Category technology

Gurugram, Jan 22: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today unveiled an early preview of its upcoming cooling innovations, marking a meaningful evolution in how comfort, intelligence and energy efficiency will define modern homes

With the message “The future of AI AC is coming,” the brand is setting expectations for an AC advancement that moves beyond conventional home cooling.

The teaser spotlights the Bespoke AI WindFree Air Conditioner lineup, combining advanced AI technology, premium design and smart connectivity to deliver a more refined home cooling experience for Indian conditions

The range will feature WindFree Cooling, along with AI Fast & WindFree™ Cooling+, AI Energy Mode, Preventive maintenance and SmartThings integration for optimized performance, better energy management and seamless control.

Bengaluru,  Jan 22: The Indian Open Source for Mobile Communication Networks Consortium made a new open source, public release of its software platform that would allow organisations to build and run their own Private 5G networks. Designed for factories, campuses, research institutions and startups, the platform would allow users to deploy Private 5G networks that promise faster, more reliable and secure connectivity than Wi-Fi or public mobile networks at a lower cost.

The platform is named Agartala 0.4.0, continuing IOS-MCN’s convention of using Indian city names to reflect its national, open-source character. This the fourth open-source milestone that is mature enough for pilot deployments of India’s homegrown Private 5G platform. Validation tests prove end-to-end latency of under 10 milliseconds and downlink throughput of up to 600 Mbps per gNB, making it suitable for early pilots and enterprise trials.

The IOS-MCN is being developed by a consortium led by IISc Benagaluru, IIT Delhi, C-DAC, with funding from the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology  Government of India. Agartala 0.4.0 marks a decisive step towards industry-grade, deployable Private 5G networks built on an open-source platform.

Powering India’s Private 5G Ecosystem

Spokesperson from Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development said;

“FSID’s objective is to ensure that research-led programmes translate into deployable infrastructure. IOS-MCN demonstrates how publicly funded, open-source platforms can create long-term national capability. Agartala 0.4.0 moves this effort from development to validation, enabling pilots that will enable future deployments.”

Agartala 0.4.0 positions IOS-MCN for early pilot deployments led by ecosystem partners, with installations planned to commence in the second half of 2026 across multiple sectors.

Niral Networks, which builds indigenous telecom and networking solutions, has proposed an Intelligent Village pilot. It stated

“Agartala 0.4.0 provides the foundational technology that enables Private 5G deployments for rural and semi-urban environments. We will leverage IOS-MCN stack to deliver real-world analytics and digital inclusion solutions through initiatives like the Intelligent Village Pilot and Smart Village Connectivity Program.”

Coral Telecom, a long-standing telecom systems integrator working with large public-sector and critical infrastructure clients, has proposed Private 5G pilots for Indian Railways and disaster-management applications for the National Disaster Management Authority. The company said:

 “The Agartala 0.4.0 release enables us to design and deploy Private 5G pilots for highly demanding, mission-critical scenarios. Our pilots planned for 2026 will leverage IOS-MCN’s open architecture to validate resilient and secure communication networks.”

Techphosis, which develops secure technology solutions for defence and strategic applications has proposed a Network-in-a-Box pilot for defence applications. It said;

 “Agartala 0.4.0 demonstrates the readiness of open-source, ORAN-compliant platforms for defence use cases. The Network-in-a-Box pilot, planned for the second half of 2026, aims to validate rapid, secure, portable and reliable Private 5G deployments for defence communications.”

Mashmari, which focuses on digital learning and last-mile connectivity solutions for public education programmes, has propoed a Remote Learning pilot for Anganwadis in Haryana. It added “The IOS-MCN Agartala 0.4.0 release is a major milestone, paving the way for cost-effective digital connectivity, including Private 5G, to bridge last-mile gaps for education and essential services  such as Women and Child Development (WCDD) Haryana’s Digital Anganwadis, where connectivity has delivered remarkable gains in worker motivation, joyful learning, and community confidence.”

W4S, which works on drone-based systems and connected infrastructure, has proposed Private 5G deployments to support aerial platforms and low-latency communications. The company said:

 “IOS-MCN Agartala 0.4.0 provides a strong technical foundation for designing Private 5G networks to support drone-based applications. We will leverage IOS-MCN to explore low-latency and high-reliability connectivity for aerial platforms used in surveillance, disaster management, and connected infrastructure.”

Together, these proposed pilots, spanning rural connectivity, railways, disaster response, defence, education, and drone-enabled networks, underscore IOS-MCN Agartala 0.4.0’s readiness to transition from platform development to industry validation and deployment starting in 2026.

