Daily Innovation Brief by Maryanne Kane, Journalist

 DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF

                                                                      

         By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane

MG'S SUV HECTOR GETS BIG UPGRADES

                                                                    Source:  MG

• British based automaker MG has done a major redesign and upgrade on its increasingly popular SUV, the Next G MG Hector & Hector Plus
• The large, 5 or 7 seat SUV has been equipped with highly advanced, smart technologies and cutting-edge good looks
• Hector has new, autonomous, Level 2 driving technology
• It is now equipped with all digital instrumentation, voice control commands, a 14" infotainment system display, connected exterior light bar, a big front grill with chrome diamond shapes and a very plush, contemporary interior
• The vehicle has a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder gas engine that pumps out 143 bhp and 184 ft-lbs of torque
• Top speed is 121 mph
• iSmart Technology with more than 75 connected car features
• MG remains headquartered in the UK but is China owned with production facilities in India, China and Thailand
• The MG Hector was first introduced into the India car market.

HONDA'S NEW AUTONOMOUS ROBOT AWV

                                        Source:  Honda AWV

• Honda's new robot, AWV or the Autonomous Work Vehicle, is designed to drive and move goods over tough terrain like construction sites
• The all-electric, zero-emissions AWV can drive itself, along with two pallets of goods weighing up to 2,000 pounds, without any human intervention
• Top driving speed up to 10 mph
• Battery range is 28 miles or 10 hours of power
• To navigate, AWV has a suite of sensors on its mast
• Can operate autonomously or by remote control
• Technologies include GPS, LiDAR, cameras, radar, cloud connectivity - all controlled by a tablet-based interface
• Can work in tandem with other Honda AWVs
• Honda is targeting the AWV for worksite transport and to address worker shortages
• Honda is now looking for companies to partner with and test the AWVs at their worksites
• Some of the new technologies in AWV are likely to find their way into new Honda robots and cars.

WORLD'S BIGGEST OCEAN PROTECTION TREATY IN HISTORY

Source:  Stock images

• The United Nations' High Seas Treaty will protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030
• Greenpeace calls the treaty "the biggest conservation agreement in the history of the world"
• Nearly 200 nations have signed it
• The nations are also promising to dedicate more money to develop innovative solutions to species extinction, marine conservation and biodiversity
• A key innovation being targeted is the development of pathways to establish marine sanctuaries for treaty signatories to turn their Ocean Treaty Pledge into a reality
• A key goal is to stop and reverse the accelerating extinction of ocean species
• The non-profit Pew Trust calls the agreement a "once in a generation opportunity to protect the oceans and a major win for biodiversity
• This breakthrough international agreement comes at a time when ocean heat content has hit a record high which has deleterious impacts on marine species, tides, currents, weather, hurricanes, heat waves and is a clear sign of accelerating Climate Change
• Ocean conservation is extremely important because 70% of the earth's surface is composed of oceans.