Category: Rick’s Tech Talk

A weekly segment featuring technology commentator Rick DeMeis on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Toyota Highlander Limited Offers No Limits To Enjoyment

4-07-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

Even though COVID-19 has put restrictions on extensive test driving, Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis still managed to give the 2020 Toyota Highlander Limited a satisfactory workout. Enough so that, with all of its elegance and serenity, yet commanding V6 performance, the Highlander left him wishing he had more places to go. No matter, listen in for a run down of its many features.

Also in this week’s episode, there’s technology news about companies such as Tesla and Husky Corporation stepping forward with new ways to manufacture much needed ventilators to assist COVID-19 patients struggling with breathing. Plus, the Mayo Clinic has put autonomous vehicles in service to shuttle corona virus tests.

The program wraps ups this week with a feature about a new elastic hearing implant that conforms to the curved surface of the auditory nerve utilizing a technique based on the Japanese paper cutting art of Kirigami.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Ride of the Week:

2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 Toyota Highlander

photos courtesy of Toyota Media
XLE and Platinum trims featured in the above images

Features Of The Toyota Highlander Limited As Tested

  • 3.5-liter V6 Engine
  • 295 Horsepower ; 263 lb.-ft. of Torque
  • All Wheel Drive
  • 8-speed Automatic Transmission
  • Leather Interior
  • Seats 8 Passengers
  • Multi-Terrain Select Control
  • Pedestrian Detection
  • Radar Cruise Control
  • Blind Spot Detection
  • Parking Assist
  • Lane Departure Alert
  • LED Headlights / Taillights
  • 20 City / 27 Highway / 23 Combined MPG
  • JBL Audio System
  • 12.3-inch Touchscreen
  • $48, 483 As Driven

Tech Adaptations To Fight Corona Virus:

Tesla – Ventilator

Husky Corp. – Ventilator

University of Warwick – Iron Lung

photo courtesy of John Hunter Steer Energy

Musk Minute:

Space X Test Vehicle Failure

In Other Tech News:

Mayo Clinic Employs Autonomous Vehicles For COVID Tests Transport:

photo courtesy of Mayo Clinic

Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lsusanne – Hearing Implant

The Art of Kirigami

RAM 1500 & Subaru Legacy Tout Safety First

3-31-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

This week’s edition of Tech Talk opens with news of tech adaptations from New Balance and Bauer Hockey to fight the Corona virus pandemic. Good news for sure. Commentator Rick DeMeis then pluralizes the Ride Of The Week feature, giving us insights into both the RAM 15500 Laramie Crew Cab pickup and the Subaru Legacy Premium edition. One might be inclined to think that these two vehicles couldn’t more different considering the RAM 1500 boasts a hefty 5.7-liter V8 HEMI powerplant while the Legacy does quite well with it’s reliable 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine. But where they have something more in common than four wheels is in their each earning a 5-Star Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Stay tuned for more Automotive News, too, with a report from the University of California-Riverside about an EV battery-saving algorithm, and there’s a brief update on Elon Musk’s Starship adventures and a $20K drone competition from NASA. A mention of a PSA video with Moe Howard, which we include below, might help relieve some stress yet be informative. Then, to finish off this edition of the podcast, there’s news of Bell Helicopter developing a new system to replace the tail rotor of a helicopter.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Tech Adaptations To Fight Corona Virus

New Balance Masks
Shoe manufacturer volunteers to make face masks.

Bauer Hockey Face Shields
Filling orders for medical and emergency personnel becomes top priority.

Ride of the Week #1:

2020 RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab

photos courtesy of FCA Media

Ride of the Week #2:

2020 Subaru Legacy Premium

photos courtesy of Subaru Media

Automotive News:

U Cal Riverside EV Battery Charging Algorithm

Musk Minute:

Starship Test Anticipated

In Other Tech News

NASA Langley Drone Competition

PSA featuring Moe Howard

Bell EDAT Four Electric Motor Tail Rotor Helicopter

Wrangler Rubicon Heeds Call Of The Off-Road

3-03-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

Built to get to four people to some of the most extreme places on the planet, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon gives Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis a full immersion into its symphony of bells and whistles. Whether one plans to go off-road into the snowy wilderness or sun bathe in a dose of early spring weather while driving with the panels off, this is one 4X4 that doesn’t come up short.
But don’t turn off the audio, yet. There’s more automotive news with highlights from a NEMPA event featuring the redesigned Nissan Titan, a new study from iseecars.com, the weekly Musk Minute and advancements in battery technology and autonomous vehicle intelligence from Rensselaer Poly Tech and MIT, respectively.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Ride of the Week:

2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

photos courtesy of Jeep Media

  • 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel
  • 260 hp; 442 lb-ft Torque
  • 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • Black Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats
  • 22 City / 29 Hwy / 25 Comb mpg
  • 3500 lbs. Towing
  • 17-inch Wheels
  • Uconnect 4C Nav w/8.4-inch Display
  • Alpine Premium Audio System,
  • Cold Weather Pkg. w/ Heated Seats & Steering Wheel
  • Remote Start
  • Skid Plates
  • $60,480 As Driven

Automotive News:

NEMPA Hosts Nissan Titan Event
The 2020 Titan debuts in the Boston area. Here are some highlights:

photos: RPM News Weekly

  • Redesigned for 2020
  • 5.6L V8 w/ 400 hp; 413 lb-ft Torque
  • 9-speed Transmission
  • 10,990 lbs. Towing
  • NissanConnect w/Navigation
  • 9-inch Touchscreen
  • Apple CarPlay /Android Auto
  • Rear Door Alert
  • King Cab from $36,190
  • Crew Cab from $38,890

Longest Lasting Cars To Reach 200,000 Miles +
A study by iseecars.com analyzed over 15.8 million cars sold in 2019 to determine which models are most likely to reach 200,000 miles.

Musk Minute:

‘Star Fleet’ Organization Predicted

Starship SN1 Explodes
Incident Occurs During Pressure Test

In Other Tech News

Rensselaer Poly-Tech Institute
Potassium vs. Litium Ion Batteries

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Autonomous Cars See Around Corners Using Changing Light Patterns

Tech Talk On RPM: Suited For NE Winter, CR-V Seeks Snow

2-11-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

A well worn expression in New England advises that if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute. In that respect, our Tech Talk commentator, Rick DeMeis could consider it a happy accident that he didn’t get a heap of snow in which to test drive the 2020 Honda CR-V even though the all-wheel drive Touring edition that was his ride-of-the-week is certainly well-suited for winter driving. Have a listen and he’ll fill you in on the details of this popular vehicle.
It’s an easy side-step from there to his mentioning the half-dozen or so vehicles he put through the paces at the New England Motor Press Association Winter Vehicle Test Day before he drove off at the end of the day with the CR-V.
This week’s episode continues with a survey from iseecars.com on the most popular vehicle colors followed by a host of informative space related news items . It’s a jam-packed journey, so “don’t forget your towel“.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Ride of the Week:

2020 Honda CR-V Touring AWD

photos: Honda Media

  • Turbocharged 1.5L 4-cyl. Engine
  • 190-hp; 179 lb-ft of Torque
  • Continuously Variable Transmission
  • 27 City / 32 Highway / 29 Combined MPG
  • 19-in. Alloy Wheels
  • LED Headlights w/ Auto-On/Off
  • Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
  • Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate
  • Roof Rails
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System
  • 330-watt Premium Audio System w/ 9 Speakers
  • Wireless Phone Charger
  • Ambient Lighting
  • Driver Attention Monitor
  • 5-star Safety Rating
  • $34,750 as Driven

Automotive News:

NEMPA Winter Vehicle Test Day
Awards will be presented at the annual NEMPA Conference and Awards Dinner to be held at the MIT Media Center on Friday, May 15, 2020.

Most Popular Car Colors
A study by iseecars.com examined over 9.4 million cars on the road to determine the popularity of each vehicle color nationally, by state, and by metro area.

On The Space Frontier:

Christina Koch Returns To Earth With Space Stay Record
Her record 328 days in space sets milestone for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch is pictured during a spacewalk on January 15, 2020.
Photo credit: NASA

Solar Orbiter Heads Toward The Sun
The Solar Orbiter begins a seven-year mission to observe the Sun and study the star’s affect on the space environment throughout the solar system. In addition, the spacecraft will provide images of the Sun’s poles.

Illustration of Solar Orbiter Showing Solar Arrays and Antennae.
Image courtesy of European Space Agency

2020 Mars Rover Completes Testing

First Drive Test of NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover
courtesy: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory-CalTech

Musk Minute (Related News):

Boeing Starliner Test Results Reviewed
Design and coding problems could spell bigger troubles for the spacecraft. Nasa has contracted with both Boeing and SpaceX to develop spacecraft for manned missions to and from the International Space Station.