READY TO DEPLOY

Agartala 0.4.0 is now publicly available on GitHub, reinforcing IOS-MCN’s commitment to open development, transparent governance, and community-driven innovation. For further details, please visit https://ios-mcn.org.

The IOS-MCN Consortium gratefully acknowledges contributions from the OpenAirInterface, SD-Core, and ORAN-SC communities, whose collaboration continues to accelerate India’s open telecom journey.

New Delhi, Jan 22: Ahead of the peak summer season, LG Electronics India Limited  India’s Most Trusted Brand in the Electronics segment, has announced its position as among the first brands in the country to introduce a comprehensive range of air conditioners fully compliant with the new 2026 Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Star Rating norms.

This proactive rollout ensures that Indian consumers gain immediate access to the latest generation of energy-efficient cooling technology, well ahead of the seasonal surge in demand.

The revised BEE norms mark a significant advancement in energy efficiency benchmarks, raising industry standards and aligning India more closely with global energy performance frameworks. By upgrading its portfolio in advance, LGEIL reinforces its commitment to sustainability, responsible innovation, and consumer-centric product development.

Key Highlights of the 2026 Lineup

Enhanced Energy Savings:
The updated norms are designed to substantially reduce household power consumption. Industry estimates suggest that upgrading to a new 5-star air conditioner compliant with the 2026 standards can help consumers save up to INR 19,000 over a 10-year period, depending on usage patterns and electricity tariff rates.

Understanding the New Ratings:
Under the stricter 2026 framework, efficiency thresholds have been raised. As a result, models previously rated as 5-star may now be classified as 4-star. This reclassification reflects higher efficiency benchmarks, not diminished performance, and encourages the adoption of advanced, low-power technologies.

Immediate Availability:
LGEIL’s future-ready 2026 lineup has been available in the market since early January, positioning the brand among the earliest adopters of the new BEE norms. This ensures that customers purchasing ahead of the summer season invest in regulation-ready, next-generation technology, rather than outdated models.

Smart, Consumer-Focused Features:
The 2026 range emphasizes intelligent, user-centric innovation with features such as Precool and Energy Manager.

• Precool is an advanced feature that ensures the home is cool and comfortable the moment users arrive. Using geo-fencing technology, LG ThinQ automatically operates the air conditioner based on user-defined automation once the user enters a predefined distance range.

• Energy Manager+ analyses historical AC usage patterns and recommends realistic operating hours and energy consumption. Users can also set periodic budget targets based on these recommendations, enabling smarter energy management.

Commenting on the launch, Sanjay Chitkara, Co-Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, LG Electronics India Limited, said:

“As India transitions towards stricter energy efficiency norms, LG Electronics India Limited remains firmly committed to supporting this shift through early compliance and future-ready innovation. With our portfolio already aligned to the new BEE standards, we enter the upcoming season well prepared to deliver reliable, energy-efficient air-conditioning solutions that help consumers save on energy costs while enjoying superior cooling performance.”

To facilitate a smooth transition, LGEIL is rolling out a comprehensive consumer awareness campaign across print, digital, and retail platforms to educate customers on the benefits and implications of the new star ratings. In parallel, the company’s manufacturing and supply chain operations have been fully aligned with the updated guidelines.

While the focus remains on the 2026-compliant range, air conditioners manufactured under the previous standards will continue to be available until existing inventories are liquidated, providing consumers with greater flexibility in purchasing decisions.

Bengaluru, Jan 21: Perfios.ai, India’s leading B2B SaaS TechFin, today announced that it has been certified with ISO/IEC 42001:2023 – world’s first Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) standard. Perfios is among the few BFSI-technology companies globally to attain this internationally recognized standard for its responsible AI-based solutions.

ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification is an internationally recognized standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS) and is awarded following a rigorous independent external audit. The certification validates Perfios’ governance across the entire AI lifecycle including risk management, transparency, human oversight, and continuous monitoring.

Perfios has deeply embedded AI capabilities into its platforms to handle:

• Intelligent Digitization: Automated processing of KYC, financial, and healthcare records.
• Advanced Security: Deepfake and liveness detection for Video KYC and fraud prevention.
• Risk Intelligence: Real-time shell-entity detection and behavioural risk analysis.
• Decision Automation: AI-driven underwriting and complex financial decisioning support.

