Google adds EV charging locations to Google Maps

EV charging station locations near Mountain View CA. One of the big advantages of driving fossil fuel-powered vehicles is that it's easy to find a place to fill up. In the more than a century since the world's first purpose-built gas station was built in St. Louis, Missouri in 1905, a massive worldwide infrastructure has emerged to keep our vehicles running. As automakers make the move to...

Cobra SL3 GPS finds traffic cameras, is blind to radar

At first glance the Cobra SL3 looks like a normal radar detector, but it’s really a GPS-enabled speed camera locator. The SL3 features a built-in, updateable database of speed camera and red-light camera locations. Its LED indicators and alert tones warn you when you approach a camera location so you have time to slow down. The Cobra SL3 does not detect police radar; it is a camera locator...

Escort integrates GPS and radar technology in one device

Escort has integrated ticket avoidance technology and GPS navigation into one unit, the Passport IQ Automotive radar and laser detector manufacturer Escort has announced the release of Passport IQ, which combines GPS navigation and radar detection technology in one handy unit. As well as getting you safely from A to B, the new driving accessory is said to be the first that also protects you...

Wikitude Drive AR navigation system keeps your eyes on the road

The Wikitude Drive augmented reality navigation app overlays directional markers on real-time video of the road in front of you Although many of us don't know how we ever managed without our car navigation systems, they are not without their flaws. For one thing, when that voice says "Turn left in 100 meters," you may find yourself looking out the windshield and wondering "Does that mean...

New Garmin sat nav app aims to cut down rail crossing incidents in the UK

The UK's Network Rail and Garmin have developed a special sat nav app that causes the navigation device to sound a train-like whistle when the driver approaches a level crossing The UK's Highway Code advises the use of care when approaching a level crossing, and to only drive onto a crossing if the exit is clear on the other side. After all, finding yourself blocked on the track when a train...

Speaking, interactive dashboard avatar could replace owner's manuals

The Avatar-based Virtual Co-driver System is designed to replace a vehicle's owner's manual with an interactive video avatar At one time not all that long ago, cars had a warning light on the dashboard that simply said "ENGINE." That's pretty vague. Really, it might just as well have said "CAR." Some newer automobiles now have codes that appear on the console, which the driver must then...

EV Profiler compares your driving needs to an EV's capabilities

The EV Profiler is a driving data recorder, that lets users know how specific electric vehicles would be able to meet their present driving needs You may have heard people saying that most electric vehicles have plenty of range for an average driver's daily needs, but ... how does that apply to you? It would definitely be disappointing to purchase an EV, only to discover that your driving...

Ca-Fi: Android-based car infotainment system

Innotrends has unveiled its Ca-Fi Android 2.3-based infotainment multimedia system powered by 1.2GHz Cortex A8 CPU Hong-Kong-based Innotrends has unveiled its Ca-Fi Android 2.3-based infotainment system for in-car use. Tailored for 2-DIN dashboards and running on a 1.2GHz Cortex A8 CPU and 512MB of RAM, Ca-Fi features 6.2-inch 800 x 480 (resistive) touchscreen, a 3G modem to surf the web,...

The Rydeen GCOM701 tablet/GPS navigation hybrid device

Although manufacturers of dedicated car navigation systems have been hit hard by the surge in popularity of apps that give a smartphone all the navigational bells and whistles like turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance, dedicated systems still have their advantages – most obviously a larger screen size. But even that advantage could now be under fire from tablet computers that boast equal...

TomTom GPS navigator for bikers

TomTom's navigation solution for motorbikes features a ruggedized waterproof housing, a 3.5" touchscreen with large, "glove friendly" icons, a secure universal mounting system and comes bundled with a Cardo scala-rider® Bluetooth® headset for in-helmet spoken instructions and hands-free phone calls. The Rider 2 includes access to the company's online map update and personalization service...