The FoodTech Nation
The first Foodtech Nation Conference, in Tel Aviv, brought together entrepreneurs, academics and corporate executives from Israel and abroad to examine how made-in-Israel food technology can help manufacturers produce processed food that is easier to store, cheaper to produce, and healthier to eat.
Kishon River flow restored
As part of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts of the once highly polluted Kishon River, about 1.1 million cubic meters of water is being pumped annually into the basin to restore its flow. High quality fresh water is being used, which has encouraged native Israeli flora and fauna to return and flourish.
Revolutionary mobility scooter
“Be like everyone else” is the motto of Israel’s Moving Life - developer of the Atto, the world's first trans-folding freedom scooter. This versatile scooter folds into a trolley to wheel or put in a car or plane, transforming the lives of the disabled, elderly or those who just have problems walking.
The street can tell you where to park
I have featured many apps where crowdsourcing or municipality data helps find a parking space. But Israel’s Spaceek uniquely uses road reflector sensors to detect one. It alerts relevant drivers and the first to “select” the space has a few minutes to reach the spot before the alert resumes.
Keep your pets healthy
Israel’s PetPace has developed a hi-tech pet collar to track the health of your pet cat or dog. Its non-invasive sensors monitor temperature, pulse, respiration, activity level, positions and calories. If the collar detects any abnormalities, an alert is sent in real-time to owners and veterinarians.
Protecting airport runways
Israel’s Xsight has been busy since installing its Foreign Object Debris detection system at Ben Gurion airport . RunWize / FODetect now operates at Seattle, Boston and Bangkok airports. Xsight has also installed FODspot at Paris Charles De Gaulle and launched BirdWize and SnowWize.
Technology to let robots see
Intel Haifa’s RealSense is using Israeli 3D tech and the Israeli-developed Skylake microchip to give robots sight. (See previous newsletter). Intel bought Israel’s Omek in 2013 to help develop Intel’s 3D cameras and infrared lasers so that robots can interact with their environment.
A green and sustainable new city
The town of Harish, east of Hadera is being developed into a major city (see previous newsletter ). Buildings will be built according to official Israeli Standard 5281 for green, or sustainable, construction. The Israeli government has allocated NIS 9 million to build new schools.
Finding the lowest prices
The Israeli app Pricez is helping the hundreds of thousands who have downloaded it to save money by directing them to the stores where the products they need are the cheapest. It uses location data, plus the database that Israeli stores must by law update automatically direct from their cash registers.
Never hit a red light again
The Israeli app Green Wave tells drivers the ideal speed to drive at, in order not to have to stop at a red traffic light. Green Wave came third in Hyundai’s i-Way hackathon, winning 15,000 shekels. The app uses municipality data and a crowdsourced database.