DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF by Maryanne Kane, Journalist

DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF              

By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane


NEW TYPE OF AIRSHIP FROM CO-FOUNDER OF GOOGLE




                                        Source:  LTA Research

  • Google co-founder Sergey Brin is a big fan of dirigibles and is bankrolling the development of a huge, new type of dirigible airship.  Here are some key facts:
  • Next-G, new type of airship-dirigible, developed over the past ten years by LTA (Lighter Than Air) Research in California
  • It's called Pathfinder 1
  • It's being called the world's largest aircraft
  • Has latest technologies like electric motors, lidar sensor system, fly-by-wire controls
  • Filled with non-flammable helium for lift
  • Vertical take-off and landing vehicle
  • Top speed - 75 mph
  • Hybrid propulsion system has 2, 150 Kw diesel generators with 24 batteries to power 12 electric motors
  • Just successfully flew its 1st test flight
  • Single pilot vehicle that can carry 14 people
  • Funded by billionaire Brin to achieve big breakthroughs in the old blimp technology
  • All electric
  • Longer than 3 Boeing 737's at 408' long
  • Can carry 200 tons of cargo as an alternative to cargo planes, ships and trains
  • Brin wants the Pathfinder to be used for humanitarian relief missions that are not road accessible
  • This new type of aviation doesn't require much infrastructure for takeoffs and landings
  • LTA Research is moving to Akron, Ohio, home of the Goodyear Blimp
  • Next steps:  making Pathfinder bigger and a lot more flight testing on this green airship.

A LITTLE TIPSEY? YOUR SMARTPHONE MAY SAVE THE DAY!





                                             Source:  Stock

  • Smartphones may be able to detect how drunk someone is and provide an alert that it's not safe to drive. Here's what we know:
  • Based on changes in your voice, smartphones could recognize that you've had too much to drink
  • Sensors in the phone can pick up changes in the voice
  • Scientists from Stanford University and the University of Toronto assessed 18 adult's sobriety status via sensors that could be enabled on smartphones
  • Their sensors were able to determine levels of intoxication with 98% accuracy
  • The accuracy is stunning and surprising according to lead researcher Prof. Brian Suffoletto, who used highly advanced signal processing tech, machine learning and acoustical analysis
  • The research goal is to develop a just-in-time intervention system on the smartphone to alert people that they are too intoxicated to drive
  • The team envisions combining several sensors for voice, gait and texting behavior
  • This will likely be a smartphone app with sensors to determine the level of intoxication
  • They hope to develop an intervention system that people are willing to use that will help to prevent accidents, injuries and save lives.
  • Professor Suffoletto suggests that these findings show the potential to deploy smartphones as a warning system and deterrent to prevent driving mishaps and deaths as a result of excessive drinking
  • As smartphones are so widespread in use, this innovative preventative drunk driving app could be a potential lifesaver.


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