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Protean Electric, a specialist in advanced in-wheel motors for the automotive industry, has been awarded 17 patents for the unique technology and design of its Protean Drive system. More than 60 additional patent applications have been filed internationally and with specific countries in North America, Europe and Asia. Protean Electric chairman and CEO Bob Purcell says his company’s in-wheel motor design is unlike conventional motors or combustion powertrains with electric motors added. "We started with a c

Boomerang Systems, a leading designer and manufacturer of fully automated robotic parking and self-storage systems, has announced the formation of a strategic partnership with Stokes Industries, a veteran parking industry provider with over 25 years experience in mechanical parking solutions throughout the world. The two companies have formed a joint venture that will provide the North American market with a full line of mechanical parking products and services, including design, engineering, installation a

Volvo Car Corporation warns that EU targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions are being jeopardised by the absence of harmonised incentives to consumers. Another key issue is the urge for continuous support to automotive research and development, including electromobility. Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation, told an industry seminar in Brussels yesterday that jobs, investment and competitiveness in the European car industry could be threatened by the European Commission's approach

Autoliv has announced it has developed a completely new concept for inflating airbags that is more environmentally friendly and more cost efficient than traditional inflator technologies. In addition, it reduces the inflator’s weight by 20 per cent compared to most inflators for the intended application.

Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL), a leader in the design and development of robotic laser surveying and mapping technology, has acquired 100 per cent share in Thomas Engineering (TEC) Manotick, Ottawa, the company’s Canadian technical and distribution facility, as part of its strategy to create a global laser measurement, manufacturing and distribution and services business. The multi-million dollar acquisition enables MDL and TEC to launch a new business, MDL Canada, which will focus on sales and service to t

PTV has unveiled what it claims is a major new innovation: map& guide internet, the first cloud-based transport route planner. Hauliers and logistics companies may now use the map&guide software as a service (SaaS). They can simply plug in and use the software directly over the Internet - saving time and money, since neither installation nor maintenance is required. PTV says the inexpensive solution, costing just €49 (US$65) per month, is particularly attractive for small and medium-sized businesses.

As part of its strategy to offer platform-based solutions tailored to key industries, Verizon has launched a new practice focused on developing telematics solutions. Led by industry veteran Martin Thall, it leverage the company's wireless, cloud and mobility platforms to develop and deploy integrated telematics solutions for key industries including automotive and transportation. While Verizon currently offers a wide range of machine-to-machine solutions, the new practice will leverage the full breadth of t

Jerry Wray, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODoT) director, has officially announced the Division of Innovative Delivery, a move he says is critical to identifying innovative and alternative funding solutions and advancing the agency’s goal developing long-term, sustainable solutions to fund future transportation construction projects. By reducing agency costs, commercialising non-interstate rest areas and seeking sponsorship and naming rights for certain infrastructure projects, the Ohio Department of T

Vehicle OEMs have traditionally focused on their core competency of vehicle usage and vehicle analysis, rather than transport operation. This has placed them at a disadvantage to independent aftermarket telematics vendors, whose core competence is in transport operation. OEMs have typically limited client contact after selling the vehicle. But this is expected to change once OEMs gradually start offering fleet management systems (FMS) as a standard in their models.

TomTom, via its joint venture partner AutoNavi Holdings, has announce a seven year agreement with Qoros Auto, an international automotive corporation. The partners will deliver HD Traffic, marking the first real time traffic customer for the newly expanded joint venture. In 2013 the first cars, aimed at young metropolitan users, will hit the streets in China equipped with HD Traffic, providing drivers with accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date traffic information available.

TÜV Rheinland’s ITS group, together with Booz Allen Hamilton, will support the US Department of Transportation (US DoT) Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office’s (ITS JPO) work to harmonise international ITS standards for connected vehicle technology. Specifically, TÜV Rheinland will bring to the US DoT European experiences and perspectives on the development and harmonisation of international connected vehicle standards. The standards address technologies that help build a strong and interc

China Yuchai International has announced that its main operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited (GYMCL) has inaugurated a new project to develop and produce a full portfolio of natural gas powered engines to complement its existing suite of diesel engines. In recent years, the policies of the Chinese government have encouraged energy conservation and emissions reduction.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has selected the RoadRunner on-board video surveillance system and vehicle information management (VIM) software from Apollo Video Technology for its fleet of approximately 1,000 transit buses, trains and mobility vans. The surveillance system is designed to enhance safety and security for Marta riders and employees by deterring criminal activity and serving as an investigative tool for the system’s police force.

‘Chancenrepublik Deutschland’ has introduced the Cloud 4 Society Award to honour innovative start-ups and businesses. PTV has been selected as was one of this year's winners in the eCommerce & Line of Business category for its online transport routeplanner, map&guide, the first cloud-based transport route planner, launched on 1 March, 2012.

The Times has reported that the UK government is drawing up plans to prevent drivers of untaxed or uninsured vehicles from filling up with fuel at petrol stations. The plans would use the existing network of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. The cameras are used to record vehicles details of motorists who do not pay for fuel. Pumps at most large forecourts will not start working until an image of the vehicle's numberplate has been captured and logged by an ANPR camera.

New Zealand road signal company Traffic Systems has won a contract to supply Transport for London (TfL) with pedestrian crossing equipment. It is one of two companies that have been selected to provide countdown timers for some 6,000 intersections in England’s capital. The company’s initial order, its first international contract, is for 300 units. However, Andrea Ransley, co-owner of Traffic Systems, says she is confident of further orders and says the deal is potentially worth tens of millions of dollars.

In the first two months following the launch of a congestion charge in Milan city centre, Italy, car transit in the area has decreased by 36 per cent to 87,095 vehicles per day. Overall, car journeys decreased by some two million, and it was found that cars owned by residents in the area only accounted for 11 per cent of the total, while six per cent are public service vehicles.

Autovision Wireless, a fleet management company specialising in GPS tracking, anti-idling and fleet management software, has announced the acquisition of the assets of SFT Telematics of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. SFT offers specialised GPS tracking and fleet management solutions to the oil & gas, transportation, and construction industries among others. The company has been in business since 1998 and provides M2M services to several thousand subscribers in Canada and the USA. The terminals operate over cell

For the fifth year running, Fiat Automobiles has recorded the lowest level of CO2 emissions by vehicles sold in Europe in 2011, with an average measurement of 118.2 g/km (4.9 g/km less than the 2010 average). Fiat also ranked first as a Group, with 123.3 g/km, an improvement of 2.6 g/km on last year. The record is certified by JATO Dynamics, a leading automotive consultancy and research firm. Over the last five years Fiat has reduced its average emissions by 14 per cent, from 137.3 to 118.2 g/km of CO2, sig

GE Capital Fleet Services is introducing a new toll management programme in the US for fleet managers that increases their visibility of and control over toll expenses, while reducing administrative tasks and cost burdens. This new programme is being unveiled as US states and municipalities increasingly use toll collection as a source of revenue with the average toll violation increasing 20 per cent from 2010 to 2011 to US$60 per violation. As part of the programme, enrolled vehicles use electronic tolling