Important Innovations

 D ear Viewers: We are launching a new, innovation news service on this blog called "Daily Innovation Brief".  At least one of the daily news stories will be transportation related, including new car, eVTOL and plane concepts.  The first edition of "Daily Innovation Brief" is below.  Thanks for viewing. Maryanne Kane MCLAREN'S NEW FLAGSHIP                                                                                     Source:  McLaren   Currently, the British performance automaker is developing its 750 S new supercar for unveiling this spring 740 hp supercar will replace the 720 S as the brand's flagship Powered by twin turbo 4.0-liter V8 Big rear wing, big air vents and inside a new front dashboard with an instrument panel above the steering wheel, plus a dramatic floating infotainment system Sporty, elegant, aerodynamic styling Priced to start at $340,000 and will debut in April 2023 Expected to be a performance dazzler. DARPA'S NEW CRANE X-PLANE  

  Dear Viewers: We are launching a new, innovation news service on this blog called "Daily Innovation Brief".  At least one of the daily news stories will be transportation related, including new car, eVTOL and plane concepts.  The first edition of "Daily Innovation Brief" is below.  Thanks for viewing. Maryanne Kane MCLAREN'S NEW FLAGSHIP                                                                                     Source:  McLaren   Currently, the British performance automaker is developing its 750 S new supercar for unveiling this spring 740 hp supercar will replace the 720 S as the brand's flagship Powered by twin turbo 4.0-liter V8 Big rear wing, big air vents and inside a new front dashboard with an instrument panel above the steering wheel, plus a dramatic floating infotainment system Sporty, elegant, aerodynamic styling Priced to start at $340,000 and will debut in April 2023 Expected to be a performance dazzler. DARPA'S NEW CRANE X-PLANE  

   Big Competition for $49 Billion Helicopter Industry                                                                                Source:  AIR AIR's Flying Taxis 200 companies around the world are developing eVTOLs that could prove to be big disruptors of the $49 billion helicopter industry. Flying taxi company AIR is a primary example with impressive tech: Israel and California based AIR has developed a powerful, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) with a multi-market focus, including displacing helicopters as transit to and from yachts AIR is partnering with the non-profit International SeaKeepers Society to build an air taxi business within the yachting community to ferry passengers, cargo and supplies back and forth between yachts and the shore The sales pitch:  eVTOL air taxis are safer with far fewer parts that can break down, much cheaper, emit zero emissions and operate with much greater efficiency than helicopters SeaKeepers, which is an educational o

   Big Competition for $49 Billion Helicopter Industry                                                                                Source:  AIR AIR's Flying Taxis 200 companies around the world are developing eVTOLs that could prove to be big disruptors of the $49 billion helicopter industry. Flying taxi company AIR is a primary example with impressive tech: Israel and California based AIR has developed a powerful, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) with a multi-market focus, including displacing helicopters as transit to and from yachts AIR is partnering with the non-profit International SeaKeepers Society to build an air taxi business within the yachting community to ferry passengers, cargo and supplies back and forth between yachts and the shore The sales pitch:  eVTOL air taxis are safer with far fewer parts that can break down, much cheaper, emit zero emissions and operate with much greater efficiency than helicopters SeaKeepers, which is an educational o

  Air One eVTOL Successfully Transition from Hover to Cruising                                                       Source:  Air Air Goes For FAA Approval For Israeli startup company Air, their eVTOL Air One has reached a significant milestone.  The personal flying machine has successfully transitioned from hovering to cruising.  Several months ago, it also nailed lift-off to hover.  What this means is that Air can now go after FAA certification for Air One to fly and operate in the US.  The Israeli company is now shifting most of its operations to the US to focus on achieving necessary regulatory approval to fly here.  This new urban air mobility technology is definitely in the take-off lane. It's a fully electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicle. Tech Specs Air One is designed for personal owners who want to make short flights around urban areas.  It is not intended to be a commercial flying taxi.  Nonetheless, it appears to be a significant aviation breakthrough.  The eVTO

