Autodesk European Automotive Days 2008

The 2008 Autodesk European Automotive Days conference was held last week in Munich, bringing together 200 automotive design and visualization experts. Autodesk presented their strategy and vision for industrial design, with an emphasis on 'digital prototyping', where even at the concept stage the digital model is treated not just as a set of surfaces, but is integrated within the engineering process as as a functional digital prototype, with the aim to eventually replace physical models entirely. There was also a recognition that traditional techniques continue to have an important place alongside digital workflows, as the workflows and technologies continue to evolve.

Toyota Ha:Mo – Future City Transport?

Toyota is trialling their vision of future city transport in Toyota City with Ha:Mo using COMS single seat electric cars. With our cities getting ever more congested and pollution a big concern (the NOX and particulates), car makers and local governments are seeking ways to make getting around in a city kinder to the air. London has the ‘Boris Bikes’, but Toyota City – home of Toyota’s biggest factory – is trialling one of Toyota’s visions of future individual transport for our cities – Ha:Mo.

2011 SEMA show: Day one highlights

-- Lexus revealed the 306-hp GS 350 F Sport, which will go on sale in February. It uses a direct-injection 3.5-liter V6, paired with the same paddle-shifting six-speed automatic transmission used in the IS-F. It has four driving modes, an upgraded suspension and four-wheel steering.