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TDK makes breakthrough in solid-state battery technology

Mohammed Fahad
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TDK makes breakthrough in solid-state battery technology
  • Not only does it offer an exceptionally high energy density of 1,000 Wh/L, but it also promises superior safety characteristics, making it an ideal choice for various wearable devices such as wireless earphones, hearing aids, and even smartwatches.
  • The design offers a longer lifespan and faster charging capabilities, addressing the pain points that have long plagued the industry.

Japanese electronics manufacturer TDK, known for its battery supply to industry giants like Apple and Tesla, has now announced a groundbreaking achievement that could revolutionise the landscape of energy storage.

TDK has successfully developed a material for its next-generation solid-state battery, boasting an energy density that is a staggering 100 times greater than that of conventional solid-state batteries.

The remarkable advancement is made possible through the use of a lithium alloy anode and an oxide-based solid electrolyte, in contrast to the liquid electrolyte found in traditional lithium-ion batteries.

The advantages of TDK’s new solid-state battery technology are multifaceted. Not only does it offer an exceptionally high energy density of 1,000 Wh/L, but it also promises superior safety characteristics, making it an ideal choice for various wearable devices such as wireless earphones, hearing aids, and even smartwatches.

Furthermore, the solid-state design offers a longer lifespan and faster charging capabilities, addressing the pain points that have long plagued the industry.

A significant contribution

TDK’s chief executive, Noboru Saito, has expressed his confidence in the potential of this technology, stating, “We believe that our newly developed material for solid-state batteries can make a significant contribution to the energy transformation of society.”

This sentiment is echoed by the broader industry, as numerous automakers, including Volkswagen, Toyota, and BMW, have been heavily investing in the development of solid-state batteries, widely regarded as the “holy grail” of electric vehicles.

While the path to mass commercialisation may not be without its challenges, such as material shortages, high production costs, and technical barriers, the industry is poised for a paradigm shift.

TDK’s ambitious plans to start shipping samples of its new battery prototype to clients as early as next year and to move into mass production thereafter demonstrate the company’s commitment to driving this transformative technology forward.

Amazon to offer $230m in AWS credits to AI startups

Mohammed Fahad
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Amazon to offer $230m in AWS credits to AI startups
  • Allocated credits to empower early-stage generative AI startups by granting them free access to vital resources such as computing power, a diverse range of AI models, and essential infrastructure, contingent upon their commitment to building their ventures on AWS.
  • Move exemplifies the pivotal role played by cloud providers in nurturing and sustaining the growth of the AI ecosystem.

Amazon has taken a significant step by announcing a $230 million investment in the form of Amazon Web Service (AWS) credits in artificial intelligence startups.

This move underscores the ongoing efforts of cloud providers to attract and retain AI clients from their inception.

The allocated credits will empower early-stage generative AI startups by granting them free access to vital resources such as computing power, a diverse range of AI models, and essential infrastructure, contingent upon their commitment to building their ventures on AWS.

The strategic initiative aligns with Amazon’s existing practice of offering $1 billion in cloud credits annually to startups, with a renewed emphasis placed on supporting generative AI ventures.

Nurturing innovation

Matt Wood, the Vice President of AI Products at AWS, highlighted how these credits will enable startups to swiftly iterate and adapt, thereby facilitating agile decision-making processes and fostering sustainable growth.

By providing the necessary resources for experimentation and scalability, Amazon aims to position these startups for long-term success characterised by security, responsibility, and operational consistency.

Further enhancing their support for the AI ecosystem, Amazon plans to extend part of these credits to assist 80 early-stage companies globally through the AWS Generative AI Accelerator programme.

Each participating startup stands to benefit from potential AWS credits amounting to up to $1 million, underscoring Amazon’s commitment to nurturing innovation and excellence within the AI community.

Such initiatives, while spearheaded by Amazon, are reminiscent of the broader trend observed within the cloud computing industry.

