Chinese autonomous warehouse robotics startup Syrius Robotics has reportedly closed a CN¥50 million ($7 million) Series B funding round, bringing the startup’s total raised capital raised to $40 million.
The startup specializes in autonomous mobile robots (AMR), unlike its competitors which offer automated guided vehicles (AGV). AMRs can set up routes and react as per the circumstance in real-time, and are also considered more advanced than AGVs, which work on a pre-determined route.
In a nutshell, Syrius’ robots are akin to mini autonomous driving bots capable of maneuvering narrow warehouse aisles as they lift and put away packages. Despite that, the startup sees itself as a software firm rather than a hardware one, developing proprietary algorithms which can help robots move indoors.
The latest funding round has been backed exclusively by the Chinese investment firm, Harvest Capital, which focuses on technologies applicable in traditional industries.
Back in August, Syrius had raised over $20 million as part of its Series B funding, with ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, as the lead investor. The startup also enjoys backing from VC firm Sequoia Capital China.
For the record, warehouse robots have attracted much investor interest in China in the last two years as the Covid-19 pandemic left millions of workers stranded due to lockdowns.
Hai Robotics, another startup that develops robotics for case handling, raised $200 million last year in September.
Similar to its competitors, Syrius has also expanded its reach abroad, with half of its revenues driven from overseas markets. In fact, in Japan, where technologically advanced robots are increasingly addressing the ongoing issue of labour shortage, the firm operates a subsidiary, boasting of a client portfolio that consists of Mitsubishi Corporation, largest trading firm in the country, and Kantsu Co., Ltd., a logistics firm.
It also has a presence in South Korea and Singapore, and is planning to extend operations in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.
Syrius is based in Beijing and Shenzhen, co-founded by Jiang Chao and Luo Xuan, who worked for Google’s Project Tango and at Alibaba Robotics, respectively.
Apart from selling robots, the firm also offers robots-as-a-service monthly subscriptions and is working on making its Android-based operating system accessible to third-party robot developers to branch out from e-commerce.
Source credit: https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/18/bytedance-warehouse-robotics-syrius-7m/
" ["meta_description"]=> string(206) "Chinese autonomous warehouse robotics startup Syrius Robotics has reportedly closed a CN¥50 million ($7 million) Series B funding round, bringing the startup’s total raised capital raised to $40 million." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-07-19 18:56:40" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "07/19/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(81) "img/gadget/chinese-robotics-startup-syrius-raises-7-million-in-series-b-round.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [1]=> object(stdClass)#27 (11) { ["id"]=> string(5) "25093" ["name"]=> string(65) "Zayo unveils Zeus subsea cable route connecting the UK and Europe" ["url"]=> string(65) "zayo-unveils-zeus-subsea-cable-route-connecting-the-uk-and-europe" ["full_desc"]=> string(2858) "American telecom infrastructure provider, Zayo Group, has reportedly announced that it has launched the Zeus subsea cable route which will connect the UK with continental Europe, having access points in Zandvoort in the Netherlands and Lowestoft in the UK.
Undersea or submarine cables transfer almost all of the global internet data traffic at high speeds. Many internet and technology firms, like Meta and Google, have also invested in building their own submarine cables.
As per reports, Zeus is by far the most deeply buried, robust, and dense cable to be laid out in the North Sea. The cable’s route also includes terrestrial backhaul connectivity between Amsterdam and London.
Yannick Leboyer, COO, Zayo Europe, stated that this was most risky investment the group has made in Europe in years, adding that when the project started, the firm had no customers in the region.
Jesper Aagaard, President, Zayo Europe, stated that the firm built the most advanced network available to fulfill future connectivity needs, delivering a hyper-fast and ultra-reliable connection to customers between the UK and Europe.
Zeus comprises the highest fiber count, 192 fibers, that connects the UK to mainland Europe, and is located around 2-3m under the seabed in the North Sea, compared to 0.5m for existing cables.
Zayo employs ULL (Ultra Low Loss) optical fibers, meaning that on a single track the wavelength throughput can go up to 600G from London to Amsterdam. Moreover, when at capacity, the network is capable of managing 2,650 Tbps of C Band.
As per reports, the firm constantly monitors Zeus for fault detection with OTDR devices. It also plans to leverage a 24x7 security vessel for any movement along the cable’s path.
During the project, the firm also worked with the Royal Netherlands Navy for the detonation of a gigantic explosive that had been stranded at the bottom of the sea since World War II.
Zayo, which owns numerous terrestrial fiber routes in the region, such as the UK, Ireland, as well as other European nations, was founded in 2007. It was acquired by Digital Colony Partners LP and EQT in 2019 for around $8.2 billion.
Source credit: https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/zayo-launches-subsea-cable-route-connecting-britain-and-europe/92799945
" ["meta_description"]=> string(256) "American telecom infrastructure provider, Zayo Group, has reportedly announced that it has launched the Zeus subsea cable route which will connect the UK with continental Europe, having access points in Zandvoort in the Netherlands and Lowestoft in the UK." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-07-12 16:39:22" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "07/12/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(80) "img/gadget/zayo-unveils-zeus-subsea-cable-route-connecting-the-uk-and-europe.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [2]=> object(stdClass)#28 (11) { ["id"]=> string(5) "22497" ["name"]=> string(70) "EV battery maker Northvolt raises $1.1B to expand production in Europe" ["url"]=> string(69) "ev-battery-maker-northvolt-raises-1-1b-to-expand-production-in-europe" ["full_desc"]=> string(2799) "Swedish battery maker, Northvolt, has reportedly announced a $1.1 billion funding injection, which the firm says will be used to finance the expansion of cathode material and battery cell production at its sites in Europe to meet the growing demand for batteries.
The capital raise involved a range of investors like Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Volkswagen, and others, including Swedbank Robur, Baillie Gifford, TM Capital, and PCS Holding.
The company stated that its first gigafactory, Northvolt Ett, has already started commercial deliveries to its customers in Europe, adding that it has orders worth $55 billion from auto giants such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Volvo Cars.
Gigafactories, as termed by Tesla boss Elon Musk, are meant to produce batteries for electric vehicles on a larger scale.
The Swedish firm’s recent funding announcement comes at a time when leading European economies are taking active steps to transition away from conventional fuel sources; diesel and gasoline, to power based vehicles.
The UK, for instance, aims to cease the sale of new gasoline and diesel powered cars and vans by 2030. Starting 2035, it would require all new vehicles to have zero-tailpipe emissions. The EU, meanwhile, is also seeking similar targets.
Following a significant rise in EVs on roads, the competition among EV battery manufacturers has been intensifying for building factories that can manufacture batteries at a larger scale, with auto giants VW and Tesla taking the lead in the emerging sector.
In a statement, Peter Carlsson, co-founder and CEO of Northolt, who was previously an employee at Tesla, stated that he was confident regarding the future.
Carlsson said that the customers’ commitment to transitioning towards electric vehicles, combined with political decision-making, and a rapid rise in demand for clean tech products, has led to the perfect circumstances for electrification.
As per the International Energy Agency, sales of electric vehicles reached 2 million within the first three months of 2022, a 75% increase since the first quarter of 2021. Last year, EV sales reached 6.6 million overall.
Source credit: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/06/vw-and-goldman-backed-northvolt-gets-1point1-billion-funding.html
" ["meta_description"]=> string(263) "Swedish battery maker, Northvolt, has reportedly announced a $1.1 billion funding injection, which the firm says will be used to finance the expansion of cathode material and battery cell production at its sites in Europe to meet the growing demand for batteries." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-07-07 18:32:02" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "07/07/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(84) "img/gadget/ev-battery-maker-northvolt-raises-1-1b-to-expand-production-in-europe.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [3]=> object(stdClass)#29 (11) { ["id"]=> string(5) "16172" ["name"]=> string(68) "Desktop Metal to launch 3D-printed heat-activated photopolymer resin" ["url"]=> string(68) "desktop-metal-to-launch-3d-printed-heat-activated-photopolymer-resin" ["full_desc"]=> string(2962) "Desktop Metal Inc., a leading American tech company that develops and markets 3D printing solutions, has reportedly revealed a new type of foam, or photopolymer resin, that can change the way car seats and athletic shoes are produced.
The firm, which specializes in designing industrial 3D printer systems, stated that the foam, named FreeFoam, can be customized via 3D printing in a compact form. It can be heated and expanded on-demand in an oven up until the final stage of assembly, which will significantly help manufacturers of furniture, athletic shoes, or car seats, in saving on inventory and shipping costs.
For the uninitiated, 3D printing technology, also called additive manufacturing, can build complex shapes in layers from metal or plastic particles and has been viewed by the government as a type of innovation that will help American manufacturers thrive and create jobs.
Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO of Desktop Metal, stated that there were various challenges with conventionally manufacturing foam, which uses expensive molds that limit design and are usually heavy and dense, often being difficult to transport in an effective manner.
Fulop added that FreeFoam will enable manufacturers to 3D print a foam design with the exact shape and durability as per their desires, while also being lighter in weight.
Among Desktop Metal’s clientele are carmakers Toyota Motor Corp and BMW, along with billionaire Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX.
The new photopolymer resin has been developed by Desktop Metal’s subsidiary Adaptive3D, a leading manufacturer of premium photopolymer and elastomer, which it acquired in 2021.
In a recent interview, Fulop stated that the amount of material waste associated with 3D printing is far lower than that of conventional manufacturing.
He explained that through 3D printing, manufacturers will be able to ship their parts in smaller sizes, which can be later expanded after they reach the local factory, enabling a better and greener supply chain. For instance, Fulop added, the weight of an automotive seat can be cut down by two-thirds with the help of 3D printing.
As per reports, the newly developed FreeFoam will be put to display at the Michigan trade show next week.
Source credit: https://www.usnews.com/news/technology/articles/2022-06-21/desktop-metal-to-unveil-3d-printed-heat-activated-foam-for-cars-shoes
" ["meta_description"]=> string(234) "Desktop Metal Inc., a leading American tech company that develops and markets 3D printing solutions, has reportedly revealed a new type of foam, or photopolymer resin, that can change the way car seats and athletic shoes are produced." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-06-22 19:44:45" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "06/22/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/desktop-metal-to-launch-3d-printed-heat-activated-photopolymer-resin.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [4]=> object(stdClass)#30 (11) { ["id"]=> string(5) "13498" ["name"]=> string(71) "Boring Company gets a nod for underground tunnel expansion in Las Vegas" ["url"]=> string(71) "boring-company-gets-a-nod-for-underground-tunnel-expansion-in-las-vegas" ["full_desc"]=> string(2482) "Elon Musk’s tunnel construction firm, The Boring Company (TBC) has received unanimous approval to expand its underground tunnel system, known as Vegas Loop, to downtown Las Vegas.
The Loop, built beneath the Las Vegas Strip, was originally planned to run 29 miles with 51 stations but has now been approved to extend to 34 miles with 55 stations, including landmarks like Fremont Street and Stratosphere.
As of now, only 1.7 miles of tunnels have been built and are operating underneath the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), converting a 25-minute walk across the center to a two-minute ride.
Passengers are transported in the tunnels with Tesla Model X and Y that are human-controlled.
At the CES 2022, attendees got a chance to go for a test drive in the LVCC loop, which received mixed reviews. Although the tunnels were less congested in comparison to walking the convention center floors, passengers said that there were some traffic backups. Currently, the tunnels can hold 70 cars at most at one time.
Every day during the CES, around 15,000-17,000 passengers were transported via the system.
In response to the city’s approval, TBC tweeted that the firm is excited to develop a safe, convenient, and awesome transportation system for Las Vegas.
In October 2021, TBC had gained approval to dig underneath the city’s Strip connecting riders with all the hotels, casinos, and resorts along the way with the McCarran International Airport.
Earlier this year, The Boring Company started digging below the hotspots and has also shared a video on Twitter about its progress.
Steve Hill, President and CEO, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, stated that he expects the LVCC loop to begin serving customers next year and the segment which connects the convention center with Resorts World to be operational by the end of this year.
Source credit: https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/15/23170170/the-boring-company-las-vegas-loop-tunnels-expand
" ["meta_description"]=> string(181) "Elon Musk’s tunnel construction firm, The Boring Company (TBC) has received unanimous approval to expand its underground tunnel system, known as Vegas Loop, to downtown Las Vegas." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-06-17 17:43:48" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "06/17/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(86) "img/gadget/boring-company-gets-a-nod-for-underground-tunnel-expansion-in-las-vegas.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [5]=> object(stdClass)#31 (11) { ["id"]=> string(4) "8955" ["name"]=> string(62) "Smartwear firms race to create real-life Tony Stark AR glasses" ["url"]=> string(62) "smartwear-firms-race-to-create-real-life-tony-stark-ar-glasses" ["full_desc"]=> string(3130) "Consumer tech companies are reportedly racing to develop the first consumer market-aimed augmented reality (AR) glasses, with some eyeing the concept of smart glasses created by the fictional character of Tony Stark from the Marvel franchise.
Social media app filters, such as Snapchat and Instagram, have increased the popularity of AR and made it a consumer tech norm, especially with Facebook noting commercial success in its virtual reality headset Oculus.
Many products have already been introduced in the market that blends reality with the user’s computer screen. Unlike VR headsets, AR overlays the real world with graphics and a user interface on clear lenses while filming and sensing the world around the user.
Until now, AR headsets were aimed at enterprise usage, having unfashionable designs and relatively high costs, with Meta being the first company to release a pair of glasses with onboard cameras in collaboration with Ray-Ban for consumer retail.
With Ray-Ban Stories, users can take pictures and videos with their glasses or listen to music. The glasses are primarily designed for content creation without displaying anything on the glasses’ lenses.
However, last week, Nreal, a tech firm known for its mixed-reality glasses, Nreal Light, released a new pair of AR glasses in partnership with phone carrier EE. What sets these glasses apart is that these have been specifically designed for content consumption.
The Nreal Air headset connects with an android smartphone via cable and casts the display onto the 201" screen of the lenses.
Users can choose to either display the content on the lenses or apply a blackout screen. They can also play iMAX-sized video games with the glasses by connecting with PlayStation's Remote Play app or Xbox's cloud game streaming via EE’s 5G network.
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, also announced that it has started trials for its AR research glasses in London. These new glasses also possess the ability to track eye movements along with capturing audio and video.
Recently, Meta chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, revealed a trailer of the firm’s mixed reality project, Cambria, where both AR and VR are combined.
The company said that it is not a prototype and the model will not be introduced in the market, meaning that the technology exists, it would not be long until they are further miniaturized and manufactured on scale.
Source credit: https://news.sky.com/story/smartwear-companies-fire-starting-gun-on-the-race-for-our-faces-12617731
" ["meta_description"]=> string(242) "Consumer tech companies are reportedly racing to develop the first consumer market-aimed augmented reality (AR) glasses, with some eyeing the concept of smart glasses created by the fictional character of Tony Stark from the Marvel franchise." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-05-23 20:05:20" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "05/23/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(77) "img/gadget/smartwear-firms-race-to-create-real-life-tony-stark-ar-glasses.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [6]=> object(stdClass)#32 (11) { ["id"]=> string(4) "8947" ["name"]=> string(67) "Google unveils new Pixel Watch & previews next flagship smartphones" ["url"]=> string(65) "google-unveils-new-pixel-watch-previews-next-flagship-smartphones" ["full_desc"]=> string(2952) "Google, the renowned American technology giant, has reportedly announced the launch of its first-ever smartwatch, the Pixel Watch, at the company’s annual developer conference.
The new Google Pixel Watch integrates Fitbit health tracking with Google's Wear operating system.
In 2019, Google paid $2.1 billion (£1.7 billion) to acquire Fitbit.
The smartwatch can only be paired with an Android device and comes with 4G compatibility, which suggests it can run even if it is not in close proximity to the paired phone. Although the watch does require its own individual data plan.
As per the tech firm, both the watch and smartphone must be on the same network to be able to pair with each other.
Google stated that the smartwatch will be a luxury device when it debuts this fall.
The search giant will supposedly face heavy competition from Samsung and Apple, both of whom are existing industry leaders when it comes to wearables.
Although several third-party Android watches operate on Google's Wear operating system, Google was yet to release its own gadget until recently.
Despite rumors that the Pixel Watch will work with Apple devices, Google has verified that this is not the case.
Rick Osterloh, Google's senior VP of devices and services, stated that the product's uniqueness was the combination of Google's network and Fitbit technology.
For the record, the European Commission had looked into Google's initial acquisition of Fitbit and eventually approved the deal. However, Google had to make several pledges that involved a 10-year deal not to tarnish the customer experience of third-party watches when connected with an Android smartphone in Europe.
It also had to concede that Fitbit data shall not be used for promotional purposes.
Meanwhile, Google also announced two new Pixel phones, the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 6a, both of which would be released in July, along with a new Pixel tablet scheduled for 2023 launch, and updated earbuds, Pixel Buds Pro, which will come with an 11-hour battery life (or up to 7 hours with the noise-canceling feature activated).
Despite receiving great reviews in the past, Google's Pixel gadgets have struggled to become a major player in the smartphone market.
Source credit: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61409224
" ["meta_description"]=> string(178) "Google, the renowned American technology giant, has reportedly announced the launch of its first-ever smartwatch, the Pixel Watch, at the company’s annual developer conference." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-05-13 18:27:28" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "05/13/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(80) "img/gadget/google-unveils-new-pixel-watch-previews-next-flagship-smartphones.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [7]=> object(stdClass)#33 (11) { ["id"]=> string(4) "8941" ["name"]=> string(68) "Toyota MH and VR Vision unite to develop VR-based training resources" ["url"]=> string(68) "toyota-mh-and-vr-vision-unite-to-develop-vr-based-training-resources" ["full_desc"]=> string(3220) "Toyota Material Handling (TMH), a supplier of material handling products and solutions, has reportedly teamed up with VR Vision, a Toronto-based Virtual reality learning resource company, to deliver VR learning resources that would enhance current training programs for service technicians and other professionals that are being onboarded.
