April 2-11, 2010
Looking for Some Car Based Fun? Attend an Auto Show!
Automotive enthusiasts who can't get enough of their favorite cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and crossovers understand that there is one venue which can satisfy their craving for all things on four wheels: auto shows. Held around the year and all across the globe, these events allow visitors get a glimpse of some of the newest cars, most promising concepts, and an opportunity to rub shoulders with industry experts.
But, not all auto shows are equal. In fact, some regional or local shows can be downright disappointing. Particularly hard to take are those shows when major manufacturers are a no show, a special vehicle being shown elsewhere fails to appear, or show hours are too restrictive.
On the other hand, there are some shows that far exceed expectations, are fun to attend, and offer some pleasant surprises for visitors. The top US shows are usually located in major cities and metropolitan areas, offering the biggest draw and the most exciting vehicles. Please read on to learn the top shows her in the states and what you need to know about them.
Los Angeles Auto Show – Held during the last part of November, the L.A. Auto Show is the first major show of the new model year. This edge allows visitors to see all new models just as they reach dealer showrooms. In addition, the show is a popular place for manufacturers to roll out new models and concepts, particularly Japanese automakers who crave and appreciate the California driver.
North American International Auto Show – Held in Detroit beginning the middle of January, this show is the top show of the automobile calendar in the US. All three US manufacturers are evident in force, vying with each other to show off their latest offerings. Well represented by many other brands, the Detroit show has increasingly become the place where Chinese manufacturers are beginning to tout their brands.
Chicago Auto Show – Held just one month after the Detroit show ends, the Chicago show still has some of its own glamor to display. This past show gave Chrysler the perfect venue to roll out the Dodge Challenger and other automakers (like Porsche) who avoid Detroit are present in this larger market show.
New York International Auto Show – Held in late March or early April, the New York show has the most attendees of any American show, with more than one million people visiting over a nine or ten day period. For that reason alone, the New York show becomes a favorite venue for some automakers, particularly major European brands as they roll out sought after vehicles to tri-state customers.
SEMA Show – This large show is held in Las Vegas, usually in early November. Unlike the other shows mentioned, it is not open to the general public. Instead SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) offers exhibitions to the auto industry including parts, educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, and more.
Other big shows include ones hosted in San Francisco; Washington, DC; Atlanta; Philadelphia; and elsewhere. Many are hyped up beyond what they say that they offer, so to avoid disappointment make sure you visit the show's website to find out who is participating, what special events are being planned, and how much you'll pay for that venue.
Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary, North Carolina. Matt provides magazine, web content, and article writing services to clients all over the world serving the automotive, human interest, and business communities. Matt's Musings is his personal weblog.
December 4-13, 2009
October 24-November 4, 2009
September 23-30, 2010
The Era Of The Robotic Vehicles Has Arrived
by MIKE SELVON
From robotic construction trucks to robotic submarines, the world of robotic vehicles is being employed to revolutionize our lives. Traditionally associated with the military, robotic planes, submarines, tanks, trucks, cars, mechanical bugs and other types of mobile robots are being developed for civilian use as well. Futuristic advancements are no longer a matter of "How," but more so a matter of "When," as to when the technology will be affordable enough for average citizens.
"The good thing about this system is you don't have to send a marine out and risk that life," Captain James Lee said of his bomb-disassembling and reconnaissance mission robotic vehicles. The machines may cost $100,000 a piece, but they're fairly durable, especially considering that duct tape and common materials can be used to patch them.
The Packbot Scout Robot (developed by Robotic Systems JPO) quickly takes apart a bomb, saving an entire Humvee full of soldiers. The Dragon Eye and Raven B unmanned aircraft patrols the battlefields, even in adverse weather conditions.
The Stalker (developed by Lockheed Martin) is especially keen for silent night operations, while the Golden Eye can hover for three hours, assessing the scene. The unmanned Predator drone is one of the most highly-touted autonomous robots used by the US military today. Civilian robotic vehicles are also being developed for a number of uses. Sonar robotics technology is capturing never-before-seen images of deep sea beds with the Synthetic Aperture Sonar. Farmers use these vehicles to check on their crops.
Forest rangers count trees and monitor wildlife in remote regions of their parks. Surface water vehicles are skimming the coasts, while underwater devices are recovering old shipwrecks and AWOL lobster traps that have fallen loose, thus threatening endangered marine animals.
You may not know it, but automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are transporting materials all around warehouses and hospitals at this very moment. The early robotic vehicles were easy to make, researchers say, but they were fairly limited in their paths and found it difficult to adapt to changes in their environments.
The interim robotics automation could scan bar code grid lines on the floor or use laser technology to maneuver around, although tall obstacles still blocked the way and routine maintenance was high. New robotic vehicles are trained to circumnavigate around any obstacle, whether it is a pallet or a person.
They use 3-D scanners, maps and other complex systems. In the future, people are expected to work alongside robots much more frequently.
Educate yourself about the robotic vehicles from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback and welcome your comments at our robotics technology blog where a free audio gift awaits you.
October 2-17, 2010
2010 Cancelled
January 5-11, 2010
April 27-May 2, 2010
July-August 2010
December 2010
December 4-12, 2010
August 22-25, 2010
Future flying cars in the works!
By James Seymor
Ever been in this position before, you get out of bed and hurry to to make up some of your lost minutes. Now that you are at your vehicle you have made up about ten minutes. Now your running only twenty minutes late to work. You get in the vehicle and step on the gas. Traffic is bad of coure, you knew that before you went to bed but your later than normal and this makes things worse, the traffic is much worse. That ten minutes you gained is now gone and you are on your way to being over an hour late for work. Most commuters have been in this situation. The good news is that this might become a thing of the past.
Several new start up manufacturers are racing each other to produce the worlds first mass produced flying car. These flying cars have promised to become our traffic saviors. This may seem impossible, but companies like Terrafugia and Labische say this is not only a automobile of the future but most likely a automobile of the next few years. These companies all feel they are very close to being the first.
Some of these producers have working prototypes, with the Terrafugia already in working trial flights. The concept isn't new by any means. Several of them have been making advancements in this field for years. Aerocar out of Longview Washington had actually built several working models in the 1940's but mass production was never achieved. Terrafugia, whos flying automobile actually resembles the old flying automobile from Washington, believes they will have a mass production vehicle ready within two years. What about the cost, you might be asking yourself. Well it truly isn't too bad, most companies feel they can get these vehicles out for around the six figure range. Possibly after mass production down to the price of a nice luxuary automobile. Not bad right It seems that the Jetsons were on the right track and we may soon be there as well.
Get the latest on the future of cars at http://www.thefutureflyingcars.com
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