“Achieving ISO/IEC 42001:2023 reinforces our commitment to delivering AI that is not only innovative and scalable but also explainable, secure, and compliant with global ethical standards,” said Mohit Srivastava, CISO, Perfios. “This reflects our dedication to embedding responsible AI practices across the entire lifecycle of our tech-led solutions. This certification provides customers, partners, and regulators with the assurance that Perfios’ AI-driven products meet the most stringent international requirements for safety and transparency.”

Globally, regulators are placing increased emphasis on AI ethics and accountability within the financial services industry. Perfios, already compliant with ISO 27001, ISO 27701, CSA STAR Level 2, and SOC 2 Type II standards, continues to stay ahead of evolving regulatory expectations.

Each year Perfios successfully undergoes 450+ audits and due diligence reviews. The ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification further strengthens Perfios’ position as a global leader in responsible AI governance in the BFSI sector and reinforces its strategic focus on delivering the highest levels of assurance, trust, and transparency to customers.

New Delhi, India, Jan 21: Visionet announced today that it has successfully completed Microsoft’s Azure Expert Managed Services Provider (AEMSP) audit, earning elite status within Microsoft’s global partner ecosystem. Fewer than 150 partners worldwide currently hold this designation, out of more than 400,000 Microsoft partners.

The AEMSP designation recognizes partners that demonstrate advanced delivery maturity, operational excellence, and a sustained commitment to helping customers transform, manage, and optimize Microsoft cloud solutions at scale. Achieving this status validates Visionet’s long-term investment in Microsoft technologies and its capability to support complex, enterprise-grade cloud transformation initiatives.

With AEMSP status, enterprises benefit from deeper alignment with Microsoft’s Azure engineering teams, priority escalation paths, faster issue resolution, and enhanced support for mission-critical workloads.

Kamran Ozair, CEO of Visionet, said:

“Earning AEMSP status is a significant milestone for Visionet. It reflects the depth of our Microsoft expertise, the rigor of our delivery practices, and our focus on helping enterprises achieve real business outcomes. This recognition positions us to scale our impact and support customers as they modernize operations and adopt AI responsibly.”

Visionet serves organizations across regulated and high-complexity industries, providing cloud, data, AI, and customer experience solutions built on Microsoft technologies. The AEMSP designation strengthens Visionet’s ability to deliver secure, governed, and scalable cloud services aligned with business priorities.

Kunya Baramy, Business Head, Cloud & AI, Visionet, added:

“AEMSP is not just a certification—it validates how we design, govern, and operate Azure at enterprise scale, especially as customers accelerate AI adoption. This status provides access to Microsoft-backed operating models, funding programs, and proven governance frameworks, reducing execution risk and accelerating time-to-value.”

Bijo Chacko, Global Cloud Delivery Head, Visionet, said:

“We thank our customers for trusting us with their most critical Azure environments. This recognition reflects the strength of those partnerships and our disciplined approach to running cloud operations at scale. Our focus remains on reducing risk, improving resilience, and enabling modernization with confidence.”

The AEMSP designation underscores Visionet’s role as a trusted Microsoft partner, delivering practical, human-centered solutions that drive secure, scalable, and AI-ready cloud adoption.

 SYDNEY and NOIDA, India, Jan 21: HCLTech, a leading global technology company, has been selected by Team Global Express, the largest multimodal logistics organization in Australia and New Zealand, to accelerate digital transformation with AI-powered solutions.

HCLTech’s partnership with Team Global Express has grown rapidly. The new agreement consolidates the logistics major’s multi-vendor IT landscape into a single, strategic partnership with HCLTech as the trusted advisor to drive efficiency, innovation and data-driven decision-making.

HCLTech will be responsible for end-to-end managed IT services for Team Global Express across applications, hybrid cloud infrastructure, networks, cybersecurity, digital workplace and service management. AI Force, HCLTech’s GenAI-driven platform for service transformation, will drive automation, enhance compliance and elevate customer experience across Team Global Express’ operations.

“We are delighted to onboard HCLTech as our strategic technology partner,” said Danny Gravell, Chief Innovation Officer, Team Global Express. “Their deep domain expertise, innovative approach and commitment to operational excellence will play a vital role in modernizing our IT landscape and strengthening our ability to serve customers across Australia and New Zealand.”

“This partnership marks a significant milestone for HCLTech,” said Sonia Eland, Executive Vice President and Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, HCLTech. “Our comprehensive suite of solutions, powered by advanced AI and automation, will enable Team Global Express to accelerate transformation, enhance customer experience and drive long-term value creation.”

The partnership reinforces HCLTech’s credentials as a trusted technology leader in enterprise transformation and digital innovation.