Holly Brotzman, TMH’s Dealer Training Manager stated that TMH’s vision is to facilitate a learning environment that effectively resonates with both the current and upcoming generation technicians.
Brotzman added that while a hands-on approach to product training is the company’s most favored method, it realizes that not all of its dealerships have the facility of product inventory, particularly heavy-duty equipment. As such, the VR training program will be an add-on to the existing training programs that are already accessible to the company’s entire North American dealer network.
Reportedly Toyota Material Handling is using Meta Quest, a VR headset formerly known as Oculus by Facebook, to make the V-based training programs. TMH has turned to VR Vision for the development of content within a 3D platform, in addition to device setup, LMS integration, and change management consulting over other things.
TMH and VR Vision expect that the businesses who train new workers on existing and new products will be benefited from this innovative step as it will be a cost effective and scalable option for enterprises.
According to reports, 300 VR units have already been purchased and deployed by TMH across North America. The company further has future plans to expand away from basics such as parts identification to more complicated repair and maintenance procedure addressing complex systems.
VR Vision CEO, Roni Cerga, stated that while other tech industries players are still busy discussing what the metaverse is going to be, the TMH team is moving forward by deploying safe and scalable virtual reality solutions.
Cerga added that programs like these enable clients and employees to come together on complex real-time procedures from anywhere in the world. Through this partnership, Toyota will be positioned as a leader in material handling innovation.
TMH and its clients recognize the value of the VR Vision system in terms of streamlined training and automation learning. The companies are required to meet high standards in terms of safety and operational training, and these immersive courses will add value to them.
" ["meta_description"]=> string(339) "Toyota Material Handling (TMH), a supplier of material handling products and solutions, has reportedly teamed up with VR Vision, a Toronto-based Virtual reality learning resource company, to deliver VR learning resources that would enhance current training programs for service technicians and other professionals that are being onboarded." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-05-06 17:28:52" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "05/06/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/toyota-mh-and-vr-vision-unite-to-develop-vr-based-training-resources.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [8]=> object(stdClass)#34 (11) { ["id"]=> string(4) "8932" ["name"]=> string(65) "UK rolls out first self-driving bus for testing on Scotland roads" ["url"]=> string(65) "uk-rolls-out-first-self-driving-bus-for-testing-on-scotland-roads" ["full_desc"]=> string(2885) "On Monday, April 25, 2022, Scotland reportedly started testing a new self-driving bus, which would become the UK’s first ever fully sized autonomous vehicle to be taken to the roads.
Scottish transport firm, Stagecoach, will supposedly be carrying out the on-road testing of its autonomous bus to prepare for passengers that will step aboard later during the summer.
Sam Greer, Regional Director of Stagecoach in Scotland, described the project as ‘hugely exciting’, adding that it is a major step towards the company’s journey in fully launching the country’s first full-sized self-driving bus service.
Greer also stated that the service will offer access to a new bus route in the heart of Scotland.
These buses would have sensors all around their body to help them run on pre-selected roads so that the safety driver will not have to intervene or take control.
The buses will have a carrying capacity of up to 36 passengers that can be carried at least 14 miles across the Forth Road Bridge, along the route between the Ferrytoll Park and Ride and the Edinburgh Park, which will gradually be extended to 10,000 passengers weekly under the CAVForth pilot scheme.
Stagecoach has partnered with Transport Scotland, Fusion Processing, and Alexander Dennis for the project. The scheme also won financial support from the UK Government's Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.
Jim Hutchinson, CEO of Fusion Processing, stated that the CAVForth will offer a useful service for locals and will also prove to be a great demonstration of the firm’s automated vehicle technology.
Hutchinson added that on-road testing is an exciting milestone toward the development of autonomous commercial vehicles, and looks forwards to welcoming passengers aboard in the coming few months.
The news comes after Stagecoach conducted successful track testing, depot-based trials, and virtual simulation, which the firm said put its autonomous vehicles through their paces for finetuning the driving systems.
Upon rollout, each bus will be having an experienced driver supervising the system and a bus captain who will be interacting with the passengers.
Source credit: https://news.sky.com/story/uks-first-self-driving-bus-takes-to-the-road-for-tests-in-scotland-12598505
" ["meta_description"]=> string(184) "On Monday, April 25, 2022, Scotland reportedly started testing a new self-driving bus, which would become the UK’s first ever fully sized autonomous vehicle to be taken to the roads." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-04-26 19:15:02" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "04/26/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(80) "img/gadget/uk-rolls-out-first-self-driving-bus-for-testing-on-scotland-roads.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [9]=> object(stdClass)#35 (11) { ["id"]=> string(4) "8927" ["name"]=> string(71) "Foxconn to its double workforce at Chennai plant under Apple’s orders" ["url"]=> string(68) "foxconn-to-its-double-workforce-at-chennai-plant-under-apples-orders" ["full_desc"]=> string(2922) "The Taiwanese contract phone manufacturer for Apple, Foxconn Hon Hai is reportedly planning to double its staff at the Chennai plant in India. This is in line with the higher orders from Apple which are expected to hit a record this year, as per sources.
The Silicon Valley giant has already received permission from the government for marking 40 acres inside Foxconn’s factory site with which it will be able to increase production for the local market.
A source familiar with the matter stated that a portion of the site needs to be denotified in order to step up production, for which the workforce needs to be increased.
Firms that operate in special economic zones (SEZs) can produce for the domestic market by submitting an application for denotification of a part of their factory as domestic tariff areas (DTA).
Foxconn will also be accelerating its efforts for reopening dorms after they had to close due to a food poisoning incident last year. As of now, over 10,000 workers, out of 15,000 in total, have returned to a company-provided accommodation.
The firm is also building a large hostel in Vallam for housing its employees, as per an official, who added that by next month, all of Foxconn’s workforce will be back in its dorms.
Earlier this week it was reported that Apple has begun the production of its high-end smartphone, iPhone 13, in the country at the Foxconn plant to further strengthen its flagship smartphone’s presence in India.
The company’s interest in boosting investment in India comes at a time when other Taiwanese companies are looking to expand their manufacturing presence in other Southeast Asian countries, amidst growing tensions between China and Taiwan.
Also, the firm’s DTA (Domestic Tariff Area) approval for selling in the local market further signifies the increasing smartphone shipments in spite of supply chain disruptions last year. In 2021, smartphone shipments from the country were at 161 million, a 7% increase from the previous year, as per research data from IDC.
" ["meta_description"]=> string(142) "The Taiwanese contract phone manufacturer for Apple, Foxconn Hon Hai is reportedly planning to double its staff at the Chennai plant in India." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-04-20 10:05:01" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "04/20/2022" ["author"]=> string(16) "Omkar Patwardhan" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/foxconn-to-its-double-workforce-at-chennai-plant-under-apples-orders.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [10]=> object(stdClass)#36 (11) { ["id"]=> string(4) "8803" ["name"]=> string(69) "Drone startup Terra Drone closes $70M Series B, aims global expansion" ["url"]=> string(67) "drone-startup-terra-drone-closes-70m-series-b-aims-global-expansion" ["full_desc"]=> string(2952) "Japanese drone development startup, Terra Drone, has reportedly raised $70 million in Series B funding round, bringing its total raised funding to $83 million after it closed a $14.4 million Series A last year.
The round was led by Mitsui Corporation, with the participation of new investors such as JOIN (Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development), Tokyu Land Corporation, SBI Investment, Seika Corporation, and Kushu Electric Power, as well as existing investor Venture Lab Investment.
Teppei Seki, COO, Terra Drone, stated that the firm will utilize the fresh capital in hiring more staff and fueling its global expansion into Southeast Asia, Europe, and the U.S by acquiring companies there.
The startup had acquired Terra Inspectioneering, a Netherlands-based drone company, in 2018 and had invested in Unifly, a Belgium-based drone company, in 2016.
In addition to that, the startup will also use the funds in supporting the autonomous beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) technology for operating air taxis and drones with the help of its uncrewed aircraft system traffic management solutions and the development of its UAM (urban air mobility) services.
Terra Drone serves various oil and gas companies, such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, as well as Japan’s largest oil company INPEX Corp, and chemical companies like Kansai Electric Power and BASF.
The startup also offers inspection and survey services and is working with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Japan Airlines, as well as the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Seki added that Terra Drones are able to identify defects and structural damages, like coating failures or corrosion in structures, explaining that with the firm’s patented technology, drones can press the ultrasonic thickness probe on a surface without the scaffold for measuring the walls' thickness.
Toru Tokushige, founder and CEO of Terra Drone, believes that there is a need for management solutions for global air traffic to ensure safe and efficient UAM and drone operations, as most companies are only focusing on developing airspace hardware.
Tokushige stated that Terra Drone plans on leading the development of digital infrastructure in the field.
Source credit: https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/22/japans-terra-drone-lands-70m-series-b-funding-to-accelerate-global-expansion/
" ["meta_description"]=> string(210) "Japanese drone development startup, Terra Drone, has reportedly raised $70 million in Series B funding round, bringing its total raised funding to $83 million after it closed a $14.4 million Series A last year." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-03-24 19:26:32" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "03/24/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(82) "img/gadget/drone-startup-terra-drone-closes-70m-series-b-aims-global-expansion.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [11]=> object(stdClass)#37 (11) { ["id"]=> string(4) "2308" ["name"]=> string(68) "South Korea to develop swarm-capable insect like microrobots by 2027" ["url"]=> string(68) "south-korea-to-develop-swarm-capable-insect-like-microrobots-by-2027" ["full_desc"]=> string(2931) "South Korea has reportedly unveiled plans to build swarm-capable microrobots inspired by insects for secret military reconnaissance and surveillance operations by 2027.
The government-led research initiative is the nation's first step toward designing and producing powerful, tiny military spying robots in preparation for future wars with enhanced technologies.
According to the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT), the project's purpose is to build microrobots that can undertake reconnaissance and surveillance operations by surreptitiously invading the camps of enemies.
On Monday, the KRIT had an initial meeting at LIG Nex1's Research and Development Pangyo Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
Seoul intends to develop swarm capabilities for the robotic devices, which link a significant number of robots to enable them to work collectively as a team and solve problems together.
With this project, the South Korean government aims to develop a system that can control and manage robots in a swarm by using a method that mimics microorganisms such as bees and ants.
The government intends to finish the six-year initiative, which will cost around ₩28.8 billion (US$23.5 million), by 2027 in order to deploy insect-inspired microrobots that can be used for covert surveillance operations.
South Korea has established five primary aims for the project, including creating systems for robot operations, scenario detection systems optimized for swarm-capable robots, including networking and communication solutions that are robust and uninterrupted.
Seoul also wants to develop sensor systems that will allow swarm robots to establish units, plot routes, move together, and avoid a collision, along with algorithms for allocating and assigning duties to them.
LIG Nex1, a major defense corporation in South Korea, will lead the project, with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul National University, as well as the state-run Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute joining in.
The initiative is part of a bigger plan coordinated by KRIT to pursue 34 projects aimed at developing key technologies for advanced weapons systems in anticipation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution's transformation of the battlefield.
Source credit: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220307000925
" ["meta_description"]=> string(168) "South Korea has reportedly unveiled plans to build swarm-capable microrobots inspired by insects for secret military reconnaissance and surveillance operations by 2027." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-03-08 18:19:33" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "03/08/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/south-korea-to-develop-swarm-capable-insect-like-microrobots-by-2027.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [12]=> object(stdClass)#38 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "962" ["name"]=> string(67) "Fitbit recalls Ionic smartwatches after heating and burning reports" ["url"]=> string(67) "fitbit-recalls-ionic-smartwatches-after-heating-and-burning-reports" ["full_desc"]=> string(2539) "Users of the Ionic smartwatch by Fitbit, the American fitness tech firm, have been reportedly asked to stop wearing them after receiving reports of them overheating and causing burns.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that over 100 people in the country have reported being burnt by the smartwatch due to overheating of its battery.
Following that, Fitbit customers were told to immediately stop wearing the recalled model and contact the business for a refund.
Those affected will be able to send back their smartwatch to receive a refund worth $299, with Fitbit also offering them a 40% discount for their next new Fitbit purchase.
The recall is only applicable to the ‘Ionic’ smartwatch model, out of all Fitbit smartwatches, and was sold in a range of colors including a special edition one having Adidas branding, and have the ‘FB503' model number written on the watch's back.
The smartwatches were sold between September 2017 and December 2021, Fitbit said, having halted the production of the affected model back in 2020.
In total, 115 reports have been received by Fitbit in the US regarding overheating of battery while another 59 reports have been received from the rest of the world. Almost 120 reports of burn injuries have been filed due to overheating, and some have even suffered from third-degree burns.
Fitbit has sold around 1 million models of Ionic in the US, and around 693,000 abroad.
Fitbit has added a section dedicated to the recall on their website recently, which details the instructions on sending back the watches, along with a Q&A section to address any concerns that customers may be having.
The section also includes the warning that users should take off the Ionic smartwatch and no longer use them even if they appear to be working as normal, while stressing upon the fact that the issue has only been identified in that particular model.
Source credit: https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/fitbit-recalls-ionic-smartwatches-burns-b2027426.html
" ["meta_description"]=> string(183) "Users of the Ionic smartwatch by Fitbit, the American fitness tech firm, have been reportedly asked to stop wearing them after receiving reports of them overheating and causing burns." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-03-04 12:40:07" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "03/04/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(82) "img/gadget/fitbit-recalls-ionic-smartwatches-after-heating-and-burning-reports.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [13]=> object(stdClass)#39 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "329" ["name"]=> string(67) "Samsung gadgets likely to clash with Chinese rivals at the MWC 2022" ["url"]=> string(67) "samsung-gadgets-likely-to-clash-with-chinese-rivals-at-the-mwc-2022" ["full_desc"]=> string(2844) "Samsung Electronics, the South Korean electronics corporation, has reportedly stated that it anticipates the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, to serve as a staging point for its newest S22 series 5G smartphones, with Chinese competitors also expected to showcase their new smartphones at the same event.
Samsung Electronics is Europe's leading smartphone manufacturer by shipments, with a third of the market share, however, its lead over Chinese rivals has narrowed significantly in recent times.
According to reliable reports, while the shipment size of Samsung's smartphone in Europe increased by 6%, Chinese competitors Oppo and Xiaomi also saw double-digit increases in the same region, with the two companies' total sales share outpacing market leader, Apple.
Chinese competitors are preparing keynote speeches in Barcelona for the debut of their respective new smartphones.
On Monday, Xiaomi, the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in Europe with a 20% shipment share, is expected to unveil two of its newest 5G phones, the Poco M4 Pro and Poco X4 Pro, during the first day of MWC 2022.
The attention is on whether Xiaomi's phablet series Redmi Note would be rebranded under its sister sub-brand Poco because of the launch. If that's the case, Xiaomi's latest Redmi Note 11, which arrived in Europe in January, will be followed by devices with more powerful CPUs and faster battery charging capabilities.
Xiaomi's flagship Xiaomi 12 series is also expected to make its global debut at the MWC 2022.
Honor, a state-owned Chinese smartphone manufacturer previously owned by Huawei, has also announced its intention to unveil a new 5G mobile, the Honor Magic 4 series, on Monday. It is yet to be determined whether the latest models will be released on the European market.
Meanwhile, Oppo, Europe's fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer with an 8% market share, launched the X5 Pro and Find X5 on Thursday.
The string of announcements come two weeks after Samsung, the largest smartphone manufacturer in the world by sell-through, launched its new smartphones under the iconic Galaxy S22 range online, two weeks following the Unpacked event.
Source credit: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220227000121&np=1&mp=1
" ["meta_description"]=> string(220) "Samsung Electronics, the South Korean electronics corporation, has reportedly stated that it anticipates the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, to serve as a staging point for its newest S22 series 5G smartphones" ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-02-28 18:14:47" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "02/28/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(82) "img/gadget/samsung-gadgets-likely-to-clash-with-chinese-rivals-at-the-mwc-2022.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [14]=> object(stdClass)#40 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "319" ["name"]=> string(67) "SK Hynix develops next-gen computing chips with 80% more efficiency" ["url"]=> string(66) "sk-hynix-develops-next-gen-computing-chips-with-80-more-efficiency" ["full_desc"]=> string(2776) "SK Hynix, the semiconductor supplier based in South Korea, has reportedly unveiled the next-generation of its latest memory chip with computing capability, which it claims can solve data congestion in artificial intelligence-driven big data analysis.
On Wednesday, SK Hynix, the second-largest memory chipmaker in the world, announced that its newest invention, called processing in memory or PIM, will create a smart memory chip by integrating computing operations to semiconductor memory that can store the data.
Inside computers, a graphic processing unit (GPU) or a central processing unit (CPU), processes data in the same way as a human brain does.
The South Korean chip manufacturer stated that it will demonstrate its PIM technology at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) held in San Francisco this year, which will be hosted online from February 20 to 24.
By using the PIM technology, the semiconductor company further elaborated that it has already built a prototype of graphics double data rate 6-accelerator in memory, better known as GDDR6-AiM, which can process information at a rate of 16 Gbps.
As per SK Hynix, using GDDR6-AiM with a CPU as well as GPU rather than a traditional DRAM chip will increase computing speed by 16 times.
The new GDDR6-AiM chip would prove to be highly suitable for machine learning, big data computation plus storage, as well as high-performance computing, the company stated.
