Important Innovations

NASA and ESA's Blackbird Mission Source: Davos  Unprecedented Solar Orbiter Probe NASA and the European Space Agency have successfully launched the Solar Orbiter on a journey to the Sun, to take unprecedented views of its blazing solar poles.  The Solar Orbiter took off on top of an Atlas 5 rocket.  The Orbiter separated from the rocket within 53 minutes to go into space flight as planned and is now in communications with NASA.  All of this happened in the past few days.  This unique mission is going very well as it moves along on a very long journey to the Sun. Mission Unprecedented This US and European mission is unprecedented.   It's expected to help scientists understand how the Sun's massive amount of energy affects humans in space and how it impacts all of us on the Earth. The mission will provide unique images, views and data of the sun's blazing pole regions, which are critical sources of data. Ten Year Journey The orbiter is equi

British Petroleum Goes Green - "Reimagining Energy" Commitment Source:  BP Aggressive Commitment to Eliminate or Offset Carbon Emissions Big oil is at the epicenter and the primary cause of global climate change.  So it is major news when the British oil giant BP promises to eliminate or offset all carbon emissions from its operations and from the products it sells globally by 2050. This is the most radical strategic position that BP has taken in its 111 year global oil and gas history. They call their commitment "Reimagining Energy". The question being asked by many around the world is:  How is BP going to do it? Huge Amounts of Carbon Emissions Yearly The amount of toxic carbon emissions that BP is committing to eliminate is huge.  Every year, 55 million metric tons of carbon emissions spew into the atmosphere from BP operations. That amount is dwarfed by carbon emissions from BP customers using their energy products.  Global BP produ

Expands EV Portfolio with LA Startup Canoo Source: Canoo Hyundai Developing New Platform for EV Cars, Trucks, SUV's  South Korean automotive giant Hyundai is broadening and deepening its future transportation and electric vehicle lineup through a new partnership with Los Angeles EV startup Canoo. The two are partnering to develop a distinctive, new skateboard platform that Hyundai can use to produce a wide range of inexpensive electric cars and e-vehicles. Skateboard Platforms Skateboard platforms are the rage for EV manufacturers with major players like Detroit-based Rivian and Israeli startup REE getting significant outside investments to develop their own skateboard platforms.  What stands out about Hyundai is that its investment commitment into future mobility technologies for EV's in particular is now hitting an unprecedented amount of $87 billion over the next few years.  Their partnership with Canoo is their latest partnership commitment to the future of EV

US EV Market On the Rise Source:  Tesla Model 3 EV's in US Beating Out Another Auto Category The sale of electric vehicles in the US is at a very early stage, representing 1.6% of the 17 million "light" vehicles sold in 2019.  But, for the first time, EV's are outperforming a segment of the automotive market.  Specifically, EV's are outpacing vehicles with standard shifts which represent 1.1% of automotive sales. Sales of standard shift models have dropped .5% in the past year.  By contract, sales of the world's most popular EV, the Tesla Model 3, are up 1% in the US in 2019. It's the beginning of a shift by Americans to zero emission, green, electric vehicles to save the environment from carbon emissions. Tesla's Roadster Electric Sportscar In Q1 2020, the electric car segment in the US is composed of 16 models.  That is scheduled to significantly grow  this year.  And, EV's are expected to outperform another category in 2020 -- conve

The Trike: Electric Scooter Commuting on Three-Wheels The Hero AE-3 electric is a 3-wheeled scooter with a new name "The Trike".  It was just unveiled at the Auto Expo 2020  in India and is now being introduced to the India market.  The EV is loaded with technology.  One of the target markets for it is B2B. It's interesting new EV innovation just coming from India, which is one of the hottest EV markets in the world. Lots of Tech The Trike is aimed at local, short haul commuting particularly for business-2-business purposes. It is loaded with technology, including GPS, a mobile charger, digital instrument cluster, reverse assistant, walk assist, smart phone app and more.  It has a 250 w electric motor, powered by a 48 v/3kWh battery pack.  It reaches top speeds of 80 km/h & delivers a range of 100 miles. The Trike has a self-standing gyroscope stability feature and an auto-balance park switch. New E-Mobility The Hero AE-3 is being initially m

Amazing Scientific Breakthrough in Spain Source:  Stock Eye Image Source:  Patient Bernadetta Gomez Blind Woman Sees Again In Spain, a 57 year old blind woman, Bernadetta Gomez who lost her sight 16 years ago, can see again.  This miraculous outcome is thanks to a breakthrough technology system developed by Dr. Eduardo Fernandez, the director of neuro-engineering at the University of Miguel Hernandez.  Ms. Gomez is able to see light, letters, people, objects and even play basic video games.  The images are sent directly to her brain via a brain implant.  It's a world first and the images are generated in the brain.  The innovative system has nothing to do with the eyes. How It Works Doctors placed a tiny implant directly in Ms. Gomez' brain.  The implant sends signals directly to her brain's visual cortex.  As part of the system, the team embedded a camera into a pair of glasses. The camera records the patient's field of vision and sends

Hyundai's Sonata Hybrid Source:  Hyundai's Sonata Hybrid Hybrid, Electric & Solar Panels on the Car Roof At the Chicago 2020 Auto Show, a new breed of hybrid, electric and solar powered car was unveiled.  It's Hyundai's 2020 Sonata Hybrid and it takes the popular Sonata to a whole new level.  What is so innovative and unique about the vehicle is the solar paneled roof.  The Sonata Hybrid with its combined electric and gas powered engines is much more fuel efficient.  But add to that the solar panels that can provide an extra 800 solar electric powered miles per year. It represents another milestone in the drive toward cleaner, greener driving. New Hybrid Platform Hyundai says it's building the new hybrid on a brand new platform that makes it lighter in weight and increases the vehicle's strength.  It's powered by a 2.0 liter 14 engine that provides 150 horsepower  and an electric motor that provides a supplemental 51 horsepower.  T