Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group: Small Cars & Big Dreams

• The Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group is a growing organization in both Michigan and Canada.
• Those who enjoy science and engineering will feel right at home, but the group is open to everyone.  
• Founder Alex Polonsky says the group’s mission is to use new technology to make our world better.

It’s Saturday in Ferndale, Michigan, a quiet community just north of the mighty Motor City. It’s here where a group of self-described “techies” are meeting to share their love for science and innovation. Head over to Ann Arbor, and the same thing is happening at Washtenaw Community College. Travel across the border to Ottawa, Canada and another gathering of the same techies is taking place. Each are chapters of the flourishing Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group (DAVG for short), a grassroots organization where members are “democratizing technology by doing.”

“We want to provide the community with a free and open place to explore new technologies, and fulfill their curiosity on the latest advancements, such as Artificial Intelligence and automated robots,” explained Alex Polonsky, DAVG Founder. “This brings us together and gives us a common goal, all while learning, meeting people, and having fun.”

Realizing A Dream

Polonsky is a bilingual engineer with a passion for mobility and technological innovation. Born in Russia and raised in San Francisco, California, he worked at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley designing the next-generation waste recycling systems for the space program. Despite a rewarding and promising career, Polonsky packed his bags for the Motor City in 2011. Today he is an electronics engineer with the Brose Group in nearby Auburn Hills.

“I decided to pursue a dream of making a difference through transportation and moved to Detroit,” Polonsky recalled. “Since moving I have been able to combine my passion for automobiles and technology through autonomous vehicles.”

DAVG Founder Alex Polonsky with an autonomous RC car during AutoSens 2018 at the Michigan Science Center. “We’ve really tried to build a fun environment to work on some of the most complex topics of robotics and automation,” he said. During meetups, members build self-driving RC cars.

Filling A Void

In February of 2017, while taking Udacity’s Self Driving Car Nanodegree course, Polonsky began thinking about starting his own group; one focused on self-driving cars but one in which members could apply their skills to real world applications. At the time, nothing like DAVG existed in the Detroit area. There wasn’t a place where automotive enthusiasts and professionals could work together on automation systems in a type of learning environment. The more Polonsky thought about it, the more it made sense to start something.

“Detroit didn’t have anything like our group and I thought it really should have something like this,” he said. “We have a place where people can have fun while learning about the latest complex technologies with others.”

DAVG now meets most Saturdays, during which members work on their self-driving RC cars. They hold monthly competitions where they race their creations and learn from each other’s experiences. As DAVG continues to grow, the group wants to add more layers to their Saturday meetings.

“We want to hold more monthly or bi-monthly races with more complex challenges, such as navigating a self-driving RC car through a scaled city,” Polonsky said. “We also want to work on new communication protocols, such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. From there, we would like to invent new applications for the existing technologies and apply them in new ways.”

Members collaborate with each other during meetups. The Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group has over 1,000 members between three different chapters.

Bringing New Ideas To Life

At the first meeting, only two members showed but the message spread rather quickly. The organization today includes over 1,000 members between the Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Ottawa, Canada chapters. DAVG is now the official Detroit chapter of the DIYRobocars community, which includes over 15,000 people in more than 15 countries. Through these associations, some DAVG members have achieved remarkable success.

“The group at DAVG helped me get my startup, Passenger AI, off the ground,” explained CEO Martin Shen. “It was a great sounding board, and I even had one of the group members build the first prototype.”

Said prototype would help Shen land over one million in secured funding for the company’s operations in Toronto, Canada. Passenger AI creates robotaxi interior monitoring systems, which use machine vision and machine learning. The technology detects human movement and other impending dangers, thereby making robotaxis safer.

“Martin joined DAVG in the beginning of 2018, before founding Passenger AI, and was immediately a great fit because of his entrepreneurial mindset,” Polonsky said. “He collaborated with a couple of the group members to help him build his idea. Two months later the first prototype was born.”

The Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group ran their self-driving RC cars during AutoSens 2018 at the Michigan Science Center.

