo-Japanese relations, Japanese bullet train-Shinkansen is coming to India. It is well known for its safety, punctuality and speed. The bullet train in India will bring a new high-speed medium for transportation. This high-speed project was jointly inaugurated by our honourable Prime minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime minister Mr Shinzo Abe, which will link Ahmedabad to Mumbai. The Indian railways and Japanese firm, Shinkansen Technologies, will work jointly on the bullet train project. The whole project would involve a whopping investment of ₹1.1 lakh crore. Out of the total expenditure, 81% will be funded by Japan, as a soft loan at a rate of 0.1% with repayment due over a period of 50 years. So here’s all you should know about this new project-
First Bullet Train in India to launch by August 2022
The joint venture between Indian Railways and Shinkansen Technologies is expected to launch in August 2022. It was inaugurated jointly by both Prime Ministers of India and Japan- Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe respectively. It will take at least 5 years for everything to become a reality.
Bullet train in India – Initial Cost
For the bullet train to become a reality, it would take an estimated ₹1.1 lakh crores or 17 billion USD. The first bullet train corridor will be from Ahmedabad to Mumbai and it would be partly funded by Japan. Japan will finance 81% of the project as a soft loan with a rate of interest at 0.1% which has to be repaid over 50 years which sounds tempting. But considering the given difference between inflation between India and Japan, the Japanese Yen is projected to appreciate against the Indian Rupee. Over the loan repayment period, this inflation difference will wipe out the low-interest rate gains. The project will be jointly operated by the Indian Railways and Japanese firm Shinkansen Technologies. This is considered a great move to build the Indo-Japanese strategic alliance. The project is expected to finish by 2022 and will be available to the public later in 2022.
Bullet train in India – Route
For the first bullet train route, Mumbai-Ahmedabad route was chosen because of Mumbai’s economic prowess. This route is 508 km long and the bullet train is expected to cover this distance in a matter of 2 hours. This corridor will have 12 stops and will also go through the Arabic ocean, near Thane.The train will travel at a speed of 350kmph and will maintain an average speed of 250kmph on this corridor. It is expected to carry at least 750 people in 10 of its coaches.
Bullet train in India – Speed
Japanese Bullet train, the Shinkansen is known for its speed. The Shinkansen can travel at a maximum speed of 321kmph. Additionally, the train is also known for its punctuality and safety. The train is well equipped with sensors and can even withstand the effects of an earthquake. The train is also known for its timeliness with a maximum lag duration of less than 1 minute.
Bullet train in India – Fare
Indian Railways is planning to launch the first corridor latest by 2022. The fare for Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor will be relatively cheap to encourage more commuters to opt for bullet trains. It is expected that it will be cheaper than a flight ticket and will cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of ₹3000 but can go upwards of ₹5000. But initially, the fare will cost substantially low.
Bullet train in India – Comparison
Japanese Shinkansen is one of the few major bullet train platforms of the world. There are many bullet trains that run on a different design, use a completely different technology and come with best in class safety features. To name a few we have TGV from France, CRH 380A from China, ICE 3 from Germany, Talgo in Spain and many others in different parts of the world. What sets Shinkansen apart from others is the system’s technological advancements.
The Shinkansen Bullet Train system is known for its safety and punctuality. It has a lag record of less than a minute and has safety sensors that can sense an earthquake. In case of an earthquake, the Shinkansen slows down the train and eventually stops it until the tremors stop. It has a record of having zero casualties during its 50-year run and has also withstood the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011.
Bullet train in India – Verdict
Bullet Train in India is a promising venture which has a lot to offer than it meets the eye. It will promote Make in India campaign to such a level that in the coming future we might become an exporter of bullet train parts or even a fully manufactured train unit. This project has a lot of opportunities to offer with high stakes, but only time will tell, how this distant project will shape up to be.
For more automobile news, stay tuned to carblogindia.com
Twenty Two Motors Pvt Ltd has unveiled the first prototype of their Smart Scooter ‘FLOW’. The Smart vehicle, which is enabled by Artificial Intelligence, is aimed at the young and modern. The ‘FLOW’ boasts provides an amalgam of modern technology, smart features, and a lithium-ion battery. While the company was established in 2016, the Research and Development has been carried out for an extensive period of time and thus, the ‘FLOW’ is the first ever electric scooter concept from the manufacturer.
The Smart Electronic Vehicle is connected to cloud server throughout the time, thus ensuring that user can keep an eye on systems performance even when the user is a thousand miles away. Servers analyze data through complex data analytic algorithms and suggest any upcoming service requirements. As the vehicle performs, aggregate rider and vehicle data help with customized vehicle updates which are delivered automatically on the touch dashboard display. The user-centric mobile application provides a one-touch solution to control every aspect of the vehicle. The user can track the vehicle remotely, while the in-built Geo-Fencing allows security against theft. Vehicle automatically alerts the vehicle owner, once the vehicle is beyond the defined geographical boundaries, whereby the owner can shut it down using the smart APP.
