Driverless cars: They sound like a cross between our wildest fantasy and a science fiction, but alas, they are reality – and they’re quickly coming to our streets. Are they truly the future of driving? Only time will tell, but early indications point to driverless vehicles being the true wave of the future.

What Are Self-Driving Cars?

The name “self-driving vehicle” seems pretty obvious, but in reality, there are several levels of driverless vehicle. A Level 0 car has no automation and is completely human-controlled, while a Level 5 ride is fully automated with no human intervention. Automation varies across the other four levels, with some levels already represented in today’s vehicles.   Read the rest of this entry »

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For the Dawgma team, it is on to Seneca, NJ in two weeks and then hopefully off to the Mid-Atlantic Robot Championships

Recently they performed in the Westtown Competition. Dawgma went on to place 11th in overall ranking, and captained the 7th alliance into the Quarterfinals. Thanks to the efforts of their Safety Captain, they were awarded the Industrial Safety Award for  safety practices at the competition.

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For some, a vehicle is good for simply getting from point A to point B. Here at Ardmore Toyota, we believe you should enjoy the driving experience as well. That’s why we’re excited about the technology upgrades Toyota has added to its vehicles. Here are four of the best features you might find in your next Toyota.

Entune

Sure, we all enjoy using our smartphones to make calls, listen to music, and get directions, but they’re simply not safe to use while driving. Enter Entune. Through Bluetooth compatibility, you can access your phone’s apps, navigate to your destination, and even talk to Siri® while never taking your eyes off the road. Three different Entune levels offer an array of audio features such as satellite radio, wireless music streaming services, and updates on fuel prices, sports scores, and stock prices. Entune is available on most new Toyota vehicles.   Read the rest of this entry »

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They’re your best friend, your fur-child, and your constant companion, so it makes sense that when it’s time to travel, your dog will join you on your adventures. Traveling with your dog can be fun, but it requires a little planning. Before your pup climbs into your vehicle, make sure you check out these four tips for safe canine cruising.

1. Plan for the Unexpected

We never want to think about our dogs becoming separated from us, but a little planning can reduce stress in case something happens. Before you depart, make sure your pooch is current on immunizations, including rabies. Fasten your dog’s identification tag securely to its collar to guarantee a swift return in case of separation. A microchip can also be a lifesaver should your dog become lost; installing a chip is a quick, inexpensive, and relatively painless procedure that can be done at your local veterinary office. Read the rest of this entry »

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When it comes to vehicles, it’s not always easy to choose what model you want to buy. In some cases, two vehicle models may be very similar, while in others, the differences may be major. If you’re considering the Yaris, you’ll want to know the real differences between the Yaris and Yaris iA before making your choice.

Cost

Let’s face it: When it comes to buying a new vehicle, cost is a major factor. Vehicles that are too far out of your budget just won’t work, no matter how much you love them. Fortunately, in this case, both vehicles are affordable. The base model 2017 Yaris has a starting manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $15,250, while the base model iA starts at $15,950 MSRP. Read the rest of this entry »

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Spring is the perfect time to renew, refresh, and clean. Make your vehicle feel new again by adding it to your spring cleaning checklist. There are plenty of easy and inexpensive ways to clean out and organize your car.

Clean the Exterior

Say goodbye to the dirt, grime, debris, and salt that winter brought to your vehicle by giving your car a thorough exterior washing. Use a pressure washer to remove dirt and debris that can scratch the surface, and then clean with a product formulated specifically for washing your car’s surface. Once it’s been thoroughly washed and dried, apply a wax or paint-protecting product to help repel Read the rest of this entry »

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Ardmore, Pennsylvania, one of the towns that make up the Philadelphia countryside, is a charming community with love for art, music, and culture. Given that fact, it’s no surprise that the Ardmore Music Hall is a draw for Philadelphia residents, Ardmore natives, and visitors from all up and down the east coast. At any given time, there are tons of exciting, interesting, or fun shows taking place — finding an act that’s worth traveling for isn’t difficult.

