Important Innovations

  Activesphere - Audi's Most Versatile Concept                                              Source:  Audi Activesphere Made For Those on the Move Audi has debuted its 4th and final electric concept sphere car, Activesphere, that is designed for people who love the outdoors and have a very active lifestyle.  Here are some key facts on the EV concept: All-in-one electric luxury sedan, pickup truck and off-roading EV that is Audi's most versatile concept Body of a coupe but with big, 22" wheels for significant ground clearance for off-roading EV can convert into a pickup truck as the back can become an open cargo bed 4-door crossover with a new powertrain that is designed to drive on and off-road Sits on the Premium Platform Electric powertrain or PPE that Audi is developing with fellow VW automaker Porsche, that will be deployed in 2023 Dual electric motors, 100 kWh battery, 436 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque with 372 mile range on a charge Autonomous driving as well as steering

  Wisk Aero's   4-Seat Air Taxi Going After FAA Certification                                             Source:  Wisk Aero New Form of Urban Commuting Mountain View, California-based Wisk Aero, which is financially backed by Boeing, just unveiled its 6th generation, 4-seat, autonomous air taxi.  The eVTOL is all-electric and a very sleek and smart new way to travel.  This is the design that the aerospace startup company intends to put into production and bring to market.  Wisk Aero is now seeking its FAA certification to fly passengers, along with certifications in New Zealand and elsewhere.  The company has performed more than 1600 test flights with its new air taxi.  It is clearly getting ready for take-off. Unique Autonomous Flying with Remote Human Backup The technology underpinning Wisk is highly advanced.  While the eVTOL flies autonomously without a pilot, remote human operators monitor it and are ready to take over and fly it remotely if need be.  The autonomous flying is

  Fascinating New, Self-Driving, All Electric Car                                                  Source: Volkswagen VW's Gen Travel - A Tech Showcase on Wheels Volkswagen has developed a remarkable, new, Level 5 autonomous, electric travel pod that's futuristic, wild and very cool.  Called the Gen Travel, the self-driving, all electric, pod-like vehicle is an innovative design study which VW has already produced as a prototype.  It can carry 4 passengers and the interior can be customized for the nature of each trip. For example, it can be equipped with a conference table for businesspeople to work on.  Or it can be outfitted as an entertainment center on wheels with augmented reality.  And, for those just off a red-eye flight, it offers dynamic, restful lighting and reconfigurable seats that can help induce a snooze.  The cabin is bubble-like glass designed to promote autonomous relaxation as you're driven along the road.  With its gullwing doors for easy entrance and ex

  Asahi Kasei's Automotive Initiatives                                                            Source: Asahi Kasei AKXY Concept Car Asahi Kasei, which is a diversified Japanese multinational company, has a new automotive series AKXY.  It represents an untraditional approach to building concept cars that incorporate environmental performance, automotive safety and comfort.  Their AKXY is a moving showcase of highly advanced technologies. The vehicle is autonomous, electrified and a leading-edge example of advanced personal mobility.   And for starters, the company uses engineering resin as a substitute for metal to build the vehicle and lower its weight.  The leather in the car's seats is artificial.  The vehicle's internal communications systems employ a myriad of voice processing technologies.  To put it simply, this may be one of the most technologically advanced vehicles being developed.  As such, it is fascinating and well worth learning about. More Technologies With

  New All-Road Autonomous EV Concept                                             Source: Audi Spheres Future of Premium Mobility German luxury car maker Audi, owned by VW, is rapidly expanding its lineup of electric vehicles.  It just unveiled a stunning new concept called Activesphere, which provides "maximum variability" for off and on-roading.  In essence, Activesphere is Audi's very rugged take on electric, autonomous driving.  This is Audi's 4th new Sphere EV of the past year.  Activesphere is being called a next-G all-roader.  It's a sedan/SUV-like vehicle equipped for serious off-roading.  And autonomous driving appears to be a big part of the ride.  Activesphere is the latest "Sphere" for Audi, which includes Urbansphere, Skysphere and Grandsphere.  These EVs pack significant ranges up to 466 miles on a charge. Awesome New Technologies The technologies that Audi is developing for these Sphere concepts are awesome.  Skysphere, with the push of a b

 Lincoln's   L100 - Driving with No Steering Wheel                                                       Source:  Lincoln L100 & L                              Very Futuristic, Autonomous Concept Car from Lincoln Ford's luxury car division, Lincoln, has just unveiled its futuristic, electric concept car, the L100. The fascinating vehicle pays homage to Lincoln's original luxury car of 1922 and sports some fantastic, futuristic automotive technologies.  The vehicle is fully autonomous.  The steering wheel is replaced by a "chess piece controller" that is located in a center console on the dashboard. The vehicle also has no pedals.  This is a lifestyle vehicle in which the passengers enjoy the ride and entertain or occupy themselves with advanced technologies while the car drives itself. New Technologies This concept car is a dramatic showcase of highly advanced technologies on wheels. It's a perspective on a very exciting automotive future that Lincoln is c

