Author: Serkadis

Datalogic Automation presents SVS2, the vision sensor series that presents all the characteristics able to solve artificial machine vision applications in a flexible and intuitive way. SVS2 is a completely embedded device: the optic, the red LED illuminator and the electronics are included in an extremely compact housing. The sensor is configured via PC through Ethernet communication. The configuration software is included in the product and it has been developed in order to lead the customer through the configuration process step by step. SVS2 is available in two different versions according to the installed control tools: Object Recognition (OBJ) and Advanced Object Recognition (AOR). Many different control typologies are available: brightness, contrast, position, width, count, pattern match, contour match, 360° pattern match (available only in AOR models). SVS2 can store up to 20 different inspections, that can be selected using digital pulses or via Ethernet. The sensor is able to contemporaneously: carry-out different controls on the same object, thus reducing installation time and costs compared to using more devices in the same application. SVS2 is the right solution when normal photoelectric sensors are not able to meet all the application requirements and represents an user-friendly and cost-effective alternative to the traditional vision systems.

The new GT16 family extends the high-end range of Mitsubi-shi Electric’s already comprehensive GOT1000 series of op-eration terminals, adding functionality for applications in the process industry. Available in versions with display widths from 8.4” to 15” (diagonal), the graphical touchscreen GT16 units integrate seamlessly in automation networks. Functions for automatic generation of process control user interface screens help to make control processes transparent, speed-ing up development and cutting costs. Advanced technolo-gies like MES support, safety features and multimedia func-tions facilitate operation, monitoring, diagnostics and trou-bleshooting tasks.

The GOT1000 family now includes a total of 60 models in four product families. The latest models are also the most powerful, featuring 57 megabytes of project memory, and the front panels have an IP67f ingress protection rating for use in heavy-duty shop floor environments. Standard equipment includes one Fast Ether-net port, two serial ports (RS-232, RS-442/485), two USB ports (with both Host and Device functionality) and a slot for Compact-Flash cards. There are also two free slots for installing up to six stackable communications or option cards. Available options in-clude interface and network modules, multimedia, video and audio functions, a USB printer connection and the MES Interface Func-tion for sharing production data with a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) in real time.

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

If there’s one thing we can say about Mansory, it’s that they sure aren’t afraid to try new things. A pink Bentley? Sure. A blue and gold Rolls-Royce Ghost? Why not? Then there’s this highly modified G55 AMG built in cooperation with fashion designer Philipp Plein named the G-Couture. With a production run of just seven examples, this heavily modified Benz will only be available to a limited few. Truthfully, it’s probably better that way.

While we aren’t necessarily against fully cladding a G55 in carbon fiber, our hesitation with the G-Couture is less about the concept and more about the execution. The front end particularly looks overly-styled, and the unpainted fibers seem more appropriate on a sports car. We can, however, appreciate the upgrades done underneath the hood. Mansory has boosted the supercharged V8 to 700 horsepower and 649 lb-ft torque. Necessary? Of course not, but impressive nonetheless. Hit the jump for more details about the G-Couture, or check it out in all its carbon fiber glory in the gallery below.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Mansory Limited Edition G-Couture is anything but

Geneva 2010: Mansory Limited Edition G-Couture is anything but originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Department of Transportation is hearing back from some Toyota owners who say they are still having unintended acceleration problems after their recalled vehicles were repaired. The NHTSA is now contacting these customers to find out what’s happening and to make sure Toyota is doing everything possible to make its vehicle safe, said David Strickland administrator of the NHTSA.

He said that if owners are still experiencing unintended acceleration after taking their cars to be repaired, “we want to know about it.”

The government has received a limited number of acceleration complaints from owners whose floor mats or gas pedals have already been fixed.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News

The Street’s Eric Jackson got to hear a speech given by hedge fund manager, Bill Ackman, last week (he doesn’t say where) at the Active/Passive Investor conference.

Ackman is the activist investor who recently made a fool out of Hovde Capital for criticizing his huge stake in General Growth Properties.

