A Brazilian company, DryWash, uses a native Brazilian wax to clean cars spotless without the use of water. The company’s method has saved millions of gallons of water, and its impressive sales have encouraged the company to expand overseas and into other services, including a waterless washing service for airplanes and helicopters. The Company generated $2.7 million in revenue in 2005.

For an audio interview with DryWash partner Tiago Aguiar, click here [via Next Billion].

USC’s Institute for Creative Studies and AnthroTronix have developed a scent collar, as a means of augmenting emotional connection in a simulated environment. The research was funded by the US Army, and the scent necklace releases a variety of scents recently introduced during virtual reality training for military applications.

Yasuyuki Yanagida at the Media Information Science Laboratories in Japan is developing a scent projector that delivers localized odors through the air without requiring users to wear any special devices, and because the projector emits only a small amount of scented air, different scents can be delivered within a short time. Commercial applications for this kind of technology are numerous, including heightening the realism of movies, television viewing, and video games.

[UPDATE: A DEVICE TO RECORD SMELL FOR LATER REPRODUCTION]

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is developing high-efficiency solar technology, and power management systems, which potentially enable a mobile device unlimited standby time. Imagine never having to charge not only your mobile phone, but also your iPod, pda etc. [via red ferret]

A couple must-read articles that discuss the rise of the “idea as a product.” Essentially, value is shifting from the ability to make something to the innovation itself, which relates to what Fraser talked about on SHARKRIDE here. See also his follow-up thoughts here.

BW cover story: “Inside Nathan Myhrvold’s Mysterious New Idea Machine”

Business 2.0 July 2006 story [will link when article is available online]: “The Patent Machine — How Chicago startup Ocean Tomo plans to become the do-it-all player of the intellectual property area”

[UPDATE (7-10-06): “Do Patents Encourage or Stifle Innovation?” A great summary of a patent discussion at a recent Union Square Sessions event is available here.]

Sony is patenting a simple way for drivers to communicate with each other. The system utilizes LEDs built into a car’s head lamp, tail lamp, brake lamp, or turn indicator lamp, which transmit messages to other cars. A light sensor on the target car would then decode the message and display it on a screen or relay it via a voice synthesizer inside the car. For the full patent, click here. [thanks, New Scientist]

For a low-tech system, in a similar vein, currently available, click here.

Haagen-Dasz and Austrian Postal Service launched a limited edition series of stamps featuring original artwork and an adhesive infused with flavors like Cookies & Cream and Macadamia Nut Briddle. For every ten scoops of ice-cream purchased, a book of stamps was given out, as part of a loyalty program.

[thanks, Ilya Vedrashko]

This week, Microsoft announced at the RoboBusiness Conference and Exposition a Windows-based application for academic, hobbyist and commercial developers to easily create robotic applications. Of note, iRobot Corporation, the maker of the cool Roomba Vacuum, programs its robots in Linux.

One Microsoft partner is LEGO: “Microsoft, together with the upcoming LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT, will help further amplify the impact of robotics,” said Søren Lund, director of LEGO MINDSTORMS at the LEGO Group.

Microsoft also is investing in robotics research through the new Center for Robotics Innovation at Carnegie Mellon. [UPDATE: For a tour of CM’s robotics lab, check out this video via Robert Scoble.]

For a video of Tandy Trower, General Manager of the Microsoft Robotics Group, click here.

[thanks, Thorn Stevens]

Dynacraft, a U.S. based bicycle company, has introduced a bicycle with an internal drive shaft that doesn’t utilize a conventional, greasy, high-maintenance and potentially dangerous chain. The bike retails for $300.

[via Andrew Liszewski and gizmag]

Researchers at Hitachi are developing technology for a new elevator system that enables six to eight elevator cars to operate within the same space previously needed for two cars. This innovation will potentially be a huge boon for developers, because more space can be rented out, and elevator wait times are significantly reduced. An elevator with eight cars would have four drive systems — two cars per system running opposite each other in a loop. A sophisticated computer system monitors the cars and ensures they do not crash.

[Thanks, Tracy Staedter]

Check out this video of the new Motorola Q in action!