Technology Briefs — September 19 - September 25
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The Latest Headlines:
- Schwarzenegger Signs California Hands-Free Cell Phone Bill
- Honda, Japanese Lab, Partner on New Bio-Ethanol Technology
- AtRoad Enters Reseller Agreement With Vodafone UK
- Scuderi to Demonstrate Air-Hybrid Engine
Schwarzenegger Signs California Hands-Free Cell Phone Bill
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed on Friday a bill that requires drivers to use hands-free technology when talking on cell phones and operating a motor vehicle, the Associated Press reported.The law will take effect Jan. 8 2008 and includes exemptions for commercial vehicle operators, who may continue to use push-to-talk devices until July 1, 2011, AP said.
Honda, Japanese Lab, Partner on New Bio-Ethanol Technology
Honda Motor Co. and Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth have jointly developed new microorganism technology to convert plant biomass into ethanol, Honda said last Thursday.The development of the new microorganism allows for a more efficient conversion of biomass into ethanol than existing technology, Honda said in a statement.
Producing ethanol from biomass could eliminate supply problems associated with sources like corn and sugarcane, from which ethanol is most commonly derived. Transport Topics
AtRoad Enters Reseller Agreement With Vodafone UK
Wireless technology firm AtRoad Inc. has entered into a reseller agreement with Vodafone UK, a provider of mobile communications technology, AtRoad said Friday.Under the agreement, AtRoad will resell Vodafone wireless data services bundled with the AtRoad GeoManagerSM field force management service in the United Kingdom.
AtRoad, Fremont, Calif., provides wireless-enabled mobile resource management technology. Transport Topics
Scuderi to Demonstrate Air-Hybrid Engine
Engine development company the Scuderi Group will demonstrate its air-hybrid diesel engine Sep. 21-28 at the International Automobile Association’s Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, the company said last Wednesday.The engine, which uses a small air tank and a series of controls to recapture energy normally lost during braking, is capable of significantly reducing emissions of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, Scuderi said in a statement.
According to Scuderi, the engine would also lower costs and improve efficiency by eliminating expensive turbo chargers, injectors and exhaust treatment systems from its design.Transport Topics