Category technology

New Delhi, 03 September 2024: Mayuri e-Rickshaws, Saera’s flagship brand and one of India’s largest and leading EV manufacturers, reveals its plan to ramp up and expand its dealership network across the country to further strengthen its presence while offering a deeper & wider service area for its range of electric rickshaws. With over 700 dealerships currently operational, the company plans on closing this fiscal with over 1200 showrooms, adding 500 new dealerships. The expansion is a strategic initiative to meet the growing market demand for the category and for the brand by its customers across India.

This aggressive expansion plan comes into play to assist Saera’s ambitious target to achieve 50,000 retail units by the end of the fiscal year. This comes as a significant leap from its retail volumes in the last fiscal which amounted to over 33,000 units (source: Vahan Data). Mayuri aims at capturing a market share of 10%, a healthy growth from its share in FY 23-24 which accounted for a 6% market share in its category. The company says it’s well on track to achieve stated targets as this year’s Q1 results grew by 50% at over 10,500 units vis-à-vis 7,000 units sold in Q1 FY 23-24.

Announcing the plan, Mr. Nitin Kapoor, MD, Saera Electric Auto Limited, said, “As the Indian EV market grows, the demand for Electric 3-wheelers grows with it. The applications of E3Ws today are far more diverse, and cater to a wider range of consumers, and with the ever-evolving technology advancements, the value for money derived from these vehicles is at an all-time high. The expansion is part of our growth strategy, but the core of it remains the growing need of consumers and businesses and our efforts to offer them the best in the market. Mayuri is India’s 1st e-rickshaw company and since its inception, it has offered industry-leading technology solutions, several industry-first features, superior quality and performance, and aided in providing livelihood opportunities to millions of Indians. Our focus on innovation and sustainability has positioned us as a market leader and we have taken measures right from our R&D cell to our Supply Chain, our Service Network to our Assembly line to ensure continuity delivering on our promise to all partners and customers.”

Saera’s continued innovation and strategic growth plans are well aligned with the Government of India’s vision of promoting electric mobility and sustainability across the nation. By expanding its reach and doubling down on quality & customer satisfaction, the company is rightly positioned to maintain its leadership in the Electric 3-wheeler segment.

Bengaluru, September 2, 2024: Nippon Paint, Asia Pacific’s No. 1 paint and coating company by revenue, participated in Prawaas 2024, India’s flagship multimodal transport show which was held between 29th to 31st August in Bengaluru. The fourth edition of the event was organized by the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI). The event was attended by more than 100 expert speakers, 200 leading exhibitors, 10000 business visitors.

During the event, Nippon Paint showcased its extensive range of innovative and futuristic paint solutions designed specifically for the commercial vehicle industry. These include functional coatings to reduce emissions, heat and dust as well as product systems to optimize productivity including certain patented product lines. The company also combined its high-tech products with world leading AI technologies for colour correction and development, VR software for painting simulation and automated robotic paint applications. The key intention of the company through this event was to demonstrate how its paint systems can leverage its global technology base and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation in India.

According to Rakesh Handoo, General Manager, Marketing & New Business Development, Nippon Paint India, “Prawaas 2024 highlighted the crucial role of efficient public transport in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. During the event we showcased our cutting-edge paint technologies that are revolutionizing the commercial vehicle industry. Our participation reflects our commitment towards delivering innovative solutions that enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of public transport in India.”

Navin Chawla, General Manager, Commercial Vehicle Coatings, Nippon Paint India said, “Prawaas 2024 was resounding success and a step forward in the right direction towards a new era of transportation. Nippon Paint equipped over 70% of the displayed buses with our paint systems at Prawaas. In addition to our product strength, we also showcased our brand’s commitment to expanding possibilities in the commercial vehicle industry.”

New Delhi, 2nd September 2024: The Appliances business of Godrej & Boyce, part of Godrej Enterprises Group, has further expanded its manufacturing capabilities by adding production facility for its new range of fully automatic front-load washing machines powered by AI Technology. Spread over 1 Lakh sq.ft. at Shirwal near Pune, this new facility marks a strategic investment of close to INR 100 crores in capital expenditure dedicated to machinery, tools, infrastructure and backward integration.

