Important Innovations Collection

2023 Ford Ranger Raptor                                                  Source:  Ford Mid-Sized Off-Roading Truck with 392 hp The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor with 392 hp is coming to the US and going on sale in 2023.  It will also be launched in Europe with 284 hp in late 2022. The US version will likely have some additional adaptations over the global version. The Ranger Raptor has a powertrain similar to that of the Branco Raptor.  The US model will have a twin turbo 3.0 liter EcoBoost V6 engine that will deliver 392 hp and 430 pound-feet of torque. The European version has been tuned to deliver 284 hp and 362 pound-feet of torque. More Tech Specs Both the US and the European twin turbo engine versions are coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission.  There are 33" BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires.  The vehicle has seven different drive modes, a new suspension system with Fox 2.5-inch live valve internal bypass shock absorbers and an electronically controlled exhaust system tha

Candela's Electric Hydrofoil Speedboats                                                                           Source:  Candela Boating That's Good For the Environment Stockholm-based Candela has developed an electric hydrofoil speedboat that is a technological wonder.  It glides above the water's surface in a silent, environmentally safe and zero emissions way.  Unlike gas powered boats, there are no pollutants contaminating pristine waterways and their surrounding ecosystems. The company is expanding internationally and just signed a partnership in New Zealand with Next Generation Boats to sell its innovative e-boats there.  The island nation has one of the highest per capital uses of boats in the world and a large number of pristine harbors, lakes and estuaries, which are just the types of water environments that Candela is designed to protect. Highly Advanced Foil Technology Candela's electric hydrofoil speedboats are low impact and ecofriendly.  The Candela C-7

Embraer's Eve Has Order Backlog of 1,785 eVTOLs                                        Source:  Embraer's Eve Green, Zero Emissions Urban Air Mobility Brazil's aviation giant Embraer has a very hot eVTOL flying taxi subsidiary, Eve Urban Air Mobility, which is doing record business.  Eve, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, has an order backlog of 1,785 eVTOLs or electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.  That big backlog amounts to $5.4 billion in flying taxi orders.  And, at the 2022 Singapore Air Show, the backlog got bigger.  Eve has signed a number of new deals to make its eVTOLs operational in Australia by 2025.  Western Australia air charter companies Aviair and Helispirit, which specialize in scenic charter flights, have ordered 50 Eve eVTOLs.  Melbourne based helicopter company Microflite ordered 40 Eve eVTOLs.  Recently, Sydney Seaplanes ordered 50 Eve eVTOLs.  And Nautilus ordered 10 Eve eVTOLs for tourist flights over the Great Barrier Reef.  Eve UAM say

Yerka's Theft Proof Bikes                                        Source:  Yerka Bikes Yerka V3's Total Frame is the Lock Yerka Bikes, based in Santiago, Chile, has invented a third generation "theft-proof" bike.  This bike literally locks itself down when you apply your key to its lock.  Bike thefts are a major problem around the world.  In the case of the Yerka V3, the thief has to destroy the bike in order to steal it, making it totally unusable.  The total bike is the locking system. It goes into a lockdown mode to prevent it from being stolen. World of Stolen Bikes In Europe alone, one bike is stolen every four minutes.  Multiply that across the planet.  Thieves are able to saw through u-locks or chain lock techniques to steal the bike and leave the bike owner behind high and dry.  If a thief tries to saw through the Yerka 3, they are left with a bike that is absolutely useless.  Even the tires can't be stolen. How Does This Technology Work? The bike needs to

US-Based MagniX and Brazil's Desaer Partner on Electric Aircraft                                             Source:  Desaer and MagniX E-Plane Uses Significantly Less Fuel With Reduced Emissions An important, global partnership has been announced in the development of electric powered aircraft.  Everett, Washington based MagniX and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Desaer have formed a partnership to develop a hybrid electric plane for regional commuting.  The plane will be an electric hybrid version of Desaer's ATL-100 regional aircraft.  The hybrid electric propulsion system is being developed by MagniX.  The environmental importance of this new aviation technology is significant.  The companies say the new plane will operate with 25 to 40% less fuel consumption depending on the range. Big Fuel and Emissions Savings The new hybrid-electric plane will be good for the environment.  Called the ATL-100H, the aircraft will be powered by two MagniX 350 electric propulsion engine sys

