Important Innovations

New Data Site for Mobility Trends Source:  Apple Mobility Trends Tracking Global Movements to Slow Spread Apple and Google are taking leading roles in using technology to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Several days ago, they announced they're jointly developing contact tracing technology through their global smartphone networks to stop the spread of the disease. 3 billion people worldwide use  their phones.  Now, Apple just  announced that it's building a site to release data, designed to help public health officials know if people are travelling less during lockdown orders. Apple Maps Apple is doing this by comparing Apple Map requests in mid-January, before the pandemic hit, with current daily requests. This documents the volumes of  people driving, walking and taking public transit in places around the world.  The data is updated daily.  It covers major cities and 63 nations. Personal Privacy

New Augmented Reality Tech with Real Time Metrics For Swimmers Source:  FORM Swim Goggles Swimming Goggles with a Smart Display This gadget is brand new innovation for serious swimmers.  The FORM Swim Goggles use augmented reality to let the swimmer know their performance data in real time. This is a swim goggle with a smart display.  Up until now, most competitive swimmers have used a display on their wrist to check metrics, which can break their stride when viewing. Bluetooth-Smartphone Enabled for Specific Data The device has a transparent projection screen that displays metrics like split time, distance, strokes and a lot more data in real-time.  The screen can be placed and viewed over either eye.  And you can select what metrics you want to see for each swimming round.  You can program the system by a Bluetooth paired Smartphone for the data you want.  It's priced at $199.00

Computing Center for Data Collection Source:  Image of BMW's Planned Center in China Partnering with Tencent BMW and Chinese gaming giant Tencent are opening a computing center in China to gather and process the data generated by self-driving cars on China's roads.  The automotive giant says this will enable them to develop and innovate self-driving technologies specifically suited for driving conditions in China.  This is the second facility of its kind for BMW.   In 2016, they opened a center in Munich specifically geared to German self-driving prototypes. BMW on the Road in China BMW is the only non-Chinese automaker that's been given permission to test autonomous technologies on public roads in China.  The computing center will be built in eastern China.  BMW says it will use cloud computing to quickly and safely gather the data.  BMW plans to launch its first Level 3 autonomous cars in 2021 including in China.

New Agritech from UK Provides Massive Data at the Crop Level Autonomous Robots on the Farm A new robot powered by artificial intelligence autonomously collects massive amounts of data on crops.  It's called Mamut and was just developed by Cambridge Consultants in the UK.  Crop data is routinely collected by aerial drones.  The flying drones can miss produce hidden under leaves or trees.  The Mamut works on the ground to provide a more complete look. It's designed for farms, including massive industrial farms, orchards and vineyards. Mamut The 4-wheeled autonomous robot is loaded with sensors and AI to gather crop health and yield data as it roams the fields.  It integrates stereo cameras,  LIDAR, a compass, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and wheel odometers.  The onboard AI integrates all the sensor data inputs.  The system provides the farmer easy access to the data to maximize production. No GPS The autonomous robot doesn't use GPS but depends on its own p