Daily Innovation Brief by Maryanne Kane

 Dear Viewers: We are launching a new, innovation news service on this blog called "Daily Innovation Brief".  At least one of the daily news stories will be transportation related, including new car, eVTOL and plane concepts.  The first edition of "Daily Innovation Brief" is below.  Thanks for viewing. Maryanne Kane

MCLAREN'S NEW FLAGSHIP

                                                                    Source:  McLaren
 

• Currently, the British performance automaker is developing its 750 S new supercar for unveiling this spring
• 740 hp supercar will replace the 720 S as the brand's flagship
• Powered by twin turbo 4.0-liter V8
• Big rear wing, big air vents and inside a new front dashboard with an instrument panel above the steering wheel, plus a dramatic floating infotainment system
• Sporty, elegant, aerodynamic styling
• Priced to start at $340,000 and will debut in April 2023
• Expected to be a performance dazzler.

DARPA'S NEW CRANE X-PLANE

                                                                        Source:  DARPA

• The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is developing a radically new type of aircraft
• The aircraft has no traditional moving surfaces to control it in flight
• Instead, it uses unique aviation technology that maneuvers on highly pressurized bursts of air
• The breakthrough system is called Active Flow Control
• Virginia-based Aurora Flight Sciences is developing a detailed design of the aircraft called the CRANE X-Plane
• DARPA sees the potential for this new flying approach to radically change the design, structure, performance and components of both passenger and military planes.

eVTOLs vs. HELICOPTERS

Source:  AIR ONE

• More than 200 companies are developing new flying taxis or eVTOLs
• eVTOLs have the potential to be a major disruptor of the nearly $50 billion helicopter market
• The reasons: electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicles are zero emissions, far cheaper, much more energy efficient & safer than a helicopter, because unlike a chopper they have very few moving parts
• Israel & California-based AIR is specifically targeting helicopter sales to yachts with its Air One flying taxi & partnering with the non-profit International SeaKeepers Society to get the zero-emissions word out to the global yachting community.