Skip to content

android auto

Bad HMI Design Decisions

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Bad HMI Design Decisions
Loading
/

The Wheel Bearings crew has convened again on a Sunday morning as snow falls on Sam’s house. This week, Dan spends time with the lovely Lincoln Corsair compact luxury utility. Sam discusses the new 2021 Genesis G80 while Rebecca shares her thoughts on the Mazda CX-9. The Genesis and Mazda were both almost entirely delightful vehicles marred only by some non-trivial human machine interface design decisions that proved to be very annoying which led to a lively discussion of designing for actual users. In the news, the 2021 Ford F-150 is out and Sam shared his first driving impressions. Infiniti has a new fastback crossover “inspired by the FX” but not a direct replacement. We wrap up with a listener question about about paying for car apps. Links 2021 Ford F-150 First Drive 2021 Infiniti QX55 reveal Hyundai Motor Group uses Nvidia for infotainment “Ruined… Read More »Bad HMI Design Decisions

144 – Press On Regardless

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
144 - Press On Regardless
Loading
/

As the lockdowns continue, our intrepid crew is still venturing out while staying isolated to bring you their impressions of the vehicles you might want to consider buying when this is all over. Rebecca spent time with the Jeep Gladiator in a seemingly deserted corner of Connecticut. Sam got Android Auto working in the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid without crashing the infotainment system. Meanwhile Dan sampled the pint-sized Hyundai Kona. In the news, we dive into the Navigant Research Automated Driving Leaderboard report and what robotaxi developers will have to do to keep passengers safe. While we work from home and connect with co-workers on video conferences, Audi has started publishing images to use for virtual backgrounds. With motorsports idled globally, the drivers are taking to sims and the fans seem to be digging it. We wrap up with a few listener questions. Links Jeep Gladiator… Read More »144 – Press On Regardless

2019 Volvo XC40 – The New Small Swede With Surprising Value

The first-phase of the ground up revamp of the entire Volvo product portfolio is nearing completion. Like most brands, Volvo has shifted heavily toward utility vehicles such as the midsize and large XC60 and XC90 as well as the slightly higher riding car variants like the V90 Cross-country. This year Volvo finally has an entry in the fast growing compact utility segment as well with the new XC40 and it has a lot to recommend it. Read the full review over on Forbes Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

2019 Hyundai Nexo – The First Really Complete Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

Twelve years ago when I first started writing professionally about cars, the very first review I ever wrote for AutoblogGreen was a fuel cell electric car, the Ford Focus FCV. In the years since I’ve had the opportunity to drive a number of different concept, prototype and production fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) from Ford, GM, Honda and Toyota. While the technology has absolutely advanced over that time, all of them have had some compromises. Until now that is. Aside from the obviously limited network of hydrogen filling stations, the 2019 Hyundai Nexo felt like the most finished fuel cell vehicle yet. Read my full first impressions of the 2019 Hyundai Nexo at Forbes Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Brings Zero Emissions To Small Crossovers

If someone were to ask which automaker offers more electric vehicle nameplates in America than any other, your first instinct would probably be Tesla. But note the qualifier in the question – nameplates. Tesla currently only has three, the Model S, X and 3. Within the next few months, Hyundai Motor Group will offer five across its Hyundai and Kia brands. The Ioniq electric and Kia Soul EV have already been on sale for some time. The Hyundai Nexo arrives in a few weeks and electric versions of the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro crossovers will be here soon. Read my full first impressions of the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric at Forbes Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Episode #083 – Race On Tony Swan

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #083 - Race On Tony Swan
Loading
/

This week Sam drives the latest Mazda6 which is still his favorite midsize sedan while Dan samples the Hyundai Kona and Toyota Sienna with all-wheel-drive. As the auto industry changes, Mercedes-Benz considers paring down niche models while GM and Honda team up on automated driving and mobility. Finally, we bid farewell to Tony Swan. Links The Passing of Tony Swan Mercedes-Benz prepares to cut low volume models GM and Honda team on Automated Driving` Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Episode #082 – Coupes, Convertibles, Chargers and Separate Development

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #082 - Coupes, Convertibles, Chargers and Separate Development
Loading
/

This week, Brianna Wu returns to the show to talk about her Porsche Cayman, Sam drives 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate and Dan shares his feelings on the Ford Mustang Convertible. Lucid follows up on their big Saudi funding round with a deal with Electrify America to provide charging for the upcoming Air electric sedan. The crew also discusses the lack of togetherness between BMW and Toyota in developing the new Z4 and Supra. Links Lucid teams up with Electrify America BMW and Toyota mostly stop talking   Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Episode #063 – Praising Sedans, Self-Crashing Teslas and Self-Driving Waymo-Jaguars

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #063 - Praising Sedans, Self-Crashing Teslas and Self-Driving Waymo-Jaguars
Loading
/

This week, Dan and Sam come in favor of a couple of very different sedans, the plug-in hybrid BMW 740e and the latest generation Honda Accord. Despite how different these cars are, both feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine under the hood. The show is a bit late because Sam was travelling in California last week for the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference. Meanwhile on the opposite coast, Waymo and Jaguar announced a deal, Nissan unveiled an Altima with variable compression ratio, VW took the wraps off a pickup truck concept, and Lincoln showed the first of new generation of vehicles from Ford. Sam also goes on a rant about another fatality in a Tesla running on AutoPilot. We remind you that NONE of the vehicles currently in production with various levels of partial automation are self-driving. These are all driver assist systems and we… Read More »Episode #063 – Praising Sedans, Self-Crashing Teslas and Self-Driving Waymo-Jaguars

Episode #060 – Sedans, Expensive Electric Crossovers and Student Robots

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #060 - Sedans, Expensive Electric Crossovers and Student Robots
Loading
/

Sam returns from duty as a judge at a FIRST Robotics competition and gives his impressions of the 2018 Toyota Camry. Dan finds himself surprisingly enamored with the Acura TLX A-Spec. Following the Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar i-Pace is officially on sale in Europe and coming to America soon. It will be followed by a pair of electric Porsches, the Mission E sedan and then the Mission E Cross Turismo. Ford patents a repair drone for its automated vehicles and guys dish out more car buying advice. Links Jaguar i-Pace Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Ford autonomous repair drone First Robotics MI Kids on the Move Power Racing Series Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Episode #057 – Casey Returns, More Alfas and an Electric Mini

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #057 - Casey Returns, More Alfas and an Electric Mini
Loading
/

In this week’s rambling episode, Accidental Tech Podcast co-host Casey Liss returns to talk about his experience with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and compare notes with Sam. Sam also brings up his experience trying to drive the Giulia Quadrifoglio in the wake of a winter storm and Dan talks about the new Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid. The conversation then returns to the prior discussion Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system and Casey’s newfound frustrations with it. Dan is considering replacing his Crown Victoria with a Mazda6 and Casey is continuing to ponder the new Jeep Wrangler. Links Winter Driving in the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Sam’s Take on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Casey on the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join… Read More »Episode #057 – Casey Returns, More Alfas and an Electric Mini