The 2022 Volvo XC90 Is Even Safer With LiDAR Technology

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are two reasons to be excited. First of all, the 2022 Volvo XC90 is on the way with a fresh redesign. Plus, it will be much safer with the addition of LiDAR technology. The Volvo XC90 will be incredibly smarter and could provide more savings. 

The 2022 Volvo XC90 gains LiDAR 

2021 Volvo XC90 | Volvo

According to Motor1, the electric 2022 Volvo XC90 will debut with state-of-the-art sensors and LiDAR technology. It could also continue with the Recharge name like its fellow all-electric models known as the C40 and XC40 Recharge. 

But what exactly is LiDAR? LiDAR is safety and convenience tech. It stands for light detection and ranging. Volvo collaborated with Luminar to develop this technology to make self-driving safer. 

Volvo handles the hardware while Zenseact and Luminar take the lead on the software. NVIDIA is involved in developing the autonomous driving computer. The NVIDIA Drive Orine system-on-a chip comes standard. 

This new safety package for the Electric XC90 should reduce fatalities and accidents. It will improve Volvo’s established collision avoidance technology as a benchmark in vehicle safety. The system will become enhanced over time with over-the-air updates to help the vehicle learn and prevent more collisions to help save lives. This may create lower insurance costs as accidents with Volvo vehicles are expected to decrease.

How does LiDAR work? 

In the 2022 Volvo XC90, LiDAR will work similar to radar, but it uses light waves instead of radio waves to detect objects. This is a crucial aspect of self-driving cars. Most prototypes currently being tested use LiDAR as part of a system with sensors, radar, and cameras. 

The NVIDIA chip will process information from LiDAR and other sensors. The XC90 will also receive backups for key functions such as steering and braking, making it hardware ready for safe, unsupervised autonomous driving when it becomes available. 

The hardware and software are developed in-house to enable a new feature called Highway Pilot. It will allow for autonomous driving on highways. It can only be activated when verified safe and legally allowed for individual geographic locations and conditions. 

What else do we know about the XC90? 

2021 Volvo Electric Sensors for LiDAR
2021 Volvo Electric Sensors | Volvo

The 2022 Volvo XC90 will ride on Volvo’s new SPA2 architecture. It replaces the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform that underpins the current-generation XC90. It uses central floors for electric vehicles instead of gas-powered options. 

It will have a new battery pack with an energy storage capacity of over 100 kWh that consists of over 30 cell modules. It will be paired with two motors that generate over 197 hp and 500 to 664 LB-ft of torque. It should provide a sports car acceleration but will have its top speed limited to 112 mph. 

This ride is going all-electric with a facelift and thigh quality interior materials to serve as an incredibly luxurious three-row crossover. It’s expected to have an improved ride with enhanced tech. 

The XC90 should arrive in 2022, and we will have to wait and learn more. It may start around $50,000, but going totally electric and its new standard safety tech could make it more expensive. 

RELATED: Can the Hyundai Palisade Be As Luxurious As the Volvo XC90?

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Iowa State Univ. Wooden Bike Kills It!

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’ve seen wooden bicycles before but not like this. Students at Iowa State University designed and then built this “Form Y” wooden bike. Stress and structure considerations were all part of the design process. This is not a fancy concept but is an actual working bicycle.

What is the purpose of a wooden bike?

Iowa State Univ. wooden bicycle project | ISU

The idea behind the build was to make a bike from non-traditional materials and processes. But it had to be not only made differently but had to be functional. Stress points around the frame needed to be taken into consideration and remedied in the design.

Once wood was determined to be the material they would use, the students had to figure out what type of wood would work well. Ash was the winner here because it not only looks and feels good but has the strength. It’s hard, dense, and looks beautiful when finished. 

A lot of little details had to be figured out

Iowa State Univ. wooden bicycle project seat post
Iowa State Univ. wooden bicycle project | ISU

Everything from grain direction to joints and also aesthetics were part of the areas explored by the students. Overlapping joints and connections had to be figured out. Even things like routing the cables were beautifully thought out. Most of the cables needed run inside of the frame and aren’t visible. 

