You couldn’t accuse Volvo of ignoring those people at risk of encountering the exterior of its vehicles rather than sitting inside them. The Swedish automotive manufacturer has already introduced pedestrian airbags and an automated braking system designed to avoid hitting pedestrians. Now Volvo has enhanced the latter to develop the world’s first auto-braking cyclist detection system, which is being presented at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show.
The new system, with the catchy name of “Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake,” is essentially a software upgrade to Volvo’s current Pedestrian Detection system. That system uses sensors to detect when a pedestrian steps out in front of a car and applies the brakes if the driver doesn’t. Thanks to more rapid vision processing, the new system has been enhanced to detect cyclists in certain situations, such as one swerving out in front of the car.
PCDwfab (as we’re going to call it for the sake of convenience) uses a dual-mode radar that is integrated into the car’s grille to detect objects in front of the car and calculate the distance to them. The radar features a wide field of view to allow the system to detect pedestrians and cyclists as soon as possible. A high-resolution camera fitted in front of the rear-view mirror is then used to identify the type of object detected by the radar and calculate their pattern of movement.
The data from the radar and camera is fed to a central control unit that continuously monitors the traffic situation. Both the radar and camera need to confirm the type of object and whether they are on a collision course before a red warning flashes on the windscreen and the auto brake system is activated, applying full braking power if necessary.
In addition to pedestrians and cyclists, Volvo says the PCDwfab system also works with vehicles driving in the same lane – which would make it the Pedestrian and Cyclist and Vehicle Driving in the Same Lane Detection with full auto brake system, or PCVDSLDwfab system.
Volvo says the PCDwfab system will be available in its V40, S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 models from mid-May in 2013.
http://www.gizmag.com/volvo-auto-braking-cyclist-detection-system/26536/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=08d644e1cd-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email
Shimano Announces new 650B/27.5″ Wheelsets for 2014
Several pieces of big news were announced today by Shimano and chief among these was the new 650B/27.5″ wheels. The Deore XT level WH-M785 and also the WH-MT35 wheels will be offered in 27.5. The new for 2013 WH-MT35 wheels will also come in 29er and 26″ versions as well as the new WH-MT15 in all 3 sizes. It is obvious from these additions that Shimano supports big wheel mountain bikes. Other big wheel friendly additions include new Dyna-sys, Deore XT and SLX components (more on those below).
The other big news was the unveiling of a new Deore mountain bike group with the designation “Deore 610″. This is an entirely new “performance” group that offers Rider Tuned customization and is redesigned with trickle-down Shimano technologies like Dyna-Sys gearing, Shadow Plus clutch rear derailleurs, ICE Technologies hydraulic disc brake systems, 2×3 chain ring mode converters. The Deore 610 offers features like:
revolutionary Shadow+ chain stabilization
2×10 and 3×10 Dyna-sys drivetrain options
Direct mount front and rear derailleurs
ICE Technologies rotors
compatible with 15mm front thru-axle hubs
i-spec shifter brackets
black and silver color options
Shimano calls the new Deore 610 “a true performance mountain bike component group available at fantastic price points.”
http://reviews.mtbr.com/shimano-announces-new-650b27-5-wheelsets-for-2014
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BlackBraid commuter bike weighs less than 11 pounds
By Ben Coxworth March 5, 2013
Trek Bicycles used to make a jaw-droppingly gorgeous bike known as the District Carbon. The stealthy singlespeed steed featured a matte black carbon fiber frame, belt drive, and was designed – more or less – to be a fast commuter. Depending on its configuration, it weighed in at around 15 pounds (6.8 kg). Now, Germany’s PG-Bikes is offering something similar, in the form of its eye-popping BlackBraid Fixed ... and it tips the scales at under 11 pounds (5 kg).
PG created the fixed-gear BlackBraid in partnership with Munich Composites, the latter of which builds the frames using a proprietary carbon fiber braiding technique. This automated process involves weaving the individual strands of fiber over and under one another, to form a tube. Resin is then injected into the braided material itself (not into the hollow center of the tube), and left to cure.
According to PG, the result is an extremely strong, light type of carbon fiber, that’s “as stable as metal while weighing less than aluminum.”
Along with its unique frame material, one of the BlackBraid’s quirkier (and we assume weight-saving) features is its rear triangle – it has just a single chainstay on one side, and a single seatstay on the other. The bike also features a front rim brake that’s integrated into the fork.
Components are largely from German manufacturers, including a fork, crank and bottom bracket cup by THM; headset and stem by Tune; Schmolke bars and seatpost; and Rundkurs wheels with Continental tires. The BlackBraid’s Speedplay pedals and Gates CDX belt drive hail from the U.S.
A touring model of the bike is also available with front and rear disc brakes, and a Rohloff rear hub transmission. There’s no word on the weight of that version.
PG also isn’t publicizing the price of either model, although Fast Company claims that the BlackBraid Fixed will set you back just under US$20,000 – which is still much cheaper than PG’s 62 mph (100 km/h) BlackTrail electric bike.
http://www.gizmag.com/pg-blackbraid-11-pound-bike/26525/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=08d644e1cd-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email
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BLACKBRAID TOURING
built by Munich Composites
Easy Rider becomes Roadrunner
Robust and light-weight for a true 21st century country trip. The light-weight carbon frame makes the BlackBraid Touring perfect even for long-distance rides. Perfect technology and an attractive design characterise this all-rounder for individualists.
http://www.pg-bikes.com/#home-1
Volvo actualiza su tecnología anti atropellos para detectar también a los ciclistas
por Elena Henriquez 06 / 03 / 2013
Volvo lleva ya tiempo trabajando en su sistema de frenado automático para evitar atropellos, pero su última actualización lo hace aún más interesante si cabe. La casa se ha presentado este año en el Salón del Automóvil de Ginebra para anunciar una nueva versión de esta tecnología que, básicamente, se encarga de reaccionar por ti cuando un ciclista está demasiado cerca de tus dominios y hay riesgo de colisión. Dicha medición se realiza mediante un radar especial que funciona con cámaras en alta definición y no sólo alerta al conductor cuando un ciclista que iba en su misma dirección está haciendo un giro peligroso o pierde el equilibrio, sino que además pisa a fondo el freno por él para detener por completo el vehículo, algo que según la propia Volvo es una primicia mundial en este terreno (eso sí, ya puedes cruzar los dedos para que quien venga conduciendo detrás tenga buenos reflejos o lleve instalado un sistema similar para reaccionar adecuadamente a un frenazo de tal magnitud). Lo curioso de todo esto es que por lo visto no habrá que esperar siglos para que esta función vaya apareciendo en nuestras vidas, sino que el fabricante asegura que todos los automóviles que cuenten con su tecnología de detección de peatones, llevarán también integrada esta nueva función. Además, a partir de mediados de mayo se podrá encontrar también en los Volvo V40, S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 y S80. ¿Tu paciencia no da para tanto? En ese caso tienes un pequeño aperitivo a modo de vídeo justo a continuación.
http://es.engadget.com/2013/03/06/volvo-freno-peatones-ciclistas/
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