Final answer:
The special creative units created to innovate independently from the rest of an organization are known as skunkworks or innovation labs, which are characterized by their autonomy and reduced bureaucracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Special creative units set free from the normal organizational structure for the purpose of innovation are called skunkworks. These units operate with a high degree of autonomy and are unhampered by bureaucracy, allowing them to innovate more freely and rapidly than the larger parent organization. The term originated from Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs, which was code-named Skunk Works during its secret development projects. Another similar term used to describe such groups is innovation lab or R&D (Research and Development) teams.