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Google self-driving Lexus crashes into a bus

3/15/2016

Google's self-driving cars have been in accidents before, but always on the receiving end... at least, until now. The company has filed a California DMV accident report (PDF) confirming that one of its autonomous vehicles (a Lexus RX450h) collided with a bus in Mountain View. The crash happened when the robotic SUV had to go into the center lane to make a right turn around some sand bags – both the vehicle and its test driver incorrectly assumed that a bus approaching from behind would slow or stop to let the car through. The Lexus smacked into the side of the bus at low speed, damaging its front fender, wheel and sensor in the process.

This was a minor incident, and we're happy to report that there were no injuries. However, this might be the first instance where one of Google's self-driving cars caused an accident. If so, the Mountain View crew can no longer say it's an innocent dove on the roads -- while this wasn't a glitch, its software made a decision that led to a crash. We've reached out to Google to see if it can elaborate on what happened.

No matter what the response, it was always going to be difficult to avoid this kind of incident. Until self-driving cars can anticipate every possible road hazard, there's always a chance that they'll either be confused or make choices with unexpected (and sometimes unfortunate) consequences. However, the hope at this early stage isn't to achieve a flawless track record. Instead, it's to show that self-driving cars can be safer overall than their human-piloted counterparts.

Motocross Star Austin Stroupe Arrested for Possession of Heroin

3/15/2016

Within just a few short months Austin Stroupe rocketed back into the spotlight of the sport and then, almost as quickly as he returned, has disappeared. The former Supercross racer started with appearances at random East Coast independent events, then lined up for the AMSOIL Arenacross Series as a privateer before joining the Rockstar Energy FMC Racing OTSFF Husqvarna as a fill-in rider. Stroupe had success in the short stint with the Husqvarna crew, including a podium finish in Birmingham, but a few weeks ago word spread that he and the team had parted ways for unclear reasons.

Stroupe spoke on the matter with an appearance on the PulpMX Show on March 7th, where he stated that he was a bit overwhelmed by the return and voluntarily stepped away from the spot with the team midway through the year. In the same interview, Stroupe said he hoped to race again in some capacity.

On Monday afternoon, a member of VitalMX posted an arrest report and mug shot of Stroupe from the state of North Carolina dated March 10, 2016. According to the report, Stroupe was arrested in Wingate, North Carolina, and charged with a litany of offenses, including Failure to Maintain Lane Control (misdemeanor), Fictitious/Expired Registration Plate (misdemeanor), Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia (misdemeanor), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana Up To 1/2 Oz (misdemeanor), and Possession of Heroin (felony).

This is a major blow to Stroupe, not as a racer, but most importantly as a person. Rumors of drug use have long circled Stroupe throughout his career and his first disappearance from racing in 2011 only intensified the speculation. Sadly, this seems to confirm the matter.

Drone Capable Of Carrying A Human At 100KM Per Hour Unveiled

3/15/2016

Drones are everywhere these days. The proverbial tool of the future, they are used todeliver aid to war-torn areas, fly over inaccessible lava lakes, and take elaborate selfies. The U.S. military are even developing “vampire drones” that self-destruct in sunlight. Now, a Chinese manufacturer has unveiled a drone that is able to carry humans through the air, which if demonstrated would be a world-first for drone technology, according to CNN.

Although this sounds remarkably similar to a helicopter – and in fact, it strongly resembles one – this new, 5.5-meter-long (18-foot-long) drone by Ehang Inc. has four doubled propellers that spin parallel to the ground, meaning that it is technically a drone in terms of how it flies. The Guangzhou province-based company revealed its latest creation at theConsumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, along with an accompanying demonstration video.

The Ehang 184’s battery takes two hours to be fully charged up, whereupon it is able to fly for 23 minutes at sea level and carry 100 kilograms (220 pounds). Remarkably, the company claims that this passenger drone is able to fly up to 500 meters (1,650 feet) off the ground, with a potential maximum flight altitude of 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). The drone can also soar through the air at speeds of up to 101 kilometers per hour (63 miles per hour). The cabin is suitable for one person and a small piece of hand baggage.

Along with in-built air conditioning for those hot, drone-flying days, it also features a reading light. Although it may not seem safe to fly whilst reading, fear not: The drone is fully autonomous. By programming your destination into the Microsoft Surface touchscreen interface, the voice-activated drone only requires you to order it when to “take off” and when to “land.”