  Air One eVTOL Successfully Transition from Hover to Cruising                                                       Source:  Air Air Goes For FAA Approval For Israeli startup company Air, their eVTOL Air One has reached a significant milestone.  The personal flying machine has successfully transitioned from hovering to cruising.  Several months ago, it also nailed lift-off to hover.  What this means is that Air can now go after FAA certification for Air One to fly and operate in the US.  The Israeli company is now shifting most of its operations to the US to focus on achieving necessary regulatory approval to fly here.  This new urban air mobility technology is definitely in the take-off lane. It's a fully electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicle. Tech Specs Air One is designed for personal owners who want to make short flights around urban areas.  It is not intended to be a commercial flying taxi.  Nonetheless, it appears to be a significant aviation breakthrough.  The eVTO

  Israel's AIR ONE eVTOL for Personal Travel                                             Source:  AIR AIR To Take Their eVTOL Commercial in 2024 Israel-based startup AIR has unveiled its first eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle) for the individual, consumer market.  It's called AIR ONE and is being termed "the sports car of the sky" with its sleek and ultra-modern design.  AIR is jumpstarting its presence in the urban air mobility market with a new partnership with Palm Beach County, FL-based Aeroauto, which has the world's first Aeromall in the Palm Beach area.  AIR is going to establish an eVTOL showroom and dealership there.  In Louisville, Kentucky, AIR recently displayed their full-scale prototype and provided the public with the opportunity to sit inside the aircraft and enjoy a virtual flight with an in-flight simulator.  AIR will hit the global marketplace in 2024 and the company is already taking pre-orders for it. Tech Specs AIR ONE is

  Israel's AIR ONE eVTOL for Personal Travel                                             Source:  AIR AIR To Take Their eVTOL Commercial in 2024 Israel-based startup AIR has unveiled its first eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle) for the individual, consumer market.  It's called AIR ONE and is being termed "the sports car of the sky" with its sleek and ultra-modern design.  AIR is jumpstarting its presence in the urban air mobility market with a new partnership with Palm Beach County, FL-based Aeroauto, which has the world's first Aeromall in the Palm Beach area.  AIR is going to establish an eVTOL showroom and dealership there.  In Louisville, Kentucky, AIR recently displayed their full-scale prototype and provided the public with the opportunity to sit inside the aircraft and enjoy a virtual flight with an in-flight simulator.  AIR will hit the global marketplace in 2024 and the company is already taking pre-orders for it. Tech Specs AIR ONE is

  Israeli Startup AIR's "Flying Car"                                                         Source:  AIR Working With FAA For US Take-off Israeli startup AIR has revealed a 2 seat, electric "flying car" eVTOL designed for personal travel and recreation. The revolutionary new flying machine is called Air One. With collapsible wings and retractable landing gear, it can fit in a garage, so there's no need to rent hanger space. AIR hopes to start selling the personal, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) directly into the individual consumer market, primarily in the US, by 2024.  The company has smartly jumpstarted the process by working directly with the FAA for two years on licensing and regulations to ensure that it is safe and legal.  AIR says that it expects to be cleared for takeoff by the FAA by the end of 2023. Cutting Edge Aviation Software With a maximum speed of 150 mph and a flying range of 110 miles, the Air One is equipped with a

  Israeli Startup AIR's "Flying Car"                                                                                     Source:  AIR Working With FAA For US Takeoffs Israeli startup AIR has revealed a 2 seat, electric "flying car" eVTOL designed for personal travel and recreation. The revolutionary new flying machine is called Air One. With collapsible wings and retractable landing gear, it can fit in a garage, so there's no need to rent hanger space. AIR hopes to start selling the personal, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) directly into the individual consumer market, primarily in the US, by 2024.  The company has smartly jumpstarted the process by working directly with the FAA for two years on licensing and regulations to ensure that the vehicles are safe and legal.  AIR says that it expects to be cleared for takeoff by the FAA by the end of 2023. Cutting Edge Aviation Software With a maximum speed of 150 mph and a flying range of 110

