Amidst a changing of the guard upon the retirement of former Chief Technology Officer Tom Stephens,  Jon Lauckner, Stephens’ successor, has begun making some changes to the research and development department that would see a reduction in the workforce.
According to a report done by Automotive News, GM plans to lay off about one fourth of the roughly 400 R&D personnel at the Warren complex, which should work out to be an even 100 jobs. Along with these layoffs in Michigan, 90 R&D workers at a GM research facility in India will also be cut, though GM won’t officially confirm the amount of layoffs. According to GM’s 2011 annual report, the company spent a total of $8.1 billion on R&D last year. But the figure does include all global engineering expenses and product development.
“These moves will enable the organization to better focus on commercializing customer-focused innovation in a more efficient and cost effective manner,” GM said in the statement. We’ll see.
Comments
I’m curious as to what percent of revenue GM allots for R&D.
Are these jobs being cut because they aren’t producing or because GM feels they are not needed? I’ve felt for a long time now that GM cars were technologically behind the competition. Despite the Chevy Volt, which needs gross subsidies to be competitive, I still feel the same today looking forward. Where, for example, are the advances in transmissions and engines that we are seeing from other companies? Is it because GM does not have the knowledge or because GM needs to trim out things in order to be competitive?
Why can’t we buy a GM small car with direct injection, rear disc brakes, fittings for a roof rack, or even a good armrest? And other companies even offer more body styles. Why is it profitable for them to do it (here in the U.S.) but not GM? It tells me GM has too much bureaucratic middle management, cost-cutters, marketing types, etc. Instead we hear that the innovators are getting cut — the scientists and engineers in R&D. Though this is a small cut for a company the size of GM, it sends the wrong signal to someone with my view of GM’s problem.
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Engin Agac and I am from Turkey. I learned that many companies have developed a device that prevents drunk driving. The devices look like significant but I still believe that this is not a final solution for the problem. I have prepared a project about this subject. I believe that the project that I prepared provides 100% solution.
The important points of my project are shown below:
THE DEVICE PREVENTING DRUNK DRIVING
1) The drunk driver can never start the car as he cannot pass the alcohol test.
2) The device can detect the difference when the non-drunk driver changes place with a drunk driver.
3) If the driver starts the car and begins drinking alcoholic beverages the device detects this.
4) The driver is kept under control automatically and during every stop and run.
5) The driver should take and pass the alcohol test every day.
6) If the driver should be changed then the new driver should pass the alcohol test.,
7) If any other person except the driver drinks alcoholic beverages, this will not stop the car or will not prevent the driver from starting the engine.
8) In case the driver “must” start the car even though he is drunk, he should define himself as “drunk” to the device. The device will not question if the driver is drunk or not in this situation. By this way the device sets a maximum speed limit and the flashers are turned on. If the driver tries to exceed the speed limit the car stops and the lights continue flashing.
Detailed Explanations for some articles above:
Article 2) If the non-drunk driver changes place with a drunk driver then the device will detect this. For example Robert is drunk and Matthias is sober. In this situation only Matthias can start the car and Robert cannot pass the test. If Robert wants to drive while the engine is running, the device will detect that it was Matthias who started the car and will not let Robert to drive. The device will recognize that Robert has changed place and came to the driver seat. In this situation it asks the test to be taken by the new driver. If he cannot pass the test, then the car will be stopped after the warnings.
Article 3) Example: Robert is not drunk until he starts the car but he starts drinking while driving. At this point the device will detect the smell and ask the driver to take the test again. If the driver is drunk, then the car will stop after the warnings.
Article 4) The driver who started the engine is always under control as he should take the test at every stop and run. The device checks the driver change at every stop and run, while the car is started. If one driver passes the test and start the car, and if he wants to change the seat to someone else after a while, the device checks if someone else has come to the driver seat. This control will be done at every stop and run. But if it is requested, this can be applied at certain time periods through the settings of the device.
Article 5) In this project the driver must take the alcohol test every day.
But if we develop the software we can achieve something like this:
1) If a driver never drinks alcohol and a driver change will never be done, the driver may take the test only once a year, once in ten years or he may not take the test during his whole lifetime. This driver needs to take the test only once. But this article makes it necessary for the driver to take the test if someone else but the driver drinks alcohol in the vehicle.
2) Let’s think of a family consisting of father, mother, two sons and one daughter. One of the sons drink alcohol frequently but the other drinks only on new years. Father, mother and the daughter never drink alcohol and this family owns a car. How does the device works in this case? Should the alcohol test be taken every day? No, it is not. The device can recognize the members of the family. This means that the device cen keep in its memory who is a drinker and who is a non-drinker. The device can also detect that the person who did not drink alcohol for a long time is now drunk and it notifies the driver that the test should be taken. Thanks to the software that has been developed, father-mother and the daughter should take the test only once and they do not need to take the test again during their lifetime. While the father, mother or the daughter drives the car, someone else in the vehicle should not drink alcoholic beverages. Otherwise they need to take the alcohol test. This situation does not prevent the car from running or does not stop the running car.
Article 6) A driver change can only be done when the engine is stopped. The new driver should pass the test before starting the car. The driver change cannot be applied after the engine is started.
Article 7) Let’s say there are 4 people in the car (One driver and three passengers). The driver is sober and did not drink any alcoholic beverages. Even though the passengers are drinking, the alcohol smell will not prevent the car from starting nor the engine will not be stopped.
– For the car to be stopped:
* As the alcohol smell is detected, the driver is asked to take the test.
** The driver must take this test. Otherwise the car speed will be decreased and it will be stopped after the warnings.
*** If the driver is drunk as he takes the test, the car speed will be decreased and it will be stopped after the warnings again.
