The Innovation Report
Humans ‘Catch’ Fear From Robots That Breathe Like They’re Scared
We’ve all instinctively clung to another person when frightened, if only as a child clutching our mother’s hand. But if that person is scared, too, this behavior may not have the desired calming effect. And a new study, published in the journal Emotion,...
These Self-Configuring Modular Robots May One Day Rule The World
We were fascinated to read a recent paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on what the authors are calling “reconfigurable modular robots.” As the name suggests, these robots are composed of multiple parts that can be configured in...
What Makes Automotive Ethernet Different?
AUTOMOTIVE ETHERNET FROM INTREPID CONTROL SYSTEMS When most people hear “Ethernet,” they picture the familiar eight‑wire RJ45 connector used in offices and homes. But as Intrepid COO Colt Correa explains, that’s not what you’ll find inside a modern vehicle. “Fifteen...
Smart Mobility Today: 9 March 2026
I was born, raised, married, had children, and lived in Detroit. I am a major Detroit booster and Great Lakes protector and champion. I have camped on the edge of Lake Huron every summer for 45 years. One of my favorite things to do is show newbies a Great Lake. Their...
Ford Pivot To Grid Batteries: The $6B BlueOval SK Plan
Western automakers, and especially US auto manufacturers, have struggled to adapt to the EV revolution initially brought globally by Tesla, then by Chinese brands, and then by the rest of the industry. One reason has been a question of branding, as the legacy...
Michigan: Lyon Township Board Passes Moratorium On New Hyperscale Data Centers
The Lyon Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a moratorium on data centers and large land uses, or facilities that exceed 100,000 square feet, while officials study various issues and update township ordinances.The move came during the board's March 2...
Scientists Make A Pocket-Sized AI Brain With Help From Monkey Neurons
A human brain consumes less power than a light bulb, while artificial intelligence systems guzzle electricity to do the same tasks. Now, scientists have created a highly efficient AI model that hints at how living brains are able to do so much with so little, a...
Gas Prices Going Up; Impact On Electric Vehicles
Oil prices have surged after the U.S. attack on Iran, and gas prices, in turn, are beginning to rise. It’s not clear yet how high they’ll go; that depends in part on how long the war lasts, how much the energy trade is disrupted, and how quickly we burn through the...
GM Rolls Out 100th Autonomous Test Vehicle
General Motors continues to push the metal on its autonomous driving program, recently rolling out its 100th test vehicle equipped for autonomy data collection. The milestone occurred at the General Motors Artisan Center in Warren, Michigan, marking a significant...
AGE Fisher Family Foundation Commits $10M To Establish Engineering Innovation And Entrepreneurship Center
Purdue University has received a $10 million commitment from the AGE Fisher Family Foundation to establish an innovation and entrepreneurship center within the College of Engineering. The foundation was created by longtime donors Jeff (BS electrical engineering ’80)...
