Israel Active

(Thanks to Israel21c) Israel saw the highest rate of growth in Internet speed in the world last year, according to the State of the Internet Report by Akamai Technologies. Infrastructure investments made by communications companies Bezeq and HOT were the reason.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Haifa-based Advantix makes air-con systems ideal for humid countries, as it uses a process based on the way that the Dead Sea absorbs water from the atmosphere. The salt also kills bacteria and so the systems are used in hospitals, restaurants and schools.

The Brain-Computer Interface will be demonstrated at BrainTech Israel 2013 - Israel’s first ever International Brain Technology Conference in Tel Aviv in October. Scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses are already working to turn “science fiction” into “science non-fiction”.

China’s fresh water purity problems may be improved, thanks to Prizma - a unique electro-optic test strip water-analyzing device from Israeli bio-technology company, Blue I Water Technologies. Prizma monitors drinking water for mold, harmful bacteria, caustic chemicals and poisons.

Intel held a glamour and glitz event for its Israeli employees to experience major product rollouts. It was an opportunity for engineers to revisit the long hours they put into developing Intel’s latest and greatest devices, much of which having been developed by Israeli teams.

Wibbitz has gone public with a free iPhone and iPad app that converts news stories into videos. Instead of squinting at the small print on a screen, an automated voice reads the story with accompanying related still photos, videos, and graphics. The app works in over two-dozen languages.

A team of 9th-graders from a high school in Rehovot, Israel, won the RoboCup 2013 with their robotic re-enactment of a Jewish wedding. Over 40 countries competed in the international robotics competition in Holland.

Israel finished 8th of the 80 countries in the 25th annual International Olympiad in Informatics in Brisbane, Australia. The four Israeli teens solved complex problems using algorithms to win a gold medal, two silvers and two bronzes. Last year, Israel came in 17th place.

A special program integrates Hareidi (ultra-religious) Jews into the army and following army service they are highly sought after by the hi-tech industry. Whilst in the IDF, Hareidi soldiers designed an advanced computer system to help protect Israel’s northern and Gaza borders.

As the last of the jellyfish leave Israeli shores, this article highlights the water filters manufactured at Kibbutz Amiad that will prevent the spread of invasive marine creatures through ships’ ballast water.