Important Innovations

US & European Regional Travel on the Rise Source: Cape Cod Summer Tourist Destination Marriott CEO's Global Hotel Perspective The pandemic was particularly inhospitable to the global hospitality industry.  As Covid-19 cases soared, air travel ground to a halt, lockdowns forced people to shelter at home and bookings at global hotel chains plummeted.  At Marriott, room occupancy rates dropped to 5% in some US hotel properties and to 7% in Marriott hotels in China.  The rates have rebounded in China to 40% and in the US to 20%.  CEO Arne Sorenson says he's starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel for global hotels:  a pickup in personal and business travel. Profound Economic Impact Sorenson says the impact of the pandemic on Marriott's global business is worse than 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis combined. He doesn't expect global occupancy to return to the average of 71% for a few years.  But there are positive signs.  US downloads of

All-Electric Cesna Grand Caravan Takes Flight Source:  MagniX Retrofitted, Electric Cessna Commuter Plane A Cessna commuter plane, retrofitted to be all electric powered, has been successfully test flown in Washington state.  It is the biggest electric plane now flying.  It's the invention of electric motor maker MagniX of Redmond, Washington and flight testing contractor AeroTEC.  They converted a 9 passenger, single engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan into an electric plane that flies on battery power. "Electric Flight Is Here" In its test flight, the Cessna Grand Caravan flew for 30 minutes and made a picture perfect landing.  AeroTEC CEO Lee Human says the demonstration proves "electric flight is here today." The two companies hope to have FAA approval of their all electric aircraft by late 2021 in order to begin commercial operations. Proof of e-Flying The flight of this electric plane establishes several aviation milestones.  It is proof that gre

Emissions Free Mobility Source:  BMW Hydrogen Powertrain BMW's Strategy & Commitment BMW is strongly committed to hydrogen fuel cell technology as an alternative to gas powered car and electric vehicles.  There are two key reasons:  hydrogen powered cars are zero emissions and require zero charge times.  In fact, BMW has unveiled images of the powertrain for its BMW i Hydrogen NEXT. Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology The future of hydrogen fuel cell technology is big but the infrastructure to sustain it needs to be in place for a big takeoff.  Here are BMW's perspectives on what is needed to make this zero emissions technology go mass market: Production of sufficient quantities of hydrogen for hydrogen fuel cells at a competitive price using GREEN electricity Hydrogen fuel cell tech starting in long distance, heavy duty transport that can't be electrified Extensive networks of hydrogen fueling stations in Europe to start. Hydrogen World BMW is

SpaceX Crew Dragon & ISS Source:  NASA ISS 2 US Astronauts Hop Onboard ISS This past weekend SpaceX Crew Dragon with US astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley onboard made it to the International Space Station.  It's an historic accomplishment for a private company and NASA.  The two astronauts will be up there for up to three months doing scientific experiments and celestial observations. What's Up There? To learn about the big, upcoming space missions of the 2020's including NASA and SpaceX plans, check out journalist Edward Kane's book "Space 2020's: What's Up There?" Until June 2 at 11AM ET, it's on sale as an Amazon Countdown Deal.   The link is  ASIN: B087DV4DZ6 To view Ed's  Amazon bookshelf of books, go to amazon.com/author/ekane   I co-authored the books with Ed.

Huge Wins for SpaceX & NASA Source:  SpaceX Historic Space Travel Firsts History was made on May 30, 2020 when a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with 2 US astronauts, Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, strapped onboard the SpaceX spacecraft Crew Dragon.  Within 12 minutes, Crew Dragon separated from the rocket and hurtled into space to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS).  Next day, May 31, 2020, Crew Dragon autonomously docked with the ISS. The docking happened 19 hours after launch. Crew Dragon used 12 separate latches to create an air locked seal between Dragon and the ISS for the 2 US astronauts to go onboard the ISS and join 3 other astronauts - 2 Russians and 1 American, already there.  History was made by SpaceX, NASA and the two brave, US astronauts.  SpaceX had never carried humans into space before this. Crew Dragon is an autonomous space vehicle that the astronauts can also do some fly time in.  The

Squad Mobility's Solar Cars to Debut in Europe Source:  Squad Mobility Green, Sustainable Driving Amsterdam-based Squad Mobility has invented a solar powered, 2 seat mini electric car.  Called the Squad Solar City Car, it's getting ready to go on the market in Europe.  The vehicle comes in two versions.  A L6e model can go up to 28 mph.  And, the L7 model can accelerate up to 50 mph.  These electric vehicles are not designed for highway driving.  They're designed for driving city streets and country roads. Roof Top Solar Panels The solar panels are mounted on the roof so charging can be done inexpensively or even for free with sunshine only.  The company is taking pre-orders.  The price is $6,330.  First deliveries will start in late 2021.  The vehicle size is 21.5 square feet.  4 of the EVs can fit into a parking spot designed for a SUV.  The vehicle has seat belts, a roll cage for additional safety, air conditioning and removeable doors.  The company says i

Micromobility: Shared, Remote-Controlled, E-Scooters Source:  Curiosity Labs at Peachtree Crossings, GA First Commercial Operation:  Suburban Atlanta, GA  The world's 1st, remote-controlled electric scooters are now available for rent in suburban Atlanta, GA.  It's the first remote controlled, shared electric scooter service to start commercial operations in the US.  100 scooters are now in service and being remotely controlled by teleoperators in Mexico City. High Tech, Green Scooters The scooters are 4 wheelers, with two training wheels under the scooter deck to provide better balance.  They're bulkier than the average two-wheel scooter and have extra components attached to their handlebars and deck.  The technology includes data sensors and live streaming cameras. Human Controlled at a Great Distance The scooters are controlled by teams of employees in Mexico City - 1700 miles away from Atlanta.  The teleoperators use technology including a live feed from