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'Concrete glimpse' of near-future Audi technology

THE “near future” of Audi design and powertrain engineering has been unveiled ahead of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Allroad Shooting Brake show car will premiere an exciting new high-powered petrol-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain and a development of the firm’s current design language. It is expected that the Allroad Shooting Brake will form the basis for future Q-badged models as well as a potentially expended Allroad range.

It's (almost) alive: General Motors and NASA develop a humanlike robot for the International Space Station

General Motors and NASA have teamed up to develop Robonaut 2, which will be the first humanlike robot to take up permanent residence on the International Space Station. Known as R2, the 300-pound robot will use its “hands” and “arms” to utilize the tools of the station. It will assist astronauts, which GM says has parallels with helping its workers in factories.

BMW ‘reveals’ new EfficientDynamics prototype

BMW has established a Web site called www.dontblogabouthis.com with the express purpose of revealing a prototype being used to test a new gasoline-electric driveline earmarked for a future sports car. It’s expected to be launched in 2012 as part of BMW’s EfficientDynamics program. Featuring two short videos and four photographs of a 6-series based prototype, the Web site provides no additional information about the prototype other than to suggest that the car in question is “more than a 6-series”and is “not in its final stage.” Close inspection reveals the matte black BMW mule has a new front end resembling that of the one-off EfficientDynamics concept revealed at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.