With President Donald Trumps second administration just weeks away, congressional Republicans are gearing up to execute on a wide-ranging legislative agenda touching on everything from taxes to immigration to fossil fuels. In a Monday interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump noted that his preference for doing so was one big, beautiful bill, but said hed be open to two. To accomplish that, Republicans intend to use a process known as budget reconciliation, which allows them to approve budget-related legislation with a simple majority in the Senate. Doing so enables them to bypass filibuster rules, which would otherwise require a bill to garner 60 votes to advance in the upper chamber. (In this case, with the Senate divided 53-47 in favor of Republicans, passing a bill through normal order would also require Democratic votes.)Theres a catch for using this process, though, and it could become a major roadblock to parts of Trumps agenda. As the name suggests, budget reconciliation is only intended to advance policies such as spending and tax measures that have a significant effect on the budget and not just an incidental one. Additionally, a restriction called the Byrd rule says that policies included in a budget reconciliation package arent supposed to affect Social Security or add to the deficit after 10 years. Provisions that dont meet these standards typically get stripped out following an intensive review process, an outcome that has stymied both parties in the past. RelatedReview of the legislation is done by congressional experts, including the Senate parliamentarian a nonpartisan official who advises on the interpretation of congressional rules to determine whether a bill meets these parameters. Lawmakers have the option to ignore the parliamentarians judgments, but its not common, and new Senate Majority Leader John Thune has already said Republicans should not do so.Theres still a lot that lawmakers can do using reconciliation. In 2022, Democrats were able to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which included expansive clean energy tax credits, and in 2021, they approved the American Rescue Plan, which included Covid-19 aid and an expanded child tax credit. In 2017, Republicans similarly advanced the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act using this process, and will likely look to extend those tax cuts in their upcoming package. Other policies arent likely to pass muster if their primary impact isnt budgetary, however. That was previously the case when Democrats tried to include a federal $15 minimum wage in the American Rescue Plan, and when they attempted to include a path to citizenship for DACA recipients in a version of the Build Back Better bill. Both were removed following the parliamentarians ruling, and the same could be done in a prospective Republican bill, including on issues like immigration and energy, to measures that arent primarily focused on spending and taxation.What the GOP can do via reconciliationTax cuts and efforts to roll back tax credits are among the policies that have been approved via reconciliation in the past and that are likely to have limited issues moving forward via this process again. In this case, that would include GOP plans to extend the tax cuts the party passed in 2017, such as changes to individual tax brackets and business deductions. It also includes potential efforts to repeal clean energy tax credits that Democrats approved as part of the IRA in 2022, including tax credits for electric vehicles. Any tax cut as long as it isnt to Social Security and as long as it doesnt add to the deficit beyond the decade is fair game, Marc Goldwein, the senior vice president and senior policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, told Vox. The entire Inflation Reduction Act was done through reconciliation, and it could be reversed through reconciliation or modified through reconciliation.Policies that include more spending for immigration-related purposes as long as they dont touch discretionary funds would likely be fine as well, Goldwein said. Republicans are constrained when it comes to passing new immigration policies using reconciliation, but they could, for instance, allocate more spending for a border wall, border patrol agents, and detention of immigrants at the border. Additional funds for various purposes e.g. construction of the wall have been deemed valid by the parliamentarian, since the spending is the primary purpose of the provision, says Shai Akabas, director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Funding for the IRS that was included in the Inflation Reduction Act would be one good example of this type of provision. In the IRA, Democrats included $80 billion in mandatory spending for the IRS, distributed over roughly a decade. Republicans could incorporate a comparable provision on border security and immigration spending this cycle. Changes to other mandatory spending programs like Medicaid and SNAP are also allowed under reconciliation, Goldwein notes. That means that Republicans could pass provisions like more work requirements for SNAP or