Archives January 2024

Waste management is one of the foundations of society. Without it, we wouldn’t have functioning cities.

But the amount of garbage that humans produce over time has increased by staggering proportions. According to the World Bank, it will likely continue to do so, increasing 70% by 2050 to 3.4 billion tons.

A recent article in the IEEE Smart Cities newsletter notes that conventional methods of handling garbage may not be able to handle the increase. It calls for increased deployment of artificial intelligence to increase recycling rates and make collection more efficient.

Here’s a look at some of the possibilities:

• Machine vision for recycling: Separating recyclables from solid waste headed for the landfill is often done by humans. It’s labor intensive, and the cost of labor can exceed the price recycling centers get for materials. It’s particularly hard with different types of plastics.
• Smart garbage cans and predictive analytics: IoT-enabled public trash cans might be able to send alerts when they’re full. That’s a benefit in itself, especially if it stops people from throwing garbage on the street when there’s no room at the bin. But data from the bins can also be used to create a bigger picture: predicting when trash cans are likely to be full before they are actually full and planning the most efficient pickup routes. The data can also be used to determine the best place for new garbage cans.
• Route optimization for garbage trucks: Artificial intelligence algorithms can also make garbage collection smarter and greener. AI can map out the best routes for collection trucks, considering how full the bins are, traffic jams and even environmental factors. This might mean less fuel burned and fewer emissions.
• Predictive maintenance: Trash collection can take a heavy toll on equipment.  To keep trash trucks and smart bins in tip-top shape, AI may be deployed to keep an eye on the condition of equipment and vehicles, predicting when they’ll need a fix. This might mean less downtime and more efficient trash handling.
• While there are numerous possibilities, improving recycling technology is one of the biggest opportunities in the field.

“The biggest challenge in the recycling process is separating waste for recycling,” said IEEE Senior Member Euclides Chuma. “Although there are automated technological solutions for this separation process, these solutions are expensive. It is necessary to reduce the costs of automatized equipment used in the recycling process. The ability to increase recycling rates  has global impacts.”

India  January 31st, 2024:  Newly launched pensions and health and benefits administrator Aptia has appointed a Chief People Officer to its growing team.

Roopa Abraham Kochhar joins Aptia following seven years in various HR Leadership roles with the Allianz Group in Munich. Starting her career with Allianz’s greenfield JV in India, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance where she was the Head of HR until 2013; she then joined Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) India in 2013 as Director HR before moving back to Allianz Group HQ in Munich in 2016 as Head of HR and Change (Allianz SE) and then as Global Head of HR and Change for Allianz Partners in 2019.

With over 20 years’ experience in human resources, Roopa will be responsible for building Aptia’s People Team and its capabilities globally across the UK, US, India and Portugal.

Roopa said: “I am delighted to be a part of Aptia and am joining a very impressive team that is well established within the financial services sector.

“I bring with me a wealth of experience and am delighted to continue the growth of Aptia by attracting the best talent in the field and developing a workplace culture that is built on the foundations of a people first mentality.”

Aptia officially launched January 1, 2024, following a deal funded by global private equity house Bain Capital.

Acquiring Mercer’s UK pensions and US health and benefits administration businesses, Aptia is managing pensions and benefits for more than seven million people across 1,100 clients.

The company is led by a highly respected and experienced management team that includes Bala Viswanathan, Founder and Group CEO, and Dominic Burke, Founder and Group Chairman, both of whom have worked at both Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) and Marsh McLennan and have a proven track record of building businesses that deliver value for clients.

Bala Viswanathan, Aptia Founder and CEO, said: “Roopa is a fantastic hire for Aptia, an appointment that will be instrumental in the growth of the business globally.

“Roopa has had an impressive career and her experience and expertise will not only bring a variety of strengths to Aptia’s workplace culture, but will continue our journey in attracting the very best talent within the industry.”

New Delhi, 31st January 2024:  Acer, one of the leading brand in the PC industry, has unveiled its first AI-ready laptop, the Swift Go 14, in India, showcasing a dedication to cutting-edge technology. The new Swift Go 14 comes with AI features powered by the new Intel® Core™ Ultra processors and Intel AI Boost with power-efficient AI acceleration coupled with Intel Arc™ GPU, complementing features such as Acer AlterView, Acer AI Zone, Microsoft Copilot in Windows, Acer Purified Voice™ 2.0’s noise reduction, and Acer PurifiedView™ video enhancement technology. The laptop features a 16:10 14” IPS Touch Display showcasing stunning visual brilliance with super slim bezels, delivering vibrant color accuracy, deep blacks, and ultra-crisp image quality.

Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 & 7 processor, the Acer Swift Go 14 excels not only in AI capabilities but also stands out as a powerhouse. It introduces Applied AI features like Acer QuickPanel, streamlining adjustments for PurifiedView™ and PurifiedVoice™ AI effects during e-meetings. With automatic launch alongside the camera, it provides quick settings, while users can customize preferences within the app. LifeConnect efficiently manages Wifi resources, and the Generative AI features, coupled with GIMP free & open-source raster graphics editor, enable seamless integration with the Intel Stable Diffusion Plugin for effortless generation of art, illustrations, and images using simple text input. Acer LiveArt, part of Acer AI Zone, allows instant background removal, enhancing creative flexibility. Within the AI landscape, the Swift Go features Alter View, generating depth maps for 2D images, enabling users to personalize live wallpapers with an engaging dynamic parallax effect.

Additionally, the laptop includes an AI Assistant feature, and AcerSense™ utility app, ensuring effortless navigation and maintenance. Acer AI Zone within AcerSense™ offers AI features, enriching the exploration of innovative productivity and creativity experiences. The Copilot feature in Windows 11 further provides intelligent assistance and skill enhancement through AI. The Acer Swift Go 14 marks a leap forward in AI-infused computing experiences, offering a comprehensive suite of features for enhanced productivity and creativity.

On the launch, Sudhir Goel, Chief Business Officer at Acer India said, “We are thrilled to introduce the Swift Go 14, our first AI-ready laptop. With the integration of the next-generation Intel® Ultra processor and Intel® Arc™ graphics, the Swift Go 14 gives users the hardware capability to handle demanding AI tasks effortlessly. It showcases our unwavering commitment to delivering a computing experience that seamlessly combines advanced AI technology with exceptional performance. We look forward to introducing more laptops with AI features in the future.”

The latest Swift Go 14 delivers an impressive 47% performance boost, making it exceptionally efficient for multitasking and demanding tasks. It seamlessly integrates with smartphones and tablets, marking a new era of AI-driven experiences. Additionally, it features the Intel® Killer™ Intelligence Center, empowering users to customize quick settings, receive system improvement recommendations, and effortlessly switch between multimedia and creator modes. Emphasizing user customization, it includes the Intel Killer Prioritization Engine and Intel Killer Intelligence Engine, enabling users to personalize network settings for an enhanced overall experience. Ensuring seamless device integration, Intel® Unison™ provides a unified experience. With a 1440p QHD webcam and up to 100W quick charge capability via the USB-C port, the Swift Go 14 embodies Acer’s commitment to delivering not just a laptop but a comprehensive AI-driven computing experience.

New Delhi, 31st January 2024: The Wadhwani Centre for Government Digital Transformation (WGDT), in collaboration with the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), is delighted to announce a significant milestone in their joint endeavour to empower government officials with knowledge about new and emerging technologies. Their flagship course has now been successfully completed by 200,000 govt officials on the iGOT Karmyyogi Learning Management System of the Government of India. This accomplishment signifies a substantial step forward in their mission to promote digital transformation within government services.

This noteworthy accomplishment highlights the critical importance of enhancing the capabilities of government employees, ensuring they possess the tools and knowledge needed to adeptly navigate and harness technological advancements for the improvement of public service delivery.

A Commitment to Digital Excellence

The course, designed to introduce government officials to the latest in digital innovation, including AI, blockchain, and data analytics, has seen unprecedented engagement. It reflects the growing recognition of the need for digital literacy and competency in the government sector to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

The collaboration between the Wadhwani Centre for Government Digital Transformation and the Capacity Building Commission has been instrumental in creating a comprehensive and practical curriculum. The course provides insights into applying emerging technologies in government, aiming to enhance efficiency, transparency, and citizen service delivery.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman of the Capacity Building Commission said, “As part of Mission Karmayogi, a large number of civil servants were to understand emerging technologies and apply it in their work. Wadhwani Foundation developed the digital course on Emerging Technologies on and this has now been taken by 200,000 civil servants. Our strategy is to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation among government employees. This milestone signifies the eagerness and readiness of govt workforce to lead digital transformation initiatives.”

