Author: SM

  • A Guide To Repelling Rodents From Your Car

    A Guide To Repelling Rodents From Your Car

    Rodents such as mice are dirty, disease-ridden creatures that can destroy the interior and wiring, or electrical components of your vehicle. If you don’t combat the problem as soon as possible, it will most likely worsen with time and that is why you need an effective rat repellent. A mice infestation is not just limited to your house, they can also infest cars as well. This is why we’ve put together this guide of effective rodent repellent for car engines.

    Rodents can squeeze through the vehicle vents and enter the vehicle and cause damage. They can also die inside the vehicle and leave a very bad smell. They can chew on the wiring, padding or heat shields, and other various circuits under the hood leading to numerous problems. If you do nothing to combat the infestation, it will soon spread throughout the vehicle. It’s important to understand that the issue will not just go away on its own. You run the danger of having future vehicle performance difficulties.

    What steps can You take to keep mice or other rodents out of your vehicle?

    A mouse in your automobile is no joke. This article goes over the fundamentals of preventing an infestation or steps to remove mice and other rodents from your vehicle, including how to prevent mice from entering your car’s engine and other small entrances.

    Mice are small mammals that can get into any car, no matter how well you think it is protected. Mice are able to squeeze through openings less than a dime in diameter, making it quite convenient for them to enter your vehicle.

    They do this by using the following entry points:

    • Small openings like the vehicle vents.
    • Cables usually have larger holes in the mainframe, which allows the wires to flow freely throughout the car, connecting different parts.
    • Around the pedal shafts.
    • The steering column opening.

    Rodents like mice dislike anything that is large, bright, moving, or attracts their attention. Keeping a car off-limits and unattractive to mice is critical. We do not condone harming or injuring rodents, which is why we love natural rodent repellent products, some are much more effective than others so make sure to buy from a reputable brand.

    What time of year are the rodents most active?

    Rodents are busy all year, and their activities vary with season. Rodents are always on the move during summer seeking food, water, and shelter. They spend winters within their nests and tend to be more active in the warmer months. Mice are nocturnal creatures that are primarily active between 5:30 pm to 6:30 am, so only a few humans or animals notice as they are prey animals.

    Rodents such as mice are naturally drawn to the shelter that a vehicle will provide during the cold winter, resulting in your vehicle being a perfect place for nesting. Thankfully, mice can be deterred with just a little effort with rodent repellents that will keep them away and out, so your vehicle remains safe from damage.

    Frequent use of cars has proven to prevent rodents from approaching your vehicles. By not letting your vehicle sit for long periods of time can discourage and prevent rodents from entering it and doing damage.

    Steps to repel rodents from your vehicle:

    1. Rodents are searching for a suitable nesting location that is dark. Leaving the hood up could help prevent nesting, it may not repel all rats, but it’ll do so for most of them.
    2. Secure your pet food. Rodents prefer dog food over pet foods. Rodents will store many bits of it in your vehicles vents and other vacant areas, which they have deemed to be their shelter.
    3. Place traps and other rodent-repelling measures in areas where rodents are known to congregate around the vehicle. You can also trim any nearby thick bushes where rodents might like to live or hide.
    4. Rodents are able to get into the engine through large or even very small openings. They climb up wheels to access the engine, so some vehicle owners set traps near the car or on the wheels and entrances. To prevent engine ports from being blocked, use a wire screen.
    5. Rodents can hear sounds of low frequency that we humans can’t. Some rodents will be repelled by these loud noises while others will not be. Although, you may need something more permanent than sound waves and the use of ultrasound is advised.
    6. Rodents will avoid vents and small openings of your vehicle if they smell foul, at least to some degree. Peppermint oil, hair of their natural predator, and laundry dryer sheets have all worked.

    Some signs that rodents are in your vehicle:

    Below are some of the most common indicators that your vehicle is infested:

    1) Smell: There could be an unpleasant odor that you may not always be able to identify.

    2) Noise: Rodents will make scratching or chewing noises while they are starting to expose what’s underneath but gnawing on a wire or the coverings.

    3) Marks: You could notice chew marks or bite blemishes on areas such as but not limited to the floor mats, padding, or safety belts.

    4) A Faulty Display: The vehicle wiring could have been compromised by rodents chewing on it, causing electrical issues or faulty displays.

    Conclusion

    In the event that you notice any of these signs, the time has come to call an expert. Rodents can be harmful and detrimental to your vehicle’s engine. If you already have rodents in your car, make sure you get rid of all of them from within the engine compartment, so they cannot cause any more damage. Make sure that the pest control company has experience with rodents in cars because they may have special techniques for removing them without harming the car or causing more damage than necessary.

    We hope this blog answers all of your questions about how to repel rodents from your car!

  • Three Unique Ways to Save and Make Money with your Car(s)

    Three Unique Ways to Save and Make Money with your Car(s)

    Every once in a while, it’s good practice to spend some time addressing your finances and discovering ways to reduce spending and increase savings. Similar to your rent, mortgage, or utilities, your car can be a significant cost annually. Fortunately for you, there are plenty of ways to reduce costs and put them towards future projects, activities, vacations, or your savings account, but today we’ll focus on some of the more unconventional methods of saving and using your car as a financial asset.

