General Motors EV1 & the land speed record for electric vehicles

General Motors EV1
Credit: General Motors/Clean Technica

You may have heard of the General Motors EV1 – an electric car produced between 1996 & 1999. It was unique in a number of ways, including being the first GM vehicle designed purely as an electric car & also in bearing the General Motors brand,¹ rather than that of one of its divisions (Chevrolet, Buick etc.)

Predecessor of the EV1 was the Impact concept car, first shown to the public in January 1990, by GM chairman Roger Smith, at the 1990 LA Auto Show. In 1994, a modified Impact set a land speed record of 183.822 mph (295.833 kph).²


Impact land speed record car
Credit: tzev.com

Many sources, including Wikipedia describe it as, “a land speed record for production electric vehicles”. Apparently, “production”, refers to the 50 Impacts hand built for the, PrEView, programme – which saw cars lent out for one or two weeks at a time, to gain feedback from members of the public.¹

Ultimate fate of the EV1 is recorded in the iconic 2006 documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

Read about it at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Killed_the_Electric_Car%3F

Buy the DVD at
http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/
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Where the land speed records for electric cars are now

On 28 July 2016, a land speed record for street legal EVs was set at 205.6 mph (330.9 kph) by a modified Corvette.



For vehicles unhampered by street legality concerns, Drayson Technology moved the record up to 219.1mph (352.6kph) in March 2014.



As of 22 September 2016, the outright record was set at 341.4 mph (549.3 kph) by Venturi – an offshoot of the organisation that runs the Formula E team.


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¹ Wikipedia: “General Motors EV1”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_EV1

² tzev.com: ‘GM 1989-1993 “Impact”’
http://www.tzev.com/1989_1993_impact_ev1_prototype_c1994_LandSpeedRecord.html / Who Killed the Electric Car EV1 General Motors EV1was an electric car produced leased General Motors 1996 to 1999 first mass-produced purpose-designed electric vehicle modern era major automaker first GM car designed electric vehicle first only passenger car sold under the corporate General Motors GM name branded under one mass-produce electric car GM received favorable reception 1990 Impact electric concept car design EV1 Impact's perceived potential success California Air Resources Board CARB subsequently passed mandate production sale zero-emissions vehicles ZEV requirement seven major automakers selling cars United States market vehicles California EV1 made available limited lease-only agreements Los Angeles California Phoenix Tucson Arizona EV1 lessees real-world engineering evaluation market study feasibility producing marketing commuter electric vehicle select U.S. markets GM's Advanced Technology Vehicles group cars not available for purchase serviced only designated Saturn dealerships EV1's release leasing programs launched San Francisco Sacramento California limited program Georgia customer reaction EV1 positive GM electric cars unprofitable niche automobile market crushing crush crushed most of the cars protesting customers /

Redflow claims to have a better solution for home electricity storage

Redflow's ZCell domestic electricity storage system – unique zinc-bromine flow chemistry – 10 kiloWatt hour capacity
Credit: Redflow/Canstar Blue

Redflow has a home electricity storage solution using a flow cell with zinc-bromine electrolyte. Alternatives, such as the Tesla Power Wall, use lithium ion technology.

Claimed advantages of Redflow's flow cell include:

● tolerant of daily full cycle (100-0%) charge-discharge – don't try that with lead, nickel or lithium based batteries

● well suited to a heavy workload
● less loss of capacity through its lifetime than other chemistries
● doesn’t need active cooling
● sleep mode with zero self-discharge [sic]
● non-flammable electrolyte

Canstar Blue reviewed the ZCell
http://www.canstarblue.com.au/energy/alternative/solar-power/zcell-home-battery-storage-system-reviewed/

Executive chairman of Redflow, Simon Hackett, installed a ZCell at his home
https://simonhackett.com/2016/11/28/home-redflow-zbm-installation/

Manufacturer's web site
https://www.zcell.com/ / Simon Hackett executive chairman Australian battery storage developer Redflow better solution home electricity storage energy storage Australian householders cut costs residence residential back-up power option Redflow emerging market recent blackout South Australia back-up power options home-owners home energy storage systems harvesting storing energy solar panels Redflow’s ZCell home battery storage system power outages without interruption research firm IHS Technology forecast Australian energy storage market Australia top five markets distributed energy storage US Japan Germany UK solar photovoltaic energy storage systems wider energy market evolving battery technology increasing role nature of electricity consumption is changing innovative energy storage solutions ZCell systems local market home battery storage system ZCell Redflow ZCell emerging home battery market battery technologies available Redflow ZCell’s flow technology Redflow’s ZCell ZCell storage system unique zinc-bromine flow battery Redflow ZBM2 capable delivering 10 kilowatt hours kWh stored energy daily Redflow battery technology ZCell home battery market lithium-ion battery Redflow ZCell overhead degradation problems impact performance lithium-based lead-acid batteries ZCell contains 100 litres water-based zinc bromide salt solution circulating two separate hydraulic circuits charging zinc extracted zinc bromide solution stored plastic membrane discharge zinc released solution energy stored moving zinc inside the battery long life 100 per cent depth-of-discharge completely reversible no damage battery zinc completely removed plastic membrane end of each discharge cycle Redflow benefits ZCell other battery chemistry 100 per cent cycle depth daily delivery 10 kWh energy 100 per cent depth of discharge no risk of battery damage retaining full output capacity battery’s useful life large loss of output capacity with age other battery types no fire risk bromide-based electrolyte natural fire retardant mechanical damage no risk explosion thermal runaway high-temperature operation without active cooling unlimited shelf life state of charge hibernated for storage easy to recycle reuse /