The fully automated facility at Shirwal will strengthen Godrej Appliances’ market presence by adding a capacity of 3 Lakh units of front-load washing machines per annum, that will almost double the production of automatic washing machine portfolio for the brand. This Greenco Platinum Plus certified factory also manufactures other appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, semi and top-load washing machines, medical refrigerators, InsuliCool and Qube.

Commenting on the new assembly line, Kamal Nandi, Business Head & Executive Vice President of Godrej Appliances, said, “The new AI enabled product range underscores our commitment to innovation to meet the unique needs of Indian consumers. Currently, we are one of the fastest-growing brands in the washing machine category, and with this new investment of INR 100 cr., we’re poised to further strengthen our position and achieve our target of 2X growth in the Washing Machines segment this year.”

Speaking on the new product range, Shashank Sinha, Product Group Head- Washing Machines, Godrej Appliances, added, “Our new range of fully automatic front load washing machines have been conceptualised and designed especially for Indian consumers keeping in mind their preferences based on various geographic and climatic conditions, family sizes and washing habits. Along with superior aesthetics, these advanced machines of 7-10 kg capacities are powered by AI Technology that intelligently optimizes the wash and rinse, delivers optimal clothes care by smart load detection and water level adjustment, also saves precious water and energy, thereby redefining the washing experience for consumers.”

As a part of the brands commitment to things made thoughtfully, several advanced features make the front load washing machine range stand out. For example, the Steam wash program deep cleanses clothes and washes off 100+ different kinds of stains up to 2 days old*, Refresh program deodorizes them, and FabriSafe™ Drum helps to maintain the quality of varied fabrics. Further, these machines can also dry clothes 30 minutes faster**. The entire range of front load washing machines offer convenience with auto drum clean reminders, come with an anti-rust cabinet, overflow protection, 2-years comprehensive and 10-year motor warranty.

Bangalore, India – September 2, 2024: International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIIT-B), a premier research and development institution, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Greendzine Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a leading company specializing in Electric mobility solutions for the Industrial and Warehouse market. Greendzine is building solutions to connect Warehouse to Home (W2H) through its MOPTro EV platform. This MoU marks the beginning of a strategic partnership focused on the development and implementation of the innovative Robotic Picker technology on Greendzine’s MOPTro WASP, a product for warehouse picking.

The collaboration aims to leverage IIIT-B’s cutting-edge research capabilities and Greendzine’s expertise in electric mobility solutions to create a groundbreaking Robotic Picker that can significantly enhance automation in warehouses and industries. The project will involve advanced research in vision systems, multi-agent path planning algorithms and universal grippers, with IIIT-B providing the necessary lab facilities, product demonstration platforms and funding for the research.

IIIT-Bangalore will offer its expertise in the areas of vision systems, path planning algorithms and universal grippers while providing lab facilities for research and product demonstration. IIIT-B will also fund the project, including resources, hardware, software and IP filing.

Greendzine Technologies will be responsible for the execution and management of the project, including overseeing program management, prototyping, testing and vendor management. The company will also handle the demonstration of the solution to potential customers and execute proof of concept at customer premises.

The project, which is set to run for one year with an option for an additional two-year extension represents a significant step forward in the field of robotic automation. Both parties are committed to ensuring the highest standards of research and development throughout the collaboration. The project is under aegis of MINRO, which is Center of Excellence (CoE) funded by the Government of Karnataka.

Commenting on the partnership, Commodore SR Sridhar (Retd), Registrar of IIIT-Bangalore, said, “This collaboration with Greendzine Technologies aligns with IIIT-Bangalore’s mission to encourage innovation and create impactful technological solutions. The Robotic Picker project holds immense potential to revolutionize the automation landscape in industries and warehouses.”

Mr. Karthikeyan Sundaram, Co-Founder & CTO, Greendzine Technologies, added, “We are pleased to enter into an MoU to advance our Robotic Picking Project to the next level. This 12-month research collaboration focuses on developing a universal gripper for warehouse environments, capable of handling diverse volumetric and textured items. Our research will dive into vision systems, multi-agent path planning, and gripper technology, with the goal of filing intellectual properties (IPs) and eventually bringing the product to market. This strategic partnership also emphasizes the importance of our philosophy “Manomation”, which is Human-Robot collaboration, particularly through the development of cobots (collaborative robots) that assist rather than replace human workers. This approach aligns with our broader mission to enhance workforce productivity, reduce fatigue, and encourage greater participation of women in the workforce. Our ultimate aim is to take cutting-edge technology from the lab to real-world applications, with interest already shown by customers across various sectors, including automotive and third-party logistics.