changes to Medicaids matching rates for different services. Which policies might not survive reconciliationThe policies that are less likely to advance through reconciliation are ones that are viewed as primarily accomplishing other policy ends, even if they also have an effect on the budget. These constraints will probably curtail the immigration and energy policies that Republicans are able to incorporate. In 2021, for example, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough determined that Democrats could not include a path to citizenship for DACA recipients undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children in a $3.5 trillion version of the Build Back Better bill. Democrats had argued that such efforts would have a significant budgetary impact and allow more immigrants to access social programs, but MacDonough ruled that these effects would be secondary to the main purpose of the law, which was to provide DACA recipients a way to achieve legal status. In the new Congress, other proposals to alter immigration policy like past Republican bills to make seeking asylum harder similarly wouldnt be possible via reconciliation, says Heidi Altman, the director of federal advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center. Attempts to change eligibility for work visas or the number of visas available would also likely face uncertainty, experts told Vox. Things that are changing funding for immigration, no problem, Goldwein said. Where it gets tricky is when theyre making regulatory changes that have budgetary effects.On the energy front, the same logic holds, with regulatory changes more likely to be struck from the bill by the parliamentarian. Republicans have expressed an interest in considering permitting reform which could expedite approvals for energy and infrastructure projects as part of reconciliation, though its not clear that would gain the parliamentarians approval. Rolling back vehicle emissions standards that were set during the Biden administration is also likely to be a contentious inclusion. Congress typically listens to the parliamentarian Because the Senate largely determines its own rules and norms, lawmakers have the ability to disregard the parliamentarians ruling, or to even fire an official they disagree with. Its not common to do so, however. Experts note that ignoring the parliamentarian would be a rare and significant break from tradition, and one that the Senate isnt likely to entertain. In a Monday interview with Punchbowl News, Thune said that overruling the parliamentarian would be akin to killing the filibuster.We cant go there, he told Punchbowl reporter Andrew Desiderio. People need to understand that.The same would be true if lawmakers fired the parliamentarian, which last occurred in 2001 under Republican Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott.As things stand, its more likely that Republicans will be forced to strip provisions that dont comply with reconciliation rules, focusing any package heavily on tax cuts, repealing tax credits, and boosting spending for immigration programs but potentially angering Trump in the process.I think the core of it is going to be probably a multi-year, but not permanent, extension of large parts of the [2017 tax cuts] with some funding for border and some funding for defense, and maybe a couple of additional tax cuts, like no taxes on tips, Goldwein said.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Valorant is getting another big patch which adds new Agent, Tejo, as well as fresh map rotations, a new cosmetic type called FLEX and much more here are the version 10.00 patch notesTech15:12, 07 Jan 2025Tejo is here after his reveal yesterday(Image: Riot Games)Fresh off revealing new Agent Tejo's abilities yesterday, Riot has released the full Valorant 10.00 patch notes.The 10.00 update kickstarts Season 2025 with the first new Act, and will revamp the current map rotation, add the new FLEX cosmetic type, and bring back The Esports Hub again.Along with bugfixes and, of course, Tejo, there's plenty to get into. Here's everything coming in today's update, which applies to both PC and console.Tejo has a high skill ceilingHere's everything changing with this update, as per Riot Games.Starting in 2025, VALORANT will no longer be using Episodes. This year well be introducing a year-long calendar called Season 2025. Each Season will last the whole year and is broken down into 6 Acts so we can celebrate a year-long journey with you. Ranks will be resetting at the beginning of Season 2025, and will also reset again at an upcoming midseason moment.Gameplay logic around ability effects themed as explosions has been updated Raze, Sova, and Gekkos explosions should behave more consistently in how they deal damage. Most notably, this should affect instances where Razes Showstopper (X) fails to deal damage in situations where it clips into level geometry.Valorant's new Agent, Tejo, is stylish and deadlyTejo is en route. Our newest Initiator from Colombia will be released in a staggered rollout to all regions starting at 9:00AM PT on January 8th.Tejo Special Delivery EQUIP a