Overarching surge in AI demand

Competitors like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud frequently offer credits as incentives to entice enterprises towards their services, a practice driven by the understanding that cloud costs can escalate significantly as companies expand their usage.

The overarching surge in AI demand has significantly catalysed the utilisation of cloud services, thereby fueling the remarkable growth trajectory of cloud providers like AWS.

Notably, AWS reported a 17 per cent revenue increase to $9.42 billion in the first quarter, surpassing analyst expectations and reaffirming the pivotal role played by AI in propelling cloud providers to heightened levels of success.

However, amidst this fervent pace of innovation and investment, the heightened focus on AI startups by tech giants like Amazon has attracted scrutiny from regulatory bodies due to concerns surrounding antitrust issues.

 As the AI landscape continues to evolve and expand, it becomes increasingly imperative for industry stakeholders to navigate these complexities with prudence and foresight.

Amazon said it is investing $230 million in the form of Amazon Web Service (AWS) credits in artificial intelligence startups, the latest example of cloud providers trying to capture AI clients from nascent stages.

The credits will provide early-stage generative AI startups free access to computing power, a variety of AI models, and infrastructure, if they build their companies on AWS.

New commitment

Amazon says it already offers $1 billion in cloud credits every year to startups, with this new commitment focusing on supporting generative AI startups.

“They’ll be able to iterate very quickly and pivot very quickly as necessary. Then ultimately, when they hit on that home run, they’ll be able to double down and get to the scale with security, responsibility and consistency,” Matt Wood, vice president of AI Products at AWS, said.

Part of the credits will also support 80 early-stage companies globally through the AWS Generative AI Accelerator program, the company said. Each startup admitted to the accelerator could receive up to $1 million in AWS credits.

It’s common for cloud providers, from Microsoft Azure  to Google Cloud, to offer credits to lure enterprises to use their services, as cloud costs can pile up for a company as their usage increases.

Earlier this year, Amazon has expanded its cloud credits to cover the use of models from providers such as Anthropic, Meta, Mistral AI, and Cohere, as the company aims to boost the market share of its AI platform.

AI demand has driven up the usage of cloud services, contributing to the accelerated growth of cloud providers.

For instance, AWS’s revenue rose by 17% to $9.42 billion in the first quarter, surpassing analyst expectations. The investment by tech giants in AI startups have also attracted attention from regulators over antitrust concerns.

Oracle to train 200,000 students in Tamil Nadu

Ana Mary Joseph
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Oracle to train 200,000 students in Tamil Nadu
  • TNSDC joins forces to introduce a skills development programme under the state’s ambitious skill enhancement initiative – Naan Mudhalvan.
  • The training will be integrated into the campus curriculum by teachers and academicians.
  • The modules will be accessible through Oracle MyLearn, a training and empowerment platform from Oracle University, widely utilised by learners across the globe.

Oracle and the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) have joined forces to introduce a skills development programme under the state’s ambitious skill enhancement initiative – Naan Mudhalvan.

The goal of this initiative is to provide job-oriented skills training to more than 200,000 students across Tamil Nadu.

By partnering with Oracle, TNSDC is offering Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) training, which will enable students in the state to enhance their career opportunities.

By the year 2024, over 200,000 young individuals at different stages of their educational and professional paths will undergo training and certification in cutting-edge technologies provided by Oracle.

The technologies encompass cloud computing, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and blockchain, forming part of a new skilling initiative.

Burgeoning youth population

Since its launch, the programme has attracted over 60,000 students from various fields including engineering, arts, and sciences, representing more than 900 colleges throughout the state.

“Tamil Nadu is ranked among India’s top 12 states with a burgeoning youth population. In our commitment to offer young individuals and professionals a platform to enhance their skills and achieve their career aspirations, we introduced Naan Mudhalvan,” Tmt J. Innocent Divya, managing director of the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation, said.

The training will be integrated into the campus curriculum by teachers and academicians. The modules will be accessible through Oracle MyLearn, a robust training and empowerment platform from Oracle University widely utilised by learners across the globe.