September 2, 2024: Airtel, MediaTek and Nokia today announced the successful completion of trials that efficiently combine TDD and FDD mid-band spectrum on a time basis utilising the latest generation chipset. The trial aimed at maximising the uplink performance was conducted at Airtel’s tech lab and achieved uplink speeds of 300 Mbps, setting a new benchmark in 5G network performance. It underscores Airtel’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet the ever-growing demands of a connected world.

The trial enhanced UL speeds by aggregating frequency bands of 3.5 Ghz (n78) and 2.1 Ghz (n1), a groundbreaking innovation that significantly improves the uplink performance for demanding use cases by dynamically switching the uplink transmission across two carriers in TDD and FDD spectrum more efficiently. The innovative UL Tx switching promises faster connectivity, enhanced user experience, and improved network efficiency, catering to high-demand use cases such as video conferencing, live streaming and large file uploads.

Randeep Sekhon, Chief Technology Officer, Bharti Airtel said, “At Airtel, continuous innovation remains the bedrock of all our product and service offerings. This trial not only stands testament to our philosophy of enhancing our state-of-the-art network infrastructure and delivering an unmatched 5G user experience but will also greatly enhance our network’s uplink performance, resulting in faster data speeds and improved connectivity.”

Dr. Ho-Chi Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication Systems and Partnerships at MediaTek, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Bharti Airtel and Nokia on this groundbreaking trial in India where our Dimensity 5G mobile platform played a crucial role in achieving the highest uplink speeds on Airtel’s 5G network. This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology that enhances the connectivity experience for users”

Tarun Chhabra, Country Manager and Head of Mobile Networks Business at Nokia, India, said: “We are proud to partner with our long-term partner Airtel on this ground-breaking project. Uplink Tx switching will pave the way for superior 5G networks, enabling seamless data transfer in mobile devices and driving demand for data-intensive applications like XR. We congratulate Bharti Airtel for achieving this milestone and pushing the boundaries of connectivity to new realms.”

For this advanced trial, Airtel used equipment from Nokia’s next-generation 5G AirScale radio portfolio while MediaTek provided its Dimensity 5G mobile platform as the user equipment.

By – Ms. Mandy Andress, Chief Information Security Officer at Elastic

In the face of a rising tide of new threats and tactics, the industry needs different perspectives for a varied, yet nuanced approach to cybersecurity. Malicious actors work tirelessly to explore new tactics, find new vulnerabilities, and identify novel ways to bypass controls. A more diverse IT security team is better equipped to adopt the resourcefulness and the spontaneity of the ‘hacker mindset’ needed to counter these attacks.

To mark International Women in Cyber Day, I’d like to suggest that our industry takes two crucial steps to include more women in our teams.

To encourage more diverse candidates and women to join cybersecurity roles, we need to broaden the scope of the qualifications we seek in candidates. Looking beyond traditional schooling and career paths, we must consider other skills and personality traits that might enhance the way we protect IT systems.

Second, we need to work harder to encourage more women to join us. That might mean reviewing how and where we advertise roles so that news of open positions reaches more women.

In a multidisciplinary field like cybersecurity (or data science, for that matter), the routine exclusion of female viewpoints isn’t just a barrier to good work – it’s a vulnerability. And in my view, from my day-to-day experience as a CISO, a more diverse cybersecurity team is definitely a better cybersecurity team.

India — August 27, 2024: Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, announced it has achieved Level 1 compliance with the Payment Card Industry’s (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) for Service Providers. This certification demonstrates Cloudera’s commitment to cybersecurity and compliance in its mission to help financial institutions unlock business value from AI. With this milestone, Cloudera’s Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Private Cloud (PVC) are both PCI DSS v4.0 compliant, the newest major version of the framework.

PCI DSS standards define rigorous security controls and processes for entities involved in the payment ecosystem, as well as requirements for developers and solution providers to build and securely manage payment devices, software, and solutions for the payment industry.

