Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

MIT develops self-transforming materials that behave 'like robots without robots'

A cross-disciplinary research lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a suite of programmable materials, including carbon fiber, printed wood grain, textile composites, rubbers and plastics, that self-transform when exposed to an external stimulus. Director of the Self-Assembly Lab, Skylar Tibbits, presented a TED talk on 4D printing in 2013, where he demonstrated how a flat sheet of material could effectively build itself when exposed to water, like a robot without a robot. Following positive feedback from industries including aviation, automotive and manufacturing, his lab has been working on developing materials that change according to different activation sources, including heat, light, and air pressure, in addition to water – all of which have automotive relevance.

Peugeot 508 Estate (SW) ‘AllRoad’ Spied

Peugeot 508 SW 'Allroad' We’re only just starting to see the Peugeot 508 – the replacement for both the 407 and 607 – hitting roads in Europe, but already we’re starting to see evidence that Peugeot aren’t going to be settling for just the Saloon and the Estate. It looks like Peugeot are intending having a crack at Audi and their Allroad A6 if the spy photo we grabbed is anything to go by. But if this is 4WD – and it almost certainly is – what sort of 4WD is it running?

Ford cars become personal valets

It's alive! Well, sort of. Ford has developed a car that can not only seek out empty parking spots, but park itself, too—all sans driver.