Skip to main content

Latest by Bruce Brown

tesla mobileye autopilot component conflict fremont factory

Tesla is causing an explosion in Bay Area manufacturing

With its 6 million square foot Fremont, California factory, Tesla is attracting component suppliers as well as tech-focused automotive companies.
tesla eco green auto clean pilot superchargers  1

Soon you might be able to get your Tesla washed eco-friendly style while you charge it

If a pilot at Tesla's Fremont, California factory works out, environmentally friendly Eco-Green Auto Clean service may be available at Superchargers.
tiny core desktop operating system 18480824  plugging removable flash disk memory into laptop usb slot

Malware alert — don’t plug in that USB stick you found on the street

Hackers who want to control your computer can use USB sticks for the job. If you find a random USB stick somewhere, don't plug it in.
data center google

Is LoRa (long-range) wireless the key to harnessing the Internet of Things?

Devices in the Internet of Things need only exchange small bits of information, making Long Range (LoRa) wireless the most practical network.
Volkswagen

VW’s new filter cuts gas engine soot, and by quite a lot

Volkswagen Group announced it will use gasoline particulate filters to reduce emissions. The company claims GPFs cut particulate matter by 90 percent.
Tesla logo

Tesla emerges from 'production hell' poised to ramp things up in second half of year

Tesla had mixed financial performance in the second quarter but now saws production ready for the rest of the year. Semi and minibus unveiling in 2017.
big rig trucks vulnerable to hacking tractor trailer feat

Big truck hijacking vulnerability should be a wake-up call to trucking industry

University of Michigan researchers demonstrated the ability to take over a tractor-trailer and a school bus via an open code system.
2017 Ford Escape

Ford recalls 830,000 vehicles due to issue that could cause door to open unexpectedly

A faulty latch spring can break in certain Ford models, causing the door to open while the vehicle is moving. Ford has recalled 830,000 vehicles.
bloomberg waste not want it trash art wnwi starboard dsc 1133

Eye of the beholder: Office trash converted into furniture and art

For the fifth time since 2010, Bloomberg has commissioned artists to create functional furniture and art installations made from discarded company trash.
VW BUDD-e side

It won hearts at CES and now the VW BUDD-e is named Concept Truck of the Year

After rave ratings at its CES debut, the VW BUDD-e concept minibus was given the nod for production. Now it has won the Concept Truck of the Year award.
digital divide smartphones dont help young boy working on computer with headphones and mouse

A house digitally divided: are smartphones enough to replace home internet?

A California study showed increases in home broadband internet access, but for many access is limited to smartphones, which does not help with education.
electra meccanica solo 3 wheel electric car feat

Solo, an electric 3-wheeler, goes on sale in U.S. and Canada in September

Electra Meccanica's 3-wheel all-electric car goes on sale in Canada and the U.S. in September. The single-passenger Solo has a range 100 miles per charge.
iheartmedia launches two new streaming services 28159403  businessman relaxing on train listening to music

Amazon’s smart noise-cancellation switch could literally be a lifesaver

A patent granted to Amazon enables noise-cancellation suspension based on keywords, audible, and non-audible signals.
goldman sachs downgrades tesla stock model 3 delays feat

CEO Musk wants Tesla lineup, including van built on pickup chassis, to B S3XY

Speculation in the world of all things Tesla recently turned to questions about a van built on the same chassis as a promised "new kind of pickup truck.
Delphi self-driving Audi SQ5

Delphi hopes to make self-driving taxis a reality in Singapore by 2022

Delphi is embarking on a three-year project, with the goal of introducing commercial driverless taxi service to Singapore by 2022.
daimler blacklane private chauffeur expansion car service feat

Daimler’s Blacklane private driver portal gets set for huge expansion

Already present in 200 cities in 50 countries, Daimler Blacklane private car service has just received another financing round to expand even further.
Tesla logo

Tesla and SolarCity formally engaged as directors approve acquisition

The respective management boards of Tesla and SolarCity approved Tesla's purchase of SolarCity. SEC and shareholder approval are still required.
new car tech raises crash repair costs 2100417  wreck with a rolled over

