Important Innovations Collection

Slovakia's AirCar Takes First Intercity Flight                                                  Source:  KleinVision A Flying Car That Drives and Flies Slovakia's Klein Vision has made flying car history.  Its AirCar, a combination car and aircraft, has completed its first intercity flight in Slovakia.  The flight lasted 35 minutes.  Within two minutes and 15 seconds of landing, it converted into a sportscar and drove to Bratislava, Slovakia -- the destination in its journey from Nitra, Slovakia. Tech Specs The AirCar Prototype 1 is the invention of University of Munster Professor Stefan Klein and has been developed by his company Klein Vision.  Prototype 1 has a 160 horsepower fixed propeller engine and Prototype 2 will have a 300 horsepower engine.  AirCar has a range of 621 miles.  Top air speeds are 186 mph.  The aircraft can fly up to 600 miles at an altitude of 8,200 feet.  It runs on gasoline. Available to Buy in the Next Year The AirCar can be purchased within 12 months

Hoga - a Mini Electric Car for $6,500                                            Source:  Do It Yourself Hoga New Travel Concept, Fresh Design Hoga is an intriguing new, electric car design that buyers assemble for themselves. It is the innovative idea of Los Angeles transportation designer Ryan Schlotthauer, inspired by an imagined, hypothetical collaboration between Renault and Ikea.  The designer says it combines Ikea's design philosophy and Renault's mobility program. Hoga is a modular, ultra mini, all-electric sustainable car that is priced at $6,500.  It's designed to be assembled like a piece of furniture from Ikea. It aims to be "clever, low cost and sustainable" with no compromises on passenger safety, easy usage and spacious, usable interior spaces. Ultimate Kit Car Hoga is the ultimate kit car.  It would ship in a box like a piece of Ikea furniture for assembly.   The vehicle is ultra compact - just 2.23 meters in length.  It can be a two seater or is c

  MIT Zero Emissions Water Taxis to Be Deployed in Amsterdam Source:  MIT C-SAIL Innovative Water Shuttles for Amsterdam Canals From the world famous MIT C-SAIL a team of engineers and roboticists have created the Roboat, a robotic boat that uses the same autonomous, electric self-driving technology for cars but adapted for the water. Their adaptation is extremely innovative and it is soon to be launched as a water taxi service for Amsterdam commuters, pending governmental approvals. Small autonomous electric boat shuttles, spun off from a larger scale version of this innovative technology, are about to cruise on Amsterdam's famous canals to transport people and goods.  This will be the world's first fleet of autonomous water vessels to service a city.  It is a collaboration between MIT and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions that is paving the way for new travel solutions - water transit solutions in congested cities.  MIT Innovation This robotic water

e-VTOL Flying RV: New Travel Concept                                             Source: Polestar Air.V Future of Recreational Vehicles that Can Fly This new travel concept, the Polestar Air.V Flying RV, is a look at the future of travel vehicles for personal use involving a flying recreational vehicle.  The Polestar Air.V is part RV and part helicopter.  It's an e-VTOL that is unique in that it lifts into the air an RV, which, of course, is much heavier than a car.  Polestar Air.V takes off and lands like a helicopter.  For many, in this time of pandemics, this would be the ultimate way to travel in order to avoid planes, trains and hotels and potential exposure to COVID. Unique Automotive Design Consider the possibilities of this unique concept vehicle which is the creation of automotive design expert Marcelo Aguiar, who calls it a design exercise.  You and your family fly to your destination in the Polestar Air.V and bypass public travel modes.  As an e-VTOL it takes off like a

LIDAR Standard Equipment in Electric XC90 SUV in 2022                             Source:  Volvo & Luminar Technologies                    Volvo's Long Standing Commitment to Life Saving Technologies Sweden based Volvo, now owned by China's Geeley, has a long history of being the first with life saving automotive technologies.  It was the first automaker to make side impact airbags standard equipment.  It was also the first to make 3 point seatbelts standard.  Now, it is the first to make LIDAR sensors standard, no extra cost equipment, starting with its next generation electric XC90 SUV in 2022.  This is a major commitment by Volvo to automated and autonomous driving.  LIDAR uses laser light pulses to provide precise images of the environment surrounding the car to avoid obstacles, pedestrians, other vehicles and potential collisions. The LIDAR is embedded into the roofline of the vehicle as seen in the above image. Strategic Safe Driving Decision The decision to include L

