Tag Archives: functions

News

Renault shifts self-driving focus from vehicles to minibuses

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Renault will not proceed improvement of high-level autonomous features for vehicles, switching focus as a substitute to providing self-driving public transport options. 

The producer mentioned it already gives “top-level driving assistance on most of its models” however additional improvement on this space is “unlikely for the time being, given current regulations, customer expectations and the cost of the complex technology involved”. 

In the case of personal vehicles, stage two or stage two plus autonomous options like adaptive cruise management, overtake help and lane-keeping help assist to “make its vehicles safe and pleasant to drive with confidence”, Renault mentioned.

However, there’s a “significant technological complexity gap” between these features and people who fall beneath stage three categorisation, whereby “the vehicle must be able to operate safely in complex environments with limited driver supervision”.

“At this stage, the induced cost to be borne by customers in relation to the driving benefits would make demand insufficient or even anecdotal,” Renault mentioned.

“Innovation only makes sense if it is shared, economically accessible and genuinely useful to as many people as possible.”

In mild of that, Renault is prioritising the event of high-level autonomous features for shared public transport options, with plans to finally supply a ‘robotised electrical minibus’ based mostly on the brand new Renault Master van. 

The transfer away from autonomous vehicles comes roughly seven years after Renault revealed the radical Symbioz concept as a showcase of its imaginative and prescient for what a stage 4 autonomous automobile would appear like in 2030 – full with a retracting steering wheel and a virtual-reality headset for leisure on the transfer.   

The agency mentioned its new era of self-driving minibus will have the ability to function “24/7 in complete safety”, offering a “zero-emission alternative or an efficient complement to existing solutions” like trains, trams and buses. 

Accessories and Peripherals, Components, Drones, Robotics

Arduino’s Wire Library: What It Is & How It Works

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The Arduino Wire library is a set of communication features used to learn and write information to and from different units. The library is crucial for DIY initiatives that contain controlling exterior elements akin to sensors, shows, and different microcontrollers. By utilizing a protocol referred to as Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), the Wire library drastically reduces the variety of wires required to attach units. The protocol is supported on all Arduino boards, together with the newest Arduino Nano Every model.

The I2C protocol solely requires two wires to attach exterior units. One wire (referred to as serial information or SDA) is chargeable for transferring information, whereas the opposite wire (serial clock or SLC) is used to synchronize the information change through a pulsing sign. Combined, they permit two units to ship and obtain a message utilizing bits of knowledge. Some Arduino boards characteristic the I2C pins somewhere else, and you’ll take a look at the complete {hardware} necessities for all Arduino boards on the Wire Library Reference page.

Tools

Ryobi’s Water Broom: What To Know About This Undercarriage Cleaner Before You Buy

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Even with a seize bag of useful capabilities and stellar critiques, the 11-inch Water Broom from Ryobi will not be with out its shortcomings — fairly actually. Along with its 11-inch broom path being thought-about too quick by some to be helpful for deep cleansing functions, its lance can also be particularly quick. People needing to strain wash the undercarriage of their automotive might need to kneel or squat to get a full clear. As a outcome, some customers have really useful to additionally get a lance extension for his or her water broom. 

Similarly, relying in your intent, sure parts of the broom might have some adjusting. When pivoting upwards for undercarriage cleansing, the nozzles are pointed at a roughly 45-degree angle, which can irritate some who would quite have the water taking pictures straight up. YouTuber @JEFFIX got here up with an answer to this dilemma. By drilling one other gap beneath the undercarriage operate that the straight pin goes into, the nozzles now assume an almost 90-degree angle when pointed up. The person additionally eliminated the filter hidden contained in the nozzle connecting to the strain washer to strengthen the water move. 

Smartphones

This Built-In Feature Turns Your iPhone Into A White Noise Machine

Apple calls this function “Background Sound,” however it capabilities identical to you’d anticipate a white noise machine would. Here’s how one can remodel your iPhone into a fairly first rate white noise machine.

1. Open the Settings app, scroll down and choose Accessibility.

2. Under the Hearing menu, choose the “Audio & Visual” choice.

iPhone screenshots how to enable Background SoundsOlasubomi Gbenjo/ SlashGear

3. Tap Background Sounds, toggle it on, and click on on Sound to decide on the choice you favor.

When you return to the Background Sounds menu web page, you may discover choices for adjusting the quantity. You can improve or lower the quantity of the sound itself, and you can too decide how loud you need the Background Sound to be when enjoying it alongside media in your telephone. Finally, you’ll be able to resolve whether or not or not the sounds hold enjoying when your display locks.

