Israel Active

Film just declassified of the 19 Sep 1988 launch of Ofek 1 (Horizon 1), Israel’s first satellite, from Israel’s Palmachim Air Base with a Shavit rocket. The Jewish State thus became the 8th country in the world to have launched an object into orbit.  The latest Ofek (11) was launched in Sep 2016.

Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has granted $2 million for joint US-Israeli projects. Firstly, an advanced drone mounted search and rescue system; secondly a first responders emergency radio repeater system for high-rise buildings.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has established the HUstart Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. Its aim is that every student will learn about innovation, arguing that even historians and philosophers need to be innovative and entrepreneurial.

Tel Aviv University scientists have developed a “Robat” – the first fully autonomous robot that, like a bat, emits sounds and analyzes the returning echoes to recognize, map and navigate obstacles. Future applications include cleaning robots, agricultural robots and rescue robots.

temi is an Israeli-developed personal robot that aims to become an essential addition to every home.  temi traverses the home without colliding with furniture, providing a host of services. Another Israeli startup, Newsight Imaging will provide the sensors for temi’s 3D visual system.

Israeli 3D imaging company Mantis Vision has just acquired Israeli AI (Artificial Intelligence) startup BrainVu. BrainVu uses machine vision (e.g. of eye dynamics and blood flow) to identify the mental state (e.g. stress levels) of a person from images captured by a smartphone camera.

Gartner has named Israel’s Syte in its 2018 Cool Vendors in AI for Retail report. Syte provides Artificial Intelligent image search technology and in-store solutions to track social media and create a more seamless shopping experience.  Customers include UK’s Marks & Spencer, Intu and Boohoo.

One of my favorite NGO’s Untold News has published another article on Buzzfeed highlighting 10 Israeli futuristic innovations. 300,000 saw their last article and this one is well worth reading.

73 international high school graduates came to Israel this summer to participate in a hands-on scientific research program at the Weizmann Institute of Science. More than 3,000 students (Jews and non-Jews) have attended the 4-week course over the years.

My local council has just approved plans for Israel's first skyTran pod cable car rapid personal transit system. The 600-meter line is designed to overcome traffic congestion and link-up Netanya's residential and industrial areas. Each skyTran 2-person pod will operate using magnetic levitation.