  Working Prototype of the Flying Tiger                                                  Source:  VW China VW's First Aircraft Design The world's largest auto maker, Volkswagen, has just unveiled its first aircraft design, in the form of a working prototype. Formally called the VMO and nicknamed the Flying Tiger, it's a state-of-the-art passenger drone prototype, designed to serve as a flying taxi to shuttle a maximum of four passengers at a time between big cities, first in China. The Flying Tiger is all electric and totally autonomous.  It's being developed by engineers, scientists and roboticists at VW China in Beijing.  VW believes that we are headed towards a world where everyone is a pilot, with or without a pilot's license.  That's the perfect fit for the self-flying drone, Flying Tiger. Tech Specs The vehicle is a state-of-the-art drone, powered by 8 rotors for vertical lift and mobility and 2 rear propellers for forward movement. It is an eVTOL (electri

  VW Is Very Serious About Urban Air Mobility                                                                                                Source: Volkswagen eVTOL Flight Tests To Start This Year Volkswagen just unveiled a flying taxi prototype that is being developed by the automaker's division in China.  VW calls it a "passenger drone".  It is fully electric, fully autonomous and takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter.  VW plans to start test flights later this year and build an upgraded prototype by the summer of 2023.  For VW, air taxis could be a significant commercial venture. The VW flying taxi prototype is called V.MO. Tech Specs  The eVTOL has ten rotors: eight for vertical lift and two for forward, horizontal flight.  VW hopes to achieve a 124-mile range on a charge.  It will be used to ferry passengers within cities such as from an office park to the airport and also to fly from city to city such as Baltimore to Washington, DC.  VW is working with s

  VR Displays Inside the Autonomous Apple Car                                    Source: Various Creative Concepts Apple Files a Significant Patent For its Long-Anticipated Car The long-awaited Apple car is likely to be windowless and fully autonomous.  Apple has filed a significant patent for a virtual reality (VR) vehicle system that would match virtual views with the real motion of the car.  So, if the car is going downhill, the VR display might show a skier gliding downhill.  VR displays would replace the car's windows, making it an Apple technology showcase on wheels.  The self-driving technology in the vehicle would need to be highly advanced and industry leading because with no windows it would be totally autonomous. Fascinating Technologies Apple has been working on its car very secretly for nearly a decade. There is no definitive word from Apple on when the car will be unveiled and what design direction they are taking.  But experts believe it will be all-electric, autonom

  VR Displays Inside the Autonomous Apple Car                                    Source: Various Creative Concepts Apple Files a Significant Patent For its Long-Anticipated Car The long-awaited Apple car is likely to be windowless and fully autonomous.  Apple has filed a significant patent for a virtual reality (VR) vehicle system that would match virtual views with the real motion of the car.  So, if the car is going downhill, the VR display might show a skier gliding downhill.  VR displays would replace the car's windows, making it an Apple technology showcase on wheels.  The self-driving technology in the vehicle would need to be highly advanced and industry leading because with no windows it would be totally autonomous. Fascinating Technologies Apple has been working on its car very secretly for nearly a decade. There is no definitive word from Apple on when the car will be unveiled and what design direction they are taking.  But experts believe it will be all-electric and auto

  Hospitality Venue 650 feet Below the Waves                                             Source:  U-Boat Worx U-Boat Worx Travel Innovation In the world of new travel vehicles, the party submarine is a first and a first in class.  Created by Dutch submersible company U-Boat Worx, the 115-foot, battery-electric powered vessel is part of the company's Under Water Entertainment Platform or UWEP.  It is designed to host parties, weddings, business conferences, exhibitions, performances, gaming and much more, including serving as an underwater restaurant or casino.  And it can be luxuriously customized to fit every occasion.  It's a unique underwater hospitality venue with massive ocean life views. Tech Specs The vessel is autonomous, can dive to 650 feet below the surface and can run nonstop on its electric battery power for 24 hours.  It recharges and gets restocked for the next venue in port or at a floating dock.  The UWEP can accommodate 120 guests, along with the crew, and off

  Autonomous Cyber Lounge for Commuting                                                                      Source:  Audi Urbansphere EV, Self-driving, Futuristic and More For most, Audi is at the very top of the list as a global leader in automotive innovation and its latest new concept car served to validate it.  The Audi Urbansphere breaks the automotive mold as an all-electric, autonomous vehicle that offers luxury, lifestyle, cyber-lounging and more to commute-weary travelers.  It has more cabin space than any Audi before.  And it is the third in a series of stunning and visionary Audi Sphere concepts for the future of urban mobility.  Audi Spheres The Urbansphere is a six-seat EV designed to be a mobile office, living space or cyber lounge for big city commuters to start enjoying, utilizing and profiting from their time in traffic jams.  It is basically a very technologically advanced, electric, self-driving, luxurious, big minivan.  The two previous Sphere concepts are the Skys