From garbage dump to energy resource
I’ve reported previously on Israel’s Hiriya garbage dump that is now an environmental park. Hiriya’s Refuge Derived Fuel (RDF) plant has just been launched, processing 1,500 tons of waste every day, to produce energy for the nearby Nesher cement production plant.
Mind your backs
I reported previously on the wearable muscle-training device from Israel’s Upright that helps you develop good posture and prevent back pain. Trials at Ernst & Young improved posture and decreased back pain, resulting in employees being more productive and alert.
Sign with your watch
Researchers at Ben Gurion and Tel Aviv Universities have developed a smartwatch application capable of verifying handwritten signatures by gathering data from a person’s wrist movement during the signing process. You need to (temporarily at least) put the watch onto your signing hand.
Collision protection for 4,500 NYC hire cars
4,500 for-hire vehicles in New York City will feature vision sensors and technologies from Israel’s Mobileye (now part of Intel) to identify potential dangerous scenarios in real time, and alert drivers about impending collisions, giving them time to react.
Israel’s tallest building approved
Tel Aviv has given the go-ahead for a 100-floor skyscraper to be built in the vicinity of Tel Aviv’s central railway station. It will be Israel’s tallest building.
Joint work with USA on cybersecurity
The new United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2017 creates a cybersecurity grant program for joint research and development projects.
$66 million for smart transportation
The Israeli Cabinet has approved a 250 million-shekel ($66 million) plan to advance and strengthen the smart transportation industry in Israel. The goal is to "position the Israeli high-tech industry as a global leader in the field”, which could be worth $7 trillion in 2030.
Facebook Lite has 200 million active users
Facebook says its Israeli-developed Facebook Lite app for low-end phones serves more than 200 million monthly active users globally – double that of last year. The app supports 55 languages and is popular in countries such as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines.
A network from London to Moscow
Israel’s PacketLight Networks is partnering with Russia’s Avelacom to build out their high-speed network from London to Moscow with PacketLight’s optical transport solutions. The 1100 km long-haul network will provide speeds of 100G.
The world’s thinnest charger
Israeli start-up Kado has raised $1.2 million to complete development of what it says is the world’s thinnest wall charger that fits in your wallet. Kado has two chargers: one for smartphones and tablets and one for laptops. The founders sold their previous disposable charger mobeego for $6 million.