ABSTRACT: Steve Miller, leader of the Multimedia workshop, will discuss the economic & technology drivers which will enable cars to average 56mpg. Required technologies are BOTH electrical (batteries), and mechanical (new engines, transmissions, and lighter materials). Old Lead-Acid batteries were replaced by NickelMetalHydrid batteries, incorporated into hybrid cars. NMHydride is being replaced by varieties of Lithium Ion batteries in plug-in hybrids.
Battery-powered cars (no IC engine) are being researched and built (at great cost); I believe these will have limited success until/if the invention of new, lower-cost, safe, low societal cost/emissions batteries.
Plug-in hybrids appear to be the longer term winner with lowest cost, and lowest life cycle environmental costs. Demonstrations will follow: Toyota Camry (Hybrid), Toyota Prius (hybrid), and Chevy Volt (plug-in hybrid) .
How is this related to computers? Chevy Volt has ~100 embedded computers. Computers control all auto features/functions, and will become increasingly important.
TALK TIMELINE and AUDIO RECORDING
(9.4MB file streaming)
DRIVERS OF FUEL EFFICIENCYGOVERNMENT MANDATE:TIME TO PAYBACK:
INCREASING EFFICIENCY OF DRIVETRAINS:
REDUCTION IN FULL-STREAM EMISSIONS
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