sticky grenade. FIRE to launch. The grenade sticks to the first surface it hits and explodes, Concussing any targets caught in the blast. ALT FIRE to launch the grenade with a single bounce instead. Stealth Drone EQUIP a stealth drone. FIRE to throw the drone forward, assuming direct control of its movement. FIRE again to trigger a pulse that Suppresses and Reveals enemies hit. Guided Salvo EQUIP an AR targeting system. FIRE to select up to two target locations on the map. ALT FIRE to launch missiles that autonomously navigate to target locations, detonating on arrival. CONSOLE ONLY: EQUIP an AR targeting system. ALT FIRE to select up to two target locations on the map. FIRE to launch missiles that autonomously navigate to target locations, detonating on arrival. Armageddon EQUIP a tactical strike targeting map. FIRE to select the origin point of the strike. FIRE again to set the end point and launch the attack, unleashing a wave of explosions along the strike path. ALT FIRE during map targeting to cancel the origin point. CONSOLE ONLY: EQUIP a tactical strike targeting map. ALT FIRE to select the origin point of the strike. FIRE to set the end point and launch the attack, unleashing a wave of explosions along the strike path. ALT FIRE during map targeting to cancel the origin point.Brimstone Stim Beacon Normal equip times are rare and usually reserved for abilities with higher counterplay needs. This is a light quality of life change for Brimstone. Equip time after casting adjusted from Normal >>> FastYou can now access the FLEX cosmetic customization menu in Collections. Everyone will have a default FLEX, STAT-COM, added to their inventory. You can equip a FLEX by assigning them to your Spray Wheel, which from now on will be referred to as the Expressions Wheel.Tejo can rain fireThe Esports Hub is back for VCT25! Check out our new overview page that provides a concise snapshot of where we are on the year long VCT journey! See where everyone landed after roster-mania and get familiar with our four new guest teams! Dive into the brackets for the International League Kickoff starting on January 11!Automatic Remake Voting When a player AFKs in the first round, a remake vote now automatically starts and requires only a majority vote of the remaining players to pass. Example: Previously if one player was AFK, this vote required all four players to vote yes. Now it only requires three out of the remaining four players to vote yes to be successful.Ping System A show map pings in world cheat has been added to Custom game modes to support labbing lineups and practice. When enabled, this cheat reverts the map pinging behavior to pre-patch 9.11 behavior.Map Rotations Starting with patch 10.00, maps will rotate every Act. We'll provide updates about which maps are rotating on a per-Act basis, announcing the next Act's map pool shortly after the current Act starts.10.00 Map Rotation: Fracture and Lotus are back IN the COMPETITIVE and DEATHMATCH queues. Ascent and Sunset are OUT of the COMPETITIVE and DEATHMATCH queues.Welcome to Stage V25A1! Matches start on January 15 If your team was in the Invite Division in Stage E9A3 and did not finish the Stage in the top 16 teams, your team has been demoted. Youll see your new Provisional Division in the Premier hub. Demoted teams seeded into the zone they originally promoted from. Your Team Owner can change your teams zone in the Team Settings dropdown anytime before your team plays a match. If your team cannot be placed into a zone, your Team Owner will be prompted to select a zone.Agents ALL PLATFORMS Fixed a bug causing some abilities to display as the wrong team color for observers. Clove Fixed an issue where Not Dead Yet could fail to cast when pressed in the last few frames of the activation window Skye Fixed a bug where Guiding Lights flash duration was not scaling properly Fixed a bug where Guiding Lights hit confirm sound and VO would not play when hitting Yorus Fakeout Clone Cypher and Viper Fixed an issue where shooting through Cyphers Cyber Cage or Vipers Poison Cloud could cheat wall penetration if they were placed too close to level geometry Phoenix Fixed an issue where Blaze referenced a Harbor projectile asset for a few frames Fixed an issue where Blazes visual effects could be slightly offset Improved the performance around Brimstones Sky Smoke dissipation effect Fixed an issue where specific flashbang projectile visuals would stick around for Observers Fixed an issue where players taking damage with Regen Shields would play hit-confirm sounds regardless of player visibilityWeapons ALL PLATFORMS Fixed a bug where if you were in Aim Down Sights (ADS), weapons would occasionally exit and re-enter ADS without any input.Article continues belowCosmetics ALL PLATFORMS When in a custom game with cheats enabled, if the player changes Agents after using the Restart Game cheat, the Expressions Wheel (where you find Sprays and Flex choices) may appear blank. Were looking to fix this in coming patches.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

