Important Innovations

Zapata Air Racer                                        Source:  Zapata Air Racer One of a Kind Personal Flying Machine French entrepreneur and jet ski racer Franky Zapata has created a 1-person VTOL flying machine that can handle barrel rolls like a fighter jet and is coming to the US for test flights this year. Known as Air Racer (aka Jet Racer), here are the key facts: VTOL (vertical takeoff & landing vehicle) has 1 seat, 10 jet engines, each with independent electric controls, and is designed for nearly autonomous flight Pilot inputs into flight controller system app what the destination is and the control panel determines the best route to get there Vehicle is so technologically advanced and agile, it can be programmed to perform barrel rolls like a fighter jet Pilot controls only direction and altitude and the flight control panel autonomously pilots the rest of the flight Software that drives the control system is designed for stability Top speeds of 125 to 155 mph with most

  JetX & Node Air Partnership                                                  Source:  Node Air Brand New Way to Travel Two Florida-based innovation companies, JetX and Node Air, are developing a unique transportation system involving detachable pods that connect to air and ground vehicles.  Here are the pertinent facts: A unique new form of integrated air and ground travel that is autonomous Ground transportation is provided by a passenger pod on an EV chassis that drives to the customer's location to pick them up The EV chassis has its own autonomous driving system, sensors, electric motors, batteries and steering Passenger is driven to a take-off point where an autonomous drone is waiting EV chassis releases the passenger pod and the drone secures the pod from above it Drone, with its own autonomous, aviation system flies the passenger to their destination, where another land chassis takes them to their final destination such as a hotel Travel system is designed for maximum

  Solo Concept:  Tiny, 1-Person Vehicles                                                   Source:  Renault Mobility Ilio Concept: "Street Furniture" with Charging Station Renault's Mobility innovation group has developed a very radical, tiny, one-person electric vehicle and fascinating "street furniture" which are mobile units with charging stations and more to support the vehicles.  Mobility is dedicated to sustainable, new mobility. Their micro electric vehicle is called Solo Concept and it's a minimalist, all-electric, one-person vehicle with a very small footprint at just 54" long, 35.4" wide and 69" high.  The accompanying eco-system called Ileo Concept is a network of mobile charging point destinations to support fleets of their tiny concept cars.  Renault views the idea as a forward-looking mobility project designed to transition from cars to a carbon neutral environment.  Solo Concept Technologies The electric vehicle concept drives a

  Lifestyle on Autonomous Wheels                                                       Source:  LG Fascinating Future of Travel South Korea based electronics giant LG unveiled one of the most fascinating and avant-garde travel vehicle concepts at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022 in Las Vegas.  Called the Vision OMNIPOD, the concept offers an intriguing perspective on the future of travel.  It's an autonomous travel vehicle designed for entertainment and lifestyle and showcases the most advanced technologies.  The modular vehicle  contains modular household appliances that can be put into use as you drive along autonomously. Uniquely, it contains a digital avatar called Reah that serves as your artificial intelligence (AI) guide and  personal assistant as you travel. Reah can also respond to various cabin themes from gaming to working.  LG calls Vision OMNIPOD a mobile, futuristic cabin concept that can reconstruct the customer's space for specific needs. Rolling Showcas

   Cerence Co-Pilot                                                                      Source:  Cerence A Digital Assistant for Your Driving Needs Artificial intelligence (AI) is having an accelerating impact on cars for greater safety, smarter tech and self-driving, autonomous systems.  Now, a new AI system has been developed that serves as a high-end driver's assistant for you in your car.  Cerence Co-Pilot is being headlined as a "digital butler for your car".  It will debut at the upcoming CES 2022 show in Las Vegas.  The new Cerence Co-pilot appears to have the potential to redefine the relationship between driver and car.  It is deeply integrated, intelligent new automotive mobility technology enabled by artificial intelligence. What's the Moving Force Behind This New Tech? The moving force is using AI as an integral helper and intuitive reader of the driver's needs, right down to ordering a great cup of coffee along the travel route. Cerence is headquarte

  Hermeus Hypersonic Jet                                    Source:  Hermeus Turbine Based Combined Cycle Propulsion System                                                                       Source:  Hermeus Hypersonic Aircraft Top Speeds of Mach 5.5 The Hermeus hypersonic jet with its projected top speed of Mach 5.5 or 4,219 mph is designed to be the world's fastest, reusable, hypersonic jet.  It would bring the flight time between NYC and London down to under one hour.  Hermeus, an aerospace startup headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is partnering with the US Air Force on the development of a hypersonic passenger jet. In a joint development contract, the USAF is providing $60 million for 3 years of development and testing.  The hypersonic jet would also be used by the USAF for critical missions. Hypersonic Travel The hypersonic speed of the aircraft comes from a unique engine system called the turbine based combined cycle or TBCC.  The 2- turbine combination is composed of a s

