Israel Active

London bus operator, Abellio, launched a trial in Oct on 66 of its buses of Israeli collision-avoidance technology from Mobileye (now part of Intel).  Findings to date show it has reduced avoidable collisions by 29% and reduced injuries from such collisions by 60%.

The technology of Israel’s Twine Solutions continuously dyes a single raw off-the-shelf white thread to any requested length and in any one of millions of colors and shades and gradients. It eliminates the inefficient conventional bulk dyeing of thread in use today.  Twine has just raised $22 million.

I’ve reported previously on Israel’s Wi-Charge and its innovative WiFi (10-meter range) charging system. Wi-Charge now turns specific Amazon and Google smart speakers into wireless speakers. Wi-Charge is also expanding with new partners for its OEM program.

Global automobile products company Techniplas has used a DragonFly Pro 3D printer from Israel’s Nano Dimension to design a new steering wheel that incorporates its proprietary cognitive lighting technology with 3D printed electronics in a single step. (Techniplas’ Israeli vice-chair Avi Reichental)

I reported previously on Israel’s Aurora Labs whose systems fix problems in connected cars. Aurora has just been chosen to participate in the Batch 2 Acceleration Program of Plug and Play Japan. Aurora’s software platform is valuable to vehicle manufacturers

Israeli startup High Lander Aviation has developed software that manages and coordinates the activity of autonomous drone fleets. It has just raised $1.5 million to help it expand globally. High Lander intends to build specialized airports for commercial drones, where the flyers can land and recharge.

I reported previously on Israel’s InnovoPro, developer of a 70 percent protein concentrate from chickpeas. It has now produced prototype products like puddings, meat alternatives, high-protein snacks and vegan mayonnaise. It has also just raised $4.25 million of funds.

Israeli startup Jet Eat, which developed a technology for 3D printing of vegan meat substitutes, was selected as one of the winners of the 2018 Food Accelerator Network Program competition. The contest is hosted by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has opened a new fintech center, funded by a $1.3 million donation from Israeli entrepreneur David Gershon. Its goal is to grow Israeli fintech startups and increase overseas sales. It also aims to help raise a new generation of Israeli fintech entrepreneurs.

I reported previously on the joint Tel Aviv University project with China’s Tsinghua University to set-up a new research center in Shenzhen. The two universities began their plans in 2016 and have just presented them at the China Israel Innovation Forum in Shenzhen.