Parking crashes usually don’t result in serious injuries, but repair costs can quickly mount, along with the hassle of going without the family vehicle while waiting for the body shop to finish work. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has launched a rear crash prevention ratings program to help consumers identify models with the technology that can prevent or mitigate low-speed backing crashes. Two systems earn the highest rating of superior, and four earn the second-highest rating of advanced.
Rear crash prevention encompasses several technologies. Parking sensors issue warning beeps and/or seat vibrations when the equipped vehicle gets too close to another vehicle or object directly behind it, or, in some cases, in front of it. Rear cross-traffic alert warns drivers of approaching vehicles that might cross their path as they back up. Rear automatic emergency braking systems detect objects behind a reversing vehicle and may automatically brake if the driver doesn’t heed alerts to stop.
IIHS engineers evaluated rear autobrake systems on six popular 2017 model vehicles — the BMW 5 series sedan, Cadillac XT5 SUV, Infiniti QX60 SUV, Jeep Cherokee SUV, Subaru Outback wagon and Toyota Prius hatchback.
Under the three-tier rating scheme, models with optional or standard rear crash prevention systems are rated superior, advanced or basic. Ratings are determined by whether the vehicles have available rear autobrake and, if so, how it performs in a series of car-to-car and car-to-pole tests with different approach angles. The availability of parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert also is factored in.
The Outback and XT5 earn a superior rating when equipped with optional rear autobrake, parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Cherokee, 5 series, QX60 and Prius earn an advanced rating with this optional gear.
Volvo Cars’ all-new XC90 – which will be revealed in August – will offer the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry. The new technologies will take the company a significant step closer to its vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020.
The XC90 is the first car in the world with technology that features automatic braking if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car. This is a common scenario at busy city crossings as well as on highways, where the speed limits are higher. The all-new Volvo XC90 detects a potential crash and brakes automatically in order to avoid a collision or mitigate the consequences of a crash.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400582-all-new-volvo-XC90-safest-car
Volvo Cars’ all-new XC90 – which will be revealed in August – will offer the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry. The new technologies will take the company a significant step closer to its vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400582-all-new-volvo-XC90-safest-car
The Honda CR-V has won Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year for 2015.
The CR-V claims the title with a long list of vehicle enhancements for 2015, including its improved fuel economy and uncompromised driving dynamics, thanks to the inclusion of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology™ powertrain, the launch of an all-new Touring trim, the debut of Honda Sensing™ assistive and driver safety technologies and the CR-V’s excellent value for money paradigm.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7258851-honda-cr-v-named-2015-motor-trend-sport-utility-of-the-year/
iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), the leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, today announced the Roomba 980 vacuum cleaning robot – iRobot’s most capable and best cleaning robotic vacuum to date. Roomba 980 is the first Roomba to combine adaptive navigation with visual localization, cloud connected app control, and increased cleaning power on carpets, helping people to keep cleaner floors throughout the entire home at the push of a button.
“With more than 14 million robots in people’s homes worldwide, iRobot is the global leader in automated home cleaning,” said Colin Angle, chairman and chief executive officer of iRobot. “Roomba 980 is the next big step as it marks iRobot’s first cloud connected product with mapping capabilities for the consumer market. Leveraging the cloud and mapping technologies, robots gain a better understanding of their environment, and customers are provided with more control. Looking ahead, these technologies will also enable expanded capabilities for connected robots in the smart home.”
“Vacuum cleaning robots can’t rely on any one feature or technology to clean effectively,” said Christian Cerda, executive vice president and general manager of iRobot’s Home Robots business unit. “Vacuum performance, efficient navigation, adapting to ever-changing environments and cleaning under furniture where dirt is hiding are all important factors, and they must be balanced. Roomba 980 takes this into account to deliver convenient, customized, powerful cleaning assistance, each and every day.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7625951-irobot-roomba-980-vacuum-cleaning-robot/
Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the all-new 2017 Optima Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) at the Chicago Auto Show. Kia’s first PHEV joined two other fuel-efficient additions to the brand’s growing line-up of eco-friendly vehicles, including the all-new 2017 Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle (HUV) and all-new 2017 Optima Hybrid (HEV), all three of which are being introduced under the Kia Motors EcoDynamics environmentally friendly sub-brand. A host of new technologies and features in the Kia Optima PHEV, including a more powerful hybrid engine, a smarter and more robust telematics system, exterior design enhancements, and greater interior refinement, all combine to deliver a superior hybrid drive experience.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7731854-kia-optima-plug-in-hybrid-chicago-auto-show/
A decade ago Turtle Beach Corporation (NASDAQ: HEAR), a leading audio technology company for over 40 years, pioneered the console gaming headset category and is set to do so again in 2016 with its revolutionary Turtle Beach® Elite Pro Tournament Gaming Headset, Elite Pro Tactical Audio Controller (T.A.C.) and Elite Pro accessories designed for competitive gamers, which establishes a new standard for eSports gaming audio performance and comfort. Turtle Beach’s “Elite” series products represent the highest level in audio and build quality, and the all-new Elite Pro Headset, T.A.C. and Elite Pro accessories are the Company’s all-new line of competitive gaming audio gear created to meet the demands of today’s professional and aspiring pro teams and players.