“The journey to 200,000 learners is not just a number but a testament to the commitment of government officials to embrace digital transformation,” said Prakash Kumar, CEO of the Wadhwani Centre for Government Digital Transformation. “This milestone is a reflection of vision of the Capacity Building Commission to build a future-ready government workforce.”, he added.

As the course attracts more government officials eager to enhance their digital skills, the Wadhwani Centre for Government Digital Transformation, guided by the Capacity Building Commission, has developed five new courses on new and emerging technologies and committed to expanding its offerings with five additional courses on the government’s iGOT LMS. The objective is to further support the development of a robust digital ecosystem within the government, ensuring public services are not only efficient but also inclusive and innovative. The course’s success emphasizes the need for ongoing investment in capacity building, stressing the critical role of digital literacy in the public sector’s ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

For more information about the course and future initiatives, please visit www.wadhnwanifoundation.org.

Bengaluru, 31th, January: Manas Ranjan Hota, Co-founder and COO of the Bengaluru-based smart water purifier on subscription company, DrinkPrime, was the judge for the Best Manager competition at Jain University’s (JU–CMS) Threshold 2024 – The Cosmic Cascade fest. This is a national-level inter-collegiate management fest organised annually by JU–CMS in Bengaluru.

The six participants from different institutions in the city were posed with actual challenges that DrinkPrime faced as they rapidly grew over the last seven years. “I am very impressed with the quality of work and the thought the participants have input to tackle the challenges we posed to them. We might actually implement some of these ideas at DrinkPrime. I saw a lot of potential in each and every one of them that I have opened up internship opportunities for them,” said Manas Ranjan Hota, Co-founder and COO, DrinkPrime.

At this year’s edition, the Best Manager event was conducted to reward the young participants’ leadership skills by assessing their perseverance, strategic thinking and adaptability. The management undergraduates were asked to curate an internal communication initiative; propose strategies for employee retention; devise two cost-effective brand campaigns; and suggest new app features to boost downloads.

New Delhi, 31st January 2024: Eicher Trucks and Buses, a business division of VE Commercial Vehicles Limited continues its legacy of delivering best-in-class fuel efficiency and profitability. Commercially available since September 2023, the Eicher Pro 2055 EV is revolutionizing the delivery trucks segment for a greener e-commerce landscape The Pro 2055 EV will be displayed at the maiden Bharat Mobility Expo 2024. The product marks another milestone in VECV’s commitment to driving modernization and fostering smart sustainability. This aligns seamlessly with the government’s Net-Zero vision, by providing future-ready zero-tailpipe emission mobility solutions for customers.

Mr. Vinod Aggarwal, Managing Director and CEO of VECV said, “As the world aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2030, India, being one of the fastest-growing nations, has committed to be a significant contributor to this global effort. The Eicher Pro 2055 EV reaffirms VECV’s dedication to sustainability, as we commit to contributing to a cleaner, safer, and more efficient logistics landscape. Eicher Customers can rest assured of the industry-leading Uptime services that will support their transition to a greener footprint.”

Mr Vishal Mathur, EVP- Light and Medium Duty Sales & Marketing, VECV, added, “The increasing demand for efficient last-mile delivery services has driven e-commerce companies to expand their logistics fleets, a trend expected to persist. Electric vehicles are gaining preference among e-commerce and FMCG companies due to the imperative to reduce carbon emissions and comply with sustainability goals and environmental regulations. The Eicher Pro 2055 EV is a Pro Business & Pro Planet solution for forward-looking customers.”

The 12ft deck-length truck features two complete container solutions, offering both fast and slow charging options tailored to specific application needs. The comprehensive service package considers factors such as charging infrastructure availability, operational requirements, charging times, battery capacity, and overall energy management strategies for the fleet. Additionally, the vehicle includes Eicher’s advanced telematics solution and support from My Eicher services, ensuring maximum vehicular uptime for on-time delivery of e-commerce goods, thereby contributing to sector growth and overall economic development.

Eicher Trucks and Buses offers one of the widest product ranges. These products are produced on Eicher’s most innovative BSVI solution – EUTECH6 which offers the most reliable engine technology and best-in-class fuel efficiency. It is the first player to introduce a 100% connected range of vehicles with advanced telematics which provides enhanced fuel efficiency, superior uptime enabled by the industry-first Eicher Uptime Centre support, and segment-specific benefits such as enhanced logistical efficiency in e-commerce & passenger safety in buses.