Everyone Is Welcome

Audi Senior R&D Engineer Zikang Ma says the days he spent with DAVG are among the greatest times of his life. Ma is now with Audi China’s Highly Automated Driving division, a dream job he says blossomed out of the confidence he gained through DAVG.

“It’s a great place to start if you want to switch to the future of automobiles,” Ma explained. “Don’t be afraid if you have no experience now; this is the right place to build a great career if you are eager learn and make progress for the future.”

“We are open to people from all walks of life to join us in learning, having fun, and growing the community,” Polonsky added. “We are not limited to only those who know about the technology. Instead, we want to share with anyone who is interested to learn and find out more.”

Some members come from completely different fields, and that’s okay.

“One of our group members, whose background is in political science, got hooked on the community,” Polonsky continued. “His favorite part is participating in brainstorming sessions and helping choose what technologies we work on next which might change the world.”

Inspiring Younger Generations

Starting on May 11th, DAVG is hosting the Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Adventure weekend. The two-day hackathon is meant to inspire the imaginations of kids, ages 12 to 17. On Saturday the 11th, kids will learn programming basics then transition to a hands-on session with autonomous RC cars. On Sunday, the kids will race their autonomous RC cars, receiving feedback on different categories like creativity, teamwork, and speed.

“The goal is to provide a full experience, from theory, to hands-on, to real world,” Polonsky said.

After Sunday’s race, kids can enjoy an F1 simulator provided by OmniSci. Industry professionals will be in attendance for kids to talk with over the weekend too. A number of influential entities in the field are supporting the upcoming hackathon. Companies like Dataspeed and Intrepid Control Systems; educational institutions like Lawrence Tech University, and the global AutoSens conference: all are supporting the event.

“Our mission is to provide an unforgettable experience where kids want to come back for more, and hopefully build something awesome later in their lives,” Polonsky added.

One of the missions of DAVG is to inspire today’s youth with the promises of science, technology, and innovation.

Making The World Better

The Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group is growing and their community is becoming more dynamic and diverse. Those with a passion for science, innovation, and technology are encouraged to contact DAVG through their official website. A list of upcoming events can be found here. If you consider yourself a techie and you want to meet like-minded people, DAVG is the place for you.

“We are a group of techies who share a common vision for using technology to better the world,” Polonsky said. “Hopefully we can leave this place a little better than we found it by using technology.”

Carl Anthony studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan. Before going back to school, he simultaneously held product development and experiential marketing roles in the automotive industry. 

from Automoblog.net http://bit.ly/2Le9B78

Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes When Shipping Your Car

• When it comes to shipping your car, there are some common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid. 
• From pick up to delivery, it’s important to know the facts and what to expect ahead of time.  
• The experts at RoadRunner Auto Transport explain what to look for when shipping your car.  

Many people who ship a car are doing so for the first time. Most people go into the process completely unprepared. Taking the right steps to research the auto transport companies you are considering can help you save money and frustration. Then, taking the correct steps to prepare for your shipment can help you save time and energy.

One of the easiest ways to avoid making mistakes is to start planning your shipment well in advance. If you know you need to ship your car, you should start thinking about it at least two months in advance. Then, you should book your shipment at least a month in advanced.

In addition to that, here are the most common mistakes to avoid when shipping your car.

Mistake #1: Not Being Ready

When the driver comes to pick up your car, you need to be ready for the process. Your car needs to be clean so they can inspect it and take note of any existing damage on the bill of lading. You also need to have the proper documentation ready for them to check. This includes photo identification (valid license or passport), your e-mail confirmation of your booking printed out, your insurance certificate, proof of vehicle ownership as well as the vehicle’s registration.

Mistake #2: Not Doing Enough Research

A lot of people will just Google “auto transport” or a similar search term, and immediately book with the first company they find. However, there are, unfortunately, a lot of unsavory companies out there. Some companies will offer bait and switch pricing; then after they have possession of your vehicle, will inform you there has “been an issue” and that you need to pay an additional amount. This can total several hundred dollars in order for your shipment to continue. If you do not pay, they will hold your car, possibly until you take them to court.

