Genuine Volkswagen Control Module 1k0-906-093-k 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.

California looks to tighten pollution limits

The California Air Resources Board is scheduled to vote on Thursday on whether to adopt stricter clean-air standards for the state proposed by the Advanced Clean Car program. The program's proposal combines the control of soot, smog-causing pollutants and greenhouse-gas emissions into a package that may be required for model years 2017 through 2025. According to the program, the rules aim to clean up conventionally powered cars, deliver more zero-emissions cars and ensure that a fueling infrastructure is available.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Frankfurt 2013 is all about efficiency for Toyota, celebrating 16 years and more than 5.5 million worldwide sales of its hybrid vehicles. So the Japanese firm has gone crazy to applaud its own technical innovation over the years, dropping a 414hp hybrid powertrain into its Yaris supermini this, is the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept. Please click on the image above to read more on the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept