Israel Active

Israel’s Better Place car set a new record of 1172 miles driven on electric power over the course of 24 hours. It beat the 24-hour distance record of 994.14 miles set last month. The battery was changed every 75.8 miles, each taking just over a minute compared to a conventional 5-minute fuel refill.

Israeli start-up sPARK has finished raising the finance to launch its mobile parking application in October. At the touch of a button drivers will be able to use sPARK’s innovative technology to find spaces on the streets and in car parks.

Price Waterhouse Coopers lists Israel as having over 95% of its population with Internet access – more than any other country in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For fast Internet usage, Israel is just 2nd with 86.4% compared to Switzerland’s 86.5%.

For those who cannot be parted from the Internet, Israel now provides wi-fi routers on donkey rides at the Kfar Kedem biblical theme park near Nazareth. I don’t know about you, but I really couldn’t “connect” with this story.

Technological progress must be balanced against its impact on health and the environment. This Hebrew University International Symposium illustrates the importance that Israeli scientists place on this issue.

Artist M. C. Escher was famous for his 2-dimensional drawings of “impossible” 3-dimensional buildings. Now Prof. Gershon Elber of Israel’s Technion has used technology plus a 3D Israeli Objet printer to build models that show how the illusions work in reality.

Regional Development Minister Silvan Shalom approved a NIS 10 million renewable energy program for the Eilat-Eilot region. Laboratories will be set-up for bio-energy, biofuels, hydrogen, solar energy and more. 40% of the budget is allocated for regional cooperation with Jordan.

Israel’s Siano has launched the Carmel - a miniature digital terrestrial TV accessory for receiving live TV stations on your iPhone or iPad. In Israel, UK and much of Europe you can pick up all the available free channels in high quality and without any network connection. You don’t even need a TV license.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Meteo-Logic has developed an innovative technology, which turns weather stations into forecasting points that provide highly accurate weather forecasts. It can determine the temperature, humidity, wind intensity, wind direction and rainfall expected six hours ahead.

Israeli scientists are making huge strides in winemaking. The Golan Heights Winery has harnessed technology to eradicate viruses; match vines with the best subsoil and use satellite models to monitor the microclimate and ensure correct irrigation and harvesting.