Nissan Plans to Develop several Autonomous Car Models by 2020

In an initiative that once seemed like science fiction, a once perceived fantasy has been steadily becoming a reality. Pretty soon it is highly possible you might see self-driving cars in your neighborhood.

Nissan has announced it intends to bring autonomous cars to the market by the year 2020. This kind
of automotive initiative, which has already been aggressively pursued by other companies, perhaps most notably publicized, Google, for some time now.

In 2013, this concept seems to be spreading across the industry, as Nissan throws its proverbial hat into the ring bringing its own design of technology to fruition.

The Japan-based carmaker said it intended to bring several models that are capable of self-driving to the commercial market. The company said it has been researching the technology for years, along with teams "from the world's top universities", according to a recent press release.
Additionally, Nissan said it has already developed prototypes that are ready to test with a goal to "build a dedicated autonomous driving proving ground" by the end of fiscal year 2014.
"Nissan Motor Company's willingness to question conventional thinking and to drive progress – is what sets us apart," said CEO Carlos Ghosn in the release. "In 2007 I pledged that – by 2010 – Nissan would mass market a zero-emission vehicle. Today, the Nissan LEAF is the best-selling electric vehicle in history. Now I am committing to be ready to introduce a new ground-breaking technology, Autonomous Drive, by 2020, and we are on track to realize it."

Read more: Guide to choose the best car battery

The testing ground will be based on real townscapes, not mockups, said Nissan and this will be used to push the limits of the test vehicles to see they are safe and ready to go. The carmaker said in addition to safety, the cars are designed to be realistically affordable to consumers.
“We will be able to bring multiple, affordable fully autonomous vehicles to the market by 2020,” Andy Palmer, Nissan’s executive vice president, told reporters yesterday at a briefing in Irvine, California, according to Bloomberg. Such systems mean “frustrating and unproductive commutes could become a thing of the past,” he added.

As Nissan forges ahead with its self-driving cars, the company will find it has competition. Google has been steadily seeking approvals in various U.S. states as it intends to bring the technology to the road sooner than later.  The company has been promoting its Toyota Prius all over the U.S. with its most recent showcase about to occur in Blacksburg, Va. as the company partners with Virginia Tech in a not-yet-announced collaboration.

While the technology is here, without question, the bigger question perhaps is whether or not consumers will embrace autonomous cars. Many consumers have indicated in media reports since Google first announced its intentions a few years back that they would miss the feel of driving. Other consumers are eager to embrace it. A survey in April 2012 suggested 1 in 5 drivers said they would be interested in self-driving cars.

Before Nissan, Google, or any other company, releases an autonomous car to market, there are a lot of tests and approvals to occur. The technology must meet specific benchmarks and then there is also the issue of insurance society has to work out.


It is highly likely self-driving cars will become viable at some time in the near future as technology progresses very rapidly. While companies have goals set and are likely to reach these goals, the reality is before autonomous cars hit car showrooms, the consumer has to be ready to embrace the concept and other bureaucratic issues associated with laws will have to be worked out.

Review: The Floureon 24V Ni-MH Battery for Bosch Power Tools

I worked in the tool retail for a number of years. Each and every time somebody came in to purchase a battery I told them that it was vital that they purchased directly from the manufacturer of their product.

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If they purchased one of those cheap ‘aftermarket’ parts then they would be wasting their cash. My belief was that those cheaper products on the market were absolutely awful. Oh how wrong I was. Sure; there are a couple of bad apples out there in the world of battery manufacturer. This product is not one of them though. In fact; the Floureon 24 Volt Battery performs remarkably well.

Features

Despite being a battery, this product is still packed to the brim with a number of different features:

• This battery can fit a variety of different tools in the Bosch range. If your particular power tool takes a 24 Volt Battery and comes under the Bosch banner then it is likely that this one will work. You may have to do a small amount of investigation to see whether this battery will fit, however Bosch produced only a small section of 24 Volt Battery powered drills so the odds are in your favor.
• This has been produced to make the specification of the original 100%.
• 0AH Capacity
• Ni-MH Battery
• One Year Warranty

Pros

Normally when you see a battery you never expect it to be brimming with positives, do you? Oh how wrong you are with this one.