“I think most investors overdiversify because they’re lazy,” he said during his speech. He’s talking about other large investors, like him.

“They haven’t done enough research into any of their companies. If they’ve got 200 positions, do you think they know what’s going on at any one of those companies at this moment?

“As a result of overdiversification, their returns get watered down. Diversification covers up ignorance.”

It’s not surprising that he would criticize heavy diversification.

Ackman, of course, takes big stakes in companies like Target (TGT) and then gets on the board to help guide the company.

In an interesting aside about the role Pershing Square plays on companies’ boards, Ackman said:

“Many investors in Target told us after that they wished they could have voted for two of our nominees instead of either our nominees or Target’s.”

Read more of Ackman’s lessons on The Street.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Bill Ackman’s First Piece Of Investment Advice: Read All Of Warren Buffett’s Investor Letters
• Bill Ackman’s General Growth Killing Signals A Huge Rebound Ahead For Commercial Real Estate
• Bill Ackman Ups Stake In Private Prisons Company

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Bugatti

There’s no doubt that the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is an impressive car just from looking at it, and it’s even easier to sing its praises when you get to drive it. Bugatti has given us one more reason to be impressed here at the Geneva Motor Show with a cutaway version of its $1.2 million supercar. The car is divided into its two main sub-assemblies, showing off its carbon fiber structure and internal components.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the car is how Bugatti managed to cram so much into so small a space. The Grand Sport is a relatively small car, and fitting an 8.0-liter W16 engine complete with four turbochargers into the space behind the rear seats was no small feat. The display shows just how Bugatti did it, though, and we walked away even more amazed at what went into packaging all the components of the car. You can see for yourself in the high-res gallery below.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Geneva 2010: Bugatti Grand Sport cutaway reveals some impressive packaging originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You may have heard the stories that went around recently suggesting that hot dogs need to be redesigned because they’re “potentially lethal to small children.” Yikes. Reader Michael Bazelewick sent this in while noting that he’d heard this for years — and even back in the 80’s he had a solution: hollowing out the hotdogs with a 4″ kitchen corer — and his daughter cutely nicknamed the resulting product “hole dogs.” So when he heard about this new pediatric warning, he went looking to see if any of the hotdog makers were offering pre-hollowed dogs — and instead discovered that in 2006 someone had applied for a patent on hollow hot dogs. Seriously. It’s still an application, but the fact that it hasn’t been thrown out yet is pretty scary (Update: As was, snidely, pointed out in the comments, the patent was considered “abandoned” last month after a failure to respond to the USPTO — but still, that means it took years before the application was rejected, and even then the rejection is only for abandonment, not entirely due to the (lack of) merits). So, by all means, go ahead and redesign the hotdog — but please don’t patent it.

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General Motors has just announced that Vice Chairman Bob Lutz will retire effective May 1, 2010. Lutz, 78, will end his 47-year career in the global auto industry after holding senior leadership positions at four of the world’s leading automakers.

“The influence Bob Lutz has had on GM’s commitment to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles will last for years to come,” GM CEO and Chairman Ed Whitacre said. “I, along with many other men and women in GM and throughout the industry, have greatly benefited from his passion, wisdom and guidance.”

Lutz said that he decided to retire now in part because hot-selling vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX, GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Camaro, along with the growing strength of GM’s four core brands, prove that a product-focused mindset inside the company is in place for the long term.

“I can confidently say that the job I came here to do more than nine years ago is now complete – the team I have been fortunate to lead has far exceeded my expectations,” Lutz said. “Our product lineup is as strong as it has been in GM’s history. The perception of our products and brands is beginning to catch up with reality. And most importantly, the absolute commitment to being a product-driven company is engrained throughout the organization – from the top down – and I am confident that, under Ed Whitacre’s leadership, the straightforward, singular focus on product will endure.”

Lutz has also worked at BMW, Chrysler and Ford.

