Posts by: Scott Webb

NHTSA: Google AI Is Like People

Anyone remember A.I. Artificial Intelligence? Don’t feel too bad if you don’t: it was a kinda mediocre Spielberg flick starring the kid from The Sixth Sense as an android designed to feel human emotions. While the AI in a Google car (pictured) can’t necessary replicate the emotional range of a master thespian like Haley Joel Osment, it can do something that the actor couldn’t do back then: legally

Robot Army Trucks Ride Through Michigan

The Transformers movies were by no means cinematic masterpieces, but give them credit for their unflinching depiction of the oncoming robotic menace. If the evil Decepticons ever come to invade Earth, we should be so lucky to have a robot army work in concert with the U.S. military to defend us. Of course, the Transformers have the distinct disadvantage of not being real…but the robot army part co

Meet the New VW Quality Control Boss, Same as the Old Quality Control Boss

Yesterday on Auto Publishers, I wrote about Volkswagen’s attempts to compensate U.S. diesel vehicle owners. As you’ll recall from reading that piece (or by clicking the link above), lead counsel Kenneth Feinberg has thus far been thwarted in his efforts as the VW board accounts for the monetary damage caused by its emissions scandal. If nothing else, VW will have one less high-priced salary to acc

SEMA Challenges EPA on Racecar Regulations

By and large, the movement to curtail the emissions of harmful greenhouse gases is a good thing. We all want to drive fuel-efficient vehicles that don’t make a T-Rex-sized footprint on the environment. But is there a point where common-sense regulation becomes government-mandated prohibition? The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is up in arms over the EPA’s latest proposal to cut gre

Google Aims to Make Self-Driving Car Charge Wirelessly

Documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission in 2015 unveil applications and permissions for the installation of Momentum Dynamics and Hevo Power wireless chargers at the sites where Google is testing its self-driving cars in California. This indicates that Google is aiming to make its cars capable of charging wirelessly. According to IEEE Spectrum, which discovered the documents, N

Honda Recalls Vehicles with Faulty Takata Airbags

This week, Honda increased its Takata airbag recall by more than 2 million automobiles. The car company also alerted its dealers that they could be held legally responsible if they fail to repair affected vehicles or violate the car company’s stop-sale order for vehicles equipped with the airbags. A Growing Problem Honda enacted the recall and stop-sale mandate for CRV crossovers from 2007 throu

Preparing for Winter Storms with Safe Driving Tips

Winter storms are always difficult to deal with, especially for drivers who need to be out on the road in such turbulent conditions. Navigating through inclement weather is challenging for even the most skilled drivers, and it is simply a risk that many individuals should not take on the road. If it is not possible for drivers to stay home during the season, however, it is important to plan ahead

2016 Kia Optima Review

If you are looking for just another bland family ride, the 2016 Kia Optima is not for you. This sedan has eye-catching style and an agile chassis that makes it stand out from the rest. With two turbo four-cylinders, the base engine is an 185-hp four with six-speed automatic. It comes standard with cruise control, satellite radio, and Bluetooth, giving the competition a run for their money. The 20

Is Volkswagen Prepared to Pay the Diesel Emissions Piper?

Millions of Volkswagen diesel owners have seemingly waited forever for the Wolfsburg-based automaker to resolve its emissions scandal. It’s taking VW longer to get its house in order than most might’ve liked, but to be fair some slow and steady steps are being made. The question is, will it be enough to stem the tide of negative publicity that threatens to put VW in the red in perpetuity? On Frid

Aaaaaay! The Fonz’s Triumph Motorcycle Is for Sale

A list of the coolest characters in television history wouldn’t be complete without Arthur Fonzarelli, aka The Fonz. As star of the classic TV show Happy Days, Fonzie helped make being a biker hip with his Triumph motorcycle . Now you can own a piece of television history—that is, if you have 100 G’s burning a hole in your pocket. An eBay seller is looking to fetch $100,000 for the legendary 1949