Either way, you will be without your car for a while because of this.

Some companies will damage your car and refuse to pay for it. Others might have poor customer service. However, there are good and trustworthy companies out there when you need to ship a car. You just need to do the research to verify they are trusted before you book your car shipment. Use sites like Consumer Reports along with Google reviews to see what past customers have to say about any vehicle transport company. The more research you do ahead of time, the better.

Mistake #3: Trusting “Too Good To Be True” Promises

Auto transport is a process where unpredictable things can happen during the course of a shipment. This includes traffic delays and inclement weather delays. It is realistically not possible for an auto transport company to guarantee a single day as a delivery date. Any reputable or semi-reputable car shipping company will give you a three to five-day window, depending on the overall length of the shipment, and when they will drop off your car at its destination.

Mistake #4: Leaving Personal Items In Your Vehicle

If you leave personal items in your car during shipment, they will not be covered by the shipping insurance if they are lost or damaged. So, if you leave any valuables in the car and they go missing or get damaged, you will need to cover the entire cost of replacing them. Do yourself a favor and remove any valuable items from your vehicle before it gets picked up for shipping.

Mistake #5: Not Recording Damage

Always write down any damage incurred during the shipment on the bill of lading. Once your car is delivered, you will need to conduct your own visual inspection. This way you will ensure that no damage occurred during the transport of your vehicle. Unfortunately but rarely, damage does occur. However, if it does, mark it down on the bill of lading during your inspection at delivery. This way you can file a damage claim with that particular car shipping company. If you don’t do this when your car is delivered and the driver is still there, you won’t be able to file a damage claim.

And you will end up paying to repair the damage yourself.

Conclusion

The auto shipping process can be simple and easy or complicated and frustrating. It all depends on how prepared you are for your vehicle to be picked up and delivered, as well as how few of the previously mentioned mistakes you make. Use this guide from the very start of the car shipping process when you are gathering quotes and researching companies, all the way until your car has been delivered safely.

Avoiding these missteps could save you thousands of dollars and a ton of time too.

This advice provided by RoadRunner Auto Transport, a leader in nationwide door-to-door auto shipping services. Their dedicated team of shipping professionals will arrange and transport your vehicle with care from start to finish. RoadRunner Auto Transport provides reliable car shipping for both individuals and companies, moving thousands of vehicles on a monthly basis. 

from Automoblog.net http://bit.ly/2UO4VEs

A Dakar-Inspired Royal Enfield Himalayan from Fuel

It’s almost time for Fuel Bespoke Motorcycles to kick off their eighth annual Scram Africa expedition. It’s a 4,000 km dirt tour that happens in North Africa, specifically for classics and modern classics. So it’s also a great excuse to build a new custom bike.

The Spanish shop has just buttoned up this retro-fabulous scrambler, and it suits the Scram ethos perfectly. It’s based on a 2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan, chosen for its simplicity and relatively compact proportions.

The Himalayan’s 411 cc single only makes 24.5 hp and 32 Nm; they’re not big numbers, but neither is the purchase price ($4,499).

“We think it can perform pretty well in the Atlas mountains and Morocco desert,” says Fuel boss Karles Vives. “Speed is not as important as lightness, maneuverability and simplicity.”

While the Himalayan makes sense on paper, it’s a bit hard to figure out visually. Still, Karles and his team saw potential right away. “From the first time we saw the Himalayan,” he says, “we thought that inside that bike there was a potential rally bike from the 80s.”

“It calls to mind motorcycles like the Yamaha XT500 or Honda XL, prepared for the first editions of the Paris Dakar. Simple, light and functional bikes.”

Fuel’s work on the Himalayan is clever rather than exhaustive. They’ve kept the stock tank and most of the original subframe—but ditched the gawky headlight fairing and accompanying frame-slash-tank guards.

Up front, you’ll find a classic enduro headlight and shroud, and a big ol’ dirt bike fender. The crew also fitted new Tommaselli bars, and a set of burly brush guards to protect the controls in case of a tip-over.