Don't go into shock over the repair estimate after an accident with a new car

A wider range of body materials loaded with cameras, sensors, wiring, and radar is driving the costs of new car damage repairs sky high.
mydx mobile purity analyzer water air organic food cannabis my dx

Test the quality and purity of water, air, food, and cannabis with MyDx

Startup CDx has a mobile purity analyzer with replaceable nanosensors to sample, analyze, and report water, air, food, and cannabis quality.
Best VR Headset

Got a killer VR idea? HTC is starting a $100 million accelerator for Vive

HTC has allocated $100 million to help developers get Vive VR-related products to market. Applications open in November for second batch of startups.
china solar energy 36931392  power for electric renewable from the sun farm

Chernobyl nuclear exclusion zone could become the world’s largest solar farm

Canadian energy companies, U.S. investment firms, and Ukraine government negotiating to build a 1GWh solar plant at the site of the Chernobyl meltdown.
pennsylvania paper trail voting machine people in booth

Could our fall election by thrown off by hacked voting booths?

Reports that Russian hackers were responsible for breaching the Democratic party's computers raise concerns about voting booth security.
uk uber loses driver case

Uber is not decreasing drunk driving deaths, according to study

Despite Uber survey rider statements that it helps them avoid driving drunk, drunk driving fatalities haven't decreased, study says. It may be too early.
krispy kreme cheerwine doughnut soda research 1200x797

That time you wanted a doughnut with your soda, but maybe not IN your soda

What do you get when you add glazed-doughnut flavor to cherry soda? Cheerwine Kreme combines Southern "legendary classics" in a limited distribution drink.
2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter red side angle

Mercedes-Benz Sprinters sold in the US to be made in the US (not just put back together)

Since 2006 Mercedes Sprinter vans sold in the U.S. have been made in Germany, taken apart, shipped, and reassembled in U.S. Now they'll be built here.
Tesla logo

Michigan shuts out Tesla direct sales, incurs ire of resident Tesla owners

Michigan's efforts to maintain a ban on automakers selling cars directly to consumers prompt over 400 Tesla-owning residents to fight back.
uber rider driver ratings

Not just for toddlers: Uber drivers get ‘timeouts’ if they turn down UberPool rides

Uber drivers say UberPool rides more often result in poor rider ratings, but refusing them causes the company to give drivers timeouts.
ford mit ev campus shuttle pedestrians project cq5dam web 1024 768

Ford goes to college to learn about auto mobility

Ford and MIT researchers are collaborating on a mobility services study on the MIT campus. Electric shuttles will learn how to show up when needed.
2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Consumer groups tell FTC that Mercedes E300 Drive-Pilot TV ad is misleading, ad withdrawn

Concerned a Mercedes TV ad for the 2017 E300 with Drive Pilot gives drivers a false sense of security, Consumer Reports and other groups alerted the FTC.
uber settles driver background check case man driving in car the city ride share lyft getaround zipcar

Uber alerts drivers to distracted ‘Pokémon Go’ players and advises how to make money

Ride-hailing giant Uber has alerted its drivers to the potential hazard of distracted pedestrians and other drivers playing 'Pokémon Go.'
lojack connected car theft robber with flashlight

LoJack reveals the high-tech tricks thieves use to steal connected cars

LoJack created an infographic on connected car theft, with methods used by criminals and tips you can use to protect your property.
sun basket third distribution center sunbasket feat

Sun Basket organic meal delivery service will soon reach 98 percent of U.S.

With funding for a third distribution center, organic meal home delivery service Sun Basket will be able to deliver to 98 percent of the U.S. population.
tesla-ceo-elon-musk

Elon Musk boldly predicts Model 3 revenue and profits

Once Tesla gets up to full production with its entry-level Model 3, CEO Elon Musk expects $20 billion annual revenue and $5 billion in gross profit.
Levi’s teaches us the proper way to wash jeans (or not)

Science behind washing your jeans yields unexpected results

Washing jeans isn't necessary for health reasons and can be a waste of water. Washing in hot water fades jeans and tumble drying wears them out.