Going for prices at around $300,000 (£200,000), Ehang co-founder and Chief Financial Officer Shang Hsiao admits that the drone, unlike an actual helicopter, occupies somewhat of a legal grey area. Drones are often not allowed within a certain distance of buildings, and they are barred from entering many transportation hubs, particularly airports. Flying over heavily travelled roadways and government facilities is also a no-no.

In the U.S., national parks are off limits, as are military bases and, after a recent drone crash there, the White House. In many countries, the user of a drone must always keep it within eyesight at all times: This, at least, shouldn’t be a problem for the Ehang 184, unless something goes horribly wrong.

Speaking of which, there are no manual controls available for the passenger to grab hold of during an emergency. In the event of a technical problem, the company plans to use a remote control center that would take over the vehicle’s flight and ensure it lands safely.

What makes this drone – a version of a quadcopter – arguably safer than a helicopter is that even if several of the propellers stop working, only one is required to make a landing, albeit somewhat of a bumpy, spiraling one.

According to the Chief Marketing Officer Derrick Xiong, the drone has been teasted successfully hundreds of times over forested areas – several times with a passenger inside. With over $52 million (£35 million) raised over the last two years in order to fund the project, the company are hoping that buyers are indeed convinced of its safety record to part with their cash.

Insane helicopter pilot harvesting Christmas trees

3/15/2016

This video is crazy: Watch ace helicopter pilot Dan Clark demonstrating his incredible skills while harvesting Christmas trees at mad speeds. "Oregon helicopter pilot ruthlessly owning inertia," ncidentally, did you know that "Oregon is the nation's biggest producer and exporter of Christmas trees, selling about 7.3 million trees a year, more than twice that of No. 2 North Carolina"? Me neither—and I don't care. I'm just too busy being in awe watching this guy flying those trees around in the middle of the fog like absolute madman.

Whoa, There's Already a Dealership Selling Hellcat-Powered Wranglers

3/15/2016

Jeep unveiled a Hellcat-powered Wrangler concept today, and while it's incredibly cool, it will unfortunately never see production. But if you had your heart set on a 707-horsepower Wrangler, don't despair. We found a dealership in Altoona, Pennsylvania that will gladly sell you one. Hell, they've got two of 'em!

We're not exactly sure how this particular dealership ended up with two Hellcat-powered Wranglers, but we do know they come from a Pennsylvania shop called Hauk Designs, which showed its first Hellcatted Wrangler at SEMA last November.

According to the spec sheet, each Hauk Hellcat gets a Hellcat engine good for 707 horsepower, 650 lb.-ft. of torque, flexing through a Mercedes-Benz 5G-tronic automatic transmission, a 4:1 transfer case, and 4:10 gears and locking differentials front and rear. The spec sheet also includes a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein performance shocks, upgraded Teraflex brakes, J.E. Reel driveshafts, and big 35-inch tires on 17-inch wheels.

The FIA Wants F1 Halo Safety Cockpits Implemented by 2017

3/15/2016

The FIA said last month that it wants some form of cockpit protection implemented in 2017 and now we know it will likely be the halo cockpit seen testing recently, according toan Autoweek report. The problem is that drivers have mixed feelings about the design and a 2017 implementation would be a huge task for F1 constructors.

Following the deaths of F1 driver Jules Bianchi and Indycar Driver Justin Wilson last year, who were both killed in open-cockpit cars, there's been a push in motorsports to ensure a greater level of safety in open-cockpit racing. The halo cockpit tested by Ferrari earlier this month has emerged as the preferred choice.

FIA president Jean Todt told Autoweek that there is "a very real possibility" a halo cockpit will be installed in all F1 cars in 2017, but not everyone is sold on the idea. Lewis Hamilton told Sky Sports that he was very much in opposition to both the idea and the execution of the halo cockpit.

"[I]f it does come in then l hope that we will be given the option of not using it because l will not be using it on my car," said Hamilton to Sky Sports. Hamilton also described the Halo as "the worst looking mod in Formula 1 history."

Sebastian Vettel conceded that the halo in its current state is ugly and impedes visibility but he sees the improvement of safety as a much, arguing that Bianchi and Henry Surtees, who was killed in a open-cockpit Formula 2 car in 2009, would still be alive with this sort of protection in place. Bianchi's father Philipe told the Guardian the halo isn't enough and that it wouldn't likely have saved his son.