As the rise of e-commerce has rapidly scaled the amount of data that financial institutions have under management, the need to protect that data has grown as well. According to the International Monetary Fund’s 2024 Global Financial Stability Report, the financial sector is the target for one-fifth of all cyber-attacks, and this risk is largely driven by its dependence on third-party IT providers. Certification with the most recent security standards for the PCI is a testament to Cloudera’s ability to quickly adapt to the latest financial sector security requirements, where threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated.

AI has also transformed the financial sector in recent years, with financial institutions adopting virtual assistants, creating synthetic data for model training, generating research reports and investment summaries, and harnessing machine learning for fraud detection. As the vendor to eight of the top 10 global banks, Cloudera helps financial institutions harness the power of AI and Generative AI while navigating the associated risks, providing a secure environment for managing the vast volumes of data needed to train AI models.

“The financial services industry is undergoing significant digital transformation, and the ability to work with trusted third-party solution providers is critical to success” said industry analyst, Sanjeev Mohan. “Financial institutions can view compliance with rigorous frameworks, like PCI DSS 4.0, as an indicator that the partner they’re choosing to work with is one that can securely navigate the complexities of their data and thrive in this AI-powered future.”

“Cloudera’s achievement of this certification is a testament to our commitment to our financial sector customers,” said Natalia Belaya, Cloudera’s Chief Information Security Officer. “We strive to provide and maintain a secure and trusted platform to support our customers with evolving data initiatives and empower them to unlock greater value from AI.”

Mumbai, 26th August 2024: Kia India, a leading premium carmaker in the country, has introduced a new Aurora Black Pearl color option for the X-Line trim of its popular Seltos lineup. This addition complements the existing Matte Graphite colour of the X-Line, offering customers more ways to personalize their vehicles.

The Aurora Black Pearl colour enhances the exterior and interior design, staying true to the distinctive X-Line styling. The interiors are highlighted by an exclusive two-tone combination of Black and Splendid Sage Green, adding a layer of luxury and sophistication.

The new X-Line Black features several gloss black finish elements, including the front and rear skid plates, Outside Rear-View Mirrors, shark-fin antenna, tailgate garnish, and faux exhaust on the rear bumper. These elements are further enhanced by striking, ‘Sun Orange’ accents on the skid plates, side door garnish, and wheel center caps. Additionally, the X-Line is equipped with larger 18-inch alloy wheels with a dual tone crystal cut with glossy black outline, and the iconic ‘X-Line’ badge on the tailgate adds a final touch of distinction.

Commenting on the innovation and customer reception of the X-Line, Mr. Joonsu Cho, Chief Sales Officer at Kia India, said, “The Kia Seltos has been our best-selling model, and we are on the cusp of achieving an incredible milestone—500,000 units sold. The X-Line trim has struck a chord with our new-age buyers, who prioritize distinctive and exclusive products in their purchasing decisions. In response to their demand and feedback, we are thrilled to introduce a new black color option in the X-Line trim, providing our customers with even more choices to match their unique tastes and we will continue to evolve in line with our customers’ preferences, ensuring that Kia remains their brand of choice”.

New Delhi, 26th August 2024: Skye Air Mobility, a leading drone technology-based logistics firm, has announced a collaboration with CARiTAS Hospital & Institute of Health Sciences, Kottayam, Kerala, to revolutionize medical deliveries through drone technology. This partnership aims to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency in the region by leveraging unmanned aerial vehicles for the transportation of essential medical supplies and diagnostic samples. The Caritas Drone Medical Supply Delivery Unit is first of its kind in South Kerala.

The initiative will see drones carrying payloads of up to 3 kilograms over distances of 10-15 kilometres, connecting CARiTAS Hospital with various other satellite healthcare facilities of CARiTAS (CFH, CKMM, CHPD) and remote areas in the region. The drone delivery system is expected to significantly reduce delivery times from hours to just 5-7 minutes, ensuring critical medical supplies reach their destinations swiftly and efficiently and also helps in reduction of carbon emission via reduction of road transportation.

Over the last 6 decades, Caritas Hospital & Institute of Health Sciences has been a revolution in the healthcare segment, which paved the way for actualising the dream called a healthy and happy community with latest cutting edge technologies. With 5 satellite centres with both IP, OP, pharmacy, lab, radiology and supportive facilities, Caritas Hospital has tried to reach to the patient for providing better patient care.