– By: Omar Rana

We just realized that with all the talk about Greece, the PIIGS, China, and the national debt, nobody is talking about commercial real estate anymore.

So, we wanna know, do you still care?

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Fed: Commercial Real Estate Deteriorating Further, NYC Remains A Dog
• Commercial Real Estate Default Rate Doubles As Banks Sit On $1.1 Trillion In Loans
• Bill Ackman’s General Growth Killing Signals A Huge Rebound Ahead For Commercial Real Estate

Since he’s counted among the higher-ups of the industry, Evan Wells gets to do some things that us regular folks can’t. Such privileges include making awesome games like Uncharted 2 and playing God of War III before

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Middle East, Design/Style, Off-Road

Imagine this: you’re sitting there in your engineering class and the professor walks in and says, “You’re getting a little project this semester. I’d like you to design an SUV. But not just any SUV, one that takes into account the environment and population of the Arabian Gulf. 20% of your grade is riding on it.”

That’s right, King Saud University (KSU) students in Saudi Arabia were asked to create a new SUV called the Gazal-1. If you’re wondering, Gazal means “gazelle” in Arabic. Why you would name a hulking, International Truck-looking off-roader after a lithe, speedy and athletic mammal is anyone’s guess. Still, you must admit, for a bunch of college kids, they did a fine job.

The big green truck here at the Geneva Motor Show is actually just a model, a styling exercise if you will. However, the Gazal-1 is more than just an engineering project. A business plan has been part of the Gazal-1 since the get-go. Are we saying that the KSU kids’ truck will one day make it to production? Mostly likely no. However, KSU’s reason for such an ambitious project is to “Promote the culture of automotive industry, to train young engineers who can participate in research and development.” Those are some educational goals we can get behind.

Now comes the fun part. The KSU students didn’t start with a totally blank slate. In fact, they were given an existing SUV to start with. They were then told to keep the original vehicle’s wheelbase, track, mechanical bits and interior hard points. Obviously, the entire body was redesigned. So redesigned in fact that when asked what SUV underpins the Gazal-1, five out of five members of the Autoblog Geneva crew got it wrong. Make the jump to see if you’re smarter than us. Warning: Don’t make the jump until you’ve guessed what truck!

Continue reading Geneva 2010: King Saud University Gazal-1 is one whopper of a student project

Geneva 2010: King Saud University Gazal-1 is one whopper of a student project originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest Fed Beige Book is out, and once again it sounds cautiously optimistic, though certainly mixed.

One negative area is commercial reale state, an issue that nobody cares about anymore:

Commercial real estate conditions remained weak or declined further in most Districts, although some Districts noted slight stabilization or modest signs of improvement. Commercial real estate activity weakened in the Richmond, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, and San Francisco Districts, though Dallas noted that leasing fell at a slower rate and San Francisco cited increased leasing in some segments. Boston and Philadelphia said conditions remain weak, but both noted some improvement in sales of commercial space. New York reported softer activity in the New York City area but some steadying in vacancies and rents elsewhere, while St. Louis said activity remained weak throughout the District. Several Districts also noted that many tenants were pushing for, and in some cases receiving, concessions on rents. All Districts reporting on commercial construction said that activity remained weak or slow, except for some moderate boost from federal stimulus projects and other public construction. Credit for commercial development and transactions was still very difficult to obtain in several Districts, though San Francisco noted a slight improvement in financing availability.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Commercial Real Estate Default Rate Doubles As Banks Sit On $1.1 Trillion In Loans
• Bill Ackman’s General Growth Killing Signals A Huge Rebound Ahead For Commercial Real Estate
• TARP Watchdog: Don’t Be Fooled By The Calm, Banks Will Be Rocked By 2011’s $300 Billion Commercial Real Estate Time Bomb

David Niebauer

A new, innovative feed-in tariff for small-scale solar development is coming to California. Rather than setting a fixed price in an environment in which technology costs appear to be dropping, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has proposed a market-based approach, allowing developers to bid the lowest prices at which they would be willing to develop projects. This approach focuses on adding capacity to meet California’s aggressive renewable portfolio standard (RPS), and appears to avoid the pitfall of setting a price that is too high or too low. Time will tell if the approach is effective, but the outline of the program released by the CPUC looks promising.

