DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF by Maryanne Kane, Journalist

 DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF 

By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane 

NEW SCIENCE:  WILD ORANGUTAN THAT SELF-MEDICATES

                                                         Source:  Suaq Foundation - Rakus

• International scientists have documented a wild orangutan in an Indonesian National Park that self-medicated and healed its wounds.  This is a world first. And it again underscores what we're learning about the astonishing intelligence of the wild creatures around us.  Here are the facts:
• Rakus, a wild male Sumatran orangutan, suffered an eye injury during a fight with a fellow orangutan in a national park in Indonesia
• Scientists documented the wild animal self-medicating the wound and he healed it within weeks
• Rakus chewed leaves of a wild medicinal plant into a paste and applied it to the eye wound
• Weeks later the wound was barely visible
• The plant is used by humans throughout Southeast Asia to treat pain and inflammation
• Rakus also applied the plant juice to a wound on his chest
• He also used the chewed plant like a bandage to cover the wound
• Such smart, strategic behavior in a wild animal has never been documented before
• Scientists from the Suaq Foundation in Indonesia and the Max Plank Institute in Germany are the authors of these findings
• Scientists are wondering if Rakus learned to do this from other orangutans or if he is simply brilliant.

WORLD'S 1ST COMMERCIAL FLYING CAR 

                                           Source:  Pivotal

• After years of promises from the flying car industry, the world's 1st commercial flying car will be delivered to customers in July in the US.  Here are the key facts:
• It's called Helix and the developer is Pivotal, based in Palo Alto, CA
• It has beaten rivals to become the world's 1st commercial flying car to hit the market
• It's a 1-seater for personal air mobility and recreation
• All-electric, vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL)
• Cost $190,000
• Does not require a license
• Manufacturer does require buyer to complete a training course before getting delivery of the vehicle
• Range on a charge of 20 miles
• Top speed is 63 mph
• Powered by 3 rotors
• Company has another flying car for 2 people powered by 12 rotors under development
• USAF is currently testing the vehicle for disaster and search & rescue use
• Globally more than 1,000 flying car concepts are under development and quite a few will be coming to market in the next year or two.

"Daily Innovation Brief"© By Edward Kane