Additional training modules will be customised to cater to individual learning levels and educational goals.

The initiative aims to equip participants, be it students or professionals, with essential skills in cloud computing and comprehensive knowledge in crucial domains such as AI, ML, data science, and blockchain.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Tamil Nadu government and contribute significantly towards the advancement of India’s digital economy. Oracle’s Skills Development Initiative is crafted to offer solutions that support government institutions by providing candidate training and job placement assistance, ensuring the next generation of tech leaders receives top-notch education and support,” Shailender Kumar, senior vice president and regional managing director of Oracle India and NetSuite JAPAC, said.

Space robotics becomes hotbed of innovation and investment

Ana Mary Joseph
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Space robotics becomes hotbed of innovation and investment
  • China leads the way and accounts for 58% of all patent applications in the last three years, followed by the US and Japan.

Space robotics has recently experienced a significant surge in growth, emerging as a hub of innovation and attracting substantial investment.

The field has reached a critical juncture, poised for exponential expansion. In the last three years, more than 40 pioneering companies have ventured into the space robotics domain, securing over $200 million in venture capital, as reported by GlobalData.

Space robotics is centered around the design and development of robots that can function effectively in the demanding environment of outer space, playing indispensable roles in a diverse array of space exploration missions.

Significant stride

Insights from GlobalData reveal that companies operating in this rapidly evolving sector are crafting a wide range of innovative applications. These advancements encompass meticulous spacecraft inspections, efficient satellite servicing, precise component assembly, reliable spacecraft refueling, and the crucial task of space debris collection.

Each of these applications represents a significant stride towards enhancing the sustainability and progress of space missions.

Among the more than 20 innovative technologies identified in the space industry, space robotics has exhibited one of the highest rates of growth in innovation activities over the past year.

Designated as one of the emerging technologies by GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, space robots are spearheading this technological surge.

Notably, China has taken the lead, accounting for 58 per cent of all patent applications in this sector over the last three years, with the US and Japan closely trailing behind.

Proliferation of new players

“Innovation in space technologies has historically been dominated by large publicly funded space agencies. NASA, for instance, has been exploring robotic astronauts, also known as cosmonauts, since 2010, developing and testing various robotic exoskeletons,” Sourabh Nyalkalkar, Practice Head of Innovation Products at GlobalData, remarks, said.

However, he said the convergence of Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics technology, coupled with the impetus provided by venture capital and specialised large private organisations, is propelling innovative technologies such as space robotics to the forefront.

MDA Ltd, based in Canada, is a standout player in the realm of space innovation. With a track record spanning over 450 space missions, the company recently introduced Skymaker, a modular robotic solution adaptable for a range of missions, including lunar surface landings and orbital exploration.

Similarly, Airbus has made notable progress by deploying robotic arms in its OneSat satellites in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).

Space agencies are increasingly incorporating robots into their varied missions. In a significant milestone, the Japanese space agency, JAXA, successfully landed its lunar robot, SORA-Q, in January 2024 as part of the ‘Moon Sniper’ mission. NASA is equally ambitious, undertaking a project that involves fully autonomous robots constructing shelters and solar arrays on the surfaces of the Moon and Mars.

Nyalkalkar said the proliferation of new players in space robotics is a cause for excitement in the industry. Companies like China-based Aerospace New Long March EV Technology, Gitai, and Astrobotics are propelling the field towards more advanced applications of space robotics.

In a testament to the growing confidence in this technology, he said the Japanese startup Aeroscale, specialising in space debris clearance, made a remarkable debut on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with its share prices surging by 51 per cent  in the first week of June 2024.

“These early indicators signal a transformative shift driven by robotics in space technology, holding the promise of turning science fiction into reality in the foreseeable future.”

Apple becomes first global brand to cross $1tr mark

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Apple becomes first global brand to cross $1tr mark
  • Microsoft posts highest year-on-year growth at 42% while all the other brands in top five posts double digit growth.
  • Indian firms in top 100 are TCS ranks 46th, followed by HDFC Bank at 47th, Airtel at 73rd, Infosys at 74th.

