TechMobility Topics

The seeds for the current success of the Lincoln brand were planted back in late 2006.  The vehicle was originally known as the MKX, a mid-size luxury crossover SUV that rode on  the automaker’s CD4 platform.  The Ford Edge and Flex, along with the short-lived Lincoln MKT were mechanical siblings. 

 By 2019, Lincoln had phased out its use of “MK” model names, choosing “Nautilus” in place of the MKX for the luxury crossover’s mid-cycle refresh of the vehicle’s second generation.   The second-generation Nautilus for the US market was introduced in April 2023 as a 2024 model.  The all-new 2024 Nautilus arrived with evolved design, an available hybrid powertrain, and new connected features.   This includes the all-new Lincoln Digital Experience and Lincoln BlueCruise hands-free highway driving technology. 

While Volkswagen isn't top of mind when talking about autonomous vehicles, turns out that the German automaker has been working on the technology for almost ten years.   VW is ready to deploy its first autonomous ID BUZZ electric minivans on Uber's ridehailing platform in Los Angeles next year. 

Wheelchairs.  When it comes to mobility, of which we talk about plenty on this program, accessibility and accessibility barriers are real issues when it comes to public spaces. An Icelandic designer who made his mark in Silicon Valley and is a wheelchair user himself, has developed ways to overcome the exclusion that is often built into a city.  

It's a simple question with a complicated answer:  Who is Rural America?  Researchers claim that there is little agreement on how to define rural America.  As the US population has become increasingly concentrated in urban centers, rural communities have, at times, been an afterthought.  The myths perpetuated about its irreversible decline has little resemblance to reality.  So, what is going on out in the country?  

A material invented at the University of Maryland will soon offer a radical alternative that has a fifty percent greater tensile strength than conventional steel and a strength-to-weight ratio that is ten times better.  It’s lighter, tougher, and actually locks away carbon.  It’s called Superwood and after seven years of development, mass production of the material will start this summer.  

According to industry veterans, US oil production is at a tipping point at current crude prices.  US oil production is expected to DECLINE next year, making it the first year-on-year decrease in roughly ten years, outside of the pandemic.  

THE CAUSE:  Shale oil companies are slowing production because of low crude prices and pressure to return cash to shareholders.  The Permian Basin's output growth is slowing too, and other large fields haven't recovered since 2020.  Finally OPEC has recently announced production increases that will continue to put downward pressure on crude oil prices, reducing the incentive for US producers to spend the billions required to develop and bring new finds to market. 

Can you be sued for not taking strong enough action to tackle climate change?  If you can, who decides what that is?  And no, I am NOT talking about California!  It’s a valid question to ponder. 

Its unsanctioned, dangerous, and not exactly legal.  It’s called The Speed Project and it has NOTHING to do with wheeled vehicles.  This is a unique running event that takes participants to the brink and beyond.  Why do it? 

Genesis, the upmarket Korean nameplate, unveiled the GV80 Coupe in September 2023.  Based on the refreshed GV80 SUV for the 2023 model year, unique styling cues include a coupe inspired roofline, redesigned front bumper and grille, flat bottom steering wheel and carbon fiber interior trims.  The GV80 Coupe combines the practicality of an SUV, inheriting the design and performance of the base model, with the dynamism of a coupe.   With the introduction of the GV80 Coupe, Genesis now enters the rarified air that is shared by such remarkable machines as the BMW X6 Coupe and both the Mercedes-Benz GLC and GLE Coupes.

Hyundai Mobis, the parts manufacturing arm of Hyundai Motor Group, has developed technology that can extinguish an electric vehicle battery fire cell fire and prevent thermal runaway.