Important Innovations

AI Controls Trucks Source:  Pelotin Pelotin System: One Driver Driving Two Trucks Simultaneously with AI This is a L4 Automated Following System from Pelotin Technology that lets a driver control multiple trucks at the same time. The company says it is more energy efficient and safer.  This may be the future of tractor trailers on the road thanks to a lot of hi-tech. The concept is that big rigs are safer together with a lot of artificial intelligence behind them. Leading Edge Tech This truck technology is leading edge and relies on a  lot of communications, technologies and algorithms. For example, radar based active brakes, vehicle communications, and specialized vehicle controlled algorithms. A human is driving the front truck, that controls with the enabled technology the truck behind. This is new tech on the cutting edge.

Solar Sailing in Space - LightSail 2 Source:  LightSail 2 Promising New Solar Innovation for Space Travel This green energy technology has the potential to be disruptive innovation. It's a solar powered sail invented through the non-profit Planetary Society in California, led by the Science Guy Bill Nye.  The LightSail 2 CubeSat spacecraft successfully deployed its solar sail to get propulsion in space a few days ago.  It's the first spacecraft to be propelled by sunlight alone.  This is very important science because the use of solar sails to convert solar wind into thrust could save fuel for spacecrafts on long space missions. Solar Sailing The small spacecraft is the size of a toaster.  It was hurled into space aboard a Space X Falcon Heavy rocket in late June.  A few days ago, flight controllers on the ground in California fully deployed the solar sail from the CubeSat into space.  The sail is the size of a boxing ring and the system is orbiting the Earth solely

NASA's TESS Planet Hunter Source:  NASA's TESS Historic Mission and Historic Discoveries With just a year in space, NASA's TESS planet hunting spacecraft has discovered 21 brand new worlds outside of our solar system, 850 potential exoplanets and 6 supernovas.  NASA says this is beyond their wildest expectations. Having explored the southern sky, TESS is now going to check out the northern sky. For a great news blog on this historic mission, go to Important Innovations Collection: NASA 21 Whole New Worlds : NASA Spacecraft TESS Discoveries Source:  NASA Planet Hunter Extraordinary NASA's planet hunter TESS spacecraft - Transiting Exo...

Pairing Marines with Robots in the Field Source:  DARPA's Squad X Technology Man & Machines on the Frontline The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - uses AI and  autonomous robots and drones to gather information for soldiers in the field about their surroundings.  The purpose is to eliminate what's historically been called "the fog of war" meaning the uncertainty of the soldier's surroundings - enemies lurking inside of buildings, exploding devices on the ground, etc. Fog of War DARPA has been testing the Squad X system, which is multifaceted.  Aerial drones and mobile robots on the ground provide surveillance of the soldier's surroundings.  Artificial intelligence processes the information and provides what's relevant to the soldier on their Android device.  The program is designed to provide superior situational awareness.  The systems currently being tested don't involve the capacity to fire weapons

Wearable Cools in Summer and Warms in Winter Source:  Reon Pocket by Sony Reon Pocket by Sony This new device would have been very handy this hot summer.  The Reon Pocket is a wearable device that's smaller than your smartphone.  Designed to be worn on your back in a special tee-shirt, the gadget cools you in the summer and warms you in the winter. Sony expects to launch the personal temperature device in 2020, most likely in time for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.  For a great news blog, go to Important Innovations Collection: Sony's Wearable Air Conditioner : Smart Phone Controlled Source:  Sony's Reon Pocket Reon Pocket - Cools In Summer and Warms in Winter This is an innovative gadge...

Spied on the Road Source:  Mercedes EQS concept Mercedes Technological Flagship The Mercedes EQS Electric car is being called breakthrough Mercedes technology.  It's the next generation, S Class, 2021 fully electric vehicle that should be available for purchase sometime in 2020.  It will be the first car to use Mercedes' new MEA platform that is specifically designed for electric cars.  This vehicle is so highly anticipated that it's a big deal that it was spotted on the road in a camouflaged version as reported  by Car and Driver magazine. Camouflaged Source:  Car and Driver Magazine The specifics on the EQS are few but the vehicle is expected to have a 300 mile range and all wheel drive.  In the rear there's a hatchback and the interior will be open and expansive. The EQS will be branded as Mercedes' technological flagship.  So it will showcase advanced technologies including brand new, semiautonomous features.  No word on price or the exact date