If you can see the areas where frame members join, the tolerances are tight. The woodworking skills show excellent craftsmanship. But what about the design?

What does “Form Y” mean?

Iowa State Univ. wooden bicycle project side view
Iowa State Univ. wooden bicycle project | ISU

The Form Y design starts with the “Y-Wing” in the center of the bike. Both visually but also functionally, the Y-Wing holds the bike together. Besides being the key part of the frame, it also forms the seat tube and chainstay.

Dropouts on the frame allow for chain adjustment on all bikes. This was a crucial aspect that the team needed to get right. The chainstay that holds the dropouts ended up being made from ash veneers. They were then glued together into a mold creating a super-strong support structure for the dropouts. 

A lot of design was applied to chainstays and dropouts to make it all work together

Iowa State Univ. wooden bicycle project dropouts and belt drive
Iowa State Univ. wooden bicycle project | ISU

The dropouts themselves were custom-made out of aluminum. They dovetail with the Gates carbon belt drive and disc brake drivetrain chosen for the project. Some elegant curves and craftsmanship come together at the juncture of the chainstays and dropouts. It’s a complex area of the design that one could stare at for a long time to take it all in. 

In all, it looks terrific. No specs were given as to the weight or the cost. Both are important aspects of any design. In this case, though, being a school project means not having to address every single piece of the pie. 

But now the question becomes is there a way to manufacture, market, and distribute a bicycle like this? We hope so.

Iowa State Univ. wooden bicycle project belt drive
Iowa State Univ. wooden bicycle project | ISU

RELATED: The Most Important Thing About Hauling Bicycles With Your Truck

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Are Kubota Tractors Better Than John Deere?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Both Kubota and John Deere are among the leading tractor brands. But does one of these tractor brands produce higher quality products than the other? Are Kubota tractors better than John Deere? 

Kubota Corp. tractors sit on display | Chip Chipman/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Even after perusing the web to find a definitive answer to this question, there’s really no straight answer. The tractor that’s better for any given job will depend on the specifics of that job. While John Deere loader tractors (all but one) come standard with a quick attach bucket, Kubota tractor models have buckets with superior maneuverability. 

When it all boils down to it, these are both great tractor brands. They are known for their longevity and durability, as well as function and performance. Let’s do a quick run down of areas where Kubota outshines John Deere and vice versa. 

Is John Deere better than Kubota? 

a lineup of green John Deere tractors at a dealership in front of a John Deere sign
Deere & Co. tractors for sale at a John Deere dealership | Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images

While the final decision for which tractor to buy ultimately comes down to preference and job priorities, there are a few places that John Deere tractors do in fact reign supreme over Kubota models. One is that the polymer plastic on John Deere tractor models doesn’t fade in color the same way the painted metal in a Kubota does. Plus, the metal is more prone to dings and it can rust while the polymer does not. 

According to the pros at Good Works Tractors, it only takes a good cleaning, wax, and shine to get a John Deere tractor looking like new. The Kubota orange can fade to a pinkish hue in the sun, and it’s hard to get it looking nice again. John Deere tractor models also have a different hydrostatic pedal configuration. 

Kubota tractors have all of the pedals on one side in a treadle pedal. Operators push with a toe to move forward and the heel to move in reverse. The brake is in a spot just in front of the pedal to move forward. 

John Deere tractors on the other hand have two pedals on one side of the driver’s seat for forward and reverse, then the brake pedal is on the left side of the driver’s seat. Some tractor operators might prefer the John Deere hydrostatic pedal configuration.

Kubota tractors beat John Deere tractor models in some areas

large Kubota tractor models on display at an agriculture expo
Kubota Corp. tractors | Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Virtually every Kubota front end loader tractor has a “quick park” bucket. In a tractor with a belly mower, this comes in particularly handy. Some popular John Deere models like the 3e Series and 4m Series are fixed mount loaders, so it’s not easy or fast to change out loader buckets.

