Israel Active

Israeli-founded Mobileye demonstrated its new EyeQ4 camera in London. It can track and analyze masses of data including traffic lights, bus stops and even manhole covers. It can calculate rush hour traffic volumes, detect muggings and accidents. Data is uploaded to the cloud in real time.

Israel’s SpaceCom is shortly to launch its Amos 17 satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center. Its main aim is to improve TV, cellular and Internet services to Africa. SpaceCom already has $53 million of orders for services. The satellite will operate for up to 20 years.

At the International Physics Olympiad, held in Israel for the first time, Israelis won five medals - two gold, two silver, and a bronze. The event attracted 360 students from 78 countries, including Indonesia. Israel’s Eyal Walach won a gold for the 2nd year in a row.

Biologists and designers from Israel’s Technion and Ben Gurion University have 3D-printed bioplastic and ceramic reefs that Red Sea fish have used to make their homes. Although Israeli corals are healthy, the new man-made reefs could support the collapsing ecosystems of reefs elsewhere.

Israel’s Haredi startup Emerj develops a machine learning-based search engine that helps international corporations connect their employees with various mentors that already work for the company. Emerj has just raised $800,000 to expand its team and operations in the U.S.

Following reports of a data breach of a smart home device platform in that exposed more than two billion records, Israel’s IXDen has launched “IXDen Smart Homes”. It is designed to protect billions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices against cyberattacks, tampering, and data manipulation.

Here is a novel solution to the problem of non-degradable plastic bottles.  Israel’s Clicko-Brick makes interlocking, modular plastic containers. Initially used for liquids, when empty they can be recycled to build anything from children’s toys to earthquake-proof houses.

I reported previously on Israel-founded Eco Wave Power (EWP). EWP has just listed on Nasdaq First North (Stockholm). The proceeds will be used to build its first commercial wave energy farm. EWP also plans to expand its existing wave plants in Jaffa Port and Gibraltar.

The Tel Aviv municipality has launched a new app Tel Aviv-Jaffa Beaches. It provides details on all 13 Tel Aviv blue flag beaches, including wave height, water and air temperature. You can also use the app to rent sun beds, chairs, beach umbrellas and other items at 66% less than the cash price.

A new hi-tech center, the first of its kind in Judea and Samaria, has been inaugurated. “BinyaminTech,” will host entrepreneurs and a variety of hi-tech startups. At the event the first 10 graduates of the ‘BinyaminTech Accelerator 1’ program presented their projects.