Federal officials could begin requiring pre-approval of automated driving technologies before they can be used on public roads, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “I’ve been encouraging our team to think about … the extent to which we should encourage pre-market-approval steps. That would require industry and the department to be more in sync and more rigorous on the front end of development and testing,” the Wall Street Journal reported that Foxx said at an industry conference in San Francisco. “This change would be one that could help us assure not only ourselves but the industry and also consumers that the …

Alipay mobile payments can be made by drivers from the seat of their new OS’Car RX5. The new sport utility vehicle is the product of a partnership formed between Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group and Shanghai-based automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor Corp. It has been introduced to China’s automotive market and is dubbed the “internet car”. It is equipped with a smart operating system, which makes it different from traditional cars. The hope is that the car will spread the internet-of-things (IoT) to the automotive sector. The OS’Car RX5 operating system was designed by Alibaba’s YunOS division. Specially designed for the automotive industry, …

The outlook for the small commercial drone industry in the United States has changed significantly over the past year. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced itsrules for small commercial drones, which go into effect in August 2016, and the US Senate recently passed a 15-month FAA extension (by a vote of 89-4) to also help open up the US sky for drone companies. Certainly there were several catalysts that pushed the FAA to finalizing its small commercial drone rules, but perhaps the biggest came one year ago today, when Flirtey conducted the first FAA-approved drone delivery in US history.

Bologna Gugliemo Marconi Airport has launched a Near Field Communication (NFC) RFID and Bluetooth beacon solution that allows commuters to access content about the airport, as well as the city beyond, via their mobile phones or other smart devices. The One Touch BLQ system—which uses the airport's BLQ app in conjunction with Connecthings content-management software, NFC RFID labels and Bluetooth beacons—was taken live early last month. The airport has installed signs containing NFC RFID labels (printed with QR codes) in some parts of its facility, and beacons in others that transmit data directly to passengers' devices running the airport app. Connecthings is now in discussions with Bologna officials to enable the city's app …

Pharmacy and retailer CVS Caremark Corp. is expanding its beacon program, and it’s using a new tool from search giant Google Inc. to reach even more shoppers. Google recently announced it is allowing businesses, including retailers, to send smartphone alerts to consumers via Google Play, which is the preinstalled app store app on Android devices. The program is called Nearby, which Google announced in its official Android blog last month. CVS is one of the first businesses testing Nearby. The program is meant to make it easier for consumers to discover apps and websites that are relevant to them based on their physical …

Experts say the development of self-driving cars over the coming decade depends on an unreliable assumption by many automakers: that the humans in them will be ready to step in and take control if the car's systems fail. Instead, experience with automation in other modes of transportation like aviation and rail suggests that the strategy will lead to more deaths like that of a Florida Tesla driver in May. Decades of research shows that people have a difficult time keeping their minds on boring tasks like monitoring systems that rarely fail and hardly ever require them to take action. The …

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is addressing urbanization and environmentalism with the Mercedes-Benz Future Bus. As cities bear the brunt of worldwide population growth and the effects of global warming are gradually felt, public transport is a necessity. Focusing on the public transit market as the market poises for growth will keep revenue high while also allowing the brand to show off technology and position itself as a leader.

Google recently shut down an internal project to create a high-end standalone virtual reality headset akin to devices from Facebook’s Oculus and HTC, according to sources familiar with the plans. The decision likely stems from Google’s effort to streamline its more ambitious projects, an ongoing slog at the company. In this instance, Google is shifting more resources behind mobile VR — tools for companies to build apps, games and services on smartphones that use the nascent media — rather than expensive hardware. Google declined to comment.

While the Internet of Things has taken off in the commercial and business space, the opportunities in the consumer area have still not been realized, according to iRobot co-founder and CEO Colin Angle. “At this moment in time, the consumer Internet of Things – which is very different from the commercial Internet of Things – is somewhat of a failed promise,” Angle said. Angle explained that consumer IoT devices lack the basic user functionality that would enable success.

Things might not be quite as they seem in the smart home of the future. That picture window in your living room might actually be a power generator, or a large-screen TV. A light bulb could transmit your data, rendering Wi-fi, as we know it, redundant. The bathroom mirror transforms into an interactive screen, displaying news, weather and traffic information – or even provides hair and make-up tips for the day ahead. Your floor rug plays music (high quality, of course). And your bed becomes a relationship counsellor, nudging you when some intimate time is in order.