Important Innovations

Targets 2030's To Sell EVs Only Aims for Carbon Free Society Japan's Subaru Corp. just announced that it's targeting the first half of the 2030's to sell only electric cars worldwide.  The automaker has a long term goal of helping to foster a carbon free society.  Subaru's plan is bold and ambitious.  It comes just as Subaru announced an intensified relationship with Toyota to essentially share the costs of developing new technologies for electric and self-driving cars. Detailed Plan Subaru has a series of specific targets it wants to meet in order to go all-electric.  First, it will develop a "strong hybrid" that will include Toyota technologies. The "strong" hybrid is believed to be in concept stage right now. The strong hybrid will complement its current line-up of hybrids and hybrid plugins.  It's also building an all-battery vehicle with Toyota.  Both new vehicles should be available later in this decade. 2030 and Be

Samsung's SelfieType with Selfie Camera Source:  Samsung Powered by Cameras and AI Samsung is developing a virtual keyboard for smartphones.  It uses AI and image recognition to create an invisible keyboard.  The purpose is to increase productivity by increasing the size of the keyboard for you to work on.  The system creates the virtual keyboard on hard surfaces like a desk. Fascinating Practicality The market potential for this input method is significant because many people find it cumbersome to type on a touchscreen.  Samsung's invention relies on the phone's front facing selfie cameras and AI.  The system analyzes and translates finger movements into typing commands.  All, in real-time.  No additional components are needed.  This could become part of some Galaxy phones and tablets in the near future through a software update. 

Green Tech Investments Up 28% in US 2019, a Record Source:  Wind, Solar Energy Stock Image Wind and Solar Lead the Way Despite the Trump Administration's views on Climate Change and renewable energy, US companies broke records in their investments in green technology in 2019.  Investments hit $55.5 billion, which is up 28%.  That catapulted the US to second place in renewable energy investments behind China, whose financial bet on renewables fell 8% to $83 billion. Clearly, China remains the far ahead leader in pushing renewables.  Europe's renewable energy investments fell 7% to $54 billion, right behind the US. Interestingly, Brazil's financial investment soared by 74% to $6.5 billion.  The data was collected by Bloomberg. New Green Energy Technologies The big investment push in the US for new renewable energy technologies and expansions is by wind and solar energy companies.  They're rushing to qualify for federal tax credit that end later this year.  The

Joby Aviation's $590 Million Investor Infusion Source:  Joby Aviation VTOL Toyota Lead Investor There's a flying taxi readying for takeoff.  Joby Aviation, which develops electric flying taxis, has secured $590 million in investment money.  Toyota is the lead player at $394 million, followed by Intel Capital, Jet Blue VC and Toyota's AI Ventures.  Joby Aviation, headquartered in northern California, has developed a very impressive VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle. Electric VTOL Joby's flying taxi goes up to 200 mph, 150 miles + on a single charge, is 100-times more quiet than conventional aircraft and has zero carbon emissions.  The vehicle seats 4 passengers, vertically takes off like a helicopter and smoothly transitions to forward flight.  The $590 million is the biggest investment ever made in a flying taxi company. Big Players eVTOLs are the hottest category of flying cars.  Six urban air mobility vehicles are curren

Clean, Green Vehicles that Cut Emissions to be Showcased Source:  Great Wall's ORA R1 Electric Car Green Vehicles and Clean Technology India's Auto Expo 2020 opening in February will showcase green, clean, primarily electric vehicles developed by global automakers.  65 brand new vehicles will be showcased along with cutting edge technologies.  Organizers in India say there will be new emissions technology, safety tech and advanced connectivity through SIM cards embedded in vehicles. Big China Presence Six big China automakers are coming to display their cutting edge vehicles, including Great Wall Motor Company.  Great Wall's top leadership is coming and bringing a Chinese press delegation of 100 members.  85% of  global automakers are participating.  Many of the participants are expected to showcase their BS-VI technology that's targeted at cutting carbon emissions. Much tougher emissions standards are going into effect in India to dramatically cut toxic

Eden GeoPower Source:  Stock Image Oil Well Cleaner Oil Extraction Eden GeoPower is a green energy startup founded by MIT PhD. candidate Paris Smalls and Saudi Aramco geophysicist Ammar Alali who recently graduated from the University of Houston.  They've invented a unique, electric and environmentally sound technology that provides much cleaner and environmentally sound oil and gas extraction. Fracking Wells Current fracking techniques rely on water under high pressure to extract oil and gas.  The process generates runoff that is highly polluted and can seep into groundwater.  Eden GeoPower offers a Pulsed Electric Reservoir Stimulation technology that's inexpensive and environmentally correct.  The process is not water intensive and results in no water runoff and no noise pollution.  It's a cleaner energy alternative in extracting gas and oil. The process results in higher extraction rates of oil and gas from fracking wells without causing environmenta

Plans to Remove Carbon from Atmosphere with Target Dates Source:  Microsoft Commitment from the Top Microsoft has joined the fight against Climate Change in a big way.  It just announced that by 2030 it will have removed more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits.  And, by 2050, it hopes to have taken out as much CO2 as all the direct emissions the company has made since its founding in 1975. Very Different, Innovative Approach The world's largest software company's approach to fighting Climate Change is quite different and innovative.  Most companies promise to cut ongoing emissions or prevent new ones.  By contrast, Microsoft's pledge to remove existing carbon from the atmosphere is unique for corporate America. CEO Leadership The commitment to fighting Climate Change is coming from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.  Speaking today at Microsoft's Redmond, Washington headquarters, he said we, as a global company, have to offset the damag