Important Innovations Collection

FAA Approves Small Drones Flying Over People & At Night                                                      Source:  Amazon Opens the Way to Widespread Commercial Drone Deliveries The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has just approved small drones flying over people and at night.  This regulatory clearance is viewed as enabling the start of widespread commercial drone package deliveries in the US.  For companies like Amazon, Walmart and UPS, this is a long-awaited decision and a big business opportunity.  Until now, drones have been restricted to very limited operations involving direct participants and required FAA clearance and waivers for more public exposure, such as testing drone package deliveries in specific neighborhoods. Security Issues The FAA is addressing security concerns by requiring re...

Amazon Buys Autonomous Mobility Startup Zoox Source:  Zoox Amazon Moving People and Packages Amazon has purchased self-driving startup Zoox of Foster City, CA for more than $1.2 billion.  It's the e-commerce giant's biggest investment yet in the self-driving, autonomous category.  And, it's the second biggest acquisition that Amazon has ever made after purchasing Whole Foods.  This catapults Amazon into potentially another new business category.  It may not be just moving packages but also people.  Zoox's expertise is designing a world-class autonomous ride-hailing service, also known as RoboTaxis. Zoox's Approach Zoox's approach to self-driving is different.  It's not retrofitting existing cars with self-driving technology.  It's developing a whole new, purposed, self-driving vehicle with no steering wheels that can move in any direction.  Some analysts say that Zoox's innovative technology is impressive.  Adding Amazon into ...

Plans for Ford Autonomous Vehicles with Digit Robots Delivering Packages Source:  Agility Robotics Ford Purchases Digits Digit is a 5 foot tall, 2-legged robot invented by Agility Robotics.  Digit walked around the 2020 CES trade show in Las Vegas this week taking bows.  It should be proud of itself. Ford became the first customer to purchase Digits and it has big plans for them. AV + Digit Plans Ford says the initial plans is to deploy Digits for research and development.  But the goal is to employ Digits as part of a new package-delivery service driven by Ford autonomous vehicle.  Digits would be on board to deliver the package to the owner's door. Agility Robotics Agility Robotics was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Albany, Oregon.  It makes advanced bi-pedal robots with human-like capabilities for diverse markets including logistics/delivery, telepresence and automated inspections.  The company says it will start delivering D...

Soft Bodied Stair Climbers Source:  Amoeba Energy AE-01 AE-01 to Deliver Packages to Your Door A team at Amoeba Energy in Japan has created a soft treaded robot that's able to climb any type of stairs.  The tracks on the robot are made of a soft material (EPDM) that can change form to climb stairs.  The robot is covered in foam to make sure it doesn't hurt humans.  It's designed to carry and deliver packages and other loads like luggage. Amoeba Inspired The soft bodied robot was inspired by amoebas that deform their soft bodies to survive and adjust to various environments.   The robot, called AE-01, can deform, climb and carry loads.  Amoeba Energy says soft-bodied robots are reshaping the future of mobility.  AE-01 has tested very well.  The company is now developing a commercial version.  They hope to put it into package delivery service and as a helper in your home to do the heavy lifting very soon.  For a free Kindle bor...