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Honda's robot lawnmower

OK, not a car as such, but it is still pretty cool.

Honda's first robotic lawnmower is so smart, it not only cuts the grass by itself, it also takes itself off to the docking station when it needs to recharge – a robotic version of a gardener taking a break for a cuppa.

The benefit to the grass of the Honda Miimo is that it cuts little and often, typically mowing just 2-3mm of grass at a time, several times each week. It can cut in either a programmable or random pattern and it doesn't need to collect cuttings, as the clippings it creates are so small that they are dispersed to provide a natural fertiliser. It even has a fan to suck the grass towards the blade while it is cutting – almost like an electronic hairdresser.

The Miimo wanders around the lawn and a perimeter wire around the lawn signals it to turn around when it approaches a border. If it encounters long grass, the blades continue spinning as normal, but the wheels slow down, so it has more time for cutting. The blades themselves are flexible, to reduce the chance of shattering if they hit a rock.

It can handle a garden of up to 3000 square metres - that is about half the size of a football field, although anyone rich enough to have an even bigger lawn could have two, and create a sort of synchronized robotic gardening. In fact Miimo could turn mowing the lawn into a spectator sport – although it might perplex the dog!!

Weekender for automotive lovers

If you love all things automotive, Beaulieu Motor Museum is the place to be on 8 and 9 September. Its most famous motoring event, the International Autojumble, takes place on these dates and is the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic.

Started in 1967 in a one-day show with 75 stands, it is now in its 45^th year and boasts over 2,000 stands.

Stands feature everything from vintage and classic motoring parts, accessories, automobilia and literature to tools and clothing. And in the Automart, there will be up to 200 cars on offer, from restoration projects to cars in concours condition while the DealerMart will have a selection of classic cars for sale.

On Saturday, Bonhams will be holding an auction of collectors' motor cars, motorcycles and automobilia and including a 1972 Ferrari Dino Spyder, a 1922 Wolseley H.7, one of only ten known survivors, a horse-drawn phaeton and the only known example of a 1948 DOT AA Truck.

On Sunday, the popular Trunk Traders will offer amateur autojumblers the opportunity to sell their surplus motoring bits from the back of their cars.

Beaulieu's Events Manager, Judith Maddox said: "The demand for stand space is increasing year on year; there are currently just a few spaces left for this year's show and we anticipate it will be another sell-out."

If this sounds up your street, one-day tickets cost £14.30 for adults on Saturday, £12.70 for Sunday, and £8.70 and £8.40 for children respectively.

Some drivers gain from faulty pumps

We all know how painful the cost of fuel is these days. But here's a rare case where motorists are winning on the cash front: According to the AA, motorists using faulty petrol pumps could be getting up to 4.4% more fuel than they have paid for.

Inaccurate counters on pumps at petrol stations mean drivers are benefitting, reported BBC News, after the AA tested pumps following member concerns that were not getting enough petrol.

In fact, it turns out, that all nozzles tested dispensed at least the right amount with many giving more fuel. The breakdown organisation said this sometimes amounted to a 6p-a-litre gift to drivers at a time of high fuel prices.

It added that Trading Standards officers had found discrepancies at 11 of 216 sites in Derby and four of 38 sites in Cumbria.

The UK has a mix of ageing and new pumps at service stations but an EU ruling will force garages to upgrade pumps to meet the Measuring Instruments Directive by the end of October 2016.

"Some drivers have been benefiting from a lucky dip at the pumps, getting more fuel than they pay for," AA president Edmund King said.

"Crippling pump prices" had produced desperation among poorer drivers, he added."Petrol this week averaged 134.17p a litre - two years ago, it was 116.60p.
"Inevitably, some motorists are watching their gauges like hawks and complaining to Trading Standards."

Crash Barriers to change?

The IAM is calling the government to redesign crash barriers to make them more motorcycle-friendly. While crash barriers have saved the lives of thousands of drivers, hitting a crash barrier is a factor in eight to sixteen per cent of rider deaths.

When they hit a crash barrier, riders are 15 times more likely to be killed than car occupants. In a crash, barrier support posts can worsen injuries by five times.

Most UK crash barriers are designed to protect car drivers and passengers when a car hits a barrier; it will redirect a car away from a hazard and slow it down over a short distance. The car, seat belts and air bags help to minimise injury. For motorcyclists, hitting a crash barrier can mean serious injury or even death as the rider's body takes the full impact.

Writing in the summer issue of the IAM members' magazine Advanced Driving, IAM chairman Alistair Cheyne OBE said: "Roads in general and crash barriers in particular are largely designed with four or more wheels in mind. The needs of more vulnerable motorcyclists must become a priority.

"Britain leads the world on road safety, but lags behind on this issue. Existing standards and guidelines for road infrastructure – and barriers in particular – must be changed so they take proper account of motorcyclists."

Surge in caravanners this summer?

Oh joy – there could be 20% more caravanners on the road this summer, as we all look for cheaper holidays.

