Google is making progress in its quest to lead the driverless vehicle charge, with plans to add 100 vehicles to its fleet in the next 12 months. [ + ]

Toyota has announced the end of the road for the FJ Cruiser, the retro-inspired, rugged off-roader that was launched in Australia in 2011. [ + ]

Google continues its quest for world domination, demonstrating a new virtual assistant hardware device — Home — which will hit the market later this year. The presentation was delivered by vice president of product management Mario Queiroz at the annual developers conference in Silicon Valley earlier this week. [ + ]

Nissan has confirmed it will acquire 34% of Mitsubishi in a deal worth just under AU$3 billion, making it the maker's single largest shareholder. The deal is still subject to shareholder approval, but will provide Nissan with control over the company if it goes through after a formalisation of the alliance on 25 May. [ + ]

Owners of Nissan Navara D40s should be aware that vehicles featuring a set of Performance Suspension front extended ball joints may have a serious defect. In some circumstances the ball joints will fail, causing potential separation of ball joint components. If this occurs while the vehicle in use, it may cause the suspension system to fail entirely, causing serious injury or death. [ + ]

The deadline for compulsory use of SuperStream is looming, so employers need to ensure they are ready. If you have 19 or fewer employees, you need to be using SuperStream by 30 June 2016. All other employers should already be using the SuperStream standard. [ + ]

Australian company GreenSync has unveiled new technology to enable grids to operate above 80% renewable penetration. [ + ]

Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyotal Financial Services have established a US joint venture company with Japan-based Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance. The company will develop products that analyse driver behaviour for the purpose of establishing car insurance rates. [ + ]

A research team at UNSW has made a major breakthrough in terms of improving solar cell efficiency, according to recent reports. [ + ]

From 18 May 2016, any new enterprise agreements entered into by building contractors or building industry participants need to be compliant with the current Building Code 2013 in order for contractors to be eligible for work on future Commonwealth-funded construction projects. [ + ]

Navman recently conducted research into what drives us mad on the road and, according to the results, not indicating or indicating too late was the number one pet peeve. The company found that a whopping 98% of drivers identified this as the action that annoys them most of all. [ + ]

The annual SPARC Design event is on again, being held as part of the ever-growing Vivid Sydney festival. [ + ]

AfMA is encouraging people to nominate an individual or organisation who has had the greatest influence for change in fleet management, gone the extra distance, saved the most CO₂ emissions, taken the biggest step toward safety or helped others in the industry. [ + ]

HARTING Technology Group has won the coveted HERMES AWARD for the second time, beating four competitors for the top prize. Awarded at HANNOVER MESSE 2016, the company was recognised for its HARTING MICA (Modular Industry Computing Architecture) mini industrial computer. The family-owned company had previously picked up the prestigious award in 2006 for an RFID solution. [ + ]

The power workers who operate the electricity network across 95% of NSW will hold unprecedented strike action from Monday, 23 May, walking off the job in an attempt to bring an end to a long-running industrial dispute with management at publicly owned Essential Energy. [ + ]