Self-driving cars, stuffed full of short-lived IT components, will help solve the transport problems in urban areas in the foreseeable future - and not just there. To this end, Swiss powerhouse of ideas Rinspeed has designed an elaborate and unparalleled mobility ecosystem in its latest concept car, the "Snap." Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht makes the hardware and software, which is bound to be outdated quickly, part of the high-wear chassis ("skateboard") - and separates it from the durable passenger safety cell ("pod").

60 years later, cars have gone from featuring no seatbelts or headrests to including airbags and electronic safety systems. The SEAT 600 and its successor, the Mii, exemplify the evolution of cars in recent decades.

Making the ‘Little Ball’ took 40 hours, while it only takes 16 to make a car today. ​Both cars are roughly the same size and are considered urban utilitarians, and the two responded to mobility needs at different times. They are the SEAT Mii and the 600, which this year is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Together we take a look at their peculiarities and the six major differences between two eras and two distinct driving styles:

The union of technology and automobiles is ushering in a new era of connected and intelligent cars. These super smart cars come equipped with extraordinary features that were until now only a figment of our imagination. 

At some point in life, many of us have wished that a crack in our car bonnet would simply disappear, but, of course, never thought it possible. Well, think again. Lamborghini’s Terzo Millennio has the ability to conduct its own health monitoring to detect cracks and damages in its substructure derived from accidents. If it suffers damage, a self-repairing process starts via micro-channels filled with healing chemistries, reducing to zero the risks of small cracks propagating further in the carbon fiber structure. 

Yesterday, Euro NCAP publishes the safety ratings of eight new vehicles: the Volvo XC60 in the large off-road category; the VW T-Roc, Škoda Karoq and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross in the small off-road category; the Citroën C3 Aircross and Opel Crossland X small MPV category; and two superminis – the new&nb

Defence and security company Saab announces that the Gripen E smart fighter flew supersonic for the first time. The aircraft broke the sound barrier over the Baltic Sea on the 18th November.

The Gripen E smart fighter flew at speeds greater than the speed of sound, at over Mach 1, as part of the ongoing flight trials programme. The purpose was to collect data from the aircraft as it achieved and sustained supersonic speed. The flight took place over the Baltic sea and the aircraft sustained supersonic speed for a number of minutes, whilst carrying out maneouvres, demonstrating the successful combination of the aicraft’s fighter design and its powerful engine.

At Busworld in Kortrijk, Belgium, Scania unveils the hybrid Scania Interlink Low Decker and premieres the battery electric Scania Citywide bus.

With the addition of hybrid technology, Scania now meets the entire scope of alternatives for suburban and intercity operations. The Scania Interlink Low Decker is presently available for diesel, biodiesel, HVO, CNG/CBG, ethanol and, with the latest addition, hybrid. It complements the Scania Citywide Low Entry Suburban, which is also available for the full range of alternative fuels as well as in a hybrid mode.

GrabCAD, the world’s largest online community for engineers, designers, manufacturers and students, has hit 4 million members worldwide.

Founded in Estonia in 2010, GrabCAD began life as a service bureau connecting engineers with engineering jobs, but it was the power of its Community that soon took on a life all its own. Today, as part of 3D printing giant Stratasys, GrabCAD has over 100 software professionals working in five locations worldwide, including Tallinn, Boston, Cambridge, UK, Israel and Minneapolis, USA.

Range Rover is the latest brand to capitalise on increasing popularity of SUVs in Europe with the launch of the brand new Velar.

The SUV segment has continued to grow more than any other and sales of small SUVs are expected to reach two million in 2018.  Fifteen popular SUVs, large and small, have already been tested by Euro NCAP since the start of 2016. These include sport utility vehicles by established players, such as the Jeep Compass and the Audi Q5, as well as new entrants like the Seat Ateca, Škoda Kodiaq and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. 

Volvo is now launching trucks that can cut CO2 emissions by 20 to 100 per cent. With a firm focus on new, energy-efficient technology for gas-powered vehicles, Volvo Trucks makes it possible to significantly reduce the climate impact of heavy regional and long-haul transport operations.

ABB today announced the acquisition of GE Industrial Solutions, GE’s global electrification solutions business. GE Industrial Solutions has deep customer relationships in more than 100 countries and an established installed base with strong roots in North America, ABB’s biggest market. GE Industrial Solutions is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and has about 13,500 employees around the world. In 2016, GE Industrial Solutions had revenues of approximately $2.7 billion, with an operational EBITDA margin of approximately 8 percent¹ and an operational EBITA margin of approximately 6 percent¹. ABB will acquire GE Industrial Solutions for $2.6 billion; the transaction will be operationally accretive in year one.