Ford EcoBoost Engine Has Flexible Displacement And Power Capabilities

Ford has worked sincerely on developing an engine that is not only small but frugal and powerful at the same time, and the resultant is the globally acclaimed 1.0 litre Ford EcoBoost engine. What interests us in the engine, is its small size yet the capability to offer a range of power outputs. The 3 cylinder 1.0 Litre EcoBoost engine currently powers most of the company’s new global models and is expected to come to the remaining models very soon. The engine has won many accolades including the coveted International Engine Of The Year award for 2012. What is even more interesting about the engine is the fact that the capacity of the same can be expanded depending on the market in which Ford sells it. The stock capacity, as we all know, is 1.0 litre but it can be expanded to 1.5 liters, considering the demand of the market. “We have a maximum capacity per cylinder of 500cc, so a 1.5-litre engine is certainly possible. In growing markets there are incentives for certain sizes of engines, so in Brazil they want a 1.0-litre engine, in India its 1.2-litre and in China its 1.5-litre – the EcoBoost engine could be all of those,” said Mr. Andrew Fraser, head of petrol engine development at Ford. The current 1.0 litre engine can develop a brilliant 123 BHP and Ford has confirmed that a maximum capacity of 500 CC can be achieved on each of the three cylinders of the engine, meaning a 1.5 litre unit. The same engine was able to reach a maximum output of 220 BHP while testing. Considering the fact that the displacement of the engine can be varied to match the needs of individual markets, the flexibility of it is praise-worthy. The EcoBoost engine recently featured in the road legal Formula Ford race car which lapped the Nurburgring racetrack and was able to put out 202 BHP which is appreciable. The same engine will be introduced to India in February 2013 with the launch of Ford EcoSport and it maybe a 1.2 Litre petrol engine instead of a 1 litre EcoBoost. The 1.2 Litre engine will help keep the power output high as well as keep the EcoSport in small car excise bracket in India, which in turn will help keep the pricing of the EcoSport quite aggressive. We will keep you posted on the latest updates, stay tuned to Car Blog India.

How ASIMO Works???

