Inventiveness. Obstinacy. Metamorphosis. Partnership. These notions paved the path for a panel conversation at imaginAviation 2024, starring special guest John Marinaro, Vice President of Fleet Operations at Torc, alongside host Dr. John A. Cavolowsky, Director of NASA’s Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP), and guest Sheilla Torres-Nieves, Associate Professor of Fluid Dynamics and Turbulence at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez.
Among the most remarkable subjects discussed were opposition to inventiveness, transformative inventiveness, and motivation for inventiveness.
Opposition to Inventiveness
When questioned about ways to conquer a reluctance to embrace inventiveness or adapt to change, Marinaro recalled a remark from the Columbia Accident Investigation board stating that “NASA Safety wasn’t as credible or competent as it should be.” He then elaborated: “I dedicated the remainder of my career eliminating the possibility of such a statement being made in an accident investigation again.” While leading the development of a safety training curriculum, he faced opposition from some senior subject matter experts who doubted that training could be conducted online using innovative lecture-capture technology. Nevertheless, through beta testing, the program garnered 250 participants on the first day of the safety training launch and was proven as a successful invention.
At Torc, a key hurdle is the resistance to the notion of autonomous vehicles replacing truck drivers. Nonetheless, Marinaro highlighted that a shortage of drivers amounting to 60,000 is disrupting the supply chain and economic outcomes. Torc is seeking to address this issue. Marinaro emphasized that Torc’s objective is to enhance safety conditions by employing technology that enables real-time responses by maintaining awareness of a 360-degree environment, alongside the advantage that the vehicle doesn’t experience fatigue. He concluded, “Ultimately, we won’t supplant the drivers. We will merely complement them to enhance safety.”
Transformative Inventiveness
When Dr. Cavolowsky posed the query on how to employ transformative inventiveness, how to attain it, and what sort of inventiveness is required to achieve it, Assistant Professor Torres-Nieves responded, “When we think of transformative, we visualize altering our way of life fundamentally…transforming culturally…transforming from the core.” Torres-Nieves mentioned the “Change the World” competition available at her university, which she and a colleague had taken part in. The competition not only provided training but also funding on how to pitch the idea, garner support, and promote it to introduce transformative inventiveness into the industry.
Marinaro shared an anecdote about integrating the Cirrus aircraft parachute system into aircraft, a successful transformation in flight safety resulting from an incident where the necessity of such a life-saving system for pilots was evident.
Motivation for Inventiveness
Cavolowsky inquired: “Our world is rife with numerous issues and challenges. How does one find purpose or fulfillment in resolving them?” Torres-Nieves suggested, “Pursue what you are passionate about.” She advised aligning purpose with your actions – acknowledging that it can be frustrating or demanding, yet urging persistence despite the obstacles. Meanwhile, Marinaro concurred and advocated for continuous learning and pushing forward. He stated, “80% on time is superior to 100% delayed.” To address this, he proposed that individuals devise realistic objectives and pursue them to completion, not necessarily flawlessness.
Watch the complete panel discussion above or on YouTube here.
“Ultimately, we won’t supplant the drivers. We will merely complement them to enhance safety.”
John Marinaro, Director of Fleet Operations
