Important Innovations Collection

Global Inventions You'll Enjoy Latest Top New Gadgets My latest book "List of Top New Gadgets" has just been published on Kindle and Amazon.  I've made it available for free borrows in the Kindle Lending Library.  For access, go to  amazon.com/author/ekane ASIN: B07RSLHMWK   The book is a fun series of news summaries on the latest gadgets invented around the world.  These are innovations that are practical and of great use.  Fellow US television journalist Maryanne Kane is the co-author.

People Mover - Air Mobility for the People Sleek Looking and Ready for Testing The world's first hydrogen fuel cell powered flying vehicle has just been unveiled in California.  It's a multi-rotor hover craft that the inventors call Skai.  The avionics and engineering were performed by a Massachusetts based private company Alaka'i Technologies.  BMW contributed to the aircraft's design.  The inventors designed this as a people mover to provide personal air mobility above congested highways. Zero Emissions This is a futuristic drone-like aircraft.  The vehicle is designed to provide zero emissions mode of personal air travel.  A display model was unveiled in southern CA.  The company's full size, operational prototype will start remote control test flights in MA very soon.  It has to go through extensive testing but the company says the six rotor pod is practical and will be affordable.

New Process Converts Food Waste to Clean Energy Source:  University of Waterloo, Canada Microbial Cocktails A team of engineers at the University of Waterloo in Canada have invented an affordable system to turn food waste into a clean energy source.  They've devised a "microbial cocktail" that produces a biodegradable chemical through fermenting the waste food.  The chemical can be refined into a clean source of energy that could replace fossil fuels.  The chemical could also replace petroleum based chemicals in many products like plastic packaging and drugs. Wasted Food, Wasted Resources The numbers are staggering.  Wasted food amounts to a global economic loss of $1.4 trillion per year.  In North America, food waste amounts to 400 kilograms per person every year.  There have been many attempts to convert food scraps into fuel but they have proved much too expensive.  This new technology from Canada is affordable, according to the inventors. New Ingredie

Making Streets Smarter and Safer for Pedestrians and Drivers Source:  TU Graz, Vienna Lots of Technology and Research Involved A team at TU Graz Vienna has developed a very smart traffic light that detects a pedestrian's intent to cross the street.  This technology is so advanced it actually spots the person's intent to cross.  The smart system automatically triggers the traffic control signal and then goes green for the pedestrian.  The invention was commissioned by the city of Vienna.  The technology is so complex with so many requirements it took two years to research and develop. Smart Crossing Light This smart gadget is composed of a lot of technology.  The main components are a camera and computer that monitor a large section of the street and analyze pedestrians motions.  The system determines pedestrian paths by custom deep learning algorithms.  That data is used to trigger when to turn on the wait sign and the signal that a pedestrian is "crossing the

Information Technology and Telecom Protected Source:  Tokyo Skyline stock image Protecting Vital Technological Innovations The government of Japan has decided to restrict foreign ownership of its information technology and telecom industries.  20 sectors in those industries are included.  They're being added to a restricted list that includes airlines and nuclear energy.  The new regulations take effect August 1, 2019, US- Japan Meetings The announcement came at the same time that President Donald Trump and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are holding talks on trade and other issues in Tokyo.  President Trump has been warning nations about the dangers of using Chinese technology and being spied on.  In a statement, Japan stated that it is expanding the restrictions in order to prevent their vital technology and technological innovations from being leaked and stolen.  The regulations require investors of 10% plus of stock in a restricted industry to inform the government

Designed to Soften Impact of Landings Source:  University of Washington Origami Inspired Metamaterial This is unique innovation developed by a team at the University of Washington.  They've created origami-inspired structures made from metamaterials.  They specifically designed it to soften spacecraft landings and enable their reuse.  The metamaterial structures that absorb and soften impact by their "folding creases" could also be used on cars to potentially save lives in accidents. Unit Cells The structure is made of unit cells that are repeated in a specific pattern.  The cells flex to absorb impact and then return to their original shape, softening the blow.  The team has tested a prototype design with twenty cells.  The first few unit cells absorbed the entire impact.  They continue to develop their unique technological innovation.  Their results were just published in the journal Science Advances.