Project Dojo                                             Source:  Tesla World's 5th Most Powerful Supercomputer  Many automotive experts consider Tesla to be the global leader in autonomous driving. Tesla is now using the world's 5th most powerful supercomputer to help train its vehicles to drive autonomously.  The AI supercomputer system is called Dojo.  Right now, humans and computers at Tesla are training its self driving neural network and Dojo is crunching the driving data that Tesla is getting from its network of customers on the road.  Dojo is automating the process.  Tesla plans to replace the radar, LIDAR sensors and camera combination it has used to navigate its self-driving vehicles with a vision-only system using cameras and Dojo hosting a neural network.  CEO Elon Musk says vision is more precise and far faster than radar and LIDAR. Tech Specs Dojo is impressive.  It has 5,760 GPUs delivering 1.8 EFLOPS, 10 Petabytes of "hot tier" NVME storage and 640 ter

 Space Balloons For a Leisurely Space Visit Source:  Space Perspective Space Trip With No Rockets & No Rocket Fuel Space Perspective, a human space flight company based in Cape Canaveral, Florida, is offering a unique space adventure.  Luxury balloon trips to 20 miles above the Earth into the stratosphere. There are no rockets and no rocket fuel involved.  The company says it is a safer and smoother way to experience the edges of space.  In fact, the approach is completely different from a rocket flight.  The space craft takes off at a leisurely pace of 12 mph.  A huge hot air balloon gently carries the passenger capsule aloft into the upper atmosphere and then gently returns it for a splashdown in the ocean, according to the company. Passenger Tickets to Space Space Perspective has started selling tickets for the first trip in late 2024 aboard the Spaceship Neptune.  It's a hot air balloon type space vehicle that gets lift from hydrogen.  The company is taking $1,000 deposits

Vision Mercedes Maybach 6 Stars in New Warner Brothers Movie "The Flash" `                                                  Source:  Mercedes It's Batman's Car A fabulous looking Mercedes 2017 concept car, the Vision Mercedes Maybach 6, has been spotted on a movie set for the upcoming DC Comics superhero movie, "The Flash".  It's Batman's car driven by actor Michael Keaton, who is playing Batman/billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne again after a thirty year hiatus.  Warner Brothers recently was shooting scenes for the movie outside of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.  Batman's daily drive is the stunning Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 concept car and it has tremendous star quality. Magnificent Concept Now a Movie Reality The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is an outstanding piece of automotive vision and technological expertise.  The vehicle is 20 feet long and has a magnificent, sleek Art Deco inspired body. The interior of the vehicle is like that of a spac

Hyundai Completes Acquisition of Leading Robot Developer Boston Dynamics                                Source:  Hyundai & Boston Dynamics Synergies of Robotics and Automakers Hyundai Motor Group has completed its acquisition of Boston Dynamics, a world leader in developing agile, mobile robots such as Spot the robodog.  Boston Dynamics was valued at $1.1 billion with Hyundai having an 80% stake and SoftBank owning 20%.  The question is why would a global automaker buy a robotics company?  The answer:  Hyundai is going into robotics in multidimensional ways, including autonomous cars, urban air mobility vehicles and robots. Robotic Value Chain Hyundai says that it and Boston Dynamics will create a robotic value chain for everything from robot component manufacturing to smart logistics solutions.  Hyundai already has significant internal robotic expertise including factory automation, wearable exoskeletons to protect and strengthen workers and a service robot that performs hotel dut

Seagliders at 180 mph Skimming the Waves                   Source:  Brittany Ferries Seaglider Artist Rendering Crossing the English Channel in 40 minutes UK ferry operator Brittany Ferries is collaborating with Boston startup Regent Craft to develop a zero emissions, electric, super fast ferry that skims above the waves like a hydrofoil.  The Seaglider electric ferry is a battery powered craft that is part plane and part ship.  It's a regional, electric, ground effect, nautical transport (Regent) vehicle.  It could reduce the time it takes to cross the English Channel between Portsmouth, England and Cherbourg, France from 8 hours by conventional ferry to 40 minutes.  The Seaglider is being developed to reach speeds of 180 mph, carry up to 150 passengers and is expected to launch in 2028.  Smaller versions will launch as soon as 2025. Awesome New Travel Technology Seaglider technology is similar to that of a hovercraft and  a hydrofoil.  It incorporates wing-in-ground effect techno

Breakthrough Concept Cars 2020's by Edward Kane Smart Devices For the 2020's by Edward Kane   As part of Amazon's annual Prime Day, Amazon has deeply discounted two of my recent books on new innovations: "Smart Devices for the 2020's" is discounted 92% to $.99 until 11AM EDT 6/23/2021   https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08B6ZV13M&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_DQRFX6AYNGH3K9YMBZA2 "Breakthrough Concept Cars 2020's" is discounted 70% to $2.99 until 11AM 6/22/2021 https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08YTGFCG2&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_E9XRV5TGCY93WG192SKQ The books provide executive briefings and great images of the latest in innovation. ... ...

