Israel Active

Israel’s Spacecom has resolved a problem with the power supply running its Amos 4 satellite just in time to finalise a $77 million deal to provide satellite communications services for ten years to an Asian customer.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Yissum, the research and development company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has introduced SEER a predictive speed dialer for smartphones. The algorithm utilizes past behavior to display likely contacts and enable the user to easily make a call with just one click.

The Israel Technion is running the TechnoBrain contest to build the largest yoyo in the world. It involves a 30 meter crane, a 20 meter rope and some of Israel’s most inventive engineering students. Update! The winner was Eyal Moshe Cohen – a mechanical engineering student and (wait for it) an ex Paratrooper.

(Thanks to noCamels) “Keepod” is the Hebrew word for “hedgehog”. The spiny animal was the inspiration to the Israeli designers of the Keepod USB device. Insert it into any computer (PC, Mac etc) and your information, applications and operating system are available and secure.

This video describes the aims of the iPodia alliance and its global project “Classrooms without borders” in which Israel’s Technion Institute is a key contributor.

(Thanks to Israel21c) In my 9th June newsletter I reported that Israeli start-up OrCam’s camera-based system will “read” to the visually impaired whilst on the move. Well the revolutionary spectacles are now being shipped at a cost of $2,500 a pair. Thanks to Myer for the alert.

(Thanks to Atid-EDI) The US State of South Carolina and Israel signed an agreement to establish a bilateral research and development initiative designed to enhance collaboration. Funds will be provided for projects that strengthen economic, industrial, technological and commercial cooperation.

Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has commercialized a clay-based mineral developed by Dr Yael Mishael of the Hebrew U. The mineral is modified with polymers to absorb organic polluting chemicals and is even better than active carbon.

Israel’s Evogene has signed agreements with Monsanto, Dupont Pioneer and Syngenta to provide genes that enable essential food crops such as corn, soybean, cotton and canola to resist disease.

According to those in the know, the members of the IDF’s secret 8200 unit that set-up Any.Do were the inspiration for Apple’s latest iOS7 operating system.