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ZUMI - The Car that Teaches and Learns

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AI Equipped Robotic Car Designed to Teach Kids Robolink's artificial intelligence equipped, robotic car platform received the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show's Best of Innovation Award in the Robotics and Drone category.  It's designed as a learning tool to educate kids about AI and self-driving cars. A Car with a Ph.D Zumi is equipped with the latest in technology.  It uses machine learning and computer vision to navigate a track that can be reconfigured by the user.  Importantly, it is able to adhere to traffic lights and signage.  It also adjusts its course to avoid obstacles like pedestrians, trees and objects on the road. Zumi is an educational lesson in driving, motion and AI.

Chinese Automaker GAC's Entranze

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Ultimate Road Trip Vehicle That's All-Electric GAC's New Electric SUV 2020 Arrival in US The Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automotive Group GAC calls the Entransze the ultimate road trip vehicle.  It's a 7-seat, all electric concept vehicle that's green, sustainable and loaded with tech.  Chinese owned GAC designed it in California and debuted it this week in Detroit. Something New and Different - Electric Vehicle and Sustainable Interior This is an all-electric concept.  GAC will start producing it in the second half of 2019. The vehicle is built with sustainability.  90% of the interior components are made of environmentally sustainable material.  It's green and all electric.  The dashboard is loaded with technology including a built in voice assistant, OLED screens and touch controls. Look into the Future of Drivin g The Entransze vehicle is jello-beaned shaped.  The doors slide for easy access It provides you a look at the future of cars. And the Ch

Important Innovations Collection: Ford Vehicles Going 5G

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Ford Wants to Lead in Vehicle 5G Connectivity Source:  Ford's C-V2X G System  Targets 2022 for All of its Latest Vehicles Here's what this means to you.  5G vehicle connectivity will communicate with systems around you, give you instant info on road conditions and infrastructure, pull in 5G networks for data, let you talk and listen to other equipped vehicles, let pedestrians on mobile phones transit where they are and a lot more. There's a lot of important connectivity possibilities in the 5G world.  For a full news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Ford Vehicles Going 5G : Ford's C-V2X System Source:  Ford C-V2X 5G Total Connectivity for Greater Road Safety Beginning in 2022, Ford is committed to hav...

Important Innovations Collection: "Important Innovations Collection" by Edward Kane

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"Important Innovations Collection" - 7Book Series on Innovation by Edward Kane My journalist colleague Ed Kane has authored 7 books on the latest and greatest in global innovation.  I co-authored the books with Ed and have served as narrator of the audiobooks. They provide crisp, professional news summaries on what you'd like to know about innovations changing our world.  For access to take a look go to Important Innovations Collection: "Important Innovations Collection" by Edward Kane : I wanted to make you aware of my series of seven books on the latest and biggest innovations  Important Innovations Collection" by ...

Important Innovations Collection: Microneedle Patch Kills Infection & Delivers Vacci...

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Medical Innovation - Patch Kills Bacteria & Delivers Vaccine Scientists at the University of Southern Australia have developed a microneedle patch that enables safer vaccinations.  It contains vaccine and silver nanoparticles that kill bacteria and prevent infection.  This innovation is of particular importance in the developing world where the use of unsterile needles leads to infections.  For a news blog on this go to Important Innovations Collection: Microneedle Patch Kills Infection & Delivers Vacci... : Safer Vaccinations Particularly for Developing World Source:  University of South Australia microneedle patch Silver Nanoparticles Ki...

Car or Bike? Both- Personal Mobility

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Seat Electric Minimo Source: Seat Minimo - Unique Innovation in Personal Mobility Personal Mobility Innovation from Spain Seat Electric Minimo is a concept vehicle that bridges technologies in motorbikes and cars.  It's an unique innovation in personal mobility from Spain and goes into production in 2021.  It just debuted at the Geneva International Auto Show and in Barcelona at the Mobile World Congress.  The company behind it - Seat - is headquartered in Spain. All Electric, Fast, Swappable Battery Recharge The vehicle combines the smaller dimensions of a motorcycle with the comfort and size of a car.  It can seat 2 people but is 50% smaller than a regular car. The vehicle is all electric with a driving range of 62 miles on a fully charged battery.  What is the real electric vehicle differentiator is that the Seat battery can be swapped in seconds, which means this electric vehicle is much faster to recharge than other electric cars. Other Unique Aspects The Seat has

MIT Robotic First

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Mini Cheetah Does 360 Backflips & a Lot More MIT's Mini Cheetah Quadruped Success This is a four-legged robotic success story.  MIT's Mini Cheetah weighs only 20 pounds and is capable of incredible dexterity including full, 360 backflips.  The robotic agility is a world first. And its speed is impressive.  It's a highly nimble successor to the much heavier Cheetah 3. Ten Mini Cheetah's The quadruped robot was created by MIT's Biometric Robotics Laboratory.  It can traverse rough, uneven terrain twice as fast as the average human.  It can also walk right-side up and upside down. The MIT roboticists are currently building a set of 10 mini Cheetahs.  The team says the robot is very robust, virtually indestructible and if it does break is very easy to fix.  It will be formally introduced at an international robotics conference in May.

