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It was fantasy a few years ago, but a car that steers itself is not too far away.

One of the technical innovations of the Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style research vehicle on show at the Geneva Motor Show uses a system called Traffic Jam Assistant that is capable of automatically following the vehicle in front of it.

via Mercedes-Benz F 800 self-steers | Review | carsguide.com.au.

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The NSW Government runs Save Power, to help the state’s residents reduce their greenhouse gas emissions at home. http://www.savepower.nsw.go…

A scam email is circulating the internet claiming that people’s
mobile phone numbers are being released to telemarketing
companies and people will be charged if they receive a call from
one of these telemarketers. Concerned National Seniors
members have contacted NSA after receiving the emails. The
Australian Communications and Media Authority is aware of the
email being circulated and has advised that the email is a hoax
which originated in North America. The reference to mobiles
being charged for incoming calls makes reference to the system
in the USA, but does not apply to Australia. In Australia
telemarketers are already permitted to call mobile phones but
they are unable to charge you for that call. If you are concerned
about being contacted by telemarketers you can list your
Australian fixed line and mobile numbers on the Government’s Do
Not Call Register. Telemarketers who contact numbers listed on
this register may be in breach of legislation and can face a
penalty. To add your number to the register phone 1300 792 958
or register online at www.donotcall.gov.au

Image via Wikipedia

There have been reports from the United States media today that steering performance of Toyota Corolla vehicles is under investigation in the US market.

Toyota Motor Corporation – Japan has advised the electric power-steering system used in Corolla models sold in Australia is different from that used for models sold in the United States.

There have been no cases reported to Toyota Australia.

For further information, contact the Toyota Customer Experience Centre on 1800 252 097.

via Toyota Recall information – Toyota Australia.

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Toyota Motor Corporation Japan and Toyota Motor Corporation Australia have initiated a safety recall campaign on its current generation Prius vehicles. Current generation Prius commenced being sold in Australia in July 2009.

A total of 2378 Toyota Prius vehicles in Australia are affected. Globally a total of about 400,000 vehicles are involved in the recall – in Japan, the United States, Europe and in other regions.

The recall is being taken in response to reports of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady braking on certain road conditions such as a pot hole, bumpy or slippery road surfaces when the ABS is activated. The brake pedal feel may not be consistent, but the brakes will continue to operate. There have been a total of 111 cases reported globally, two in Australia.

via Toyota Recall information – Toyota Australia.

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Plastics are built to last for generations, but designed to be disposable. By giving up bottled water, take-away coffee cups, and excess packaging on our food, we’re making the job easier for Captain Charles Moore and the other activists working to clean up our oceans.

read more

Image by The Toad via Flickr

The brand which built its image on bulletproof quality and reliability is reeling as the revelations keep coming from the USA.Every day there seems to be something new, from extra customer complaints to a damaging internal document which points to deliberate delaying tactics on the safety front. The total cost of the fiasco is likely to be around $2 billion in lost sales, but no-one can yet say what the safety disaster – everything from faulty accelerator pedals to steering complaints on the Corolla and a brake drama on the Prius – will eventually cost the company in long-term respect.

via Toyota reels on recalls | Review | carsguide.com.au.

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SAN DIEGO: The retreat of glaciers and the loss of moisture from soil due to climate change will likely increase the number of large-scale dust storms, such as those that blanketed Sydney in 2009, scientists predict.

“Every year, hundreds of millions of tonnes of African dust are carried westward across the Atlantic to South America, the Caribbean and to the North America,” as well as across the Mediterranean and the Middle East, said Joseph Prospero, an atmospheric chemist at the University of Miami.

via Retreating glaciers may boost dust storms | COSMOS magazine.

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• Glaciers: Changing at More Than a Glacial Pace (time.com)

Over the last several years we have seen a drastic reduction in sea ice in the arctic region of the world. Scientist project that the summer sea ice cover of the Arctic Ocean might be lost within a decade. Half of the heat produced on earth is created in the Arctic, resulting in accelerates climate change.

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