    Unique Auto Insurance Policies

    Regardless of where you live, complying with your states law’s regarding car insurance is mandatory, however, there are ways to reduce your rates and premiums based on your liabilities, and how you use your vehicles. There are more specific insurance plans that offer discounts and better rates based on the general use of a vehicle. A great example of this would be infrequently driven cars due to the pandemic, coinciding with working remotely. A good question to ask yourself in this scenario would be “how much can I save on car insurance on a car I rarely drive?”, and applying this to a more cost-efficient insurance plan. The question itself helps provide its own solution, and one would quickly discover savings of around 30% annually on a simple policy change. A unique insurance plan such as this could also go beyond working remotely and also be applied to other less-used vehicles you possess to provide even more savings.

    Renting Out Your Car

    Alike the aforementioned point of rarely driven car insurance, you could also inquire about renting your car out. This method could be perfect for individuals who work from home or spend a lot of time flying to different states or abroad for work or travel and wish to keep their existing insurance plan. This is easily done securely through the means of apps and websites. These apps will often provide their insurance or work with your existing insurance provider to rent your car out safely and securely with minimal risk to your vehicle. They also offer protections such as cleaning and detailing in the event of mistreatment by a customer. All in all, this method provides a very hands-off approach to using your vehicle as an asset to generate money.

    Ride-Sharing

    Another uncommonly used method to save or even generate money is ride-sharing. Ride-sharing is essentially just car-pooling but nowadays can be a bit more advanced and involved. Typically, this will be done through an app, website, or social media by posting a listing and having others pay to ride along in your vehicle for the journey. This method can be fantastic additional income for those who travel a lot for work or leisure and will easily cover the costs of gas. Ride-sharing also offers the opportunity to meet new people, and allow for more enjoyable drives which in turn could yield additional health benefits as well as connections for resumes and opportunities. There is a caveat, however, in that some people may just be unpleasant, or attempt to avoid paying, but if you use secure apps, they will provide protections such as rating systems and background information to prevent instances of this sort of behavior.

    Conclusion

    When it comes to methods to save money and use your car as an asset, one may not consider these previously mentioned methods and miss out on the potential extra benefits of car ownership. It’s equally likely that these methods may not even be beneficial to you depending on circumstance, or work situations but as you continue throughout your ever-changing lives, simply knowing about these options could provide benefits to you and your family in the future, and help pave the way to a better life.

  • New Racing-Themed Casino Games

    New Racing-Themed Casino Games

    There are plenty of race-themed online casino games, and unlike in the past, they aren’t just about fancy fast cars. The new race-themed games deliver realistic experiences and are big on the competition. 

    They appeal to gamblers interested in the money and those simply looking to have some fun. Here are a few of the best racing-themed games from top casino games providers.

    1. Premier Racing

    Premier Racing is one of the leading virtual horse racing games by Microgaming. It brings the excitement of thoroughbred horse racing right to your fingertips. The graphics are modern and ultra-realistic, and there are plenty of details to make the game unforgettable. 

    The actions of this game happen at the Birchfield, which is a beautiful yet fictional racetrack. It is in the countryside and features a huge outdoor grandstand and grassy lanes. 

    At the start of the game, you get a glimpse of the track and its conditions. Eight horses line up on the left of the screen, and you can find detailed information about them, including the jockeys’ ratings and previous wins. 

    The odds for every jockey and horse pair are listed next to them. You can bet on as many horses as you wish. Even though the game only comes with two types of bets, it is exciting from the beginning to the end. The cameras allow you to view entire laps, and every race lasts approximately 40 seconds. 

    1. Good to Go 

    The car-themed slot from Microgaming has five reels, three rows, and nine pay lines. It is a racing lover’s paradise as it brings you super-fast sports cars and sound effects to match. 

    A few Formula One cars are working in the Gamble mode. You may be able to quadruple or double your winnings. In addition to the card-guessing mini-game, you also benefit when there are five cars on an active pay line. It can yield up to 5x your stake. 

    The icons closest to the main plot have higher ratings than Royals. You can swap them with Wilds. If you align 5 Wilds, the system will release a static jackpot amounting to 5000x of your wager. If you have at least three scatters, you can trigger extra rounds. The Scatter will stay in position to help gather more free hands. 

    1. Highway Kings

    This is a product of Playtech, and most of its focus is on truck races. It is basically a fruit-themed slot, but it comes with some pretty impressive elements. The fruits are associated with differently colored trucks and a gas pump and gasoline container. 

    They offer between 2 and 10.000 coins for combinations of 1 to 5 symbols on up to 20 pay lines. Although this slot has no free spins, its vibe is generally energizing and captivating. 

