Important Innovations

Knitted, Soft Robots Source:  Carnegie Mellon University New Approach to Soft Robotics Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a soft, toy robot by using commercial knitting machines.  Soft robotics is a growing industry as roboticists try to create robots that are safer for human.  This is a brand new approach with a lot of promise for soft robotics and wearable technologies.  For more details go to Important Innovations Collection: Soft Knitted Robots : Safer Robots for Humans Soft Actuated Robots Made by Using Commercial Knitting Machines This is a new approach to exploring the potenti...

Disruptive New Technologies Source:  Jenoptik Lasers, Imaging and Optics They call it Optics Valley, the region around Jena, Germany in the eastern part of the country. It's the headquarters for Jenoptik, a multinational supplier of optical products, lasers and imaging equipment.  It's disruptive new technology that the government of Angela Merkel is encouraging particularly in the eastern region of Germany. Eastern versus Western Germany The eastern region of Germany has received $2 Trillion in cash infusions over the past three decades to stimulate its economic base.  Still, it lags in economic output per capita by three-quarters when compared to the western region of Germany. New, Silicon Valley New disruptive technologies like those being produced by Jenoptik appear to be the answer.  In the case of Jenoptik the local university is a key source of talent.  Jena has 110,000 residents; 22,000 of which are students.  This is a region of high productivity and inn

New Nonflammable, Ultra-Strong Battery for Electronics From Washington University Researchers A team at Washington University have created a supercapacitor battery that appears to be way beyond lithium-ion batteries. It's nonflammable and shatterproof. That would be much more effective and safe for your cellphone, laptop and electronics. For more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: Super Strong Supercapacitor : New Battery that's Shatterproof and Nonflammable Source:  Washington University at St. Louis Energy Inspired by Rust Researchers...

Smart Mirror Superimposes Outfits on Your Image No Need for Fitting Rooms Artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality are beginning to dramatically change the retail industry and the shopping experience for customers.  An example:  smart, digital mirrors that show you in various outfits in seconds without having to try them on.  Neiman Marcus has deployed the mirrors in 34 stores.  For more details on the future of retail through new technologies, go to Important Innovations Collection: Smart Mirrors Superimpose Outfits on Your Image : Artificial Intelligence Changing the Retail Industry Source:  MemoMi No More Fitting Rooms The retail industry will be dramatically ...

US Researchers Find an Antibody that Blocks the Tick-Borne Disease Source:  Stock Image of Jogger and Dog In Woods 100% Effective in Lab Tests If you love the outdoors and your pets, this new medical innovation is of great importance to you.  Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have discovered what they believe is an antibody that prevents ticks from spreading Lyme disease.  Lyme is a tick borne bacterial infection that can cause neurological problems if left untreated. The symptoms can be severe.  Some of the diseases that ticks carry are characterized as severe as malaria.  The disease comes from a tick that you picked up on your socks or clothing during a jog, walk through the woods or just petting your dog or cat. Antidote Until now there has been no cure for Lyme Disease.  UMASS has developed a "vaccine" in which antibodies are injected into a human that block the release of the Lyme disease bacteria that comes from a tick bite. In l

Easy Eddy - Easy to Use Paddleboard Eco-Friendly Easy Eddy is a modular, standup paddleboard that's made of reclaimed and recyclable polythylene. Composed of 3 separate modules, it's easy to transport, store and assemble.  In fact, the company Artech says it can be assembled in less than 60 seconds.  For more on this eco-friendly invention, go to Important Innovations Collection: E-Friendly Paddleboard Easy Eddy : New Modular Paddleboard that's Good for the Environment Source:  Easy Eddy Easy Eddy Easy Eddy is a modular, standup paddleboard...

Artificial Intelligence Bringing Rapid Restaurant & Retail Change AI at the Point of Sale Experts forecast that artificial intelligence and machine learning will bring tremendous innovation and change to restaurants, retail and hospitality in the next few years.  Big changes are already happening in restaurants utilizing artificial intelligence.  For a great news story, go to Important Innovations Collection: Artificial Intelligence and Restaurants Future : Rapid Retail Change Source: Stock Image of  Fast Food Artificial Intelligence at the Point of Sale Artificial intelligence and ma...

Future of Driving Vehicles that are Electric and 3D Printed An electric motorbike called Nera is just about entirely 3D printed.  The only exceptions are the electric motor and electrical parts.  The Nera is a world first.  It's a prototype built by the big industrial printer  manufacturer BigRep.  The bike is fully functional. Fast and Inexpensive Manufacturing It took BigRep three days and $2600 to build the electric motorbike.  It's a working prototype that may point to the future of driving...vehicles that are electric, with zero emissions and 3D printed.  The company continues to work on the bike for further development.  No word if and when it might be available to the public for purchase.  For several books and free borrows on the latest innovations in travel, go to  amazon.com/author/ekane  for "How to Travel in the Future" Vols. 1  ASIN: B07JCQ4J78 & 2  ASIN: B07MY8C3HG by national journalist Edward Kane and co-authored by me,fellow journalist

New Fun Tech - Powered, Standup Water Board Source:  Yanmar's on-water gadget Wheeebo From Japan, for Calm Waters It's called Wheebo and it's new, fun tech from Japan.  Wheeebo is a battery powered, standup water board that can glide you across the water up to 3&1/2 mph. Invented by the marine engine manufacturer Yanmar, it's designed for relatively calm waters, controlled by shifting your weight on the board, has a hand held remote control for acceleration and is said to be easy for anyone to enjoy.  For more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: New Water Sport - Wheeebo : Powered Board "Water Gadget" Source:  Yanmar's Wheeebo From Japan at  Speeds Up To 3&1/2 MPH This looks like a fun...

Very Smart Contact Lens Source:  DARPA DARPA's Quest to Give Soldiers Extraordinary Visual Capabilities New vision technology has just emerged from France's engineering school IMT Atlantique.  It's a wireless connected contact lens capable of providing augmented vision assistance as well as relaying visual information wirelessly.  It is so breakthrough that both the US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA and Microsoft are very interested in it.  For more information, go to Important Innovations Collection: Smart Contact Lens : DARPA May Have Found It Source:  DARPA Giving Soldiers "Superpowers" The technology comes from France's engineering sc...

UC Berkeley's Robotic Arm Source:  UC Berkeley Controlled by Using Virtual Reality Headset This is a low cost, high performance robotic arm that's been designed for a key purpose.  It's a powerful platform for artificial intelligence and robotic experimentation.  The goal is to generate the next generation of AI-enabled robots.  The Berkeley team believes such experimental platforms could usher in the next technological revolution.  For more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: Berkeley's New Robotic Arm : Controlled by Using Virtual Reality Headset Source:  UC Berkeley Artificial Intelligence and Robots It's a new, low cost robotic...

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

Mechanical Trees Pull Carbon Dioxide from the Air Source:  Arizona State University New Technology for a Cleaner Environment Researchers at Arizona State University have invented Mechanical Trees, a new technology that pulls carbon dioxide out of the air and captures it for reuse.  Just 12 trees are capable of removing 1 metric ton of CO2 a day for less than $100 a ton.  That's a significant cost advantage and the team says the technology is ready for commercialization.  For more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: Mechanical Trees For Cleaner Environment : New Tech to Cut, Capture & Reuse CO2 Source:  Arizona State University A Start to Reducing Climate Change A team at Arizona Sta...