Porsche Setting Up JV With Germany Battery Maker                                             Source:  Porsche EV's Faster, Less Expensive Batteries for More Affordable Electric Vehicles Porsche, which is VW's luxury sports car division, announced today that it is setting up a JV with German battery company Customcells, that specializes in lithium ion cells, to produce high performance, game changing batteries for electric vehicles.  The batteries will have higher energy density than the prototypes being used in Porsche's current lineup of electric cars.  The new battery will cut charging times and decrease the amount of raw materials needed to attain the same driving range. That will reduce battery production costs and make electric cars less expensive and more affordable for greater numbers of drivers. E-Dynamics European car makers are rolling out more electric vehicles to meet stricter emissions standards in Europe and globally.  Simultaneously they want to reduce their

Alauda Aeronautics Airspeeder Mk3                                                  Source:  Alauda First Unmanned Flights for Flying Race Car Alauda Aeronautics' Airspeeder Mk3 - a flying race car - has just successfully completed its first, unmanned test flights over the South Australia desert.  The flying car is a spectacular piece of technology, inspired by Formula One race cars dating back to the 1950's and 1060's.  It's an all electric, 13 feet long, octocopter e-VTOL, that vertically takes off and lands like a helicopter.  Alauda is building at least ten Airspeeders, which will participate in the world's first flying race car races later this year. Cutting Edge Flying Car Technologies Airspeeder is powered by a lithium polymer battery that delivers fifteen minutes of flying time.  The flying car weighs 287 pounds.  It delivers incredible speed - up to 155 mph - and has tremendous power and agility. It accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds. For collision

BMW i Hydrogen Next Source:  BMW i Hydrogen Next Sustainable Driving BMW has started road testing its hydrogen fuel cell car in "everyday conditions" on European roads.  The vehicle is called the BMW i Hydrogen Next.  It is all electric and uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in the fuel cell.  The vehicle has a hydrogen fuel cell drive train.  BMW believes that hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to "supplement internal combustion engines, plug in hybrid systems and battery electric vehicles within BMW's flexible drive train strategy."  They are betting on this new, developing technology. Very Extensive Road Testing The hydrogen vehicle is being tested for safety, efficiency and reliability.  BMW will determine how effectively the CO2-free drive train, model-specific chassis technology and the car's electronic system work together in real world travel circumstances.  If all goes well, BMW will produce a small series, hydrogen

GM Is Pouring Billions of Extra Dollars into EVs, AVs, Fuel Cells & Battery Plants               Source: GM Electric Hummer & Self-Driving Cruise CEO Mary Barra's Electric & Autonomous Road GM is pouring billions of extra dollars into electric and autonomous vehicles.  The company is increasing spending by 75% or $35 billion by 2025.  CEO Mary Barra's goal is to build and sell 1 million electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025. These developments have just been disclosed. The $35 billion will also be used to build an additional two US battery plants on top of the two previously announced.  CEO Barra said that GM is aggressively investing in a "comprehensive and highly integrated plan to make sure that GM leads in all aspects of the transformation to a more sustainable future".  The investments are across a range of new technologies including EVs, autonomous vehicles (AVs), battery plants and GM's Hydrotec hydrogen fuel-cell system. GM Will Have All Electric Mod

Flying Car Development is Accelerating                                                               Source:  Hyundai Flying Taxi Concepts & Port Hyundai Sees Flying Taxi Commercialization in US By 2025 GM and Hyundai are accelerating their development of flying cars. South Korea automaker Hyundai believes it could have an air taxi service operational within four years and possibly before 2025.  GM believes its air taxi service will be up and running by 2030 because of technical and regulatory issues that the entire industry needs to address.  There are a growing number of developers in the field ranging from startups to global airplane makers like Airbus.  The flying cars under development are largely eVTOLs or electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.  They take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a plane.  They are powered by electric batteries with zero emissions. Hyundai in aTake Off Mode Hyundai says it is already ahead of schedule to roll out air mobility vehi

