There are smart gadgets, smartphones, and soon, smart tires, starting with Hankook’s futuristic-looking Hexonic. Designed for autonomous cars of the near future, it sports a tread design that is sectioned into multiple hexagonal modules that can split apart to create water passages. Within each of these modules is a Y shape in the center for added grip on the road. Read more for two videos and additional information.
Vertical Aerospace reveals flight footage of a sleek electric vertical take off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), called Seraph, that completed its maiden flight at Llanbedr Airfield in Wales. This prototype was built to test new technologies and systems for integration into Vertical Aerospace’s upcoming passenger model, which is slated to be unveiled next year, and it’s capable of carrying loads of up to 250kg while reaching speeds of up to 80km per hour. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
Textron Systems has just unveiled a new 10-ton, unmanned tank that will enter the US Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle effort. Textron’s subsidiaries Howe & Howe Technologies and FLiR Systems Inc. is showcasing the Ripsaw M5 on the exhibit floor at the 2019 Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. currently.
Wing, an Alphabet subsidiary, has launched the first commercial drone delivery service in the US. The company is now delivering snacks and health care products to residents of Christiansburg, Virginia, after receiving approval from the government. To make the process go smoothly, they teamed up with major partners such as Federal Express and Walgreens. It’s so easy to use that all it takes is a few taps on smartphones to select items for delivery. Read more for a video and additional information.
Global technology company Bosch is launching a new sensor system powered by artificial intelligence, called the SoundSee, to the International Space Station. This module comes equipped with microphones and uses machine learning to detect and analyze sounds it hears. It then uses these sounds to establish a baseline, and continuously compares new audio to be able to immediately discover potential mechanical issues that could cause problems. It will also be used to provide information about the current performance of the ISS systems, and when they need maintenance or repair. Read more for a video and additional information.
BMW has just unveiled its new all-electric race car, the iFE.20, set to compete under their i Andretti Motorsport team in the upcoming Formula E season. Every Formula E vehicle utilizes a spec chassis and aerodynamics package, so you won’t find a single overpowering team with a major advantage, as winning will be left up to the drivers. Read more for a video and additional information.
Researchers at MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms have unveiled BILL-E (Bipedal Isotropic Lattice Locomoting Explorer), an assembler robot with awith a small hinged arm equipped with tools for clamping down on structures called “voxels”. These enable the robot to navigate 3D space without a complex system of cameras, sensors and algorithms, but by simply keeping track of its position counting its steps on whatever structure it’s tasked with building, sort of like a pixel in an image. Read more for a video and additional information.
Skydio 2 is an autonomous drone that pretty much only lacked one feature, the ability to recharge itself, that is until now. In other words, you won’t have to manually place this drone on a charging dock after 20-30 minutes of flight time, but instead, you’ll be able to survey a disaster zone continuously indefinitely until something goes wrong with the drone itself, and it doesn’t require GPS to find its way back. Read more for a video showing just how this charging dock would work.
Remember the classic candy bar-style phones from the late 1990s – early 2000s? Mudita Pure is a “modern take on a classic phone” by ditching all of the unnecessary features found in most smartphones today. To start, it features an E-ink display that reduces blue-light exposure while boasting an ultralow SAR value (the measured amount of radio waves absorbed by the body of the carrier). It may not have 4G / 5G connectivity, but when connected to a computer via USB-C, it doubles as WiFi hotspot. Read more for a video and additional information.
Sikorsky, now owned by Lockheed Martin, is set to reveal a remote-controlled Black Hawk helicopter next year that makes use of both autonomy software and high-tech sensors. So far, the prototype has managed to hit 172 miles per hour after 54.5-hours of flight time and will make its first fully autonomous flight in 2020. This helicopter will also offer pilots multiple autonomy modes so they can commit more time toward their mission. Read more for a video of some of the autonomous aircraft Lockheed Martin is working on and additional information.