New DARPA Challenge for Artificial Intelligence in Close Combat Source: DARPA AI Powered Aircraft Dogfighting This is an intriguing use for Artificial intelligence.  Split second AI decision making in 1-on-1, air to air combat to free up pilots for the bigger combat decisions beyond a 1-on-1 dogfight.  The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA just started a program to develop such an advanced AI system to give the US military an overwhelming technological advantage. Manned and Unmanned Platforms This is a case of manned and unmanned platforms in combat flights working side by side.  The human pilots need to have total confidence in the autonomous system.  That's a key part of this new DARPA project.  They want pilots to totally trust these unmanned, autonomous systems fighting right along side of them.  They call it ACE, the Aerial Combat Evolution program. A programmer's day kicks off on May 17, 2019

Environmental Wake-Up Call: New Scientific Discovery in Remote Pyrenees Mountains Source: Stock Image of Pyrenees Mountains Plastic Particles Inhalable in the Air Plastic particles found in the Pyrenees Mountains suggest they are now travelling in the air.  Scientists from the Ecolab in France and the University of Strathclyde in Scotland have found them in the air in a very remote area of the Pyrenees Mountain between France and Spain.  It suggests that plastic is not just polluting the ocean but also the air we breathe. Microplastics Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic waste, produced when plastics breakdown.  Many of the fragments found by the scientists were small enough to be inhaled.  Very few people live in the remote mountainous area that they focused on indicating that the microplastics blew in with the wind from a populated area 60 miles away. Findings and  Conclusion for the Environment Over a five month period, the scientists found 365 pieces o

Small Home and Office Water Generator Source:  Watergen's GENNY GENNY By 2025, 2/3rds of the world will face drinking water shortages.  Watergen, based in Israel, says it has a solution.  GENNY is a small home and office water generator.  It can produce up to 8 gallons of clean drinking water a day from the humidity in the air. Tech for a Better World At the CES 2019, the company won the prestigious Tech for a Better World award for GENNY.  Watergen says it is revolutionizing the way water is delivered around the world by pulling it out of thin air.  Watergen is expanding operations into the US where it plans to open three manufacturing facilities.

Breathe London Project - Kids' Backpacks With Sensors Source:  Breathe London Project In London, World's Largest Air Quality Study The massive, citywide air quality study is being spearheaded by scientists at Kings College London.  It's called the Breathe London Project and schoolchildren are part of the project.  Dyson has created backpacks for 250 students that contain sensors monitoring the air they are breathing during their daily routines.  The sensors are lightweight and show when and where the children are exposed to pollution.  For a news blog with more details on the project, go to Important Innovations Collection: World's Biggest Air Quality Study - London :  Breathe London Project - Kids' Backpacks Monitoring Air Pollution Source:  Breathe London Project  State of the Art Sensors in B...

Super Sponge, Solar Powered, Water from Air Harvester Innovation from University of Texas Austin This is new, solar powered innovation to collect and clean water out of thin air.  It's a hydrogel hybrid developed by engineers at the University of Texas Austin that is powered by the sun.  One of the world's most pressing needs is clean, accessible drinking water.  This new innovation could lead to inexpensive, portable and small water collection and filtration systems.  For more details go to Important Innovations Collection: Super Sponge Absorbs Water from Air : New Hydrogel Collects & Cleans Water from Air Source:  University of Texas Austin Solar Powered Water Harvester This is new inno...

DARPA's Drone Plane for Every Military Vessel A Sea Bird Unlike Any Other The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA's TERN is one of the most stunning autonomous aircraft projects to date.  From the artist's rendering, it looks like Darth Vader will emerge.  But it's under development and prototypes are already being tested. Northrup Grumman is leading the program.  GE has developed the engines.  What TERN is capable of doing and plans for its global utilization are breakthrough technology innovation. Gamechanger:  Launches and Lands on Small Vessels From virtually any naval vessel with a deck, TERN vertically takes off and lands like a helicopter and then transitions to a wing-born flight like an airplane on a mission.  It can carry a 600 pound payload and fly 600 miles to strike a target.  85% of the Navy's battle-force doesn't have enough room on its deck to carry much more than a helicopter for air support.  Tha