It's easy to forget what a creative sandbox GTA Online can be over ten years on from its launch, but one couple used it to heartwarming effect by using it to stage a gender reveal partyTech15:06, 07 Jan 2025Updated 15:07, 07 Jan 2025This couple has a heartwarming way of using GTA Online(Image: Reddit)We're still waiting for just about any news about GTA 6, but thankfully GTA Online will keep us going right up until launch day.The online portion of GTA 5 is a huge sandbox, packed with things to do, people to see, and of course, crimes to commit. But it's also home to a vibrant community of players that engage in roleplay, or just use it to hang out with friends.And, in what might be the most heartwarming video from the online crime sim yet, one couple has used the game for their baby's gender reveal.Posted on the GTA subreddit, one couple skipped the balloon-popping trend and went for something a little more bombastic.Waiting at a spot overlooking the sea in pink and blue outfits, the wait for a series of blue and pink planes to fly over Los Santos before they shift to a blue colour to confirm the gender as a boy.It's a touching moment, and the community has reacted in kind."I can get behind this. No deaths. No injuries. No property damage. And it didn't cost thousands of dollars," one commenter joked.We wonder how long it took to plan this(Image: Reddit)"Ngl thats kinda wholesome and way better than a regular gender reveal," another added, while another joked that it would be all too easy for a griefer to turn up and start messing things up.Either the couple are on a custom server or they were just very lucky, but in any case, it's a great showcase of just how special GTA Online can be.Article continues belowLooking for more explosions in your GTA Online adventures? Fear not as the latest Agents of Sabotage update is free for all players and there's not a baby gender reveal in sight.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

The Eufy security SoloCam S220 is part of a limited time deal over at Amazon. You can set yourself up with this wireless Eufy security camera along for the reduced price of $70, which is 46% off. Typically, this security camera goes for $130 which means right now you can get it for nearly half off. The Eufy SoloCam S220 is capable of a resolution up to 2K. Many security cams on the market only go up to 720p. That beyond full HD improvement could be the difference between being able to read an unwelcomed vehicles license plate or not.See at AmazonDesigned to Handle the OutdoorsThe cameras are weather resistant and waterproof, with a rating of IP67. Once you set them up, youll never have to worry about a storm or the elements upending them from working properly. This means you can rely on them year round. Additionally, they are designed to work at nighttime. When the sun goes down, the camera can record in an exceptionally clear black and white night vision mode thanks to the f/1.6 aperture.This Eufy S220 security camera is solar powered so they can be set up anywhere around your property without the concern of needing them placed near a power source. Just three hours of sunlight daily can keep them running all day and all night. Installation is super easy. In just five minutes, you can attach the mount anywhere on your property thanks to the wire-free design and then click the camera into place. Presto, youre done.Real-time response is supported thanks to the built-in two-way audio. If someone you do or do not know approaches the door, you can speak with them without having to come to the door. The system integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa so you can maintain control over your surveillance via other smart devices anywhere in your home.All videos are stored locally, but can be accessed anytime via a secure 256-bit encrypted connection. Eufy takes your privacy seriously. Local storage can fit up to three months worth of recordings via the 8 GB eMMC.With the help of AI facial recognition, your Eufy SoloCam S220 can spot whos coming from any angle, differentiating between those who live at the house or frequently stop by versus strangers.Normally, youd be shelling out $130 for the Eufy SoloCam S220 home security system, but right now you can save 46% and get it for the low price of only $70.See at Amazon

Early tech adopters, this ones for you. The hotly anticipated introduction of the brand-new line of Galaxy S25 phones is just days away, Jan. 22 to be exact, as the highlight of the Samsung Unpacked event. But if you want to reserve your Galaxy S25 phone now to ensure youre among the very first people to have one, Samsung is taking preorder reservations now.See at SamsungBragging rights are great, but Samsungs sweetening this deal by offering up to $900 in instant credit for trading in another device, and another $300 credit for reserving and preordering. Youll also geta $50 Samsung Credit and 3x Samsung reward points with preorders, and youll be entered into a sweepstakes where one lucky winner will walk away with $5,000. This huge offer is good right up through the Samsung Unpacked itself on Jan. 22.The World WaitsBased on the huge success of the Galaxy S24 line of phones and previous-gen devices do tend to go on