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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