Toyota Harrier 2010 Rear Right Combination Lamp [0015500] 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.

2015 Volvo XC90 R-DESIGN revealed

The 2015 Volvo XC90 R-DESIGN revealed It’s been a few weeks of reveals for the all-new Volvo XC90 – Volvo’s replacement for the venerable, but still relevant, original XC90 – with both the standard XC90 and the XC90 First Edition being revealed. Now it’s the turn of the XC90 R-Design. The new Volvo XC90 R-Design is exactly what you’d expect from an R-Design Volvo; enough bolt-on extras to denote something a little different and, perhaps, a little more sporty, but not so much it looks like the work of a pizza-faced teen let loose in a car customising emporium.

Opel/Vauxhall Adam Rocks previews crossover, cabrio

Opel/Vauxhall has previewed its Adam Rocks 'concept' ahead of its world debut at next month's Geneva motor show. This mini-crossover is taller and wider than the production Adam thanks to a suspension raised by 15mm with a 20mm wider stance. Its fabric sunroof suggests it will compete with the Fiat 500C and the new Citroen DS3 Cabrio.  The sketches show unpainted plastic bumpers and extended wheelarches along with underbody protection, emphasizing its rugged appearance apparently inspired by "parkour athletes".