SPUD – Spontaneous Pop-Up Display

SPUD in use
Credit: Arovia

Assembled, SPUD has a 24" screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio, at 1280 x 720 resolution, & weighs 2 pounds, that collapses, “just like a ruggedized umbrella”, to a 7.52 x 5.64 x 2.17 inch, package. Image is displayed by rear projection.



Two problems spring to mind:
1. in my experience, resolution is a problem with rear projected displays
2. creasing of the screen after repeated collapsing seems likely

Arovia, the creator, claims to have solved both of these problems.

SPUD is crowd funded through IndieGoGo
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-spontaneous-pop-up-display-spud-tv/x/9010251#/

& KickStarter too
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1677563729/the-spontaneous-pop-up-display-spud

The Verge – “The SPUD is an absurd 24-inch portable display that opens like an umbrella”
http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/2/13496448/portable-projector-display-spud

New Atlas – SPUD puts a 24-inch display in your back pocket
http://newatlas.com/spud-pop-up-screen/42350/ / SPUD high resolution 24-inch display ultra-portability ultra-portable collapses ruggedized umbrella size and weight paperback book expanded SPUD uses custom optics latest DLP technology sharp bright image HDMI cable wireless adapter SPUD connected smartphone tablet laptop SPUD completely new type of product world’s first large portable display SPUD only high resolution 24-inch display ultra-portability collapses ruggedized umbrella size and weight paperback book expanded SPUD custom optics latest DLP technology produce sharp bright image HDMI cable or wireless adapter SPUD connected smartphone tablet laptop watching movies more productive away from your office SPUD optimizes visual experience any device crowd funded crowdfunded crowd funding crowdfunding community supporters projected retail price SPUD pops-up huge, 24-inch diagonal display fully expanded device 21 inches wide 11 inches high 14 inches deep 61 cm diagonal 53 cm wide 28 cm high 36 cm deep 24-inch display size of a large desk monitor laptop screen 5.1-inch smartphone screen highly durable breakable glass screens SPUD uses flexible polymer cracked chipped washable attached casing keeps SPUD protected /

Tablift hands-free tablet stand for sitting, lounging – even lying down

Tablift – hands-free tablet stand
Credit: Design Swan

As well as holding almost any tablet in multiple positions, Tablift is steady enough to allow typing.



Review
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/07/24/tablift-hands-free-tablet-stand-review/

Manufacturer's web site
http://www.thetablift.com/ / Tablift tablift hands-free tablet stand review tablet vs. laptop laptops tablets are lighter hands-free laptop fancy case stand uniquely-shaped Tablift packaging Tablift storage mode unfold the bendy legs spidery looking thing each leg measures 14 inches long Tablift base three slots hold most tablets suit the viewing angle iPad Air three slots top position tilt slightly towards the viewer middle more neutral position rear position iPad Air landscape mode wide enough elastic clip elastic and clip keep tension on the tablet keep it from falling out iPad air in a case Tablift works clip pulls case just a little nice little touch portrait mode iPad Air’s charging port nicely hole Tablift base thought Tablift the most ungainly ridiculous looking stand I’ve seen incredibly versatile adjustable to nearly any task /

A 100% renewable electricity grid is not just possible, but essential

Credit: Conserve Energy Future

Scientists agree that the world is warming, & that human activity is substantially the cause.¹ Cost, both in financial terms^2,3 & impact on human well beings,^3,4 is enormous.

Electricity generation is a substantial source of greenhouse gases. A 100% renewable grid is thus, essential. Good news is that such a grid is also feasible according to a paper recently released by the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).

http://www.ata.org.au/news/media-release-a-100-per-cent-renewable-grid-is-possible-says-ata
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¹ “What’s causing global warming?”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/12/whats-causing-global-warming.html

² “Fossil fuel subsidies — $US10 million per minute", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/05/fossil-fuel-subsidies.html

³ “Climate change is cutting humans’ work capacity – update", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2013/02/climate-change-is-cutting-humans-work.html

