Israel Active

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded Starting Grants for 2024 to eleven researchers from Tel Aviv University. The grant enables promising early-career scientists achieve their research goals, promote cooperation and begin commercialization of the technology.

Deep learning, using artificial neural networks has advanced so quickly that scientists do not know how AI made a particular decision. IT engineers at Ben Gurion University developed DISCOVER and with startup AIVF (see ) reverse-engineered how AI decides if an IVF embryo is viable.

Hydrogen was a key session at the Greentech 2024 New Horizon Conference and exhibition in Jerusalem. Israeli startups represented included , , Maygia, , , plus from the Israeli Ministries of Energy and Finance.   

Israel’s Energy Ministry is providing NIS 30 million to local authorities in 2024 to install solar roofing, efficient lighting, air conditioning, and renewable energy storage systems. Also to launch initiatives for residents. Lower socioeconomic areas will get priority.

The Haifa program IN-VENTech has launched 67 Israeli startups to date. They include Level Hydrofoils which has developed a unique e-foil that “flies” you up to 35km/hour one meter above the water for 30-40 km on a single charge. It uses a gyroscope that can keep even a dog stable (see video).

Israel’s Better Pulse is the first company to use the cowpea (black-eyed pea) as an entirely new dairy milk alternative. Technically, the cowpea is a bean that contains almost all of the essential amino acids. The resilient crop requires little water and fertilizer, is tolerant to heat and has a very low carbon footprint.

Companies wanting to create marketing images for their online businesses should take a look at Israel’s Cymbio (see previously). It has launched Cymagery AI to automate the entire process, from uploading images to verifying copyright compliance, reducing administrative workload by over 70%.

Israel’s CropX has linked its systems to CNH (New Holland Agriculture equipment). It means that the data collected by farm machinery can be used by farmers and advisors to achieve optimum planting, fertilization and harvesting results. CropX also links to John Deere.

Israel’s Lensy Medical is developing custom contact lenses that the optometrist will print for you after checking your vision. They will fit perfectly and comfortably and be much lower in price than today’s contact lenses.

Israel’s Rider Dome is described as “Mobileye for motorbikes”. It uses vision AI from front and rear wide-angle cameras. The real-time alert units on both mirrors issue beeps and flashes to warn of dangerous overtaking, zigzagging, collision risk, safe distance, and blind spots.