Research indicates that animated alerts can assist distracted drivers in identifying hazards more effectively.

      Researchers at the University of Glasgow tested augmented reality (AR) glasses featuring an animated robot avatar and discovered that it helped distracted drivers identify road hazards almost as effectively as drivers who were fully attentive.

      Self-driving vehicles face a recurring challenge. When a driver's focus shifts to their phone or laptop, how can their attention be swiftly redirected back to the road to notice potential dangers? A recent study from the University of Glasgow indicates that the solution may not lie in another alert sound or flashing light, but rather in a small animated character that mimics a human's behavior by looking towards and gesturing at the hazards.

      Introducing a stronger signal bridged the attention gap.

      Led by PhD candidate Thomas Goodge, researchers explored this concept with AR glasses on 48 volunteers placed in a driving simulator. Participants engaged in a distracting mixed reality game while real driving footage displayed in front of them, simulating a situation where a driver is distracted by emails or games. A warning signaled an impending hazard just before the video paused, and participants were asked to recall what they observed.

      In the initial assessment, distracted participants frequently overlooked hazards compared to a control group that watched the footage without playing the game, regardless of whether the warning was a colored bar or an animated robot head indicating danger. By adding a second visual cue, a red highlight to accompany the colored bar or head movement, the researchers effectively eliminated that difference. Both types of warnings enabled distracted drivers to accurately identify hazards about 80 percent of the time, comparable to those not distracted at all.

      However, the robot's effectiveness had its limits. When it exhibited visible signs of stress, like trembling or sweating, participants became preoccupied with interpreting its emotional state, leading them to miss more hazards. Professor Stephen Brewster, a co-author of the study, highlighted another potential issue: some drivers may rely too heavily on the warnings instead of maintaining their own vigilance on the road, a concern similar to challenges faced with systems like Cadillac's Super Cruise, which monitors a driver’s eye movements and pulls over if there is no response.

      The researchers aim to incorporate sound and dialogue in the next stage to assess how drivers interact with a warning system that engages with them.

      BYD has unveiled a sedan priced at $37,000, offering a range and features generally associated with luxury vehicles in the US.

      In recent years, Chinese car manufacturers have set new standards for what affordable sedans (and vehicles in general) can provide, and BYD's latest offering is a prime example. The Da Han recently commenced pre-sales in China at a price point below $37,000, aligning with entry-level pricing in the United States, but with features typically found in high-end cars.

      In the last 24 hours, three vehicles priced significantly below $20,000 were introduced in the Chinese market, from manufacturers including Volkswagen, Hyundai, and MG. All were sedans, while hatchbacks were even less expensive. Now, shifting our focus, if you stroll through the historic centers of Paris, Milan, or Amsterdam, you'll find yourself on a "minicar safari." The narrow, centuries-old streets are filled with a variety of electric micro-vehicles. From the modest $6,600 Citroën Ami to the nostalgic Microlino, these compact battery-powered vehicles weave through traffic and fit into tight parallel parking spaces that would be unfeasible for a standard sedan, let alone a large SUV. It’s worth noting the G-Wiz, produced in India and sold in both that country and the UK, which, despite being dubbed a "Death Trap" by market reviews, gained popularity internationally but never made it to North America.

      At the 2026 Chengdu Auto Show, SAIC's MG brand officially introduced its new mid-size sedan, the MG 07, with pricing that may genuinely surprise buyers. According to CarNewsChina, the vehicle is offered in seven configurations, with prices ranging from 108,900 yuan to 159,900 yuan, or approximately $16,000 to $23,500, making it one of the more affordable electric vehicles currently available. The sedan boasts a surprisingly premium design considering its $16,000 price tag.