Tag Archive for 'cars'

MyMileMarker.com: Fuel Economy On The Go

Published on October 18, 2007 5 Comments

[Note 04/08/08: Due to some domain issues, MyMileMarker can currently be used at http://m3.sidebarcreative.com/ , www.mymilemarker.com does not work right now.]

Thanks to a post over at Eloquation.com I have discovered MyMileMarker.com. This site lets you add vehicles, and then add data whenever you fill up at the gas station. Once you enter in a few data points, you can see reports on your vehicle’s fuel economy and cost to drive. The site even appears to project your expected mileage and economy into the future.

I started using jMileage several years ago on my PalmOS PDAs, and had over three years of data on two different cars… so I am completely addicted and ingrained with the concept of tracking vehicle fuel economy. Switching to Windows Mobile, and now the iPhone, I never found a program that did the job as simply and efficiently as jMileage. I think MyMileMarker may be the perfect replacement (web)app for me.

MyMileMarker provides a mobile interface to the site at www.mymilemarker.com/m that loads great on any mobile browser. They’ve gone the extra mile though, and offer Twitter integration. You add mymm to your friends, and then you can throw log information at your account through Twitter, meaning you can use e-mail/SMS/Mobile Twitter, or many other Twitter posting options.

There are several benefits to tracking your fuel mileage. Besides showing you how much money you sink into fueling your car, you can also keep tabs on your mechanics. If your mileage drops significantly, it’s a nice heads-up that something isn’t right. I’m looking forward to having a clear view of my car’s performance again, and this time it is completely independent of the mobile platform I want to run. You’ve got to love web apps.

Via: Eloquation: Four Things Your Web App Needs to Remember

National Geographic: Ultimate Factories

Published on July 7, 2007 0 Comments

Flipping through the program guide this morning I ran across Ultimate Factories on the National Geographic Channel (which I honestly didn’t realize I got). So far today I’ve seen the assembly line at Harley Davidson, and right now they’re showing how Ferrari manufactures the 599.

This shows feel like How It’s Made with much more detail and background into the products being made. I think it’s a great look for anyone in product design, or anyone who’s just curious about what goes into making some of the most famous products we buy.

You can see the whole Ferrari episode here: http://flixreel.com/?v=ufx45c7411c4543f

Interview with BMW’s Chris Bangle

Published on October 27, 2006 0 Comments

Excellent interview with Chris Bangle, an American designer who is currently the chief of design for the BMW group.

Full interview at www.design-emotion.com

A short snippet:

What is false I believe is to try and “strategize emotion”…without understanding of spontaneity, context, or serendipity. What is equally false is to try and design without a orientation, without a framework; randomly. Design needs clear borders to push against, only in that way can it be strengthened. And sometimes you wind up moving some borders…that too must be allowed.

Mitsubishi Says Yes to Electric

Published on October 9, 2006 1 Comment

Mitsubishi says that it is working on production electric cars, based on technologies in their CT concept (pictured). In addition to better lithium-ion battery technology, they are working with in-wheel electric motors. From Electro-plankton:

The other half of the equation is the amazing MIEV (Mitsu in-wheel-motors) system which places an electric motor in each wheel creating a car that’s basically transmission-less.

Imagine what we can do with interior design if the only mechancis we need to work around are computers and batteries, all of which can have custom profiles. (No more driveshaft hump)

Via: Electro-plankton

Tags: mitsubishi, electric, cars

Power 2 Pass

Published on July 10, 2005 1 Comment

Flipping through the channels today I came across The Molson Indy Toronto, an event in the Champ Car World Series. Open wheel racing isn’t huge in the US, and it doesn’t get much TV coverage, so I don’t get to watch it as much as I’d like. Watching today, I saw something I haven’t seen before, Power 2 Pass. I’m not sure how long it has been in the sport, but it’s new to me!

In this series, each team is strictly regulated concerning the power of their car. However, each driver is given a Power 2 Pass button. When pressed, the button engages an alternate tuning in the car’s engine management computer that boost engine power an additional 50hp. The cars are programmed to allow this “boost” to be used for a total of 60 seconds throughout the 1.75 hour race.

If you’ve spent any amount of time playing racing video games the concept will be immediately clear to you. This is much like hitting the Nitrus button in Need for Speed Underground. I can’t help but wonder whether this was inspired by video games at all. Throughout the race the Power 2 Pass remaining for each driver is displayed for the TV audience, providing an additional element to track in the racing strategy of each team.

And of course, being in the South in the US, one of my first thoughts is “They should do this in NASCAR!”