The “NextGen” aircraft.

An existence without aircraft is unthinkable, but are those giant paraffin drinking air monsters also very efficient? Many technology experts are developing high-tech devices which can upgrade their possibilities.

First of all, pilots are utilizing the pin-point precision of the GPS. With a brand-new software, they can draw a 3D map of the terrain around them. The GPS updates their position in this virtual world continuously. It is a lot faster and more precise than the radar sweeps of the air-traffic controllers.

NASA wants to go even further, by introducing an infrared video camera in the nose of the plane, which makes it possible to see through the clouds. To put this into practice, developers want to use helmet-like displays. This allows the pilots to look through their windows as well as getting all the vital flight information. Airports located in dangerous terrain or suffering from bad weather can be tracked. As a result, these systems can prevent extra pollution, retardation and unsafe landings.

Finally, the crew can share all this data with the ground stations and other aircraft by using the ADS-B system. With this handy device, pilots can anticipate on changing weather conditions and can consider to use another traffic flow.

I’m sure that these cutting-edge technologies, as well as the technical innovations of BMW presented by Dieter Slowack, will save many lives.

Source:

Page 1: http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Responsible-Tech/2009/1123/airline-safety-the-next-generation-of-smart-planes/(page)/1

Page 2: http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Responsible-Tech/2009/1123/airline-safety-the-next-generation-of-smart-planes/(page)/2


Matthias Sterckx,

Group 7

Why companies should go green, but often they don’t?

 Only referring to the blog where scientists had discovered a method to gain biofuel from whisky products, several earlier blogs have already proven that a popular way to innovate is finding new, undiscovered, manners to act “green”. Nowadays, there is nobody who can deny the climate change, however, many CEO’s doubt about taking the green path, and, apparently, they are wrong! It’s time for companies to go green!                                                          

 The most common reason why entrepreneurs reject green initiatives is thinking that such a project would have a negative effect on them. And we can’t blame them, as many organisations end up in the green slump, trying to cope with green projects and making less progress than wanted and required.                                                                                              

  When we look to the motives why companies go green, “the image of the company” hits the top of the leader board. Nevertheless, while taking measures, the projects also have to add value to the company, and that is often the snare. Therefore a sort of measurement system, like the green score card, is needed to assist companies in evaluating their green projects. Such a results based focus should add value economically, as well as environmentally and socially.                                                                                                                                                       

 Even Walmart, the largest retailer, started focussing on the green issue the last lean years. And with reason, by reducing their huge energy costs, they managed to provide low prices while staying profitable and helping their costumer trough tough times.                                       

 To conclude, in my opinion green projects save the company serious money, in condition that their strategy to innovate and create value is well managed. 

Thibaud Tack

Groep 7

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/blog/time-businesses-go-green-roi 

The Google Slam: A Hidden Innovation!

 Didn’t you also notice that it was quite calm among Google’s innovations? No new tools such as Google Image, Google Instant, or Google Earth in the past. Always the same front page, the same features, I felt like Google was becoming outmoded. Well, was I making a mistake, it seems Google was waiting for that one original, almost ingenious, idea : The Google Slam! At first sight an ordinary game, but, wow, it is way more than just a game!                           

 The concept like Google tells us is that “Google Slam” is a website where users al around the world can post videos showing how they use the Google tools. The purpose is to explain the arduous Google technology so that people who haven’t got an extensively technological knowledge also can employ these tools. And by making a competition of it, the search giant only encourages more people to record themselves and post their interesting and unexpected ideas.                                                                                                    

 So far what Google related us. I believe that it is a brilliant strategy of Google to, on the one hand, solve mainstream problems and, on the other hand, address new markets. For instance, the market of people who first thought Google was too difficult.                             

 And when we look even further, and we think how many innovations most often start, namely by bringing together existing tools, these different ways of using Google could burst into an new innovation, an innovation that all unknowing users around the world created for google. 

Thibaud Tack

Groep 7

http://www.demoslam.com/ 

Microsoft's game console Kinect

The perception of gaming has evolved during the past years from a solitary occupation to a more pleasant, intensive and more social form of gaming. Also the most recent gaming system of Microsoft, Kinect, which is compatible with all Xbox 360 games console, can only emphasize this evolution.

Competing with Sony’s Playstation Move and the Wii of Nintendo, Microsoft has created, after three years of development, the new gaming system Kinect. With the Kinect gaming system, motions of the gamers are getting observed by the hi-tech camera and these motions are getting projected into on-screen movement. This way the gamer can navigate for example his character in the game by moving around in the living room.

The Kinect is also voice-controlled, meaning that the gamer can stipulate what the controller does by giving verbal orders. Another special application is the multiplayer option, different players can log on by simple appearing in front of the hi-tech camera.

In my opinion this technology still has a lot of potential and possibilities to be applied in other accessories like the mouse or the television remote control. We can also conclude that this game console opens a door to a new age of gaming.


Dieter Slowack, Groep 7

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/8107915/Microsoft-Kinect-and-the-future-of-gaming.html

The advantages of frugal innovation

Reverse innovation or ‘frugal’ innovation is a new and very popular form of innovation. It combines low costs and latest technologies to become tough products that are easy to use.

Moreover, frugal often  means less impact on the environment.

As a matter of fact, this constraint-based innovation takes the needs of poor consumers as a starting point. They stress the bare essentials rather than adding more bells and whistles. So I think it’s clear that this kind of innovation is very budget-minded.

Companies are forced to accept thin profit margins to reach more customers. Of course, a cost reduction is indispensable. Therefore, several methods can be used: from outsourcing more work to applying mass-production techniques. Perhaps, a combination of different methods would be most successful.

Recent studies have proven that the amount of frugal products on the market is growing quickly. China and India in particular, are using this sort of innovation frequently. In those countries, most frugal innovations are produced to face health problems such as heart diseases, contaminated water, etc.

Another type of innovation that is very popular, especially in China, is called ‘bandit’ innovation. Talented innovators abuse the weak property rights to produce legal copies of high-tech innovations. In that way, they attempt to reach a bigger target group than their legitimate opponents.

I am firmly convinced that this way of innovation will know great success. Blog entries such as ‘biofuel made by whisky products’ and ‘bubble-maker receives innovation award’ show that this kind of innovation is already penetrated in a few industries. 

 http://www.economist.com/node/15879359

Lennert Thomas

7

The art of innovation.

We are living in a world where innovation is the key to success. According to John Maeda, that is all about combining science with art.

This design and technology expert claims that the human experience is always the direct or indirect cause of innovation. Those human experiences in turn are the result of the engagement with arts, for example listening to music or observing a painting. By putting art in a laboratory, the more sensitive and humanistic part of the scientist will be touched. As a result, innovation will happen more naturally.

Furthermore, he uses the example of Apple’s iPod. The ordinary MP3 player already existed in all kind of shapes and colors for quite a long time, until Steve Jobs made it more exciting by modifying the look. Finally, he created a device that everyone wanted to have and easily could integrate in their lifestyle.

Lennert Thomas and Dieter Slowack discussed in their previous blogs the success of biofuel and green cars. However, to my way of thinking, it isn’t so much the biofuel that is the main advantage to the people, but the futuristic and desirable design of those eccentric cars.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/14/my-bright-idea-john-maeda

Matthias Sterckx,

Group 7

BMW's technical innovations

In order to improve road safety BMW has recently, in collaboration with other institutes, universities and companies, revealed two technical innovations : the child-recognition system and the heart attack victim scheme.

The child-recognition system is a system that is based on two elements. First of all, the potential traffic victims, especially children, wear a small radio frequency transponder, which they can carry around with them for example in their backpack. Furthermore, the BMW’s are equipped with a Doppler system which can recognize and predict the exact location and movement of the person wearing the transponder. If the Doppler system determinates a potential collision danger, the driver’s attention gets drawn by a security signal and the car starts to slow down and may even stop if the circumstances acquire such a measure.

The second innovation of BMW is the heart attack victim scheme, in which potential victims, like sporty people and people who have health problems, have to wear a pulse detecting bracelet which sends information about their pulse to the car’s software.

When a coronary occurs, the heart attack victim scheme activates the GPS, accurate digital maps and cameras, which cooperate in order to stipulate the exact location of the car. Then when the position of the car is located, the ultrasonic blind spots gets activated to conclude whether the next lane is free and this way the car steers to the hard shoulder, after which the car starts to brake and stops. Finally the in-built car telephone automatically calls the emergency services.

In my opinion these two innovations, which have to wait a few years before their introduction in the market, can have positive effects in the future on the rate of road injuries and can only lead to more road safety and a safer environment.


Dieter Slowack groep 7

Source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/road-safety/8073030/BMW-technical-innovations-review.html

Is green dead?

These days, every profitable company tries to pursue a green-driven policy. Market leaders look for renewable sources, they try to confine emissions and they show great interest for sustainable growth.

Referring to the RENIXX index, which measures the performance of the world’s thirty largest renewable-energy companies, the green-energy boom wouldn’t be that big as it pretends to be.

A long-term drop of the RENIXX proves that the hype around renewable energy is contrary to the actual facts.

The economic downturn is clearly to blame for the fall of 15%  in shares of renewable-energy companies. During the recession every company will take financial measures to survive instead of making investments in environmentally friendly technologies and resources.

However, some CEO’s of American energy firms insist that green is anything but dead. They expect a glut of green resources in the coming years. The electric-car business, for example is boosting: America, as well as China are investing heavily in the new green vehicles.

It’s clear that the recent financial problems prevent the boost of sustainable growth. But in my opinion, we cannot talk about a bubble in green investing.