Findability Sciences announced that the Global Sugar AI Summit 2026 will be held on February 8, 2026, in Baramati, Maharashtra. Co-hosted by Agriculture Development Trust Baramati, Pantaleon Sugar Holdings, and UPCSC (University/Platform for Collaborative Sugarcane Science), and supported by sponsors Stomata Labs and Urja Bio Systems, the Summit will convene sugar producers, agritech innovators, policymakers and practitioners to accelerate practical, outcome-driven AI adoption across the sugar value chain.

India remains one of the world’s largest sugar producers, yet key growing regions—including parts of Marathwada—continue to face challenges such as water scarcity, climate variability and operational inefficiencies. Applied artificial intelligence offers powerful solutions to these challenges by helping farmers and mill operators improve yields, optimise water and input usage, enhance irrigation planning and strengthen mill-level operations. These gains contribute directly to rural economic resilience, sustainability and improved livelihoods across sugarcane-producing districts.

“At a time when agricultural communities are navigating increasing climate uncertainty and market complexity, the Global Sugar AI Summit is focused on real-world impact,” said Anand Mahurkar, Founder & CEO, Findability Sciences. “The Summit connects advanced AI capabilities with the everyday realities of farmers and mill leaders—enabling better decision-making, higher productivity, stronger sustainability and long-term rural prosperity.”

Summit Focus Areas

The Global Sugar AI Summit 2026 will feature actionable insights and practical frameworks designed to deliver measurable value:

• Real-World AI Case Studies: Demonstrations of AI improving crop yield, water efficiency, input optimisation and mill operations

• Collaborative Roundtables: Practitioner-led discussions among farmers, mill managers, agronomists and technology partners on challenges, lessons learned and scalable best practices

• Operational Frameworks: Practical guidance on data readiness, governance, organisational change and implementation strategies to move AI beyond pilot projects

• Ecosystem Conversations: Strategic dialogues involving government bodies, industry leaders, research institutions, co-hosts and sponsors to foster coordinated innovation and adoption pathways

Advancing National Agricultural Priorities

Beyond the sugar sector, the Summit underscores AI’s broader impact on Indian agriculture—supporting water-use efficiency, climate resilience, supply chain strengthening, job creation and the adoption of next-generation agritech solutions. These outcomes align closely with national priorities to boost farm productivity, enhance sustainability and increase farmer incomes across rural India.

Co-Hosts & Sponsors

The Summit is co-hosted by Agriculture Development Trust Baramati, Pantaleon Sugar Holdings, and UPCSC, with sponsorship support from Stomata Labs and Urja Bio Systems, reflecting a strong collaborative commitment to advancing practical, AI-driven transformation in the sugar industry.

Delhi, Jan 20: Invincible Ocean, a leading Indian AI deeptech company, announced its entry into the Middle East technology market through a strategic alliance with Seed Group, an organisation owned by the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum. This collaboration will bring Invincible Ocean’s cutting-edge AI and blockchain portfolios, including Roboi and its RWA tokenisation platform, to regional enterprises and government initiatives.

Seed Group has established itself as a key driver of innovation and strategic partnerships in the UAE, enabling international companies to scale across the GCC. The organisation facilitates access to regional decision-makers and infrastructure, supporting market entry, strategic networking and business growth. Seed Group currently manages significant investments across technology and enterprise platforms.

Invincible Ocean’s Roboi platform integrates artificial intelligence with edge computing to deliver actionable intelligence from video feeds without the need for manual monitoring a capability already piloted in India’s oil and gas sector with promising results. Its RWA subscription platform is designed to align with emerging UAE blockchain frameworks, enabling compliant tokenisation of real-world assets and regulated digital ownership.

Ajay Setia, Founder & CEO of Invincible Ocean, said,

“We thank Seed Group for this partnership. Entering any new market requires deep regional insight. With Seed Group’s support, we can better understand local dynamics and build products that align closely with Middle Eastern requirements.”

Sagar Setia, Co-Founder & COO, added,

“This marks our first international expansion from Dubai. Over recent years, Dubai has evolved into a global adoption hub for technologies such as AI and blockchain. It’s not just about adopting technology, but adopting it at scale—and that’s where we see immense potential.”

The partnership is expected to accelerate digital transformation efforts and support the UAE’s ambition to attract next-generation technology solutions, particularly in AI-enabled analytics and asset tokenisation. By combining Invincible Ocean’s technical expertise with Seed Group’s regional reach and strategic resources, the collaboration aims to deliver high-impact solutions for enterprise and public-sector stakeholders across the Middle East.