More Space Tech News:

Microwave Water Decontamination

Voyager 2 Reestablishes Contact

Tech Talk On RPM: 4Runner Retains Its Rugged Allure

1-28-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

Lots of mass for the money is how Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis describes the 7-passenger 2020 Toyota 4Runner in this week’s episode. But, there’s plenty of other good reasons to like the $49,905 4×4 Limited version of this popular SUV, not the least of which is its ability to hold value in the marketplace. Have a listen and be prepared to discover the inner workings of government safety ratings while you’re at it.
Want more? Well, the plate is also filled with heaping helpings of technology news including the latest adventures in Musk enterprises, NASA’s research in building fungi structures on Mars, a plan from Rolls Royce to re-utilize old nuclear reactor sites, and a hybrid polar research vessel.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Ride of the Week:

2020 Toyota 4Runner 4×4 Limited

photos: RPM News Weekly
See our Photo Gallery for more pics.

  • 7-Passenger Seating
  • Nautical Blue Metallic Exterior
  • Tan Leather Interior
  • 270-hp 4.0L V6 w/ 278 lb-ft of Torque
  • 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • 16 City / 19 Highway / 17 Combined MPG
  • 20-in. Alloy Wheels
  • Trailer Hitch
  • Hill Start & Downhill Assist Control
  • JBL 15-speaker Audio Sys. w/ Subwoofer
  • Android Auto / Apple CarPlay Integration
  • 4-star Overall Safety Rating

Automotive News:

NHTSA Star Safety Ratings Update
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announces its plan to propose significant updates and upgrades to the New Car Assessment Program

Safety Ratings Explained
CARFAX provides an Understanding of NHTSA and IIHS Ratings

Musk Minute:

Sudden Acceleration in Tesla Models
NHTSA to investigate reported “sudden unintended acceleration.”

Other Tech News:

NASA Fungi-Based Structures

A petri dish containing mycelia (white threads, here) growing in simulated Martian soil – aka Martian regolith.
photo courtesy of NASA/Ames Research Center/Lynn Rothschild

Rolls Royce Plans Mini Nuclear Reactors

UK Govt. & Industry Collaborate On Compact Nuclear Power Station

image courtesy of Rolls Royce

Hybrid Arctic Research Ship Sir David Attenborough

The lifeboats have been installed on the RRS Sir David Attenborough as it nears final stages of construction.
photo courtesy of Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)/British Antarctic Survey (BAS)

Tech Talk on RPM: G-Force To The Max In Jaguar I-PACE

1-14-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

Likened to blasting off in a Saturn 5 rocket, acceleration in the 2020 Jaguar I-Pace gave Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis some memorable thrills. But, it was the complete package – minus a rear windshield wiper – that left the most lasting impression with this all-electric crossover. Whether it was the elegance of its well-equipped interior, its 200+mile driving range or the multitude of safety intervention technologies, the I-PACE made winter here in New England feel a bit less threatening.
There’s more on the launchpad, though, including the gigantic price paid for the Bullitt Mustang, Tesla’s Shanghai mega-factory, the most popular vehicles state-by-state and more. Have a listen.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Ride of the Week:

2020 Jaguar I-PACE

2020 Jaguar I-PACE HSE
2020 Jaguar I-PACE HSE
2020 Jaguar I-PACE HSE
2020 Jaguar I-PACE HSE

tiled photos by RPM News Weekly
See our Photo Gallery for more pics.

SPECIFICATIONS
current as of 1/13/2020		JAGUAR I‑PACE STESLA MODEL X LONG RANGEAUDI E-TRON PREMIUM PLUS
Base MSRP$69,850$84,990$74,800
Destination & Handling$1,025$1,200$995
Federal Tax Credit− $7,500− $0− $7,500
Base Price w/ Tax Credit incl. Destination & Handling$63,375$86,190$68,295
Coverage / Warranty5 years / 60,000 miles w/ Elitecare 4 years / 50,000 miles4 years / 50,000 miles
0–60 mph (seconds)4.54.45.5 (with boost engaged)
Est. Range (miles)234328204
Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™StandardN/AStandard
Park AssistStandardOptionalStandard
Leather SeatsOptionalN/AStandard
Head-Up DisplayOptionalN/AN/A (available on other trim)

EPA estimated all-electric range in the I-PACE is 234 miles. Estimated mileage is 80 city / 72 highway / 76 combined MPGe, where MPGe is the EPA-equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation. Actual range and mileage will vary.

Federal tax credit ranges from $0 to $7,500. Actual savings may vary.
Additional benefits may be available depending on location.

Automotive News:

Steve McQueen’s Bullitt Mustang Sells For $3.7M

Most Popular New & Used Cars By State
New analysis by car search engine iSeeCars.com

Musk Minute:

Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory Delivers 1st Model 3 Vehicles
Elon Musk dances to celebrate and announces a future Tesla vehicle will be designed in China and sold globally

Other Tech News:

Medical Emergency On Space Station
Astronaut developed a deep vein thrombosis in jugular vein

Woven City At Mt. Fuji Base

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