GM's 2019 self-driving cars come with no steering wheels

Challenging the notion that autonomous vehicles or self-driving cars need to have a steering wheel for when a driver would want to take over, GM's robobar slated for release next year has no steering wheel and no pedals. The modified all-electric Chevy Bolt models are expected to be used as a fleet of taxis in the US sometime next year.

“We’ve put together four generations of autonomous vehicles over the course of 18 months,” says Dan Ammann, GM’s president. “You can safely assume that the fourth generation won’t be the last.”

Self-driving functionality is already available on some flagship Cadillac models.

Source: Wired

CES 2018: Google and Amazon assistants heading into a two way race

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

What is evident from this year's International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is that smart assistants are emerging to be the biggest story from the show. Not only has Amazon's Alexa assistant transcended speakers, thermostats and is now comng to PCs and even cars.

Google and its Google Assistant is omniscient in Las Vegas this year. Not only is Google Assistant coming to various third-party headphones it's ramping up the range of functionality with one million actions, which are like Alexa's Skills or, to put it simply, services and apps that they can link to or processes that you can enable.

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Google is combining multiple mobile payment solutions under Google Pay

Just like it has too many messaging platforms, Google seems to have too many payment services. The payment part is changing today as the company is integrating Android Pay and Google Wallet into a single service called Google Pay.

"With Google Pay, it’ll be easier for you to use the payment information saved to your Google Account, so you can speed through checkout with peace of mind. Over the coming weeks, you’ll see Google Pay online, in store, and across Google products, as well as when you’re paying friends," Google explains. the service is already integrated into a number of apps includingAirbnb, Fandango, HungryHouse, Instacart and others. No news yet of Canadian uptake but Google Pay should work wherever Android Pay was accepted.

Canadian International AutoShow to offer electric vehicle test drives

EVs or electric vehicles are expected to be front and centre at the upcomng Canadian International Auto Show and now visitors aged 21 or older with valid driver's licenses can experience first hand what driving an EV feels like. Various manufacturers including GM, Nissan BMW, Fiat-Chrysler, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Volvo will showcase their latest EV and Hybrid electric cars.

“The automotive world is changing and the Canadian International AutoShow is changing with it,” said AutoShow General Manager Jason Campbell. “You can’t go to any major auto show in the world, be it in Frankfurt or Shanghai or Los Angeles, and not see large numbers of electric vehicles on display. In February, the Canadian International AutoShow will be no different.”

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