Background

Feed-in tariffs have been employed around the world for a number of years as a policy mechanism designed to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources. Because non-renewable energy sources (e.g., fossil fuel combustion) cost significantly less to develop in a pure unregulated market environment, renewables require subsidies to make them competitive. Of course, the reason for the disparity is that we already subsidize non-renewable energy development by not assessing the full cost of the resource extraction activities, but that’s a topic for another article.

One approach to the cost disparity problem would be for governments to start taxing non-renewable energy generation, assessing the full cost to society and the environment for those activities. A more politically realistic solution is to provide an incentive to those developing renewable energy resources. The feed-in tariff is an innovative incentive program that is designed to provide a level playing field for renewable energy project development.

A feed-in tariff typically includes three key provisions: 1) guaranteed grid access, 2) long-term contracts for the electricity produced, and 3) purchase prices that are based on the cost of renewable energy generation. Under feed-in tariff regulation, utilities are required to buy renewable electricity from all eligible participants, effectively leveling the market for electricity generation.

Feed-in tariffs have been successfully employed in many countries over the last few years, most notably in Germany and Spain. The goal is described as “grid parity”: the point at which renewable electricity is equal to or cheaper than (non-renewable) grid power.

The California Approach

California regulators, guided by the CPUC, have flirted with a feed-in tariff for a number of years. Standard Offer Contracts for renewable power development were first introduced in California in the early 1980s in response to the state’s investor-owned utilities (IOUs) perceived discrimination against small power producers. The CPUC ordered the utilities to offer standardized contracts and to offer one such contract, Standard Offer No.4 (SO4) with fixed prices. By the mid-1980s, private power producers had installed a significant amount of wind capacity in California, much of which is still in service today. Solar technologies had not matured to a level sufficient to take advantage of SO4.

California’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) implemented in 2002 significantly raised the stakes for solar development. The California RPS program requires electric corporations to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources by at least 1% of their retail sales annually, until they reach 20% by 2010. On September 15, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger signed an Executive Order directing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt regulations increasing California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 33 percent by 2020. As currently designed, RPS projects tend to be large and located in remote areas with abundant available land, but little transmission access or capacity. These larger projects take several years, at a minimum, to develop, due to the generation and transmission permitting processes, as well as the construction time required.

In early 2008, and as a means to promote smaller scale renewable projects, CPUC adopted a feed-in tariff that directs IOUs to offer a standard contract at the so-called market price referent (MPR) to all renewable technologies up to 1.5 megawatts (MW). However, this program has been generally ineffective because the price is not high enough to attract solar development: the MPR is based on the cost of generating electricity with a combined cycle gas turbine facility.

Renewable Auction Mechanism (RAM)

In August 2009, the CPUC issued a new proposal designed to significantly increase the amount of solar energy installed in the state from smaller producers. It has moved away from using MPR to set the price and instead proposes to implement an innovative bid mechanism. The program would first expand the current feed-in tariff to 10 MW (to cover projects in the 1 – 10 MW size). Rather than setting the price at MPR, the CPUC proposes to allow developers to bid out projects through market-based pricing in what is termed a renewable auction mechanism (RAM). Under this system, developers would bid the lowest prices at which they would be willing to develop renewable energy projects and IOUs would be required to accept eligible projects starting at the lowest bid. As stated in the CPUC proposal: “This mechanism would also allow the state to pay developers a price that is sufficient to bring projects online but that does not provide surplus profits at ratepayers’ expense.”

Solicitations would be staggered for each IOU throughout the year using standard long-term power purchase agreements whose terms would not be negotiable. The program would be capped in each year and IOUs would be required to accept contracts up to the maximum amount of the cap. The program as currently envisioned totals 1 GW over 4 years, although industry observers believe that once implemented it could be easily expanded.

