Car News

Volkswagen is developing robots that can find and charge electric vehicles in need of a range boost. The idea behind the robots is simple: vehicles low on charge can park in a regular multi-storey carpark, and wirelessly communicate with the charging infrastructure. An autonomous robot will then deliver a small charger to the vehicle, wirelessly open the car's charge port, and connect up the charger.

The world-first mobile phone detection cameras recently launched in New South Wales caught more than 3300 people using their phones while driving in their first week of operation – but the drivers caught will only be warned, not fined. A total of 3303 drivers were caught using fixed and trailer-mounted phone-detection cameras in New South Wales between December 1 and December 7.

New South Wales (NSW) drivers will legally be able to pay for parking and drive-through meals using a mobile phone without fear of a $344 fine. State laws have today been revised so anyone touching their phone to make a payment while they're stationary and off the road in a carpark, drive-through, or driveway, will be safe from penalty. Drivers will also be allowed to access their digital licence for a NSW Police officer.

Darcy Foster • Ever wanted to option your car with a fluorescent purple interior straight out the factory? Conventional car seat covers could soon be a thing of the past as Ford looks to implement '3D knitting' in its interior trimming. By experimenting with technologies prevalent in the manufacture of clothes and running shoes, Ford has created a way of using wool, polyester, or even silk to ‘print’ its own seat covers.

Overnight Ford took the wraps off its new Sync 4 infotainment system, as well as a new underlying control system which supports wireless software updates to almost all of a car's computing units. The new infotainment system has been designed to work with a new array of larger touchscreens, running from 8.0- to 15.5 inches diagonally. On cars fitted with Ford's new 12.0- and 15.5-inch touchscreens, Sync 4 will support multiple apps on screen at the same time.