Important Innovations

   Africa Using Solar Powered E-Bikes To Prevent Poaching                                                       Source:  CAKE e-bikes & Elephant stock image Unique Global Partnership and Program Solar powered motorbikes from Sweden are about to be deployed by anti-poaching rangers in Africa to stop poachers from killing wildlife and endangered species.  The solar powered, electric bike is called the Kalk AP and it is designed to overcome the problems African rangers face in protecting endangered species in conservation areas.  The program and the Kalk AP have been developed by an unique partnership that includes the Southern Africa Wildlife College, CAKE electric motorbikes of Sweden and Goal Zero, a portable solar panel company based in Utah. Preventing Poaching Across Africa, rangers are using motorbikes to patrol protected areas.  But the bikes run on expensive and many times inaccessible gasoline.  They are also very noisy, sounding an alarm to poachers that rangers are on thei

  Africa Using Solar Powered E-Bikes To Prevent Poaching  Source:  CAKE e-bikes & Elephant stock image Unique Partnership and Program Solar powered motorbikes from Sweden are about to be deployed by anti-poaching rangers in Africa to stop poachers from killing wildlife and endangered species.  The solar powered, electric bike is called the Kalk AP and it is designed to overcome the problems African rangers face in protecting endangered species in conservation areas.  The program and the Kalk AP have been developed by a partnership that includes the Southern Africa Wildlife College, CAKE electric motorbikes of Sweden and Goal Zero, a portable solar panel company headquartered in Utah. Preventing Poaching Across Africa, rangers are using motorbikes to patrol protected areas.  But the bikes run on expensive and many times inaccessible gasoline.  They are also very noisy, sounding an alarm to poachers that rangers are on their way.  The new Kalk AP is quiet, energy efficient and sustai

  Zipline Vaccine Deliveries by Drone                                        Source:  Zipline Potential New Remedy to Vaccine Shortages  In the business of drone deliveries, Zipline is by far the biggest player.  It has extensive experience delivering blood and vaccines by drones.  In fact, in 2020, it delivered one million doses of non-COVID-19 vaccines in Africa alone.  It is now about to tackle the difficult logistical task of delivering COVID vaccines. Vaccines Coming By Flying Drones Zipline is a 7 year old startup, headquartered in San Francisco.  It just disclosed that it is developing a COVID vaccine drone delivery system with a COVID vaccine manufacturer.  Zipline did not name the manufacturer that it's working with.  The delivery process is very complicated because many of the vaccines like those from Pfizer and Moderna need to be kept at cold temperatures or they de-nature. April Takeoffs Zipline says it will have "end to end" cold chain capabilities" in p

Spacecom Satellite Providing Vital Communications Services to Africa Source:  Spacecom AMOS-17 I srael’s AMOS-17 satellite, manufactured by Boeing, blasted into space aboard a SpaceX rocket in late October 2019.   The communications satellite is now successfully deployed and fully operational, providing advanced communications services to Africa.   AMOS-17 has provided Israel and satellite designer and operator Spacecom a triumphant return to Space, three years after a launchpad explosion destroyed another one of its satellites AMOS-6. Communications Services for Africa The demand for the communications services AMOS-17 is providing to Africa is huge.   The continent suffers from a lack of internet access infrastructure with some parts of Africa underserved or completely unconnected to any communications infrastructure.   Meanwhile demand for access is growing.   More than half of the African population is under 18 years old.   And the number

Cornell University Behavioral Biologists AI Push Source:  Central African Republic Forest Elephants Wildlife Conservation AI Innovation A team of behavioral biologists from Cornell University are working in the Central African Republic.  Their focus is forest elephants which are endangered by high levels of poaching in the world's second largest forest.  The scientists are picking up and deciphering the elusive elephants' cries and vocalizations using 50 sensors over 480 square miles. Artificial Intelligence to the Rescue Using AI deep learning, they're analyzing the huge volume of recordings and picking out 15,000 elephant calls over a 3 week period to pinpoint elephant alarm calls, warning that something is wrong.  They are also testing prototypes for real-time detection of danger such as from poachers. AI Enabling Conservation Artificial intelligence is opening up new technologies that can dramatically improve the way we study and protect wildlife.  AI revolu