Peek around the headlight mask, and you’ll spot a small Koso speedo, a custom switch panel, and a set of foam rally grips. One of the buttons now switches the Enfield’s ABS on and off; additional functionality that Fuel built in.

And there’s even a USB charge port, so that whoever’s piloting this scrambler can keep Instagram updated at all times (joke).

There’s some trick reworking happening out back too. Fuel built a solo seat, then took off the passenger pegs—but left the brackets, so that the operation can be reversed. The original pillion area’s now covered by a blank-off plate, and a removable custom-built luggage rack.

Since the area in front of the back wheel is sealed off—and the tail is quite long—there isn’t really need for a big rear fender. So Fuel simply installed a minimal LED tail light and plate mount combo to round it off.

They then recycled one of the tank protectors, modded it, and mounted it on the left as a pannier bracket. There’s a custom exhaust hangar on the other side, holding up the modified silencer from a Suzuki RMZ450.

Fuel also installed a Powertronic ECU to get the fueling just right—but that’s as far as the performance mods go. Reliability and simplicity were key factors here. Finishing kit includes a new set of indicators, grippy foot pegs, and a set of Pirelli MT 21 Rallycross tires on the stock 21F/17R wheels. And Karles made a point of thanking his regular suppliers, and his mechanic, Carles with a ‘C,’ for their input on the project.

It’s a no-fuss build, with an equally no-fuss livery; white, with enough red to conjure up images of the Paris Dakar’s glory days. And we’re betting it’d look even better traversing Moroccan sands.

“We will ride the Himalayan at the Scram Africa 2019 edition,” Karles assures us. “A trip to Africa where we ride through all kind of terrains, mud, asphalt, sand… a hard test for the bikes and the riders, a real challenge!”

Fuel Motorcycles website | Facebook | Instagram

from Bike EXIF http://bit.ly/2vreTl9

2020 Cadillac CT5: Reviving the American Sport-Luxury Sedan

• Inspired by the Escala concept, the 2020 Cadillac CT5 is the replacement for the CTS.
• Cadillac’s Super Cruise system for the CT5 utilizes LiDAR map data and high-precision GPS.
• Two engines and three different trim levels will be offered when the CT5 becomes available. 

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 needs to fulfill a demanding role. It strives to resuscitate the dying sports sedan segment while giving buyers a worthy alternative to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, and BMW 3-Series. Unfortunately, it is also battling with the wonderful Genesis G70, Audi A5 Sportback, and the beauteous Alfa Romeo Giulia, which are not exactly pushovers to begin with.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 is the venerable replacement for the aging CTS. Despite having smaller dimensions, the CT5 wants to address the shortcomings of the existing CTS by having more room, sportier handling, and the latest tech gadgets to match.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5: Designed To Impress

First and foremost, a sports sedan should look the part. How else would it attract potential buyers who are otherwise looking to purchase a crossover or SUV? Thankfully, the new Cadillac CT5 has all the bases covered with its sporty and luxurious vibe in terms of styling. The model range at launch includes the Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. Each is graphically different, but each retain the aggressive and sporty styling of the Escala concept car. For example, the luxury versions of the CT5 receive brighter exterior accents and unique grille inlays. On the other hand, the Sport model has darker accents, performance-inspired detailing, 19-inch wheels, and a rear spoiler.

“From every angle, the CT5 exudes athleticism, sophistication, and confidence,” said Andrew Smith, Executive Director of global Cadillac design. “Cadillac’s signature hard-edge cues have evolved to a more sculptural and fluid expression of the brand’s design language.”

The sportier profile of the Cadillac CT5 is due in large part to the longer, 116-inch wheelbase and the sweeping fastback profile, which is remarkably similar to the silhouette of the Kia Stinger. The new CT5 sits on top of GM’s Alpha platform. The result is a sedan with lower proportions, taut character lines, and shorter overhangs in the front and rear.

“The first-ever Cadillac CT5 showcases Cadillac’s unique expertise in crafting American luxury sedans,” said Steve Carlisle, Cadillac President. “Its details elevate every drive and reward the senses.”