    You can set the stakes between 0.01 and 1 coins per line. The maximum number of coins to play with per hand is nine. The game is highly reliant on Wilds appearing on the middle reels. It mostly plays from the left. Also, you can benefit from Scatters even when they don’t award extra hands. They can trigger the Scatter Pays mode. 

    1. Formula X

    This progressive jackpot slot has a motorsports theme. It has 25 pay lines and five reels, allowing you to bet with various combinations. A random event can turn you into an instant millionaire. 

    To start, pick between 0.01 and 250 coins for wagering in one hand. Generally, higher risks translate to higher rewards. High rollers have better chances of winning the jackpot. This is one of the best racing-themed slots for them. 

    There is a detailed set of icons that represent a racing track and everything that comes with it. They include a driver, Michelin tire, and a steering wheel. Also, there is a lady with the Scatter sign. It can trigger up to 25 extra games. 

    1. Racing for Pinks Slot

    This slot brings you 243 ways to get some money. It is packed with action and has lots of fantastic features and payouts. If you are new to the world of online racing, this slot will make it easy to take advantage of modifiable cars in three rows and five reels. 

    Its user interface is modern and easy to navigate. Before the reels strat spinning, you need to choose a team. For the rest of the game, you may cheer for blue or red. You can collect all corresponding letters and keep an eye for the racing ends if you wish to enter the main event, also known as Bonus Race. 

    If your car winds up the opponent, you will be transported to the next level with a better Multiplier value. You can scoop up to five games and claim up to 175x your stake in the Multipliers. Find 3+ Scatters since they may take you to the batch of 30 additional rounds in the game. 

    1. Green Light Slot

    This slot is a product of RealTime Gaming. It puts you into the shoes of some of the world’s best drivers, and your goal is to win new trophies. The gameplay is fantastic. It is much simpler than other racing games. You can get a winning combination with less than three similar symbols. 

    Green Light is a 20-pay line slot, and the Driver icon is its wild card. The Green Light symbol acts as the scatter. Before starting your race, you need to adjust your wager.

     Click on the ‘Lines’ arrow to pick the number of active pay lines and then ‘Bet’ to increase or reduce your bet per line. Your coin size may range from 0.01 to 0.25. Start the game by clicking ‘Spin’ and click ‘Auto Play’ to turn the reels for a specified number of times with no interruptions. 

    You can choose between five cars, and they will start racing. You may win 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 Free Games for the 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, or 1st place. The Wild Driver Green Light Bonus Game is an exciting experience as well. It replaces all paying icons allowing you to record bigger wins.

  • Rapid Evolutions and Innovations in Electric Cars

    Rapid Evolutions and Innovations in Electric Cars

    Inside the ever-changing market of cars, Electric vehicles are heralding the next era in automotive technologies. It’s becoming more and more likely that cars solely powered on gas will become a relic of the past in our lifetimes. However, the evolutions in electric car technologies don’t just change the way cars are fueled; it also extends to smart automotive solution development including intuitive autopilot, reactionary safety systems, advanced batteries, and computer-based diagnostics.

    Automated Driving

    In today’s modern age, the phrase electric vehicles (EVs) coincide with the thought of automation. It’s no longer just about making a vehicle run without gas, and now about making it run without gas and the ability to operate automatically. The current most notorious implementation of pseudo automatic driving is none other than Tesla’s autopilot. Although Tesla’s autopilot has been proven as a means to drive completely automatically, the current consumer iterations require the driver to still be behind the wheel and fail to provide a completely automatic experience.

    Check here to learn more about the start and growth of Electric Vehicles.

    Despite gaining the greatest number of headlines and criticism (justifiably so), Tesla isn’t the only big innovator in the EV scene. We’ll likely see all sorts of software development groups such as GBKSOFT helping pave the way forward in developing innovative technologies and applications for automatic driving systems in the coming years. As the literal driving and motion parts of automation have been mostly solved, the next innovations will come in the form of implemented software. These implemented software and applications will aid in collision detection, navigation, cloud-based systems, and communication with other vehicles.

    Lightning Speed Safety

    Following suit with the previously mentioned software and applications is the opportunity for the implementation of even faster safety measures. A human’s reaction time can only be so fast and proper innovations to the software inside EVs can easily increase the safety of driving to an insurmountable amount. These systems will include sensors that can react to many different situations and provide many means of crisis solutions such as:

    • Reactive Seatbelt fastening and tightening
    • Automatic braking systems
    • Predictive calculations to avoid collisions
    • On the fly repositioning to protect the driver
    • Lane-keeping assistance
    • Instant distress and medical emergency contact
    • Communication with other vehicles to detect hazards
    • Blind Spot Sensors

    It’s nice to imagine a world with every vehicle on the road having access to smart automotive solutions just previously mentioned. We quickly would see a dramatic reduction in car-related deaths and driving would be just as safe as flying a plane. All the aforementioned safety features already exist; it is just a matter of software implementation and distribution along with adoption from car companies. Automotive software providers have now introduced zonal architecture, which simplifies control units, enables continuous updates, and plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of automotive electronics. Fortunately, it is not far off and most new vehicles could have these systems as early as 2025.