  BMW i Hydrogen Next Source:  BMW i Hydrogen Next Sustainable Driving BMW has started road testing its hydrogen fuel cell car in "everyday conditions" on European roads.  The vehicle is called the BMW i Hydrogen Next.  It is all electric and uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in the fuel cell.  The vehicle has a hydrogen fuel cell drive train.  BMW believes that hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to "supplement internal combustion engines, plug in hybrid systems and battery electric vehicles within BMW's flexible drive train strategy."  They are betting on this new, developing technology. Very Extensive Road Testing The hydrogen vehicle is being tested for safety, efficiency and reliability.  BMW will determine how effectively the CO2-free drive train, model-specific chassis technology and the car's electronic system work together in real world travel circumstances.  If all goes well, BMW will produce a small series, hydrog

  Future of Flying: Planes Without Pilots                                                                         Source:  Reliable Robotics Reliable Robotics of California Bay Area startup Reliable Robotics is developing and flying in remote California autonomous planes.  The planes fly autonomously but are backed up and monitored by an onboard pilot who can take over in the event of an emergency and by remote operator who also can take over piloting the plane if need be.  Reliable Robotics isn't building new planes.  They're retrofitting Cessna's to operate and fly autonomously.  And while these planes continue to be upgraded and are under development, they are successfully test flying and not just on a drawing board. New Aviation Technology Reliable Robotics was founded by Robert Rose, an autonomous technology expert, who for years developed autonomous cars for Tesla and autonomous spacecraft for SpaceX.  He found out that to make the planes autonomous, he had to reinven

Four of My Travel Books Are on a Promotional Amazon Sale  Take Advantage Now                                                    Source: Amazon  ASIN : B08FNHCX18 For a Limited Time Up to 70% Discounts This sales opportunity on several of my future of travel books ends  tomorrow.   Amazon launched a limited time, promotional discount of up to 70% on four of my top books on travel.  I co-authored these books with Edward Kane. "Big Travel Breakthroughs 2020's: Journalist Guide to New Cars, Planes & More" is on sale for $2.99 - a 70% discount.   https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08FNHCX18&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_MNS2C9MK89JT0994JK9G                                                            Source:  Amazon   ASIN : B089RQMJ9B                          "Future Travel Vehicles:  Flying Cars, Supersonic Plane, e-bikes & More" is on sale for $2.99 - a 42% discount.   https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B089RQMJ9B&prev

  Spectacular Looks and Technology from CA Startup NFT                                                      Source: NFT's Aska $5,000 Deposit to Pre-order There is a new, notable flying car on the horizon.  It's called Aska, which in Japanese means flying bird.  The developer, Silicon Valley, CA based NFT has the vehicle on display in a showroom in Los Altos, CA and is accepting refundable $5,000 deposits to pre-order the flying-driving vehicle for delivery in 2026.  This flying car is the size of a large SUV and is good for a family of four. Highly Advanced Technology The Aska flies on six propellers, powered by six batteries and two gas motors to maintain the charge on the batteries.  It's a large vehicle that can carry four passengers and has a wingspan of 50 feet.  Top speeds are 150 mph with a 250 mile range.  It has retractable wings and can be driven on conventional roads.  It needs to take off and land at an airport. Pricey Travel As It Enters the Market The $5,000

Jet Pack Aviation's Personal Air Mobility Source:  Jet Pack Aviation New Mode of Flying - SPEEDER Jet Pack Aviation of California is in the business of inventing jet packs as a new means of transportation for consumers and the military.  Their latest flying model - the Recreational SPEEDER, they say, is like riding a motorcycle in the sky.  It's the first turbine powered, fully stabilized VTOL (vertical take off and landing) personal aircraft ever built.  Because it is fully stabilized, very little training to fly it is required.  The vehicle is in the flight testing phase.  It is a brand new form of personal air mobility. Consumer and Military Versions of SPEEDER SPEEDER has a maximum speed of 150 mph, a range/endurance of 30 minutes and maximum thrust of 1200 pounds.  As it's a VTOL, it can take off and land almost anyplace and can fly up to 15,000 feet in altitude. There are two recreational versions.  An ultralight version that requires no pilot's

Emissions Free Mobility Source:  BMW Hydrogen Powertrain BMW's Strategy & Commitment BMW is strongly committed to hydrogen fuel cell technology as an alternative to gas powered car and electric vehicles.  There are two key reasons:  hydrogen powered cars are zero emissions and require zero charge times.  In fact, BMW has unveiled images of the powertrain for its BMW i Hydrogen NEXT. Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology The future of hydrogen fuel cell technology is big but the infrastructure to sustain it needs to be in place for a big takeoff.  Here are BMW's perspectives on what is needed to make this zero emissions technology go mass market: Production of sufficient quantities of hydrogen for hydrogen fuel cells at a competitive price using GREEN electricity Hydrogen fuel cell tech starting in long distance, heavy duty transport that can't be electrified Extensive networks of hydrogen fueling stations in Europe to start. Hydrogen World BMW is