The first drone flight successfully transported a package of vital medicines from CARiTAS Hospital to Caritas Family Hospital and CARiTAS KMM located 10-15 kilometres away.

Rev Dr. Binu Kunnath, Director of CARiTAS Hospital, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We’re excited to work with Skye Air Mobility on this project. Drones are a game-changer for healthcare in Kottayam, helping us reach patients in remote areas much faster and more reliably. Whether it’s delivering medicine, transporting lab samples, or providing medical equipment, these drones will improve care in our community. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on healthcare in our region.”

Dr. Ajith Venugopalan, Chief Operating Officer (COO), CARiTAS Hospital described the importance of the drone facilities and the various process by which it is going to benefit patient service and community.

Ankit Kumar, CEO & Founder of Skye Air Mobility, highlighted the impact of the collaboration, stating, “Our partnership with CARiTAS Hospital represents a significant step forward in the application of drone technology in healthcare. By establishing an aerial supply chain, we are not only reducing delivery times but also minimizing costs and environmental impact. This initiative serves as a model for future healthcare logistics solutions across India.”

Fr. Joice Nandikunnel, Joint Director, CARiTAS Hospital highlighted the changing trends on healthcare industry and the aspect of drones in providing services in remote centre.

The drone delivery program is set to undergo a series of trial runs over the coming weeks, with plans for a full-scale rollout across Kottayam district in the near future. Both CARiTAS Hospital and Skye Air Mobility are committed to working closely with local authorities to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the drone delivery system, adhering to all relevant regulations and guidelines.
Founded in 2020, the Delhi-based start-up offers drones for the delivery of retail and ecommerce products, postal services, and food products. It also provides last-mile drone delivery services for healthcare, defense, agri-commodity and essential supplies.

India, August 26, 2024: Epson, a global leader in printing technology, has introduced the Epson SureColor SC-F1030, a groundbreaking direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) hybrid garment printer. Designed for the entry-level DTG market, the SC-F1030 offers unparalleled versatility and quality, making it an ideal choice for existing businesses and new entrepreneurs who would like to expand or set up garment printing business.

The DTG market has expanded significantly since FY18, and this growth has continued robustly even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for high-quality, customizable garments is surging both in online and offline stores. Businesses are increasingly seeking innovative printing solutions to meet this growing demand, reflecting a broader trend towards personalized and dynamic fashion.

“With the launch of the SC-F1030, Epson’s most compact direct-to-garment printer to date, we are offering an ideal solution for transforming the storefront or novelty gift businesses into a highly customizable, profitable and interactive space,” said Vasudevan, General Manager – LFP/IE, Epson India. “The SC-F1030 is perfect for anyone who wants to expand an existing garment printing business or start a new business. Equipped with the Micro TFP print head, UltraChrome DG2 inks, and an Auto Gap Adjustment feature, it addresses the growing demand for high-quality, customizable garments while making your business an attractive destination for customers.”

Key Features of the SureColor SC-F1030:

• PrecisionCore Micro TFP Printhead: Ensures superior detail and quality, perfect for cotton and fine details in DTG mode, and versatile fabric applications in DTF mode.
• White Ink Mode: The SC-F1030’s ink set includes White ink, enabling high-quality printing on various coloured garments, adding significant value at the entry-level segment.
• User-Friendly Features: Includes a large opening space, retractable hanger platen, scales, centre position marks, auto gap adjustment, T-shirt setting error detection, panel UI, interior lighting, and easy installation.
• Vivid Color Profile: Supports two colour profiles that deliver more vivid colours, enhancing the visual appeal of printed items.
• Film Mode: As a DTG & DTF Hybrid printer, users can easily switch between “T-shirt” and “Film” modes, offering flexibility and adaptability to different business needs.
• Design Concept: Compact Semi-transparent design to monitor the printing process, reduce production errors, demonstrate live printing and excite customers and enhance store decor.
• Garment Creator 2 Software: Enhances processing speed and allows higher resolution input, contributing to improved print quality.
• UltraChrome DG2 Inks: Provide vibrant and durable prints, suitable for a wide range of applications.