DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF by Edward Kane

DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF

By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane

TESLA MODEL S PLAID CAN NOW HIT 200 MPH

Source: Tesla

Tesla's most powerful EV, Tesla Model S Plaid has just been made more powerful
It has a new performance Track Package that increases the top speed from the current 163 mph to 200 mph, as originally promised by Tesla CEO Elon Musk
The Tesla package also includes a brand new set of tires
Track Package costs between $15,000 and $20,000 and is on top of the current base price of $107,490 starting price
Model S Plaid is a very powerful, 4-door sedan with 3 electric motors, 1,020 hp and 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 1.9 seconds
Track Package is available for purchase next month.

KANGAROOS CAN CALCULATE ODDS

Source: University of Barcelona and Stock

I find scientific discoveries about the unknown and fantastic intellectual abilities of animals fascinating, such as parrots learning to make video calls to favorite bird friends and dogs making smart phone calls to their owners
Now, scientists have discovered that one of the tallest animals on the planet - kangaroos - are able to calculate odds or specifically determine how and when they will get their favorite treat
The research comes from scientists at the University of Barcelona and was just published in Scientific Reports
They demonstrated that giraffes can statistically calculate the odds of getting their preferred treat from their handler
The animals made the calculation based on the proportions of food in several containers in order to maximize refills of their favorite
The scientists say the giraffes showed sophisticated statistical reasoning, similar to humans
As giraffes' brains are small compared to their body size, this questions the theory that a large brain size is necessary for complex statistical skills
The scientists also think that more animal species may have statistical reasoning like that just discovered in giraffes.

NEW INTERACTIVE WAY TO MAP EARTH - GEODESIC LINES

Ever wonder when you look from the shore out across the ocean, what land is the first directly beyond the distance of your vision?
UK cartographers have devised an interactive map that answers your question by using geodesic lines, following the curvature of the Earth to pinpoint exactly what landmass is the first on your horizon
This innovative system has been developed by EsriUK and it is built around 2,000 Shore points on the UK coastline
Examples: from South Wales, by following the Earth's curvature thru geodesic lines, next sighting is Brazil
From Norfolk, you're in direct line with Russia
From Land's End, UK, you're exactly 4,559 miles directly across from the Bahamas
This interactive mapping has been created for the UK, but it appears to be of use for many coastal locations to answer your question: what is the land directly across the ocean from me?.

For more news stories like this, THE FUTURE OF FLYING

Important Innovations Collection