Europe's Record Smashing Heat Threatens Greenland Ice Sheet Source:  NASA - Greenland Ice Sheet World's Second Largest Ice Sheet Melting Europe has been sweltering under a heat wave that has smashed temperature records.  The heat wave is now travelling toward Greenland.  The United Nations is warning that the world's second largest ice sheet is in the cross-hairs of extremely hot air and threatened. Smashing Ice The UN is warning that the hot air headed to Greenland is "absolutely incredible".  It's been moving up from North Africa this summer to Europe.  Temperatures in parts of Europe have hit record highs and surpassed them by 2, 3, 4 degrees Celsius, which is incredible.  That mass of hot air is now travelling northward to Greenland. Global Climate System The US is warning of high temperatures in Greenland and increased melting of the ice sheet.  They think it could result in record low ice levels, at or below levels set in 2012.  Greenland&#

Elon Musk's Boring Company - Hyperloops and Loops Source:  The Boring Company CEO Elon Musk Successful Round of Funding There is nothing boring about Elon Musk's Boring Company. The entrepreneur plans to revolutionize transportation with a series of underground vacuum tubes for his Hyperloop and also his Loop system.  He just raised $117 million in funding from investors to advance his plans which include systems in LA, DC, Chicago and elsewhere.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Hyperloop's Boring Co. Raises Millions : Successful New Round of Funding Source:  Boring Company CEO Alon Musk Plans for LA, Chicago, Baltimore and More Elon Musk's Bori...

Invention by Scientists at Harvard and McGill Universities Source:  Harvard University Fast Healing from Hydrogel Bandage Time heals all wounds but this new bandage does it faster.  It's an algae inspired, hydrogel bandage that heals wounds without any antibiotics.  It was created by a team of scientists at Harvard University working with a team at McGill University.  They say it's a scalable approach, meaning it can be quickly ramped up for manufacturing and distribution.  The heat-responsive hydrogel accelerates healing with no side effects. Silver Nanoparticles The bandage mimics embryonic fluid and even heals chronic wounds.  The active adhesive dressing  contains an alginate hydrogel with silver nanoparticles.  The bandage adheres firmly to the skin but can be adjusted for more flexibility around joints. The bioinspired wound dressing contracts in response to body heat and speeds healing,

Starhopper Tests Successfully Source:  Space X Starship artist rendering Prototype Vehicle for Elon Musk's Starship Space X CEO Elon Musk scored another win today.  His Starhopper prototype spacecraft was successfully tested and lifted off 65 feet.  Within a week, Musk says he'll test again and is targeting a height of 650 feet.  This is the prototype vehicle of Starship which Musk intends to use for trips to the Moon and Mars.  For a great news blog, go to Important Innovations Collection: SpaceX Starhopper Test Success : Win for SpaceX's Elon Musk Source:  Space X Starhopper Next Generation Spacecraft "Water towers can fly!"  That's ...

Toyota Showcasing Autonomous Technology & Much More Source:  Toyota Miraitowa and Someity - The 2020 Tokyo Olympics Mascots Tokyo 2020 Olympics for Athletes and Latest Technology For the Tokyo 2020 Olympics a big crowd pleaser will be the technology deployed.  The official game mascots are two adorable robots - Miraitowa and Someity, just unveiled at Toyota headquarters in Japan  The humanoid "meeters and greeters" are programmed to show facial expressions as they greet athletes and fans . New Automated Helpers Toyota and Panasonic are teaming up to develop automated helpers for the games.  Besides the official mascots, there will be field support robots to help officials at throwing events by retrieving javelins and hammers from competitions.  Robots with cameras will broadcast live action and give fans a sense of virtual reality emersion in the Games. Fans will be able to interact with the athletes remotely with a new telepresence technology.  And, Toyota wil

One of a Kind New Gadget Source:  Coosno Smart Coffee Table that's an Entertainment Center You might call this new innovation, Coosno, party central in your living room.  It's a smart coffee table that contains a refrigerator, stereo sound system, charging stations and more.  It is futuristic, smart furniture that is intriguing.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Very Smart Coffee Table : Entertainment Center in Your Living Room Refrigerator, Music, LED Light s The Coosno is called the world's first lifting coffee tab...

Tracks Your Pet's Location and Their Health Source:  Whistle Whistle Wearables These new gadgets, The Whistle Go and Whistle Explore, help you keep track of your pet's health and location simultaneously.  The device provides location alerts, real time tracking, fitness features, escape alerts from their space and health monitoring.  The battery lasts ten days and the device is waterproof.  It may be Fido's new best friend for protection. GPS Tracking These devices have real-time GPS tracking.  The Whistle Explore is designed for athletic, outdoor dogs that run longer distances in rural locations and rugged environments. Whistle Go Whistle Go is designed for more typical dogs that stay closer to home.  It has GPS but it also monitors your dog's behavior like scratching and sleeping.  It also has an updated app system including weekly heat maps, the dog's daily trips and the progress that your pet is making toward health goals.  It's a new digital wa