Now, as soon as you’ve got tried out this function and you end up utilizing it loads, you’ll be able to reduce down the time you spend accessing it from the Settings menu. Just full the next easy steps:

Background Sounds accessibility shortcut settingsOlasubomi Gbenjo/ SlashGear

1. As lengthy as you’ve got chosen the sound you favor, head to the Accessibility menu.

2. Scroll all the way down to the General Menu and faucet on Accessibility Shortcut.

3. Select Background Sounds, and guarantee there is a blue tick beside it.

The subsequent time you have to remodel your iPhone right into a white-noise machine, merely faucet the aspect button 3 times in fast succession. Your favourite background sound will begin enjoying instantly. You may entry this function by enabling Back Tap on your iPhone.

Whenever you are attempting to work or research in a loud atmosphere, or possibly you are struggling to get some relaxation, this nifty Apple function can come in useful and assist you to focus or calm down.

Cars

Toyota’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Keep You Safe

The most recent versions of Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), 2.5 and 2.5+, offer six key functions that enhance safety while driving. The pre-collision system is capable of detecting vehicles and pedestrians in both daytime and low-light conditions, as well as bicyclists during the day. It provides visual and audible alerts to warn the driver, and if no action is taken, the system applies automatic braking to halt the car.

Additionally, the pre-collision system now incorporates intersection support and emergency steering assist. The former identifies vehicles and pedestrians when making turns, while the latter helps stabilize the vehicle during emergency maneuvers to avoid obstacles.

Moreover, TSS 2.5 and 2.5+ feature full-speed dynamic radar cruise control with low-speed following, stopping, speed matching, acceleration, and deceleration functions. TSS 2.5+ also includes curve speed management, which uses the camera and built-in yaw sensors to reduce vehicle speed when navigating curves. Other TSS features include lane tracing assist and road sign assist.

Car review

Renault Clio

The fifth-generation Renault Clio exudes sophistication in its design, functionality, and interior ambiance. The switch from Renault’s old 898cc three-cylinder turbo engine to the new 999cc three-cylinder turbo engine may seem like a technical change, but it has resulted in improved refinement, drivability, and efficiency.

While the overall performance is not outstanding, the mid-range petrol Clio with the new engine proved to be faster than some competitors in acceleration tests. It was slower than the 94bhp 1.0-litre Volkswagen Polo in a 0-60mph test but faster than the 89bhp Nissan Micra IG-T in a 30mph to 70mph test.

Subjectively, the Clio impresses in many ways. The engine is quiet and well-behaved during startup and idle. The accelerator pedal is well-calibrated and intuitive, allowing for smooth acceleration. The throttle response is notably improved compared to the old engine.

The Clio delivers a useful wave of torque between 2000rpm and 3500rpm, enabling effortless cruising at high speeds. Although it may not match the vigor and rev-happiness of Ford’s smallest Ecoboost triple at high engine speeds, the Clio has no problem performing when needed.

The five-speed manual gearbox is well-weighted and offers defined shifts, while the clutch pedal is easy to operate. The hybrid variant, despite its initially complex setup, provides improved fuel efficiency and simplifies driving in most situations.

The Clio truly shines at urban speeds, thanks to its excellent mid-range torque. It feels more lively than its 9.3-second 0-62mph time suggests. However, at higher speeds, the four-cylinder petrol engine tends to produce an unpleasant growl, particularly during hard acceleration.

The Clio’s driving dynamics may not fully live up to the Alpine branding on the range-topping model, but it handles well with accurate steering and nimble cornering abilities. Additionally, the Clio delivers an impressive ride quality, although some stiffness can be felt at lower speeds. Overall, it provides a comfortable driving experience.

News

BMW will not charge extra to activate existing functions in cars

BMW has announced that it will not be charging customers for activating hardware-based functions in their cars. While the company plans to introduce more paid-for on-demand services and functions in future models, it wants to ensure that customers do not feel they are being made to pay for functions that were previously standard.

Like many other car manufacturers, BMW is leveraging the increasing connectivity of cars to offer over-the-air updates, which allow for the addition of new functions. However, the company faced backlash last year when it offered a monthly subscription to activate heated seats in certain models.

When asked about BMW’s approach to avoid charging extra for functions, Pieter Nota, the firm’s board member for sales and marketing, explained, “We have experience with that, and gauging customer response is part of our process.” He further added, “Our focus is now on ‘functions on demand’ that are software and service-related products, such as driving assistance and parking assistance, which customers can add later or for functions that require data transmission that customers are accustomed to paying for in other areas.”

Nota also emphasized that BMW will no longer offer seat heating as an on-demand function, stating, “It’s either in or out. We offer it from the factory, and you either have it or you don’t have it.” He noted that customer acceptance of paying to activate seat heating later was low and mentioned perception as a contributing factor to the decision to discontinue that offering.

Regarding the services that could potentially be charged for, Nota explained, “Software-based services, like downloading a parking assist product, are well-accepted. People understand that it’s a certain piece of software they can download for a cost, much like downloading a film or an extra feature on an app. We are increasingly successful with this approach.”