    Computer-Aided Maintenance and Repair

    Whether through general use or collisions, every car will need to be repaired and maintained. According to Andrew Burnham of Argonne National Laboratory, maintenance and repair costs of EVs is between 11 and 33% lower than your standard gas-powered alternative. The are many reasons for the reduced cost including the fact that electric engines are way less abrasive than combustion engines; as well as user errors such as failing to check and maintain appropriate oil levels simply don’t exist on EVs.

    These aforementioned repair cost savings is also aided by computer-based diagnostics implemented inside EVs. These systems allow for a much more simplified approach to diagnosing and troubleshooting car-related malfunctions, which in turn lowers the overall cost of maintenance and labor hours spent on repair. Simple ambiguous warnings such as the ‘check engine’ light will instead be replaced with detailed reports and information about the exact issue the vehicle is having.

    Advanced Batteries

    Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

    Another big boon to the innovation of EVs is the advancement of battery technology. Aside from the obvious which is having no fuel costs tied to your EV, recent battery advancement provides a solid foundation for increasing the performance of everything inside and out of EVs. A hallmark of better batteries is getting the raw throughput required to match and even surpass the horsepower of combustion-based vehicles, on top of having that energy available to you at the drop of a hat. That, coupled with innovative smart battery software to optimize power in the most efficient way possible provides unparalleled quality of life and ease of use for any EV you own or will own in the future.

    Key Takeaways

    The future is now, and it’s evolving faster than ever. Electric cars will certainly become a mainstay in society and the software innovations along with it will offer amazing benefits to everyone, pedestrian or driver alike. Automatic driving, insane safety measures, ease of repair, and smart battery systems are all things to look at and look forward to in the world of electric automobiles. The effects of these innovations have yet to reverberate in the echoes of history but it will undoubtedly be seen as one of the next best steps forward in modern society.

  • Hamilton or Verstappen: Who Will Win the 2021 F1 Drivers Championship?

    Hamilton or Verstappen: Who Will Win the 2021 F1 Drivers Championship?

    With just a handful of races to go, the end of the F1 season is in sight. While the Drivers Championship has usually been a formality for Lewis Hamilton to win in recent years, he has faced stiff competition this season in the form of Max Verstappen. 

    In fact, Red Bull’s Verstappen is currently in a points lead over the seven-time champion Hamilton. Yet after his stunning victory at the thrilling – and oftentimes controversial – Brazilian Grand Prix, where he rose from the tenth position to take the chequered flag, Mercedes’ Hamilton is right in contention to win a record-breaking eighth title. 

    It might be a two-horse race, but it has been many years since the F1 Drivers Championship has had such an exciting conclusion. The only question is: who will end up being the champion? According to current odds from Betway, it’s too close to call with three races remaining. 

    Verstappen still retains the lead 

    Crucially, Verstappen is the one who holds a small yet significant points advantage in the race to the title. With three races to go at the time of writing, he is currently 14 points ahead of Hamilton. This means the title is his to lose. 

    It also means that Hamilton has to keep chasing him down. With so few races left, even one slip-up could hand the title to Verstappen. Whereas if Verstappen were to suffer a DNF in one race, he could win the other two and still walk away with the championship. 

    Hamilton may have to win all remaining races

    Out of the season’s 19 previous races, Verstappen and Hamilton have finished in the top two spots eleven times. If that trend continues for the last three races of the season, it means that Hamilton has to realistically win all three. 

    25 points are awarded to the race winner, 18 points to second place. An additional point is also supplied to those with the fastest lap. Putting aside the bonus point, if Hamilton were to win the next two races with Verstappen as runner-up, that would leave them level on points with one race to go. That means he’d also likely have to finish ahead of Verstappen again in the final race. 

    The experience is with Hamilton 

    There’s a serious argument to be made that Hamilton is the greatest F1 driver of all time. He has won six of the last seven Drivers Championships. In comparison, 24-year-old Verstappen, 12 years Hamilton’s junior, has yet to win his maiden title, finishing third in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons. 

    Experience is firmly in Hamilton’s corner, and this could prove the difference in this titanic battle between the two best drivers in F1 today. Add in the fact that Hamilton is benefiting from a fresh new engine, one that gave him a notable performance boost in Brazil, and there are plenty of reasons why Hamilton should be viewed as the favorite despite the current points deficit between the two.

  • The 3 Essential Motorcycle Riding Safety Tips

    The 3 Essential Motorcycle Riding Safety Tips

    Riding a motorcycle is an unbeatable experience. Nothing compares to the feeling of freedom you get when you are out on the road. However, with that sensation also comes some risk. Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous if you aren’t careful. The problem is that a motorcycle driver is not nearly as protected as somebody driving a car. 

    You need to take extra precautions to make sure you stay safe. There are a lot of things to be aware of when riding a motorcycle so it pays to know about them ahead of time. In this article, we will go over what you should be doing to stay safe on a motorcycle. 

