In a technology advance that will ultimately help drivers around the world avoid rush hour traffic jams, IBM Research has developed a new predictive modeling tool that will let drivers quickly access personalized travel recommendations to help them avoid congestion, and save time and fuel.

ENGADGET: IBM shows off Smarter Traveler traffic prediction tool

The media-modeling tool was kicked into high gear two years ago when Chad Jacoby, senior manager of Nissan's Business Intelligence Unit, used years of Nissan's consumer research to build a computer model comparing the relationship of each phase of their "purchase funnel"--from awareness to purchase consideration to a transaction--to the phase before it.

FORBES: Ad Vantage

In the past a product's shape alterations would be hammered out by designers in a surface-modeling program, a tool that allows for easy curve design and concept change.

FORBES: Easy Designer

While the FinFET process offers significant power and performance benefits compared to the traditional planar process, the move from two-dimensional transistors to three-dimensional transistors introduces several new IP and EDA tool challenges such as modeling.

ENGADGET: Samsung reveals its first 14nm FinFET test chip, should offer substantial power improvements in future silicon