Proposed Merger of  Equals Source:  Fiat Chrysler Surviving Together Through Massive Technology Change Fiat Chrysler is pressing its argument for a merger of equals with Renault, taking its case to Renault's corporate leadership.  The $35 billion merger is aimed at dealing with the massive technology upheaval in the automotive industry, including autonomous and electric cars.  The combination of the two companies would result in the world's third largest automaker. By the Numbers The merger would result in an entity capable of making 8.7 million vehicles a year and generate a projected $5.6 billion in savings per year.  The prospects for the merger look good at the moment.  The French government is looking favorably on the deal and Renault views it as a friendly offer.  If the merger does take place, it could spark more industry mergers.  Both GM and Peugeot recently held inconclusive talks with Fiat Chrysler, an Italy-USA company.

An ADIFO - All Directional Flying Object Source:  Bucharest Polytechnic University Not a UFO This aircraft was developed by a Rumanian aviation expert more than ten years ago.  Now a new team of Rumanian engineers have created a prototype of the flying saucer like aircraft and just successfully completed its first test flight.  It may look like a UFO but it's actually an ADIFO, an all directional identifiable flying object. Highly Mobile and Dexterous According to the engineers, the aircraft can change direction and angle in mid-air with great agility and even fly upside down.  They say the original aircraft is an extraordinary aerodynamic concept with the backing of thirty years of research behind it. That's why they are pushing the concept forward. Future of Aviation The prototype is a combination of motors to push it forward and rotors to rise in flight.  It's an award winning piece of innovation.  The Rumanian team behind it believe it has t

So Robust, It Pulls a Passenger Plane Source:  IIT - Robot Towing Passenger Plane HyQReal The new robot HyQ Real is autonomously powered and is so strong, it can tow a 3 ton passenger plane.  It did so on Friday at an airport in Italy, towing it with ease for 33 feet.  It's a robot dog, a quadruped developed by researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologic (IIT). Robo-Dog They've designed the very strong robo-dog to help humans in emergency situations.  The robot weighs 280 pounds and is about 4 feet long.  It has very strong traction on the ground thanks to its custom made feet with special rubber grips.  The researchers have been developing HyQReal since 2007.  The plane towing robot is number 7 in the series.  For a free Kindle borrow of my book "List of Top New Robots", go to  amazon.com/author/ekane ASIN: B07K4QX385

Helmet Mimics Fluid Protection the Brain Provides Source:  Fluid Inside Fluid Inside The new Fluid Inside sports helmet take its lead from the protective fluids in the brain to cushion a blow and avoid concussion.  The sports helmet has a specialized arrangement of pods filled with a liquid similar to the Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF).  CSF is the body's first line of defense against brain injury.  On impact, the pods inside the helmet compress providing cushioning and protection. Patented, Innovative Technology The Fluid Inside helmet is based on twenty five years of brain research, specifically on how the body uses CSF to protect the brain from injury.  The technology is patented and the pods are arranged in matrix patterns customized to the sport, including skiing, biking and ice hockey. Recent research has demonstrated that a series of blows to the head, such as hitting the head numerous times during football tackles, can be as bad or worse than one blow resulting in

New Bike Gadget Charges Your Devices Source:  PedalCell's CadenceX No Battery - New Invention It's called the CadenceX generator.  And the power comes from harnessing energy from the spinning wheels as you ride your bike.  It's designed to provide electrical power to any device on your bike, such as smart phones, lights, action cameras, GPS, smart locks and onboard screens. Smart, "Brainy" Bicycles The company that created the gadget is PedalCell, a Chicago startup.  A small rubber wheel spins in contact with the bike's front wheel. It sends the electrical energy it generates to a Smart Power Hub on the handlebars that directs the energy to targeted devices on the bike.  This is a very smart bike power device that's part of the next wave of what's being called "brainy bikes".  The company says the CadenceX will be available this summer.  It generates a maximum of 20 watts and is not intended to power electric bike motors.  For a f

Starlink Flies into Orbit New Internet Source from Space SpaceX, Elon Musk's private rocket company, has something to brag about.  It has launched 60 small satellites into low earth orbit.  This launches Musk's Starlink Internet Service for consumers. Starting With Space Intenet A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket just carried the small satellites, which are 500 pound each, into space from Cape Canaveral, Fl. and they are operating well.  This is a big hurdle for the big venture that Musk wants to generate cash from for his  bigger space ambitions. Musk Internet Plans This is the first phase of  a planned constellation capable of beaming high speed internet services from space to global paying customers.  That's the first phase.  Musk wants to use revenues from Starlink to fly people to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Musk exhibits how inventors, explorers and innovators think and push forward.