Want a robot to cook your dinner, do your homework, clean your house, or get your groceries? Robots already do a lot of the jobs that we humans don't want to do, can't do, or simply can't do as well as our robotic counterparts. In factories around the world, disembodied robot arms assemble cars, delicately place candies into their boxes, and do all sorts of tedious jobs. There are even a handful of robots on the market whose sole job is to vacuum the floor or mow your lawn. The Honda Motor Company developed ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, and is the most advanced humanoid robot in the world. According to the ASIMO Web site, ASIMO is the first humanoid robot in the world that can walk independently and climb stairs. Honda researchers began by studying the legs of insects, mammals, and the motion of a mountain climber with prosthetic legs to better understand the physiology and all of the things that take place when we walk -- particularly in the joints. For example, the fact that we shift our weight using our bodies and especially our arms in order to balance was very important in getting ASIMO's walking mechanism right. The fact that we have toes that help with our balance was also taken into consideration: ASIMO actually has soft projections on its feet that play a similar role to the one our toes play when we walk. This soft material also absorbs impact on the joints, just as our soft tissues do when we walk. ASIMO has hip, knee, and foot joints. Robots have joints that researchers refer to as "degrees of freedom." A single degree of freedom allows movement either right and left or up and down. ASIMO has 34 degrees of freedom spread over different points of its body in order to allow it to move freely. There are three degrees of freedom in ASIMO's neck, seven on each arm and six on each leg. The number of degrees of freedom necessary for ASIMO's legs was decided by measuring human joint movement while walking on flat ground, climbing stairs and running. ASIMO also has a speed sensor and a gyroscope sensor mounted on its body. They perform the tasks of: 1)sensing the position of ASIMO's body and the speed at which it is moving relaying adjustments for balance to the central computer These sensors work similarly to our inner ears in the way they maintain balance and orientation. ASIMO also has floor surface sensors in its feet and six ultrasonic sensors in its midsection. These sensors enhance ASIMO's ability to interact with its environment by detecting objects around ASIMO and comparing gathered information with maps of the area stored in ASIMO's memory. To accomplish the job our muscles and skin do in sensing muscle power, pressure and joint angles, ASIMO has both joint-angle sensors and a six-axis force sensor. Unless you know a lot about robotics, you may not fully grasp the incredible milestone it is that ASIMO walks as we do. The most significant part of ASIMO's walk is the turning capabilities. Rather than having to stop and shuffle, stop and shuffle, and stop and shuffle into a new direction, ASIMO leans and smoothly turns just like a human. ASIMO can also self-adjust its steps in case it stumbles, is pushed, or otherwise encounters something that alters normal walking. In order to accomplish this, ASIMO's engineers had to find a way to work with the inertial forces created when walking. For example, the earth's gravity creates a force, as does the speed at which you walk. Those two forces are called the "total inertial force." There is also the force created when your foot connects with the ground, called the "ground reaction force." These forces have to balance out, and posture has to work to make it happen. This is called the "zero moment point" (ZMP). To control ASIMO's posture, engineers worked on three areas of control: Floor reaction control means that the soles of the feet absorb floor unevenness while still maintaining a firm stance. Target ZMP control means that when ASIMO can't stand firmly and its body begins to fall forward, it maintains position by moving its upper body in the direction opposite the impending fall. At the same time, it speeds up its walking to quickly counterbalance the fall. Foot-planting location control kicks in when the target ZMP control has been activated. It adjusts the length of the step to regain the right relationship between the position and speed of the body and the length of the step. ASIMO can sense falling movements and react to them quickly; but ASIMO's engineers wanted more. They wanted the robot to have a smooth gait as well as do something that other robots can't do -- turn without stopping. When we walk around corners, we shift our center of gravity into the turn. ASIMO uses a technology called "predictive movement control," also called Honda's Intelligent Real-Time Flexible Walking Technology or I-Walk, to accomplish that same thing. ASIMO predicts how much it should shift its center of gravity to the inside of the turn and how long that shift should be maintained. Because this technology works in real time, ASIMO can do this without stopping between steps, which other robots must do. Essentially, with every step ASIMO takes, it has to determine its inertia and then predict how its weight needs to be shifted for the next step in order to walk and turn smoothly. It adjusts any of the following factors in order to maintain the right position: the length of its steps its body position its speed the direction in which it is stepping While reproducing a human-like walk is an amazing achievement, ASIMO can now run at speeds up to 3.7 miles per hour (6 kilometers per hour). In order to qualify as a true running robot, ASIMO must have both feet off the ground for an instant in each step. ASIMO manages to be airborne for .08 seconds with each step while running. Honda engineers encountered an entirely new set of challenges while trying to give ASIMO the ability to run. They gave ASIMO’s torso a degree of freedom to aid in bending and twisting so that the robot could adjust its posture while airborne. Without this ability, ASIMO would lose control while airborne, possibly spinning in the air or tripping when landing. In order to make turns smoothly while running, the engineers enhanced ASIMO's ability to tilt its center of gravity inside turns to maintain balance and counteract centrifugal force. ASIMO could even anticipate turns and begin to lean into them before starting the turn, much like you would if you were skiing or skating.

