The future and flying automobiles

Flying cars may become a realistic fantasy within the next decade

Aeromobile recently showed a prototype clip of a flying taxi service called Elevate that Uber plans to put into play within the next ten years or less.
Uber has approached Aurora Flight Sciences, Bell Helicopter, Embraer, Mooney, and Pipistrel Aircraft companies to team up and build a fleet of flying cars.
If successful, the cars will carry up to four passengers and take off like helicopters in a vertical direction. These vehicles will be electric and fully autonomous. Each car will take off from vertiports, similar to an airport.


Althought talk of flying cars seems premature, Elevate is expected to launch by 2023.

List of affordable fuel-efficient cars

Affordable electric vehicles that don't guzzle gas or your wallet

Tesla isn't the only option for a sleek looking electric vehicle. Here's a list of electric vehicles under $30,000:

1. 2016 Ford Focus- MSRP from $17,225

With 30 MPG city and 40 MPG highway, the Focus comes with 350hp and a bang for its buck. Some of its main features are parking assist- hands free parallel parking, voice-activated technology, a rearview camera, and MyKey to help you track your keys if they have been stolen/lost. Available in sedan or hatchback style.

2. 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV- MSRP from $25,120

The Spark comes with a 19 kWh lithium-ion battery that can last up to 82 miles. It's equipped with the standard specs needed for tire pressure, air bags, etc. But it includes Hill start assist and a control system called Break assist for extra safety. 

3. 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf- MSRP from $28,995

Inheriting the excellence of its gas-powered sibling, the e-Golf zaps its way through a growing field of affordable EVs. The e-Golf utilizes a 134-hp 100-kWh electric motor powered by a 35.8-kWh lithium-ion battery. The EPA estimates 125 miles of range on a single charge; fuel economy is rated at a combined 119 MPGe. An onboard charger is standard equipment. Novel packaging of the battery components avoids reducing passenger space; options include automated emergency braking and parking assist.

4. 2017 Hyundai Ioniq EV- MSRP from $29,500

Good news California residents, the Ioniq EV is only available to you. It comes in three options- hybrid, electric, and hybrid plug-in. Ioniq comes standard with a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, heated front seats and more. There's also a 7-inch color touchscreen display audio equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, plus a rearview camera.

Lamborghini then vs now

The 1980's Lamborghini Countach next to the current Lamborghini Reventon. Side by side you can see the how the model progressed over the years but how they still remain siblings. 

New battery that could revolutionize cars

New car battery that could last three times longer than your current one

As electric cars become more prevalent in our future the cost of these specialty vehicles rise. With new batteries that can be produced at a lower cost and higher volume the world may convert from environmentally harmful engines, to electric.

The co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery that powers all mobile phones and electric cars says he's developed a safer battery that lasts up to three times longer. 

John Goodenough at the University of Texas reports that his new battery technology could produce a safe, non-explosive cell able to power an electric car much longer than current batteries do with charging times measured in minutes instead of hours.

This battery will use glass electrolytes instead of lithium-ion batteries because the lithium ion batteries are in a liquid state that can leak out and cause deadly explosions.

Good enough plans on implementing the glass electrolytes because it preserves the density more which will lead to a longer lasting battery and they also don't leak. 

Not only are the new batteries going to be safer to use, but safer for the environment as well. The glass electrolytes allow the substitution of sodium for lithium. Low-cost sodium will also make for a cheaper process of production because sodium can be extracted from seawater which is widely available while lithium is from minerals in a long and costly un-bonding process.

Goodenough and his team are still in the process of perfecting and implementing their batteries for use but remain optimistic in hopes to work with battery makers to develop and test their new materials in electric vehicles and energy storage devices.

Satin black Charger Hellcat

A 2015 Charger hellcat with a satin black vinyl wrap turns heads with its body lines, hood vents, and  mean grille-headlight combination. Photo taken in Huntington Beach, California, outside of a shop called the Tint Pros which specializes in window tinting and vinyl wrapping.

Save thousands of dollars by vinyl wrapping your car instead of a new paint job by contacting your nearest body shop.

Tesla innovation Q&A

Brian Weist and Jonathan Kroger share about Tesla's driving assist

Weist and Kroger of Tesla Motors located in Irvine, California break down the pros and cons of Tesla's auto pilot feature.