The vehicle weighs approximately 85 kgs and is equipped with a DC motor, which is powered by a Lithium-Ion Battery, which can be charged within a short span of 2hours and can travel through a distance of more than 80kms with an unmatched speed of 60 KMPH, with a single charging session. The product will be available with an option of dual battery at the higher-end. FLOW is facilitated with numerous features such as telescopic suspension, in-built mobile charger with sufficient storage space for 2 helmets. Flow is expected to be priced at INR 65,000 to 70,000
Commenting on the launch Parveen Kharb, CEO and Co-Founder, Twenty Two Motors said “We are super excited to unveil the prototype of FLOW to the consumers in India. FLOW boasts of industry-defining features which are going to be the benchmarks for others to follow. We conducted surveys and open houses for about 500 customers in NCR, Pune and Jaipur and the response was overwhelming. We have put an initial investment of about 5mn in the manufacturing facility in Bhiwadi which has an installed capacity of 10,000 units”
Flow Electric Scooter Concept Images
“We will look at increasing the capacity of the manufacturing facility but that would be decided by the rollout of the first batch of Smart vehicle sometime early next year” he further added.
Nissan unveiled research today that will enable vehicles to interpret signals from the driver’s brain, redefining how people interact with their cars. The company’s Brain-to-Vehicle, or B2V, technology promises to speed up reaction times for drivers and will lead to future Nissan cars adapting to make driving more enjoyable.
Nissan will demonstrate capabilities of this exclusive technology at the CES 2018 trade show in Las Vegas. B2V is the latest development in Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s vision for transforming how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society.
“When most people think about autonomous driving, they have a very impersonal vision of the future, where humans relinquish control to the machines. Yet B2V technology does the opposite, by using signals from their own brain to make the drive even more exciting and enjoyable,” said Nissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci. “Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, we are moving people to a better world by delivering more autonomy, more electrification and more connectivity.”
This breakthrough from Nissan is the result of research into using brain decoding technology to predict a driver’s actions and detect discomfort:
Predict: By catching signs that the driver’s brain is about to initiate a movement – such as turning the steering wheel or pushing the accelerator pedal – driver assist technologies can begin the action more quickly. This can improve reaction times and enhance manual driving.
Detect: By detecting and evaluating driver discomfort, artificial intelligence can change the driving configuration or driving style when in autonomous mode.
Other possible uses include adjusting the vehicle’s internal environment, said Dr. Lucian Gheorghe, senior innovation researcher at the Nissan Research Center in Japan, who’s leading the B2V research. For example, the technology can use augmented reality to adjust what the driver sees and create a more relaxing environment.
“The potential applications of the technology are incredible,” Gheorghe said. “This research will be a catalyst for more Nissan innovation inside our vehicles in the years to come.”
Nissan’s B2V technology is the world’s first system of its kind. The driver wears a device that measures brain wave activity, which is then analyzed by autonomous systems. By anticipating intended movement, the systems can take actions – such as turning the steering wheel or slowing the car – 0.2 to 0.5 seconds faster than the driver, while remaining largely imperceptible.
Nissan will use a driving simulator to demonstrate some elements of the technology at CES, and Gheorghe will be on hand to answer questions. Nissan’s display will be at booth 5431 in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Hall.
Stay tuned for latest news updates on B2V technology for future Nissan cars.
In this article, we explain to you what are CBU and CKD cars and what is the difference between them. While CBU means Completely Built Units and CKD means Completely Knocked Down Units. CBUs are costlier than CKD units. Read ahead to know the difference between both of them.
Completely Built Units (CBU) refers to several imported cars and bikes which are direct bought in ready shape for its sale. The whole car has to be booked and an order has to be placed for you to buy it. It certainly demands very high charges like Excise duty and such. High-end cars like Mclaren, several Ferraris, even the Maybach is a CBU unit. On the other hand, Completely Knocked Down Units refers to high-end cars whose parts are officially imported from foreign countries and are assembled in the selling country. CKD cars in India include Renault Fluence, Jaguar’s XE, XF, XJ, Land Rover’s Evoque, Discovery Sport, and many others. CKD units are generally cheaper than the CBU units because of the local manufacturing leading to evasion of certain taxes. However, most of the supercars and superbikes are CBU units in India. Read ahead to know more about them.
What Is CBU – Completely Built Unit
A completely built unit is the terminology when a car/bike is imported/exported to/from some other country as a complete car fully assembled. These automobiles do not require an assembly before they can be sold out to the buyers in the target country’s markets. Most of the imported cars and bikes in India come as a CBU.
What Is CKD – Completely Knocked Down
Completely knocked down car/bike is one which is imported or exported in parts and not as one assembled unit. Such units are first sent to an assembly plant in the target country where all these parts are assembled and one complete vehicle is made using the imported components. These kinds of units generate employment in the target country as more machinery and manpower investment is needed to assemble the components to make the vehicle.
What’s The Difference: CBU Vs CKD
CBU and CKD do not differ much in terms of technological sense except for the fact that CBU cars/bikes/vehicles are assembled in the same country where they originate and then exported to the target country. CKD cars/bikes/vehicles are assembled in the target country where all the parts of the vehicles are assembled and then sold to the end customers.
When talking from the Indian perspective, CBU and CKD have a sharp difference in the import duties. At present, the import duties on a CBU vehicle coming to India from abroad is liable for an import duty of nearly 110% while the CKD attracts 60% duty. This sharp difference is strategically kept like this because CBU does not create as much of revenues and employment for the target country (India in this case). A CKD, when assembled in the target country, requires technology, infrastructure and manpower investment which generates business and employment opportunities in the target country, which is why it is motivated.