SK Hynix claims that its PIM technology decreases data flow to the CPU and GPU, resulting in an 80% reduction in power usage and decreased carbon emissions.
SK Hynix stated that it will work with SAPEON Inc., a newly spun artificial intelligence chipmaker from SK Telecom Co., to showcase a unique product that blends GDDR6-AiM with AI chips.
Ryu Soo-jung, SAPEON CEO, stated that the utilization of artificial neural network data is quickly increasing, necessitating computational technology that is optimized for computing features," remarked.
According to Ahn Hyun, head of solution development unit, SK Hynix, the firm expects its newest technology to create a new memory solution ecosystem by embedding computational capabilities into memory chips.
Source credit: https://www.kedglobal.com/newsView/ked202202160008
" ["meta_description"]=> string(250) "SK Hynix, the semiconductor supplier based in South Korea, has reportedly unveiled the next-generation of its latest memory chip with computing capability, which it claims can solve data congestion in artificial intelligence-driven big data analysis." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-02-17 19:29:43" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "02/17/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(81) "img/gadget/sk-hynix-develops-next-gen-computing-chips-with-80-more-efficiency.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [15]=> object(stdClass)#41 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "311" ["name"]=> string(68) "Peloton shares jump on reports of potential Amazon and Nike takeover" ["url"]=> string(68) "peloton-shares-jump-on-reports-of-potential-amazon-and-nike-takeover" ["full_desc"]=> string(2777) "Shares in Peloton, the American media and exercise equipment company that gained prominence during the pandemic, have reportedly jumped by more than 26% on reports that Nike and Amazon are considering to make takeover bids for the New York based connected fitness firm.
As per reports, the overall valuation of the firm, which sells treadmills and stationary exercise bikes, has plummeted drastically in recent months after a majority of the world lifted the COVID-19 restrictions, leading to the reopening of gyms.
A takeover would certainly be opportunistic considering the share price collapse, with the firm’s market value dropping from approximately $50 billion (£36 billion) in 2021 to less than $8 billion (£5.9 billion) this week.
It is speculated that other potential offers are likely to emerge after reliable reports claimed that Apple and possibly other big private equity buyers could make their bids known.
After the Amazon's interest was reported on Friday, Peloton shares shot up approximately 30% during after-hours trading. Shortly after, Nike's interest was also came to the fore.
The jump in shares was also reflected after trading restarted on Wall Street on Monday. This added another $2 billion to the company's valuation within the initial minutes of the ringing of the opening bell.
However, none of the speculated firms named in the potential takeover reports have held talks with Peloton as of yet and the considerations being made are still preliminary; with neither Nike nor Amazon confirming or denying whether they are looking at a Peloton deal.
Apart from the takeover talks, the company is currently considering redundancies and also halting production citing low demand, which has caused shares to tumble back down by approximately a quarter within a day.
The company has also been dealing with a PR nightmare after US Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that it has received over a dozen reports of animals and children being pulled under the company’s Tread+ equipment and getting trapped. One child is reported to have died while others have suffered cuts, bruises, and broken bones.
Source credit: https://news.sky.com/story/amazon-and-nike-looking-at-acquiring-peloton-after-share-price-collapse-12535290
" ["meta_description"]=> string(269) "Shares in Peloton, the American media and exercise equipment company that gained prominence during the pandemic, have reportedly jumped by more than 26% on reports that Nike and Amazon are considering to make takeover bids for the New York based connected fitness firm." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-02-09 10:54:03" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "02/09/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/peloton-shares-jump-on-reports-of-potential-amazon-and-nike-takeover.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [16]=> object(stdClass)#42 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "310" ["name"]=> string(64) "Telstra inks $100Mn deal with Intellihub to develop smart meters" ["url"]=> string(63) "telstra-inks-100mn-deal-with-intellihub-to-develop-smart-meters" ["full_desc"]=> string(3044) "Recently, Telstra Purple also solidified the IoT network portfolio of its parent company with acquisition of Alliance Automation and Aqura Technologies.
Australian telecommunications company, Telstra has reportedly nabbed a $100 million deal from Intellihub to supply a contingent of IoT SIMs to Intellihub. This marks the company’s biggest move so far towards internet of things space.
As a part of the agreement, Telstra will provide approximately 4.1 million IoT-based SIMs to the smart meter provider through the course of a decade.
With this deal, Intellihub’s new smart meters will be integrated with Telstra’s IoT network, making the firm an essential supplier of smart meters catering to the latter’s forthcoming energy business, which is expected to launch this year.
The deal builds upon Telstra’s primary objective of leveraging the long-term benefits of IoT, a technology that connects a multitude of devices fundamental to various industrial operations, ranging from healthcare and agriculture to mining, to the internet.
Wes Ballantine, Chief Executive, Intellihub, stated that the smart meter market is currently undergoing extensive growth and development, with meters capable of tracking domestic energy consumption becoming more intelligent.
The devices developed as a result of the partnership will see the integration of Telstra’s IoT SIM cards into Intellihub smart meters at the point of manufacture.
Initially, smart meters were perceived as being useful for billing, as they helped businesses save time wasted in checking each meter for the numbers by physically having someone go note them down. However, now, Ballantine sees further potential in the devices as they are increasingly appealing to consumers inclined towards using a power mix comprising of renewable resources. So that they can track their energy usage and make money by feeding power back in the grid.
Recently, Telstra has been actively seeking investments across the IoT space to support its mission to strengthen IoT network.
Last week, Telstra Purple, the company’s service arm supposedly acquired two enterprises in the IoT space starting with the Brisbane-based Alliance Automation, an industrial automation solutions provider, followed by Aqura Technologies, an expert in deployment and management of on-site networks.
Source credit: https://www.afr.com/technology/telstra-lands-100m-smart-meter-deal-to-drive-renewable-transition-20220204-p59u0c
" ["meta_description"]=> string(152) "Recently, Telstra Purple also solidified the IoT network portfolio of its parent company with acquisition of Alliance Automation and Aqura Technologies." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-02-08 18:38:52" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "02/08/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(78) "img/gadget/telstra-inks-100mn-deal-with-intellihub-to-develop-smart-meters.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [17]=> object(stdClass)#43 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "300" ["name"]=> string(68) "Ocado unveils new tech; including lighter robots and hi-tech routing" ["url"]=> string(67) "ocado-unveils-new-tech-including-lighter-robots-and-hi-tech-routing" ["full_desc"]=> string(2705) "British software and robotics firm, Ocado Group, has reportedly unveiled its latest suite of innovations aimed at retail and grocery delivery, ranging from lightweight robots to hi-tech van routing systems.
The company’s new robot is 80 percent lighter than its previous model and has been described as the world’s lightest as well as most efficient bot for grocery fulfillment. Along with that, lighter warehouse grids have also been released for the bots to run on.
Other new products include a routing system that allows for the delivery of short lead-time orders as well as of larger and longer lead-time orders from the same van, along with a virtual distribution center that cuts down on costs related to in-bound stock.
The firm has supposedly also automated the process for loading customer orders onto delivery frames that are to be dispatched.
Ocado predicts the innovations will increase its return and attract new customers and has already struck deals with supermarket groups across eight countries to provide its technology, including Kroger in the United States, Coles in Australia, Casino in France, and Aeon in Japan.
The firm also stated that it had developed robotic arms that work with bots and can automatically pick and pack customer orders directly from the grid, and are expected to be capable of picking up almost 50% of its product range by the end of 2023, and 80% in the long run.
Tim Steiner, co-founder and CEO of Ocado, stated that the new abilities will allow the group and its partners for installing platforms faster in simpler and highly optimized buildings while needing lesser capital expenditure.
Steiner stated that its partners will not only achieve better product throughput with the same, or even smaller, building footprint, reducing up to 30% labor costs in the medium term and 40% in the longer term, tackling labor shortage as well.
While the innovations can be retrofitted at their partner’s existing warehouses, Steiner said that any warehouse opened by the partners from the next year's end onwards can also take advantage of the new tech.
Source credit: https://www.itnews.com.au/news/ocado-looks-to-lighter-robots-more-efficient-van-routing-575137
" ["meta_description"]=> string(206) "British software and robotics firm, Ocado Group, has reportedly unveiled its latest suite of innovations aimed at retail and grocery delivery, ranging from lightweight robots to hi-tech van routing systems." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-01-27 18:35:54" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "01/27/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(82) "img/gadget/ocado-unveils-new-tech-including-lighter-robots-and-hi-tech-routing.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [18]=> object(stdClass)#44 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "297" ["name"]=> string(71) "Williams Advanced Engineering to be purchased by mining giant Fortescue" ["url"]=> string(71) "williams-advanced-engineering-to-be-purchased-by-mining-giant-fortescue" ["full_desc"]=> string(2564) "Australian iron ore mining firm Fortescue Metals is reportedly set to purchase the Williams Formula One team’s battery and technology arm, Williams Advanced Engineering, for $222.2 million. Fortescue, owned by Australia’s richest man Andrew Forrest, will buy the UK-based entity from Williams Grand Prix Engineering and private equity firm EMK Capital.
The objective behind the deal is to help Fortescue achieve its carbon neutrality goal by 2030, with a battery train salted to be one of the first projects slated for development.
According to Forrest, Chairman and Founder of Fortescue, this purchase announcement will play a key role in the elimination and replacement of fossil fuel-based machinery with zero carbon emission technologies. Investing in sustainable energy solutions is the forte of Mr. Forrest, whose estimated net worth is over $18 billion. One of his aims is to transform Fortescue into a leading producer of clean energy worldwide over the next decade.
Under the terms of the deal, Williams Advanced Engineering, based in Oxfordshire, will be integrated into the clean energy unit of the iron ore miner. The Perth-based firm has also revealed its plans to use the battery technology of WAE to power its heavy industrial equipment, haulage trucks, and freight trains.
Since early 2021, Fortescue has been making efforts to develop a battery prototype designed for heavy industrial use.
The move comes along the heels of comments made by Jean Todt, outgoing president of the FIA (International Automobile Federation) Formula One motor racing, which stated that the possibility of the sport going electric was slim, at least for the next decade.
In a separate instance, a UK-based firm planning for mass production of batteries for electric cars in the UK region recently received government funding for a proposed facility in Northumberland. Plans for the gigafactory in Cambois, proposed by Britishvolt, were initially announced two years, with the potential for the creation of 3,000 jobs. Britishvolt also announced funding from Abrdn and Tritax, which could unlock private funding of approximately £1.7 billion.
Source Credit: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60106871
" ["meta_description"]=> string(191) "Australian iron ore mining firm Fortescue Metals is reportedly set to purchase the Williams Formula One team’s battery and technology arm, Williams Advanced Engineering, for $222.2 million." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-01-24 17:44:17" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "01/24/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(86) "img/gadget/williams-advanced-engineering-to-be-purchased-by-mining-giant-fortescue.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [19]=> object(stdClass)#45 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "294" ["name"]=> string(68) "South Korean govt to invest additional US$337.4 million in PIM chips" ["url"]=> string(68) "south-korean-govt-to-invest-additional-us-337-4-million-in-pim-chips" ["full_desc"]=> string(2915) "The government of South Korea has reportedly announced its plans to invest around ₩402.7 billion, approximately US$337.4 million, towards processing-in-memory (PIM) chip development.
As per reports, the additional amount comes on top of the ₩1 trillion it already committed to spend on AI (artificial intelligence) semiconductors over a period of nine-years, until 2029.
For the uninitiated, PIM semiconductors are advanced, next-generation AI processors that boast of significantly higher processing efficiency.
During a half-yearly meeting, the Ministry of Science and ICT talked about ways to innovate the AI sector with AI experts from Samsung Electronics, Naver, SK Telecom, LG, Kakao, KT, and other startups. It also planned to raise investment in PIM chips and build software that offers an environment for AI chip development.
The ministry further stated that it will undertake projects to check the efficiency of the latest AI semiconductors, utilizing them at the Gwangju-based data center of AI facility for commercialization, and establish programs to promote AI semiconductor experts at three institutions.
To effectively supports the commercialization of hyperscale AI being developed by Kakao, Naver, and LG, the ministry intends to issue vouchers for small and medium enterprises and universities to adopt and use the hyperscale AI these major firms are creating.
SMEs, universities, and research institutes would also have access to graphics processing unit (GPU) computing capabilities, according to the ministry.
Hyperscale AI is a very advanced type of Artificial intelligence that makes autonomous decisions by using and analyzing enormous databases.
The government also intends to focus on promoting the development of core technologies as the AI service sector expands fast.
According to the ministry, the global AI market is slated to expand from around ₩100 trillion this year to approximately ₩208 trillion - ₩374 trillion in 2025.
Moreover, the domestic AI market is expected to increase from &₩1.5 trillion in 2019 to ₩10.5 trillion by 2025.
Lim Hye-sook, Science and ICT Minister, stated that the government will continue to do its part in terms of policy assistance to help Korean enterprises become global leaders in AI.
Source credit: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220119000608
" ["meta_description"]=> string(134) "The government of South Korea has reportedly announced its plans to invest around ₩402.7 billion, approximately US$337.4 million" ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-01-20 19:03:19" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "01/20/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/south-korean-govt-to-invest-additional-us-337-4-million-in-pim-chips.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [20]=> object(stdClass)#46 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "293" ["name"]=> string(65) "Aldi opens first checkout-free store in London to end long queues" ["url"]=> string(65) "aldi-opens-first-checkout-free-store-in-london-to-end-long-queues" ["full_desc"]=> string(2764) "Germany-based supermarket company, Aldi, has reportedly opened its first checkout-free store in the city of Greenwich, London. Customers will now be able to pay for their shopping without having to stand in a queue inside the store.
While staff will still be present in the store, the supermarket will also have weight sensors, and high-tech cameras to track customers, while they shop in the Greenwich supermarket, who will be billed when they leave.
This service will be available from January 19th onwards for customers who are registered with Aldi’s Shop&Go app. The app will enable customers to enter the store, pick up their items, and walk out with their app charging them for their items accordingly.
Aldi, Britain’s fifth-largest grocery retailer with 900 stores across the country, aims to eliminate long queues in its shops, following suit with other British retailers Tesco, Sainsbury, and e-commerce giant Amazon, who opened their checkout-free physical stores last year.
Amazon was the first to open checkout-free grocery stores in March, having opened ten such stores in London by the end of last year.
Aldi’s shoppers, meanwhile, will also be able to purchase alcohol with the help of the store’s facial age estimation technology, which will check whether they appear to be over 25 years of age. Shoppers will have to confirm their identity through the app, while others who opt-out will be age-verified in the store.
Before the launch of the service, Aldi had been running trials of the store with employees for a few months.
Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, stated that the opening of the store is the culmination of several months of work, especially from the Greenwich team, and that he will be looking forward to customers’ reaction to its trial.
Hurley added that the store will be utilizing the latest available technology in retail.
Last year, Aldi had announced that it will be creating 2,000 new jobs, with the addition of 100 new stores in the UK, over the coming two years.
Source credit: https://news.sky.com/story/aldi-opens-first-till-free-store-in-london-to-end-customer-queues-at-checkout-12518931
" ["meta_description"]=> string(127) "Germany-based supermarket company, Aldi, has reportedly opened its first checkout-free store in the city of Greenwich, London. " ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-01-19 18:40:55" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "01/19/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(80) "img/gadget/aldi-opens-first-checkout-free-store-in-london-to-end-long-queues.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [21]=> object(stdClass)#47 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "289" ["name"]=> string(64) "Sony planning to tackle PS5 shortage by making more PS4s in 2022" ["url"]=> string(64) "sony-planning-to-tackle-ps5-shortage-by-making-more-ps4s-in-2022" ["full_desc"]=> string(2648) "
Sony Group, the leading Japanese conglomerate, has reportedly announced that it would continue making PlayStation 4 consoles in 2022, as it tries to navigate the disruptions caused to the global supply chain by the pandemic, which has limited the rollout of its new, more costlier PlayStation 5 consoles.
As per sources, the Japanese company, whose premium PS5 systems have been in short supply ever since their launch in November last year, assured assembly partners towards the end of last year that it will continue building the older generation of system throughout the year.
Insiders have claimed that while Sony has never formally declared when it might stop manufacturing the PS4 consoles, the company had originally planned to terminate production at the end of 2021.
According to sources, the proposed approach would add approximately a million PS4 consoles in circulation this year alleviating some of the immense pressure faced by the firm's PS5 production unit. However, the said number can be modified based on demand. The older PS4 system needs less advanced semiconductor chips, is easier to manufacture, and is a less expensive alternative to the PS5.
Increasing production orders by including the less expensive PS4s would also give Sony greater negotiation power with manufacturing partners to obtain a better deal.
A Sony official stated that PS4 production will resume this year and that the business has no plans to cease manufacturing. It is among the best-selling systems of all time and there is always crossover between different generations, the official claimed.
According to PlayStation chief Jim Ryan, Sony's goal with the PS5 consoles was make a rapid transition to the industry’s latest hardware. However, the coronavirus pandemic significantly hindered software development within the games market while also causing a spike in hardware demand, making even the most basic components unavailable. The outcome is a system that is immensely hard to find with a games portfolio that is severely lacking in terms of exclusive must-have games.
Source credit: https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/sony-is-dealing-with-playstation-5-shortage-by-making-more-ps4s
" ["meta_description"]=> string(132) "Sony Group, the leading Japanese conglomerate, has reportedly announced that it would continue making PlayStation 4 consoles in 2022" ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-01-13 16:26:49" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "01/13/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(79) "img/gadget/sony-planning-to-tackle-ps5-shortage-by-making-more-ps4s-in-2022.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [22]=> object(stdClass)#48 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "283" ["name"]=> string(59) "BMW announces its flagship electric 2023 iX M60 at CES 2022" ["url"]=> string(59) "bmw-announces-its-flagship-electric-2023-ix-m60-at-ces-2022" ["full_desc"]=> string(2453) "BMW, the German luxury car manufacturer, has reportedly announced that the most powerful version of the BMW M division, 2023 iX M60, a 610 horsepower machine (with the Sport Mode is engaged) that intends to merge the firm's tech-centric flagship iX platform with the performance focus of the M-series, will be unveiled at CES this week.