New Delhi, 31st January 2024: Motorola, today announced the launch of its latest entry-level smartphone in the g series franchise, the moto g24 power. A class-leading affordable smartphone with premium design, a massive 6000mAh battery with a TurboPower™ 33W charger. This device ensures an exceptional and enduring smartphone experience, making it a standout addition to the g series franchise. The moto g24 power has a very elegant look, boasting a 3D Acrylic glass (PMMA) finish, while being one of the thinnest and the lightest devices in segment with 6000mAh battery. This comes with the latest Android™ 14 and showcases an advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera system, accompanied by a segment’s leading 16MP selfie camera that captures exceptional photos in various lighting conditions.

The moto g24 power’s premium design featuring a streamlined camera housing, enhances the device’s overall aesthetics and provides users with a visually stunning smartphone that is comfortable to hold. Its slim yet robust design is complemented by a side-mounted fingerprint reader, enabling easy and secure device unlocking. The sleek smartphone measuring just 8.99 mm in thickness and weighing 197gm, comes with a water-repellent design and IP 52 rating, and is available in two stunning and elegant colours Ink Blue and Glacier Blue.

The moto g24 power boasts a massive 6000mAh battery enabling users to enjoy their favourite content, play games, and immerse in video calls for longer duration. With the help of a TurboPower™ 33W charger, the device fuels up quickly and provides users a long-lasting entertainment experience that lasts nearly a complete weekend on a single charge.

Further, the moto g24 power comes with the latest Android™ 14 with 3 years of assured security updates. It also comes with various stand-out experiences like Flash notifications, which alert the users by turning on the flash and screen light for incoming calls, so they don’t miss a notification. The Health Connect feature enables users to manage their health data in one place with control for privacy. Noteworthy features also encompass Improved magnification, Data-sharing updates, and Enhanced PIN security. 

The moto g24 power supports an advanced 50 MP Quad Pixel camera system. With this Quad Pixel technology, users get 4x better low light sensitivity for sharper, more vibrant photos – day or night. Plus, the dedicated Macro Vision camera brings users within 4 cm of their subject, so that they can capture tiny details with a standard lens. On the front, the smartphone features segment’s leading 16MP camera, which can capture sharp selfies in the blink of an eye. Furthermore, the camera system also comes with various features and software, such as Auto Night Vision, HDR, and Portrait mode.

The moto g24 power also offers incredible entertainment owing to its notchless 6.6″ 90 Hz IPS LCD display with peak brightness of 537 NITS. Moreover, with a high 90 Hz refresh rate, switching between apps and scrolling websites becomes smooth and fluid. With Auto Mode in action, the screen refresh rate flexibly switches between 90 Hz and 60 Hz, improving the overall battery efficiency of the smartphone. This immersive viewing experience is further enhanced by the stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos® that delivers high-quality audio with improved bass and cleaned vocals giving more auditory clarity at higher volumes.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Mobile Business Group – India, said “We are delighted to announce the latest addition to our g series franchise – the moto g24 power. Through our g series smartphones, we democratize smartphone experiences by offering advanced features at affordable price points, catering to the growing demands of the Indian mobile phone consumer. This smartphone boasts a premium design and a massive battery along with other class-leading features that allow users to experience sophistication and functionality seamlessly at more accessible price points, making it idle for consumers who are constantly on the move.”

Additionally, the moto g24 power provides users with enhanced performance through two RAM variants, namely in-built 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4X RAM which can be expanded up to 16GB with RAM boost feature. It also offers users ample space for photos, films, songs, apps, and games with up to 128GB of built-in Storge. Users can also benefit from 1TB of expandable storage using a dedicated microSD card slot. 

Availability:

The moto g24 power will be available in two beautiful colours: Ink Blue, and Glacier Blue, featuring 3D Acrylic glass (PMMA) finish.

moto g24 power will be available in two memory variants with built-in 4GB RAM and 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage; and will go on sale on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores starting 7^th February 2024, 12PM onwards.

To know more about the product visit: 

https://www.flipkart.com/moto-g24/p/itm62b4bfe302fae?pid=MOBGUFK4UBP7ZTXJ