Kimi Raikkonen, man of few words, said the cockpit was "okay" after testing. Interpret that however you'd like.

The need for increased safety is unquestionable, but implementing the Halos next year will prove to be a big challenge. The halo itself will have to be perfected and its design agreed upon by all involved parties within the next few months, and cars will need to be modified commensurately.

We'll have to wait and see if the FIA and F1 constructors are up for the challenge.

An earlier version of this post stated Jules Bianchi was struck by debris when he actually spun into a trackside safety vehicle. That has been updated.

Watch two grandmas take a Lamborghini Murcielago for a spin

3/12/2016

The ladies have an initial problem finding reverse in the Lambo, but they eventually hit the road with Peggy behind the wheel and Audrey riding shotgun. You have to love these gals. They roll the windows down to wave at everyone on the street and yell to them, "We're Lamborghini queens!" Their happiness is infectious, and people clearly are excited but a little confused to see two older women in a mean looking supercar.

The only thing wrong with this video is that we wish it were longer. The gals should take the Lambo, or Ghini as Audrey calls the coupe, onto the freeway to open the throttle. Maybe they could cruise to a cars and coffee meet to hang out. Based on this clip, the pair seems game to drive the supercar anywhere.

Just ran across this photo which demonstrates, once again, the versatility of the P-38.

3/11/2016

Jeep shows 707-horsepower Hellcat-powered off-roader

3/11/2016

Every year, Jeep puts together a collection of awesome concepts for the annual springtime Easter Jeep Safari. Generally, those concepts range from lightly-modded factory Jeeps sporting Mopar catalog items, to extreme one-off concepts. Here's what Jeep has for us this year, including—yes—a Hellcat-powered Wrangler. It's the 50th anniversary of the Easter Jeep Safari, and the 75th anniversary of the Jeep brand, so you know the folks at Jeep went all-out this year.

We knew this was coming based on last week's teaser image. It's here, and it's exactly as radical as we expected. Jeep slammed a 707-hp Hellcat supercharged V8 under a current-generation Wrangler's hood, hooked it up to a six-speed manual with a Hellcat logo shifter, and sent the power to all four wheels. Maybe this is the first Hellcat product that will actually get traction?

The Trailcat is no ordinary Wrangler, though. Stretched 12 inches over a stocker, with a two-inch chopped windshield, it's got wicked proportions befitting a 707-horse off-roader. Sitting on 17-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in 39.5-inch BF Goodrich Krawler tires, you know it's got the grip for low-speed crawling or full-throttle desert blasts. Inside, bucket seats from the Dodge Viper work hard to keep you in place. It's a winner

See an Unforgettable Dive With Massive Blue Whales

3/10/2016

Three freedivers swam alongside blue whales in Sri Lanka, and they have amazing photos to prove it.A group of divers recently had the experience of a lifetime while diving in Sri Lanka when they came face-to-face with a huge pygmy blue whale. The humongous whales can reach over 78 feet in length. Luckily, the divers managed to capture some incredible photographs of the animals.

The freedivers — Alex Voyer, Alex Roubaud and Marianne Aventurier — spent 40 hours in the water to catch some brief moments with the majestic creatures. Enjoy their images here.

One of the largest animals in the worldBefore the second meeting, the group had begun to lose hope that they would have another encounter. “The second meeting took place after 10 unsuccessful water releases," Aventurier says. "I was planning my return to the boat when suddenly I found myself nose-to-nose with her! She swam toward me. I shifted, seeking her eyes — not easy to find in such large animals! She is covered with remora, she is sublime.”

Forward>>

Google self-driving Lexus crashes into a bus

Motocross Star Austin Stroupe Arrested for Possession of Heroin

Drone Capable Of Carrying A Human At 100KM Per Hour Unveiled

Insane helicopter pilot harvesting Christmas trees

Whoa, There's Already a Dealership Selling Hellcat-Powered Wranglers

The FIA Wants F1 Halo Safety Cockpits Implemented by 2017

Watch two grandmas take a Lamborghini Murcielago for a spin

Just ran across this photo which demonstrates, once again, the versatility of the P-38.

Jeep shows 707-horsepower Hellcat-powered off-roader

See an Unforgettable Dive With Massive Blue Whales

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