2020 Cadillac CT5 in Premium Luxury trim. Photo: Cadillac.

Turbocharged Power

Based on looks alone, the Cadillac CT5 is a welcome relief from the angular styling cues of the CTS. When viewed entirely from the front, the new CT5 has subtle hints of the Mazda 6 and Chevrolet Camaro. Meanwhile, the controversial rear pillar design is lifted directly from the aforementioned Cadillac Escala concept car.

But all this beauty is for naught without a powerhouse motor. The 2020 Cadillac CT5 is available with two engine options. The Luxury trim receives a 2.0-liter four-banger with twin twin-scroll turbocharging to produce 237 horsepower. This engine benefits from a three-step sliding camshaft for greater torque delivery across the power band.

Higher trim models get a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 335 horsepower and 400 lb-ft. of torque. Both engines are connected to a 10-speed automatic with standard rear-wheel drive and an optional all-wheel drive system. Cadillac went further by equipping both engines with direct injection, cylinder deactivation, camshaft phasing, and an automatic stop/start system.

2020 Cadillac CT5 Sport. Photo: Cadillac.

Related: Cadillac enters the “Goldilocks zone” with the new XT6.

Enhanced Driving Dynamics

Performance, comfort, and refinement: these are the qualities that define the new CT5, according to Cadillac. In order to achieve all this, the CT5 makes good use of the double-pivot MacPherson front and five-link independent rear suspension. It also comes with ZF MVS passive dampers and a Bosch rack-mounted electric power steering system to further enhance handling, ride comfort, and steering feel.

The car even gets selectable drive modes to make it run with the rest of the German and Japanese pack. Drivers can select Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode to calibrate the transmission shift points, steering firmness, braking feel, and the torque split in the front and rear wheels (for AWD models). Toggling between each mode will also alter the audible character of the CT5.

Plush Interior

Cadillac wasn’t looking to reinvent the wheel in designing the interior of the CT5. The primary focus is on material quality, attention to detail, and overall craftsmanship. You’ll find carbon fiber, open-pore wood trim, and soft leather inside the CT5. The Platinum Package adds heated and ventilated front seats, upgraded leather trim in the armrest and center console, magnesium paddle shifters, and alloy pedals. Perhaps the most prominent part of the instrument panel is the standard 10-inch touchscreen.

The new Cadillac CT5 will also come with AppleCarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a premium Bose audio system.

2020 Cadillac XT5 interior layout. Photo: Cadillac.

Super Cruise Hands-Free Driving

If Tesla has Autopilot, Cadillac has Super Cruise. I don’t know about you, but Super Cruise sounds better and is less geeky. Whatever the case, Super Cruise allows CT5 drivers to enjoy the benefits of a self-driving car. First seen in the CT6 sedan, the 2020 CT5 is the first Cadillac to have Super Cruise since then.

Cadillac is planning to make Super Cruise available on all models beginning next year, with other GM brands to follow after that time. Super Cruise can automatically steer, brake, and keep the vehicle positioned on the highway in certain, optimal conditions. This driver assistance feature utilizes LiDAR map data, high-precision GPS, and an innovative driver attention system, along with radar sensors and data from a network of cameras. The technology gives you the freedom to drive the Cadillac CT5 hands-free on more than 130,000-miles of limited-access freeways in the United States and Canada.

If this means cruising on the highway while eating a cheesesteak sandwich, I’m all in.

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 also features adaptive remote start technology and a hands-free, foot-activated automatic trunk. The former allows you to remotely activate the ventilated seats, climate control system, and heated steering wheel so the CT5 is all cozy when you enter the car.

The new Cadillac CT5’s interior benefits from softer and more luxurious materials. Photo: Cadillac.

2020 Cadillac CT5 Pricing & Availability

The 2020 Cadillac CT5 is built at GM’s Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan. It will be available for ordering this fall. No word yet on pricing, but we’re guessing the CT5 will start between $47,000 and $50,000.

Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine. 

2020 Cadillac CT5 Gallery

Photos & Source: Cadillac.

from Automoblog.net http://bit.ly/2WloAx6