Israel Active

50 countries participated in the 19th annual United Nations World Space Week initiative, with multiple activities in each country. Israel’s free events, hosted by Israel Space Agency, included lectures, workshops, escape rooms, virtual reality, and films about space and the impact it has on our lives.

Israeli biotech STK has developed REGEV – the world’s first leaf-targeted ‘hybrid’ fungicide. It combines Tea Tree Oil and Difenoconazole to give a low chemical residue. REGEV is used in 10 countries and has just been registered for use in Argentina, initially for peanut crops.

Israel’s Masada-Armour has developed a unique backpack that transforms into a bulletproof vest in under two seconds. It was designed to protect children against the threat of school shootings. The basic 3kg version stops handgun bullets and the upgraded 4.2kg version blocks rifle fire.

Great new video showing how much US wheelchair users are benefiting from Israel’s SoftWheel.

Israel Aerospace Industries is partnering with Croatia’s DOK-ING to develop a robotic system for high risk areas, including ones contaminated by chemical, biological and radioactive agents. It will include autonomous movement and sensors for identifying contaminants.

Israel’s Texel makes it possible for broadcasters to offer viewers virtual seats for live events. Texel advertises an experience as if the viewer was physically at the venue, in the arena or at the pool.  Texel has just raised $3 million in a funding round led by Deutsche Telekom.

I reported previously on Israel’s ITsMINE and how it secures companies from internal and external cybersecurity threats. ITsMINE has just been named in the “Top 10 most innovative cybersecurity startups” at China’s Internet Security Conference (ISC) in Beijing.

Israel’s Sky and Space Global made history when it initiated the first mobile telephone call using its network of three nanosatellites launched in Jun 2017.  It plans to have up to 200 nanosatellites in orbit by 2020, providing communications to remote parts of the world.

I reported previously on Israel’s Effective Space Solutions (ESS) and its proposed tugboat solution for extending the life of space satellites. Now Effective Space has partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries in the tugboat (now named SPACE DRONETM) development.

Yokneam, in Israel’s Lower Galilee, is the headquarters of several Israeli hi-tech companies. I featured previously UPnRide’s device which allows almost every wheelchair user to stand upright and recently PixCell’s blood analysis . Here is the latest update on both companies.