⁴ “New global data suggests air pollution kills 10 million people per year", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/09/new-global-data-suggests-air-pollution.html/ Carbon dioxide CO2 methane Ch4 carbon carbon monoxide greenhouse gas greenhouse gases greenhouse gasses greenhouse effect global warming climate change fossil fuel radiation pollution acid rain Alternative Technology Association ATA coal fired power station fully renewable electricity grid provide long-term economic climate social benefits new discussion paper Alternative Technology Association ATA ATA’s 100% Renewable Energy Grid fully renewable energy grid Australia grid doable play an important part fight climate change paper COAG meets Finkel Review security stability national electricity market ATA not-for-profit sustainability organisation reviewed evidence recent developments previous studies Australian Energy Market Operator all experts agree 100% renewable grid will be reliable and stable appropriate mix renewable generation sources energy storage upgraded infrastructure Andrew Reddaway author ATA energy analyst periods of calm cloudy weather electricity sourced sunny windy parts of the country supplemented energy stores hydroelectric dams molten salt heat storage batteries renewable gas pelletised woody waste grid robust smarter renewable generators batteries automatically injecting extra electricity grid stability Mr Reddaway smart appliances detect disturbances grid independently adjust power level to compensate grid would be manageable transition energy costs slightly higher business as usual BAU in the longer term downward pressure on electricity bills renewable energy generation cheap to run building 100% renewable grid Snowy Mountains Scheme many jobs would be created capital costs spread over the project’s duration span at least a decade widespread energy efficiency measures further offset costs /

Lima lets you manage your own cloud storage

There are many free & paid cloud storage systems, but all of them require that you place your files in the custody of some other entity. An alternative would be to create your own cloud – which is where Lima comes in.


Installing Lima cloud storage is easy:
● connect Lima to your router
● connect Lima to your hard drive
● connect Lima to power supply
● installation complete
Credit: Lima


Lima ports
Credit: Lima

Any USB2 hard drive can be used. USB3 drives work at USB2 speed. Lima encrypts all of your files. Apps are available for Windows, OSX, Linux, Android & iOS devices.



TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/14/lima-beefs-up-its-dropbox-alternative-with-the-129-lima-ultra/

Manufacturer's web site
https://meetlima.com/

Thanks to John for suggesting this item / Lima Dropbox alternative $129 Lima Ultra tiny device personal cloud control your data more easily Dropbox alternative data hard drive in your home Lima Ultra new and improved version original Lima more powerful big performance boost small white box Ethernet port USB port device plugging it to your router USB hard drive access files hard drive all of your devices company released apps your computer phone tablet computer drag and drop files your Lima store them in the cloud hard drive sitting next to your router stream music movies open documents from your phone Lima Ultra access your media files from anywhere Lima Ultra works like cheap dumbed-down NAS network-attached storage NAS NAS Lima device spend $99 a year Dropbox Pro subscription Dropbox Microsoft Google able to see your data Lima Ultra much more powerful processor quad core 1.5GHz CPU more RAM Gigabit Ethernet port transfers much faster stream a very large movie browsing files faster remote connections start more quickly away from your home upload speed your home connection fast enough let you stream files from there more software updates thanks more powerful components new device you run two Limas side by side everything is mirrored backed up order Lima Ultra $129 /

Uber self driving car runs a red light (video)

Uber has been running a pilot programme of its autonomous vehicles in San Francisco. One of those vehicles was caught running a red light on a dash-cam. Check the sensor array on top of the vehicle.

Uber was quick to issue a statement attributing responsibility to the staff member in the driver's seat:

“This incident was due to human error. This is why we believe so much in making the roads safer by building self-driving Ubers. This vehicle was not part of the pilot & was not carrying customers. The driver involved has been suspended while we continue to investigate.”

Electrek
https://electrek.co/2016/12/14/uber-self-driving-car-red-light-pedestrian-sf/

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-16/self-driving-uber-runs-red-light/8128700

The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/14/13960836/uber-self-driving-car-san-francisco-red-light-safety / DMV Department of Motor Vehicles shut down Uber’s Uber unlicensed self-driving car program reaction footage prototype running red light front pedestrian Uber launching autonomous ride-sharing pilot program San Francisco justifying not needing permit operate self-driving cars 20 other companies developing self driving systems California video embedded showing Uber’s self-driving cars running red light pedestrian path San Francisco released later California regulators told company stop self-driving car service state until goes through process getting permit Uber released statement blaming human driver car video statement incident prompted intervention regulators letter California DMV officials told Uber must cease deploying cars face legal action agency statement website California DMV encourages responsible exploration self-driving cars permitting process ensure public safety technology being tested twenty manufacturers obtained permits test hundreds of cars California roads Uber autonomous technology considered level 3 requires active monitoring driver when activated would comply with the law California’s DMV defines autonomous systems able to drive without active physical control monitoring by a human operator refers to the vehicles self-driving video filmed San Francisco dashcam Uber’s Volvo XC90 SUVs equipped with self-driving hardware run red light pedestrian path right before pedestrian was about to cross video incident was due human error believe making the roads safer building self-driving Ubers Uber vehicle not part of the pilot not carrying customers driver involved has been suspended continue investigate /