The car's two electric motors can deliver a maximum of 811 lb-ft of instant torque when using the launch mode, allowing it to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. The top speed is has been electronically limited to 155 mph, which should be plenty enough speed for most cases.
The latest BMW iX M60 is a big, hefty car, but it still boasts a 280 mile range per charge (according to the initial EPA assessment), which is better than the 330 miles offered by a Tesla Model Y. The battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes using a DC fast charger.
According to BMW, due to the lack of permanent magnets, the two motors do not use rare earth metals. The motors rather operate on the current-energized synchronous machine idea.
The vehicle's electronically controlled shock absorbers and basic dual-axel adaptive air suspension promises to keep the car at the correct height regardless of speed. Additionally, the driver can modify the height manually.
With respect to the technology, BMW claims to have fitted the latest generation of software and sensors for its driver support and infotainment systems, along with a processing platform with great potential for constantly increasing automated paring and driving.
Standard features include BMW Natural Interaction, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, as well as BMW Live Cockpit Professional, Active Seat Ventilation, Comfort Access for the driver and front passenger, along with the Radiant Heating Package, which heats the seats, steering wheel, and armrests. For all those mid-winter ski trips, radiant heating in the dashboard and side panels has also been provided.
Source credit: https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/04/bmw-unveils-the-ix-m60/
" ["meta_description"]=> string(131) "BMW, the German luxury car manufacturer, has reportedly announced that the most powerful version of the BMW M division, 2023 iX M60" ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-01-06 19:51:04" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "01/06/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(74) "img/gadget/bmw-announces-its-flagship-electric-2023-ix-m60-at-ces-2022.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [23]=> object(stdClass)#49 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "280" ["name"]=> string(68) "Korean low carbon AI solutions, VR, robotics takes focus at CES 2022" ["url"]=> string(66) "korean-low-carbon-ai-solutions-vr-robotics-takes-focus-at-ces-2022" ["full_desc"]=> string(3074) "Exhibitors from South Korea are set to showcase an array of new technologies at the CES 2022, conforming with the global approach towards cutting down carbon emissions and adapting to the new normal.
According to reports, solutions based on artificial intelligence for chips and batteries, and batteries rich with nickel will be featured for showing the way towards a sustainable future, while mobility solutions inspired by virtual reality will also take the center stage at the world’s largest electronics show.
SK Telecom, the telecommunication arm of South Korean conglomerate SK Group, has said that it will be unveiling its low-power chip technology at the event, under the brand name Sapeon.
Sapeon processor chips, designed specifically for data centers, will be capable of running themselves with 20% lesser power as compared to standard graphics processing units, while also having a 1.5 times faster deep-learning computation.
In addition to that, the firm will also introduce its single radio access network technology, which will allow mobile telecom operators to support third as well as fourth generational long-term evolution standards in a single network, cutting power consumption by 53%.
SK Innovation will also take part in CES 2022, showcasing its newest low-carbon solutions such as the NCM9, batteries with 90% nickel, as part of its green technology initiative where it would reduce 11 million tons of carbon emissions per year by 2030.
Hyundai Motor Group’s Chairman, Chung Euisun, will be presenting the group’s robotics business at the CES 2022, exhibiting the group’s latest robot model with metaverse approach.
The automaker will be demonstrating examples that show how robotics technology would connect reality with the virtual world inside the metaverse. Some other products such as the recently unveiled Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED), Atlas, and Boston Dynamics’ Spot would also be showcased.
Meanwhile, the LG Electronics’ exhibition booth will offer visitors an immersive experience with a room-scaled VR space featuring various home appliances, such as organic light-emitting diode televisions and indoor gardening appliance Tiiun, along with its online exhibitions built on metaverse platforms.
Speaking of the metaverse, SK Telecom will also unveil its ‘ifland’ platform capable of having 130 people in a virtual space.
A total of 416 exhibitors from South Korea will be present at the CES 2022.
Source credit: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220102000177
" ["meta_description"]=> string(199) "Exhibitors from South Korea are set to showcase an array of new technologies at the CES 2022, conforming with the global approach towards cutting down carbon emissions and adapting to the new normal." ["date"]=> string(19) "2022-01-03 20:08:01" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "01/03/2022" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(81) "img/gadget/korean-low-carbon-ai-solutions-vr-robotics-takes-focus-at-ces-2022.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [24]=> object(stdClass)#50 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "278" ["name"]=> string(68) "LG Display to unveil a new lineup of transparent screens at CES 2022" ["url"]=> string(68) "lg-display-to-unveil-a-new-lineup-of-transparent-screens-at-ces-2022" ["full_desc"]=> string(2393) "South Korean OLED manufacturer and supplier, LG Display, has reportedly devised new concepts for transparent screens that will be exhibited at CES 2022. These concepts comprise the Smart Window, Show Window, Shopping Managing Showcase, and the OLED Shelf.
As per sources, the company is focused on the creation of concepts that can be adopted and launched by other companies on the market.
Speaking of the Shopping Managing Showcase, the concept has been developed for luxurious department stores. The showcase has a transparent OLED display attached to a sleek wooden stand, and upon placement in front of physical products, it looks as if it could create a futuristic shopping experience.
In addition, the display provides an overlay to the items behind it, which indicates that storeowners can add graphical features that underscore certain parts of their products or even utilize the display for the provision of funky visual effects.
To consider LG Display’s OLED Shelf, the product comprises two transparent (55-inch) displays that are mounted on top of one another, with a shelf at the very top. According to the company, the product is ideal for the living room, where it can be used for displaying a TV show, art, or one on each of the two screens at the same time.
Moreover, the product’s ‘Always on Display Mode’ feature makes sure that the screen can stay on all the time. If a piece of art were on display, the image could appear similar to a painting, all while blending into the wall behind it.
LG Display has also designed a motorized sheet made up of opaque material that is similar to a projector screen for making their images less ethereal and more vibrant. For the uninitiated, LG Display has been in the transparent display game for a while now, having unveiled its first see-through and flexible screen in the year 2014.
Source credit: https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/26/22854293/lg-display-oled-shelf-show-smart-window-transparent
" ["meta_description"]=> string(193) "South Korean OLED manufacturer and supplier, LG Display, has reportedly devised new concepts for transparent screens that will be exhibited at CES 2022. These concepts comprise the Smart Window" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-12-28 17:02:16" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "12/28/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/lg-display-to-unveil-a-new-lineup-of-transparent-screens-at-ces-2022.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [25]=> object(stdClass)#51 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "274" ["name"]=> string(67) "Polestar forays into South Korea, will target the premium EV market" ["url"]=> string(66) "polestar-forays-into-south-korea-will-target-the-premium-ev-market" ["full_desc"]=> string(2725) "Polestar, a Swedish automotive company and former Volvo subsidiary that has since branched out to become its own brand, has reportedly announced the company’s launch in South Korea.
According to reports, on January 18, the EV business will roll-out its first model, Polestar 2, in the nation with a goal of becoming a real game-changer in the nation’s EV market, which is seeing an increasing demand for clean energy vehicles.
Polestar 2 is a five-door fastback with a 78-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery along with two electric motors capable of producing 408 horsepower.
Jason Ham, Polestar Korea's CEO, stated that the carmaker will be introducing the Polestar 2 to its Korean clients at an attractive and reasonable price. Polestar has compared the pricing of electric vehicles and is familiar with the government's EV subsidy scheme. As such, Polestar Korea will offer the most competitive price of any region.
The premium automobile would still bear a hefty price tag, Ham added, but it will come with several benefits, including a five-year, 100,000-kilometer insurance and access to 31 service locations around the country.
Polestar Korea will supposedly introduce at least one luxury EV every year until 2024, starting with the Polestar 2.
All transactions will be completed entirely online, allowing clients to place car orders, schedule test drives, and track the arrival date of their vehicles using their computers or mobile phones. That does not imply that Polestar Korea will not have any offline interactions with clients.
The company stated that it will spend ₩50 billion (US$41.94 million) by 2024 to setup 10 touch points with its clients, beginning with Destination Seoul, the first-ever showroom, followed by Space Gyeonggi, which will open this year in Starfield Hanam, Space Busan in January, as well as Destination Jeju in the first quarter of 2022.
Polestar Precept, Polestar's concept automobile, was revealed for the first time in South Korea during the press conference.
Ham claimed that by 2026, Polestar aims to sell 30,000 cars. Not sure how many Polestar 2 cars the company would sell in the next year, but it surely will be a significant number.
Source credit: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20211221000673
" ["meta_description"]=> string(180) "Polestar, a Swedish automotive company and former Volvo subsidiary that has since branched out to become its own brand, has reportedly announced the companys launch in South Korea." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-12-23 15:13:26" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "12/23/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(81) "img/gadget/polestar-forays-into-south-korea-will-target-the-premium-ev-market.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [26]=> object(stdClass)#52 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "273" ["name"]=> string(64) "LG Electronics plans release of its wireless StanbyME TV in Asia" ["url"]=> string(64) "lg-electronics-plans-release-of-its-wireless-stanbyme-tv-in-asia" ["full_desc"]=> string(2375) "LG Electronics Inc., the electronics arm of leading South Korean conglomerate, LG Group, has reportedly announced plans to release its wireless StanbyME television in Asian markets from this month onwards. The company has also tripled its production capacity to meet overseas demand.
The new premium TV, which was recently unveiled, previously had only been available for sale in South Korea.
LG stated that Hong Kong will be the first Asian market where the sale of the portable, 27-inch TV with built-in batteries that lasts up to 3 hours on a single charge, will begin from December. This will be followed by other Asian markets, such as Singapore and Vietnam, with the firm adding that it has already started taking online preorders from Vietnamese customers.
While the electronics giant has not revealed the number of StanbyME TV units it manufactures each month, it has stated that, specifically for overseas sales, the monthly production has been increased threefold at its Gumi, South Gyeongsang Province facility.
StanbyME is LG Electronics’ high-end, lifestyle TV brand, where the TV is attached to a stand so it can be moved around in a house, thus challenging the idea of enjoying watching TV while sitting on a couch. The screen comes with a touchscreen interface and can be swiveled, rotated, or tilted. The TV stand has an adjustable height of 20 cm as well.
LG has also added that the StanbyME TVs have gone through major upgrades so that the device can be compatible with Apple AirPlay as well as Kakao’s webtoons platform. Along with that, LG has also added voice features for those customers with disabilities.
StanbyME TV, with model name 27Art10, is part of the lifestyle TV lineups that LG Electronics will be unveiling at the CES 2022 event taking place in January, along with LG Objet TV, a premium TV lineup that features an adjustable fabric cover over the display that customers can lean against a wall.
Source credit: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20211221000600
" ["meta_description"]=> string(206) "LG Electronics Inc., the electronics arm of leading South Korean conglomerate, LG Group, has reportedly announced plans to release its wireless StanbyME television in Asian markets from this month onwards. " ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-12-22 19:31:03" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "12/22/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(79) "img/gadget/lg-electronics-plans-release-of-its-wireless-stanbyme-tv-in-asia.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [27]=> object(stdClass)#53 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "271" ["name"]=> string(64) "Samsung to use rival LG Display’s OLED panel in its premium TV" ["url"]=> string(61) "samsung-to-use-rival-lg-displays-oled-panel-in-its-premium-tv" ["full_desc"]=> string(2523) "South Korean home appliance giant Samsung Electronics Co., of Samsung Group, and LG Display, the display manufacturing unit of LG Corporation, are reportedly collaborating in the television market segment.
As per sources familiar with the matter, Samsung has decided on using LG Display’s OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panel in its premium TV, which is set to unveil next year. A key official stated that the details of the collaboration will be announced at the CES 2022 exhibition, which is set to take place next month.
Through the collaboration, Samsung is expected to expand its premium TV lineup as it gears for the launch of QD-OLED TV next month, which will be using Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panel, with the additional launch of OLED TV that will be using LG Display’s OLED panel.
While the overall size of the TV market is shrinking, Samsung and LG's collaboration reflects upon the fact that the premium TV market, is on the rise, especially when it comes to the utilization of OLED. Recent research has found that as many as 1,539,000 units of premium OLED TVs have been shipped in the third quarter of the year, a substantial growth when compared to 931,000 units shipped in the same period last year.
It is expected that the size of the OLED TV market will expand further through the alliance between the two manufacturers.
Along with the OLDE tie-up, Samsung will also be producing TVs using LG Display’s LCD panel, with industry experts predicting that LG will be providing around 4 to 5 million LCD TV panels to Samsung next year.
LG Innotek, which develops cellular phone parts, will also be supplying Samsung Electronics with CoF (chip-on-film) for its mid-priced smartphone, Galaxy A52, which was released earlier this year. LG Innotek has also purchased image sensors from Samsung to produce its camera modules.
For the uninitiated, Samsung and LG have previously worked in smartphone and camera modules, and it is expected that their merger will become more active with the recent partnership.
Source credit: http://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20211220000203
" ["meta_description"]=> string(205) "South Korean home appliance giant Samsung Electronics Co., of Samsung Group, and LG Display, the display manufacturing unit of LG Corporation, are reportedly collaborating in the television market segment." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-12-20 19:04:01" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "12/20/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(76) "img/gadget/samsung-to-use-rival-lg-displays-oled-panel-in-its-premium-tv.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [28]=> object(stdClass)#54 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "267" ["name"]=> string(62) "AMR startup ForwardX Robotics raises $31Mn from Series C round" ["url"]=> string(61) "amr-startup-forwardx-robotics-raises-31mn-from-series-c-round" ["full_desc"]=> string(2821) "Beijing-based autonomous mobile robots (AMR) startup ForwardX Robotics, has reportedly raised $31 million in the first tranche of its Series C investment round as it prepares for a global launch.
While the startup has declined to disclose its post-money valuation or how much it plans on earning from the round, it has been speculated that with the new investment, ForwardX has raised almost $100 million since its inception in 2016 by Nicolas Chee, a former VP at Oracle.
The initial round, C1, was led by Chinese life insurance firm Taikang Life Insurance, with participation from other investors, including Qualcomm Ventures, the investment arm of Qualcomm Corp, and Starlight Capital, a China-based venture capital firm focusing on early-stage opportunities.
The startup stated that with backing from Qualcomm, a 5G technology leader, it will be able to work towards further advancing the chip used in a number of its smart manufacturing and warehousing projects. Currently, the chips that the startup has been using are sourced from another supplier.
With the investment, the startup is planning on accelerating its R&D timeline, while also working on upgrading its deployment capabilities in various key markets, like the US, and expanding its sales across new markets.
As of now, a majority of ForwardX's revenues are earned through China, with its main customers being JD.com, the Chinese e-commerce giant, and SF Supply Chain China, which provides logistics services in the country and has a partnership with DHL.
Apart from offering an AMR solution, the startup also offers a fleet management system that can determine the robot’s route within a warehouse to optimize driver productivity, similar to the algorithm used in ride-hailing platforms.
ForwardX had also steadily forayed into the overseas market, having recently opened an office in Tokyo while preparing for its launch in the US, with Europe to follow the next year.
The startup claims that, unlike its competitors, it offers solutions that require a comparatively less initial investment, with competitive hardware costs and fewer robots needed per person.
It is reported that each robot of ForwardX is capable of carrying up to 1,200 kgs (1.3 tonnes) of goods.
Source credit: https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/13/forwardx-warehoue-robot-series-c1/
" ["meta_description"]=> string(195) "Beijing-based autonomous mobile robots (AMR) startup ForwardX Robotics, has reportedly raised $31 million in the first tranche of its Series C investment round as it prepares for a global launch." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-12-15 19:14:21" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "12/15/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(76) "img/gadget/amr-startup-forwardx-robotics-raises-31mn-from-series-c-round.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [29]=> object(stdClass)#55 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "266" ["name"]=> string(65) "Walmart-backed Symbotic finalizes $4.5B SPAC merger with SoftBank" ["url"]=> string(64) "walmart-backed-symbotic-finalizes-4-5b-spac-merger-with-softbank" ["full_desc"]=> string(2799) "Symbotic, a US-based robotics and automation company supported by American retail corporation Walmart, is reportedly finalizing a $4.5 billion merger with SVF Investment Corp 3 to become a publicly traded company.
SVF Investment Corp 3, affiliated with the Japanese tech giant SoftBank, is a New York-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that helps IPO-ready tech firms to list publicly.
According to an investor, the announcement of the merger could be made within the next few days, becoming the latest addition to the increasing list of SPAC mergers by tech companies to become publicly listed enterprises.
The investor has also added that Walmart is also expected to participate in the capital-raising element of the PIPE deal (private investment in public equity) along with other shareholders.
Symbotic, established by Rick Cohen, the Executive Chairman of C&S Wholesale Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery supplier in the US, supplies robots to various Walmart distribution centers across the United States, with the increasing role of automation in its supply chain.
While SoftBank is yet to make a comment on the matter, sources have revealed that Symbotic and SoftBank SPAC had been in talks about the deal since October, with both companies having announced an initial partnership back in July.
Joe Metzger, Executive VP, Supply Chain Operations at Walmart US, had stated at the time that the retail industry is being reshaped with digital transformation and to serve evolving customer habits, for now as well as for future, the company needs to provide the right tools and training to its associates in order to deliver items to the customers with unmatched convenience.