Hybrid Electric Luxury SUV                                       Source: Stock - Ferrari's Purosangue Ferrari Joins the Luxury SUV Business Italian-based, luxury sports car maker Ferrari is building its first SUV - the hybrid electric Purosangue.  Deliveries to customers will start in 2023.  The EV is currently undergoing road testing in Europe.  These are the first unobscured images of the vehicle without camouflage.  Clearly, the Purosangue, which is Italian for thoroughbred, is stunning. What We Know Ferrari has closely kept the wraps on this new vehicle.  But it is a 4 door, sleek, long and low riding SUV.  It has a long front, a slopping roof and long, curvy hood and sides.  The rear sports a full length lightbar that connects to two sets of taillights and a tailgate.  Ferrari has not disclosed technical details yet.  But it is expected that the vehicle will be offered with an 800 hp V-12 and a V-6 hybrid electric powertrain.  It may also be available as a turbocharged V-8 gas

Sir Richard Branson Building Flying Taxi Fleet From UK's Vertical Aerospace                                                                           Source:  Vertical Aerospace Branson's Plans for Flying Taxis Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson is looking to expand his fleet of aircraft and spacecraft.  He is investing in the UK air taxi company Vertical Aerospace and is planning on buying a fleet of their air taxis. The air taxis are a strategic addition to his Virgin Atlantic aircraft and his Virgin Galactic spacecraft.  Branson has entered into a partnership with Vertical Aerospace to purchase 150 flying taxi eVTOLS, which are electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. Entrepreneur Branson, whose expertise is aviation and aerospace, provides a ringing endorsement to the future of eVTOL, flying taxi travel. Technical Details on the eVTOL VA-X4 The flying taxis that Branson is purchasing are the VA-X4.  Vertical Aerospace was founded and is run by the highly suc

VW ID. Buzz Recaptures Essence of Original VW Bus                                        Source:  VW ID.Buzz Lots of Buzz About This Concept Volkswagen is ready to unveil its much-anticipated electric, microbus vehicle.  It's called the VW ID. Buzz.  The official unveiling of the electric production version of the concept, that was first shown five years ago, will happen in about two weeks for the European version of the Buzz.  Production starts this coming summer, and it launches for sale in Europe in the fall.  It will be offered in Europe as both passenger and cargo models on what Volkswagen calls a short-wheelbase chassis of 2988 mm (9.8 feet).  In 2023, a longer model with three rows of seats will be sold in the US. Tech Specs An electric motor in the rear of the microbus cranks a peak output of 201 hp. (150 kilowatts).  A lithium-ion battery of 77 kWh stores the electric energy. There are indications that VW may add a more powerful dual motor version. Buzz is built on the Mod

Big Global Flying Taxi Partnership: ANA, Joby Aviation & Toyota                                             Source:  Joby Aviation Electric, eVTOL Air Commuting for Japan There's a big, global development in the deployment of flying taxis. Japan's ANA - All Nippon Airways - and California-based flying taxi company Joby Aviation have formed a partnership to bring electric, vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) to Japan to serve as a network of ride-sharing, flying taxis for commuters.  Automaker Toyota is also a major partner in this endeavor and will focus on transport connections on the ground.  With the global stature of the members of this partnership, it has all the appearances of a game-changing deal for the deployment of flying taxis. The Japanese Market for Flying Taxis The Japanese market is fertile for flying taxis.  92% of the Japanese population live in cities. Some like Tokyo are among the most congested in the world.  The first deployment of the Joby

 Aerospace Giant Invests a Further $450 Million in Wisk Aero                                                  Source:  Wisk Aero Autonomous Air Taxi Travel Silicon Valley, California-based air taxi startup Wisk Aero has raised $450 million from Boeing to build an air taxi flee, capable of 10 million flights per year.  Wisk has developed an electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle that is capable of autonomous, pilot-less flying and can carry 2 passengers.  Wisk Aero is owned by Boeing and Google co-founder Larry Page's flying car company Kitty Hawk.  There are more than a dozen, major flying car companies globally.  But what distinguishes Wisk is its focus on autonomous flying vehicles.  The company says that autonomous functionality is being built into every aspect of the design and development of its 5th-generation Wisk Cora eVTOL. Cora Tech Specs Boeing says Cora will be the first autonomous, passenger air taxi certified for flying in the US.  Certification is tar

