6-23-20 Tech Talk
~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~
A Technology Tour de Force is the over-arching term Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis uses to describe the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid press vehicle he tested on a drive from the metro west suburbs of Boston to upstate New York and back. But, the week-long experience with the 5-passenger sedan was clearly more enjoyable than a detached, cold, hard look at the spec sheets. Have a listen to find out why.
Rick then digs into a report from iseecars.com on the ups and downs and ups again of used car sales in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then it’s on to a study from Ford Motor Company that tries to answer the question, “Why do Americans love their trucks?”
There’s also some discussion about SpaceX launches that could get too noisy for land-based operations and a bit about Virgin Galactic taking private citizens in orbit.
Meanwhile on the medical front, smart bandages with built-in sensors and an upper body robot for stroke victims round out this week ‘s report.
a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
Ride of the Week:
photos courtesy of Hyundai Media
Features Of The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited As Tested
- Hybrid Gasoline-Electric Vehicle
- 2.0-liter Engine w/ 150 Horsepower / 139 lb.-ft. of Torque
- Electric Motor w/ 39 kW (51 HP) / 151 lb.-ft. of Torque
- 192 Horsepower Combined System Output
- 6-speed Hybrid Automatic Transmission
- EPA-estimated 45 City / 51 Highway / 47 Combined mpg
- Eco-Friendly Design Cues Improve Aerodynamics
- Active Grille Shutters
- Aerodynamic Wheels
- Taillight Vortex Generators
- 0.24 Drag Coefficient
- Solar Roof System Outputs 205 Watts
- All LED Lighting
- Heated & Ventilated Front Seats
- BOSE 12-speaker Audio System
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrian Detection
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
- $35,300 MSRP As Driven
Solar Roof System
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid’s solar-panel roof directly charges the 12-volt and hybrid batteries and outputs 205 watts of electricity. This system has several benefits:
• Mileage increases by about 2 miles per day
• Helps prevent battery discharge from infotainment or HVAC systems when the car is off
• Unique design cue ~ Hyundai Media
In Other Automotive News
Pandemic Affects Used Car Sales
Space News
Offshore Spaceports For Starship Rockets
“We need to be far enough away so as not to bother heavily populated areas. The launch & landing are not subtle. But you could get within a few miles of the spaceport in a boat” ~
Elon Musk from Twitter post
Virgin Galactic Private Trips To International Space Station
More Tech News
Tufts University / UC Santa Cruz Smart Bandages Monitor Wounds
Harmony Bionics Develops Exo-Skeleton For Stroke Rehab
Need A Face Mask?
Tech Talk listeners can receive a discount on stylish, high quality face masks purchased from Needham, MA-based Rafi Nova. Just used the Code KOWSRADIO at checkout. Rafi Nova is a fair-trade and sustainable fashion brand. Find them at rafinova.com
