08/19/2020 – The nation’s first autonomous vehicle corridor is being planned for the Detroit suburbs, running from the center of the Motor City to Ann Arbor, a university town that has become one of the region’s high-tech hubs.

The projected will be developed by a partnership pairing Ford Motor Co., Google parent Alphabet Inc., the State of Michigan and Cavnue, a technology startup aiming to use technology to “build the future of roads. Other automakers, including BMW and General Motors, as well as tech firms like Argo AI, will join in on the project, organizers said.

“Planting this flag in the ground today and getting to work on a regional groundbreaking technology and infrastructure effort sends a strong signal that we will rebound from this (coronavirus) crisis and pick up where we left off,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said during an announcement of the project outside of the old Michigan Central Depot near downtown Detroit. The facility and several neighboring sites are undergoing a $750 million renovation and will become the headquarters of Ford’s electric and autonomous vehicle programs.

(Self-driving cars will eliminate only a third of crashes, IIHS study claims.)

It’s likely to take some time before such a corridor actually opens up. The first phase of the project begins with a “feasibility analysis” by Cavnue that is expected to take about two years. The New York-based firm is a subsidiary of Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners LLC, itself a Google spinoff.

The exact layout has yet to be determined but a preliminary concept laid out by Ford would see the corridor initially run through Detroit along Michigan Avenue, a broad roadway that was once one of the region’s most important roads, connecting the Motor City to Chicago before the Interstate Highway network was developed.

As the corridor heads west, it would shift to a series of limited access lanes on I-94, the highway that eventually replaced Michigan Ave. as the state’s primary east-west route.

The corridor would help connect Detroit to two key airports and then Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan.

“At its core, the project is designed to be ‘future proofed’ and evolve to meet transportation goals, beginning with connected buses and shared mobility vehicles such as vans and shuttles, and expanding to additional types of CAVs (connected and autonomous vehicles) such as freight and personal vehicles,” organizers said in a news release.

(American Center for Mobility keeps automotive focus in Michigan.)

As the center of the domestic auto industry, Michigan is already heavily involved in the development of CAVs, with both commercial and governmental funding. Two years ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced funding for a 100 square-mile test of connected vehicle technologies.

Connected vehicles use various forms of radio frequency systems to pass information amongst each other and to stay in touch with the local roadway infrastructure. Some Audis, for example, are now capable of advising motorists when traffic lights are set to change in cities like Las Vegas where a grid is taking form. Eventually, the goal is to pass information including traffic and weather conditions, as well as alerts when, for example, a vehicle is running a red light.

A number of manufacturers now are producing semi-autonomous vehicles, Tesla with its Autopilot system, and GM with Super Cruise, for example, allowing limited hands-free operation. The goal is to develop fully hands-free, and even driverless, technology – though how soon such vehicles will be ready is a matter of intense debate.

Proponents are hoping the Michigan project will help speed up development.

“The time has come to start to integrate all of the momentum happening on the vehicle technology side with an equally strong push for innovation on our road assets themselves. We believe that combining technology and physical infrastructure can help unlock the full potential of CAVs and fundamentally transform mobility to improve safety, congestion, and public transit,” said Brian Barlow, co-founder and co-CEO of Cavnue parent Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners.

(Ford’s got big, pricey plans for the former Michigan Central Station.)

The firm recently lined up $400 million in funding, much of it from Alphabet.

SHREVEPORT LA (08.19.20)  WTF…Win This Friday. Mobile Sound Systems won Soundstream on Friday, August 14th.

The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Eight months ago we celebrated the first anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.

On Friday morning, August 14th, the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for the 89th time and the Wheel landed on the Soundstream space. The Mobile Sound Systems slip was drawn from the jar. This Soundstream SoundDish is headed to Mobile Sound Systems in Arlington TX.

Nick Willams was surprised and happy to hear they would be receiving a prize from Soundstream. Bobby Booshay, who handles the social media posts for the company, came to the phone and we talked about the great job they do with graphics for their Instagram posts.

Spinning out a new winner each Friday, a 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.

12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, Cadence, PowerBass, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, Precision Power, JBL, Power Acoustik, Farenheit and SpellBrite. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.

When making your store’s posts to Instagram make sure you #12voltspin to make sure your store has a slip in the jar.

Watch for more 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel winners in the Fridays ahead.

More at www.12voltnews.com

Diamond Bar CA – 08/18/2020 – The way businesses navigate the next 60-90 days will directly determine the speed at which they are able to rebound from the COVID-19 crisis. Having a list of specific action steps to build trust, credibility and thought-leadership with your local community is more important now than ever before.  

Learn the “Digital Do’s and Don’ts During Times of Uncertainty” to help your company build stronger relationships and an overall online reputation during SEMA’s Shifting Gears: Back to Business webinar, August 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Presented by SEMA Education in partnership with nationally recognized social media expert Corey Perlman, the virtual workshop will teach participants how to build a larger audience of quality connections, fix online issues that may damage credibility, create a content plan to navigate today’s uncertainty and prepare for getting back to business.  

The webinar is the third in SEMA’s four-part Shifting Gears: Back to Business series that concentrates on tactics and concepts to help businesses emerge from the current economic downturn stronger and more intentional than ever before.

Register today.

Details about the fourth webinar scheduled for September 2, recorded sessions of previous webinars, and resources to help SEMA members navigate their businesses during this uncertain time, are available at www.sema.org/reopen.

Santa Fe Springs, Calif. – August 18, 2020 – Accele Electronics is pleased to announce the most comprehensive assortment of Qi Wireless Charging solutions within this fast growing 12 Volt category. The assortment includes (2) Customizable Charging Pads and our latest Device Holder / Charger combination. The charging pads, BU-WCP/BU-WCPH are both trimmable for a custom OE like installation in most vehicles. The WCP plugs into an existing vehicle USB Port while the WCPH is a hardwired pad for a permanent installation with maximum charging capability. The WCP can also be used in home or office with it’s USB capability. Our newest solution is the most unique and versatile one, a breakthrough accessory for Smart Phone use in all vehicles, the BU-WC200.

The BU-WC200 is a 10-Watt Qi Wireless Charger cleverly integrated into a high-quality phone holder. It joins our existing family of Qi Charging Pads as demand for wireless charging grows exponentially. The device addresses 2 needs at the same time, first as a convenient holder that’s not only sturdy but also aesthetically pleasing and secondly as a Wireless Charger using the latest Qi technology. Our Newest Accele Qi Charger / Phone Holder uses
an exclusive “Roller” locking system that gently and securely locks your smart phone in place while charging. The BU-WC200 uses the latest Qi 10-watt technology with an Input voltage of 5v / 2 Amps or 9v / 1.67Amps and an Output power of 5W, 7.5W or 10W. This attractive holder is constructed of Polished Aluminum with silicone rubber rollers. The BU-WC200 attaches to a vehicles Air Vents with a sturdy clamp and is adjustable to fit a wide range of smart phones. It’s the perfect add-on for those vehicles not equipped with Wireless Charging and perhaps it’s best feature is it’s portability that allows use in multiple vehicles with its included Micro USB to USB cable.

The Accele’s BU-WC200 and other Qi Wireless solutions are available for immediate shipment, call your Accele Representative for special introductory pricing and further information.