 eVTOL Successfully Take-offs, Lands, Transitions to Forward Flight                                                  Source: AutoFlight Chinese Company Seeks Certification to Fly Passengers Shanghai-based aviation company AutoFlight has unveiled a very impressive electric Vertical Take Off & Landing (eVTOL) air taxi.  It's called Prosperity 1.  This new eVTOL has successfully demonstrated vertical takeoffs, the transition to rear propulsion for forward flight and switching back to its top propellers for vertical landings.  It is a significant contender in the rapidly accelerating world of flying taxis.  AutoFlight has a portfolio of successfully launched planes and several eVTOLs, including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in mass production - the autonomous V50 White Shark. Tech Specs Prosperity 1 is autonomous, electric and very recently demonstrated its technical capabilities during a test flight in China.  It flew at speeds of 123 mph and hit an altitude of nearly 500 feet.

Vehicle Flies Over the Surface of Water and Land                                                  Source:  VonMercier VonMercier's Arosa Unique Travel Adventure  A remarkable new piece of travel technology has just been revealed.  VonMercier Hovercraft of Rockford, Illinois has unveiled a top-of-the-line, electric, luxury sports hovercraft that flies over the surface of water, land and other types of terrain at speeds up to 60 mph.  It combines cutting edge electric vehicle technologies with cutting edge hovercraft technologies.  Called the Arosa, it is the world's first sports luxury hovercraft.  And it's not just on the drawing board.  You can buy it this summer for $100,000 or more with customization.  It is a unique, new, travel vehicle adventure for flying just above the surface of water or land. Tech Specs This is the world's fastest hovercraft with a top speed of 60 mph and a range of 120 miles when going at 40 mph. It travels on a cushion of air 7 inches above t

World's Largest Amphibious Plane                                                  Source:  China China's Breakthrough Aviation Innovation China is developing the world's largest amphibious plane - the AG 600 - that literally skis on water.  This aircraft is both strategically and technologically significant.  Geopolitically, it will extend China's maritime coverage throughout the entire South China Sea. That is one of the richest fishing areas with untapped oil and natural gas reserves that other nations, including the US, are attempting to preserve and protect the rights of nearby island nations. It is also breakthrough aviation technology that combines a huge aircraft with a huge boat.  It is 121 feet long with a 128-foot wingspan.  It has already successfully undergone 100 hours of scientific flight testing and is about to undergo more flight tests. Aviation History When deployed, the AG 600 will make aviation history as the world's largest amphibious aircraft. 

Unique, High-Speed Design                                                  Source: Odys Aviation Hybrid E-Plane, Wing Configuration of Rotors For Vertical Takeoffs/Landings & Forward Thrust Long Beach, California-based aircraft startup Odys Aviation is developing a hybrid electric, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) for regional commuting, like NYC to DC or LA to San Francisco.  The company just raised $12.4 million in seed money from a prominent group of backers, including Giant Ventures, Uber Elevate cofounder Nikhil Goel and Cruise Automation founder Kyle Vogt to develop its unique aircraft with fast speed and long range. Revolutionizing  Regional Travel Led by co-founder and CEO James Dorris, Odys is developing an electric hybrid VTOL to revolutionize regional air commuting.  The vehicle is designed to carry 2 pilots and 9 passengers.  The speed, range and cruising altitude are impressive.  Maximum range is 1,000 miles; maximum speed is 345 mph, and the maximum cruising altitu

Stunning Zero Emissions, Electric Concept                                                       Source:  Lexus BEV Sport Is a Beauty That Could Be an Electric Gamechanger Toyota's luxury brand Lexus has unveiled a stunning new electric concept sports car.  It's part of their expanding and evolving electric lineup of vehicles for zero emissions driving. New BEVs in the pipeline include a new sedan and SUV. The eye-catching electric sports car is called the BEV (battery electric vehicle) Sport. Electric Centerpiece The BEV Sport is a centerpiece in Lexus' next-G electric vehicle lineup.  It is a low to the ground, long, 2 seat sportscar with a very smooth and elegant design.  It is fast, going from zero to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds.  The targeted range for the electric vehicle is 430 miles. It is powered by an innovative solid-state battery that Toyota is investing heavily in, not the traditional lithium-ion battery that most electric vehicles are powered by.  BEV Sports