(Bits&Pieces.us)
Thursday, February 8, 2018
You Don't Say . . . . .
California Issues Self Driving Report Card And It Sucks
Companies testing self-driving cars on California streets gave a peek into the inner workings of their real-world test drives on Wednesday. The big takeaway? Many are still a long way from letting drivers take their hands off the wheel.
Most manufacturers are still developing self-driving technology in secret, using private test facilities and virtual simulations, so there is little data publicly available to track their progress. The California Department of Motor Vehicles' annual disengagement report released Wednesday, though not comprehensive, provides a snapshot into how far along these companies may be.
(AutoSpies.com)
Companies testing self-driving cars on California streets gave a peek into the inner workings of their real-world test drives on Wednesday. The big takeaway? Many are still a long way from letting drivers take their hands off the wheel.
Most manufacturers are still developing self-driving technology in secret, using private test facilities and virtual simulations, so there is little data publicly available to track their progress. The California Department of Motor Vehicles' annual disengagement report released Wednesday, though not comprehensive, provides a snapshot into how far along these companies may be.
(AutoSpies.com)
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
R.I.P. - F1 Grid Girls
Formula 1 grid girls are gone
The time for change has come
LONDON - Formula 1 is ending the use of female models who parade and stand with the drivers' name boards before every grand prix, with immediate effect.
The sport announced the decision in a statement Wednesday and said the change would also apply to all support series on the program.
"While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula One grands prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms," said commercial manager Sean Bratches.
"We don't believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world," he added.
F1 has not had a woman race driver on the starting grid since the 1970s but is far more mixed off the track, with female engineers and mechanics as well as in media and marketing.
Two of the 10 teams have had female bosses, including former championship-winning team Williams. Formula 1 management has a number of women in senior positions, too.
The use of female models, even if not as scantily-clad as in the past, has been increasingly criticized in a sport that is now under U.S.-based ownership following Liberty Media's takeover last year.
Liberty, who ousted former supremo Bernie Ecclestone a year ago, have been looking to make the pre-race show more of a feature with the emphasis on entertainment for fans and promotion.
(AutoBlog.com)
The time for change has come
LONDON - Formula 1 is ending the use of female models who parade and stand with the drivers' name boards before every grand prix, with immediate effect.
The sport announced the decision in a statement Wednesday and said the change would also apply to all support series on the program.
"While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula One grands prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms," said commercial manager Sean Bratches.
"We don't believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world," he added.
F1 has not had a woman race driver on the starting grid since the 1970s but is far more mixed off the track, with female engineers and mechanics as well as in media and marketing.
Two of the 10 teams have had female bosses, including former championship-winning team Williams. Formula 1 management has a number of women in senior positions, too.
The use of female models, even if not as scantily-clad as in the past, has been increasingly criticized in a sport that is now under U.S.-based ownership following Liberty Media's takeover last year.
Liberty, who ousted former supremo Bernie Ecclestone a year ago, have been looking to make the pre-race show more of a feature with the emphasis on entertainment for fans and promotion.
(AutoBlog.com)
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