On the other hand, the growing use of robotics-based automated systems in various sectors such as retail and logistics has accelerated the discussion regarding the future of employment for the millions of workers in those sectors.
Symbotic’s deal comes at a time when major retailers are facing an unprecedented strain on their logistics operations, such as labor shortage, energy crisis, and shipping delays, especially with the Christmas trading period ahead.
Source credit: https://news.sky.com/story/walmart-backed-robotics-group-symbotic-finalises-3-3bn-softbank-spac-merger-12494429
" ["meta_description"]=> string(213) "Symbotic, a US-based robotics and automation company supported by American retail corporation Walmart, is reportedly finalizing a $4.5 billion merger with SVF Investment Corp 3 to become a publicly traded company." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-12-14 19:30:05" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "12/14/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(79) "img/gadget/walmart-backed-symbotic-finalizes-4-5b-spac-merger-with-softbank.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [30]=> object(stdClass)#56 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "263" ["name"]=> string(68) "Essence Group to unveil world’s first 5G-enabled mPERS at CES 2022" ["url"]=> string(65) "essence-group-to-unveil-worlds-first-5g-enabled-mpers-at-ces-2022" ["full_desc"]=> string(2795) "Israel-based tech group, Essence Group has announced that it will be showcasing the world’s first, 5G-enabled mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS), at the CES 2022 event.
Named Umbrella™ mPERS, it is an ultra-small and discreet device that will be integrated with the group’s multi-service cloud.
It is reported that the device will consist of built-in fall detection, two-way voice capabilities, and real-time activity monitoring to suit a range of personal care and security options, such as for elderly or lone workers.
Dr. Haim Amir, CEO and Founder, Essence Group, states that the Umbrella mPERS solution signifies the firm’s commitment to provide breakthrough technology to its partners, and also highlights the potential of interconnected security and personal safety devices when integrated with the latest cellular IoT infrastructure.
Dr. Amir explained that with the device, security and care providers will be able to offer advanced and reliable services to customers with a range of capabilities that include life-saving functions which in case of any emergency will trigger specific actions to instantly notify the guardian or caregiver.
The device will be water-resistant and robust, with geolocation as well as indoor location service so it can be used in various outdoor and indoor settings.
Having 5G CAT-M network connectivity will also enhance its accuracy and reliability, and can be discreetly attached, like on a belt clip, due to its small form and lightweight design.
Umbrella will also have rechargeable battery technology that comes with Qi wireless charging to improve upon its usability and will allow for hands-free voice calls at a comparatively lower data rate, unlike traditional GSM-based mPERS units.
Yaniv Amir, President, Essence USA, states that using mPERS technology in the most advanced of 5G cellular networks will allow the company to maintain its commitment to protecting users from various threats, adding that their partners are always on the lookout for new and innovative ways of improving security and personal safety services.
" ["meta_description"]=> string(185) "Israel-based tech group, Essence Group has announced that it will be showcasing the world’s first, 5G-enabled mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS), at the CES 2022 event." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-12-10 18:50:33" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "12/10/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(80) "img/gadget/essence-group-to-unveil-worlds-first-5g-enabled-mpers-at-ces-2022.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [31]=> object(stdClass)#57 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "259" ["name"]=> string(70) "Vodafone Idea to explore equipment sourcing options for its 5G network" ["url"]=> string(70) "vodafone-idea-to-explore-equipment-sourcing-options-for-its-5g-network" ["full_desc"]=> string(2741) "Indian telecom operator, Vodafone Idea Limited (popularly known as Vi) is in talks with local as well as international vendors and system integrators as it looks to explore options to source 5G gear for its network.
According to a senior company executive, the firm is having a dialogue with local vendors as well as international players and wants to explore options in order to avoid the case of cost implications or duopoly that may arise from European vendors Nokia and Ericsson.
The executive added that while it is uncertain whether China’s Huawei and ZTE will be participating in India’s plan for the building a 5G network, it is only given that Vodafone Idea explores its options considering that Samsung is currently serving only Jio in the country.
Along with that, Vi is also developing OpenRAN technology for its 5G network, having commercially deployed OpenRAN commercial sites in Karnataka and Maharashtra using US-based Mavenir's technology.
The Vi official stated that the company is closely monitoring OpenRAN-related developments in various markets and are discussing deploying these networks with global vendors and system integrators.
For those unversed, OpenRAN (short for Open Radio Access Network) is a concept wherein hardware and software can be dis-aggregated, with which technology products sourced from different suppliers can co-exist with various software providers while reducing cost for telecom companies.
With OpenRAN, analysts believe customization of network architecture as well capabilities will be possible that will, in turn, create opportunities for new business as well as improve customer experience.
Another source stated that Vodafone Idea is looking for other options as well, with a probability of floating requests for proposals (RFPs) in the future.
Vodafone Idea’s bigger rivals Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have already either developed their own 5G stack or entered strategic partnerships for joint development of the network technology with non-traditional providers.
" ["meta_description"]=> string(215) "Indian telecom operator, Vodafone Idea Limited (popularly known as Vi) is in talks with local as well as international vendors and system integrators as it looks to explore options to source 5G gear for its network." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-12-06 18:46:59" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "12/06/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(85) "img/gadget/vodafone-idea-to-explore-equipment-sourcing-options-for-its-5g-network.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [32]=> object(stdClass)#58 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "255" ["name"]=> string(68) "Apple developing a wireless charger that can power multiple devices " ["url"]=> string(67) "apple-developing-a-wireless-charger-that-can-power-multiple-devices" ["full_desc"]=> string(2552) "American tech giant, Apple is reportedly working on building a wireless charger capable of powering multiple devices, such as iPhone, AirPods, and even the Apple Watch, simultaneously.
As per latest edition of ‘Power On’, a newsletter hosted by news agency Bloomberg for Apple and related tech information, the tech giant has started working on developing short and long-distance wireless charging devices.
Apparently, Apple plans for a future where all of its major devices are able to charge each other. For instance, an iPad will be able to charge an iPhone, and that iPhone will later charge AirPods or an Apple Watch.
Currently, Apple offers its customers the wireless MagSafe Duo charger, which is able to charge a compatible iPhone and either AirPods or Apple Watch at the same time.
For the unversed, Apple had first launched plans for a wireless charging mat that could charge all three devices, an iPhone, a pair of AirPods and an Apple Watch at the same time, in September of 2017, when it had announced the launch the iPhone8 and iPhone X, the first generation of Qi-certified smartphones that can be charged wirelessly.
The project, called AirPower, was then cancelled in 2019 as Apple admitted defeat due to technical and developmental issues.
Sources cite that the company’s short and long-distance wireless charging technology needed for that is far more advanced than its current induction charging offered in iPhones or AirPods.
Meanwhile, images of prototypes for Apple AirPods and Apple 29W charger have been leaked online by Giulio Zompetti, an Italian collector of Apple devices, via twitter. The prototypes, which appear to be 1st or 2nd generation AirPods, feature clear plastic alongside the stem and outer side of the earbud, with traditional white plastic on the inner side of the AirPods.
" ["meta_description"]=> string(184) "American tech giant, Apple is reportedly working on building a wireless charger capable of powering multiple devices, such as iPhone, AirPods, and even the Apple Watch, simultaneously." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-12-01 20:20:04" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "12/01/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(82) "img/gadget/apple-developing-a-wireless-charger-that-can-power-multiple-devices.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [33]=> object(stdClass)#59 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "247" ["name"]=> string(61) "Doosan to develop hydrogen power pack for commercial vehicles" ["url"]=> string(61) "doosan-to-develop-hydrogen-power-pack-for-commercial-vehicles" ["full_desc"]=> string(2764) "
Doosan Corp., a South Korean multinational conglomerate, has reportedly announced that it would be developing of a hydrogen-based power pack for land-based commercial vehicles. The move would supposedly mark the groups’ entry into the hydrogen powered vehicle market.
An official from the Doosan Fuel Cell, the hydrogen business unit of Doosan, states that the company will be developing a hydrogen power pack designed for land vehicles, and is also actively reviewing plans for a complete charging solution that can be installed at bus depots to charge hydrogen as well as electric buses.
This will be the first time that Doosan will manufacture hydrogen power packs for cars, having previously done so for drones only.
Hydrogen power pack is a type of generator that has fuel cells that generate electricity that powers an electric motor, similar to an engine of an internal combustion engine vehicle.
This move comes as the South Korean government pushes for a hydrogen economy in the country following the hydrogen blueprint that was announced back in 2019, wherein public buses are to be replaced by hydrogen buses, with plans to make 2,000 such units available as public transport by next year.
The government aims to have 40,000 hydrogen buses on road, and 20,000 units exported, by 2040. With respect to hydrogen trucks, the goal is outlined as follows; 30,000 hydrogen trucks for on road domestic use and with 90,000 units for export.
With Doosan’s Tri-gen technology, that can create up to 220 kgs of hydrogen, and generate somewhere between 350-450 kW of electricity on a daily basis, the firm would be providing the government a cheaper solution with no requirement for additional grid infrastructure, the company will give fierce competition to Hyundai Motors, which has already taken initiative in the market.
Hyundai Motors aims to deliver around 20,000 hydrogen truck units before the year ends and export up to 60,000 more. The carmaker has also started production of hydrogen buses, which will have a driving range of up to 450km.
Industry experts suggest that with Hyundai Motor having a weaker standing in the hydrogen vehicle market, Doosan will have a better window of opportunity in it.
Source credit: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20211121000167&np=1&mp=1
" ["meta_description"]=> string(177) "Doosan Corp., a South Korean multinational conglomerate, has reportedly announced that it would be developing of a hydrogen-based power pack for land-based commercial vehicles. " ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-11-22 18:35:31" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "11/22/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(76) "img/gadget/doosan-to-develop-hydrogen-power-pack-for-commercial-vehicles.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [34]=> object(stdClass)#60 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "245" ["name"]=> string(63) "VR glove startup HaptX accuses Meta of copying its glove design" ["url"]=> string(63) "vr-glove-startup-haptx-accuses-meta-of-copying-its-glove-design" ["full_desc"]=> string(3011) "Tech giant Meta, formerly known as Facebook, which recently unveiled a haptic feedback glove prototype which can eventually bring digital content closer to a new gen of AR/VR users, has reportedly found itself in hot water again after HaptX, a VR glove startup from Seattle, accused it of copying its design.
According to reports, HaptX, in a supposedly ‘aggressive’ statement accused Meta of demonstrating a haptic feedback glove prototype that is ‘substantially identical’ to its own patented design.
HaptX CEO, Jake Rubin, stated that his startup had showcased its technology to various engineers, researchers, and executives working at Meta. However, the latter has not consulted HaptX on its latest project.
As per Rubin, while the startup has not gotten any response from the tech giant yet, it still looks forward to working with Meta on a fair and equitable arrangement, one where its concerns will be addressed and one that enables Meta to incorporate its groundbreaking technology across its future consumer products.
Meta’s prototype, as well as HaptX’s use microfluidic feedback technology that can imitate sensations associated with picking up objects or being able to feel textures that are digitally rendered.
HaptX has been working on haptic feedback gloves for various firms for years, with a focus on miniaturizing the backpack-sized pneumatic box tech which helps in managing the gloves’ sensory feedback.
This technology is said to be highly complicated and would likely take years of development and polishing to reach the mainstream audience that Meta has been pursuing with its VR headset, Quest 2.
Although, as per Meta’s recent research blog post, its team has made substantial advances in the technology. In the post, the firm explained that it has innovated the first high-speed microfluidic processor in the world, a chipset embedded in the gloves that controls the haptic feedback controls.
It should be noted that over the years, Meta, has been often criticized by startups who accused the company of unfairly copied their products and has also been under scrutiny from regulators for engaging in anti-competitive behavior.
The company has yet to respond to HaptX’s accusations and come out with a public statement.
" ["meta_description"]=> string(180) "Tech giant Meta, formerly known as Facebook, which recently unveiled a haptic feedback glove prototype which can eventually bring digital content closer to a new gen of AR/VR users" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-11-19 14:48:21" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "11/19/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(78) "img/gadget/vr-glove-startup-haptx-accuses-meta-of-copying-its-glove-design.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [35]=> object(stdClass)#61 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "244" ["name"]=> string(70) "Cognixion raises $12M to make brain monitoring device for the disabled" ["url"]=> string(69) "cognixion-raises-12m-to-make-brain-monitoring-device-for-the-disabled" ["full_desc"]=> string(2878) "Cognixion, a leading startup developing an easy-to-use brain-monitoring headgear as well as an interface for individuals with severe physical disabilities, has reportedly secured $12 million through an A round to further its accessibility ambitions.
According to reports, with this funding, the company will be able to meet a long list of requirements needed for any medical or assistive gadget to be made widely accessible.
Prime Movers Lab led the $12 million round, with participation from Northwell Health, Volta Circle, and Amazon Alexa Fund.
A novel type of (non-invasive) electrode as well as a machine learning platform that rapidly interprets the signal transmitted by the ones integrated in the headset are the foundations of the advancement. While EEGs are beneficial, they are typically slow and noisy; however, Cognixion's approach makes them rapid and relatively precise enough for a person to reliably traverse a modern User Interface through their brain.
It is designed for persons who have severe physical disabilities which prevent them from using a joystick, gaze-tracking device, or other conventional accessibility alternatives.
Andreas Forsland, CEO and co-founder stated that optimization and efficiency, as well as clinical and regulatory work, have been two major themes lately.
Forsland further added that with a team of nearly 150 users, caregivers, and clinicians serving as an advisory committee for all of the development process, the firm is getting rich feedback constantly.
The hardware has been tested and refined a lot previously, but the team is getting close to a final version; outside of that, a lot of the rapid advancements being witnessed right now are focused on the user interface and language system design.
Seemingly, two new functionalities are currently being developed. First, a predictive speech system that will assist users in quickly putting together whole sentences and adapting to their specific demands. The second option is to use Alexa directly.
Cognixion has been collaborating with Amazon to enable and incorporate the headset as a comprehensive smart device hub, rather than just a conduit for typical voice commands and enquiries.
Source credit: https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/16/cognixion-raises-12m-to-build-its-brain-monitoring-headset-for-people-with-disabilities/
" ["meta_description"]=> string(80) "Cognixion, a leading startup developing an easy-to-use brain-monitoring headgear" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-11-19 00:48:52" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "11/19/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(84) "img/gadget/cognixion-raises-12m-to-make-brain-monitoring-device-for-the-disabled.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [36]=> object(stdClass)#62 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "231" ["name"]=> string(67) "S Koreas SKC invests $80Mn in British battery materials firm Nexeon" ["url"]=> string(65) "s-korea-skc-invests-80mn-in-british-battery-materials-firm-nexeon" ["full_desc"]=> string(2513) "SKC, the chemical material division of South Korean conglomerate SK Group, has reportedly announced that it has made a $80 million strategic investment in British battery materials firm, Nexeon, to embark on the strategy of producing of silicon anodes for EV (electric vehicle) batteries.
According to reports, Nexeon possesses a unique and innovative silicon anode technology, which SKC intends to leverage over the short-term for the design and production of new composite anode materials with lower silicon content.
SKC, through an official press release, stated that the company’s board approved investments in the British battery materials firm through an association with two South Korean private equity funds, namely BNW Investment and SJL Partners. The total investment by the consortium would be around the $80 million mark, counting in $3.3 million directly invested by SKC.
SKC added that as the primary business partner, it would procure Nexeon's innovative technology to manufacture silicon-carbon composite-based anode materials.
An SKC official was quoted saying that the company will provide customers a secondary electric battery material solution along with price and quality competitiveness.
Supposedly, the recent announcement comes approximately a month after the SKC board struck down a JV (joint venture) proposal with the very same British battery materials company.
According to reliable sources, the rejection was because of a disagreement amongst the board of directors when it came to the feasibility and timing of the proposed JV plan. Some industry sources have speculated that the rejection could have also been because the opposing side highlighted the increasing overlap within battery materials-related investment between SK affiliates.
SKC has announced its plan to come together with industry players to foray further into the field of lithium-ion materials, aiming to generate more than 80% of its income from the industry and establishing a goal of attaining 30 trillion in corporate value by the end of 2025.
Source credit: http://www.ajudaily.com/view/20211101110400575
" ["meta_description"]=> string(288) "SKC, the chemical material division of South Korean conglomerate SK Group, has reportedly announced that it has made a $80 million strategic investment in British battery materials firm, Nexeon, to embark on the strategy of producing of silicon anodes for EV (electric vehicle) batteries." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-11-01 18:15:58" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "11/01/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(80) "img/gadget/s-korea-skc-invests-80mn-in-british-battery-materials-firm-nexeon.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [37]=> object(stdClass)#63 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "225" ["name"]=> string(69) "Tesla pulls latest Full Self-Driving beta software after its release " ["url"]=> string(68) "tesla-pulls-latest-full-self-driving-beta-software-after-its-release" ["full_desc"]=> string(2876) "Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, the American electric vehicle manufacturer, has reportedly announced the temporary pullback of the company’s latest Full Self-Driving beta due to supposed software issues. The rollback of the update comes less than a day after its initial release.
Musk tweeted earlier this week about experiencing a few issues with the latest 10.3 update, and the temporary pullback to the 10.2. He further added a note explaining that these type of issues with beta software is expected and it is fairly impossible for internal QA (quality assurance) to test all hardware configurations in all scenarios, thus the public beta.
Speculatively, some Tesla owners were supposed to get version 10.3 on Friday, but Musk indicated that they would have to wait another day.
On Saturday, Musk tweeted, saying that the internal QA identified a glitch in some left turns at traffic signals in 10.3. He further added that work is being fixed, and it will most likely be released the next day.
