MOT Workshop 60 – New Products and Services

• Autonomous car projects seeks to emulate natural human driving in UK driving environment
• Reach those inaccessible fasteners with this innovative, super-slim, flexi-head ratchet from Laser Tools.
• Strict New Emissions Standards Come Into Force From 20th May 2018 – Are You Ready?
• Three-ton low-profile trolley jack
• Machine Mart’s range of mobile, lightweight, self priming petrol powered water pumps
• Automechanika Birmingham

Autonomous car project seeks to emulate natural human driving in UK driving environment

A 30-month Autonomous Vehicle project led by Nissan’s European Technical Centre, as a part of Renault-Nissan Alliance research activities, will culminate in the most complex journey yet attempted across the UK without driver input.

The ‘HumanDrive’ project vehicle will be expected to deal with a variety of UK unique driving scenarios, including country roads, high speed roundabouts, A-Roads, Motorways in live traffic and different environmental conditions. Additionally, the vehicle will emulate a natural human driving style, providing an enhanced experience for the occupants.

To achieve this, the project will draw upon the expertise of a variety of organisations, including the tech giant Hitachi and Transport Systems Catapult, who oversaw the first UK test of a driverless vehicle in a public space in 2016. Other partners include Cranfield University, University of Leeds, HORIBA MIRA, Atkins, Aimsun Ltd, SBD Automotive and Highways England.

The HumanDrive project will seek to take autonomous technology to the next level in terms of ride comfort and adaptability, covering a number of different UK road scenes with natural road positioning.
Greg Clark, Business and Energy Secretary, said:
“Low carbon and self-driving vehicles are the future and they are going to drive forward a global revolution in mobility. This revolution has the potential to be worth £52bn to our economy by 2035 and the opportunity to be at the forefront of this change is one we cannot afford to miss.

“Through our Industrial Strategy and the Automotive Sector Deal investment in the development of driverless technology we are committed to working with industry to seize these opportunities. Trailblazing projects like the HumanDrive project will play a vital role helping us deliver on that ambition, with UK businesses and research institutions working with partners from around the world on the disruptive technologies and services of the future.”

The artificial driver model (controlling perception and decision making) will pilot the vehicle, and will be developed using the latest artificial intelligence technologies. Before being introduced to UK roads, the system will be developed and subjected to robust testing using a range of facilities, including simulation, hardware in the loop, private test track and small sections of public roads.

Mark Westwood, Transport Systems Catapult Chief Technology Officer, said:
“This pioneering project will considerably enhance the experience of drivers who use future autonomous vehicles. We’ve only just scratched the surface in terms of the capability of machine learning and AI in driving. The HumanDrive project further reinforces the UK’s commitment to be at the forefront of future mobility, and as a world leader in R&D. We are delighted to be working with world-class partners on this project to ensure autonomous vehicle technology provides users with the utmost comfort and control possible.”

Paul Gadd, Head of Automotive at Innovate UK, said:
“This is a significant next step in the testing and development of driverless car technologies and highlights how the UK is at the forefront of automotive innovation. The HumanDrive project is a great example of the dynamic collaboration of businesses and organisations supported by the Intelligent Mobility fund.”

HumanDrive is jointly funded by government and industry. The government’s £100m Intelligent Mobility fund is administered by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and delivered by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK.

You can stay up to date with the project at www.HumanDrive.co.uk

MOT Workshop Magazine

Reach those inaccessible fasteners with this innovative, super-slim, flexi-head ratchet from Laser Tools.

You can see the fastener but you know you can’t get a socket or driver bit onto it without dismantling half the engine? You need this new super-slim flexi-head ratchet from Laser Tools (part number 6744).
One end is a standard 1/4” square drive and the other end is a 1/4” bit driver; both are reversible and lockable. But the big advantage is the flexi-head design — both heads swivel through a full 180º at the press of the button and lock into the required position.

The fully polished ratchet handle is very slim and 300mm long for access to difficult areas, beautifully balanced and fitted with a smooth ratchet mechanism.

A professional solution for the busy workshop, and available now from your Laser Tools stockist at a typical price of £44.86 (price includes VAT). Remember to check for the best price and special offers.

More details from www.lasertools.co.uk

MOT Workshop Magazine

Strict New Emissions Standards Come Into Force From 20th May 2018 – Are You Ready?

DVSA’s new MOT Inspection Manuals, changes MOT Diesel Smoke Limits.

From May 20th 2018, software updates will be required for both MOT Diesel Smoke Meters (DSMs), and MOT gas analyzer equipment for petrol-engined vehicles.

Crypton’s combined emissions analyser (CCP800 series) is available with the latest data included and with a three-year warranty.

For more information, call Crypton on 0844 665 7613 or call for a live chat at www.cryptontechnology.com

MOT Workshop Magazine

Three-ton low-profile trolley jack

Fits under low vehicles and lifts right up to 500mm.

New from Laser Tools is this professional (3 ton rated) low-profile trolley jack (part number 6734) that features a very low 85mm entry to fit under the lowest vehicles.

The long reach allows access to chassis legs and deeper set jacking points and the twin pump design gives a faster a more positive lift right up to the useful maximum height of 500mm.

Designed to withstand use in the most demanding professional environments, the jack weighs 34kg and is manufactured to the EN1494:2000 technical safety standard.

A professional tool that will be appreciated by the professional technician. Available now from your Laser Tools stockist at a typical price of £310.87 (price includes VAT).

Remember to check for the best price and special offers.

More details from www.lasertools.co.uk

 MOT Workshop Magazine

Mobile, lightweight, self priming petrol powered water pumps

Machine Mart’s range of mobile, lightweight, self priming petrol powered water pumps are ideal for construction, local authorities, plant hire and agricultural use this winter.

Models in this range, such as the PW2 (featured) are great for pumping clean or dirty water and solids up to 4mm efficiently. Powered by a 6.5HP, 4-stroke engine, the PW2 will drain water at a maximum output of 416 litres per minute and has a total maximum head of 26 metres making it ideal for draining, pits, pools, trenches, foundations, irrigation and more.

This model is available for £215.98 Inc. VAT.

To view the full range, please visit:
www.machinemart.co.uk/c/engine-driven-pumps

 MOT Workshop Magazine

Automechanika Birmingham

The UK’s leading exhibition for the automotive aftermarket, takes place from 5-7 June at the NEC, Birmingham.

This year’s event will host over 500 quality exhibitors and deliver a raft of new and exciting features confirming Automechanika Birmingham as the UK’s most valuable meeting place for the automotive industry.

A new dedicated hall layout has been introduced for suppliers of tools, garage equipment and those who want to meet workshops, MOT centres and autocentres. The Garage Quarter includes:

• Garage Social
– an area to take a break and network with similar minded businesses.

• Enhanced Workshop Training Hub
– with an improved format, the area features live demonstrations on the latest equipment, parts and components, hosted by expert speakers and partners.

• Business Services Hub
– an area of business advice from product and service providers, ranging from finance, insurance, marketing and IT, helping garages to run their business more effectively.

• Garage of the Year
– The competition will run again in 2018, attracting regional garages to enter to win the title ‘Garage of the Year’ and a cash prize!

Move your business forward with skills training, product demos, deals on equipment and tools.

Register for your free ticket at www.automechanika-birmingham.com

 MOT Workshop Magazine