New MIT Robot Shares Lifting Objects with Humans Source:  MIT Sharing the Load with a Robot MIT's latest robot helps you lift heavy objects by taking signals from your biceps and triceps.  It's a case of a human and a robot getting a heavy lifting job done together.  MIT roboticists think this approach is a key part of the workplace of the future.....truly teaming humans with robots for certain tasks. AI Analyzing 80 Times Per Second The robot works by directly reading the electrical signals produced by a person's biceps.  Here's how the technology works.  Electrodes are placed on the person's upper arm and connected with wires to the robot.  The robot reads how the person is moving and then gives them the help they need to lift the object.  To do so, the robot's Artificial Intelligence is analyzing what it sees 80 times per second.  It's a cutting edge example of humans and machines working together to get a job done more quickly and easily. For

New Wearable Gadget Source:  Spryng Mimics and Accelerates Circulation Spryng wearable aids for muscle recovery were created to help injured athletes recover more quickly.  It accelerates injury recovery time by using pneumatic compression.  The pads which go around the lower legs are designed to be used for fifteen minute sessions. Mimics Legs' Natural Physiology The device can be used while you're in motion or at rest.  It is wrapped around the calves.  It massages the legs using pneumatic compression in a "Wavetech" pattern that the company says mimics the natural physiology of the legs.  It aids and accelerates blood circulation to speed up recovery time and flush out lactic acid. Muscle Recovery Gadget The company calls the gadget the world's most advanced muscle recovery tool and claims that it provides faster muscle recovery, better performance and improved circulation.  It mimics natural muscle contractions and increases oxygen supply to your

British Software Company Builds Digital City Interactive Simulations for Self Driving Vehicles   - Just Got Significant VC Funding Source:  Immense Simulations  Big Money Pouring into Software for Driverless Cars British software company Immense Simulations makes interactive city simulations of traffic and people flows on any given day.  The company today raised $4.6 million in a Series A funding led by UK's Amadeus Capital Partners and Japan's Global Brain Corporation.  This is a major sign of the times.  Investors are betting on autonomous vehicles going mainstream.  So far this year, companies in the self-driving vehicle sphere have raised $3 Billion in funding. Immense Technology Immense uses data from mobile phone operators, public transport and telematics databases to build city simulations.  Carmakers use the simulations to test their plans for fleets of autonomous cars on scenarios that are as close to real, congested city conditions as possible.

Japan Taxi: Crowd Pleaser with Big Price-tag Source:  Toyota Japan Taxi A Taxi with Something for Everyone The Japan Taxi that Toyota has developed for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo was originally designed by a government committee.  The result is a very complex and expensive vehicle whose purpose is to please everyone.  The price-tag is nearly $32,000, which is 33% more expensive than its predecessor. Hybrid Loaded with Extra Tech - Anti-Virus Protection Japan Taxi is a hybrid, liquified petroleum powered vehicle.  It contains some very sophisticated technology including anti-virus air conditioning and many anti-collision sensors. It has wheelchair ramps, smart phone chargers, seat warmers and a lot more.  Its purpose is to comfortably accommodate wheelchair users, tourists loaded with luggage and people of all sizes. Olympics 2020 The Olympic Games in Tokyo start in July 2020.  Toyota hopes the Japan Taxis will replace 10,000 of Tokyo's 30,000 taxis by then.  Bot

Denmark's Vestas Launches New Turbine in US Market Source:  Vestas Blowing in the Wind Vestas has launched a new wind turbine targeting the US market.  It's designed to simplify how turbines are built and cut costs for the renewable source of energy. 30% More Energy The turbine produced by the Copenhagen based company has a 138 meter rotor diameter, which is the industry's largest.  The company expects it will produce 30% more energy then previous models. Modular Design The new turbine is a modular design to enable more customized turbines to be produced without increasing the number of components.  The new V138 turbine can be sold globally but it's particularly well suited to the US where many locations have capacity restrictions on how many megawatts can be installed and fed into the local grid.  Vestas just announced the new V138 turbine today.