Controlling and Powering ASIMO ASIMO is not an autonomous robot. It can't enter a room and make decisions on its own about how to navigate. ASIMO either has to be programmed to do a specific job in a specific area that has markers that it understands, or it has to be manually controlled by a human. ASIMO can be controlled by four methods: Wireless controller (sort of like a joystick) Gestures Voice commands Using 802.11 wireless technology and a laptop or desktop computer, you can control ASIMO as well as see what ASIMO sees via its camera eyes. ASIMO can also use its PC connection to access the Internet and retrieve information for you, such as weather reports and news. The wireless joystick controller operates ASIMO's movements the same way you would operate a remote-control car. You can make ASIMO go forward, backward, sideways, diagonally, turn in place, walk around a corner or run in circles. Making ASIMO move by remote control may not seem that advanced, but ASIMO does have the ability to self-adjust its steps. If you have it walk forward, and it encounters a slope or some sort of obstacle, ASIMO automatically adjusts its steps to accommodate the terrain. ASIMO can recognize and react to several gestures and body postures, allowing users to command ASIMO nonverbally. You can point to a particular spot you want ASIMO to walk towards, for example, and it will follow your lead. If you wave to ASIMO, it will respond with a wave of its own. It can even recognize when you want to shake its hand. ASIMO can understand and execute simple, preprogrammed verbal commands. The number of commands that can be programmed into its memory is practically unlimited. You can also have your voice registered in its programming, making it easier for ASIMO to recognize you. In addition to the voice commands for controlling ASIMO's movements, there are also spoken commands to which ASIMO can respond verbally. This is the feature that has made it possible for ASIMO to work as a receptionist, greeting visitors and answering questions. Like most other technologies in the robotics field, ASIMO is powered by servo motors. These are small but powerful motors with a rotating shaft that moves limbs or surfaces to a specific angle as directed by a controller. Once the motor has turned to the appropriate angle, it shuts off until it is instructed to turn again. For example, a servo may control the angle of a robot's arm joint, keeping it at the right angle until it needs to move, and then controlling that move. Servos use a position-sensing device (also called a digital decoder) to ensure that the shaft of the motor is in the right position. They usually use power proportional to the mechanical load they are carrying. A lightly loaded servo, for example, doesn't use much energy. ASIMO has 34 servo motors in its body that move its torso, arms, hands, legs, feet, ankles and other moving parts. ASIMO manages a series of servo motors to control each kind of movement. ASIMO is powered by a rechargeable, 51.8 volt lithium ion (Li-ION) battery that lasts for one hour on a single charge. The battery is stored in ASIMO's backpack and weighs about 13 pounds. ASIMO's battery takes three hours to fully charge, so a second (and third) battery is crucial if you needed ASIMO to operate for very long. Users can charge the battery onboard ASIMO through a power connection or remove the backpack to charge separately.

What is the Difference Between Helicopter and Chopper?

Helicopter vs Chopper Helicopter is a winged aircraft where the wing on the top is rotating unlike airplanes that have fixed wings that are stationary. These rotating wings allow and help the rotorcraft to take off, land, and to hover over a particular point in space. Helicopter is smaller in size and with these attributes, it is ideal to fly in small, congested places where there are no run ways, and not enough space to take off and land. It is mostly used by armed forces, though VIP’s also make use of these helicopters to move from one place to another as they are more convenient, and do not require moving to airports. In many parts of the world, chopper is the word that is used for helicopters. Both words are used as if they are synonyms; In fact, it is common to see the words being used interchangeably by the same person. Let us see if there is any difference between helicopter and chopper. In armed forces or defense industry, helicopter is the word reserved for such an aircraft. The word comes from French helicopter (helix meaning twisted or curved, pteron meaning wing). It is only laymen who do not know much about the machine refer to them as choppers. One thing is certain. Chopper is a more casual word and never used formally in companies. It is like calling a television a T.V. Chopper is an American slang for the formal helicopter, though the word has been adopted and used in all parts of the world today. Hollywood movies have contributed significantly to the use of the word chopper. Despite the slang being very popular outside Air Force, you might get a shock to hear this. If you are a student in US army flight helicopter schools and use the slang for a helicopter, you could be asked to do 10 pushups on the spot as a form of punishment. It becomes clear then that pilots never use the word chopper and say they fly helicopters. Chopper is a term used for motorcycles also, and it is common to hear people saying they have parked their chopper at such a parking place. Maybe it is because of a helicopter making chop, chop, chop sound when its wings are rotating at a high speed that some people used the word chopper for them and the word stuck. Today, chopper has been accepted by one and sundry, though the formal word remains helicopter. What is the main

difference between Helicopter and Chopper? · Helicopter is an aircraft with rotating wings on top of the body that has the capacity to take off and land without a runway. · Chopper refers to the same helicopter though it is casual; rather slang word used more by media and laymen than those who are pilots or personnel from US army.

