A Safety Heads-Up – Texas Instruments aims to make HUDs technology even better with DLP chip

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Fighter pilots don’t need to take their eyes off the sky in a dogfight just to check speed or fuel levels displayed on the plane’s instrument panel, thanks to a technology that displays the information on the pilot’s visor. Now, automakers are applying a similar technology to luxury cars with the new Head-Up Display (HUD). Pertinent information like car speed is projected on the windshield so drivers can keep their eyes on the road.

Texas Instruments has partnered with Lincoln to improve and implement this new technology. While other automakers use LCD to build their HUDs, Texas Instruments developed a Digital Light Processing (DLP) chip for Lincoln’s HUDs.  LCDs are big and take up the size of the windshield. In contrast, DLP chip-based HUDs are easier to install since they are smaller. These HUDs also use less power and are more durable, withstanding temperatures as cold as -40 to as hot as 221 degrees. It is also faster at projecting images, making it useful for real-time applications. For instance, the HUDs technology could detect a pedestrian walking in the dark and highlight that person to the driver. Lincoln spokeswoman Amanda Park said the HUDs are “visible in more ambient lighting conditions than its competitors, even while the driver is wearing polarized sunglasses, which makes it unique in this segment.” HUDs don’t obstruct driving since images are displayed in a translucent format. Texas Instruments is constantly investigating ways to boost the clarity, brightness, and visibility of the HUDs’ graphics.

Experimenting with HUDs and DLP chips? Did you know that your prototypes even if unsuccessful are eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE credits as well as CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

 

 

“The future is all electric” – General Motors announces a lineup of electric cars by 2023

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 Auto industry leader General Motors announced yesterday that it aims to introduce a lineup of 20 electric cars by 2023 with two electric models to appear on the market within 18 months. Mark Reuss, GM’s Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing, and Supply Chain, said, “General Motors believes the future is all electric.”

The announcement follows a growing pattern in the auto industry where other major players like Volvo, Jaguar Land Rover, and Mazda are committing to electric cars. Volkswagen and Audi likewise shifted their focus from diesel to electric. This trend is fuelled in part by several countries’ decision to ban internal combustion engines powered by diesel and gas in the future. Countries include China, India, and the United Kingdom.

GM’s lineup will include a broad array of vehicles, from pure electric-powered cars to hybrids and even vehicles using hydrogen-fuel-cell technologies. Traditionally, hybrids with their gasoline-powered engines and electric batteries have demonstrated a safe option to break into the fuel-efficient market. Hydrogen-fuel-cell power, in contrast, poses a greater market risk. This technology involves converting compressed hydrogen into energy and releases only water vapor as waste. However, major improvements to existing infrastructure is needed before hydrogen-powered cars can enter mainstream use. Currently, only California, particularly in Los Angeles and the Bay area, has the infrastructure to maintain hydrogen cars.

Despite controversy surrounding hydrogen power, GM has been working on a hydrogen cell battery since 2015 and hopes to begin production by 2020. Building on its Chevy Bolt electric car technology, GM recently introduced the Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure (SURUS). The SURUS is a hydrogen powered vehicle with a four-wheel drive that runs on two electric motors. GM hopes the SURUS will be used as delivery trucks and even ambulances in the future. There is still of course, room for improvement. As Reuss told The Verge, “Whatever we do, from an electrification stand point, the next version will be better than the version we have on the road.”

Are you experimenting with prototyping different electric and hydrogen powered vehicles? You could be eligible for the R&D tax credit even if you haven’t begun production yet. To find out more on the R&D tax credit, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE credits as well as CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Increase in R&D Activities Prove to Aid in Automotive Lithium Ion Battery Market

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The automotive lithium ion battery market is showing steady growth, thanks in part to an increase in research and development (R&D) funds provided by the R&D Tax Credit.

Many countries are trying to lower their dependency on gas and diesel for transportation, and focus more on sustainable fuels. This has been driving companies to look to alternative sources of energy. However, until recently there has been little advance in battery technology due to high production costs and a limited availability of the rare materials required. But with the rise in popularity of electric cars, the global lithium ion battery market is expected to increase rapidly; and R&D credits are fueling their development.

Along with R&D tax credits, there are a number of other incentives that the government is providing for this sector. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are giving tax credits of $2,500-$7,000 per electric vehicle purchased in the United States. with some states also providing rebates (e.g. $2,500 in California, $1,000 in Delaware and $5,000 in Colorado) towards the purchase of an electric vehicle.

These government incentives and the growing consumer desire to use clean fuels will continue to drive the demand for electric vehicles; and subsequently the demand for improved lithium ion batteries. R&D credits will prove invaluable in helping companies overcome the high cost of developing and improving new battery technologies.

Although the electric car market is still in its infancy, the projected future looks very promising, thanks in part to R&D Tax Credits. If you would like to find out how your company could benefit from R&D Tax Credits, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today for an assessment.

New automotive R&D facility opens in Oregon

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The automotive commercial vehicle manufacturer, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has officially opened its Oregon-based research and development facility.

The 87 acre, $18.7 million R&D facility consists of a state of the art test track, a brand new 32,000 square foot office that will be home to approximately 40 employees, a sizable workshop with 14 service bays for technicians to work and several driver lounges and conference rooms.

DTNA invested in the following R&D facility to solidify and validate itself as North America’s undisputed market leader and become a louder player in the realm of R&D. In addition, it is also hoped that the following facility will allow for DTNA to bring its innovative technology to the market faster than ever before.

DTNA’s president and CEO says he is excited for the future opportunities which lie ahead as a result of this significant R&D investment. The R&D projects to be carried out at the facility will allow for the company to become a more predominate player in the testing of product durability and reliability. In addition, the facility will also aid in the company’s future plans to test autonomous vehicles at the facility.

The location of Madras was specifically chosen because of its proximity to the company’s Portland headquarters. This allows the engineering team to travel by car to access the testing facility and will significantly save the company time and bring the engineers closer to the product.

The new test track at the facility is very similar to the one in Germany and Brazil and is specifically engineered to help DTNA determine a truck’s full service life in just six months.

While this R&D investment is an exciting opportunity for DTNA as a company, it is also an exciting time for Madras as a city. Having DTNA invest in Madras has shown to be a win-win for both parties and the city of Madras looks forward to supporting the undisputed market leader in the commercial vehicle industry.

If your company is currently or has recently invested in R&D, it may be eligible for an R&D tax credit. To receive an eligibility assessment and be guided through the R&D claim process, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Adviser today. We look forward to speaking with you.