Israel Active

Israeli startup NFT is developing a fully electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle – i.e. a flying car. Apparently, the vehicle will be the size of a big SUV, offered in both electric and hybrid versions and will be priced competitively against regular cars.  Watch this space!

I reported previously on Israeli-founded Sky and Space Global and the success of its first three nanosatellites, the “3 Diamonds,” launched into space in June 2017. SAS has completed the critical design review of its Pearls satellite and intends to launch 200 of them in 2019 and 2020.

Israel’s Elbit Systems has delivered M-346 Full Mission Simulators (FMS) and Flight Training Devices (FTD) to the Polish Air Force. Already in use in Israel’s Air Force, they enable cadets to safely achieve skills from basic familiarity to top level combat flight competence in complex arenas.

Israel’s Gilat Satellite Networks already deploys its multi-application platform, SkyEdge II-c in China.  During 2019, China Satcom will use Gilat’s ground network to deploy its CS-18 and extend its CS-16 broadband services across the whole of China.

Sylvan Adams, the Canadian-Israeli billionaire businessman credited with bringing the Giro d'Italia cycle race to Israel earlier this year, has joined Israel SpaceIL’s project to land a spacecraft on the moon.  He is also donating $5 million to the project.

I reported previously that Israel’s Innoviz won a CES Innovation Award for its groundbreaking InnovizPro High Definition Solid State LiDAR (Light Imaging, Detection, And Ranging). This year, Innoviz went even better, winning the CES Best of Innovation award.

I reported previously on the QuadSight vehicle camera-based vision systems from Israel’s Foresight. QuadSight has now been named a 2019 CES Innovation Award honoree in the Vehicle Intelligence and Self-Driving Technology category.

I reported previously on the revolutionary new Nanobébé baby bottle. Nanobébé has now been recognized by TIME magazine and appears on the cover of its latest issue as one of the best inventions of the year. TIME rated originality, creativity, influence, ambition and effectiveness.

Israel’s FruitSpec has developed hyperspectral machine vision technology that scans the trees in an orchard to count the fruit and estimate yields six months before the harvest. Latest trials show 90% accuracy – more than double that of alternative current estimation methods.

Israel is to set up an India-Israeli Innovation Centre (IIIC) in Bengaluru (Bangalore), the first startup incubation facility in India. The 10,000 square feet facility will be operated by startup hub MESH (Modiin Entrepreneurs’ Startup Hub). Two more IIICs will open soon.