Important Innovations

Porsche Forecasts Record 2020 US Sales Led by All Electric Taycan Source:  Porsche E-Taycan Sports Car Electric Sports Car that's Eco Friendly with Speed Porsche says its new, all-electric sports car Taycan is getting a lot of surprisingly big interest from Tesla electric car owners.  This may be the first lap of the all-electric global car races for customer sales.  According to VW owned and German based Porsche, of the thousands of potential customers expressing interest in the Taycan, Tesla owners rank first among non-Porsche owners. Tesla is based in the US and founded and run by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.  The Taycan electric sports car is one of the most anticipated EVs of 2019 and of the upcoming decade for many tech reasons. Electric Stats The Taycan all-electric sports car delivers everything and all the power that you'd expect from a Porsche.  It has 670 horsepower and goes from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds.  Acceleration, speed by electric moto

New China Regulations: Facial Recognition Reaches Mobile Phones Source:  Facial ID Scanning Stock Image May Prevent Fraud in Cyberspace But Does it Increase Citizen Surveillance? This is a new use of facial recognition technology that the world is watching.  China put new regulations into effect on Sunday that require Chinese telecom operators to scan the faces of people registering for new mobile phone services in China.  The consumer or business could be buying a new SIM card or any new mobile phone services.  The purchaser has no choice but to have their face scanned.  The Chinese government says it's combating cyber-fraud and protecting its citizens from being hacked.  This is facial recognition at the cutting edge of use, controversy and possibly usefulness. Once your face is scanned on your mobile phone, anyplace you use it, such as in your home and stores, could be tracked. Controversial This could be viewed as a legitimate and ongoing push by China to ensure peop

3 Global Automakers Tie-Up on Electric R&D Source:  Nissan Electric Vehicle LA Auto Show Showcases New EVs Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi just announced that they're intensifying their R&D alliance to develop advanced auto technology.  At the top of the list is a common platform for electric cars across the three brands.  Nissan's new CEO Makoto Uchida said today that the R&D alliance is the key to future growth.  They're setting up a separate company and will appoint a General Secretary to run the R&D innovation operation.  Nissan also announced that it's going to launch an all-electric SUV. LA Auto Show Electrified Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the annual LA Auto Show is underway and a number of new electric vehicles are being showcased. The big story is the number of high-end electric SUVs on display. Examples include the Audi E-Tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes EQC.  There are also several electric hyper-cars including the BMWi8 and the Acura

World's 1st Camera System to Spot Drivers Handling Mobile Phones Source:  Sydney Highways Stock Image New South Wales Using Tech to Cut Road Fatalities Australia's state of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, today rolled out new technology along the roads to cut fatalities caused by distracted drivers on mobile phones.  They're deploying high definition, AI-enabled detection cameras to spot drivers handling their mobile phones, which is illegal in New South Wales (NSW).  45 portable cameras, including fixed and mobile trailer mounted cameras, are being set-up in undisclosed locations.  Authorities believe that within two year the surveillance system will cut the number of fatalities on its roads by one-third. This HD, AI camera system tech and application are a world first. 24-7 Roadside Detection The high tech cameras work day, night and in all types of weather to detect if a driver going by is handling a mobile phone.  The cameras use artific

E-Hybrid Plans Ramping Up Source:  Airbus. E-Thrust Concept Electric Hybrid Aircraft Cleaner, Greener Flying Airbus is moving forward on plans to produce hybrid electric planes for commercial use by 2035.  This is part of Airbus' major focus to develop and manufacture low emissions aircraft.  Global air travel spews millions of tons of carbon dioxide from jet fuel into the atmosphere.  Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury confirmed that he's moving ahead with the industry's first program to potentially develop and produce fleets of hybrid electric aircraft.  He confirmed his electric hybrid plane goals during a conversation with reporters this weekend. E-Thrust Concept: Electric-Hybrid Flying Commitment with Greatly Reduced Emissions Airbus' commitment to developing greener energy sources to power jets is clear.  In May, Airbus and SAS Scandinavian Airlines signed an agreement to partner on research for electric and hybrid aircraft designs.  Their E-Thrust con

Mid-November Hypersonic Test in Russian Arctic "Unbeatable" According to President Putin The Russian news agency Tass, citing military sources, reports that Russia tested a hypersonic missile over the Russian Arctic within the past two weeks.  A MIG 31 Intercept jet performed the testing of the Kinjal Dagger hypersonic missile. Ground Target The missile was fired against a ground target at the Pemboi training grounds in Russia's Arctic Komi region.  No other details were provided.  Russian President Vladimir Putin has bragged that the Dagger missile is unbeatable and capable of evading any enemy defenses.  The Kinjal Dagger is said to be capable of hitting targets 1,250 miles away with conventional or nuclear warheads travelling at hypersonic speeds.  Average hypersonic speeds range from Mach 5-10. Danish Defense Warning Meanwhile in its annual risk assessment report, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service warned of a "great power play" shaping up b

BMW & Tesla Expanding Production of Electric Vehicles in China Source:  BMW MINI Cooper Tesla's Cybertruck About to Set a Record BMW is significantly expanding its global electric vehicle operations.  BMW and its Chinese partner Great Wall announced today that they plan to build a $716 million plant in China big enough to manufacture 160,000 electric cars a year.  The plant will produce electric MINI's for BMW and also Great Wall electric vehicles.  Great Wall is China's #1 SUV and pickup truck manufacturer. Meanwhile, US-based Tesla is close to setting a new record with its electric pick-up Cybertruck. Big China Electric Vehicle Market Expansions The BMW-Great Wall plant is due to open in 2022 near Shanghai.  For e-car makers, the opportunity in China is huge.  China has new quotas starting in 2025 requiring that 20% of total vehicle sales are electric and rechargeable hybrids.  Automakers and suppliers are diligently working to meet these tough,