Important Innovations Collection: Aircraft Innovation from Mako Sharks

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Mako Shark's Speed Inspires Potential New Aircraft Designs The Mako shark is known as the Cheetah of the Ocean, accelerating up to 80 mph.  A team of aeronautical engineers at the University of Alabama have discovered the mechanism behind the speed.  It's the shark's scales that angle up to 40 degrees and prevent any  drag. If your hand were to go across the shark's skin from nose to tail, the skin is smooth.  If you go from tail to nose, there are scales that go up at an angle. That natural acceleration mechanism has the potential for new designs for faster aircraft. For a great news blog on this go to Important Innovations Collection: Aircraft Innovation from Mako Sharks : Shark Scales Inspire Faster Planes Shortfin Mako - "Cheetah of the Ocean" Mako - Cheetah of the Ocean A team from the Unive...

VW New Electric Dune Buggy

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VW's I.D. Buggy Electric Concept VW's Electric Dune Buggy, the I.D. Buggy Inspired by California Buggies in 1960's VW's electric concept, all terrain vehicle just debuted at the Geneva International Motor Show.  It's called the I.D. Buggy and is inspired by California dune buggies from long ago in the 1960's.  This electric dune buggy joins VW's new group of electric vehicles including the VW microbus, the ID Buzz which is a reinvention of VW's popular minibus. VW Inspired By Electric Power The I.D Buggy has a 4 cylinder boxer engine in the rear with 201 horsepower and 155 miles of battery range.  It accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds with top speeds of 99 mph.  It seats 2 but is expandable for another two passengers and an extra electric motor for 4 wheel drive. Dune Dream This is a concept vehicle.  It has no doors, no roof and is meant for no-frills driving.  It does have roll-over support, reinforced windshields and off-road t

AI Beanie Shifts Soft to Safe

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Smart Hat to Helmet When Needed Source:  ANTI Ordinary AI Beanie AI Shifts Hat from Soft to Helmet-Like Protection The company ANTI Ordinary says this hat is as safe as a helmet and you'll find it your most comfortable helmet ever. It's called the AI Beanie and has soft, Merino wool knitted lining and a moisture repellent acrylic outer layer.  What is between those two layers is the differentiator. Non-Newtonian Fluids - Not Your Ordinary Hat What is between the two layers is the company's proprietary blend of non-Newtonian fluids.  The fluid particles remain soft and flexible in slow motion and become much harder when impacted.  The inner layer of the hat becomes stiff enough to exceed safety standards while flexible enough to pack in a backpack and easily fit the contours of the head.  It's deliverable in October 2019, priced at $125.00 and seems targeted particularly at outdoor winter sports.

Are Electric Cars Ready for Mass Market?

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Mass Market Electric Cars Debuting at Geneva Auto Show Source:  Citroen Ami One Electric Car New Market Conditions Could Favor China According to Germany's Center of Automotive Management, global electric car sales hit 2.1 million in 2018 and are forecast to rise to 2.8 million in 2019.  China is the biggest market with more than 1 million sold, Europe is second with 389,000 and the US third with 359,000 vehicles sold last year.  The market is expected to ramp up and start accelerating as the European Union's tough emissions standards start rolling out in 2021. Geneva Auto Show Electric Vehicle Debuts There are a number of mass market electric cars debuting in Geneva.  They are more affordably priced and have good driving range.  Some examples: Kia e Soul Honda Urban Citroen Ami One, a tiny, 2 seat, city car that doesn't require a license Renault Zoe Nissan Leaf Peugeot Citycar 208 Volvo Polstar 2, a compact with 275 mile range Some of the cars being in

3D Bioprinter - First of its Kind

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Personalized Wound Healing That's Mobile Medicine on the Cutting Edge This is remarkable innovation.  Millions of Americans suffer from non-healing wounds.  A team at Wake Forrest University have developed a 3D bioprinter that can selectively layer skin cells to heal a large wound or burn.  The process is personalized to the patient.  The bioprinter is filled with the patient's own skin cells. Several Firsts There are a number of firsts involved in this innovation.  The bioprinter is mobile and can be wheeled directly to the patient's bed.  It enables on-site management of large wounds by 3D laser scanning and measuring them in order to deposit cells directly where they're needed to create new skin.  It selectively layers in two types of cells.  Fibroplasts are placed on the deepest part of the wound and keratinocytes on top. Mimics Natural Healing The 3D bioprinter and the healing process it delivers replicate natural tissue and promotes healing. The team

Important Innovations Collection: US Robotic Workforce Surges

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US Robotic Workforce Hits Record Level Robot Manufacturing Surges This is new research information from the Robotics Industry Association.  The US and China are even more deeply investing in robots and AI for the workplace.   The US has increased the amount of robots being shipped to US factories by 36,000 in 2018 or 7% above the previous year. The number of  US universities investing in AI research centers is also on the rise.  For a great news blog on this, go to  Important Innovations Collection: US Robotic Workforce Surges : Robotic Manufacturing Source:  Automotive Robotic Assembly Line - Stock Image New Numbers for US The number of robots working in US fa...