Ben Gurion Airport to run on solar power

Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport has had an advanced solar energy system installed. The system has a capacity of about four megawatts and includes the innovative technology of Israel’s SolarEdge. The technology was installed by Electra Energy.

How busy is Ben Gurion Airport

Frequent traveler Tzahi Zilbershtein has set up a site, which predicts how crowded Ben Gurion airport is likely to be. The site (in Hebrew) assesses the arrivals hall, check-in, and security checks in both Terminal 1 & 3. It has five ratings: deserted, light, medium, heavy, and peak.

Multi-diverse Young Entrepreneurs

Over 100 projects were presented at Unistream’s Young Entrepreneur competition from nearly all regions, religions, and sectors across Israel. The runners up included accessible smart closet shelves; a forest fire detection system using sensors; and a sticker that helps prevent dehydration.

Rise and shine

A team from Netivot in Southern Israeli won the Unistream “Project of the Year 2022” prize. Their EasyWake smart mattress wakes the sleeper with pleasant sounds and gentle vibration. It interfaces with IoT-enabled devices e.g., window shades, lights, and heaters. The Israeli company Polyron “rose” to take it up.

A smart robot packer

Israel’s Pickommerce AI Robotics won Calcalist and Poalim 2022 Hi-Tech’s StartUp+ competition. Its AI robot, called Dumbo, can pick up, hold, analyze, and pack an item efficiently in a box - at a rate of 500 to 600 items per hour.

Walk-in electric van with motorized wheels

Israel’s REE Automotive (see previously) has unveiled its first UK & US-built production vehicle. The Proxima is a 120kW, 200km urban delivery vehicle for the U.S. market. Its motorized all-wheel drive includes reversing rear wheels for ultimate all-weather maneuverability.

Packaging-free deliveries

Israel’s WeFill is helping the environment by delivering groceries in reusable packaging. Subscribers order regularly, receive their shopping delivered in glass jars and canvas bags and return the empties. These are sterilized and used for future shipments. No plastic waste and lower costs.

Preventing beverages from spoiling

Israel’s Gat Foods and Israeli biotech Resorcix have developed a natural botanical ingredient - Flavorwatch that prevents clear, fruit-based beverages spoiling from Thermophillic Acidophilic Bacteria (TAB). Flavorwatch eliminates TAB spore outgrowth by disintegrating the cells.

Don’t go vegan but eat less meat

Israel’s Mush Foods has developed “hybrid meat” – 50% meat, 50% edible mushroom known as mycelium. 50% less cholesterol but same meaty taste. Mush Foods plan to launch the product in Tel Aviv restaurants during August.

Earthquake prediction is 80% accurate

Researchers from Israel’s Ariel University can predict a strong earthquake and its location with at least 80% accuracy some 48 hours ahead. They detect changes in the ionosphere layer caused by both acoustic and gravity waves.