New Toyota magnet cuts dependence on key rare earth metal for EV motors

FILE PHOTO: A Toyota Prius and a Prius V are displayed at the North American International Auto Show in DetroitThomson Reuters TOKYO (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp has found a way to reduce the amount of a key rare earth metal used in magnets for electric car motors by around 20 percent, which could tame… Continue reading New Toyota magnet cuts dependence on key rare earth metal for EV motors

CORRECTED-UPDATE 3-Japan’s Sony to form alliance to build taxi-hailing system

TOKYO (Reuters) – Sony Corp said on Tuesday it would become the latest blue-chip firm to jockey for position in Japan’s taxi and ride-hailing market, with plans for a joint venture to develop an artificial intelligence-based hailing system. The partnership is the latest in a growing array of tie-ups between domestic taxi firms and tech… Continue reading CORRECTED-UPDATE 3-Japan’s Sony to form alliance to build taxi-hailing system

Sony Corp. to launch an AI-based taxi-hailing service in Japan

Sony Corporation said today that it will build an AI-based ride-hailing system in Japan in partnership with five taxi companies. The service will use artificial intelligence to manage taxi dispatches and forecast demand based on factors like weather, traffic and local events. Sony’s announcement came just before Uber chief executive officer Dara Khosrowshahi, who is… Continue reading Sony Corp. to launch an AI-based taxi-hailing service in Japan

Toyota Develops New Magnet for Electric Motors Aiming to Reduce Use of Critical Rare-Earth Element by up to 50%

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announces that it has developed the world’s first neodymium-reduced, heat-resistant magnet. Neodymium magnets are used in various types of motors such as the high-output motors found in electrified vehicles, use of which is expected to increase rapidly in the future. The new magnet uses significantly less neodymium, a rare-earth element (“rare… Continue reading Toyota Develops New Magnet for Electric Motors Aiming to Reduce Use of Critical Rare-Earth Element by up to 50%

UPDATE 2-Japan’s Sony to form alliance to build taxi-hailing system

TOKYO (Reuters) – Sony Corp said on Tuesday it would become the latest blue-chip firm to jockey for position in Japan’s taxi and ride-hailing market, with plans for a joint venture to develop an artificial intelligence-based hailing system. Japan is seen as a potentially lucrative ride-hailing market, with regulators under pressure to ease stringent rules.… Continue reading UPDATE 2-Japan’s Sony to form alliance to build taxi-hailing system

DENSO Announces Management Changes

KARIYA (Japan) ―DENSO Corporation today announced management changes, which were approved at today’s board of directors meeting. The following management changes will be effective April 1, 2018: (1)Toshiyuki Kato will be appointed to executive vice president. Currently he is a senior executive director. (2)The following will be appointed as senior executive directors: Kazuaki Fujitani, currently… Continue reading DENSO Announces Management Changes

Top Automotive Industry News for Week of February 12 – February 18, 2017

Here is the most important news associated with the automotive industry identified by the SEA for the week February 12, 2018 – February 18, 2018. We hope it helps you stay up to speed on the key developments in our industry: -AEA Membership News- The 2018 NADA AEA Member Reception is coming soon! The next… Continue reading Top Automotive Industry News for Week of February 12 – February 18, 2017

The Smart car goes electric before it plans its autonomous future

Look at some of the autonomous vehicle concepts, predicting a future of us being able to treat a car as a lounge or work area when we don’t want to actually drive, and you’ll notice one thing: space. By that, I mean the space they take up on the road. Everyone seems to be designing… Continue reading The Smart car goes electric before it plans its autonomous future

Toyota Design Chief Says the Future of Cars Is Custom Speedsters and Rolling Boxes

The man with the final word on design at one of the world’s biggest automakers sees a future dominated by self-driving boxes-on-wheels and souped-up sports cars. For Simon Humphries, who as of this year oversees design globally across Toyota Motor’s namesake and luxury Lexus brands, mobility will follow two divergent paths. One is the e-Palette,… Continue reading Toyota Design Chief Says the Future of Cars Is Custom Speedsters and Rolling Boxes

Elon Musk promises Model 3 safety changes after crash report

Engadget Tesla has an excellent reputation for safety and it looks like the Model 3 is just as solid as its other EVs — but it still needs a few tweaks. Reddit user “Model 3 Crash Dummy” managed to walk away from an accident that totaled his car, despite the fact that “the paramedics said… Continue reading Elon Musk promises Model 3 safety changes after crash report