Important Innovations

Australia's FrogPhone for Science Source:  University of  New South Wales & University of Canberra FrogPhone Science Calls to Remotely Monitor the Environment This new innovation is a call for science. Australian researchers have developed the FrogPhone system, which once installed at a frog pond location,enables scientists to call in on their cell phones and remotely  listen in on frogs in the wild.  Why is that important?  It provides great access and data to monitor the health of the environment.  Frogs are widely recognized as one of the best barometers of how healthy local environments are.  The FrogPhone is a novel device and a technological first. Frogs and the Quality of the Surrounding Environment The FrogPhone allows scientists to call a frog screening site and monitor the frogs, real-time, in nature.  This is the world's first solar powered device that provides environmental data via text while conducting real-time sound surveys over the phone.  The

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 use artific

Evidence of Supernova Explosion in Space Found on South Pole Source: stock image of Antarctica Stardust Discovery by Australian Scientists Researchers from Australian National University have found large amounts of a unique isotope, iron-60, in the snow of Antarctica.  They believe it is "stardust" from the explosion of a supernova in space.  The isotope is not native to the Earth.  They believe it could only have been delivered by a interstellar rock that crashed from space.  For more details on this remarkable discovery, go to Important Innovations Collection: Supernova Found in Antarctic Snow : Stardust Discovered Source:  Stock Image Antarctic Interstellar News Australian scientists have discovered large amounts of stardust ...

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 is a virtual safety net from sha

World's 1st Flying Personal Watercraft All Electric, Combo Boat and Hydrofoil From Australia, new innovation in the form of the world's first personal flying watercraft.  It's all electric, so it doesn't spew any fuel into the water.  Combining features from boats and hydrofoils, the watercraft is able to move above the water surface and provides a smooth, quiet and eco-friendly ride. The Australian inventors say it's a big development beyond electric jet skis.  For a great news blog with more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: Flying Personal Watercraft - World First : WaveFlyer - Electric, Combo Boat & Hydrofoil Eco-friendly Summer Fun WaveFlyer is an all electric watercraft that's part boat ...

Uber Announces Air Taxi Test Flights in Melbourne, Australia & Deals with AT&T, Signature Source:  Uber Test Flights in Three Global Cities 2020 A lot of news from Uber today. Uber Technologies has selected Australia's second largest city, Melbourne, as the first international test site for its air taxi service.  The test flights will start in 2020 in Melbourne, along with test flights in previously announced Dallas and Los Angeles.  The test service will link central city locations with nearby airports. Commercial Launch 2023 The Uber air taxi fleet is electric powered and can be ordered on demand by customers through smartphone apps.  The fleet will have vertical takeoff, vertical landing and rapid horizontal flight.  The electric powered vehicles are part helicopter, part drone and part fixed wing aircraft with multiple small rotors.  Uber plans to provide commercial, on demand, ride-sharing air taxi service in 2023.  They also are exploring more location

Zero Emissions Public Transport Source:  Byron Bay Railroad Company New South Wales, Australia It's the world's first solar powered passenger train.  The railroad is owned and operated in Australia by the Byron Bay Railroad Company.  It's been in service since 2017 and has operated perfectly ever since.  It's a global example of the possibilities of zero emissions public transportation. Solar Technology The train is very efficient, requiring only 8.33 watt hours per passenger kilometer.  It has a 6.5 KW rooftop solar array and a lithium ion battery onboard.  During peak solar hours, it is 100% solar powered.  In fact, it's the world's first, in-service train run from onboard solar power. Solar Express The solar express can carry 100 passengers on a three kilometer route back and forth between North Beach station and Brayton Beach station in New South Wales.  It completes the cycle once an hour.  The original 1949 cars were upgraded from diesel loco

Little Ripper, the Lifesaver Drone from Australia Source:  The Ripper Group "Little Ripper" Flying Drone for Search, Rescue and First Alert Missions This is important drone innovation developed by the University of Technology-Sydney and the Ripper Group of Australia.  Little Ripper is a remotely piloted, flying drone being deployed in Australia for search, rescue and first alert mission.  It even provides shark sighting alerts for swimmers. For a news blog on this remarkable, new innovation, go to journalist Ed Kane's blog at Important Innovations Collection: Little Ripper - Drone Lifesaver : Multi Tasking Flying Drone - Alert, Search and Rescue Source:  The Little Ripper Award Winning Drone Innovation from Down Under It&#3...

Record Breaking, Solar Powered Plane with First Launch Base in Australia Source:  Airbus Zephyr   Ready for Takeoff:  Is It a Plane or Satellite? Airbus's Zephyr S HAPS (Solar High Altitude Pseudo Satellite) is a solar plane worth watching.  It has set an all time record by staying aloft for more than 25 days.  The flight was over Arizona in late summer 2018.  It soared to 70,000 feet, which is well above most clouds and aircraft. It now has a site in Wyndham, Western Australia as a flight base to launch into the stratosphere. It will fill a gap to provide persistent, local satellite services. Specs The wing span is 82 feet.  It's a solar powered UAV and weighs only 165 pounds.  The low weight along with a unique power management system help it consume a lot less energy.  Despite the fact that it's solar powered, it keeps its elevation all night.  No other solar-powered plane can do that.  For more stories on new aviation and travel innovation, check out this ama

Making a Comeback Source:  Stock Photo of Great Barrier Reef $40 Billion Natural Wonder The Great Barrier Reef is the longest coral reef in the world.  It stretches 1,430 miles off the coast of Queensland, Australia.  Scientists just reported that the reef is showing signs of a comeback after a large coral die-off. The reef is valued by Deloitte at more than $40 billion.  It supports tens of thousands of jobs, pumps billions of dollars a year into the Australian economy and is one of the world's most beautiful natural treasures. It's the 1st coral reef to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Reef 30% Damaged or Destroyed in 2016 There were dire predictions for the reef in 2016 and 2017 because of massive coral bleaching.  The bleaching is caused by rising temperatures or poor water quality.  At lease 30% of the reef was damaged or destroyed in 2016 alone.  But Australia's Reef and Rainforest Research Center now reports signs the reef is recovering. Signs of