The Elite Pro Headset’s journey began in 2013. Seeing the consistent growth and popularity of eSports, Turtle Beach launched a comprehensive scientific research program to deeply examine the needs of professional and hardcore gamers as it pertained to game audio, communicating with teammates, and overall comfort. The result is the all-new Elite Pro Tournament Gaming Headset – a ground-up redesign of the competitive gaming headset that brings to market multiple first-and-only innovations in the core mechanics of headset design, weight and fit. Not only does the Elite Pro Headset provide Turtle Beach’s best-in-class game audio and chat performance, but also delivers groundbreaking comfort-driven technologies, including the ComforTec® Fit System with multiple adjustment points for a truly personalized headset fit and feel, Aerofit® Ear Cushions that stay cool in the heat of battle, and Turtle Beach’s all-new patented ProSpecs® Glasses Relief System that finally makes wearing a gaming headset comfortable for players who wear glasses.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7537953-turtle-beach-optic-gaming-elite-pro/
At this year’s Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE), MICHELIN Tweel Technologies announced it has partnered with John Deere to equip its ZTRAK™ 900 Series line-up of zero-turn commercial mowers with the ground-breaking MICHELIN® X® TWEEL® TURF™ as original equipment to replace a standard 24x12x12 tire. Available on the 54-, 60- and 72-inch deck sizes, the MICHELIN X TWEEL TURF eliminates downtime and is maintenance free.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7347552-michelin-x-tweel-turf-tires-exclusively-on-john-deere-ztrak-900-series-mowers/
Volvo Cars’ all-new XC90 – which will be revealed in August – will offer the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry. The new technologies will take the company a significant step closer to its vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400582-all-new-volvo-XC90-safest-car
Triax Technologies Inc and Washington Youth Soccer have announced a long-term partnership to track and assess head impacts among top level youth players. Findings from the large scale collection of data will be used to identify trends and potential risks to inform training protocols which will be publically shared to encourage best practices.
Players from the Washington Youth Soccer Elite Player Development (EPD) program (U12-U18) will wear the Triax Technologies Smart Impact Monitors (SIM™) as they compete in the prestigious US Youth Soccer Region IV Olympic Development Program (ODP) Championships January 8–11 in Phoenix, AZ, and will continue throughout their careers with Washington Youth Soccer.
Triax SIM™ devices are worn in comfortable, unobtrusive headbands to record head impacts, and transmit data in real time from the field to a smart phone or tablet on the sideline. This cutting edge technology allows players to track up to 180 individual head impacts measuring the G–force of direct hits and jarring through linear and rotational measures.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7416151-triax-technologies-impact-monitoring/
For negotiators at the Paris climate conference (COP21) to successfully advance global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, nations must embrace a prominent role for nuclear energy.
The Obama administration highlighted the crucial role of nuclear energy when it convened a White House Summit on Nuclear Energy earlier this month. “As America leads the global transition to a low-carbon economy, the continued development of new and advanced nuclear technologies along with support for currently operating nuclear power plants is an important component of our clean energy strategy,” a White House fact sheet developed for the summit states. Many environmentalists are also giving nuclear energy a second look, as they seek practical solutions to constrain carbon emissions.
Nuclear energy facilities provide 63 percent of America’s zero-carbon electricity. Globally, nuclear power plants provide one-third of all zero-carbon electricity. One of nuclear energy’s major advantages relative to other low-carbon energy sources is its unique ability to produce large-scale electricity around-the-clock in extreme weather conditions. Nuclear energy facilities don’t rely on the wind blowing, the sun shining, or just-in-time deliveries of fuel by truck, barge, rail or pipeline. In 2014, the U.S. nuclear energy industry’s average capacity factor—a common measure of efficiency and reliability—was 92 percent.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7694251-nuclear-energy-cop21-climate-goals/
For a group of budding business people, living with senior citizens for five days gives impetus to their dreams. It also encourages innovation that could improve the lives of the aging. They are all participants in Brookdale’s Entrepreneur in Residence program, part of the company’s “Rewiring Aging” initiative to enrich seniors’ lives through technology. Recently launched by America’s largest senior living provider, the program offers those entrepreneurs developing products and services for seniors the opportunity to move in for that period of time so they can better understand the true wants and needs of the aging.
“The majority of start-ups focus on younger markets, but we have seen a growing number of entrepreneurs interested in building solutions for seniors and their families” said Andrew Smith, Brookdale’s director of strategy and innovation. “The 80 and above age group is America’s fastest-growing population. We believe there’s an enormous opportunity to enhance seniors’ lives with new technologies, services, products and business models. This program gives entrepreneurs a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we hope will inspire even more innovation for the aging.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7722155-brookdale-senior-living-innovate/