MIT develops self-transforming materials that behave 'like robots without robots'

A cross-disciplinary research lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a suite of programmable materials, including carbon fiber, printed wood grain, textile composites, rubbers and plastics, that self-transform when exposed to an external stimulus. Director of the Self-Assembly Lab, Skylar Tibbits, presented a TED talk on 4D printing in 2013, where he demonstrated how a flat sheet of material could effectively build itself when exposed to water, like a robot without a robot. Following positive feedback from industries including aviation, automotive and manufacturing, his lab has been working on developing materials that change according to different activation sources, including heat, light, and air pressure, in addition to water – all of which have automotive relevance.

Mitsubishi Outlander GT

The Mitsubishi Outlander GT will show at the New York Motor Show [ad#ad-1] The picture above is the Mitsubishi Outlander GT Concept (which is not a Photoshop mis-hap – just another version of a car maker’s ‘tease’ image, this time blurred). This is Mitsubishi’s efforts to make the Outlander more appealing, and from what we can see it’s taken a design cue from the Lamborghini Reventon, by putting a ‘Stealth Fighter’ nose on the front. Actually, as a blurred image, the front end does look a little reminiscent of the Lagonda Concept we saw at Geneva last month.

2011 Chevrolet Volt faces toughest test--consumers

Scientists, journalists and a slew of other alleged experts have all weighed in on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, and now the only verdict that truly matters--the public's--will be rendered. General Motors said 6,348 consumers have taken the extended-range car for a spin during a 12-city “Volt Unplugged Tour,” and not surprisingly, GM's reviewers like it. Still, initial feedback does appear to be truly positive.