Inspiration can come from numerous sources, such as watching nature or observing cyclists in the wild. This inspiration can lead to innovation, which can also be initiated from more mundane origins, such as pondering how to solve a universal problem. Sometimes it takes someone new to the question to produce a fresh take on a solution. Adding a cross-industry or cross-cultural view can help avoid an unimaginative result. Happy reading.
Make vs. Buy: Steering Clear of the Death Spiral
Costs are easily underestimated when calculating whether to execute a project in-house or to outsource. The more novel the undertaking, the more uncertain one should be about the cost predictions. However, you shouldn’t neglect your strategic benefits, which may outweigh a cost discrepancy.
Industry Week, January 2020
What Termites Can Teach Engineers
Those termites sure know about natural ventilation. Not having the capacity to add air conditioning, they work with the temperatures they are given rather than against them. Even though their techniques can reduce energy use, it’s probably a bad thing if you see termites on a building site.
ASME, November 2019
Here’s How We Could Go Carbon Neutral in 25 Years
How would society handle a global problem that will require innovative and engineered solutions? A study shows that no new ideas are necessary in this case, but immature technology does need to be scaled up. California is employed as an example.
MIT News, January 2020
Ford Attempts to Bridge the Driver/Cyclist Gap, with Its Emoji Jacket
Cyclists tend to feel that having a gap between drivers and cyclists is a good thing, from a safety point of view. Road users are generally safer when they can predict the behaviour of other people on the road. What if technology could let drivers forecast a cyclist’s “capricious” moves? No AI is needed.
New Atlas, February 2020