sudden sales when their successor devices are unveiled, so keep an eye on the price of the S24s the anticipation around the release of the Galaxy S25 phone is enormous.The release of the Galaxy S24 phones just one year ago was also the dawn of the Galaxy AI era for Samsung phones. Since then the artificial intelligence has been rolled out to older Samsung devices, but the debut of the Galaxy S25 could auger an entirely new set of enhanced skills for Galaxy AI, along with other improvements over the S24.Galaxy AI has been a huge hit, with its Circle to Search, real-time Live Translate, and instant AI summaries in the Notes app. Samsungs sure to have a few more tricks up its sleeve for the upcoming Samsung Unpacked event on Jan. 22, and the debut of the Galaxy S25 line of phones is the ideal place to roll them out.Huge Savings for PreordersSamsungs clearly eager to get the brand-new Galaxy S25 phone into your hands so you can see all of its new features and enhancements for yourself. The $50 Samsung Credit youll get for preordering can be used on anything in the Samsung family, but the $300 instant credit specifically for preordering the Galaxy S25 and the massive trade-in offer of up to $900 are clearly meant to get you and the Galaxy S25 together. Of course, the price of the Galaxy S25 could be rendered moot if you win the $5,000 sweepstakes that youll be entered in when you sign up between now and Jan. 22 to reserve your space. Important note: Signing up to reserve a spot does not obligate you to order the Galaxy S25, and the $50 Samsung Credit and sweepstakes entry are still yours to keep.See at Samsung

By Ed Cara Published January 7, 2025 | Comments (0) | A picture of wolf 907F taken December 14, 2019. NPS / Jeremy SunderRaj One of Yellowstone Natural Parks most famous denizens has tragically passed. Wildlife researchers have confirmed that the long-lived wolf 907Falso known as Queen of the Wolvesdied this Christmas. Wolf 907Fs death was first reported by local media outlet CowboyStateDaily late last month. According to researchers with the Yellowstone Wolf, Cougar and Elk Project, 907F succumbed to injuries sustained during a territorial fight with a rival wolf pack a few days before her death. The exceptionally hardy and battle-scarred canine was 11.8-years-old, having lived three times longer than the average wild wolf. 907F was well-known for her tenacity. Born in 2013, she overcame a severe case of mange early in life and eventually rose to become the alpha female of the Junction Butte wolf pack in 2017, according to project researchers. She did eventually lose her position, but remained an important member of the pack.At around the age of four, 907F lost her left eye, likely due to a fight. And in her later years, she was often seen limping. But she continued to thrive long into her life. She had several litters of pups, with the latest arriving in May 2024 at the age of 11an astonishing feat. Though the exact number of offspring she had remains unknown, project researcher Taylor Rabe told CowboyStateDaily that 907F was the most reproductively successful wolf in Yellowstone history.Most wild wolves typically live around three to four years. And only six wolves living in Yellowstone have been recorded living to 11 since their reintroduction to the area 30 years ago, according to Smithsonian Magazine (somewhere between 83 and 123 wolves currently live in Yellowstone). But even legends eventually die. According to the project researchers, 907F and her pack got into a fight with a rival pack that had encroached onto their territory on December 22. Though 907F did survive the initial battle, her injuries proved too grave to overcome. By Thursday morning, her sustained lack of motionas recorded through a radio collarmade it clear that she had died sometime during Christmas a day earlier. Though 907Fs death is tragic, especially to the many researchers and wolf enthusiasts who followed her over the years, it does come with a sort of silver lining. Many wolves and other wild animals often die as a result of human activity, such as motor vehicle collisions. So as violent as 907Fs end was, it was at least on her own wolf terms, the researchers say. Its sad. But specifically for all of us on the project, we always like to see a wolf die naturally, rather than at the hands of a human, Rabe told CowboyStateDaily. It gives us peace to know that she went in a natural manner.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Ed Cara Published December 27, 2024 By Isaac Schultz Published December 4, 2024 Margherita Bassi Published November 21, 2024 By Isaac Schultz Published November 17, 2024 By Ed Cara Published September 13, 2024 By Matt Novak Published September 3, 2024

Located in the idyllic coastal area of the municipality of Nttery, situated in the Oslo Fjord, the design and construction of an informal weekend cabin are proposed. The main premises of the location and direction of the project were: a narrow site between the street and the existing pier, a steep and complex terrain for construction, and a spectacular view of the sea with the Frder National Park as a backdrop.