Apple has become the first brand ever to cross the $1 trillion mark in brand value, a 15 per cent jump from last year, according to Kantar’s BrandZ report.

The iPhone maker retained its crown as the world’s most valuable brand for the third straight year in 2024, followed by Alphabet’s Google at $753 billion and Microsoft at $713 billion.

Meanwhile, the other members of the top five – Google, Microsoft, Amazon and McDonald’s – all reprised their 2023 placements.

Within the elite group, Microsoft posted the highest year-on-year growth at 42 per cent while all the other brands in top five posted double digit growth.

“Enthusiasm over AI and a greater return to profitability has breathed new life into Facebook, Oracle and Nvidia, this year’s top riser and sixth most valuable brand,” the consultancy firm said.

Nvidia has risen 178 per cent compared to 2023 rankings and has jumped 18 places this year.

Oracle makes debut in top ten

“What really sets Nvidia apart is the faith that retail and institutional investors alike have in the firm’s centrality to the biggest disruptive narratives in tech,” the consulting company said.

But when it comes to the market capitalisation, Apple is at $3.28 trillion, followed by Microsoft at $3.26 trillion and Nvidia at $3.06 trillion.

This year, the top ten brands on Kantar’s BrandZ list is worth 50 per cent of the top 100 overall, capturing a combined value of more than $4 trillion as the rest of the brands put together.

Oracle, which offers AI-powered cloud services, also made its debut in Kantar’s top 10 at the ninth place. Its brand value jumped 58 per cent to $145 billion.

Kantar said its research covered over 4.3 million consumer interviews in 532 categories, and 21,000 different brands in 54 markets.

Among the biggest year-on-year value change after Nvidia is Instagram (ranked 13th) by 93 per cent, followed by Facebook by 79 per cent, Adobe (ranked 19th) by 66 per cent .

Among the Indian brands in the top 100 list, Tata Consultancy Services has fallen by four places to rank 46th. Its brand value has changed seven per cent year on year to $44,790 million, followed by HDFC Bank at 47th place with $43,260 million while Airtel jumps three places from last year to 73rd.

Airtel’s brand value jumps 13 per cent year on year to $25,263 million.

Infosys falls eight places to 74th. Its brand value falls six per cent to $24,686 million.

Saber appoints new business development head in Saudi Arabia

TCN Bureau
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Saber appoints new business development head in Saudi Arabia
  • Qanati brings with him more than a decade of commercial aviation experience, having held numerous roles at Cathay Pacific Airways in several markets in the Middle East.

Saber Company, a leading provider of software and technology that supports the global travel industry, announced the appointment of Hassan Qanati as Head of Business Development and Strategic Sales for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. . 

The appointment of Hassan Qanati comes as part of Saber’s expansion strategy in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region to provide travel agencies with the tools they need to succeed in a dynamic and highly competitive environment.

Hassan Qanati will be based in Riyadh, and is tasked with promoting Saber’s comprehensive suite of solutions and ensuring the provision of advanced and personalised services that meet the evolving needs of today’s travelers and the expectations of the future.

Identifying new opportunities

Ramzi Al-Qassab, General Manager of Saber Travel Network in the Middle East, said: “As a business development manager for Saudi Arabia, Qanati will play a vital role in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, managing customer relationships, and driving business growth in this important market.”

Qanati said that he is excited to join the distinguished Saber team, and look forward to communicating with its customers and collaborating closely with them to identify opportunities for new solutions and innovative technology.

“Our clear direction is to enhance customer value and foster innovation across Saudi Arabia, putting Saber partners ahead of the competition, and enhancing their customers’ experiences in line with modern travel expectations.”

Qanati brings with him more than a decade of commercial aviation experience, having held numerous roles at Cathay Pacific Airways in several markets in the Middle East, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.


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