Multiple videos recorded by beta users of the 10.3 software show Forward Collision Warnings regardless of the fact that there is no imminent threat. Additionally some cars were also reported to be auto-braking without a possible justification.
Drivers also flocked to media platforms to express their dissatisfaction with issues such as the disappearance of the Autosteer option, troubles with traffic-aware cruise control, and Autopilot panic. Musk stated on Twitter that the firm is working on the Autopilot and power steering concerns.
This rollback of the update comes as regulators question the safety of Tesla's adaptive cruise control technology, dubbed ‘Autopilot’, after numerous reported cases of Tesla vehicles colliding with parked emergency vehicles whilst the system was activated.
Tesla automobiles come equipped with Autopilot as standard. The so-called FSD software, which costs an extra US$10,000 and includes more automated driving functions.
However, to be more specific, Tesla automobiles are actually not self-driving. Even when FSD is turned on, it is still an advanced driver aid system, and drivers must remain completely vigilant. According to a recent MIT study, drivers are less vigilant, which can put them in danger.
Source credit: https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/24/elon-musk-rolls-back-newest-full-self-driving-beta-due-to-software-issues/
" ["meta_description"]=> string(198) "Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, the American electric vehicle manufacturer, has reportedly announced the temporary pullback of the company’s latest Full Self-Driving beta due to supposed software issues." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-10-25 18:17:48" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "10/25/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/tesla-pulls-latest-full-self-driving-beta-software-after-its-release.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [38]=> object(stdClass)#64 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "220" ["name"]=> string(64) "OnePlus introduces new Harry Potter edition of its OnePlus Watch" ["url"]=> string(64) "oneplus-introduces-new-harry-potter-edition-of-its-oneplus-watch" ["full_desc"]=> string(2602) "OnePlus, the Chinese consumer electronics and smartphone manufacturer, has reportedly introduced a special edition Harry Potter OnePlus Watch in India in collaboration with the Warner Bros Consumer Products (WBCP).
According to reports, the new Harry Potter Edition OnePlus Watch would be priced at approximately INR 16,999 (~ US$ 226).
The smartwatch, as the name indicates, has special logos and motifs to commemorate the Harry Potter franchise. Fans may even customize the interface by selecting one of the four Hogwarts houses; Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin, or by wearing the Hogwarts crest or silhouette. The special-edition watch has a vegan leather strap with the Hogwarts symbol engraved on it.
The specs of the OnePlus Watch regular edition and OnePlus Watch Harry Potter Edition are the same, apart from the aesthetics. The software and exterior design are Harry Potter-themed, the hardware is identical to the standard device. It has a 1.39-inch AMOLED screen. The watch has a storage capacity of 4GB.
Both variations allow users to handle calls, alerts, and music while on the go. According to the firm, the smartwatch would last a week with a twenty-minute charge and a full day with a five-minute charge.
Users can measure blood oxygen levels (SpO2), respiration, heart rate, and other health metrics. It also has an IP68 grade for water and dust protection, and features over 110+ physical training modes for exercising. The OnePlus Watch can also function as a remote control for OnePlus TVs.
Starting October 21, 2021, 12:00 PM, the Harry Potter Edition OnePlus Watch will be listed on the company’s online store OnePlus.in, offline OnePlus Experience Stores, and the Red Cable Club app.
Users can also get a discount of INR 1000 (~US$13) with Kotak Bank and ICICI Bank cards, as well as EMI. Fans may also purchase the special edition smartwatch as part of an early release sale on the OnePlus Store App starting October 20, 2021, at 12:00 PM IST.
Source credit: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gadgets/oneplus-watch-harry-potter-edition-launched-price-whats-new-7577330/
" ["meta_description"]=> string(214) "OnePlus, the Chinese consumer electronics and smartphone manufacturer, has reportedly introduced a special edition Harry Potter OnePlus Watch in India in collaboration with the Warner Bros Consumer Products (WBCP)." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-10-19 16:29:25" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "10/19/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(79) "img/gadget/oneplus-introduces-new-harry-potter-edition-of-its-oneplus-watch.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [39]=> object(stdClass)#65 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "216" ["name"]=> string(67) "Nintendo introduces the redesigned Switch with a better OLED screen" ["url"]=> string(67) "nintendo-introduces-the-redesigned-switch-with-a-better-oled-screen" ["full_desc"]=> string(2828) "Nintendo, a Kyoto-headquartered Japanese multinational video game and consumer electronics firm, has reportedly unveiled the new model of Nintendo Switch, its portable gaming system that also doubles as a conventional TV plug-in.
According to reliable sources, the new gaming system, named the Switch OLED, comes with a brand-new OLED display that is brighter, larger, and clearer than the previous model from 2017.
Since its release in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has outsold the Nintendo 64, Wii U, and GameCube, with almost 90 million units sold.
The OLED Switch is much more than a new display: the kickstand, which was critiqued for being too fragile, has been improved, the internal memory has been expanded, and an ethernet connector has been attached to the TV dock.
Additionally, Nintendo has also included a much-welcomed Bluetooth audio feature, which allows gamers on the go to connect their Bluetooth headphones to the console.
For several gamers, the newly launched Switch is not be the Pro model of the series they were awaiting. The Pro model was highly anticipated after the debut of the next-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
The Switch OLED is still incapable of supporting 4K graphics and lacks the computing capacity of its competitors.
This means that gamers would not be playing it to experience the latest high-resolution graphics games like Call of Duty Vanguard or Far Cry 6. Instead, they would be playing fan favorites like the brand-new Metroid Dread, a game franchise that was initially designed for the Nintendo DS.
The interiors and graphics are almost the same, and the JoyCon controllers have not even been updated to address the famed "drifting" problem, according to industry sources.
However, for those individuals who do not already own a Nintendo Switch and want a quality upgrade, the OLED variant may prove to be the clear favorite.
Nintendo recently slashed the price of the basic model to £260, and the OLED version will be priced at £310.
The better kickstand, more storage, and improved screen may be enough to sway many customers, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
Source credit: https://news.sky.com/story/nintendo-launches-new-switch-with-upgraded-oled-screen-12431383
" ["meta_description"]=> string(229) "Nintendo, a Kyoto-headquartered Japanese multinational video game and consumer electronics firm, has reportedly unveiled the new model of Nintendo Switch, its portable gaming system that also doubles as a conventional TV plug-in." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-10-13 14:19:13" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "10/13/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(82) "img/gadget/nintendo-introduces-the-redesigned-switch-with-a-better-oled-screen.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [40]=> object(stdClass)#66 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "208" ["name"]=> string(69) "Samsung eyeing expanded collaborations with tech giants AMD and Intel" ["url"]=> string(69) "samsung-eyeing-expanded-collaborations-with-tech-giants-amd-and-intel" ["full_desc"]=> string(2970) "Samsung Electro-Mechanics, a leading electronics and electrical components manufacturer; and an affiliate of Samsung Group, is reportedly expanding its business ties with global tech conglomerates as chip shortages will supposedly continue to expect a shortfall internationally.
According to sources, it has been speculated that Samsung Electro has made ₩1 trillion worth of investment in its Vietnam-based manufacturing facility to raise the production of its FC–BGA flip-chip ball grid array circuit boards, which is a PCB package constructed around advanced, ceramic substrates or single-unit laminate.
At a time where the global automotive industry is experiencing a unprecedented and prolonged semiconductor chip shortage provoked by a spike in prices for consumer devices during the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Korean company's scheduled growth of FC–BGA circuit boards is drawing the attention of leading tech companies such as Intel and AMD.
Seemingly, printed circuit board (PCB) production, the primary operation of Samsung, needs electronic components for the complete assembly and raw materials for the fabrication of circuit boards. Disparities in supply and demand for both equipment and systems are wreaking havoc on PCB manufacturing. Samsung Electro-Mechanics has responded to the scarcity by increasing PCB manufacturing expenditure.
Apparently, the management Samsung Electro-Mechanics reached a wide consensus to make more investments in the production of FC–BGAs. Although the location for the new investment is yet to be confirmed, there are hints that South Korea will be selected as a preferred location for the new investment by the Samsung affiliate.
According to the sources, the demand for more advanced PCBs that use the FC–BGA technology is expected to remain strong for the next few years as the shortfall of chips continues. As a result, top tech companies like Intel and AMD are looking to make pre-purchase agreements with PCB providers and offering them financial assistance for the tailored manufacturing of the components.
On a similar note, Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, is claimed to have offered Samsung a multi-million-dollar supporting hand in May for custom fabrication of FC–BGA circuit boards in order to secure a steady stock of the components.
However, it remains uncertain whether Samsung has accepted Intel's offer of financial support or if the Vietnam facility expansion is unrelated.
Source credit: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2021/10/133_316444.html
" ["meta_description"]=> string(87) "Samsung Electro Mechanics, a leading electronics and electrical components manufacturer" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-10-05 20:44:57" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "10/05/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(84) "img/gadget/samsung-eyeing-expanded-collaborations-with-tech-giants-amd-and-intel.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [41]=> object(stdClass)#67 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "205" ["name"]=> string(68) "McGill University scientists invent 5X more fracture resistant glass" ["url"]=> string(68) "mcgill-university-scientists-invent-5x-more-fracture-resistant-glass" ["full_desc"]=> string(2937) "Researchers at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, have reportedly invented a new kind of glass that is five times more fracture-resistant compared to the normal glass. The newly developed toughened glass is speculated to bring an end to the phenomenon of broken phone screens.
The product’s durability is more similar to that of plastic because of the acrylic and glass composite materials used in its creation. According to the experts, as the material is far tougher than any other made before, the glass does not break on impact, unlike its standard counterparts.
The mix of resilience, transparency, and toughness is inspired by the nacre, which is an inside layer of mollusk shells, also called as mother of pearl. Mollusk shells contain roughly 95% chalk that is extremely fragile in its natural form. Nacre, on the other hand, envelopes the inner shells and is formed up of micro tablets that look like tiny Lego blocks, making it exceedingly sturdy and durable.
Allen Ehrlicher, an associate professor in Bioengineering Department, McGill University, stated that nacre is amazingly rigid but also provides the flexibility of a soft substance. This compound has incredible strength, becoming 3,000 times stronger than the elements that compose it.
The experts recreated the structure of the nacre by layering the glass flakes and acrylic, resulting in a 'remarkably robust' opaque material that can be made quickly and cheaply.
Ali Amini, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at McGill, stated that the team tuned the acrylic’s refractive index to make it blend flawlessly with the glass to get an extremely transparent composite.
The team's next goal is to develop indestructible glass by introducing smart technology that enables it to modify attributes like color, mechanics, and conductivity.
For years, McGill University has been researching more resistant glass. Earlier, to recreate the design of the nacre, they used a UV laser to carve hexagonal figures onto borosilicate glass sheets.
However, Ehrlicher seemingly added that there have been significant advancements in the material recently, which gave it its new opacity. The composite can now be produced in bulk and at a cheap price by centrifugation instead of serial etching with a high-power laser.
Source credit: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10040805/Scientists-develop-unbreakable-glass-inspired-seashells.html
" ["meta_description"]=> string(172) "Researchers at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, have reportedly invented a new kind of glass that is five times more fracture-resistant compared to the normal glass. " ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-10-01 16:14:29" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "10/01/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/mcgill-university-scientists-invent-5x-more-fracture-resistant-glass.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [42]=> object(stdClass)#68 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "198" ["name"]=> string(69) "Citroen to sell tiny electric car Ami in UK for an affordable £5,000" ["url"]=> string(66) "citroen-to-sell-tiny-electric-car-ami-in-uk-for-an-affordable-5000" ["full_desc"]=> string(2521) "Citroen, the French automobile manufacturer, has reportedly announced plans to sell a small 2.41-meter-long electric car, called Ami, in the UK. The car has a top speed of merely 28mph and would be priced at £5,000, reports suggest.
Citroen’s electric quadricycle has apparently been built for the ‘voiture sans permis’ regulations imposed in France. For the unversed, these regulations allow any person over the age of 14 to drive such vehicles without a license.
Evidently, the Ami was not planned for sale in the UK. The company stated that it received unprecedented customer demand with around 12,000 people expressing interest in buying the car and decided to officially take it to the UK.
It is worth noting that, in the UK, a full driving license would be necessary to drive the vehicle. The Ami seemingly has an electric motor with a 5.5kWh battery, which takes three hours to recharge to give a 46-mile range.
The car has a tight turning circle that was intended to make it more suitable for city driving where space is limited. According to reports, the vehicle has a basic design with heating, along with a small amount of storage and a place for keeping a phone.
The car is expected to be listed at around £5,000 in the country, which could supposedly make electric motoring much more affordable. However, it is yet to be seen if the price point is low enough for people to buy the car, considering its low battery range and the lack of creature comforts.
Eurig Druce, Citroen UK’s managing director, stated that with urban areas and cities imposing stricter limits for vehicles, Ami reflects how the carmaker is adapting to cater to the demands of the times.
Druce further added that the 12,000 people who have shown interest in the car could put down a £250 refundable deposit. Deliveries are slated for spring 2022 and deposits would be open to everyone starting 27th September, as per reports.
Source credits: https://www.itv.com/news/2021-09-22/citroen-to-sell-tiny-28mph-electric-car-in-uk-for-around-5000
" ["meta_description"]=> string(144) "Citroen, the French automobile manufacturer, has reportedly announced plans to sell a small 2.41-meter-long electric car, called Ami, in the UK." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-09-23 13:24:32" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "09/23/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(81) "img/gadget/citroen-to-sell-tiny-electric-car-ami-in-uk-for-an-affordable-5000.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [43]=> object(stdClass)#69 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "197" ["name"]=> string(67) "British carmaker Lotus unveils pioneering chassis for new sport EVs" ["url"]=> string(67) "british-carmaker-lotus-unveils-pioneering-chassis-for-new-sport-evs" ["full_desc"]=> string(2531) "Lotus, a British car manufacturer headquartered in Norfolk, England has reportedly unveiled a new component for the company’s next-generation of 100% electric sports cars, called LEVA (Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture). It is an electric rear subframe that will be integrated into Lotuses’ E-Sports platform, which will also underlie the next-generation Alpine A110 and a new Lotus sports car coming in 2026.
According to reliable reports, LEVA can be manufactured in three different configurations (a compact two-seater sports car, another two-seater sports car with a larger wheelbase, as well as a 2+2) with a single or dual electric motor system.
It can accommodate batteries spanning in size from 66.4kWh to 99.6kWh, with a vertically placed “chest” battery behind the cabin, or a horizontally installed 66.4kWh “slab” battery under the floor.
The smaller two-seat sports vehicle, used as an example, has a wheelbase of at least 2,470mm and is powered by a single electric motor producing up to 469 brake horsepower.
Between the shock towers, Lotus' bigger two-seater sports vehicle will measure more than 2,650mm, and will be driven by a more powerful 650kW (or 872bhp) dual-motor electric powertrain. The dimensions of the 2+2 model will be identical, but it will be available with either a single or twin motor arrangement.
The universal-size rear subframe would be built using a high-strength die-cast aluminum alloy that was innovated by Brunel University London, with Lotus claiming that will be 37% lighter than the unit used in the V6-powered Emira.
The Executive Director of Engineering at Lotus, Richard Moore, stated that Project LEVA is just as groundbreaking now as the Elise architecture was back in 1996. In keeping with the Lotus philosophy, considerable weight reductions have been accomplished throughout, with an emphasis on ultimate performance, efficiency, and safety incorporated into the frame from the very outset.
Source credit: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lotus/356071/lotus-reveals-leva-lightweight-electric-sports-car-architecture
" ["meta_description"]=> string(172) "Lotus, a British car manufacturer headquartered in Norfolk, England has reportedly unveiled a new component for the company’s next-generation of 100% electric sports cars" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-09-22 18:27:17" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "09/22/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(82) "img/gadget/british-carmaker-lotus-unveils-pioneering-chassis-for-new-sport-evs.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [44]=> object(stdClass)#70 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "195" ["name"]=> string(68) "Vintage-inspired Harley-Davidson e-bikes to go on sale later in 2021" ["url"]=> string(68) "vintage-inspired-harley-davidson-e-bikes-to-go-on-sale-later-in-2021" ["full_desc"]=> string(2851) "Harley-Davidson, the world-famous American motorcycle manufacturer, has reportedly announced that it will be selling a limited number of the stunning, vintage-inspired e-bikes, that it initially described as a "styling exercise", later this year. The announcement came nearly a year after the firm reviled its intentions to launch its own electric bike firm, Serial 1.
According to reports, the S1 Mosh/Tribute pays homage to ‘Serial Number One’, the oldest known Harley Davidson motorcycle, which was manufactured in 1903. The bike's style, with its leather seat and handgrips, white tires, and sleek black frame with gold writing, is reminiscent of the first prototype.
However, the bike is similar to Serial 1's entry-level Mosh/Cty model beneath the honey-color leather trimmings and glossy black paint. The S1 Mosh/Tribute has many characteristics with the Mosh/Cty, including a Brose mid-drive electric motor, internally routed cables and wiring, hydraulic TRP disc brakes, and integrated lighting.
The white-toned Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires are unique to Serial 1, and the leather seat and matching handles made out of leather are handcrafted in England by Brooks.
It is an update that is sure to please many potential buyers who were upset when Harley-Davidson refused to announce if the prototype will go into production in October 2020.
However, it is also a hint that the firm is leaning on its motorcycling origins, by relying on special one-offs and limited runs, as it attempts to create a brand identity in what is becoming a very crowded and competitive sector.
The firm announced last month a series of special, one-of-a-kind e-bikes that would be auctioned off under the 1-OFF series brand name, with the Schwinn Sting-Ray-inspired Mosh/Chopper serving as the inaugural offering.