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS – The All-Wheel-Drive Carrera Models.

Porsche has announced the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS on May 12, 2011 at ATLANTA. 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS is the all-wheel-drive Carrera models, and when equipped with the proper tires, this sportcar has proven more than competent for all seasons and all road conditions. 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Exterior. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS wraps an aggressive wide body around a long list of performance, comfort and cosmetic enhancements. 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS will be distinguished by the GTS lettering on the doors and rear lid, a reflective stripe between the taillights, and a new set of 19″ RS Spyder wheels in black with central locking and gloss-lathed rim flanges fitted with 305/30 ZR 19 tires on the rear axle. Customers will also have the possibility to opt for a Sport-Design front apron with black painted spoiler lip and special side skirts, also in black. 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Interior. On the interior, the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS will add sports seats, door handles and a door storage box lid and extension, and sporty black Alcantara covering on center panels, steering wheel rim, gearshift, and handbrake lever. 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Engine. 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS powered by 3.8-liter, six-cylinder engine, same as Carrera S’s, but has increased the output by 23 HP to a total of 408 HP at 7,300 rpm, while the 309 lb-ft of torque will be hit from 4,200 rpm and 5,600 rpm. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS is fitted with a six-speed manual transmission as standard and a sports exhaust system that ensures a distinctly sporty sound. Of course, customers will also be able to opt for the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed gearbox that will save an additional 0.2 seconds off the 0 to 60 mph sprint time. When equipped with the manual transmission, the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds for the coupe version and in 4.8 seconds for the cabriolet. The fuel consumption remains similar to the Porsche Carrera 4S version: 11.0 l/100 km (25.7 mpg imp.) for the coupe and 11.2 l/100 km (25.2 mpg imp) for the cabrio version. The most impressive feature of the new 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS model is the PTM all-wheel drive system that adds even more driving stability, traction, and agile handling. The Porsche Traction Management (PTM) achieves this by directing the optimal proportion of the engine torque to the front wheels via a multiple-plate clutch. 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Prices. The new 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS will go on sale in July with prices for the German market starting from 111,956 euro (about $160,000 at the current exchange rates) for the coupe and 122,071 euro ($175,000) for the convertible version. The new 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Prices for the US market will be announced at a later date.

Porsche Supercar Concept Applied Emil Baddal’s Typical Concept Design

Iranian concept car designer artist Emil Baddal has launched new renderings of the Porsche manufacture and he call this Porsche Supercar Concept. As we know Emil Baddal has typical concept design, like big inch rim, high rear bumper, huge side scoops, an aggressive front bumper and big side air vent. See my previous post about Sporty Futuristic Lamborghini X Concept by Emil Baddal. Emil Baddal apply this design on the Porsche Supercar Concept. His designs always have a sporty and muscle appearance. Porsche Supercar Concept have similarity design with the Bugatti Veyron body and a Ferrari F430 front looks. The Porsche Supercar Concept features a huge side scoops, and a panoramic glass roof, Panamera-style headlights, LED taillights, and a bold rear diffuser. Porsche Supercar Concept is a spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Carrera GT. He didn’t give out any further details about the car except for the photos but then again.

Difference Between DVD and BlueRay Disc?

