Mechanical/Mechatronics

Transportation

Stay updated on the innovations in transportation technologies. Explore the articles and technical briefs on electrification and autonomous driving that have impacted transportation design and engineering.

Stories

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Algorithm Helps Swarming Robots Avoid Collisions

This technology could help control driverless cars and automated warehouses.

Briefs: Energy

Relaxor Piezoelectric Single-Crystal Multilayer Stacks for Energy Harvesting Transducers (RPSEHT)

Applications include powering portable electronic devices and sensors, and harvesting waste mechanical energy for aircraft, automobile, and other transportation equipment.

Articles: Automotive

Seeing with Sound Next-Level Ultrasonic Sensors for Intelligent Cars

Even though ultrasound has been studied by scientists for many years, its capabilities in practical applications are yet to be fully harnessed.

Briefs: Materials

Coating Extends Lithium Metal Battery Life

The coating could make lightweight lithium metal batteries safe and long-lasting for the next generation of electric vehicles.

Briefs: Materials

Machine Learning Algorithm Identifies Objects Using Microwaves

Hardware and software tweak microwave patterns to discover the most efficient way to identify objects.

Briefs: Energy

Maximizing Safety in Advanced Battery Systems

Fuse devices enable circuit safety in high-power applications, such as motion control and alternative energy generation, in addition to electric vehicles.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

High-Reliability Radio Frequency MEMS Switch

Applications include homeland security, vehicle anti-collision systems, telecommunications systems, and industrial instrumentation.

Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Answering Your Questions: Who is Responsible for the Level 5 Autonomous Car (and Its Sensors)?

A reader asks our expert.

Blog: Data Acquisition

Answering Your Questions: How Do A.I. Engineers Address Data Security Concerns with Self-Driving Cars?

As autonomous cars collect data on passing pedestrians, cyclists, and license plates, what privacy measures are in place? A reader asks.

Blog: Energy

Answering Your Questions: What Will Drive Growth of Class 8 Electric Trucks?

A reader asks, "What market drivers need to occur for electric vehicles to be considered an acceptable replacement for vehicles with internal combustion engines?"

Application Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Challenges for Lidar Software

Anand Gopalan, CEO of Velodyne Lidar, Inc., discusses lidar software for ADAS and autonomous vehicles

Application Briefs: Transportation

IMU Contributions to Navigation and Safety for ADAS and Autonomous Vehicles

An interview with Mike Horton, CTO of ACEINNA, Inc. (Boston, MA).

Articles: Transportation

Understanding the Implications of 5G Cellular

To clear up some of the confusion about what the industry means when it says 5G, here’s a guide to what it’s all about.

Articles: Connectivity

What’s Next in Mobility: WCX 2020 SAE World Congress Experience

Your preview of one of the largest technical mobility events of the year.

Blog: Electronics & Computers

SPIE Photonics West 2020 – Sights from Day 1

See what caught Bruce A. Bennett's eye during Day 1 of Photonics West 2020 in San Francisco.

Blog: Software

How to Design an Airless Car Tire? Start with Simulation

Researchers from the University of Illinois are looking at all the different ways to create a non-pneumatic automotive tire.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

“Smart” Frequency-Sensing Charge Controller for Electric Vehicles

This controller minimizes the burden on the power grid.

Briefs: Aerospace

Insect-Inspired Motion Sensing

This mechanical gyroscope can advance motion sensing capabilities in consumer-sized applications.

Briefs: Wearables

Soft, Skin-Like Structures for Robotic Locomotion and Transportation

These soft robots can be rolled up and carried in a pocket.

Question of the Week: Transportation

Would You Ride in a Flying Car?

A flying car, also known as a rotable aircraft, is something that inventors have been dreaming about for a very long time. Stuck in traffic? Just take-off and get out of there.

Blog: Automotive

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly

Stuck in traffic? The Pegasus flying car can get you out of there.

Special Reports: Transportation

CONEXPO/IFPE - January 2020

Coming to Las Vegas in March, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE are North America's largest events for the construction/commercial vehicle, fluid power, power transmission, and motion control industries. In this Special...

Special Reports: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Vehicle Electrification - January 2020

Demand for electric vehicles is accelerating, presenting new design, manufacturing, and infrastructure challenges. To help you keep pace with the rapid changes in vehicle electrification technology, we...