Latest news with #Pivotal
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Head-turning footage captures next-gen flying machine as it takes to the skies: 'The first step toward 'The Jetsons''
A company named Pivotal demonstrated its electric flying car during Special Operations Forces Week in Tampa, Florida. As Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported, Pivotal created an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The eVTOL has a one-person capacity, lifts off like a helicopter, and cruises like an airplane. Interestingly, you don't need a pilot's license to operate the eVTOL because it falls into the ultralight aircraft category. After 13 years of development and numerous testing phases, the eVTOL design operates smoothly, efficiently, and quietly in the air. "It really is the first step toward 'The Jetsons,'" said Pivotal CEO Ken Karklin. This electric flying vehicle is a significant development because it provides a new option for clean energy transportation. Meanwhile, other innovative companies are creating next-gen airplanes that are powered by hydrogen and solar energy to reduce pollution in our skies. Futuristic aircraft designs are changing the way we think about air travel, and flying cars are a significant part of this sustainability shift. Although widespread public adoption of eVTOLs is likely still a ways off, it could offer many of the same benefits as electric vehicles on our roads. Compared to a traditional aircraft, an eVTOL could help owners save money on routine maintenance and low power costs while operating a quiet vehicle with no tailpipe pollution. Karklin said the civilian version of the eVTOL costs about $190,000. Meanwhile, the company is pursuing opportunities in the defense and public safety sectors to address security concerns and emergency rescue needs. Future eVTOL owners could potentially save even more money by installing solar panels to charge their flying vehicles. Charging vehicles at home is cheaper than using public charging stations and more sustainable than relying on the grid. Flying vehicle owners can compare solar quotes through EnergySage to find the best installation deals from trusted local professionals. Pivotal is launching a production version of the eVTOL in December and plans to be operational in two sites by the end of the year. Would you trust a self-driving car to take you to work every day? For sure Maybe someday I'm not sure Never in a million years Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
BreakingNews.ie
15-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Young people want to break down community barriers, research finds
Young people in Northern Ireland want to break down community barriers but do not expect it to happen for them, according to new research. The findings from think tank Pivotal suggest that young people believe greater integration is something that will happen 'for future generations'. Advertisement It also indicates that investing in youth services that allow young people to mix regularly should be a focus for those seeking change, and be part of a new vision for what an integrated future, with the right leadership, could achieve. Published today, Achieving greater integration in Northern Ireland: young people's voices, is based on focus group conversations with young people from different parts of the region. It follows on from a previous Pivotal paper published in March that examined segregation in both schools and housing, and the relationship between the two. Both reports highlighted the extent of division still experienced in schools and communities, as well as the need for realism about what can be achieved when there are so many other competing priorities facing the Executive and communities themselves. Advertisement Overall, participants in this study believe that Northern Ireland's segregated school system helps perpetuate division, with the mandatory teaching of religious education a particular concern for many of the young people. However, while there was significant support for integrated education, this was not universal – and it was not seen as a cure all for current social division. The young people also said that integration is about more than the traditional green/orange divide, and highlighted concern around bullying based on skin colour or cultural differences. A significant number of the young people said they attend events on both St Patrick's Day and the Twelfth of July although there were mixed feelings on how inclusive those days actually are. Advertisement Ann Watt, director of Pivotal, said the research shows that young people have a 'keen sense of our divided society and how that has shaped their own experiences'. 'There is a clear consensus in favour of more integration and building understanding between different communities,' she said. 'This goes beyond the traditional sectarian divisions within local society, with young people very aware of the challenges facing ethnic minorities and newcomer families. 'However, there is a lack of confidence that significant changes will happen soon. The young people we spoke to feel that integration will ultimately be something for future generations.' Advertisement She said many of the findings echo the first report. 'This project highlights needs for leadership and a fresh vision of how a more integrated society could be achieved and what more integration, mixing and sharing of resources could offer socially, economically and culturally,' she said. 'In terms of schooling, while there was quite broad support for integrated education, this was not the young people's top priority for change. 'Instead, they would like to see more investment in raising awareness of different cultures and religions, with a focus on learning together about the differences between communities. Advertisement 'In the wider community, while many young people say they have taken part in cross-community events, including through schools, they were sceptical about whether these had any real legacy of change. Ireland BBC journalist exercised 'utmost caution' in repor... Read More Instead, they feel that more regular, local opportunities for mixing are what really break down barriers – spending sustained time with people from a different background and building friendships. 'This suggests that greater investment in local youth services as well as the creation of more truly shared spaces – and, in the case of many rural areas, better public transport to access those spaces – could be the best way to make a difference right now.' Pivotal's report was based on conversations with 48 young people aged 15-25 years within five focus groups that took place between September and November 2024 in Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen and South Armagh.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Northern Ireland youth keen on a more integrated society but feel it is a long way off
