Tag Archives: tech

News

Royal Enfield Updates Interceptor and Continental GT 650s in France

Royal Enfield has introduced several updates for the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 for the 2024 model year in France. These updates include new technology, revised features, and added convenience for daily riders.

Royal Enfield has been actively expanding its lineup, with the Interceptor and Continental GT 650 being the flagship models in the 650cc class. These bikes have now received hardware updates and new looks for the 2024 model year, bringing them into the modern era.

One notable update is the addition of LED headlights, which enhance the premium feel of the bikes. However, some purists may argue that halogen lights are better. The engine and other hardware components remain unchanged, featuring a 647.95cc parallel twin engine, six-speed manual transmission, slipper clutch, disc brakes, and standard forks and shocks.

In terms of design, Royal Enfield has introduced new paint schemes and hardware options. Buyers can choose between two finishes and select variants with spoked rims and chrome accents or alloy wheels and black accents.

The updated models also feature new switchgear and an added USB port for added convenience. The USB port is protected by a weatherproof flap and allows riders to charge their phones while on the go.

As for pricing, the Interceptor 650 is priced at 7,390 EUR (approximately $7,890 USD), while the Continental GT 650 is priced at 7,690 EUR (approximately $8,200 USD) in France. Both models come with a three-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

Motorsport

Mercedes MBUX Update Lets You Control Smart Home Devices With Your Voice

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new feature to its MBUX Voice Assistant that allows users to control their smart home devices with their voice. This update enables users to control appliances and security equipment in their homes using voice commands.

The MBUX Voice Assistant now supports products from popular smart home brands such as Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, TP-Link, and myQ by Chamberlain Group. Users can control a variety of devices including lights, smart plugs, thermostats, motion detectors, and garage doors.

In addition to controlling devices, users can also check the status of their home appliances and systems by simply asking the MBUX Voice Assistant. For example, users can ask, “Hey Mercedes, is everything okay at home?” and the system will provide information such as “All the windows are closed, and the light is still on in the bedroom.” This update allows different smart home systems to be connected simultaneously.

Connecting smart home accounts to the vehicle is easy. Users can simply ask, “Hey Mercedes, connect my smart home account,” which will generate a QR code on the central display. The user can then scan the code with their smartphone to streamline the process. Alternatively, users can also add accounts through the Mercedes me connect mobile app.

This new feature is part of a larger update for Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system. The update includes Dolby Atmos sound, as well as other Voice Assistant updates that allow users to control infotainment features such as playing music or accessing news through the NewsFlash app.

Mercedes has also introduced the YouTube web app to select 2024 vehicles, including the S-Class, EQE, and EQS models equipped with Entertainment Package Plus. The Hyperscreen in the EQE and EQS models also receive increased functionality, allowing passengers to listen to dynamic content with in-car audio and select a personalization photo for the dedicated screen. This update has been offered on over 700,000 vehicles worldwide.

Mercedes is also preparing the third generation of its MBUX system for 2025, which will feature app integrations and automations to make it easier to control various vehicle settings.

The smart home function is available now on Mercedes vehicles equipped with MBUX Voice Assistant. It does not require any additional cost or package upgrades to use.

Motorcycles

Motorcycle Crash Prevention Tech Promises Riders And Drivers A Sixth Sense For Safety

Ducati’s V2V technology, tested with a Lamborghini Urus and Ducati Multistrada, aims to address three critical and dangerous types of motorcycle accidents by providing drivers and riders with enhanced situational awareness and response time. The technology acts as a digital sixth sense, offering important safety signals in scenarios where visibility is limited or obstructed.

One scenario is Intersection Movement Assist (IMA), where both a motorcycle and a car approach a busy intersection from different roads. The V2V tech alerts the car’s driver of the approaching motorcycle, prompting them to proceed with caution. Similarly, the Left Turn Assist (LTA) feature involves a car turning left at an intersection, with the motorcyclist receiving a warning signal when the driver activates their turn signal.

The third scenario, Do Not Pass Warning (DNPW), occurs when a motorcycle attempts to overtake a larger vehicle while a car ahead plans to make a left turn. The system sends a warning to the motorcyclist when both the motorist and the motorcyclist activate their blinkers before turning.

Although still in the prototype stage, Ducati’s V2V technology has the potential to prevent numerous accidents and save lives. Lamborghini and Ducati have released a joint video showcasing the importance of this safety technology, which can be viewed on Lamborghini’s YouTube channel and website.

VolvoCars

Volvo Cars opens new Tech Hub in Singapore

Volvo Cars is expanding its presence in Singapore by opening a new Tech Hub, taking advantage of the city-state’s status as a global hub for advanced technology and manufacturing.

