Amar G. Bose, the scientist founder of the high-end speaker company that bears his name, announced a plan several years ago to revolutionize the auto suspension system.

Popular Science gave him a Best of What's New award for the innovative design, and although three years have passed since then, and no new car has featured Bose's suspension, the technology is far from grounded to his research labs. Bose, who says he has spent 27 years on the project, and more than $100 million, intends to partner with a car manufacturer within the next year.

Read more about the fascinating lecturer turned entrepreneur here.—Gregory Mone

(Image credit: Bose; Garry Marshall (illustration))

Via Boston Globe

Yesterday, iRobot Corp., the manufacturer of the Roomba and PackBots, went to a federal court in Boston and asked a judge to issue an order halting the production of a rival robot builder's machines. iRobot alleges that a former employee of the company, Jameel Ahed, designed the bots for his new firm, Robotic FX, using iRobot trade secrets. No, that's not a PackBot pictured on the left.

There's more than pride at stake here. Robotic FX just won a $280 million contract from the military last week. It looks like production at Robotic FX won't shut down, but this should be an interesting case to follow. Personally, I think they should just let the robots fight it out.—Gregory Mone

Via Boston Globe

The prospect of more secure borders, and less immigrant labor, has farmers thinking about turning to technologically-advanced machines to do the hard work out in the fields. Companies are developing robots that would be capable of selecting and picking the right fruits and grapes, even determining ripeness through digital imaging, and tending grapevines, too.

The massive machines from Ramsay Highlander (one of which is pictured at left) might look like something out of Mad Max, but they actually help farmers with the very peaceful business of harvesting spinach, lettuce and various vegetables. The company says its new Spinach/Spring Mix Mechanical Harvester can cut over 15,000 pounds worth of the green stuff per hour. That's a lot of lettuce.—Gregory Mone

Via Boston Globe

The annual back-to-school sale has acquired a greenish tinge. The Boston Globe has an interesting piece detailing how stores across the country are offering more environmentally-conscious products to their student consumers, including solar-powered backpacks (pictured here) that can re-charge an iPod, plus loads of school supplies made from recycled materials.

Most of these products come at a premium, but Wal-Mart, of course, is still managing to keep even its green goods cheap. The retail giant is selling an inexpensive computer that it says consumes far less electricity than the average box. Colleges themselves have also started trying to mend their ways, as a number of schools across the country are beginning to shrink their environmental footprints.—Gregory Mone