Important Innovations

  New AI Enabled Safety Systems for E-Bikes                                 Source:  Streetlogic and Stock Images Much Smarter Bikes Virtually every global automaker is working on the development of autonomous, self-driving cars.  Now the same technology - ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems - is starting to be applied to e-bikes for smarter, safer biking.  These new, advanced AI and machine learning enabled technologies are providing cyclists with some of the real-time safety information and data available to drivers in connected cars. Highly Advanced Technologies ADAS monitoring can provide cyclists with knowledge of what they can't see because of blind spots around them during their ride.  These emerging safely alert and collision avoidance systems are composed of highly advanced AI, machine learning, computer vision, algorithms and deep neural networks. They...

World's 1st Camera System to Spot Drivers Handling Mobile Phones Source:  Sydney Highways Stock Image New South Wales Using Tech to Cut Road Fatalities Australia's state of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, today rolled out new technology along the roads to cut fatalities caused by distracted drivers on mobile phones.  They're deploying high definition, AI-enabled detection cameras to spot drivers handling their mobile phones, which is illegal in New South Wales (NSW).  45 portable cameras, including fixed and mobile trailer mounted cameras, are being set-up in undisclosed locations.  Authorities believe that within two year the surveillance system will cut the number of fatalities on its roads by one-third. This HD, AI camera system tech and application are a world first. 24-7 Roadside Detection The high tech cameras work day, night and in all types of weather to detect if a driver going by is handling a mobile phone.  The cameras...

Innovative, Advanced Airbag Technology Source:  Honda Honda Will Deploy Next Generation Airbags in 2020 Vehicles Honda calls its new invention the catcher's mitt airbag.  The advanced airbag technology provides a wide protective barrier across the car dashboard and catches and cradles the front passenger's head like a catcher's mitt.  For a news blog on this new technology, go to Important Innovations Collection: Honda's Catcher's Mitt Airbag : Next Generation Airbag that Catches & Cradles the Head Source:  Honda Airbag Innovative New Passenger Front Airbag Design Honda&...

Virtual Shark Safety Net from Australia Source:  Shark Shield Technology of Australia Electronic Deterrence Jaws, beware.  New technology has just been unveiled that provides long range protection against sharks.  The system has been developed for boaters but has application for jetties and very small beaches.  The company that invented this new tech is Ocean Guardian of Australia. It's powered by their system Shark Shield Technology and the purpose is to protect swimmers from shark attacks by diverting the sharks with technology. BOAT01 Shark Deterrent The device is called the Ocean Guardian BOAT01 Long Range Shark Deterrent.  It's designed to increase swimmer safety from shark attacks while swimming off a boat or jetty.  The device deploys electronic deterrence from the back of a boat.  It emits a strong electrical impulse that causes the shark strong but temporary discomfort and causes them to move away from the area.  This i...

Intelligent Wearable to Make Cyclists Safer on the Road Source:  Roadwarez Roadwarez Street Warrior Backpack This is new safety innovation for cyclists.  It's an intelligent, wearable backpack with a LED array that lights up and provides big, illuminated signals to the drivers, cyclists and people around you that you're turning or breaking. It's called the Roadwarez Street Warrior backpack.  The company says it's the world's first automated cycling signaling system with an LED cycling backpack and new app. New Connected Tech This system is designed to increase bikers' visibility and safety. Roadwarez says it's focused on the innovative integration of technology and apparel. Street Warrior is enabled by Bluetooth. It also has accident detection technology and signals an alert if you are hit, providing your chosen contacts your location.  The LED array can work manually or be pre-programmed by mapping your ride in the companion app. It also f...

AI Controls Trucks Source:  Pelotin Pelotin System: One Driver Driving Two Trucks Simultaneously with AI This is a L4 Automated Following System from Pelotin Technology that lets a driver control multiple trucks at the same time. The company says it is more energy efficient and safer.  This may be the future of tractor trailers on the road thanks to a lot of hi-tech. The concept is that big rigs are safer together with a lot of artificial intelligence behind them. Leading Edge Tech This truck technology is leading edge and relies on a  lot of communications, technologies and algorithms. For example, radar based active brakes, vehicle communications, and specialized vehicle controlled algorithms. A human is driving the front truck, that controls with the enabled technology the truck behind. This is new tech on the cutting edge.

