Israel Active

SpaceIL - Israeli representative in the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition -  is busy constructing the spacecraft to be launched next year. They have completed the skeleton and the eight engines.

Beersheva's High-Tech Park Bridge was the winner in the long span category of the triannual Footbridge Awards at the Footbridge 2017 conference in Berlin. The 75-meter bridge, in the shape of a double helix, is also known as the DNA or spectacles bridge.

Israel’s Cognata has developed a deep learning simulation engine to enable autonomous car manufacturers to test thousands of different scenarios based on various geographic locations and driver behaviors, and sharing the road with other users.

Israel’s Orad is to build four photovoltaic solar energy production plants in the Negev with an aggregate capacity of 35.5 megawatts. Its subsidiary Solarpower will operate and maintain them for 10 years. Completion is planned by end 2018.

The BIRD (Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development) Foundation has awarded a $900,000 grant to US-based Mantaro Networks. and Beeper Communications Israel to develop unmanned search and rescue technologies that can complement the work of human first responders.

Intel has unveiled a new family of desktop computer processors, designed in Israel, that are at least 25% faster than previous versions. The 8th Gen Intel Core processors include the “best gaming processor ever” Intel Core i7-8700K and are built for those who need high performing standards.

I reported previously about Israeli companies Evogene and Rahan Meristem and their joint non-GMO development of bananas resistant to Black Sigatoka fungus. Now second-year field trials with specialized banana strains have shown effectiveness against the hugely damaging fungus.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has demonstrated its new Air Hopper unmanned helicopter. It simulated the evacuation of a seriously-wounded soldier, including airborne monitoring of vital signs. It also simulated carrying supplies (up to 180kg) to an isolated position in any weather or time.

Israel’s Shviro Holon has developed thin flexible polyester clear pockets, filled with a liquid that turns opaque immediately after connection to an electric circuit. The pockets can be stuck on glass partitions, to provide low-cost privacy at a touch of a button.

Israel’s Kryon Systems is developing intelligent Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions. The aim is to offload mundane processes to a more accurate, efficient and productive digital virtual workforce, enabling enterprises to focus on their core business. Kryon has just raised $12 million of funding.