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FUTURE-FOCUSED 14-YEAR OLD SEAMLESS CHARGING OF FIRST RANC

Simple, yet effective; that’s how 14-year- Ford Motor Company is developing fresh In a bid to dramatically reduce in-car
old Pennsylvanian student Alaina Gassler’s technology to revolutionise traditional noise, Hyundai has announced the mass
prototype to prevent blind spots has been car-seat covers. By employing innovative production of what it claims is the world’s
described. Alaina’s design involves a camera 3D-knitting techniques, the US firm has first Road Noise Active Noise Control

mounted to the A-pillar projecting a live feed already manufactured seamless, removable (RANC) system. According to the Korean
onto the inside of the structural item and covers that will debut on the new Puma carmaker, the improvement of NVH levels
enables the driver to virtually see through the crossover. However, what makes this has become increasingly important as most
vehicle’s pillar. “Since we can’t remove [the high-precision method unique is it offers manufacturers are steadily switching to
A-pillar] from cars, I decided to get rid of it customers not only bespoke designs and EVs. The setup, developed with Harman,
without getting rid of it,” Alaina says. improved overall comfort, but incorporates comprises a sensor which relays the
First tested on her family’s Jeep Grand various textiles into the fabric, enabling monitored vibration from the road to a
Cherokee, the concept makes use of intuitive integration of functional items like control computer that instantly analyses
3D-printed parts to align the image with the wireless charging, smartphone connectivity, the noise and transmits it to a digital signal
car’s windscreen. Her project, titled “Improving health-monitoring sensors, seat heating and processor (DSP). This DSP produces inverted
Automobile Safety by Removing Blind Spots”, control over the windows and doors. soundwaves to cancel the noise permeating

was awarded first place at the Society for “3D knitting presents intriguing possibilities the interior.
Science and the Public’s Broadcom MASTERS that push the boundaries,” says Anais Castinel, According to Hyundai, RANC is capable of
(Math, Applied Science, Technology and interior designer at Ford’s European-based adjusting the noise levels at the front and

Engineering for Rising Stars) competition in arm. “It will make journeys more comfortable rear of the cabin respectively. The first
2019. Alaina now aims to improve and patent and convenient for the driver and passengers.” vehicle equipped with this technology will be
the design, approaching companies such an upcoming model from Hyundai’s luxury
as Tesla. division, Genesis.

1919 1924 1934 1948 1955 1960

BY THE 1

NUMBERS 2 3

A CENTURY OF CITROËN 1970 1985 1991 2003 2010

CITROËN IS BACK IN SA AND 2019
MARKED THE FIRM’S CENTENARY. WE
TAKE A LOOK AT A KEY MOMENT IN
EACH DECADE OF THE FIRM’S HISTORY

1919 The Type A is launched, the first car to don the Chevron emblem. 1924 Citroën crosses Africa on its Croisière Noire expedition, travelling from Algeria to Cape Town.
1934 Traction Avant unveiled, the first mass-produced front-wheel-drive car. 1948 2CV revealed. It’s capable of carrying four people and 50 kg of potatoes, and reaches 60 km/h.

1955 Citroën DS revealed at Paris Motor Show. Sporting hydropneumatic suspension, 80 000 units are sold by the end of the event. 1960 Rennes La Janais factory opens.
Producing 1 200 cars a day, it is the first Citroën plant to combine body and final assembly. 1970 Citroën GS launches. A slippery 0,31 C d makes it the most aerodynamic car of

the time. 1985 Citroën Visa GTi is introduced. The hot hatch has a top speed of 188 km/h. 1991 Citroën claims first place at the 13th Paris-Tripoli-Dakar rally. 2003 Sébastien

Loeb and Daniel Elena secure Citroën’s first WRC title. 2010 Following the launch of the DS line a year earlier, Citroën introduces the DS3. These days, DS is a stand-alone brand.

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