Designed by its advisor...
Designed by its advisor, automotive engineering specialist ARUP, the cars could be built in the UK in the next five years. Nanjing is in competition with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC), which has teamed up with ex-Ford Europe boss Martin Leach"s Magma consortium, while businessman David James, saviour of the Millennium Dome, is also in the running to take over the firm.
Lamp posts and signs...
Lamp posts and signs could soon be used to help reduce congestion on UK roads. Exeter-based technology firm LastMile has developed a new solar-powered transceiver, which can be fitted into road furniture and used to beam traffic information into cars. It is working on the project with Qinetiq – the company which carries out weapons testing for the Ministry of Defence.
Three of the drinks can-sized devices hidden inside a lamp post have the ability to relay information to passing vehicles within 100 metres. They can link up with each car’s on-board computer and sat-nav system to warn of any delays ahead.
The transceivers would also provide a wireless connection to the Internet, enabling their ÷£1,200 price to be recouped by selling ads streamed to passing motorists. Students based at the University of Abertay in Dundee will begin testing the technology this autumn, and trials in two UK towns will follow.