    1 – Be visible

    The biggest safety issue facing most motorcycle riders is coming from other drivers. It is much harder to see a motorcycle on the road than another car, so you need to make yourself visible. 

    This means that you should wear a brightly colored safety vest over your safety gear. It may not make you look cool, but at least other drivers will see you coming. In addition, you should install plenty of moto lights so you are easily seen at night or during the twilight hours. 

    Make sure to stay out of a driver’s blind spots as well. If you are driving beside a car, stay behind them enough to not be stuck in a spot where they can’t see you in their mirror. 

    2 – Inspect the bike before riding

    Go over your motorcycle to make sure there aren’t things that are not working. A flat tire could spell disaster when you are out on the road so check the tires first. Then, make sure that all your lights are working so that you are visible to other drivers. 

    There could also be mechanical issues so watch out for some signs that the motorcycle is not running properly. Check the floor under the motor and take note of any fresh oil that may be there. This means that you have something wrong and shouldn’t ride it until a mechanic has taken a look at it. 

    3 – Check the weather

    Bad weather is not only unpleasant to ride in, it is downright dangerous. You need to understand the conditions to expect before you head out on your ride. If it is cold, black ice will easily cause an accident even if you are the only one on the road. When temps drop quickly after it rains or snow melts then you are likely to encounter it.

    Even light rain can be deadly as your tires don’t have much contact with the asphalt. Light rain can bring the oil on the road to the surface and make for a very slick road. Knowing this ahead of time can save you from driving in a dangerous situation. 

    If you look online at the forecast and see less than ideal conditions, then think about taking a car that day and waiting out the weather.

  • Serious Reminder: Check These 4 Major Car Parts To Avoid Accidents

    Serious Reminder: Check These 4 Major Car Parts To Avoid Accidents

    Some people would overlook checking their car first before using it almost every time. Aside from maintaining the good health of your vehicle, the main benefit is that you lessen your risk from accidents. If you plan to go on a long trip with your family or friends, you should set aside a few minutes to an hour of pre-trip inspection to your car. It may sound far less than rocket science. However, many people do not know which parts to check or where to start. To avoid any accidents and enjoy a secure trip, make sure to check these four car parts religiously before leaving.

    Tires

    Your tires are your car’s soul. They are one of the major car parts that allow you to move from one point to another. It is also one of the most-used components of your vehicle. Time and wear-and-tear is the main enemy of your tires. However, it is inevitable. There will come a time when you need to change them. Worn-out tires have a risk of exploding. To lessen this risk, you must know how to check the expiration of your tires. There is no definite number of years that dictates that your tires are still safe and serviceable. To reduce tire-related accidents, you should regularly have it checked by your trusted mechanic.

    Alternatively, there are some instances when tire problems occur years before the arrival of its expiration. For example, problems with tires can arise while still in its early life. These issues may come from manufacturing defects. When this occurs, recalls can occur. For example, the Goodyear tire recalls were due to the manufacturing problem. It may cause belt separation while the car is moving. When this happens, you can lose control of your vehicle. The results of these events can be fatal for both the driver and passengers of the car. 

    For accidents caused by auto defects, you can ask for legal help from Schmidt & Clark, LLP.

    Furthermore, when your tires are not in good condition, you may put your and your passenger’s lives at risk. A worn-out tire may not have enough traction on the road. When it does, your car may find it difficult going through slippery roads. 

    Engine Oil

    Engine oil lubricates parts of the engine of your car. That way, the components of your car engine do not break. The breakage may be due to constant friction as you use your vehicle. To check your engine oil, you can use your dipstick. If the color of the oil is yellow, then it is still in good condition. If it appears darker like black coffee, then you should have it checked by your mechanic. 

    Brake Fluid

    The brake fluids of the modern-day car amplify the strength of the brake when you step on it. Without it, you will need more force to activate your brakes and stop your vehicle from moving.

    There have been accidents where cars fall to their doom due to issues with brake fluid. Always check it before you go on the road. Your brake fluid should be between the maximum and minimum marker of its container. 

    Car Lights

    Whether on a road trip or traveling to work, you need to check if all your car lights are working. You will need it when you come home late. It is much true even if you are using it for work. 

    The car lights you should be checking are your headlights and high beams. Also, you need to check your tail lights, turn signals, daytime running lights, and hazard lights.

    Focus On Safety 

    Car care helps prolong the life of your vehicle. Timely checks with a mechanic can do wonders for your car. You can even ask them for advice on which parts you should regularly check before leaving home. 

    Additionally, as a driver, you are responsible for your car and its passengers. Make sure you check car parts like your tires, engine fluid, brake fluid, and lights before going on a road trip.

    If you have problems with checking, you can ask your trusted mechanic to help. That way, you prevent accidents and have meaningful bonding moments with your loved ones.