US Mail Tests Autonomous Truck Deliveries Source:  TuSimple Autonomous Truck Autonomous Mail Delivery The US Postal Service has started a two week test, driving mail across three southwestern states using self-driving trucks.  This is a big move forward to commercialize the use of autonomous vehicle technology to haul freight long distances. TuSimple Startup Autonomous Trucks A San Diego startup TuSimple is deploying its self-driving trucks for the mail hauling tests.  The route is between Phoenix and Dallas.  The test is to see if the system improves delivery times and costs.  A human safety driver is behind the wheel to intervene if necessary  and an engineer is riding in the passenger seat. Future of Autonomous Freight This test is about the future class of autonomous vehicles hauling freight long distances and the potential of new technologies.  The pilot program involves five round trips each at 2100 miles and 45 hours of driving.

Virtual Reality Tours of Global Heritage Sites Source:  CyArk 3D VR image of ancient stone temples in Thailand  Google & CyArk Collaboration:  Digitizing Iconic Moments You can visit some of the world's heritage sites using Virtual Reality without leaving home.  It's called the Open Heritage project.  And, it's a collaboration between Google and the California non-profit CyArk.  It's a magnificent effort to digitize iconic moments and heritage sites. Online 3D Models of Ancient Sites They've posted online 3D models of 26 plus heritage locations in 18 nations.  Some of the 3D models include parts of the Roman city of Pompei; the 1000 year old Mayan Temple of Kukulcan in Mexico; and Native American cliff dwellings in Colorado. Open Heritage Website CyArk has documented more than 200 historic locations using digital photography, aerial drones and 3D laser scanning technology or LIDAR.  You can view 360 degree photographs on the Open Heritage website,

Thermostat Patch Device for You Wearable Temperature Control Patch University of California San Diego engineers have created an energy saver and personalized system:  a wearable arm patch to keep the individual warm or cool and comfortable.  It's a soft, stretchy patch that warms or cools the user's skin to the temperature they want despite changing ambient temperatures.  It works in the home, at work and on the go. Proof of Concept Device This intriguing new device is still in the proof of concept stage.  The patch sandwiches thermoelectric alloys between flexible elastomer sheets.  It's powered by a flexible, stretchable battery pack. Arm Band This battery powered band that can be worn around the arm can heat or cool the user to their specifications.  It's so flexible and light that it can be used in clothing. That's the next application that UCSD is working toward, new smart clothing.  Building this technology into green, wearable heating and cool

New Swedish-British Scientific Research Source:  Stock Image Owning a Dog is in Your Genes This is fascinating and very substantive research based on 35,035 pairs of twins from the Swedish Twin Registry, which is the world's largest. Uppsala University along with scientists from the University of Liverpool studied whether being a dog owner is a hereditary trait. their research pool was the thousands of twins.  They concluded that owning a dog is in your genes. Man's Best Friend Their study of the 35,000 plus pairs of twins and their dog ownership documented that the choice of owning a dog is heavily influenced by your genetic makeup.  The scientists say genetic variation explains more than half of the variation in dog ownership among the group of twins studied. For 15,000 years, dogs have been companions to mankind.  That's a lot of history, loyalty and heredity on both sides.

