The Innovation Report
Autonomous Tractor Navigates Olive Groves With Optimized Steering Modes
A team from the University of Córdoba is developing an autonomous tractor with three different steering modes, allowing it to drive in straight lines, make turns efficiently, and shift modes in response to its trajectories. One of the possible meanings of the name...
EV Launches Drones From Roof While You Drive
Chinese EV maker BYD is partnering with drone manufacturer DJI to make science fiction Blade Runner-style movie magic real: a drone that launches from the roof of your car while driving. It even has gull-wing-style doors that open the drone launch pad for take-off....
First American Robotic Lunar Rover Set To Land On The Moon
If all goes well with landing, MAPP — also known as Lunar Outpost's Lunar Voyage 1 — will be the first American robotic rover on the moon, as well as the first private rover on a planetary body. It will deploy from Athena using a mechanism mounted on the lander's...
Why VW & Rivian Are Launching A $21,500 EV
After several months of teasing, Volkswagen unveiled the ID.EVERY1 on Wednesday, with a version of the compact electric car set to go on sale for 20,000 euros ($21,500) in Europe by 2027. The 13-foot long, four-seater EV packs a lot into a small package,...
Figure’s Humanoid Robot Will Do Your Chores With Voice Commands
Figure’s latest AI system, Helix, is changing the game for humanoid robots by allowing them to perform complex tasks through simple voice commands—no training required. In a new demo, two robots successfully put away groceries by scanning their environment, adapting...
Hydrogen Sensor That Could Pave The Way For Safer, Cleaner Energy
Scientists have developed a hydrogen sensor that could accelerate the transition to clean hydrogen energy. As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, hydrogen is considered a key player to the transition to cleaner energy. However, the clear, odorless and highly...
Trump Tariffs, Implemented Or Not, Have Already Hurt U.S. Auto Industry
U.S. carmakers and auto-parts suppliers, including many smaller operations that might have no financial cushion to withstand a prolonged standoff, are staring down a tariff abyss that may or may not come to pass, but whose cracks are already starting to show. The...
Why Automakers Including Honda And Toyota Are Pouring Millions Into Rockets And Satellites
In January, Toyota said its mobility software subsidiary "Woven by Toyota" was investing $44 million into Japanese rocket maker Interstellar Technologies. Rival Honda has been developing a proprietary reusable rocket since 2019 to launch low-earth...
Smart Mobility Today: 3 March 2025
If you want a "pick me up," take some time to listen to this week's Smart Mobility Today podcast. You can not help but feel the enthusiasm of the young engineers from Michigan State University who are part of the Formula One Team. They spoke to us when we were there...
First In Space History: Three Private Lunar Landers Headed To Moon
With the launch of Intuitive Machines' Athena spacecraft atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket last night (Feb. 27), three lunar landers are currently on their way to the moon. Such a surge of exploration has never happened before — and all three vehicles are operated by...