IBM, Cera Care Test Self-Driving Car Sensors for New Use Keeping Elderly Home Longer with Tech This is a six month pilot program to see if LIDAR laser sensors can be used to help the elderly stay longer in their homes.  One of the big uses of LIDAR is to help self-driving cars "see".  IBM Research UK and Cera Care are teaming up to test the unique use of the LIDAR technology, Mapping Safety LIDAR uses laser light pulses to generate images and maps of surroundings and to help self-driving cars navigate streets.  In June, 15 volunteer households in the UK will have LIDAR sensors installed by IBM Research UK and Cera Care.  They'll use IBM machine learning software to build a detailed picture of each patient's daily routines and home environment.  They'll utilize the images to pinpoint and alert caregivers of any possible problems in health, falls, etc. during the patient's routine to let caregivers know when they need to be in the home.  It's a cutti...

UK's Immense Simulations Gets VC Backing Source:  Immense Simulations  Big Money Pouring into Software for Driverless Cars British software company Immense Simulations makes interactive city simulations of traffic and people flows on any given day.  The company today raised $4.6 million in a Series A funding led by UK's Amadeus Capital Partners and Japan's Global Brain Corporation.  This is a major sign of the times.  Investors are betting on autonomous vehicles going mainstream.  So far this year, companies in the self-driving vehicle sphere have raised $3 Billion in funding. Immense Technology Immense uses data from mobile phone operators, public transport and telematics databases to build city simulations.  Carmakers use the simulations to test their plans for fleets of autonomous cars on scenarios that are as close to real, congested city conditions as possible. CityScapes Immense Simulations has made simulations for driving condition...

Pentagon's DARPA on a Mission Stock Image Subterranean Environment For First Responders and Soldiers The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is seeking new commercial technologies to map in 3D underground environments.  The environments include caves, manmade tunnels and other underground structures like subways.  There is a dual need:  for first responders and soldiers. 3D Mapping and Surveying DARPA wants both 3D mapping and surveying.  They just put out a request for information.  There are a number of conditions DARPA wants to overcome in these environments to enable a more safe and rapid response from rescue teams and combat soldiers.  The problems include GPS not working, narrow passages, darkness and dangerous, limited access. Top of the Line Available Commercial Technology DARPA wants highly accurate geolocation data on targeted areas and high resolution georeferenced surveys.  They are particularly ...

New Driverless Car Safety System to Protect Pedestrians and Build Trust Jaguar Innovation Jaguar has just unveiled this unique driverless car projection technology.  The system uses bars of light reflected on the road ahead of the vehicle to let pedestrians know exactly where the vehicle is headed.   The purpose is to build trust for the vehicles with pedestrians.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Jaguar's Unique Projection Technology for Driverle... : Driverless Car Trajectory Displays Source:  Jaguar Bars of Light to Protect Pedestrians and Build Trust Jaguar Land Rover has just d...

Helmet Mounted Brake Light that's Sensor Activated Important New Safety Tech for Motorcyclists It's called BrakeFree and it's been innovated by a startup in San Jose, CA.  The device is a helmet mounted, brake light system that's activated by sensor arrays.  It detects the engine breaking, break activation, the motorcycle's deceleration and flashes a big LED illumination on the back of the helmet.  If you're a biker, it's a safety device worthy of taking a look at. For more on this innovation gear, go to my journalist colleague Ed Kane's blog at Important Innovations Collection: Helmet Break Lights for Motorcyclists : BrakeFree Smart Breaks Source:  BrakeFree Increased Safety for Motorcyclists This is an elegantly simple and needed innovation.  The...

Knowing What's Around the Corner Source:  Honda's Smart Intersection Display Smart Tech for Smarter, Safer Driving Audi and Honda are setting up and testing smart intersections in the US.  The approach involves display alerts on your dashboard and cameras positioned at intersections.  Audi's technology sends an alert to the driver warning that a light is going to turn red before you get through it.  Honda's sends an alert of an oncoming emergency vehicle, car or pedestrian that are not yet in sight. Audi's Pilot Program Audi is working in Washington, DC and Las Vegas to outfit intersections to work with Audi's countdown traffic lights system.  The system is designed to give the driver ample warning that they aren't going to make it through a light before it turns red. Honda's Pilot Program Honda has a Smart Intersection pilot program underway in Marysville, Ohio.  The system flashes a yellow image of an unseen vehicle on the HUD - he...