Potential New Approach to Cancer Prevention & Treatment Source:  Stock Image of Broccoli New Research from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Your Mom is right...eat your vegetables, particularly broccoli which has a natural compound in it that researchers have discovered blocks cancer.  The compound in broccoli inactivates a gene that is known to play a key role in the development of cancer.  These research findings were just reported by scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. More Research and Development The study documents that targeting the gene, WWPI, with the compound found in broccoli suppressed tumor growth in cancer-prone lab animals.  Broccoli and other vegetables in its category like cauliflower, cabbage and kale, have long been associated with possibly cutting the risk of cancer. The study is published in the journal Science.  The scientists are engaged in more R&D to turn their findings into a potential new approach to cancer pr

 Lilium's Great Maiden Flight Source:  Lilium Artist Rendering Source:  Lilium  Jet 5 Seat Electric Air Taxi for Short Distances German air taxi startup Lilium hopes to put its 5 seat prototype into service by 2025.  It will fly passengers between cities without any airport check-ins.  The aircraft has strong financial backing and its maiden flight at a Munich airfield went well.  It took off vertically and then hovered over the field. All-Electric, Remote Controlled Lilium is the company's template for mass production.  The jet is for short distance travel.  Its batteries power 36 all-electric jet engines that point downward when the jet takeoffs and then swing upward to power the flight.  It can fly up to 186 mph.  And it is remotely controlled right now. Next Steps It took the company just two years to design, build and successfully test Lilium.  It now has to win certification from European and also U.S  air safety regulators to start operations.  The

New Tech Translates Tone, Cadence and Words Source:  Google AI Translatotron  Translator Google software engineers have just announced a prototype translator.  Called the Translatotron, it preserves the tone and cadence of the spoken word as it translates the speaker from one language into another. End to End AI This technology has an end to end system AI model that translates speech directly from audio input to audio output without first converting it to text.  According to the Google team, this is a much more direct translation that improves the communication and maintains the speaker's natural voice, for instance from the original Spanish to English. Starting Point Google says this is the first end to end model that can directly translate speech from one language into another language.  It also maintains the original speaker's voice in the translated speech.  They hope their experimental system will serve as a starting point for this new speech technology. 

World's Fastest Plane: New Hermeus Supersonic Aircraft Source:  Hermeus Artist Concept Money Secured by US Company to Develop the Next Generation SST This would be the fastest plane in the world. The Hermeus supersonic aircraft is designed to reach speeds up to Mach 5.  That would cut the time to travel from New York to London to 90 minutes from 7 hours.  US based aerospace company Hermeus today announced that it has the plans and the financial backing needed to develop the concept into a reality. The funding is led by Khosla Ventures. First Development Stages The firm is working on propulsion technology that would allow the plane to fly at 3800 miles per hour, which is three times the speed the Concorde performed at a decade plus ago when it retired.  The primary material for the new aircraft will be titanium and the propulsion system will be powered by a turbine based combined cycle engine.  Supersonic and hypersonic travel are the future of flight. Supersonic flight

Important Innovations Collection: Latest Travel Innovations If you're in the United Kingdom, ACX just provided us free codes for our audiobook "Important Innovations Collection:  Latest Travel Innovations".  My audiobook provides a series of news summaries on the latest travel innovations that will be changing our lives.  New modes of travel include flying cars, the hyperloop, advanced jet packs, hypersonic flight, orbiting space hotels and much more.  The book is narrated by national television journalist Maryanne Kane.  Please contact me directly at ejkane2@gmail.com if you would like a UK code to receive the book for free.

Global Inventions You'll Enjoy Latest Top New Gadgets My latest book "List of Top New Gadgets" has just been published on Kindle and Amazon.  I've made it available for free borrows in the Kindle Lending Library.  For access, go to  amazon.com/author/ekane ASIN: B07RSLHMWK   The book is a fun series of news summaries on the latest gadgets invented around the world.  These are innovations that are practical and of great use.  Fellow US television journalist Maryanne Kane is the co-author.