Q: Tesla is the pinnacle of technology. Do you think the auto pilot feature crosses the line of too much technology for a car or not? Why?

A: Weist- "I believe that all of Tesla's features on their vehicles are to enhance a driver's experience and help them get from point A to point B as easily and comfortably as possible. I think our autopilot feature is a great benefit that just shows how far technology has come where you can sit and relax- or even sleep when commuting to your job or wherever day to day."

Q: Many Tesla critics have considered auto pilot to be dangerous because they have resulted in multiple crashes. How can drivers prevent from crashing, but still use the auto pilot efficiently?

A: Weist- "Well people take the phrase "auto pilot" too literally. The feature enables you to take you hands off the steering wheel and your feet off the gas and break pedals. You can push your seat back and get comfortable, but any smart driver knows its not a good idea to take your eyes off the road in front of you."

Kroger- "Yeah, and as for the crash that happened where the driver was using autopilot, Tesla was not a fault for that exact reason. It's meant for you to trust the system but still pay attention due to changing road conditions and such."

Q: How does auto pilot work exactly? 

A: Kroger- "So our vehicles are programmed to match the speed to traffic conditions and even surrounding vehicles. It can keep within one lane, or switch lanes on its own, merge onto freeways, and self park."

Q: How is the Tesla programmed to make such moves on its own like switching lanes and merging onto freeways?

A: Kroger- We install 360 degree sensors that can sense when there are cars next to it. So when the Tesla switches lanes, it will only switch if it doesn't sense a car within 5 feet next to it. And if it does sense a car, then it will slow down and switch lanes when it's safe to do so. The Teslas are also installed with GPS. Before putting auto pilot on, you type in your destination and the Tesla will drive the way for you by following the map."

Q: Do you drive Tesla's yourselves? How do you like yours?

A: Weist- "I drive a Model S and Jonathan doesn't have one. I love the way it drives and the center console is awesome. It's like an iPad in your car. The best part about it is you don't pay for gas. I've saved so much money since I've bought one- I don't even know how much, but it's a lot. I drive from San Diego to Irvine and back every day for my work commute and my car makes me enjoy it so much more. Tesla is the future. Electric and environmental friendly cars are the future."

Q: Can you consider the front console to be distracting?  Why or why not?

A: Weist- "Well again, just because you have a Tesla doesn't mean you have to forget all about being a safe driver. We have these features to help and enhance the way of driving. Not so you have more stuff to look at or distract you with while driving. People need to remember they are responsible when they get behind the wheel of a car. I normally don't touch the console screen while I am driving. I do it before I get on the road so I'm not at risk to crash. It's all about how smart and responsible to driver is. It depends. For me, it's not distracting at all.

Elon Musk's next brilliant idea

Elon Musk comes up with a solution to fix California's traffic nightmare

CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk envisions a series of underground roadways to prevent traffic.

During a recent TED Talk conference, Musk shares a generated mock-up video of a network of underground tunnels that sprawl out in multiple directions. Platforms will be placed in parking spots where vehicles will park. Those platforms then lower until they are underground and even with an underground channel where other cars are driving. 

Each platform is connected to a skate and rides on rails as if it were a rollercoaster. "Theres no speed limit down there. We hope to have the speeds at about 200km/h." says Musk during his TED Talk. With the high speeds, drivers will be able to get from point A to point B faster than on a regular street.

Each channel sprawls out into a different one to create a functioning web of roadways. Cars can also exit the tunnel ways by getting back on the platform in the underground tunnel and being lifted up back onto the main street.

He plans to start digging in Los Angeles and then work around all of southern California to alleviate road congestion. 

It all started with a tweet posted by Musk saying that he was sick traffic and he planned to "just start digging" a tunnel with a tunnel boring machine.

He showed the public just how serious he was in December of 2016 when teamed up with the Boring Company and tweeted a picture of a tunnel digging machine.

Musk says he still has some kinks to work out of his plan but has raised eyebrows by saying he has made exciting progress already.

The underground tunnels are estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars per mile but is said to prevent traffic jams and constant road construction, saving the government money as well.