Important Innovations

  5 Minute Charge                                                                      Source:  StoreDot New Battery Invention from Israel Startup One of the biggest obstacles to the widespread use of electric cars is the time it takes to recharge the battery.  In most cases, it takes hours and that leads to what is called "battery range anxiety".  Israeli startup StoreDot has the solution.  It has developed a highly advanced car battery that can be recharged within five minutes.  The invention is a world first and a potential gamechanger for the electric car industry. Next Steps Toward Commercialization The industry itself will have to catch up to the battery. The ultra fast charge requires much higher power chargers than are currently in use.  Charging stations need to be upgraded to enable widespread commercialization of the new invention.  It makes a recharge as quick as filling a car with gas. Big Investors Behind StoreDot StoreDot has the financial backing of several gl

  Microsoft, GM and Cruise Partner on Self-Driving Cars                                                  Source:  GM's Cruise A New Vision for Autonomous Driving This is a brand new vision of the future of autonomous driving.  A new partnership among Microsoft, GM and Cruise.  San Francisco based startup Cruise just received a huge infusion of cash to develop autonomous cars.  Microsoft has joined GM, which is Cruise's majority shareholder, along with Honda and other institutional investors to pump $2 billion worth of investment into Cruise and its autonomous technology.  Their intent is for Cruise to take their self-driving vehicles to market for widespread commercialization. The investment infusion brought Cruise's market valuation to $30 billion. That is very close to Waymo, the self-driving company owned by Google's parent Alphabet, valued at slightly over $30 billion. Microsoft Tech and the Big Picture Cruise will use Microsoft's cloud computing platform Azure

  Chevron & Carbon Capture Technology                                                                           Source:  Oil Refinery Stock Image Blue Planet US major oil company Chevron disclosed that it is investing in San Jose, CA based Blue Planet Systems Company.  Blue Planet is a startup that develops and manufactures carbon capture technology.  The technology cuts the carbon output of industrial processes in order to reduce their carbon footprint.  Chevron is making the investment through its Future Energy Fund. The Fund focuses on new, innovative lower carbon technologies being developed by startups that can scale up commercially.  The two companies plan to collaborate on pilot projects with the new carbon capture technology in certain locations.  Chevron did not disclose the amount of  the investment. Big Oil Looking For Low Carbon Solutions Chevron is a traditional fossil fuel energy company.  It and other major oil companies are under growing pressure from investors to c

  Operation Hazel                                                                                        Source:  Razer Top COVID Weapon Gaming equipment maker Razer has developed a highly advanced, reusable face mask that they say is a medical grade respirator.  The mask ventilates and purifies the air to guard against COVID-19.  It has a built in microphone and amplifier to prevent muffling of the wearer's voice.  Razer calls development of the mask Operation Hazel.   Highly Advanced COVID Fighting Gadget Razer says the mask uses a N95 medical grade respirator, detachable and rechargeable ventilators.  The ventilators are sanitized by putting them into their wireless recharging box which contains disinfecting UV light.  The mask is made of recycled material and has lights that automatically turn on in the dark.  There's a choice of 16.8 million colors to select from for the mask. CES 2021 Razer is headquartered in Singapore and Las Vegas.  Early in the COVID pandemic, it conv

SONDORS Metacycle                                                                      Source:  SONDORS Metacycle City & Highway Riding SONDORS Metacycle is a new form of personal mobility and it brakes the mold of traditional motorcycles.  The bike is an all electric motorbike that can hit speeds up to 80 mph.  The vehicle is designed for urban commuting and is roadworthy for highways.  For a motorcycle it is relatively inexpensive.  It's priced at $5,000.  By contrast, Harley Davidson's electric Live Wire is priced at $29,799.  Both are categorized as electric commuting bikes.  The Metacycle is considered gamechanging travel technology. SONDORS is headquartered in Malibu, CA  It claims to have sold 100,000 e-bikes since 2015 and says it is now the largest e-bike distributor in the US. Tech Specs The Metacycle has a rear mounted, hub electric motor that provides 8 Kw nominal and 14.5 K peak.  The removeable 4,000 Wh battery has a range of 80 miles.  It can be charged at ho

  Galaxy S21                                                  Source:  Samsung Galaxy 5G Phone Less Expensive Than Predecessor Samsung has launched three Galaxy S21 series phones.  The 5G lineup includes the $800 Galaxy S21, $1,000 Galaxy S21 Plus and the $1,200 Galaxy S21 Ultra.  The next generation Samsung S21 series was one of the most anticipated product launches at CES 2021 and it didn't disappoint.  The biggest advantage is the price reduction. It's priced at $200 below its 2020 predecessor phone Galaxy S20. Samsung Telephonic Technology The South Korean phone maker has added upgrades to the phone's processor and the software it runs on.  It's on Android 11 with a Snapdragon 888 processor, that promises enhanced overall performance.  The smart phone has upgraded 5G connectivity and the fingerprint sensor.  The screen size of the base S21 is 6.2 inches and the Plus is 6.7 inches. The refresh rate is 120 Hz and the battery  is 4,000 mAh on the base model and 4,800 m

  60 Inch Rollable OLED Display                                             Source:  Razer Razer's Project Brooklyn One of the most innovative items unveiled at the CES 2021 virtual show is Razer's fully immersive video gaming chair.  For gaming sessions, it envelops the gamer in a 60 inch flexible display screen that rolls out and can be retracted.  Razer calls it Project Brooklyn.   Multipurpose Chair The chair can serve as a deskside chair for PC gaming.  But it can also be transformed into an immersive gaming experience with a halo ring extended above the top of the chair for the gamer.  The ring serves as a mount for up to a 60 inch full surround OLED display.  The display extends up, out and around the chair's backbone.  The results are very similar to an AR and VR experience.  The chair's 4D armrests have built in panels for keyboard, mouse and other controls.  And the seat contains Hypersense which is Razer's audio-driven haptic feedback technology. That ena