The Tech Hub will be a central hub for data and analytics, software development, and advanced manufacturing, aligning with Volvo’s goal of becoming a leader in new technology and a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030.

The facility in Singapore will initially focus on developing expertise in technology and software development, data and analytics, and advanced manufacturing, all of which are critical areas for Volvo Cars.

Manufacturing is becoming increasingly technology-intensive, offering numerous opportunities in artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, machine learning, nanotechnology, and other emerging technologies.

Volvo Cars’ Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO, Javier Varela, explains that the Tech Hub in Singapore will enhance the company’s in-house technology and software development capabilities. It will serve as a global innovation center to accelerate momentum and increase capabilities in advanced manufacturing and data and analytics.

This new Tech Hub in Singapore follows the recent opening of a Tech Hub in Krakow, Poland. Both hubs are part of Volvo Cars’ global site strategy to gain a foothold in key technology areas and attract top tech talent worldwide. They work closely with other Tech Hubs and engineering centers around the world.

Singapore has emerged as a prominent global center for technology competence and innovation, drawing technology companies, investments, and talent from around the world due to its leading universities and robust education ecosystem.

Volvo Cars is establishing the Tech Hub in Singapore with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), which will enable the company to harness Singapore’s local network and talent for developing next-generation technologies and vehicles.

The new Tech Hub, led by Yvonne Tan, will open in early September. Tan brings extensive experience in business enablement through engineering development and successful delivery execution. She holds a Doctorate in Engineering from the Singapore University of Technology and Design and a Master of Science in Business IT from the University of Wales.

Volvo Cars operates Tech Hubs in Stockholm and Lund in Sweden, Krakow in Poland, and Bangalore in India, along with large engineering centers in Shanghai, China, and Gothenburg, Sweden. Each location has its own focus area, creating a strategic network of innovation centers worldwide.

The Tech Hub in Singapore further strengthens Volvo Cars’ presence in the country, following the establishment of its regional headquarters for the APeC region.

News

Gogoro and Muji Collaborate on Smart Scooters Made with Recycled Plastic Panels

Gogoro, a pioneer in electric mobility and battery swapping technology, has partnered with Japanese lifestyle brand Muji to develop special edition smart scooters and co-branded merchandise. This collaboration is part of the “Recycling for Good” initiative, which aims to recycle plastic waste.

The sustainability initiative focuses on reducing polypropylene plastic waste and incorporates recycled plastic body panels into the new electric scooters. The partnership between Gogoro and Muji has resulted in two new scooters: the Viva ME and the Viva Mix ME. Both scooters prioritize simplifying and electrifying urban mobility and were curated by Naoto Fukasawa, a renowned Japanese designer who has worked extensively with Muji. The scooters feature classic Muji design elements such as rustic colors, simple bodywork, and user-friendly design.

Gogoro and Muji Team Up On Smart Scooters With Recycled Plastic Panels

In the official press release, Naoto Fukasawa expressed that the most important aspect of design is maintaining integrity towards people, the environment, and life. He believes that the collaboration between Gogoro and Muji is a natural fit and brings about greater value than just the sum of its parts.

Gogoro, a Taiwanese electric mobility company, has a history of sustainability initiatives. In 2019, they introduced mass-produced recycled polypropylene plastics for their scooters’ body panels with the Gogoro 3 Smart Scooter. The entire range of Viva Smart Scooters also features these recycled body panels. It was this innovative manufacturing process that sparked the collaboration with Muji.

The “Recycling for Good” initiative aims to promote a lifestyle change that encourages people to be more aware of plastic waste. In Taiwan, the initiative encourages individuals to deposit their polypropylene waste at Muji and Gogoro outlets, where it will be processed and used in the production of these special edition scooters.

Gogoro and Muji Team Up On Smart Scooters With Recycled Plastic Panels
Technology

Facebook’s Attempted Twitter-Like Plan Flops, Unlike WeChat

In the world of communication apps, WeChat stands out as a versatile platform that offers a range of features, from messaging and social media to payments and gaming. With over a billion users, WeChat holds its strongest presence in China. Let’s explore the similarities between WeChat and popular apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter.

At its core, WeChat functions as a messaging app, enabling users to exchange text messages, photos, videos, and engage in voice or video calls with their contacts. Adding new contacts is effortless, as you can save their phone numbers, use their unique user ID, or scan their profile QR code.

WeChat also incorporates social features. Its “Moments” feature allows users to upload photos and videos for their contacts to react to, much like Instagram. Additionally, the “Shake” feature helps users discover and connect with people nearby, similar to dating apps.

Facilitating financial transactions is WeChat Pay, the payment system integrated into the app. Users can make payments by scanning a shopkeeper’s unique WeChat Pay QR code, or vice versa. Furthermore, WeChat enables peer-to-peer payments, allowing users to transfer money to their contacts.