• This is probably one of the cheapest batteries of this type on the market right now. You can pick up 3-4 of these for the price it would cost to purchase the same battery from Bosch. The quality is not quite as high; but it is still a fantastic deal in my eyes.
• Ni-MH battery technology is at the heart of this particular 24 Volt Battery. The benefit for you here is the fact that Ni-MH batteries do not have that memory effect (i.e. when the life of your battery slowly dwindles away if you charge it before it runs down). The benefit for you is a greater amount of battery charges from the device i.e. it will last a whole lot longer.
• The battery fits the drills perfectly well. I used this battery quite a lot. Not once did it shake about like some of the other cheaper alternatives on the market.
• 0AH capacity: this means you should get at least half a day of usage out of it before it needs to be charged. Most discount batteries on the market hover around the 1.2AH mark. Having a 3.0AH capacity was a pleasant surprise for me.

Cons

You sadly do not benefit from the fantastic three year warranty that Bosch normally offer on their tools. You do however get a one year warranty from Floureon, the manufacturer of this product. At the price of this battery I do find that more than adequate.

Natural Disaster Emergency Preparedness

The motto of the Boy Scout’s Of America is “Be Prepared”. All of us as Americans should be prepared for whatever happens locally and nationally as we may all be affected by such situations.
Having an Emergency Preparedness Action Plan in place for your family is of the utmost importance! Be prepared for ANYTHING Read on!!!

Natural Disasters Happen Naturally!

What kind of disasters can occur in your geographic area? Floods? Earthquakes? Tornado’s? A tsunami? It is a good idea to find out as part of your Natural Disaster Emergency Plan!

Contact places like the American Red Cross or even your local/state emergency management agency to find out. Ask these agencies for printed materials that you can review. According to the American Red Cross it is advisable to learn about any warning systems/signals in your area.

The Red Cross also suggests that you learn where any and all evacuation stations may be and about how to help the elderly and animals as well. Also the Red Cross advises to learn about any and all Emergency/Disaster Plans at your workplace and at your childrens schools or day care centers. All of this is necessary to having a proper Disaster Preparedness Plan!

Make A Plan To Be Prepared In Case Of A Disaster

We live in a time when it has become increasingly necessary to sit down with your family and hammer out an Emergency Disaster Plan.

Make sure that all members of the family understand the consequences of Fires, Earthquakes, Floods And Tornado’s. Everyone in the family has responsibilities in a Disaster Preparedness Plan. Delegate those responsibilities accordingly. Disaster Preparedness Is A Team Sport, make sure all family members are on the same team! Put things into perspective and have certain things in place.

1. Where to meet in case of an Emergency/Disaster?
2. Everyone should have a cell phone just in case of an Emergency!
3. Talk to a friend or neighbor and make plans to have them as alternates for shelter!
4. Make sure that you know someone as an alternate contact!
5. Make plans in case of evacuation and make plans for pets!

Make A Natural Disaster Emergency Checklist Of Things To Do

According to the American Red Cross a family should create a checklist of items and duties to be performed so that in case of an Natural Disaster or Emergency the family as a whole will be prepared.
Some of these things may include:

1. Post Emergency Telephone Numbers By Phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.)
2. Have phone numbers for 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services.
3. Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity main and switches.
4. Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
5. Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher and show them where it is kept.
6. Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
7. Conduct a home hazard hunt.
8. Stock Emergency Supplies And Assemble A Disaster Supplies Kit.
9. Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
10. Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
11. Find the safe places in your home for each type of Disaster.

Natural Disasters And You: Are You Prepared For A Disaster?

Natural disasters happen all over the world, and yes in the United States Of America as well. Do you know what you would do in a scenario such as the one’s depicted here?

Have a plan of action and be prepared! Being prepared for an emergency or disaster is one of the most important investments that you will ever make, as it is an investment in life!

Things You Need To Remember To Do/Have To Be Prepared For An Emergency

• 1. Always remember to keep your Emergency Disaster Kit in a place where everyone in your household knows where it is.
• 2. Dont forget that in case of an evacuation because of a Natural Disasterto have an Emergency Disaster Kit in the trunk.
• 3. Keep all sterile type items in ziplock bags and dont forget that those ziplock bags can be used for other things later on down the road.
• 4. At least once a year it might be a good thing to revisit your Emergency Disaster Plan And Supplies to see if any changes are necessary.
• 5. Don’t forget to do things like change the clothes in your kit/kits as we do get bigger as time goes on you know!
• 6. If you use items that take batteries check the batteries at least once or twice a year unless using items that have a crank for power.
• 7. A good course of action is to have an All Band Emergency Radio.
• 8. If anyone in the family unit has a medical condition don’t forget to talk to your family doctor about having extra edication stored for Emergency Situations!