It was about getting more from less when Mercedes-Benz started the F700 Research Car, with a desire to achieve outstanding luxury with exceptional fuel economy. Looking at the F700, which is just slightly shorter than the current Mercedes S-Class you might think that it had a V-8 or V-12 engine, but instead, Daimler's engineers have designed a very sophisticated 1.8 L two-stage charging four cylinder gasoline engine that powers the F700 sedan, achieving a remarkable 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres or 44.3 mpg. The F700 Research Car emits 127 grams per kilometre of CO2.

The F700 is very large car and many would argue that it is too large for the future, but using it as a research car, Mercedes-Benz can scale the hybrid technology down to their future mid-size and compact luxury vehicles and power them using it as well. Mercedes have called this drive system DIESOTTO technology for the efficiency of diesel with the performance characteristics of gasoline. Mercedes has achieved the F700's efficiency using a hybrid module that incorporates a lithium ion energy storage battery, a 15kW (20 hp) electric motor,and regenerative braking.

BMW's X6 Hybrid was one of the stars at the 2008 Top Marques Motor Show in Monaco last month. BMW indicated that they expect to launch the X6 Hybrid in mid to late 2009. It was first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the fall of 2007. BMW has been developing Active Hybrid technology for application to all of its future models and have formed a development partnership with Daimler and General Motors called the "Global Hybrid Cooperation" to share hybrid drive design technology.

The complete specifications and expected list price of the X6 Hybrid (ActiveHybrid) are not yet available, but BMW has indicated that one of the X6 Hybrid's advanced technology features is its two-mode active transmission. The new X6 is currently on its European launch at BMW Dealers and the trend setting shape of the rear quarter is proving to be a huge success for them. When the hybrid X6 has its debut in 2009, the transmission will use twin hybrid electric motors in both high torque low speed mode and a high speed acceleration mode, and capture regenerative braking energy from deceleration.

BMWs Active Hybrid drive technology provides an efficiency savings of 20% over the conventional X6 and they term this 'Efficient Dynamics'. BMW may enhance the efficiency of the X6 Hybrid with plug-in charging capability or could offer this as a dealer installed option at a later date. Plug-in charging would require doubling the size of the X6's conventional hybrid battery pack, or designing an optional location for the addition of a second battery pack (called a Battery Range Extender Module or BREM).

When you say the word 'Honda' you immediately think of cars or motorcycles, but they operate in many other sectors and one of these is robotics and human mobility. At the BARRIER FREE 2008 show held in Osaka, Japan last month, an exhibition about equipment and rehabilitation for the elderly and disabled, Honda demonstrated the advances they had made in a new walking assistance device to help people with their mobility.

Honda has been working on an advanced humanoid robot called ASIMO and through the analysis of the motion of human walking for this project, they have gained insight into how to better assist elderly and disabled persons with getting around. The Honda Walking Assist device provides assistance to the walking motion generated by an individual by providing extra energy assistance in the direction the leg is already travelling using input from hip motion sensors. A built-in computer analyses the walking stride and determines the optimum method to provide assistance.

The Honda Walking Assist device uses flat brushless electric motors that are powered by a 22.2 volt lithium ion battery, giving 2 hours of walking range on a full charge at 4.5 km/h (2.8 mph). The total weight of the unit is 2.8 kg (6.2 lbs), and it comes in three sizes (small, medium, large) and is adjustable for different body sizes. Currently, the Walking Assist is experimental and in development by Honda R&D in Japan, so no released pricing is available at this time.