At the time, the firm stated that similar to the motorcycle industry, customization and personalization will play a significant part in how Serial 1 designs the sorts of e-bikes it creates.
According to product manager Aaron Frank, the S1 Mosh/Tribute will act as a springboard to start the company’s S1 Series, which will see an even more highly desirable and exclusive Serial 1 eBike variants in the future.
Source credit: https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/18/22679256/harley-davidson-serial-1-ebike-s1-mosh-tribute-exclusive
" ["meta_description"]=> string(134) "Harley-Davidson, the world-famous American motorcycle manufacturer, has reportedly announced that it will be selling a limited number " ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-09-20 19:45:27" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "09/20/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/vintage-inspired-harley-davidson-e-bikes-to-go-on-sale-later-in-2021.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [45]=> object(stdClass)#71 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "193" ["name"]=> string(69) "LG unveils massive 325-inch Extreme Home Cinema TV worth $1.7 million" ["url"]=> string(68) "lg-unveils-massive-325-inch-extreme-home-cinema-tv-worth-1-7-million" ["full_desc"]=> string(2785) "LG, the prominent South Korean multinational electronics giant, has reportedly announced the launch of an enormous 325-inch Extreme Home Cinema LED TV, available in configurations of 2K, 4K, and 8K, with prices ranging between £50,000 ($70,000) to an eye-watering £1.2 million ($1.7 million).
According to the company, the Extreme Home Cinema TV is the ‘supercar of home theatre displays’, joking that it contains everything a customer needs, except for the popcorn.
LG stated through its website that its indoor direct-view LED (DVLED) home cinema display lets viewers indulge themselves within the mesmerizing brightness, rich color, broad contrast ratio, and magnificent screen sizes of a theatre inside their homes.
The home cinema displays, which come in a variety of sizes and performance levels, take the guesswork out of deciding which DVLED screen is best for the viewer. From 2K to 8K setups, with screen sizes ranging from 108" to a jaw-dropping 325", these systems include almost everything a viewer needs.
Viewers can also select different configurations on the basis of the space available in their house, with vertical, horizontal, and even diagonal sets available. To add to the luxury, each TV also comes with a travel case, allowing customers to take their massive TV with them on vacation if they so choose.
The LG DVLED TV employs millions of LEDs to create complete, crisp images in unique forms that can be scaled to fit any size. Furthermore, it comes with a WebOS controller, which offers smart TV functionality to the large TV system.
According to credible media sources, many of these DVLED models use MicroLED technology with a pixel pitch of 0.9mm, however some versions have 1.2mm or 1.5mm pixel pitches, which do not qualify as MicroLED. The displays have a brightness of about 1,200 nits.
Dan Smith, vice president of DVLED displays at LG Electronics United States, stated that this TV really is the supercar of home display technologies, offering hand-crafted performance and quality that appeals to people with luxury lifestyles who seek something which is not just immersive but exclusive as well.
Source credit: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9993707/LG-launches-enormous-325-inch-TV-eye-watering-1-2-MILLION-price-tag.html
" ["meta_description"]=> string(150) "LG, the prominent South Korean multinational electronics giant, has reportedly announced the launch of an enormous 325-inch Extreme Home Cinema LED TV" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-09-17 14:28:02" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "09/17/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/lg-unveils-massive-325-inch-extreme-home-cinema-tv-worth-1-7-million.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [46]=> object(stdClass)#72 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "190" ["name"]=> string(65) "GM invests millions of dollars in a radar software startup Oculii" ["url"]=> string(65) "gm-invests-millions-of-dollars-in-a-radar-software-startup-oculii" ["full_desc"]=> string(2589) "Steven Hong, the co-founder of Oculii, a US-based firm that makes software for radar sensors used in self-driving vehicles, has reportedly announced that the venture capital arm of General Motors has invested an undisclosed amount in the firm. While the exact amount of the investment was not disclosed, its purported to be in the millions.
According to credible sources, in an interview, Hong stated that General Motors can utilize Oculii's low-cost software to improve radar resolution and scale up its partially autonomous vehicles and fully self-driving automobiles.
Hong, a Stanford University graduate who established Oculii with his father, Lang Hong, a professor of engineering at Wright State University, also stated that the investment is a wonderful signal that the company is serious about the technology and optimistic about radar in general.
This year, Tesla Inc., removed radar sensors from its production models, raising concerns about the safety and efficacy of its advanced driver assistance system.
Radars, which monitor the distance between objects, allow automobiles to accelerate or brake in order to match the speed of the vehicle in front of them. They also work effectively in poor weather and lighting situations.
Tesla CEO, Elon Musk has labelled extra sensors such as lidars and radars as "crutches" and bet his money on cheaper cameras and AI for the company’s driving automation systems.
For the record, Hong has expressed agreement with Tesla's AI head, Andrej Karpathy, on the inadequacies of traditional radars. In June, Karpathy stated that radars occasionally generate ‘dumb’ readings of the surroundings, impeding its vision system.
Traditional radars have a very poor resolution and is quite loud, Hong stated. However, high-resolution radars are an important backup to cameras and other sensors should they fail, thereby offering additional security.
Hong went on to add that he expects Tesla to come back to radars once the prices fall, calling it a logical decision.
Source credit: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/gm-invests-oculii-radar-software-111541587.html
" ["meta_description"]=> string(122) "Steven Hong, the co-founder of Oculii, a US-based firm that makes software for radar sensors used in self-driving vehicles" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-09-14 19:05:11" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "09/14/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(80) "img/gadget/gm-invests-millions-of-dollars-in-a-radar-software-startup-oculii.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [47]=> object(stdClass)#73 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "182" ["name"]=> string(69) "Swiss scientists invent tech that converts footsteps into electricity" ["url"]=> string(69) "swiss-scientists-invent-tech-that-converts-footsteps-into-electricity" ["full_desc"]=> string(3033) "Switzerland-based researchers have reportedly invented an energy-harvesting device that can produce enough electricity to power LED light bulbs by harnessing the power of footsteps. The tech utilizes hardwood flooring with a silicone coating and embedded nanocrystals that generate electricity when stepped on.
According to reliable sources, this device, named nanogenerator, consists of two pieces of wood sandwiched between electrodes. When walked on, the sandwiched pieces of wood become electrically charged due to contact and separation, a phenomenon known as the triboelectric effect.
The aforementioned effect occurs when electrons are able to move freely between the two objects, similar to the way static electricity is created when people rub a balloon on their hair for a few seconds.
The senior author of the study, Guido Panzarasa, group leader within the professorship for wood materials science, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, as well as Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, Dübendorf, stated that when materials are tribo-positive, they tend to lose electrons, and when they are tribo-negative, they tend to attract electrons.
Wood does not have a high proclivity to attract nor lose electrons. As a result, wood is a horrible triboelectric material, but it is a fantastic building material, Professor Panzarasa added, stressing that the material is also advantageous since it is a sustainable and renewable resource that also stores CO2.
To improve the triboelectric characteristics of wood, the researchers covered one piece with a common silicone that attracts electrons when it comes into contact, with the other piece being covered with nanocrystals that tend to lose electrons.
Following the testing of different types of woods, scientists discovered that radially cut spruce; a commonplace wood used in construction across Europe, generated electricity that was approximately 80 times more than the one generated from raw wood.
The researchers discovered that a wood floor prototype with a surface area that is little smaller than a piece of A4 paper generated enough energy to power residential LED lights and smaller electrical gadgets such as calculators.
Prof. Panzarasa cautioned the test only provided proof-of-concept information, and that the technology needs more work for it to be scaled up for overall industrial use.
Source credit: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/01/hi-tech-wooden-flooring-can-turn-footsteps-into-electricity
" ["meta_description"]=> string(182) "Switzerland-based researchers have reportedly invented an energy-harvesting device that can produce enough electricity to power LED light bulbs by harnessing the power of footsteps. " ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-09-03 14:23:23" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "09/03/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(84) "img/gadget/swiss-scientists-invent-tech-that-converts-footsteps-into-electricity.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [48]=> object(stdClass)#74 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "180" ["name"]=> string(69) "E-bike brand VanMoof secures $128 million in a Series C funding round" ["url"]=> string(68) "e-bike-brand-vanmoof-secures-128-million-in-a-series-c-funding-round" ["full_desc"]=> string(2779) "VanMoof, an Amsterdam-based mobility startup, has reportedly secured $128 million through a Series C funding round. The startup manufactures and sells electric bikes, which are extremely popular in several markets. It now aims to iterate at a quicker rate to become the world's premier e-bike brand.
According to reliable sources, Hillhouse Investment, a private equity group based out of Asia, led the funding round with the former CEO of Booking.com, Gillian Tans, also participating. Meanwhile, existing investors such as Felix Capital, Balderton Capital, TriplePoint Capital, and Norwest Venture Partners also put more money on the table.
The Series C marks a significant increase as compared to the startup's Series B. VanMoof secured approximately $40 million in its Series B round last year. Counting all the raised funds from all investment rounds, the firm has raised a total of $182 million.
VanMoof tries to manage everything from the production and supply chain to the consumer experience, which distinguishes the firm from other e-bike manufacturers. VanMoof e-bikes are high-end and specially designed for city use. The latest models are currently available at the cost of $2,298 (€2,198).
The S3 and X3 models from VanMoof are recognizable by their unique triangular-shaped futuristic-looking body frames, integrated lighting, hydraulic brakes, and other smart features. These e-bikes also include built-in motion detection capabilities with an alarm, a GPS chip, and cellular connectivity to deter theft.
The e-bike firm partners with a limited group of vendors to create custom components Instead of depending only on off-the-shelf components. Through this, it can effectively eliminate middlemen, lowering expenses, providing it a significant competitive edge.
Growing a firm like VanMoof requires a lot of money. In 50 different locations across the world, the business has built retail shops and service centers. While VanMoof began in Europe, the United States is currently the company's fastest-growing market.
Founder and CEO of VanMoof, Taco Carlier, stated that the new funding will help the startup get 10 million individuals on its e-bikes in the coming five years.
Source credit: https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/31/vanmoof-raises-128-million-to-become-the-worlds-leading-e-bike-brand/
" ["meta_description"]=> string(115) "VanMoof, an Amsterdam-based mobility startup, has reportedly secured $128 million through a Series C funding round." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-09-01 18:43:57" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "09/01/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/e-bike-brand-vanmoof-secures-128-million-in-a-series-c-funding-round.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [49]=> object(stdClass)#75 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "176" ["name"]=> string(70) "Google to pull down Discord music bot Groovy for violating YouTube ToS" ["url"]=> string(70) "google-to-pull-down-discord-music-bot-groovy-for-violating-youtube-tos" ["full_desc"]=> string(2723) "Silicon Valley giant, Google, is reportedly shutting down Discord's famous Groovy music bot, alleging that the application violates the Terms of Service of its subsidiary YouTube.
Discord is a digital distribution network and instant chat platform built for creating communities. It encourages users to interact via video, audio, memes, and text across communities (chat rooms) called ‘servers’.
Groovy Bot, its music aggregate service has been installed by more than 16 million users for their servers. The service allows users to congregate for online listening parties and listen to music from major platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, Deezer, Apple Music, TIDAL and, Soundcloud.
However, there is a catch. Because most of the aforementioned music streaming services do not support direct audio playback, Groovy uses metadata to identify the closest match of the chosen music on YouTube.
This approach, however, did not sit well with Google, which issued a cease and desist order to Groovy Bot's developers, giving them seven days to close shop. A spokesperson from YouTube stated that the company has notified Groovy about its breaches of the YouTube Terms of Service, which also includes altering the service and utilizing it for commercial purposes.
The spokesperson went on to add that YouTube's APIs are only available to developers who comply with the terms.
Groovy founder, Nik Ammerlaan, announced the shutdown of Groovy through an announcement and stated that the team has been discussing this for some time, and sadly, there is no way forward that incorporates Groovy. The bot will terminate the service on 30th of August 2021.
Ammerlaan went on to add that he does not know why YouTube opted to issue a cease and desist letter at this time, claiming that YouTube was likely unaware about the service until now.
A spokesperson from Discord stated that the firm takes others’ rights seriously and expects developers who build bots for Discord to do the same. If a bot on Discord infringes on the rights of any third party, then the third party or Discord could take action on the same.
Source credit: https://uk.pcmag.com/social-media/135269/youtube-orders-shutdown-of-groovy-discord-music-bot
" ["meta_description"]=> string(178) "Silicon Valley giant, Google, is reportedly shutting down Discords famous Groovy music bot, alleging that the application violates the Terms of Service of its subsidiary YouTube." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-08-27 19:28:03" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "08/27/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(85) "img/gadget/google-to-pull-down-discord-music-bot-groovy-for-violating-youtube-tos.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [50]=> object(stdClass)#76 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "171" ["name"]=> string(66) "Facebook unravels new virtual reality office app Horizon Workrooms" ["url"]=> string(66) "facebook-unravels-new-virtual-reality-office-app-horizon-workrooms" ["full_desc"]=> string(2874) "With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the corporate world to continue working from home, Facebook Inc. reportedly launched a new VR office app Horizon Workrooms, which allows employees to work in a shared, imaginary workspace.
Through the company’s Oculus Quest 2 headsets, the application can project the user’s avatar into a digital space that enables employees to collaborate, chat, and work with colleagues using virtual whiteboards.
The firm considers its latest announcement as an initial step in constructing the futuristic "metaverse" that CEO Mark Zuckerberg has mentioned in recent weeks. In this context, Andrew Boz Bosworth, Facebook's VP of Reality Labs, expressed that the new Workrooms app gives "a fair feel" of how the firm envisions components of the metaverse.
The app, available for free with the Quest 2 headsets, that cost around USD 300, allows up to 16 individuals to collaborate in VR and up to 50 people in total, including video conference participants. Bosworth stated Facebook is now using Workrooms for internal meetings.
The firm also said that it would not use people’s discussions and documents in Workrooms to target adverts on Facebook. Users must also adhere to VR community standards, and rule-breaking behavior can be reported to Oculus.
It is worth noting that Facebook, in cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, halted sales of the Oculus Quest 2 headsets and recalled the foam face-liners due to claims of skin irritation. According to the recall letter, around 4 million units in the United States were affected, providing an estimate of Quest 2 headset sales that the firm has not been formally revealed yet.
The social networking giant, in Q2 of 2021, amassed USD 497 million in non-advertising revenue, including income from AR, VR, and e-commerce as well, sources cited.
Facebook is now spending billions of dollars a year on numerous projects in the space, including the development of augmented reality glasses and the metaverse. The success of the technology would rely on whether the organization, dogged by privacy complaints for years, can reassure employees that their virtual office lives are kept private.
Source Credit –
" ["meta_description"]=> string(223) "With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the corporate world to continue working from home, Facebook Inc. reportedly launched a new VR office app Horizon Workrooms, which allows employees to work in a shared, imaginary workspace." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-08-23 19:08:46" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "08/23/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(81) "img/gadget/facebook-unravels-new-virtual-reality-office-app-horizon-workrooms.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [51]=> object(stdClass)#77 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "166" ["name"]=> string(70) "Researchers collaborate on developing advanced air sanitization system" ["url"]=> string(70) "researchers-collaborate-on-developing-advanced-air-sanitization-system" ["full_desc"]=> string(2873) "Researchers from London's Queen Mary University have reportedly collaborated with Chennai-based Vellore Institute of Technology, and Indian Institute of Technology Madras, to build a ground-breaking air sanitization system for preventing the spread of the coronavirus and tuberculosis bacteria.
According to credible reports, the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAENG) of the United Kingdom will be a leading sponsor for the project. Along with RAENG, as a sole industry partner, Magneto CleanTech, a producer of air sanitization solutions, will also be a major sponsor.
Officials from these major educational institutions stated that the goal of this collaborative study is to build a reliable and low-cost bio-aerosol prevention system for the Indian subcontinent, which is known for its dense population and significant urban pollution.
The project's goal is to produce an experimental proof-of-concept for a breakthrough air filtration system using 'Ultraviolet-C' radiation.
Officials believe that this technology has a high potential to improve the efficacy of removing viruses and other airborne infections while also lowering maintenance costs when compared to existing filters, which is a significant benefit for poor nations like India.
Abdus Samad, Professor at IIT Madras, stated that there are a variety of UVC options on the market, but none of them have the technical design required to assure proper airborne disinfection and inactivation.
Testing and deployment of this system will be done using real-time applications in various Indian contexts, thanks to Magneto CleanTech's assistance. When completed, this initiative is anticipated to benefit over 10 crore people across the Indian subcontinent.
CEO of Magneto CleanTech, Himanshu Agarwal, stated that the company is thrilled and honored to be a member of this prestigious international research team.
Given its long-standing focus on air sanitization technologies and air quality engineering, this was the ideal platform for the firm to contribute, as it is working on a groundbreaking product that has the potential to ensure health and safety of global populations.
Source Credit:
" ["meta_description"]=> string(126) "Researchers from Londons Queen Mary University have reportedly collaborated with Chennai-based Vellore Institute of Technology" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-08-16 19:40:35" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "08/16/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(85) "img/gadget/researchers-collaborate-on-developing-advanced-air-sanitization-system.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [52]=> object(stdClass)#78 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "163" ["name"]=> string(70) "Oppo introduces VOOC Flash Charge tech under ChareUp campaign in India" ["url"]=> string(70) "oppo-introduces-vooc-flash-charge-tech-under-chareup-campaign-in-india" ["full_desc"]=> string(2559) "Prominent Chinese consumer electronics giant Oppo has reportedly introduced an advanced VOOC Flash Charge technology that offers better-charging speed while maintaining safety. The company has launched this technology as a part of its ChargeUp campaign in India.
