The Innovation Report
ISS Fires Thrusters To Avoid Chinese Rocket Debris
The International Space Station (ISS) executed evasive maneuvers Wednesday evening (April 30) to avoid a piece of passing space debris. Hardware from a Chinese Long March rocket that launched in 2005 was on course for a close flyby of the ISS, prompting mission...
World First: Scientists Summon Lightning With Drone
Earlier this month, the Japanese telecommunications company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) successfully used a drone equipped with a lightning-proof cage to essentially summon lightning in an effort to mitigate damage from an incoming thunderstorm....
EV Giant BYD Doubles Profits Overtaking Tesla
Chinese electric car maker BYD’s doubled its profits to $1.3 billion in the first quarter as it continues to surge past its key rival, Elon Musk’s Tesla. The Shenzhen-based firm — whose annual revenue leapfrogged past Tesla’s last month to surpass the $100 billion...
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tech Is Growing Even More Long-Haul Capable
Hydrogen powertrain technology is improving rapidly. Backed by major European truck manufacturers, one of the leading hydrogen fuel cell developers is making great strides toward mass production of a system that can match—and in some ways exceed—diesel performance....
UPS In Talks With Startup Figure AI To Deploy Humanoid Robots
United Parcel Service Inc. is in talks with robotics startup Figure AI Inc. to use humanoid robots for some tasks in the logistics giant’s network, according to people familiar with the matter. UPS and Figure began having discussions about a partnership last year and...
Robot Swarm Can Flow Like Water, Harden Up To Support Weight Of A Person
Swarms of hive mind-like robots can be induced to behave more like a material, new research has shown. The robots in question are (mostly) cylindrical, with a diameter of just 2.75 inches (70 millimeters). The researchers at UC Santa Barbara and TU Dresden used 3D...
Smarter Transit, Better Service: How Data Is Shaping Daily Operations
When transit agencies develop data-informed cultures of innovation using new technology, they can uncover patterns in ridership, economic activity and land use/development, helping to anticipate demand and optimize service delivery. For instance, AI could recognize...
Republican Chair Unveils $15B Plan To Modernize Air Traffic Control
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) released a budget reconciliation proposal Tuesday that would allocate $15 billion for the modernization of air traffic control technology. The funds would go to the Federal Aviation...
Fontaine Modification Leads Supplier Consortium to Develop and Deploy Fuel-Cell-Electric Class 6 Truck
Fontaine Modification is leading a consortium of companies working together to develop a Class 6 fuel-cell-electric truck to meet the demands of “middle mile” delivery logistics. The consortium includes Ballard Power Systems, Forsee Power and Linamar...
Heart Aerospace Relocates To California, Winds Down Swedish Operation
Heart Aerospace, one of the most prominent startups working on the development of a hybrid-electric clean-sheet airliner, announced on April 30, 2025, that it is moving its corporate headquarters from Gothenburg, in Western Sweden, to Los Angeles, California. In...
