Israel Active

Scientists at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University have found the mechanism that enables some plants to grow aerial roots, e.g., ivy and fiscus trees. They identified the genes that instruct root cells to grow upwards. It will help grow crops that resist soil disease and make best use of valuable land.

The water level of Israel’s Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) should never again drop to dangerous (red line) levels once Israel implements its next major water project. Excess water produced by Israel’s desalination plants will be pumped into the Kinneret. Two more plants are being built and water may also help replenish the Dead Sea.

Israeli vehicle retailer Colmobil is to import hydrogen-fueled trucks built by Hyundai for Israeli companies Bazan and Sonol. Hyundai has been testing its hydrogen trucks in Israel and has invested in Israel’s H2Pro, which is producing hydrogen at scale using electrolysis (see previously).

Israel’s Maris-Tech develops and markets intelligent communications and monitoring systems for homeland security and the autonomous car industry. Customers include Elbit Systems, Israel's Defense Ministry, Rafael, and Israel Aerospace Industries. It just raised $17.8 million in a Nasdaq IPO.

Israel’s Selectika provides shoppers with their own optimal digital assortment and provides retailers with real-time data and analytics and trends. Originally developed to help people buy clothes using advanced technology, it has grown to a full intelligence system for brands and retailers.

Several joint US-Israel cybersecurity initiatives have been launched recently. They include up to $12 million for ICRDE - a new consortium, to protect critical energy facilities. It will be led by Israel’s Ben Gurion University and Arizona State University. Also, research with US Homeland Security.

Israel has established the Evtach Marine Reserve, a protected offshore nature reserve, between Ashdod and Ashkelon. The site is 10km wide and extends 7km out to sea. Its purpose is to protect 700 species, including dolphins, rays, and flying fish.

Israel’s Solaer Renewable Energies has connected its Alizursun solar power bank, in the Aragon region of central Spain, to the Spanish national electricity grid. Alizursun is the inaugural project of Solaer’s 1,362 MW project pipeline. Solaer expects to generate a GigaWatt of power by the end of 2023.

Israel-based Mobileye has announced plans to deploy its systems on self-driving electric vehicles in the US during 2024. Mobileye and its partners Germany’s Benteler EV Systems and Florida’s Beep will launch driverless on-demand 12-14 seater shuttles, with no steering wheel or pedal.

Israel’s Aurora Labs (see previously) use machine learning, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to improve car software quality, safety, and security. Its products Auto Detect, Auto Validate, and Auto Update are able to reduce the numbers of vehicle recalls and lower production costs.