Another notable Kubota tractor feature is the Skid Steer Quick Attach (SSQA) system. John Deere also has a similar proprietary system for its loader attachments. The SSQA Kubota tractor feature is an upgrade. However, it is compatible with a much larger array of attachments across the industry. 

So for operators that want more interchangeability with loader attachments, a Kubota equipped with the SSQA system will likely serve them better than the John Deere option. Another Kubota tractor feature that outshines the John Deere models is cabs. The Kubota factory cabs are available with both heating and cooling on virtually every Kubota tractor model across the lineup. 

Finding a good tractor

a John Deere tractor is shaping rows with a bed shaper in a large unplanted crop field
John Deere tractors bed shaping | Andrew Michael/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Whether you are buying your tractor new or used, the final decision is going to come down to a few different variables. First, you’ll want to find a dealership you feel good about. You’ll also want to assess different tractor brands to find which model is the right fit for your specific needs. 

Are Kubota tractors better than John Deere? Not necessarily. However, for certain jobs a Kubota model is the better option. 

For other needs, it’s the John Deere tractor model that makes more sense. That said, both Kubota and John Deere are considered high-quality brands that produce a versatile range of models.

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3 Used Hyundai Cars Consumer Reports Gave the ‘Never Buy’ Label

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Consumer Reports has a list of the worst used cars on the market with responses from actual owners of Hyundai vehicles. These vehicles have worse-than-average reliability based on the scores provided during the Annual Auto Survey. Which vehicles should you avoid purchasing?

Hyundai consumer reports cars to avoid: 2016 and 2020 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Cars Consumer Reports Gave the ‘Never Buy’ Label | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The 2016 Hyundai Elantra and 2020 Hyundai Elantra were given the Consumer Reports the “never buy” label. Why did these small cars have such a negative impact on critics? Both the reliability and owner satisfaction came in with a score of one out of five. CR thought the 2016 Elantra was stylish but practical and had a spacious rear seat.

The 2016 interior was noticeable loud, and certain designs compromised the visibility. Owners complained about the antilock brake systems failing, which ended up being quite a hefty cost. More complaints were noted about the paint cracking or peeling prematurely.

But one of the biggest issues owners complained about was related to the engine failing. That’s an expensive replacement or fix, depending on what happened. There are various owner-reported issues for both the 2016 and 2020 Elantra that make it better to avoid all around.

Worst used cars? 2011, 2017, 2018 Hyundai Sonata

Where do you start with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata? Consumer Reports rated the reliability and owner satisfaction were both a one out of five. Generally, the Sonatas from that area all had poor owner satisfaction. In addition, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata has 14 recalls.

The first recall is for the fuel system leak, potentially increasing the risk of a fire. In certain vehicles, the airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners might be disabled. This could increase the likelihood of injury. Another recall related to the loss of power steering makes it harder to control the vehicles. There is a warning for engine failure, brake lines leaking, a transmission power cable, which isn’t even all of the recalls.

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata has similar issues. A low reliability rating coupled with two recalls means this is a car you might want to avoid.

The 2015, 2016, 2017 Hyundai Tucson should be avoided

The 2015 Hyundai Tucson received a score of one out of five for both reliability and owner satisfaction. If the history of owner satisfaction is anything to go by, the rating has gone down from 2008 all the way through 2017. Owners thought the driving experience, comfort, value, and styling could all be improved.

Like some of the other Hyundai vehicles on this list, the engine cause owners extra headache. In addition to that, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) didn’t give the Hyundai Tucson very good safety ratings. The 2017 Tucson has two open recalls. One is related to the airbags not deploying properly.

Overall, the worst used cars on this are worth avoiding. There are a variety of used vehicles from Hyundai that Consumer Reports found reliable and worth buying. If you do buy a used car, getting an inspection is always a good idea.

RELATED: Consumer Reports: Buyers Are Having Issues With the Hyundai Elantra

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