Pilot Programs Starting in Houston                                                  Source:  Nuro Race to Cut Package Delivery Costs by Robotics FedEx and robotics/autonomous delivery startup Nuro of Silicon Valley, CA just announced a multi-year deal to test autonomous delivery vehicles for the FedEx delivery network.  The pilot program will start in Houston, where Nuro's low speed, unmanned R2 vehicles are already making deliveries for Domino Pizza and Kroger supermarkets.  FedEx says it will start sending vehicles for late night pickups in remote areas.  The aim of the partnership is to test and deploy Nuro's next generation autonomous delivery vehicles on a large scale basis.  The next G Nuro is all electric, low speed and self-driving with no space for humans only cargo. Race to Cut Costs Parcel delivery companies are racing to find ways to cut the cost of package deliveries.  UPS is experimenting with drone deliveries.  Freight and logistics companies are experimenting wi

 Archer Aviation's Maker                                                                      Source:  Archer Aviation All Electric Flying Taxi Rides California based Archer Aviation has become the latest entrant in the very hot, eVTOL, flying taxi, global market.  Archer just debuted its all electric, flying taxi Maker, which already has landed a huge, $1 billion order from United Airlines.  The interest in vehicles that are zero emissions, take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a plane is rapidly accelerating.  Investors and aviation companies are chasing after a piece of the action.  In particular, aviation companies are seeking new urban air mobility markets while facing intense pressure from regulators and the public to decarbonize their operations through battery powered electric flying vehicles.  The flying taxi market is valued in the billions of dollars and presents a prime opportunity. Tech Specs Maker is a piloted, 4 passenger vehicle that is in the certificati

It's the Most Fuel Efficient Pickup on the Market                                                  Source:  Ford Under $20,000 Starting Price & It's a Hybrid Ford has a very interesting new pickup just entering the market.   It's the new Maverick pickup.  Ford calls it their smallest and most fuel efficient pickup.  The vehicle has a hybrid powertrain that provides 40 mph and 37 mph combined, which makes it the most fuel efficient pickup on the market today.  The pickup has the capacity to haul 1,500 pounds and to tow 2,000 pounds.  The starting price is $19,995.00.  The range on a tank of gas is 500 miles. Unique Pickup with Interesting Features The pickup truck's rear loading bed is unique.  Ford calls it the All New Ford Maverick FLEXBED. For the owner, it is customizable to their needs.  Ford has built slots into the sides of the truck's bed.  2x4's and 2x6's can be dropped in to create unique spaces like raised platforms, bike platforms and storage

Urban Air Taxis Becoming a Reality                                             Source:  Vertical Aerospace Vertical Aerospace of  the UK UK flying taxi company Vertical Aerospace just announced that it has pre-orders for up to 1,000 of its zero emissions VA-X4 flying taxis from American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Avolon.  Also, Microsoft is providing the company with backing.  The pre-orders are worth $4 billion.  The electric flying taxi prototype is now in production with the first test flight slated for later this year. Tech Specs The e-VTOL takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter.  It can hit speeds of 202 mph and has a range of more than 100 miles.  VA-X4 is nearly silent during flight. It carries 4 passengers and a pilot. American Airlines has pre-ordered 250 vehicles with an option to purchase 100 more.  Dublin-based aircraft leasing company Avolon has preorders and options for 500 and Virgin Atlantic has a pre-order for 150 vehicles.  Pre-orders are conditional on c

Revolutionary New Battery                                             Source:  Prototype e-VTOLs Energy Dense, Rapid Recharge, Burst of Power Engineers at Penn State University have designed a battery prototype that they say is capable of powering flying cars.  The battery is specifically designed for e-VTOLs which take off and land vertically like a helicopter.  The battery has to deliver a lot of power very quickly to get a flying car off the ground.  The vehicles also require high energy density to keep flying.  And, the recharge needs to be quick because the main use of e-VTOLs is expected to be as flying taxis for commuters with frequent takeoffs and landings.  The Penn State team says their breakthrough battery can accomplish all of those requirements. Prototype Successfully Tested The Penn State team has successfully tested the performance of a pair of energy dense lithium ion batteries capable of delivering the power needed for a 50 mile, 5 to 10 minute e-VTOL flight. To preven