  • Technology Trends That Will Transform the Automotive Industry in 2022

    Technology Trends That Will Transform the Automotive Industry in 2022

    Technological evolution has twisted the very fabric of this digital era, giving birth to a bold new world where solutions to every problem are just a click away. In 2021, the adoption of various technological trends in the automotive industry has become more vigorous – thanks to Covid-19. All credit goes to the technological interventions that saved the world from coming to a standstill.

    A detailed survey of automotive industry advancements to look forward to in 2022 reveals information-centric tech trends playing a major role in transforming the industry. The automotive industry is being more adoptive towards new technologies and their operations at an unprecedented scale. Besides various technologies such as big data & analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) that have been around for a while, more advanced technologies such as the blockchain and the internet of things (IoT) are also going to find various applications in automotive.

    Therefore, it has become critical to know how this influx of tech trends will transform the automotive industry this year. Here are the top trends that have a bigger chance of dominating the segment in 2022:

    1. Autonomous Vehicles (AV)

    Autonomous vehicles also known as self-driving vehicles aim to facilitate the driving process by minimizing the need for human drivers. There are going to be fleets of AVs which will expand the scope of doing last-mile deliveries, significantly reduce downtime, and make public transportation comparatively safer. For instance, there is going to be a severe decline in road accidents caused by driver negligence. AVs are known to be equipped with modern recognition technologies, such as AI-enhanced computer vision to look for obstacles along the route.

    Udelv

    The US-based company Udelv provides autonomous vehicles for doing last-mile deliveries. It combines hyper-speed teleoperations and advanced AI algorithms for human-assisted guidance in exclusive situations. The company’s vans have a payload capacity of around 360 kg (800+ lbs) and can speed up to approx 100 km/h (60 mi/h). Isn’t that amazing? Also, the vans deliver fresh groceries from nearby stores and send an alert/notification when the order arrives.

    The internet is full of articles and blogs related to autonomous vehicles. If you want to know more about how it works and the operations of AV, then check out this article by TWI. However, before you get your hands on this fascinating information, make sure that you have a stable internet connection. This would help you to load the article and related links much easily without any delays or excessive lag-time. For your convenience, you can always opt for high-speed internet connections like CenturyLink internet that not only supports fast browsing but also provides stable internet signals and flawless network coverage in all corners of your house. The most amazing part is that their internet packages are easily affordable for everyone, starting from $50 per month only. Do check them out on their official website!

    2. Connectivity

    These days, vehicles come to the market with a tamper-proof digital identity that makes them stand out from other vehicles in the same network. This supports easy tracking of vehicular data for several use cases such as driver safety, insurance, fleet management, scale data logging, and predictive maintenance, etc. Sharing vehicular data is not just helpful for the individual customer, but also overhauls the complete mobility ecosystem.

    V2X Network

    British company V2X Network offers a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) social platform for autonomous transactions that merges geo-networking and its caching to promote low latency real-time communication. The platform is run on distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) which allows a high degree of scalability. The startup also uses enterprise-grade encryption to provide its users with control over their data to boost their security and privacy measures.

    3. Electrification

    The depleting fossil fuel collection and the harm to the atmosphere caused by their use are calling us to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs). For higher adoption, EVs need to address bigger issues such as poor battery, high price, fleet electrification, and inadequate charging infrastructure, etc.

    ChargeX

    ChargeX is a German startup that has come up with a modular EV charging solution that converts parking spaces into charging stations. The company’s platform, Aqueduct, is feasible to install, has four charging modules up to 22kW, produces monthly reports, and uses a charging cable (Typ2). This solution recognizes the energy/power requirements of every car and it automatically takes control over the charging speed for vehicles.

    4. Shared Mobility

    With the production of connected vehicles, new business models are focusing on shared mobility as an alternative to old-school, traditional vehicle ownership. This encourages mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) and discourages all unused vehicles. Such solutions always meet the requirements of a business or city without adding new vehicles, which significantly reduces waiting time for pollution and fleets caused by diesel or petrol vehicles.

    Beam

    For example, Singapore-based business Beam highlights e-scooters to promote the concept of shared mobility in the Asia-Pacific region. Their scooters tend to use an aviation-grade aluminum frame and are exclusively customized for safety, sharing, reliability, and durability. 

    5. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    Various Artificial intelligence technologies like machine learning, computer vision, and deep learning search for applications in robotic automation inside the automotive industry. These manage fleets, help self-driving cars, and assist drivers to improve services such as vehicle insurance or inspection. AI also looks out for applications in the automotive industry manufacturing sector, where it increases the rate of production and reduces its costs.

    Apex AI

    The US-based company Apex AI helps automotive companies to execute complex AI solutions. Apex.OS basically runs on automotive electronic control units (ECUs) which offer robust, secure, and reliable APIs to launch autonomous mobility solutions. 

    Conclusion

    The Automotive Industry trends highlighted in this article only scratch the upper layer of trends that we found out during our in-depth research. Some others were robotics, hybrid vehicles, and automotive sensor technologies that are going to transform the automotive sector as we know it today. Considering new opportunities and evolving technologies to execute into your business at this initial stage can go a really long way in gaining a competitive advantage. 