Oppo has also announced a range of offers and deals on its latest superphones, the Reno6 5G and the Reno6 Pro 5G along with its F19 series smartphones, under this campaign. The offers will reportedly apply to online as well as offline retail channels.
This VOOC Flash Charge technology introduces a five-fold safety protection system. According to the company, this system consists of a fuse with lower impedance, internal series bi-cell design, Gallium Nitride switches, Battery Safety Detection Chip, and composite current collector for delivering high faster charging while maintaining utmost safety.
Oppo further claimed that the Flash Charge technology adjusts the charging current based on the intelligent detection of various charging scenarios. This in turn helps in addressing unusual battery aging, providing users with optimal battery life for a longer duration.
Elaborating on the deals, Oppo is offering various cashback offers on the Reno6 Pro 5G, F19 Pro+ as well as the rest of the F19 series smartphones between August 8 to August 21. Besides, no-cost EMI options are also available for 6 months for Indian consumers.
Sources have confirmed that the Reno6 Pro 5G and Reno6 5G customers will also be eligible for Oppo premium service. The service benefits include the option of bank EMI at the time of service, free back cover and screen guard, 24/7 hotline support, and free pick-up and drop for repairs in the warranty period.
As a part of the online deals, some banks are also offering discounts on the F19 series and Reno6 Pro 5G.
Source credits –
" ["meta_description"]=> string(177) "Prominent Chinese consumer electronics giant Oppo has reportedly introduced an advanced VOOC Flash Charge technology that offers better-charging speed while maintaining safety. " ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-08-12 17:59:20" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "08/12/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(85) "img/gadget/oppo-introduces-vooc-flash-charge-tech-under-chareup-campaign-in-india.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [53]=> object(stdClass)#79 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "161" ["name"]=> string(62) "UBON unveils 10,000mAH POWERMAXX Power Bank with fast charging" ["url"]=> string(62) "ubon-unveils-10-000mah-powermaxx-power-bank-with-fast-charging" ["full_desc"]=> string(2500) "Indian consumer electronics and gadget accessory brand, UBON has reportedly launched the UBON PB X-31 POWERMAXX power bank that comes with features like short circuit protection, fast charging and a lithium-polymer battery holding a capacity of 10,000mAh.
The power bank will be available in Black and White colors and will costs around US$36.2 (Rs 2,699). Available for purchase at major retail outlets and e-commerce sites, the power bank comes with twin input charging ports (Type C/V8) and dual USB ports for ultra-fast charging.
The 2.1A power bank output charging port comes with Over Voltage Protection. As a result, the power bank can safety be used with various devices like Androids, tablets, cameras, headphones, and type C-enabled gadgets.
Another feature of this power bank is its small size and lightweight, making it convenient to carry. An LED Digital Battery Indicator also shows customers the power bank's charging status and functioning.
Mandeep Arora, Managing Director, UBON, commented on the launch, stating that they are pleased to launch the PB X-31 POWER MAXX Power Bank. Following ease in lockdown restrictions, people have started to leave their homes, prompting the need for devices that provide them with added convenience.
As smartphone users are increasingly playing games, viewing movies, and surfing the internet while on the go, having enough power has become an essential factor, making power banks an important and convenient storage device.
Apart from this, UBON released the SP-40 Bluetooth Speaker last month for US$33.6 (Rs 2,499). It's available in all the major retail outlets and e-commerce marketplaces.
The UBON SP-40 Bluetooth Speaker comes with USB charging, a twin torch, and a solar panel for charging. A control button, FM radio, TF card support, and high-quality sound are some added features of these wireless speakers.
Source Credit - https://www.themobileindian.com/news/ubon-launches-powermaxx-power-bank-with-10000mah-capacity-for-rs-2699
" ["meta_description"]=> string(177) "Indian consumer electronics and gadget accessory brand, UBON has reportedly launched the UBON PB X-31 POWERMAXX power bank that comes with features like short circuit protection" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-08-10 18:59:35" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "08/10/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(77) "img/gadget/ubon-unveils-10-000mah-powermaxx-power-bank-with-fast-charging.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [54]=> object(stdClass)#80 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "158" ["name"]=> string(68) "Yamaha to launch its new true Wireless Earphones with Listening Care" ["url"]=> string(68) "yamaha-to-launch-its-new-true-wireless-earphones-with-listening-care" ["full_desc"]=> string(2762) "
Leading Japanese manufacturer, Yamaha, has reportedly announced that it is launching its new TW-E3B, a set of truly wireless earbuds with ‘Listening Care’ technology. The company is the latest audio equipment manufacturer to understand that hearing loss might be a concern.
Listening Care is a technology that allows listeners to hear the whole frequency spectrum of music at reduced volume levels.
The concept behind the technology is to overcome the disadvantages of traditional earphones, which sees significant drop in particular frequencies at lower volumes. As a result, listeners tend to increase volume levels in order to hear better, which ends up causing hearing loss in the process.
According to the World Health Organization, over 2.5 billion individuals will have some level of hearing loss by 2050. According to the group, more than a billion young individuals are in danger of irreversible, but preventable, hearing loss as a result of hazardous listening habits.
The long-term effects may be exacerbated by the use of earbuds and headphones at high volume levels on a regular basis. Listening Care attempts to tackle the problem by making low-volume listening clearer by intelligently changing sound frequencies to preserve the full-range sound.
The Yamaha TW-E3B features a small housing and a 6mm dynamic driver. The Earplug may be placed deep inside the ear canal of the listener, forming an acoustic barrier that prevents sound leakage and loss of sound quality.
Furthermore, the earbuds are adjusted to allow for low-frequency reproduction with a strong feeling of loudness and high-frequency control, allowing each note to be heard clearly. According to the firm, the outcome is a very immersive sound that carries music with energy and allows the listener to feel the artists' and creators' intents and thoughts as originally intended.
The TW-E3B's is available in six colors, two monotone tones, and four smokey finishes to complement the listener's fashion taste. Besides that, the earbud's size has been decreased by 25%, as compared with the previous model.
" ["meta_description"]=> string(171) "Leading Japanese manufacturer, Yamaha, has reportedly announced that it is launching its new TW-E3B, a set of truly wireless earbuds with ‘Listening Care’ technology. " ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-08-06 12:00:01" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "08/06/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/yamaha-to-launch-its-new-true-wireless-earphones-with-listening-care.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [55]=> object(stdClass)#81 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "157" ["name"]=> string(65) "Apple taps more Chinese suppliers for producing its latest iPhone" ["url"]=> string(65) "apple-taps-more-chinese-suppliers-for-producing-its-latest-iphone" ["full_desc"]=> string(2460) "Leading multinational tech company, Apple Inc., is reportedly tapping more raw material suppliers in China to produce its upcoming iPhone. This seems to indicate that the technological competitiveness of the nation is still increasing despite Washington's ongoing efforts to control Beijing's tech ambitions.
According to the credible sources, Chinese electronics firm Luxshare Precision Industry is expected to produce around 3% of the iPhone 13 series. The company has won orders and taken them away from the Taiwan based rivals Pegatron and Foxconn. Reportedly, Apple is expected to manufacture 90 to 95 million of the new iPhones by January.
Sources have confirmed that Luxshare will commence the production of iPhone 13 Pro as the premium model, this month. This is supposedly a breakthrough for a company that has never built iPhones on its own. The two companies acquired by Luxshare in 2020, namely Casetek, the metal frame maker and Cowell, the camera module manufacturer are also expected to supply key components for this year's new iPhones.
Commenting on the matter, senior executive from a competing iPhone supplier stated that they cannot relax while Luxshare makes this year’s iPhones even if it is a small percentage. If they do not ramp up their competitiveness, Luxshare will become the major source sooner or later.
Apple claims to have a highly complex consumer electronics supply chain and is known to produce nearly 200 million iPhones, tens of millions of AirPods and 20 million MacBooks every year. The company is also known to have very high manufacturing standards. Considering these aspects, any firm in its supply chain is seen as one of the best in its field.
Apparently, the proliferation of Chinese Apple suppliers comes at the cost of various competitor companies in the U.S., Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Many of them are either observing a shrinkage in orders or have completely opted out of Apple’s supply chain.
Source credits: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Apple-taps-more-China-suppliers-for-its-latest-iPhones
" ["meta_description"]=> string(139) "Leading multinational tech company, Apple Inc., is reportedly tapping more raw material suppliers in China to produce its upcoming iPhone. " ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-08-05 18:55:26" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "08/05/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(80) "img/gadget/apple-taps-more-chinese-suppliers-for-producing-its-latest-iphone.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [56]=> object(stdClass)#82 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "153" ["name"]=> string(65) "Ray-Ban smart glasses to be Facebook’s next big hardware launch" ["url"]=> string(62) "ray-ban-smart-glasses-to-be-facebooks-next-big-hardware-launch" ["full_desc"]=> string(2651) "The social networking giant Facebook's business is majorly driven by digital advertising, but the company also has been serious on the hardware side with its virtual reality headset Oculus VR and is now gearing up for launching augmented reality glasses.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg, at the company's recent earnings call, stated that its upcoming product release would be the highly anticipated Ray-Ban smart glasses.
It is still unclear when the glasses would arrive, although it is believed that they will be launching sometime in 2021. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, has caused many to change their plans, and Zuckerberg did not specify a time frame.
The CEO mentioned having partnered with EssilorLuxottica for the launch of Ray-Ban smart glasses. The glasses have a distinctive shape and allow the wearer to do some neat things, he added.
The Ray-Ban smart glasses are part of Facebook's path towards augmented reality spectacles in the future, said Zuckerberg.
For a long time, the company has been developing such a device under its Project Aria research unit and even making a prototype of its upcoming AR spectacles.
The augmented reality glasses play a crucial role in Facebook’s plans to build a multi-modal technology platform metaverse that would merge physical and virtual spaces, and be used for socializing, work, commerce. The company intends to utilize it to further sell advertising.
Ads would continue to be an important element of the strategy throughout the social media parts of what they do, and it will perhaps be a vital aspect of the metaverse too, expressed Zuckerberg on the same earnings call.
Besides this, Facebook is working on other hardware as well. Various reports claim that the company is trying its hand on a smartwatch with a detachable display and a built-in cellular connection.
Initially, it was thought that the watch would be the first to hit the market, but Zuckerberg seems to have other plans.
Source Credit –
https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/29/22599599/facebook-ray-ban-smart-glasses-next-product-launch-specs
" ["meta_description"]=> string(253) "The social networking giant Facebooks business is majorly driven by digital advertising, but the company also has been serious on the hardware side with its virtual reality headset Oculus VR and is now gearing up for launching augmented reality glasses." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-07-31 11:07:01" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "07/31/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(79) "img/gadget/ray-ban-smart-glasses-to-be-facebooks-next-big-hardware-launch-1.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [57]=> object(stdClass)#83 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "151" ["name"]=> string(68) "Facebook pauses Oculus Quest 2 sales and recalls its foam face masks" ["url"]=> string(68) "facebook-pauses-oculus-quest-2-sales-and-recalls-its-foam-face-masks" ["full_desc"]=> string(2454) "Facebook has reportedly announced that it has decided to halt the global sales of its Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality (VR) headsets while it upgrades the storage and replaces its rash-inducing foam facial covers with a silicone design. The VR headsets are expected to be available in a minimum of 128 GB storage instead of 64 GB, effective from August 24.
According to Oculus, the new silicone mask fits on the foam interface and the future headsets will comprise of both the options.
Sources have confirmed that all the existing users of Quest 2 can now request for a free silicone mask online to cover their foam one. This follows the product recall after certain cases of skin irritation were reported.
Head of Facebook Reality Labs, Andrew Bosworth, stated that as more people bought the Quest 2, the company started receiving reports that a very small number of users have experienced skin irritation after using the detachable foam facial interface that comes with Quest 2 and is also sold separately. Although the number of reports is less, the company is committed to provide products that are safe and comfortable to all its users, Bosworth added.
Reportedly, the company is recalling all Quest 2 and Quest 2 Fit Pack foam interfaces while complying with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPSC has confirmed that it had received the reports of 5,716 cases of skin irritation and nearly 45 reports of users that needed medical attention. The recall has affected around 172,600 units in Canada and around 4 million units across the US. For the records, this includes all Quest 2 headsets distributed in these countries in addition to the Quest 2 Fit Packs and any replacements shipped under warranty or sold separately.
Sources have speculated that the base price of $299 for Quest 2 will not change and Oculus will offer a 256GB model for $399 when the upgraded version rolls out in August.
Source credit: https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/27/22596076/facebook-oculus-quest-2-storage-upgrade-foam-face-mask-recall
" ["meta_description"]=> string(234) "Facebook has reportedly announced that it has decided to halt the global sales of its Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality (VR) headsets while it upgrades the storage and replaces its rash-inducing foam facial covers with a silicone design." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-07-29 14:43:39" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "07/29/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(83) "img/gadget/facebook-pauses-oculus-quest-2-sales-and-recalls-its-foam-face-masks.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [58]=> object(stdClass)#84 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "150" ["name"]=> string(63) "Japan to foray into space tourism with remote-controlled robots" ["url"]=> string(63) "japan-to-foray-into-space-tourism-with-remote-controlled-robots" ["full_desc"]=> string(2627) "As part of a collaborative project between ANA Holdings' telepresence start-up, avatarin, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the International Space Station is reportedly getting remote-controlled mobile robotic "space avatars" that the public can control from Earth.
The initiative aims to offer a virtual space tourism experience to individuals who cannot afford to charter a seat on either Richard Branson’s or Jeff Bezos’s rockets.
According to a press release by JAXA, this plan will be pushed under the motto ‘SPACE FOR ALL’ to usher in a new age of commercial space travel. The company hopes to democratizing the fast-developing commercial space travel era.
This is not the first time when JAXA and avatarin have worked together. Last year, these two joined forces to work on a technological demonstration of virtual experience allowing robots to onboard the KIBO module to the International Space Station.
The new project expands on that technological demonstration by introducing a new sort of avatar that will function as a coworker for astronauts on the International Space Station, and in other locations such as the moon. Avatars in this position will possess high-precision hands. Meanwhile, other avatar iterations will be focused on providing a more entertainment-oriented experience.
In addition to the two novel forms of avatars, the project will employ an existing type of avatar robot known as "newme" as an educational and public relations tool, providing virtual tours and encouraging interest in space travel from Earth.
The avatars and telepresence technology will be provided by avatarin, while JAXA will provide its space expertise, knowledge, and facilities. Additionally, a third party, the University of Tokyo School of Engineering, will contribute by creating a self-position estimating system.
None of the parties have stated when the avatars would be accessible for tele-tourism, but their ambitions already go beyond ISS experiences and include robotics technology that may be used in future space research missions.
Source credit: https://www.theregister.com/2021/07/27/jaxa_avatarin_robotic_space_tourism/
" ["meta_description"]=> string(77) "As part of a collaborative project between ANA Holdings telepresence start-up" ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-07-28 21:59:06" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "07/28/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Sumit Horo" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(78) "img/gadget/japan-to-foray-into-space-tourism-with-remote-controlled-robots.png" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } [59]=> object(stdClass)#85 (11) { ["id"]=> string(3) "148" ["name"]=> string(59) "Intel warns of extreme shortage of processors in Q3 of 2021" ["url"]=> string(59) "intel-warns-of-extreme-shortage-of-processors-in-q3-of-2021" ["full_desc"]=> string(2526) "American semiconductor company, Intel Corp. has reportedly warned consumers that its processor supply is likely to hit bottom in the near future, as the firm foresees issues on the stock front.
George Davis, Intel’s Chief Financial Officer, has revealed that the semiconductor sector will witness acute supply problems in the third quarter of 2021. Persistent industry-wide shortages of components and substrates will sequentially lower the Client Computing Group (CCG) revenues, he added.
Despite the short-term decline in CPU production, clients may encounter acute supply shortages during the Q3 of the year. The cloud, governments, and enterprises in the data center space may, however, show significant recovery in this quarter.
Intel’s CEO, Pat Gelsinger, has recently predicted the continuation of the global chip shortage through 2023. In order to accrue profits during challenging times, the semiconductor firm is apparently prioritizing the consistent production of heavyweight processors to cater to their demand from data centers.
The issue in the shortage of processors lies in the insufficient substate supply, including the Ajinomoto ABF substrates. The lack of this base layer of the chip has adversely impacted the number of Intel’s CPUs.
Notably, the firm has been placing high emphasis on self-sufficiency, rapid in-house production of ABF substrates, and increased investment in the ABF substrate makers due to the increasing manufacturing constraint as well as to mitigate shortages.
For the record, Intel is targeting to launch its next-generation Alder Lake desktop CPUs in 2021, probably by October. This significant launch of the 12th-generation CPUs will help the company pick up from the Q3 supply shortage.
As per reliable reports, this CPU series will employ a combination of normal and low-power cores, ensure a 20% performance increase for various single-threaded applications, as well as deliver an enhanced multi-threaded performance.
Source Credit: https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/intel-warns-of-cpu-stock-shortages-in-near-future
" ["meta_description"]=> string(193) "American semiconductor company, Intel Corp. has reportedly warned consumers that its processor supply is likely to hit bottom in the near future, as the firm foresees issues on the stock front." ["date"]=> string(19) "2021-07-26 20:33:57" ["publish_date"]=> string(10) "07/26/2021" ["author"]=> string(10) "Rini Dalvi" ["type"]=> string(6) "gadget" ["image_url"]=> string(74) "img/gadget/intel-warns-of-extreme-shortage-of-processors-in-q3-of-2021.jpg" ["algos_mail_id"]=> string(41) "connect.author@littlesaigoncollective.com" } }