Climate Change Cutting Rainfall in Israel Source: Israeli Desalination Plant Desalination Solution from Sea Water Israel is building the biggest desalination plant in the world.  It is already ahead of the world with five desalination plants along the Mediterranean Sea that convert sea water into usable, drinkable water. Israel has received three bids from global companies to build and operate the world's largest desalination plant.  The plant will battle Israel's growing water shortage from Climate Change with water systems stressed as rainfall is down for five years.  The plant would supply water to 20% of Israeli households. World's Biggest Desalination Plant The world's biggest desalination plant is said by Israeli authorities to be designed to reverse osmosis technology. A seventh plant is also planned. Construction will start in 2020 and take three years to complete.   When done, the big plant will produce 200 million cubic meters of water a year in Ce

Household Gadget with Lots of Artificial Intelligence Source:  Tineco's The PURE ONE  Tineco's The PURE ONE Tineco's Smart PURE ONE S12 cordless vacuum has a suite of AI powered functions that are designed to deliver a smarter, deeper, quieter and longer vacuum cleaning.  It's the first vacuum on the market that's able to detect dust in real-time and adjust the suction pick-up function to the amount of dust.  That function is called the iLoop Dust Sensor. Cleans Up With Artificial Intelligence This vacuum is loaded with and enabled by artificial intelligence.  It has: Smart battery management to conserve energy Smart suction optimization Smart filter self-cleaning (automatically cleans the filter at shut-off) Smart noise control Smart app integration LED Display to show what work mode the vacuum is in. The vacuum was launched in China in March and has just been made available in the US. It comes in three models and is priced at $499, $599 and $6

Swedish Invention:  Multipurpose Sensor Monitors Blood & Sweat Source:  KTH Royal Institute of Technology New Health  Armband For Athletes and Patients KTH Royal Institute of Technology researchers in Stockholm, Sweden have invented a new health monitoring wearable that provides much more comprehensive overviews of the user's health.  It does so by monitoring blood and sweat.  The armband was developed partly in response to the Stockholm Marathon 2018 in which 1000 runners, 5% of the 20,000, were forced to quit because of the hot weather.  This is a multifunctional measuring device that detects a number of conditions, including dehydration during a run to renal failure during kidney failure. More Functional and More Comprehensive Health Monitoring Most wearable monitors are limited in the information they can provide.  To make the device's view more comprehensive,e KTH created multipurpose electrochemical sensors that can be embedded in a patch or clothing or depl

Alphabet and Uber Investing in European Scooter Share Market Source:  Voi 150 European Cities with e-Scooters Electric scooters are becoming the rage.  Sweden's Voi Technology plans to put thousands of scooters on the streets of Europe this summer to combat increasing scooter competition.  Voi is targeting 150 European cities.  Voi is a 9 month old "micromobility" startup and is already operating in 9 European nations and has done 2 million rides. Summer Scooters This summer, Voi is expanding into Germany, Belgium, Italy and Poland.  Germany is expected to authorize electric scooters on its streets this month.  Voi thinks Germany could be its biggest market. In Europe, there's a large commuting population and a lower amount of car ownership than in the US. US tech giants like Alphabet and Uber are investing in the European scooter market  in expectation that the rental business will boom. New Technology Voi is rolling out new technology including its

Important Innovations Collection: Latest Travel Innovations If you're in the United Kingdom, ACX just provided us free codes for our audiobook "Important Innovations Collection:  Latest Travel Innovations".  My audiobook provides a series of news summaries on the latest travel innovations that will be changing our lives.  New modes of travel include flying cars, the hyperloop, advanced jet packs, hypersonic flight, orbiting space hotels and much more.  The book is narrated by national television journalist Maryanne Kane.  Please contact me directly at ejkane2@gmail.com if you would like a UK code to receive the book for free.

Very Agile Flying Drone with Artificial Intelligence Source:  Stock Image Hovers and Turns Like a Hummingbird Purdue University researchers have developed a drone that has been taught to maneuver like a hummingbird.  It hovers and makes quick turns in flight.  It's important new technology for difficult to get to places in search and rescue and surveillance.  It can nimbly travel through the air, debris and crowded spaces.  It's enabled by artificial intelligence. Machine Learning The robotic hummingbird was trained on machine learning algorithms based on hummingbird flying techniques.  The robot is able to develop maps as it tracks and touches surfaces and doesn't need a camera.  The little robots have 3D printed bodies, wings made of carbon fibers and laser cut membranes.  They range in weight from 12 grams which is the average weight of a male, hummingbird to 1 gram, which is insect sized.  The team expects to add sensing technology like cameras and GPS to th