This coming weekend is the busiest for people going on holiday, and research by Nissan suggests one in five "towers" will be doing it for the first time. Slightly worryingly, four out of ten of those surveyed and who tow caravans, trailers or boats, admit that they have never had training on how to do so safely.

One of the biggest areas of concern is drivers' lack of knowledge on the towing capabilities of their vehicle, resulting in drivers buying and renting caravans their car doesn't have the sufficient power and torque to tow.

Speaking on the research findings Tim Shallcross, Head of Technical Policy at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "The results of the Nissan research highlight a key knowledge gap in towing legislation and safety guidelines. We encourage new and experienced 'towers' to ensure they are correctly informed as to their vehicle's towing capabilities and to follow essential safety guidelines which can be found on the Nissan website."

In response to the research findings Nissan has launched a complimentary guide to towing, available at all Nissan dealerships nationwide. A number of free towing courses will also be hosted across the UK. Customers purchasing a Nissan X-Trail or Pathfinder between July 1st and September 30th are entitled to a free towing course, and members of The Caravan Club are being offered 16% discount on its X-Trail and Pathfinder models.

Five key towing tips as recommended by Nissan and the Institute of Advanced Motorists are:

• Check you are legally allowed to tow. Requirements differ according to when your licence was issued.
• Know your towing limit as well as the maximum braked and unbraked towing weights. This can be found in your vehicle handbook
• Know your limits. Speed is limited to 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways and 50 mph on single carriageways (unless otherwise stated)
• Allow more time and space for accelerating and braking, given the extra weight
• When approaching an incline select a lower gear in good time. Going uphill this provides extra power. Going down this reduces the strain on your vehicle's brakes

Beware car criminals targeting Brits on holiday

 

A new type of crime is growing in Spain, and Brits are the prime targets. The criminals have been called the new highway robbers, as they work by getting British drivers to stop and get out of their cars, so they can steal belongings from their car.

So how are they doing it, and how can you protect yourself?

The British embassy in Spain issued a warning to British tourists. It says the hotspot for this kind of crime is the AP7 stretch of motorway - which runs between the French border and the Alicante region of Spain. So far there have been 140 cases reported to British consulates. That's an increase of about 10% on the same time last year.

"We are warning drivers of UK-registered cars and hire cars to be on the alert on motorways in Spain, both while driving and taking a break", says Dave Thomas, Consular Regional Director for Spain. "Be on your guard against anyone who attempts to stop you or ask you for help – they may well be part of a gang operating a scam in which an unseen accomplice will rob you of your things."

 

They find British tourists in a number of ways. They may target those with British licence plates, or branded hire cars. Alternatively, they will look out for those with expensive luggage or computer bags at the airport and tail them until they hit the motorway.

They use a number of techniques to get Brits to stop. These include making a loud bang to alarm the driver and make them pull over - at which stage one gang member pulls over offering help and another takes the chance to steal your belongings. Sometimes they fake a breakdown and wait for tourists to stop - at which point they are robbed.

Alternatively they may puncture your tyre while you are at a service station, and then offer to help. While you are distracted they then steal your bags and valuables.

The embassy highlighted the case of Stephen and Helen Robinson from Leicestershire, who were between Barcelona and Valencia when they stopped at a service area to exercise their dog. Both were at the boot of the car when they were distracted by a man apparently on the phone, asking them how to say something in English. Meanwhile their bag was taken from the front, despite the dog being inside.

"It was quick and slick", says Mrs Robinson. "Remember that on the second day of driving down from the UK, you may be more tired and therefore more vulnerable. Separate your valuables into different places in the car, and when you stop, be aware you may be being watched. You won't see the accomplice of the person who is distracting you."

In another robbery, Joy and Alan Horton from Suffolk were aware of a vehicle close to them on the motorway, then heard a loud bang and pulled over. The other car stopped in front of them and while the driver talked animatedly to them, his passenger accomplice grabbed their belongings unseen.

"Keep all jackets, bags and valuables in a locked boot and not on the back seat where they can be seen", says Mr Horton. "If you think your car may have been in a collision and you pull over, lock the car as soon as you get out and mount a guard on both sides of the vehicle."

These are not new scams, but an intensification of activity has led to growing unease at the British Embassy. As a result it has issued advice on staying safe. It's tips include never leaving any valuables on display (adding that most insurance policies won't cover stolen belongings from cars if they have been left on display).

They also say it's important to be extra careful in car hire collection points, service stations, and rest areas. If you have broken down or stopped because of a problem with the car, they say you should call your breakdown service. If you or other passengers leave the car, you must wear a reflective jacket. You must also display red warning triangles in front of and behind your vehicle.

Finally the advice says: "Be wary of other drivers stopping to help you or people presenting themselves as police officers. It is rare that police will arrive without being called, and traffic police are always in uniform. If you're not sure if someone is a police officer, call 112 to confirm their identity