http://autotestnews.com ...keeping you up-to-date on the business and technology of automotive testing Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:59:36 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The Danville Register and Bee reports that, Students and a professor at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville developed a unique way to test tires. Associate professor Saied Taheri and Virginia Tech students in the Intelligent Transportation Lab at the Institute developed a trailer that houses equipment to test ... http://autotestnews.com/va-tech-researchers-develop-new-tire-tests/ WardsAuto.Com reports that GM is ramping up testing of batteries for use in its electric vehicles (EVs). The report notes: The lab includes about 170 test chambers cycling battery charges up and down 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During the cycling, engineers introduce severe temperature and humidity levels, ... http://autotestnews.com/gm-ramps-up-battery-testing/ Autoliv Opens New Unique Test Facility STOCKHOLM --(Business Wire)-- Oct 26, 2009 Regulatory News: Autoliv Inc. has opened a new unique test facility for pre-crash and active safety systems in Vargarda, Sweden. Thanks to passive safety systems such as seatbelt pretensioners and airbags, vehicle safety has substantially improved over recent decades. The next ... http://autotestnews.com/autoliv-opens-new-unique-test-facility/ Following a recent test at its South Bend, IN test track, Tire Rack has published a comprehensive report analyzing the effectiveness of eco-friendly, low rolling resistance (LRR) tires. In its published report, Tire Rack confirms that using LRR tires is an effective way for consumers to save money while reducing ... http://autotestnews.com/tests-confirm-that-low-rolling-resistance-tires-save-fuel/ Shanghai Dailly reports on China's first wind-tunnel test facility that opened yesterday near Shanghai. According to the report, [China's] first automobile wind tunnel was launched in Shanghai yesterday in a bid to support the Chinese automotive industry in its transition from "made in China" to "designed in China." ... With the technology localized, ... http://autotestnews.com/the-way-the-wind-is-blowing/ While mostly a PR piece designed to promote their gasolines, this Web article on fuel-economy testing is interesting. It starts, "Rigorously controlled test track trials are a massive improvement on open road measurements, but even they do not go far enough for BP. The company's fuels and lubricants technologists demand ... http://autotestnews.com/bp-discusses-fuel-economy-testing/ From AutoChannel.Com: Official testing of connected vehicle technology at Michigan International Speedway has now become a reality at the Irish Hills NASCAR racetrack. Following a January announcement by MIS, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Center for Automotive Research (CAR) to use MIS’ road course as a test facility for connected ... http://autotestnews.com/teamlinc-tests-connected-vehicles-at-mis/ The Charlotte Business Journal reports: A consortium of auto and motorsports companies has committed to finance a tire-testing facility in the Charlotte region that could require an investment of “tens of millions of dollars.” The project, called Camber Ridge, will help drive research for the industry as it prepares for federal electronic ... http://autotestnews.com/charlotte-to-get-tire-test-facility/ Agilent has published three new DMM application notes that you may find useful: On Improving Digital Multimeter Throughput This application note describeson how to make a modern digital multimeter operate at its absolute fastest transaction speed. It includes tips on reducing range and function changes, proper auto-zero operation, selecting optimal integration ... http://autotestnews.com/app-notes-explain-dmm-use/ Crain's Detroit Business is reporting that the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center in Warren will add a test facility. A ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled in two weeks and formal construction could begin by month's end on the new $40.3 million Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory. http://autotestnews.com/warren-tank-center-to-add-test-lab/