    Finally, if you are related to the automotive industry then you need to be aware of the latest tech and trends that are being implemented every other day in this industry. Therefore, do not forget to subscribe to different newsletters, websites, and even YouTube channels to keep getting more information about automotive tech trends. You can also reach out to DigitalTechBusiness to keep yourself updated with new business and tech inventions/discoveries. However, before you begin your research, just make sure that your internet connection is fast and supports continuous browsing and streaming. We are sure you would not want to take the hassle of being stuck with a slow internet connection while browsing. Isn’t it? Well, for your convenience, you can always choose a high-speed, safe, and reliable internet connection like Spectrum which offers amazingly affordable internet packages to all types of users. Simply dial Spectrum phone number now and get more details about their economical bundles and deals!

  • Here’s What You Must Know About Southern Indiana Transportation, Maps, Toll Roads and Bridges Before Travelling

    Here’s What You Must Know About Southern Indiana Transportation, Maps, Toll Roads and Bridges Before Travelling

    If you don’t know, Southern Indiana is often chanted as a staunch part of the lower Midwest and the Upland South. Therefore, most people are aware that Southern Indiana was one of the first areas of the state to be provided and Indiana’s first capital made its spot near the Ohio River in Harrison County. No wonder, the history of this region has fascinated many and continues to compel people to visit it. As soon as people flock to this state, they are taken back to the pristine environment and see the amazing places in this state. 

    So if you have decided to set off on an exciting journey to this state, you will never regret this choice. After all, it allows you to have a pleasant experience of everything and let yourself loose. It’s a simple breeze that has an abundance of new brides, which were completed in 2016/17 subsequently. This connects people from Lousiville as well. Also known as the second street bridge, The Clark memorial bridge is a great site in Ohio that allows northbound travelers to easily connect with Jeffersonville and Clarksville. 

    Some of the popular spots are Northbound, Abraham Lincoln Bridge, and South Bound. On the other hand, you also get to see the John F Kennedy Memorial Bridge that has been tolled. Furthermore, there are 64 accesses to the new Albany and the Floyd Country through the Sherman Bridge. You also get to access the SoIN through Louisville’s East End. Before venturing out, don’t forget to acknowledge the importance of the I-294 Tolls Map, which is central to making you connect with the desired locations. 

    Tolls on Ohio River Bridges

    For your information, the Ohio River Bridge is a community project that is the result of 3 decades of discussion. Therefore, when you come across the Ohio rover bridges, you will find that 3 out of the 5 bridges can connect Louisville to Floyd and Clark counties, which are toll bridges. Because tolling is automatic, travelers don’t have to stop for long hours in line. In fact, there are no coin tickets, no toll booths and one doesn’t have to stop for long. River link is responsible for handling the tolling process, which is an E-Z pass affiliate. Secondly, if drivers have prepaid and transponder accounts, they will have to pay the lowest toll rates. 

    Here is a list of the tolled and non-tolled bridges here:

    Tolled Bridges

    • Lewis and Clark Bridge
    • Abraham Lincoln Bridge
    • John F.Kennedy Memorial Bridge

    Non-Tolled Bridges

    • Clark Memorial Bridge
    • Sherman Minton Bridge

    What is The Time Zone?

    Unless you’ve been living under the rock, you will know that Indiana follows Eastern time. Here, they arrive much earlier in March and will quickly fall back by the month of November. This can easily manipulate the clocks and make things go ahead of time.

    Here’s what you need to know:
    Eastern Standard Time: Runs from November to March
    Eastern Daylight Time: Runs From March to November

    What to do in Southern Indiana? 

    If you have never been to Southern Indiana, your tour is going to be very exciting. Known for housing some of the oldest tolls and bridges, Southern Indiana has incredible tourist attractions. Once you visit this place, you must sift through the French Lick Resort. It is chanted as one of the top 50 spots in the world.  You will also get to find all luxuries combined in one place. Once you go there, the historic hotels will allow you to dig deeper into the basic culture. 

    Secondly, you must also visit the Marengo Cave, which is located on the Southside of this state. Though it is privately owned, it still allows you to check out some of the oldest caves in the world. On the other hand, the national Landmark spreads over several acres that are the perfect amalgamation of beautiful stalactites. Once you decide to go there, don’t forget to follow the maps, so you can rightfully arrive at the destination. Secondly, don’t forget to acknowledge the importance of getting in touch with a guide, if you don’t know exactly where you have to go. So now is the perfect time to go there. 

  • 9 Essential Tools In A NASCAR Pit Box

    9 Essential Tools In A NASCAR Pit Box

    Behind every NASCAR driver’s victory is a talented and hardworking pit crew. And, behind every pit crew’s success is a complete set of tools. To ensure that every NASCAR racer could compete, the pit crew sees that their gear, tools, and equipment are always ready for a pit stop, generally ranging from five to 16 seconds.  

    If you’re dreaming of being a pit crew member, you may want to be familiar with the essential tools used in tire replacement, refueling, and other processes. For that purpose, here’s an article to guide you. So, read on! 