 The blog entry about ‘Ethical banks’ describes perhaps a sweet solution to recover the investments in renewable-energy.

http://www.economist.com/node/16245724

Lennert Thomas

7

Biofuel made by whisky by-products

Due to the EU declaration, which involves in an increase in biofuel sales to 10 per cent of total fuel sales by 2020, scientists started searching new, innovative, renewable energy sources. Scientists of the university’s Biofuel Research Centre have found an innovative solution by creating biofuel from whisky by-products.

Related to the blog entry “Bubble-maker receives innovation award” which considered the innovative development of algae biofuels, this article contains the creation of a new biofuel based on whisky by-products. This new insight provides a certain amount of benefits.

First of all, the development of this new, innovative energy source, which powers cars, results in a reduction of the fossil fuel emissions. Furthermore the biofuel can be used in ordinary cars without any special adjustments. And finally they use waste products to produce the innovative biofuel, which reduces the environmental impacts of the industry itself.

In my opinion, this new biofuel made by whisky by-products is considered as a new environmentally, sustainable option for the biofuel industry.

 

Dieter Slowack , Groep 7 

Source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7950129/Whisky-by-products-used-to-produce-biofuel-to-power-cars.html

Ethical banks favour the Earth… and your money!

In these days of  pollution and degradation of the environment, the quest is started between making money as well as preserving nature. Ethical banks provide the solution. Although, these ethical financial institutions are having difficulties with taking off.

When people go to an ordinary bank to open a savings account, the greater part of them is not aware that this bank can invest in companies that don’t agree with their opinion. With the same guarantees, conditions and interest rate an ethical bank can use your money to support a ‘green’ project, in which you feel comfortable. One of those banks provided help to build up a wind farm in Watchfield, others are putting pressure on BP.

We can say that the “dark green” funds are very strict and won’t invest in companies that could do any harm to the environment or the community. The “light green” funds, however, will seek out nature-friendly options which can ameliorate the operation procedure of companies.

The blog “Bubble-maker receives innovation award” from Lennert Thomas tells us that biofuels can be the future in our fight to preserve nature. It’s obvious that such a massive change requires a lot of money. In my opinion it would be very interesting if we would choose for ethical financial institutions so they can make such an investment.

Although most people nowadays are still thinking that investing ethically comes along with making less money. As a result, ethical finance only dominates just 1% of the entire UK investment market. Nevertheless, ethical investments are doing well over the past 12 months.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/nov/06/ethical-investments

Matthias Sterckx,

Group 7

Secret to Successful New Product Innovation: Keep the Boss Out of It !

What defines whether new consumer packaged goods (CPG) products see plenty of success or not? Many different theories are already being revealed about product innovation, but now the Nielsen Company has shocked the CPG world by adding a new theory. They issue that senior management involvement in early  innovation stages inflict damage to the process!

While exploring the key factor to innovation success, the Nielsen Company, an American media conglomerate, noticed that influence of senior CEO’s in the innovation process shrink free-thinking and boundary less ideas. But what has CPG companies have to do then, eliminate fat cats out of the process and give free play to blue skies?

On the one hand, along the research company, several surveys show that only being in the neighbourhood of corporate headquarters would stifle new original ideas. Therefore an off-site blue sky innovation team reports the best results. However, on the other hand,  management strengths are needed as well in order to manage the development process, but not the ideas themselves. To conclude the Nielsen Company manifests that an inspiring environment should create creativity among the employees so that innovation doesn’t need input off blue sky teams or senior management to succeed, but arrives like a bolt of lightning out of the sky.

http://en-us.nielsen.com/content/nielsen/en_us/news/news_releases/2010/june/secret_to_successful.html

Thibaud Tack
Groep 7

The importance of eureka moments and silver bullets breakthroughs

The increasing interest of innovation is a result of the boosting globalization. The fierce competition of foreign companies forces enterprises to continuous innovation.

Of course, a lot of research and development is necessary to produce innovative prototypes.

During these hard financial times, innovation is a priority to boost the global economy. In that way, the demand will be stimulated which will led to a return on a path to growth.

A new report published by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) confirms the importance of innovation. 78% of 850 managers considered innovation important in terms of improving their products and services.

I think it’s very clear that the focus on innovation has been reinforced the last few years. Mainly during the recession, innovative breakthroughs are efficient proactive strategies to challenge the downturn. Of course, in periods of deep recession, companies are faced with a scarcity of resources and facilities. So testing new ideas and prototypes requires total commitment and focus.

We can conclude that innovation is absolute necessary during hard financial times but it isn’t always successful. I refer to the blog of matthias Sterckx: ‘Using the new iPad is stopping innovation’, that warns us for a cut down of great innovations. Apple controls the future because they wrestle a lot of power away from its rivals and partners.

It’s clear that the nature of innovation is changing. Moving fast to seize opportunities and responding quickly to challenges are more important than  the ‘eureka moments’.

Lennert Thomas, groep 7 

http://www.guardianpublic.co.uk/nesta-everyday-innovation-report