Forty-eight young people aged between 15 and 25 were brought together in five groups by a Belfast-based think tank late last year to talk about the society they live in and the one they want. The encounters, however, illustrate the road that Northern Ireland has yet to travel, marked by a lack of hope that things will change in their lifetimes and even caution about bringing about the very change that they say they want to see happen. In conversations that took place in Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen and south Armagh in September and December, the groups gathered by the Pivotal think tank professed a striking sense of belonging to the local community where they live. However, that sense of belonging partly illustrates Northern Ireland's still-continuing wider divisions, since most of the young people themselves volunteered that they live in segregated communities. READ MORE In the rural areas focused on by Pivotal, this typically meant that the villages or towns where they live are still dominated by people from one religious background. In Belfast, the divisions live cheek by jowl: 'While people of different religious backgrounds lived there in closer proximity, they did not necessarily share spaces in an integrated way.' Everyone, no matter how young, understands the meanings of murals and flags, which are 'widely understood' as ways to mark territory and intimidate outsiders. In Belfast, the so-called 'peace walls' are clear symbols of segregation that they want to see end, yet they have mixed feelings about taking them down. Instead, they suggested that the walls' gates could be kept open for longer. Some efforts to boost cross-community ties – such as 'special days' at school – are little more than window dressing, the groups felt. Instead, they sought more funding for youth clubs, sports and other settings to create sustained contacts. 'Instead of lasting progress, many grander initiatives both within and outside schools that aim to bring together young people from different backgrounds are too irregular to make a difference. 'Leadership is required if young people are to believe integration can be a genuine aspiration for their generation,' said Pivotal, which issued a report earlier this year that looked at the consequences of segregated schooling. The priority for some of those involved was for younger students who are just beginning primary school, rather than believing that anything can be done to greatly improve the level of cross-community ties in their own lives. 'In primary school, that's where you make friends easier, that's where you first meet people. That's where you become friends with different people from different cultures and religions easier than you would in high school. 'Like, you're young and once you get to know them like nothing really matters. You don't really care about their religion or anything you just are like friends,' said a 15-year-old girl from south Armagh. Some of the young people described their experiences of integration 'as an action, rather than a state of being' filled with 'temporary efforts' that they engaged in before returning to the background from which they came. ' Do you remember the episode in Derry Girls where they were like, 'Right, we've 20 Protestants here, 20 Catholics there?' It's just unnatural, you know. You're forcing questions that maybe some people aren't comfortable in answering ,' said one 22-year-old man from south Armagh. Equally, the groups brought together by the think tank believed that Northern Ireland's segregated school system 'helps perpetuate division, with the mandatory teaching of religious education a particular concern for many', said Pivotal. 'However, while there was significant support for integrated education, this was not universal – and it was not seen as a cure all for current social division.'
Forbes
30-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Melinda Gates On Why Mastering Career Transitions Is The Key To Getting Ahead
Melinda French Gates - Philanthropist and Founder, Pivotal In the new world of work, the ability to navigate career transitions is not just beneficial—it's essential. At some point in your career, it is almost inevitable that you will have to take time out to change careers, navigate a layoff or care for a dependent. Managing career transitions is an especially critical skill for women, who often face barriers related to gender bias, ageism and inflexible work schedules. A 2024 study in the United Kingdom, examining over 500 women's experiences with career transitions, finds that most women suffer a career break penalty, whereby they are perceived to be as less capable or committed when they return to work after taking extended time off. Women are much more likely than men to take a long absence after having children, so learning to manage career transitions is an invaluable skill women need to cultivate. Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and founder of Pivotal Ventures and advocate for women and girls, is no stranger to career and life transitions. In her latest book, The Next Day, Gates shares the difficulties she has had to overcome in navigating change. Gates began her career at Microsoft, where she quickly rose through the ranks but then left the organization to focus on her family. In 2000, Gates co-founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2024, Gates left the foundation to focus on Pivotal Ventures, an organization she founded in 2015 to advance social progress and women's empowerment. According to Gates the ability to navigate change is not just valuable; it's vital —especially for women who are disproportionately tasked with caregiving, often leading to career interruptions that can derail long-term professional growth. Here, Gates shares the valuable lessons she's learnt managing transitions at work and beyond. When faced with a career or life change, Gates draws on a piece of advice her mother gave her: "Set your own agenda, or someone else will. And then I've tried to do my best to make sure that I'm filling my agenda with things that reflect my values." When faced with uncertainty, it can be challenging to know what needs to change and what doesn't. Research finds when we use our values to guide our decision-making, we are much more likely to experience positive changes over time. Career failures can be a catalyst for change and ultimately beneficial. A 2019 research study from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management finds that early career setbacks are critical to long-term career success as they provide opportunities to learn and improve. While mistakes or setbacks can be mentally and emotionally challenging to navigate, that doesn't mean they are bad. "Have you ever heard of Microsoft, Bob? I'm guessing probably not. It was the biggest flop of my career, a software product that got totally panned. When I gave the demo, I walked out onstage in a shirt with a Microsoft Bob logo on the front—and a big red target on the back. When I turned around, I got a huge laugh because, of course, everyone was planning to tell me exactly what they thought of it. You can't get through a career or a life without setbacks—it's impossible," says Gates. While this public failure was difficult for Gates to rebound from, she says it taught her that failure is an inevitable part of progressing in your career. Knowing when to move on, especially from a project, job or company you have invested a lot of time and energy into, can be difficult. Gates says if you are not obsessed with the need to be perfect, you can reserve that energy to be effective and make a change when you need to. "I've been there. Most women I know have been there. I'm a recovering perfectionist, and I've struggled with perfectionism both at work and at home. When I stopped trying to be perfect and started aiming for "good enough" instead, I actually became a better mother. So my advice is to stop asking yourself what perfection looks like and focus on "good enough" instead."
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sun 'n Fun opens for 51st annual show in Lakeland
The Brief The 51st annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo officially opened at Lakeland Linder International Airport. The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts to Lakeland over the next week. The expo is also about inspiring the next generation and generating careers in aviation. LAKELAND, Fla. - It's Opening Day at Sun 'n Fun! The 51st edition of the annual event will draw hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts to the Swan City over the next week. What they're saying Pivotal, a light aircraft manufacturer based in California, designed what they're calling the world's first electric vertical take-off and landing ultra-light aircraft. It's their first time at the 51st Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo at Lakeland Linder International Airport. RELATED:How Lakeland Linder Airport balances Sun 'n Fun, passengers and cargo service "We've got a number of flights we're doing, including at 7 p.m. and virtual reality we use for flight training, and we give people demos in our simulators," said Greg Kerr, Pivotal's director of product marketing. They're one of many companies in the "Future and Flight Plaza" showcasing the latest innovation and technology in aviation. "Wing Aviation is actually the leading commercial and drone delivery company in the United States," said Tom Kuhn, the head of communications at Wing Aviation. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Need over-the-counter medication, groceries, or Door Dash meals right at your front door? Wing Aviation operates with Walmart and Door Dash out of Dallas-Fort Worth and makes hundreds of deliveries a day within six miles of a store. "In the areas we have been operating, people love it, and they find use for it and are ordering multiple times a week," said Kuhn. "Because it fits well in their day-to-day and how they operate, you'll see more and more of it as we're able to scale and be in more places." Dig deeper The expo is also about inspiring the next generation and generating careers in aviation. ATP Daytona's flight school in Jacksonville is one of the largest in the nation and specializes in people flying commercial airlines or private jets. READ:Plane passengers will soon scroll the internet for free after airline gets green light "From a personal level, I think flying is the coolest profession in the world and I wouldn't want to do anything else," said Graham Purvis, the managing flight instructor. "The fact that I can give my excitement and energy to someone else and have them pursue their dreams. A lot of people think I can't become a pilot – yes you can." For Pivotal, it's about sharing their passion and excitement, and showing guests what's possible. "These are sophisticated aircraft, and a lot of computing is involved," said Kerr. "That's a lot of what we'll see in the future. A lot of simplified control systems and all sorts of new configurations of aircraft and electric of course." Local perspective The event also features daily air shows, night air shows, an opening night concert and hands-on activities for kids. It is a major fundraiser for the Aerospace Center For Excellence, which involves the Youth Education Programs. More than 200,000 people from 50 countries are expected to attend and more than 1,000 airplanes are expected to fly in and out of Sun 'n Fun throughout the week. The event lasts until Sunday, April 6. The Source The information in this story was gathered from different companies at this year's Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