Its cold pretty much everywhere right now, which makes a deal on an air purifying heater sound extremely appealing. Right now, Amazon has Sharks 3-in-1 Max Air Purifier, Heater & Fan on-sale for $249. Thats down from its typical price of $449 and $50 off the $299 price tags youll currently find at many other big retailers. Its not cheap, but it does provide several functions and it has an extremely powerful filter that can stand up to pets and rooommates who are still microwaving left overs they brought back from Christmas even though theyre way past their prime. If that price tag is too steep for you in this post-holiday time period, but you still want clean air, scroll on for more air purifier deals. Shark 3-in-1 Max Air Purifier, Heater & Fan $249 (was $449)Shark This time of year, furnaces blow dust and other irritants around your home as they keep you warm. Thats especially true if you have a pet. As a result, we consider a solid air purifier essential home equipment if you want to stay comfortable. This formidable tower comes equipped with a burly HEPA filter that exceeds typical standards. It can freshen the air over a 1,000 square foot space and it automatically adjusts its power depending on the amount of particulate in the air. In addition to its dust-trapping chops, this device also doubles as both a heater and a fan. So, if you have a part of your home that the heat never seems to reach or you really want a fan to sleep without making you chilly, this is a great solution. More air purifier deals

Large LiDAR sensors like those found atop Waymo robotaxis can increase drag and potentially limit range. Credit: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty ImagesShareIf you live in one of the roughly dozen US cities where autonomous vehicles are present, you likely recognize them by their eye-catching, spinning tops. These high-tech flappers are filled with sensorsusually a mix of LiDAR, radar, and camerasthat serve as the eyes and ears for AVs to map the world around them. But those sensor stacks are often bulky, which can impede a cars ability to cut through the air around it. That hindrance can force the car to use more energy to speed up and ultimately limit a cars overall range. In current AVs, aerodynamic considerations can take a backseat to optimal sensor functionality.Researchers from the Wuhan University of Technology in China, however, believe they may have found a solution that offers the best of both worlds. Using an optimization AI algorithm, the team was able to alter the structural shape of AVs sensors to improve the vehicles overall aerodynamic performance. When comparing their optimized sensor design against an AV with a standard setup in simulations, the optimized version resulted in a 3.44% decrease in total aerodynamic drag. That seemingly small difference can add up over time when driving for long distances. The researchers conducted a real-world wind tunnel test to validate their simulation findings and published the findings today in the journal Physics of Fluids.Drag: the enemy of speedCarmakers have spent the better part of a century tinkering with designs to fight aerodynamic dragessentially, the opposing force a vehicle needs to overcome to move forward. Over time, cars have become more curved, and new features like pop-up headlamps, rear spoilers, and active grille shutters have been added in pursuit of helping the vehicles more efficiently displace the air around them. Engineers can determine a cars aerodynamic ability by running it through tests in controlled wind tunnels. Those with a lower drag coefficient number are considered more aerodynamic.[ Related: Why dont cars have hood ornaments anymore? ]Chunky autonomous vehicle sensors can complicate things. Waymo, the leading robotaxi company in the US, says a single one of its robotaxis has 29 cameras placed all around it. LiDAR sensors, which send out millions of laser pulses in all directions around the vehicle to create a 3D map, are even bigger and boxier. In their analysis, the Wuhan University of Technology researchers looked at how air flowed around an AV with a LiDAR sensor-equipped on its hood and found that the protruding mass significantly delay[s] airflow separation. More airflow separation also occurs at the tail of the vehicle where multiple sensors on either side of the bumper form a pair of air vortexes. In other words, all the sensors are essentially working together to trap airflow and ultimately make the vehicle less aerodynamic. Its unclear exactly what model of AV was used for the research but a 3D figure shows a modern-looking crossover that resembles a Tesla Model Y or the Jaguar I-PACE used by Waymo.Researchers made slight modifications to sensors near a cars windows, hood, and back bumper to make it more aerodynamic.Credit: Yiping Wang The researchers ran those findings through an optimization algorithm to look for ways they could subtly alter sensor shapes to cut down on drag. They eventually opted to reduce the height of the front side sensors which they say led to a decreased positive pressure zone and reduced drag. The leading edge of the roof sensor was also lowered which led to a deflating effect which reduced the direct impact of incoming airflow. The drag coefficients of both the new optimized model and the baseline model remained pretty similar until airflow reached the roof of the vehicle. Researchers said this finding strongly indicates that subtle changes to the roof sensors shape may make the biggest difference in terms of reducing drag in AVs.Alteration