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LA Auto Show Design Challenge entries unveiled

The 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge entries have been revealed a few days before the show is set to open. As in previous years, several of the major players in the automotive design world are participating and automakers and design studios such as BMW DesignworksUSA, Subaru, Mazda, and China's SAIC and Changfeng will be exhibiting concept art. The theme of this year's design challenge is called "Biomimicry & Mobility 2025: Nature's Answer to Human Challenges.” With nature coming to be seen as one of the best R&D labs for design, and with biological knowledge doubling every five years, design studios were challenged to design vehicles that use biomimicry to increase the efficiency of mobility itself.

Toyota previews a Lexus that drives itself

Ahead of a debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, we have video of an Autonomous Lexus – the Advanced Active Safety Research Vehicle. Even avid petrolheads have to admit that there are times when they’d rather let the car do the work, especially in congested urban environments. Wouldn’t it be good to stick the car in to auto drive when you’re stop-starting at 5mph and either have a kip or do some work?

Illegal school parking 'should be fined'

DRIVERS who park illegally when dropping off or collecting their children from school should be fined. A large number of drivers (86%) say they agree with trials by councils to catch school run drivers who park on zig-zag lines at pedestrian crossings, even if they stop for only a few seconds. Several local councils, including Enfield in north London and York boroughs, are now using CCTV cameras to capture illegal parking.