    What Is A NASCAR Pit Box 

    A NASCAR pit box is an outbox with a cluster of computers and electronics. Generally, it monitors the car’s conditions and performance. It’s typically aided by flat-screen monitors that provide the physical info about the vehicle. In addition, it also assists in checking the track conditions, as well as the weather. 

    In addition, it has a wheel-and-axle assembly area where the crew could practice changing tires using an air compressor, and tightening nuts and bolts. Furthermore, it stores a generator as a backup power source. Apart from these, pit boxes provide different and equally essential tools, including: 

    1. Air Compressor 

    Air compressors are primarily used in replacing tires. They typically use nitrogen instead of typical air. Nitrogen-based compressors release a more forceful air supply because of nitrogen’s consistency. Because of this, the compressor’s operator should be able to handle a sudden burst of force whenever they open the compressor. 

    If you’re getting used to operating an air compressor, you may start with the compressors with 10-15 CFM (cubic feet per minute) ratings. If you’ve mastered this type, you may try using compressors with a 50 CFM rating—these apply to extensive tools, including air guns. 

    1. Air Gun 

    Air guns, otherwise known as impact wrenches, are the primary tools in removing or tightening lug nuts. These tools, together with an efficient air compressor, enable a quick and masterly tire replacement. Effective air guns could change all four tires within 18 seconds. 

    In choosing an air gun for pit boxes, you may need to consider using a ½-inch type as it’s lightweight. Because of this, you’ll be able to loosen and tighten nuts without hassle. Apart from the size, you may also consider air guns with hard-wearing qualities. As a crew, you may also know how to rebuild the wrenches as it’s one of the requirements for them to be functional for a long time. 

    1. Pump Jack 

    Pit crews slide pump jacks for immediate tire replacement. These jacks lift the car’s frames at once because of their single-pump function. In choosing a pump jack, you may need to see its ease of use and ensure that it’s lightweight. In addition, the pumps should have high-quality hydraulics for simple leveraging, ideal for two-tire changing. 

    1. Piano Bars 

    These are long and durable bars used to lift and stabilize a damaged car. These are preferred in situations when jackmen couldn’t install a jack to raise the vehicle. Yet, the entire crew may be needed to place the piano bars underneath the car as these tools are heavy. However, they have fixed parts, so there’s no danger of slipping or going down abruptly, which is possible in jacks. 

    1. Extension Poles 

    Extension poles have a vast array of uses. They could signal drivers where to turn or stop for pit maintenance. This way, they allow the car and its crew to have a quick check and maintenance. In addition, extension poles also allow cleaning the car roofs and other exterior parts without coming closer to the car. Furthermore, the poles may even come from behind the walls. 

    1. Fuel Cans 

    Every pit crew has assigned gas men responsible for refilling fuel into the car’s tank to get the car back on track with improved fuel mileage and efficiency. This is very crucial as fuel strategy should be well-planned to have quick and spill-free refueling. A puncture-free and durable fuel can is necessary for this to happen. It should have a long snout for precise refilling. It should also have a smaller can for catching the spills and overflows. 

    1. Vise Grip 

    An incredible set of vise grips is always helpful in removing nuts that may have worn and torn their threads over time. The different sizes are ideal for various nut sizes. In addition, you could adjust these tools to be more fit for a vast range of sizes, nuts, and bolts.  

    1. Mallets, Hammers, Baseball Bats, And Saws 

    These unusual tools are vital in doing abrupt bodyworks. Since NASCAR cars couldn’t go for an auto mechanic to restore their damaged exterior, the pit crew uses mallets, hammers, and bats to flatten the creases and dents uniquely. On the other hand, the saws are used in cutting protruding parts that could be dangerous during driving. 

    1. Duct Tapes And Adhesive Sheets 

    Duct tapes are used to connect wires and panels to where they should be. Since cars don’t have the luxury of detailed fixing, duct tapes allow the adjustment of the body panels, fenders, and other exterior parts. In addition, they’re also used to redirect or change the airflow to the different grille parts. 

    Adhesive sheets, on the other hand, are used for bigger body repairs. While duct tape is preferred in minor repairs and underneath applications, the adhesive sheets are ideal for fastening large panels, such as the parts in the hood, sides, and fenders. 

    Wrapping Up 

    NASCAR tools are generally grouped into repair, refueling, and tire replacement types. What’s noteworthy about them is that they’re different compared to their counterparts in auto mechanic shops. In many cases, they’re influenced by DIY car maintenance rather than professional works. Yet, they could provide more than their expected uses.  

    To carry efficient and speedy repairs and tire replacement, the pit crew should have these essentials in their pit box. The unit assigned to the outpost may also have accurate monitoring and updates to anticipate the type of repairs they’d apply. 

    For best repairs and other pit crew actions, you may consider using the insights you’ve gained from this article. While they may be still incomplete, they could help identify the tools you may need to be familiar with and practice should you want to be a pit crew member.