Ah, the Lexus - a sign to the world that you’ve arrived. Amerigon Incorporated has just announced that its proprietary Climate Control Seat (CCS) will be making its way as an optional feature in the front seats of the all new 2008 Lexus LX 570 premium luxury utility vehicle. According to Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker, the CCS prides itself in being the only actively heated and cooled seat system on the global automotive market. This allows the driver and front seat passenger to individually heat or cool their seat for comfort in any climate. Man, I could definitely make do with such a seat in my beat up vehicle, combating the colds of winter as well as the sweltering summer heat at the touch of the button.

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Sony seems to be dipping their fingers in just about every segment of consumer electronics, including the personal navigation device (PND) market. The Japanese company has just announced a couple of new models known as the NV-U73T and NV-U83T which are readily available at retail and online stores for approximately $300 and $400, respectively. If you have used any type of PNDs before, you would notice that they all offer pretty much the same features, and it is no different with these two Sony offerings. They feature text-to-speech voice commands and real-time-traffic capability and a super suction cup mounting system that is said to provide added safety - by not dropping down while you drive I guess.

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You can’t normally fish and kayak at the same time (unless you enjoy getting wet), however that could change with the new fisherman’s kayak.

This is the only kayak available that uses a patented extendable outrigger system to stabilize the craft, enabling outdoor enthusiasts to fish from a standing position. Made of durable polyethylene with stainless steel and aluminum hardware, the kayak has two independent outriggers that pivot outward 45 to its centerline, yet both swing back into position to form the aft section of the craft to allow for smooth paddling.

The fisherman’s kayak costs $1,899.95 and is available at Hammacher.

I guess the days for analog dashboard panels will be over sometime in the near future, as the hybrid Crown from Toyota already features a full LCD meter panel. These meters and the LCD panel were joint-developed by Denso Corp. and Sharp Corp., respectively. The meter panel ain’t too shabby at 12.3″ in size, featuring a resolution of 1,280 x 480, boasting an operating temperature range that lies between -30 to +85°C. Guess that’s pretty hardy to last just about anywhere you park on this earth. Finally, meter colors can be changed according to one’s whims and fancies, while the meter frames are color coded so that you know whether you’re in “sports mode” or “eco mode”.

Source: Tech On!

So far three of the car industry’s most hyped collision prevention technologies have been put to the test by British Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre Thatcham, and I am happy to say that the trio were successful when it came to mitigating and preventing low speed collisions. These new technologies are the Volvo City Safety, Mercedes Distronic Plus, and Honda CMBS that utilize radar systems when it comes to performing their functions. They’ll be extremely important where saving lives are concerned since statistics show that 75% of all motor accidents are low speed collisions.

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Cycling is fun, but doing so at night is definitely more dangerous than during the day as visibility drops to extremely low levels. Hence, you ought to do everything in your power to make youself visible to other road users. This is where the Pedalite Pedals come in.

Pedalites are the latest cycling phenomenon and are, to put it bluntly, uber cool. These kinetic energy powered (no batteries, ever!) 360 degree light-up pedals simply replace your boring old pedals, and light your feet up like a Christmas tree. As well as standard reflectors, the pedals have three integral bright LEDs, one facing forwards, one backwards, and one sidewards - or rather sideways. As you pedal, kinetic energy powers up the LED’s which flash brightly away, and the great thing about these is that this energy is stored in the pedals, so even as you free wheel or stop at a crossing (of course you do…) the pedals continue to flash for up to five minutes!

I’d definitely feel safer having a pair of these on my bicycle. What’s £34.99 when it comes to preventing an accident?

Ford is well known for their trucks, and the company has been wrecking their brains for the next big thing which will add a handsome amount to the company’s coffers at the financial year end. The answer to their dilemma? A system known as Work Solutions which sees a combination of wireless technology, new safety features as well as a fully functional in-dash computer that enables business owners to concentrate on getting the job done instead of mulling over what it takes to do so. The truck’s bed contains a Master Lock that ensures your tools don’t run off on their own accord thanks to a retractable 8-foot long cable and a spool housed in hardened plastic. A 6.5″ touch screen display allows you to use the built-in computer system to navigate, powered by Windows CE while 2GB of internal memory makes it operate in a fuss-free manner. Would you be getting a Ford truck anytime soon?

Source: American Inventor Spot

I believe that a large majority of the population of the world have not driven with a GPS device or navigation system. I would have to say that is a crying shame, because I look forward to a world where everyone has a GPS, and no one ever gets lost, again!

Okay, I am dreamer. However, I would have to say that the GPS market is soaring right now, and one good example is the Nextar I4-BC Navigation System.

The Nextar I4-BC has a 4.3 touchscreen, and works directly from the box. All a user has to do is turn it on, and it figures out exactly where he or she is in minutes. The menu is simple to use, and easier still to enter an address and get going. The text-to-speech vocally guides the driver along the way, and recalibrates quite quickly if a wrong turn is made.

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