Byte size news: Lay back, let the computer drive

Driving from Italy to China is a pretty epic feat. Doing it without a driver, even more so.
However, that's the challenge a team of engineers has taken on with the VisLab Intercontinental Autonomous Challenge.
Beginning their quest in Milan, they have the goal of taking a robot van 12,875km and reaching Shanghai by the end of October.
Team members in the vans will take control "every time a decision on the road has to be taken", say organisers, but the cruise control will be down to the vehicle.
But not leaving it all up to robot brains, they will send a lead vehicle out to relay GPS signals for the following van to follow, with additional cameras and laser scanners hopefully avoiding pedestrians or roadblocks along the way.
It's hoped information gained could help in creating self-driving vehicles.

Nissan's good C air
You've always been told not to forget to take your vitamins and Nissan's latest innovation is here to help.
The firm has announced its new cars will feature an innovative new air-conditioning system that will deliver breathable Vitamin C.
The company says the Fuga Forest AC air-conditioning system "aims to recreate the breezes, temperature, humidity, and aroma of natural forests".
This will enable the user to control temperature and have a plasmacluster ions generator. Highly concentrated plasmacluster ions have been found to reduce bacteria levels, fight mould, neutralise odours and reportedly help keep the skin naturally moisturised.
Other nifty additions they're looking at are "friendly" speedometers that will remind you of anniversary dates or birthdays and anti-collision technology that involves a camera and audible alerts when a pedestrian is close during parking, reversing or are at low speed.
The cars will also come with heated seats that incorporate Nasa research to enable better blood circulation.

Has Nasa lost its Spirit?
Well, its Mars rover Spirit, that is.
The 6-year-old robotic explorer missed its winter wake-up call, with fears that it might possibly not wake up.
In previous winters, Spirit managed to get to a sun-facing slope before the freezing martian winter sets in, allowing it to draw enough power to charge its solar cells to keep its heaters on and make the occasional call home.
This winter though it didn't find such a great spot.
Although there is a slim chance that Spirit could get enough solar charge to fire back up over the next few months, Nasa's hopes aren't high.
"It will be the miracle from Mars if our beloved rover phones home," Nasa's Mars Exploration Programme director Doug McCuistion said.
However, its twin rover Opportunity is happy, healthy and cruising along to a large crater named Endeavour.
Got any news, gadgets or queries? Contact Lindsay.harvey@apn.co.nz