Another unique aspect of WeChat is its vast collection of mini-apps. These mini-apps function within the WeChat ecosystem and cover a wide range of services. Users can book cabs, order food, make travel arrangements, play games, find employment opportunities, and shop online, all without leaving the app.

Featured

Kia Seltos Facelift Launched; Price Starts From Rs 10.89 Lakh


The Kia Seltos facelift is available in three broad variants: Tech Line, GT Line and X-Line

2023 Kia Seltos

The 2023 Kia Seltos was recently unveiled with a new redesign and a range of new features. The updated compact SUV is now available for booking, and on July 14 alone, it received 13,424 bookings. Kia has now released the price list for each variant. Here’s what you need to know:

Prices

Variants

1.5-litre petrol MT

1.5-litre petrol CVT

1.5-litre diesel iMT

1.5-litre diesel AT

1.5-litre turbo-petrol iMT

1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT

HTE 

Rs 10.89 lakh

–

Rs 11.99 lakh

–

–

–

HTK

Rs 12.09 lakh

Rs 13.59 lakh

–

–

–

HTK+

Rs 13.49 lakh

–

Rs 14.99 lakh

–

Rs 14.99 lakh

–

HTX

Rs 15.19 lakh

Rs 16.59 lakh

Rs 16.69 lakh

Rs 18.19 lakh

–

–

HTX+

–

–

Rs 18.29 lakh

–

Rs 18.29 lakh

Rs 19.19 lakh

GTX+

–

–

–

Rs 19.79 lakh

–

Rs 19.79 lakh

X-Line

–

–

–

Rs 19.99 lakh

–

Rs 19.99 lakh

All prices introductory ex-showroom Delhi

While the starting price of the Seltos facelift remains unchanged from the previous model, the top-spec variant is now closer to Rs 20 lakh, making it the most expensive compact SUV in the market.

Powertrain

2023 Kia Seltos Turbo-petrol Engine

The updated Kia Seltos offers three engine options: a 1.5-litre petrol engine (115PS/144Nm) with a 6-speed manual or a CVT gearbox, a 1.5-litre diesel engine (116PS/250Nm) with a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed iMT, and a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine (160PS/253Nm) paired with a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT gearbox.

Features & Safety

2023 Kia Seltos Cabin

The Seltos facelift comes with several feature upgrades, including dual 10.25-inch displays (touchscreen infotainment and digital driver’s display), dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. It also retains features like the wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, and ventilated front seats.

Also Read: Kia Seltos Facelift GT Line And Tech Line Differences Explored

In terms of safety, the Seltos facelift is equipped with six airbags as standard. It also features electronic stability control (ESC), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), a 360-degree camera, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as front collision warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Rivals

Kia Seltos facelift white

The updated Seltos continues to compete with rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, and MG Astor. It will also face competition from upcoming compact SUVs like the Citroen C3 Aircross and Honda Elevate.

Read More on : Kia Seltos diesel

Technology

5 Of The Best Bluetooth Headsets For Your Motorcycle Helmet

One of the top companies producing Bluetooth headsets for motorcycle helmets, along with other tech gear for riders, such as cameras and smart helmets, is Sena. Sena offers several Bluetooth headsets at different price points, each with its own set of features, advantages, and disadvantages. Choosing the right one for you is essential, but rest assured, there isn’t a bad option among them. If budget isn’t a concern, the premium Sena 50S is an excellent choice; however, it comes with a price tag of $360. For those wanting a headset that is nearly as good but more affordable, the Sena 10R is the way to go.

The Sena 10R stands out with its ultra-slim design, providing both comfort and aesthetics when attached to your helmet. While it may not be the best music player available, it offers crystal-clear audio for communication and utilizes efficient noise-cancellation technology to eliminate background sounds. Additionally, it features Bluetooth 4.1 and its intercom function can support communication between up to four riders at distances of up to 900 meters.

One drawback is its battery life, which lasts up to 10 hours of talk time before requiring a recharge. This may be slightly disappointing considering the headset’s price range. The Sena 10R is priced at $239 on Amazon, making it less expensive than the premium Sena 50S but pricier than many other headsets. However, considering its features, the Sena 10R offers great value for the price.

Cars, News

Elon Musk Reveals Discussions with ‘Major OEM’ to License Tesla FSD Tech

Tesla has spent years developing its Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot technology, which combines hardware and software to enable real-time environment analysis and perform various tasks such as controlling car speed, steering on city streets, responding to traffic lights, changing lanes, parking automatically, and more. Elon Musk tweeted in April 2023 that Tesla’s self-driving technology is the most advanced in the real world. However, integrating this advanced technology with other electric car brands would be a challenging and time-consuming process to achieve the same level of integration and efficiency found in Tesla vehicles.