made to the LiDAR sensor attached to cars roof made the single biggest aerodynamic difference. Credit: Yiping Wang Aerodynamic sensors could help cut down on AV energy demandExternally mounted sensors significantly increase aerodynamic drag, particularly by increasing the proportion of interference drag within the total aerodynamic drag, study author Yiping Wang said.Current AV companies are aware of the aerodynamic challenges posed by their sensors. Waymo says it strategically places its sensors around a vehicle with the goal of maximizing its field of view (FOV). Prioritizing FOV is important for safety, but it can be at odds with overall vehicle performance and speed. AV makers have tried to correct this by making slight alterations to sensor mounting infrastructure. In Waymos case, the company says it has re-engineered a crossbar sensor placed over the top of an semi-trucks windshield to cut down on drag.While this may look like a minor adjustment, it can lead to significant fuel efficiency savings over the lifetime of the vehicle, Waymo wrote in a blog post.[ Related: Why are driverless cars still hitting things? ]These engineering changes may have limited real-world effects, for now at least. Robotaxis from Waymo and Amazon-backed Zoox are becoming more common but they are still mostly limited to slower, non-highway areas. The more immediate benefit of aerodynamically engineered sensors will likely come from long-haul, autonomous trucking. Even marginal reductions in drag during longer-distance trucking trips could result in faster delivery times and less overall energy used. That, in turn, could result in reduced costs for AV companies and the customers they are ultimately serving. Over time, less energy exertion may also help squeeze out some more use of highly resource-intensive EV batteries. Aurora, one of the leaders in this emerging category, plans to test its AV trucks on Texas roads without human safety drivers later this year.Looking ahead, our findings could inform the design of more aerodynamically efficient autonomous vehicles, enabling them to travel longer distances, Wang added.

Toyota announced the completion of Phase 1 construction plans for its Woven City project at CES 2025 in Las Vegas on Monday. First unveiled in 2020, the futuristic company town is being built near the base of Mount Fuji, and features what Toyota calls an environmentally conscious and human-centric design aimed at enhancing peoples overall quality of life.As Gizmodo explained on Monday, Toyota first debuted its urban planning goals five years ago as many automotive companies publicized intentions to pivot from vehicles to the more nebulous concept of mobility. The basis for Toyotas mobility philosophy mainly focuses on a push towards fleet electrification, eventually combined with autonomous driving software systems and e-commerce partnerships. Seven years later, and Toyotas January 6th update indicates it still intends to stick to the plan through research and collaborations at facilities like Woven City.Woven City is built on the site of a former Toyota production plant. Credit: Toyota Woven City serves as a test course for Toyotas transformation into a mobility company, the automaker said, adding that the new town will help redefine the term by expanding its scope beyond transportation to encompass the movement of people, goods, information, and energy for the benefit of individuals and society.Other companies confirmed to be involved in the Woven City experiment are Toyota Groups WbyT, Daikin Industries, DyDo Drinco, Nissin, UCC Japan Co., and Zoshinkai Holdings. Each company is focused on software logistics, air conditioning, soft drinks, instant noodles, coffee, and education products, respectively.Woven City will eventually work on rocket production. Credit: Toyota Woven City is meant to expand on Toyotas mobility concept. Credit: Toyota UCC Japan is exploring the potential value of coffee through futuristic cafe experiences, for example, while Nissin will move beyond instant noodles towards creating and evaluating food environments to inspire new food cultures. Additional startups, universities, and research institutions will reportedly also be invited to contribute to Woven City through an accelerator program slated to open this summer.Only 100 residents, mostly Toyota and WbyT employees, are initially moving into the renovated former site of Toyotas Higashi-Fuji Plant in Susono City. These Weavers (named in reference to Toyotas initial loom product line) will share a passion for the expansion of mobility along with a dedication to building a more flourishing society. An estimated 360 citizens will live in the space at the end of Phase 1. Once completed, Woven City will accommodate around 2,000 total resident Weavers working for Inventors (Toyotas term for companies).Woven City will accommodate around 2,000 Weaver residents after its completion. Credit: Toyota Woven City is a test course for mobility where Inventors who share a commitment to working for someone other than themselves can develop, test, and validate innovative products and services in the shared pursuit of Well-being for All, Toyota explains.This concept of mobility extends not just to land, sea, and air, but space, as well. Part of Mondays announcement includes mention of a new investment by WbyT in Interstellar Technologies, Inc., intended to leverage Toyotas expertise to support the mass production of rockets.The post Welcome to Woven City: Toyota offers first glimpse at futuristic town appeared first on Popular Science.