GeekSugar

Would You Adopt an In-Car Robot?

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:50:32 -0800

If you're like me and fall in love with hot and geeky cars that are beyond your budget, this little robotic passenger may be just what you need. Called AIDA, this in-car robot is like your constant co-pilot, telling you real-time weather and driving conditions, suggesting alternatives from your well-driven routes if there's a problem, alerts you to tourist attractions, and helps you conserve gas by notifying you when you're cruising at optimal fuel efficiency.

All of these features are possible because AIDA analyzes and then recognizes your driving behavior, routes, and habits, then uses them to your advantage. There's no price or release date for when (or if) the AIDA will hit the market, but if you could pick one up now, would you adopt this helpful little robot? I kinda like his cute face, but maybe that's just me.

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Guess Who?

GeekSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:43:31 -0700

Guess which car maker debuted their new 170mpg hybrid at a recent auto show?

Is the Lexus HS Hybrid the Geekiest Car on the Road? Maybe!

GeekSugar — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:42:38 -0700

I'm not a total gearhead, but I know a good car when I see one. I am especially intrigued by hybrid and fuel efficient cars, well, because I'm kinda cheap and like to save money. Although I personally don't have a car, I could see myself splurging on a Lexus HS Hybrid for more than one reason.

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First, the HS has a ton (and I do mean a ton) of smart and high tech features, like voice command and touch control technology, a heads up display to help you keep your eyes on the road, rear cameras to give you a full view of what's behind when you shift to reverse, lane assist for when you're in cruise control, and a pre-collision radar to prepare you and the vehicle for impact. But that's not all folks, check out what else the HS is riding with when you read more.

The 34mpg HS comes stocked with a voice-activated nav and gps system, a premium audio set up, and connects seamlessly with your iPod and MP3 players via Bluetooth and USB. Phew! I'm tired just thinking about the I.Q. of this ride. But the price? It's a little on the high side at $34,200, but given the fact that the HS comes stocked with top-of-the-line features makes me go a little easier on the price tag.

Guess Who?!

GeekSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:43:55 -0700

Guess which car company is dropping major dough into research to produce this green diesel/electric hybrid car?

Nissan Cube: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:35 -0700

I'm not exactly a gear-head, but I can appreciate nice cars. Especially those that are gas friendly and geeked out, which could describe the Nissan Cube to a T. Emphasis on the could. I mean, I love the fact that the Nissan Cube offers full iPod integration, a sweet six-speaker sound system (two of which are called tweeters - how awesome is that?), satellite radio, and Bluetooth, all packed in a boxy exterior, but with a surprisingly curvaceous and roomy interior.

My only complaint is that most of these features come standard on the most expensive model, and aren't offered at all on the lower tiered ones. Shouldn't all of these great tech integrations come standard on all cars these days? Especially one whose ads are branding it as a Mobile Device? But at the end of the day, I gotta face the fact that what really endeared me to this car is the gadget grass on the dashboard that keeps your gear in its place. I admit it - I'm easily pleased.

The New Tesla Sedan Rolls Onto The Late Show

GeekSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:30:48 -0700

We've all seen the red hot Tesla Roadster plastered on the pages of geeksugar a time or two, and they have quite the following in the celeb world (stars like Will.I.Am and George Clooney drive them). But for most of us, the cost (which is upwards of 100 grand) is way too much cash to fork over for an all-electric vehicle. Thankfully, Tesla recently unveiled their new S model, which comes with a much lower price tag - about $50,000.

Although the price is still too rich for my blood, I like where this is going. As you may know, the electric car has been around for quite some time, and became well-known in the 1990s when the General Motors EV1 hit the streets, boasting up to 130 miles per charge. But seriously folks, the EV1 wasn't as hot as this car! Check out David Letterman's interview with the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, and get a look at the car in motion (the Tesla S is the first car to be driven on Letterman's stage, since it releases zero emissions) in the clip above.

You can also find out more details about why electric motors have taken so long to be affordable, and some interesting info about the development of electric cars in the full segment over on YouTube.

Eco Ride: 10 Earth Friendly Vehicles to Get You Going

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:00:54 -0700

Like it or not, the eco car is becoming more popular. I couldn't be happier, and to prove it, I've rounded up ten awesome earth friendly rides for you to feast your eyes on, and none of them start with a "P" and end with a "rius." Know why? Cause there are plenty of other options than the Toyota fan favorite! Check out some cool, hip, and sometimes odd, eco cars in this slideshow.

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Cute As a Button: Peapod Electric "Neighborhood" Car

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:05:32 -0800

I'm all about the electric vehicle, so naturally the Peapod Mobility electric car caught my eye. More like a neighborhood people mover than a take-to-the-road-with-the-wind-in-your-hair type of ride, this car's purpose is well served. Perfect for trips to the grocery store, dropping the kiddies off at school, heading to the library, and finding a parking spot downtown. I'm seeing a lot more Smart Cars in my hood than ever before, so it's a good idea that Chrysler took over this design from their subsidiary GEM. You know, to keep up with the Joneses and all.

The Peapod can go 40 miles on an eight-hour charge and gets up to neighborhood speed limits of 25 miles per hour. Although not many specs have been released, the Peapod looks to have an iPhone holder/charger built right into the dash, and appropriately will begin to take orders starting on Earth Day, April 22 of this year. I think it's totally cute. What about you?

To check out more pics of the Peapod, just read more.

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Source

Would You Drive This Electric Car?

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:06:36 -0800

I'm a little obsessed with electric cars these days, which is funny, since I don't really drive. I guess this quest is similar to my neverending charging station mission - I need to find the perfect one. So when I saw the i MiEV Sport Air on Dvice (which totally reminds me of a VW Beetle), I did a geek gasp and immediately saw myself cruising around a futuristic San Francisco, all the while emitting zero emissions. Ahh, the life.

The newest addition to the electric car fleet comes from Mitsubishi, it will run on a 63-horsepower electric motor, and can go 100 miles on a single seven-hour charge from your standard household outlet. No crazy "car charger" required.

Piaggio MP3 Hybrid: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:45:41 -0800

Scooters are an awesome alternative to cars for city driving. They're better on gas, and they take up much less room, which equals more parking options!

Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio not only produces some of the coolest scoots on the planet (Vespa anyone?), but now they're getting their green on again with the MP3 Hybrid scooter, which was recently unveiled at the International Motorcycle Expo in Italy. The MP3 Hybrid will be the second scooter from Piaggio, with their HyS model already in production.

Although it doesn't have many geek-chic amenities like the name suggests, you will get about 141 miles per gallon and go from zero to 60 in five seconds! Adding to the distance will be regenerative breaking - each time you push on the breaks it recharges the battery. I'm totally digging the concept (especially where my wallet is concerned), but I'm still not sure if the three-wheel design is more poindexter than scooter babe. What do you think?