**** The device always warns the driver before stopping the car. If the driver denies the warnings then the car will be stopped.
The software scheme of this device is already prepared. Alcoholmeter and smell sensors are the components of this device. But the important point is that a software to achieve these functions. As the scheme is already done, the software needs to be written by your company.
THE DEVICE PREVENTING TO DRIVE WITHOUT DRIVING LICENSE
To prevent driving without driving license can be achieved only if the driver licenses are renewed so that it can interact with the device that is to be installed in the car.
1) A person without the driving license can never start the car.
2) A person without the driving license can never drive a car in motion.
3) If the driver wants to change place with another driver without a license, this will be detected by the device and the car will be stopped if the warning is ignored.
4) The driver will be kept under control every second and he can never drive the car without the license.
5) The driver should take the driving license test once a day.
6) One driver can never use someone else’s license.
7) If a driver change is needed, then the new driver should take the test.
8) At every getting on and off a control is not applied. The test is only applied in case of a driver change.
As you know I am not a mechanical technician or engineer and I cannot explain the details of my project by using scientific terms. But I can describe all details of my project.
Although alcoholmeter and smell sensors will be used in this project, not only these two devices will be functioning. The most important characteristic that differs my project from the others is that this device will be software assisted. I mean each article describing the features of the project will be assisted by a software.
My aim is to offer you the patent of this project to your company. If you are interested you can also contact me online, by phone or come to Istanbul and I can explain this project to you personally.
Detailed explanation and software schemes for both projects are available.
I will be expecting your soonest reply if you are interested in my projects.
Kind Regards,
Engin AGAC
Phone: +90 533 090 02 43
[email protected]
FACE RECOGNITION DEVICE
Face Detection, identification and face recognition program for the device in the face of two processing saved.
FACE RECOGNITION PROCEDURE: use the person’s face, the front of the car is the process of memorization.
FACE IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE: use the car’s pre-memorized his face recognition process.
Face identification and recognition has the car is the same person who will use facial recognition software, so check if the same person giving the car runs. In this case, the face of the driver are stored. Identification and recognition has facial recognition program of the faces are not the same car check will not work, the driver stops the car in running the car off the device until displaced through supplements (10 sec flashing flashing sarı.kırmızı, green, and blue LEDs burning detect the signal voltage values ) realization recognition process again and the device will take place with the approval of facial recognition program should be renewable, stored in a hundred.
Face recognition program that should be renewable with the approval of facial recognition program stored in the memory in the car running with the approval of the face and complements this circuit which is activated through the recognition process will take place by detecting voltage values ​​resulting from the combustion of these LEDs is the same as a face compared. if the faces are the same person that will take place again facial recognition software gives consent and stored so that the new face of an active case the car will continue to run. Does not grant approval of an active quartets burn the car to stop. Flashing yellow led on the car while it is running in memory of a face re-stored to obtain the latest face recognition program, with the approval of the recognition process, which will take place face to face with the later comparison.if the faces are the same as that of an active car will continue to work in the same person. In this case C to 10 seconds is flashing green LED on the device. Is not the same as the C 10 s red LED on the device flashes.
Flashing red LED or blue led on the case again, the memory of the face, ie facial recognition program in order to obtain approval for the process of recognizing that there have been only for the realization of the process . Recognition C 1.80 volt device A circuit complementary
example of the value of the voltage detection signal and the detected signal is detected, the signal D need to equipment to convey.Recognition process that takes place after 4 sec, the signal detection does not occur in this case does not occur in the face recognition process, certainly comes quartets and 120 Sn at the end of the car can stop the car.
This circuit is working environments supplements in the car is flashing LEDs to 10 seconds. The device is burning voltage of the LEDs with different voltage values ​​of the signal that detects facial recognition facial recognition program or process to take place again, and the last memorized compared.The faces are face to face with the recognition process is the same as face recognition program of works by re-check the car’s condition continues to operate, does not check the car’s lights and 120 sec quartets in the car to stop.
Yellow LED: The car is running, the process of recognizing the flashing yellow LED is flashing to 10 seconds indicates that happen again. This is the process of recognizing tamamlayıcısından 1.80 A circuit volt instrument for the realization of C as an example algılası signal voltage value is required.
Green LED: blinking green LED flashes to 10 seconds approval means that the face recognition program. In this case, will continue to run in running car.
Red LED: The device does not check the circuit complements the program of face recognition is realized through the red LED is flashing to 10 seconds. C in full screen on the device parameter to ‘120 s to the countdown begins for the last time face recognition before the end of this period, renewable . Last 40 sec before the end of the car while the car is linked inmobilezer quartets lights up and the system will stop the engine through. Period of 120 sec before the end of this process, the renewal of the face recognition system A to C complementary 1.80 volt circuit voltage of the sample should be understood as a signal. This signal detection device, the D does not occur at the end of the recognition process, while certainly not take place and burned car in a state of quartets eder.Tanıma stop signal is detected, the process takes place automatically after 4 sec.
Blue LEDs: A device flashes a blue led on the case as well the recognition process, 120 sec to 10 seconds, and every 15 minutes in the recognition process must be reformed. This 15 to 10 seconds after blue LED is flashing, and 120 sec 40 sec renewed. Last in the recognition process again before the car comes quartets renewed recognition process in these 120 sec inmobilezer system through the car engine stop the. This process continues until the car displaced by the driver stop.
In this case, for the realization of the process of recognizing complementary C 1.80 A circuit volt combustion device must detect the voltage value of the signal detection does not occur strictly in the recognition process does not occur.
Kindly Regards
diagram of this project, the software is ready,
Can you support me turkey software can not be.