Important Innovations

MIT's Drones with NanoMaps MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory has developed new technology that guides drones to avoid collisions as they fly.  It's an artificial intelligence "Artful Dodger" system.  And it's important new innovation. No Collision Course MIT's NanoMap models in the uncertainty of changing conditions as the drones fly.  The system includes depth sensors that constantly measure the distance between  the drone and objects around it.  This creates an image for the machine of where it's been and where it's headed.  That information storage allows the drone to plan its motion and avoid crashing into objects in its path. Passed the Pilots Test DARPA,  the US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, is part of the funding behind this research. And, the "Artful Dodgers" have been successfully tested.  The drones flew through dense forests and warehouses at 20 mph without any

It's called Cloaking Technology and essentially promises "Now you see me, now you don't."  It reads like science fiction and the worlds of Harry Potter and Star Wars.  But, researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have successfully manipulated light to make an object - a cloaking optical chip - totally invisible.  They seem to have cracked the code and created light beams of invisibility. Shedding Light on Innovation The Israeli approach is brand new.  It bends and scatters light away from the cloaking tech chip's surface, making it invisible.  The next step for the Israeli researchers is to develop a prototype. And the potential for this "hide and seek", invisibility tech is huge. According to experts, it ranges from highly advanced radar avoidance to camouflage and scattering of electromagnetic waves. An Eye-Opener in Vienna Cloaking tech research is underway globally. Researchers at the University of Vienna have taken a different app

Fashionista Meets Robotics It's being called fashion design by algorithm.  Artificial intelligence creating the perfect suit.  Startup companies around the world are starting to deploy robotic designers.  It's a fashion statement on the ubiquity of robotics and AI.   Robot Blouse An example is a billion dollar plus Silicon Valley based company Stitch Fix. It was founded by Harvard Business School grad Katrina Lake out of her Cambridge, MA student apartment.  The company uses data science as a foundation for its personalized online styling services.  Algorithms based on customer feedback are used to create "the perfect blouse".  The algorithms provide a template on styles that are most successful and popular to least.  Key components such as collar type, sleeve length and decorative touches are included.  The top performers are stitched together into the prototype garment.  But the customer can personally customize the garment to their specifications and t

Travelling Commercial at Double the Speed of Sound The age of supersonic passenger travel is coming very soon, if Virgin's Sir Richard Branson has his way.  He's heavily investing and banking on it.  American startup Boom Technology, which Branson is bankrolling, is developing a Mach 2.2 supersonic passenger jet. That converts into approximately 1,676 mph or 27.94 miles per minute. Its Baby Boom XB1 demonstrator jet will be tested next year to validate key technologies for commercial flights. XB1 is a 2 seater. Boom already has the Baby Boom engines in the hanger and is currently building the wings and tail.  The supersonic commercial jet, carrying 55 passengers, will debut in 2023.  Five airlines, including Virgin, have ordered 76 jets.  Boom is getting ready for takeoff. Come Fly with Me As you can see in the artist's rendering, Boom resembles the Concorde.  It's an evolutionary design with a lot of extra lift.  It has a range of 4500 nautical miles.  At Mach

Polite Robots for Better Human Interaction The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA is teaching robots manners.  They've created a machine algorithm that allows robots to intuit how to behave like polite human beings in specific circumstances.  For example, the robots say thank you when someone opens a door for them.  And, they intuit to turn off a cellphone disturbing the peace in a library.  DARPA has long been at the forefront of robotic innovation.  This extraordinary research program is instilling civility, social norms and manners in robots to promote better human-robot interactions.  In some cases, their behavior may be a lot better than that of some human beings. "Please and Thank You" with Important Purpose DARPA envisions a future in which robots play increasingly important and integral roles with humans.  Researchers believe that in order to capitalize on a robotic future of driverless cars, restaurant robots and

Atlas, the Acrobat Robot with Purpose Atlas can backflip and do half-turn jumps.  It's an amazingly agile athlete and acrobat.  Boston Dynamics created Atlas.  It's the latest in their series of highly advanced humanoid robots.  Boston Dynamics works with DARPA, the US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency. DARPA's mission is to provide the US military with overwhelming technological advantages including robotic. The company calls Atlas, the world's most dynamic robot.  Back-flipping and On a Mission Atlas is designed to operate in emergency and disaster situations.  For instance, going into buildings leveled by bombing or earthquakes to search for signs of life.  It's primary purpose is to help the military and first responders stay our of harms way.  In dynamic military and emergency situations, robotic flexibility and agility such as backflips and jumps are keys to mission success.  Atlas can do all of that. Humanoid Jumping R

Sherlock Holmes with AI Israel is a global center of innovation in a number of sectors, including 3D Printing, cancer research and Artificial Intelligence.  Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev are putting AI to work to predict, deter and fight crime.  It's fascinating research developing AI innovation that could be highly beneficial to fight crime globally.  You might call the program "Sherlock Holmes empowered by artificial intelligence." Ben-Gurion University of the Negev- Israeli Police AI Program Israeli researchers are using AI tools, incorporating advanced cyber and big data, to predict and prevent crime.  They believe they're on the threshold of the next big crime-fighting breakthrough.  Specifically, analyzing big data to uncover patterns that result in crime prediction and prevention.  It's an AI pre-emptive strike on crime. University Center for Computational Criminology The University just launched the Center for Com