Even if Tesla can overcome computational challenges using powerful supercomputers like Dojo, safety remains a crucial concern. Tesla has faced scrutiny over the safety of its Autopilot and FSD systems, leading to multiple investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into Tesla vehicle accidents involving driver assistance technology. Given these technical and safety obstacles, Tesla may not find as many interested parties for its FSD licensing offer as it did with the NACS charging standard. However, electric vehicle manufacturers may be tempted by the opportunity to bypass the extensive time and financial investment needed to develop their own driver-assist technology on par with Tesla’s system.

Featured

Kia Seltos Facelift GT Line And Tech Line Differences Explored


The Seltos has always been offered in Tech Line and GT Line variants, the latter now gets more distinctive on the outside

  • Kia has unveiled the India-spec facelifted Seltos and will announce prices soon.

  • It comes in three broad trims: Tech Line, GT Line and X Line.

  • GT Line has always been the sportier version of the Seltos SUV and now comes with different bumpers and dual-tip exhaust.

  • X-line is based on the GT Line with some cosmetic changes.

  • It is expected to be priced from Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards.

The 2023 Kia Seltos is said to launch soon and bookings for the compact SUV are also open. The carmaker has already revealed all details except the price and is still offering the facelifted Seltos in two broad trims: Tech Line and GT Line. With the facelift, the carmaker has made the two line-ups a lot more distinctive in terms of exterior design. Let’s take a close look at the major differences between the two types of Seltos SUV:

Exterior

Front

Up front, both trims get differently styled front grilles and bumpers. The headlamps, DRLs and fog lamps are the same. Both get the same vertically-stacked fog lamps but they sit lower and get extra cladding in the GT Line. For added sportiness, the bumper of the GT Line has a more prominent air dam while the front skid plate is not as visible as it is on the Tech Line.

Side

From the sides, there are no major differences apart from the alloy wheels. Both variants get differently styled alloy wheels and they are bigger for the GT Line – 18-inch wheels instead of 17-inch.

Rear

The overall design of the rear profile is quite similar. Both get the same connected LED tail lamp setup and the same rear spoiler. But the design changes completely when you get to the bumper. While the Tech Line gets a simpler-looking bumper design with chunky cladding, the GT Line takes a sporty approach with its dual-exhaust tips, and a less prominent skid plate with sportier design details.

Interior

Cabin

The Tech Line variants of the 2023 Kia Seltos get a black and brown cabin theme that can be seen on the dashboard, while the GT line gets an all-black cabin. There are no changes in the design or layout of the cabin between the two. They even get the same steering wheel, just with different badging at the bottom.

Seats

With the Tech Line, you’ll get brown upholstery on all seats with a cream hue on the pillars and roof to give it a more airy feel. The GT Line on the other hand gets all-black upholstery with white inserts and the same black colour on the pillars and roof to make the cabin look more sporty.

Features

2023 Kia Seltos GT Line 360-degree Camera

Both these trim-lines are well equipped. The GT Line only gets one variant – GTX Plus, which is on par with the top-spec Tech Line HTX Plus with features like dual-integrated 10.25-inch displays (touchscreen infotainment and digital driver’s display), dual zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, cruise control, ambient lighting, six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), all-wheel disc brakes and a rearview camera.

Also Read: Kia Seltos Facelift’s Variant-wise Features Revealed

However, the GT Line also gets some additional features like a Tambour cover for cup holder, rain-sensing wipers, electronic parking brake with auto, a 360-degree camera and ADAS features like adaptive cruise control, high beam assist and attentiveness alert.

Powertrains

2023 Kia Seltos Turbo-petrol Engine

Specifications

Tech Line

GT Line

Engine

1.5-litre petrol

1.5-litre turbo petrol

1.5-litre diesel

1.5-litre turbo petrol

1.5-litre diesel

Transmission

6MT/ CVT

6iMT/ 7DCT

6iMT/ 6AT

7DCT

6AT

Power

115PS

160PS

116PS

160PS

116PS

Torque

114Nm

253Nm

250Nm

253Nm

250Nm

The GT Line does not get the 1.5-litre petrol engine offered with the Tech Line variants and only gets the turbo-petrol and diesel engine with automatic transmission options. Similarly, the Tech Line variants get every powertrain combo except the ones offered with the GT Line.

Also Read: Kia Seltos Facelift Becomes The 1 Millionth Car To Roll Out From Kia India Plant

Prices for the facelifted Seltos are not out yet but we expect it to be priced from Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. Once launched, it will continue its rivalry with the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor and other upcoming compact SUVs like the Honda Elevate and Citroen C3 Aircross.

Read More on : Seltos diesel