These New Sensors Could Drastically Change How Self-Driving Car Tech Works
Self‑driving vehicles rely on a suite of cameras, radar and lidar to perceive their surroundings, but integrating multiple sensors adds cost and complexity. Outster unveiled its Rev8 “native color lidar,” a 256‑channel sensor that simultaneously captures high‑resolution imagery and 3‑D point clouds up to 500 meters, effectively merging camera and lidar functions. The company says the unified sensor can improve safety and efficiency for Level‑3 and higher autonomous systems. Competitors such as China’s Hesai and South Korea’s bitsensing are also launching full‑color lidar platforms, intensifying the race to simplify perception stacks.
Fuel Economy Stickers Don't Tell The Whole Story - AAA Data Reveals Why
AAA’s analysis of thousands of vehicles shows that 81.8% of drivers achieve better fuel‑economy than the EPA’s official MPG stickers, while 16% see worse results. The EPA’s figures stem from standardized laboratory cycles run by automakers, which do not fully...
10 Phones From The 2010s That Define Smartphone History (But Aren't iPhone Or Android)
The article surveys ten influential smartphones from the 2010s that were neither iPhone nor Android, highlighting how each introduced notable technology or market shifts. It details innovations such as Nokia’s 41 MP PureView camera, Samsung’s early Super‑AMOLED Wave, and large‑screen Windows...
How Often Should You Fully Restart Your Smart TV?
Smart TVs run on operating systems like Android TV, Tizen, WebOS, or Roku OS, making regular reboots essential for optimal performance. Experts recommend restarting the TV at least once a month to clear memory, apply firmware updates, and resolve minor...
Here's What Those Tiny Holes On Your Earbuds Are For
Earbud manufacturers embed tiny "tuning holes" on the side of drivers to act as pressure‑relief vents. By allowing air to flow in and out, these openings let the speaker membranes move freely, preserving bass punch and overall fidelity. Many models...
How Suspending The Federal Gas Tax Could Affect Your State's Fuel Prices
The article examines President Trump’s proposal to temporarily suspend the federal gasoline tax, which currently adds 18.4 cents per gallon of gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel. Even if Congress approves the pause, the reduction in pump prices would be...
The Smartest Way To Upgrade Your Home Office Without Upgrading Everything
In 2026, roughly 22% of the U.S. workforce—about 34.3 million people—still works from home, prompting many to fine‑tune their personal workspaces. A full office remodel is often out of reach, so the article recommends targeting high‑impact, affordable upgrades. It highlights five...
5 Of The Cheapest Amazon Alexa Devices You Can Buy In 2026
Amazon’s lineup of budget‑friendly Alexa devices spans smart displays, speakers, car companions, alarm clocks, and a home hub, all priced under $180. The Echo Show 5 ($89.99) adds a 5.5‑inch screen for video and home‑control tasks, while the Echo Pop ($39.99)...
5 Things You Didn't Know The Life360 App Can Do
Life360, the family‑connection app, offers four subscription tiers ranging from a free plan to a $24.99‑per‑month Platinum tier. Premium features include weekly driver reports, data‑breach alerts, identity‑theft protection, and advanced emergency services such as 24/7 dispatch and disaster‑response assistance. The...
Is An Apple Watch Series 8 Still Worth Buying In 2026?
Apple’s 2026 smartwatch lineup centers on the newly released Series 11 and the cost‑effective SE 3, but the prior‑generation Series 8 remains a compelling option for budget‑conscious buyers. Refurbished Series 8 units can be found for about $165, offering core health sensors, an always‑on...
Can You Perfectly Balance A Tire Without Any Weights? This YouTuber Has A Theory
CarHax's YouTube experiment suggests that aligning a tire's red dot with the valve stem can produce a perfectly balanced wheel without adding weights. While the video shows a rare success, industry experts caution that such alignment is largely luck and...
Consumer Reports' Pick For Best Car In 2000 Is Now An Incredibly Affordable Model
Consumer Reports crowned the 2000 Mercedes‑Benz E‑320 the best car of its year, with a $50,000 MSRP. Twenty‑five years later the same model trades for $4,000‑$6,000 on average, with top‑condition examples under $10,000. The V6 delivers about 21 mpg combined, and...
Who Owns Marathon Gas Stations?
Marathon Petroleum, tracing roots back to the 1887 Ohio Oil Company, now runs more than 7,000 gas stations across the United States. The 2018 acquisition of Andeavor made it the nation’s largest refiner, and the 2021 sale of its Speedway...
5 Foldable Finds From Harbor Freight That Can Help Save Space In The Garage
Harbor Freight’s latest lineup of foldable garage gear offers a practical answer to cramped workspaces. The Haul‑Master trailer collapses to a 24 × 63‑inch footprint while still towing 1,720 lb, and the Franklin hand truck folds to an 8‑lb package for moving appliances...
Do Mudflaps Help Or Hurt Your Fuel Economy? It Depends
Mudflaps can either aid or hinder fuel economy depending on their design and fit. In passenger cars, correctly installed modern splash guards typically change mileage by less than one percent, while oversized or loose flaps may cause a 1‑2% drop....