Important Innovations

Motorola Rolls Out Two Smartphones Under $200 Source:  Motorola Moto G Fast New Budget Phone Wars The global smartphone battle for your dollars just got hotter.  Motorola is rolling out in the global market two phones that are priced below $200.  The Moto E is priced at $149.99.  The Moto G Fast is priced at $199.99.  Experts say they have a modern design, big batteries and budget friendly pricing. Bargain Phone Details Both phones pack a lot of punch.  The Moto E has a 6.2 inch LCD, 32 GB of storage, cameras (main, depth and front), headphone jack and microUSB and a battery of 3550mAh.  The Moto G Fast has a 6.4 inch LCD, 32GB of storage, cameras (main, wide angle, macro, front), a USB-C, headphone jack and a battery of 4000 mAh.  They don't have a great deal of competition at their price points and could trigger a new round of product innovation and price wars at the sub $200.00 level.  The phones start shipping in mid June.

BOOKS BY JOURNALIST EDWARD KANE Non-fiction books on innovations and discoveries across industries in 2020 and 2019.   TOP INVENTIONS FOR THE 2020's Just Published by Amazon and Kindle  amazon.com/author/ekane SMART DEVICES FOR THE 2020's Just published by Amazon and Kindle   amazon.com/author/ekane FUTURE TRAVEL VEHICLES Just published by Amazon and Kindle  amazon.com/author/ekane FUTURE TRAVEL VEHICLES BY EDWARD KANE SPACE "Space 2020's:  What's Up There?" - Kindle & paperback "Bargain Space Trips" - Kindle & paperback "Space Renaissance in the 21st Century" - Kindle & paperback "Search For Life in Space" - Kindle & paperback TRANSPORTATION AND TRAVEL INNOVATIONS "Future of Transportation:  2020's and Beyond" - Kindle & paperback "Electric Vehicles for All" - Kindle & paperback "Hot Electric Vehicles fo

New Energy Generator Powers Small Electronics                                                   Source:  NUS Device This is An Electrifying Invention This new invention is called a shadow-effect energy generator.  It's the stuff of science fiction but it's real.  The device produces a current from the differences between bright light and shadowy areas.  The bigger the contrast in light the more energy it produces.  The device can produce enough energy to power a small electronic device like an electronic watch.  The materials scientist inventor - Swee Ching Tan of the National University of Singapore - says this allows us to "harvest energy anyplace on Earth." Shadows of Value The new device is similar to a solar cell.  Tan created the generator by placing a thin coat of gold over silicon.  Light shining on the silicon energizes its electrons. With the gold layer, the generator produces a current when part of the device is in shadow.  Next Steps and Potential Skyscrap

Toyota's New JV in China Source: Stock image of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Focus:  Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems Toyota is betting on a hydrogen fueled future.  The Japanese auto giant is launching a new joint venture to build hydrogen fuel cell systems with 5 Chinese automotive companies.  The joint venture will be based in Beijing.  The Chinese automakers include Dongfeng Motors, FAW Group, GAC, Beijing Sinohytec and Beijing Automotive.  An initial $46 million is being invested and Toyota holds a 65% share of the JV Toyota's Hydrogen City Toyota has a major belief in and commitment to hydrogen as an energy source. Today's JV announcement with the 5 Chinese automakers expands upon it. Toyota has introduced its Mirai hydrogen-electric powered car.  And, Toyota is building what it calls the "city of the future" at the base of Mt. Fuji, Japan.  The city will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.  And it will function as a living laboratory for hydrogen power, smart h

World's 1st Drone Cleared for Heavy Cargo Trials Source:  Ehang Booming Drone Business China's Ehang is the world's 1st autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) & eVTOL company approved to perform commercial trials of carrying heavy cargo in its passenger drones.  The pilotless Ehang 216 drones can carry two passengers, go up to 80 mph and travel a distance of 19 miles. It's now the first drone company in the world that is cleared to perform a series of trial tests with the drone carrying cargo loads of 330 pounds and more. Global Market Size Ehang founder and CEO Hu Huazi says the Chinese regulatory authority's clearance will accelerate the commercialization of  AAV/eVTOL technology and air mobility solutions for logistics. He adds it's a foundation for the world to establish a coordinated and sustainable regulatory environment.  The global market potential for eVTOLs is huge.  Morgan Stanley estimates it at $1.5 Trillion by 2040.  30% of t

Green, Clean Travel Source: Stock image of e-Bike commuter Avoiding Crowds on Mass Transit Most of the world's electric vehicles have two or three wheels - not four!  More than 180 million electric bikes and electric trikes are in use globally.  Bloomberg NEF forecasts that the number will escalate to 600 million by 2040.  By far, China accounts for most of the e-bikes and e-trikes.  But sales are also rapidly rising in Europe, the US, India, Taiwan and Vietnam.  The number of electric cars won't come close to 600 million any time soon. Changes to Global Transportation Through Pedal Power The e-bikes and e-trikes are driving major changes in global transportation.  They are responsible for more avoided oil consumption than any other transportation vehicle category.  e-bike technology is hitting stride as the bikes become lighter and faster. Pedal assisted models can reach speeds up to 30 mph, helping people to commute, avoid public transportation and get e

Jet Pack Aviation's Personal Air Mobility Source:  Jet Pack Aviation New Mode of Flying - SPEEDER Jet Pack Aviation of California is in the business of inventing jet packs as a new means of transportation for consumers and the military.  Their latest flying model - the Recreational SPEEDER, they say, is like riding a motorcycle in the sky.  It's the first turbine powered, fully stabilized VTOL (vertical take off and landing) personal aircraft ever built.  Because it is fully stabilized, very little training to fly it is required.  The vehicle is in the flight testing phase.  It is a brand new form of personal air mobility. Consumer and Military Versions of SPEEDER SPEEDER has a maximum speed of 150 mph, a range/endurance of 30 minutes and maximum thrust of 1200 pounds.  As it's a VTOL, it can take off and land almost anyplace and can fly up to 15,000 feet in altitude. There are two recreational versions.  An ultralight version that requires no pilot's