See Splintered Sunlight in February

The Ardmore Music Hall often attracts cover bands or tribute bands, and the locals love it. Splintered Sunlight is a Grateful Dead tribute band, and Deadheads from all over are sure to descend on the venue. If you’re eager to hear the whimsical but meaningful lyrics and riffs made famous by Jerry Garcia, you’d better plan your trip while tickets are still available. Read the rest of this entry »

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It’s no secret that Toyota is a leader in safety and innovation, and in recent years, the brand has made advances in technology that make its vehicles better than ever. Consider some of these breakthroughs when you’re evaluating your next vehicle.

Safe, Stable Braking

When you need to stop quickly, it’s essential that your brakes be equipped with the best technology. Toyota not only has Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) but also Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) that is specially designed to compensate for the shifting weight that occurs under hard braking conditions. It eases brake pressure on the wheels carrying the least weight, which makes your vehicle Read the rest of this entry »

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Toyota has announced plans to improve its lineup over the next five years. Through 2021, the Japanese automaker will focus on several key areas, enabling it to exceed consumers’ expectations and stay ahead of market trends. Impressive in scope, the bold plan entails developing new engines, transmissions, and hybrid systems. Ultimately, Toyota hopes to create a better driving experience by making vehicles that outperform their rivals, use less fuel, and have lower emissions.

Building New Engines

By the conclusion of 2021, Toyota plans to have new engines, transmissions, and drivetrains on 60 percent of its vehicles in major markets. The new powertrains will be designed to provide better performance while also using less fuel and emitting less carbon dioxide into the air. Within the next five years, Toyota will unveil 17 versions of nine newly designed engines. As for transmissions, expect to see 10 iterations of four new gearboxes, and 10 variations on six hybrid systems.

Focusing on Hybrid and All-Electric Vehicles

As consumers and regulators demand greener vehicles, Toyota is responding with a dual focus. Between now and 2021, Toyota will assign engineers to work on improving hybrid technology and battery-electric vehicles. According to industry reports, Toyota plans to increase the number of workers dedicated to developing hybrid systems by 30 percent to meet its goals under the new five-year plan. Given the new initiative, it appears Toyota will spend fewer resources on vehicles that get power from a hydrogen fuel cell.

Improving Consistency Across the Lineup

As Toyota rolls out its new engines and transmissions, it plans to scale back its engine offerings. In fact, the company will cut the number of engines in its global lineup by 40 percent.

Why bring more consistency to its powertrains? One of the internal drivers behind this effort is Toyota’s commitment to its new modular vehicle platform called Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). The platform will give birth to a new group of vehicles that cost less to make but offer superior performance. To date, the only TNGA-developed vehicle available for purchase is the fourth-generation Prius.

Previewing the New Engines

At a press conference in late 2016, Toyota showcased a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that runs on gasoline, a new hybrid setup for cars with rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic gearbox for front-wheel drive vehicles, and a 10-speed automatic transmission for vehicles with rear-wheel drive. All the new technologies are supposed to make their official debut on line-produced vehicles in 2017.

How Customers Benefit

The forthcoming changes have meaning for customers. For starters, most buyers want more bang for their buck. There’s tremendous appeal in getting a better-performing car without a dramatically higher price tag. Overall, consumers are always pushing for enhanced performance from new vehicles. Toyota’s new engines and transmissions for 2017 promise a 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a 10 percent improvement in acceleration.

In comments to reporters, the president of Toyota’s Power Train Company said the upgraded engines and transmissions will serve as points of differentiation. He hopes this new effort to produce better-performing vehicles at a lower price will set Toyota apart from its rivals.

Image via Pixabay

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The Toyota Camry is one of America’s best-selling cars, and it’s easy to see why. The popular mid-size Camry is held in high regard for its combination of dashing looks, super technology, top-class safety features, and a performance level to match. In fact, the Toyota Camry is so loved by American drivers that it was the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for 14 consecutive years!

The Camry LE is the cheapest trim for the 2017 model year, so accessorizing your LE becomes essential for that added touch of customization, ensuring that you get the car you want. Read on for five of the best accessories you can buy for your 2017 Toyota Camry LE. Read the rest of this entry »

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