Next Steps

An Administrative Law Judge is currently reviewing certain jurisdictional objections raised by Southern California Edison after the initial CPUC proposal. The issue is whether the state commission can set wholesale prices or whether such an action can only be mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The RAM approach adopted by the CPUC appears to moot any such jurisdictional challenge. A decision is expected shortly. Once the decision is rendered, the content and mechanism for roll-out of the program will come up for deliberation and vote at an upcoming meeting of the CPUC.

David Niebauer is a corporate and transaction attorney, located in San Francisco, and a founding partner of Energy Counsel Partners, LLP (www.energycounselpartners.com). David’s practice is focused on renewable energy project development and environmental technologies. www.niebauer.net.

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After getting a lot of flak and subsequently losing a publisher, Atomic has reportedly finally finished their controversial shooter, Six Days in Fallujah. They’re still without a publisher, but apparently the game’s still coming out.

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Signaling a new path for Mitsubishi‘s assault on the automotive market, the 2010 Mitsubishi ASX will take the three-diamond brand away from its concentration on SUVs to “a manufacturer of non-mainstream environmentally friendly passenger cars & crossovers, retaining a presence in the ‘authentic off-roader’ sector.”

Combining the atmosphere of the Outlander with the “on-road attitude” of the Lancer, the four-wheel-drive ASX will show up in America later this year as the Outlander Sport with a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder from the Lancer and an Outlander-besting 30-or-so miles per gallon. Get a good look at Mitsubishi’s way forward in the gallery of high-res photos below, and feel free to read the good news in the press release after the jump.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Mitsubishi ASX is U.S. bound as Outlander Sport

Geneva 2010: Mitsubishi ASX is U.S. bound as Outlander Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, GM, Opel, Electric

The highlight of the Opel stand at the Geneva Motor Show this week is clearly the new Flextreme GT/E concept. This second Flextreme-badged concept is the first midsize car to be powered by General Motors‘ Voltec powertrain as used in the Chevrolet Volt. The GT/E is just a couple of inches shorter than the Insignia/Regal, but Opel claims it matches the 40 mile electric driving range of the Volt/Ampera.

The same 1.4-liter inline-four gasoline fueled range extender is used along with the 16 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack. However, the designers have taken the lessons learned from the Volt program about how aerodynamics can extend the electric driving range and applied them even more aggressively to the new concept.

The mirror-less GT/E has a drag coefficient of just 0.22 – aided in no small part by a reduced frontal area and vertical fins that can extend out of the body work at speeds over 30 mph to effectively extend the tail and control turbulence behind the car. The Volt has been carefully shaped at rear corners to manage this air-flow, but the new Flextreme adds active aerodynamics to take it to the next level.

The concept also aggressively goes after weight savings with extensive use of carbon fiber, although Opel isn’t specifying a mass for this one-off concept. What they are specifying is fuel consumption of 147 miles per gallon (U.S.). How they came to this number remains as mysterious as the magical 230 mpg touted last year for the Volt.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept glides on stage

Geneva 2010: Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept glides on stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota ha aprovechado el Salón de Ginebra para presentar una nueva versión de su controbertido iQ. Se trata del Toyota iQ Collection y con él se nos ofrecerá una gran selección de interiores personalizados con una mayor calidad en los acabados.

El exterior resalta por el color Bronce Mica de la carrocería. Por otra parte, en el interior podremos escoger entre acabados en color crema o dorado para las insercciones del volante y en los paneles de las puertas.

El asiento del conductor será ajustable en altura junto a unos nuevos tiradores en las puertas que facilitan su apertura (algo muy solicitado). En cuanto a la motorización, seguirá sin cambios por el momento.

Related posts:

1. Toyota Auris HSD, imagen de producción
2. Toyota Auris 2010, nuevo restyling
3. Toyota ultima los detalles del Prius Coupé