They Are types of optical storage discs, commonly used for storing movies and other video. Although the discs look similar, there are significant differences. The difference between a DVD player and a Blu-ray player is the laser technology that's used to record and play back the data. A Blu-ray player can play most DVDs; however, a DVD player cannot play Blu-ray discs. DVDs Digital Video Discs (DVDs) were developed in the 1990s, and came to market in the second half of the decade. Information is written to a DVD with a 650 nanometer (nm) red laser, which creates microscopic bumps in a groove on the disc. A DVD player contains a laser which can read the bumps in the spiral track of data. The most common type of disc can hold 4.7 GB of data. The quality of audio and video recorded on a DVD is very high; in most cases, video is encoded in MPEG-2 format, which offers high definition, 720 pixel resolution. Surround sound options are also often available. Many DVDs also include interactive menus, additional audio tracks, and other special features. Blu-ray The Blu-ray player was introduced in 2006. Information is written on a Blu-ray Disc™with a 405 nm blue laser — giving the technology its name. This laser produces a tightly focused beam, and is capable of burning more data than a red laser into the same size space; a standard Blu-ray Disc can hold 50 GB. Commercial audio and video is typically encoded in a proprietary format called Blu-ray Disc Movie (BDMV), although there are other formats. Difference Between DVD's and Blu-Ray?? The quality of the video on Blu-ray is higher than that on a DVD; in most cases, the resolution is 1080p. In addition, the way the video is compressed on the disc is better, which contributes to a better image. The quality of the audio on Blu-ray™ is essentially studio-quality. Like DVDs, Blu-ray Discs™ usually include interactive menus, multiple audio tracks, and other special features. This features are often more advanced than DVDs can offer, and include things like pop-up menus and picture-in-picture commentary. DVD vs. Blu-ray

In terms of quality, Blu-ray™ can produce higher resolution video and higher quality audio than DVD. It also offers more special and interactive features. If linked to the Internet, a Blu-ray™ player can also be upgraded, and allow the user to download extras and connect to online audio and video services. To get the most out of Blu-ray™, a consumer really needs a high definition television (HDTV) capable of displaying 1080p video, an excellent speaker system, and an Internet connection. Although HDTV has become very popular, many people still own standard definition televisions that cannot display Blu-ray™ at its best. All of this technology is also relatively expensive, although prices are dropping. DVDs became very popular very quickly, and as a result, players and discs are found in a majority of homes in the US and other nations. As a result, it's unlikely that DVDs will simply disappear in the same way that HD DVDs did. Most Blu-ray™ players can also play DVDs, so someone looking for a new machine will still be able to play his or her older discs. DVD players cannot play Blu-ray™ titles, making them a less attractive choice for many buyers. AdChoices

What Is CRDI??

Modern diesels owe their resurgence in popularity to advances in fuel delivery and engine management systems that allow the engines to return power, performance and emissions equivalent to their gasoline counterparts, while simultaneously producing superior fuel economy. It's the high pressure fuel rail and the computer controlled electronic injectors that make all the difference. In the common rail system, the fuel pump charges the fuel rail at a pressure of up to 25,000 psi--but unlike indirect injection pumps--it is not involved in fuel discharge. Under the control of the onboard computer, this fuel quantity and pressure accumulates in the rail independently of engine speed and load. Each fuel injector is mounted directly above the piston within the cylinder head (there is no pre-chamber) and is connected to the fuel rail by rigid steel lines that can withstand the high pressure. This high pressure allows for a very fine injector orifice that completely atomizes the fuel and precludes the need for a pre-chamber. The actuation of the injectors comes via a stack of piezo electric crystal wafers that move the jet needle in tiny increments allowing for the spray of fuel. Piezo crystals function by expanding rapidly when an electric charge is applied to them. Like the fuel pump, the injectors are also controlled by the the engine computer and can be fired in rapid succession several times during the injection cycle. With this precise control over injector firings, smaller, staggered quantities of fuel delivery (5 or more) can be timed over the course of the power stroke to promote complete and accurate combustion. In addition to timing control, the short duration, high pressure injections allow a finer and more accurate spray pattern that also supports better and more complete atomization and combustion. Through these developments and improvements, the modern common rail direct injection diesel engine is quieter, more fuel efficient, cleaner, and more powerful than the indirect mechanical injection units they have replaced.