Alphabet Inc

Fitbit to be Acquired by Google for $2.1 Billion

Fitbit, Inc announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Google LLC for $7.35 per share in cash, valuing the company at a fully diluted equity value of approximately $2.1 billion.

Actronika

IDTechEx spoke to Thomas Farnoux, Business Development Manager at Actronika at their booth at AWE EU 2019. We discussed their latest products and development in the haptics space.

Lenovo

IDTechEx spoke to Jorg Walther at the Lenovo booth at AWE EU 2019. They demonstrated and promoted their ThinkReality AR headset and software platform at their booth and in presentations

Using AI to predict risk of thyroid cancer on ultrasound

Thyroid nodules are small lumps that form within the thyroid gland and are quite common in the general population, with a prevalence as high as 67%. The great majority of thyroid nodules are not cancerous and cause no symptoms. However, there are currently limited guidelines on what to do with a nodule when the risk of cancer is uncertain.

PragmatIC joins forces with Topolytics

PragmatIC has announced another order for its ConnectIC family of ultra-low-cost flexible integrated circuits. Topolytics, a leading waste analytics company, will use RFID tags incorporating PragmatIC's unique technology to deliver the UK's first comprehensive digital waste tracking solution.

Volvo introduces first fully electric car

Volvo Cars introduces the XC40 Recharge, the company's first ever fully electric car and the first model to appear in its brand new Recharge car line concept.

Wearable, washable textile devices possible with MXene-coated yarns

Producing functional fabrics that perform all the functions we want, while retaining the characteristics of fabric we're accustomed to is no easy task.

Waymo

Waymo began as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009 and became a stand-alone subsidiary of Alphabet in 2016, developing autonomous mobility services.

Levi's and Google launch denim jackets that answer phones

Levi's and Google are launching new denim jackets that can answer phone calls and control your music. As with the original version of the Jacquard-equipped Levi' Trucker, this new version features an ever-expanding range of digital technology, accessible via gestures on the cuff that are conducted through an electronic cuff tag smaller than a stick of gum.

Machine learning finds new metamaterial designs for energy harvesting

Electrical engineers have harnessed the power of machine learning to design dielectric (non-metal) metamaterials that absorb and emit specific frequencies of terahertz radiation. The design technique changed what could have been more than 2000 years of calculation into 23 hours, clearing the way for the design of new, sustainable types of thermal energy harvesters and lighting.

XenomatiX

XenomatiX offer lidar modules that integrate a 2D monochrome camera, and lidar software. IDTechEx interviewed Mr Kris De Meester in April 2019. De Meester is the Vice President of Sales and Business Development at XenomatiX, and he is based in Belgium.

Origin

3D printing Californian start-up Origin are disrupting the industry with their Open Additive Production platform using Programmable Photopolymerization (P³) technology. IDTechEx Technology Analyst Dr Bryony Core investigates this new technology and the exciting range of materials being developed by Origin's partners.

Empathy for robots can have life-changing consequences for troops

It is increasingly common to use robots in war zones to examine and disarm hazards or recover objects with the understanding that the loss of a robot is a far more acceptable outcome than the death of a solider.

Machine learning increases resolution of eye imaging technology

Biomedical engineers have devised a method for increasing the resolution of optical coherence tomography down to the single micrometer in all directions, even in a living patient.

Understanding the animal brain could help robots wash your dishes

Artificial intelligence still has a lot to learn from animal brains, researchers are hoping that lessons from neuroscience can help the next generation of artificial intelligence overcome some particularly difficult barriers.

Magic Leap - Health and Fitness Business Unit

IDTechEx interviewed Jennifer Esposito, Vice President and General Manager of the Health and Fitness Business Unit at Magic Leap. We discussed their efforts and objectives in the healthcare space.

Blackmore

Blackmore Sensors and Analytics offer lidar modules. Blackmore were acquired by autonomous vehicle company Aurora (USA) in 2019, which was co-founded by Dr. Chris Urmson, who was previously the CTO of Google's autonomous vehicle division.

Teaching a humanoid robot to communicate in sign language

For a robot to be able to "learn" sign language, it is necessary to combine different areas of engineering such as artificial intelligence, neural networks and artificial vision, as well as underactuated robotic hands.

Future of Heavy Duty EV Motors Off Road

Fork lift trucks are almost all induction because reliability and affordability trump performance here. Their batteries are rapidly going lithium-ion for something less toxic and nearer to fit-and-forget but there is no similar issue with the motors.