Chennai, Jan  20 : EscrowTech India, the country’s only pure-play software escrow services provider and the market leader, has officially rebranded as EscrowNXT to underscore its focus on next-generation software escrow solutions for AI-driven systems, enhanced capabilities, and global expansion.

EscrowNXT officially came into effect on January 1, 2026. Founded in 2005 as EscrowTech India, the company has served over 500 clients, including leading Indian and international BFSI institutions and prominent software companies. With a focus on next-generation software escrow solutions for AI-driven systems, EscrowNXT plans to incorporate automated verification and smart contract integration. As part of its international growth strategy, the company is establishing an office in Dubai to strengthen its presence in the GCC region and support regional enterprises and financial institutions.

Software escrow is a secure, tripartite arrangement between a software developer, a client or end user, and an independent escrow provider, under which the software’s source code and documentation are held safely and released only if predefined events, such as vendor insolvency or contract breaches, occur. Escrow services protect clients by ensuring business continuity when vendor support fails, while helping developers build trust and credibility without exposing their intellectual property. By acting as a neutral custodian, escrow services reduce risk and strengthen confidence for all parties in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

EscrowNXT pioneered the institutionalisation of software escrow services in India at a time when technology risk mitigation was largely unexplored. Over the past 20 years, it has offered a comprehensive suite of ISO 9001:2015–certified services including software escrow, technology escrow, IP archival, verification and testing, and secure vault solutions.

In his comments, Mr. Arun Mahadevan, Managing Director – EscrowNXT said,

“As the first mover in software escrow in India, EscrowNXT has played a pivotal role in mitigating enterprise risks such as vendor insolvency, technology obsolescence, and regulatory compliance, including the Reserve Bank of India’s requirements on source code access for critical applications. This milestone underscores our unmatched expertise in a market where pure-play escrow providers remain rare. Our transition to EscrowNXT reflects our evolved vision and expanded capabilities, with a sharp focus on global markets and next-generation software escrow solutions for AI-driven systems, incorporating automated verification and smart contract integration.”

Mumbai, Jan 19: Schneider Electric, the global leader in energy management and automation, has announced its participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. Led by CEO Olivier Blum, the company’s delegation will advocate for deeper cross-industry collaboration to accelerate the advancement of energy technology in an AI-driven world.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Olivier Blum said,

“We have entered a new era where AI and energy are inseparable, and together they will reshape every business. AI requires compute, and compute requires energy—making energy intelligence more critical than ever. Across industries, customers face the same opportunity and challenge: using energy more efficiently. As an energy technology partner, Schneider Electric electrifies, automates, and digitalizes industries, businesses, and homes to drive efficiency and sustainability. We don’t just connect systems—we create ecosystems where AI, data, and people work together seamlessly. Davos provides a powerful platform to advance energy technology together.”

Throughout the Annual Meeting, Schneider Electric will unveil several key initiatives and milestones reinforcing its leadership at the intersection of AI, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

AI Applications Delivering Real-World Impact

Schneider Electric has been recognized in Cohorts 1 and 2 of MINDS (Meaningful, Intelligent, Novel, Deployable Solutions)—the Forum’s global program spotlighting high-impact AI solutions delivering tangible outcomes. At the WEF Annual Meeting on January 20, 2026, Olivier Blum will accept the MINDS trophy for EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Advisor and Snaplogic Touchscreen Room Controller, underscoring the company’s leadership in deployable AI innovation.

Ninth Global Lighthouse Recognition

Schneider Electric’s Wuhan factory has been inducted into the Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network, marking the company’s ninth Lighthouse recognition. Notably, the site is among only three factories worldwide to receive the newly introduced talent distinction, recognizing its people-centric, future-ready workforce model that bridges skills gaps and strengthens manufacturing resilience.

Convening Global Energy Leaders

Frédéric Godemel, Executive Vice President of Energy Management at Schneider Electric, will convene senior leaders across industries on behalf of the Bloomberg New Economy Energy Technology Coalition. This meeting marks the Coalition’s first major convening, aimed at accelerating the adoption of technologies that enhance energy efficiency, resilience, and responsiveness amid rapidly rising global electricity demand.

Driving Inclusive Energy Transition

Schneider Electric, in partnership with EDP, has launched EDGE Transition, a global accelerator designed to empower social entrepreneurs delivering clean, affordable energy solutions and inclusive economic opportunities in underserved communities.

The initiative supports early-stage impact ventures through mentorship, technical validation, strategic partnerships, and access to patient, risk-tolerant capital. By fostering equitable access to energy, EDGE Transition aims to accelerate global electrification and deliver meaningful, sustainable impact.