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Category: Applications

  • Sony India Expands the family of professional BRAVIA displays

    Sony India Expands the family of professional BRAVIA displays

    Mumbai: Sony India’s family of professional BRAVIA displays is growing with the introduction of the essential EZ20L series, which rounds out a full portfolio suited for commercial environments. With an extensive set of choices to meet a variety of requirements and budgets, Sony’s professional BRAVIA displays now support high-end, mid-range, standard, and entry-level uses.

    The EZ20L 4K series, ideal for corporate and retail applications, will offer sizes ranging from 43 to 75 inches. They are built upon the robust usability, installation flexibility, picture quality, and sustainability common to all of Sony’s professional BRAVIA display products. As the introductory offering in the lineup, the EZ20L models will provide basic professional features including simplified pro-settings for streamlined setup and maintenance, as well as RS-232C support, standard IP control, 16/7 operation, and 350 nits of brightness for high visibility indoors.

    The EZ20L lineup consists of: FW-75EZ20L (75-inch), FW-65EZ20L (65-inch), FW-55EZ20L (55-inch), FW-50EZ20L (50-inch) and FW-43EZ20L (43-inch)

    Sony India deputy, managing director Nakashima Tomohiro, said, “Customer demand is what drives our development and expansion, and in this case, our users sought a more accessible and budget-conscious display optimised for corporate, education, and retail environments. With the addition of the essential EZ20L series, our complete range of options now supports the exacting requirements of various businesses and spaces and takes advantage of the quality and feature set inherent to Sony’s professional displays,”

    Additional highlights of the EZ20L series include a free, pre-installed BRAVIA Signage app, administrative functionality to turn off inputs, built-in mirroring directly from a user’s device, a slim bezel, flexible installation options, a wide viewing angle, a powerful 4K processor X1™, 4K X-Reality™ PRO for upscaling content, as well as sustainability features including the use of recycled plastic materials, more environmentally friendly packaging, and power-saving mode.

    With the launch of EZ20L Series, Sony India officially announced the partnership of professional display solutions business with Zeetaminds, a digital signage software solutions provider based in Chennai. They offer both cloud-based and on premise-based signage solutions for customers in India and abroad.

    Zeetaminds co-founder Balaji Kamineni, said, “Zeetaminds is delighted to partner with Sony professional displays, our digital signage software seamlessly integrates with pro BRAVIA models. Doing business with Sony means integrity at the highest level, a value we hold of utmost importance,”

    Sony’s latest lineup of 4K HDR professional BRAVIA displays

    These new additions to the professional BRAVIA portfolio augment Sony’s recently announced BZ50L, BZ40L, BZ35L, and BZ30L lineup of 14 fully featured 4K HDR displays, which serve as a step-up from the EZ20L models. Each series has a set of common benefits including exceptional image quality, a wide viewing angle, helpful professional features, and a powerful system on a chip (SoC) platform, as well as differentiators that cover a wide range of needs and price points. Included in the family of displays is the distinctive BZ40L series, which features a Deep Black Non-Glare Coating that offers both high haze and low reflection, while maintaining deep blacks and high contrast.

    The flagship 98-inch BZ50L with Sony XR processing and unrivaled picture quality boasts 780 nits of brightness in a larger-sized display. The high brightness, non-glare BZ40L series (55 to 85 inches) with 4K HDR X1 processing achieves 700 nits at a high 47 per cent haze with anti-reflection (except for the FW-85BZ40L, which achieves 650 nits at 58 per cent haze), without loss of contrast. The enhanced BZ35L series (55 to 75 inches) features increased storage, 550 nits of robust brightness, and an X1 processor. The complete BZ30L series offers a full range of sizes (43 to 85 inches), 4K HDR X1 processing and 440 nits of brightness.

    Price and availability:

    The EZ20L 4K series is available via Sony authorised distributors in India. The new series features a 3-year standard warranty and can be purchased through Sony authorized distributors.

     

    Model best buy.  ( in Rs ) availability date
    FW-75EZ20L (75-inch) 275,000/- available now
    FW-65EZ20L (65-inch)  175,000/- available now
    FW-55EZ20L (55-inch) 125,000/- available now
    FW-50EZ20L (50-inch) 110,000/- available now
    FW-43EZ20L (43-inch) 90,000/-  available now
  • Interim Budget 2024: Glimpses into technological boom!

    Interim Budget 2024: Glimpses into technological boom!

    Mumbai: With the unveiling of the Interim Budget 2024 by union minister of finance Nirmala Sitharaman, a wave of anticipation and excitement sweeps across industries. The budget unfolds a roadmap for India’s economic trajectory, emphasising technology, innovation, and skill development.

    Following are some of the key highlights and reactions from industry leaders, shedding light on the potential impacts on technological advancements.

    Beyond Key founder and CEO Piyush Goel

    In 2024, a transformative surge in technology is predicted, propelled by India’s unwavering commitment to skill development and innovation, as articulated by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Skill India Mission has actively educated 1.4 crore youths, imparting essential skills and upskilling 54 lakh youths, alongside establishing 3,000 new ITIs. The academic arena has witnessed remarkable growth with the establishment of seven IITs, sixteen IITs, seven IIMs, 15 AIIMSs, and 390 universities, fostering a strong atmosphere for technological advancement. Furthermore, the fiscal budget 2024 allocates resources to increase the number of airports, rail infrastructure, and other infrastructure, undoubtedly impacting mass lives. Artificial Intelligence (AI) would become a pivotal force, and stronger funding to harness its benefits is poised to elevate the technological landscape. Corporate sectors also stand to benefit from the decreased corporate tax of 22 per cent, fostering a greater favorable commercial enterprise environment and selling economic growth through accelerated investments and expansion opportunities. The budget’s strategic investments underscore India’s steadfast determination to a dynamic and tech-driven future.

    AdCounty Media CFO Abbhinav R Jain

    The Interim budget marks a significant move towards India’s digitisation. In the budget 2023-24, the government announced an outlay of 4795.24 crore for its Digital India program which ensured universal access to high-speed internet and digital literacy initiatives. This year, in a bid to bolster R&D in sunrise domains, Honourable FM, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced a corpus of one lakh crore with a 50-year interest-free loan. Dubbing this period as the golden era for innovation and entrepreneurship, she went on to say that the corpus will provide long-term financing or refinancing with long tenures and low or nil rates. The budget, undeniably, is leaving no stone unturned to bridge the gap between youth and technology to realise the aim of a fully developed India (“Viksit Bharat”) by 2047.

    Tagglabs founder Hariom Seth

    An innovative landmark statement was made by Nirmala Sitharaman, who announced A corpus of 1 lakh crore rupees 50-year interest-free loan with low or nill interest rates to encourage and scale up research and innovation. This marks a landmark in the history of tech startups and companies, providing a one-of-a-kind chance to explore distant shores and leave an indelible mark on the ‘Make in India’ dream.

    The provision of a corpus of 1 lakh crore rupees as 50-year interest-free loans with low or no interest rates is a significant move that can greatly benefit companies. This initiative increases liquidity, allowing companies to invest in research, development, and innovation without the burden of immediate repayment. It also mitigates financial risk associated with borrowing due to the long tenure of the loan and the low or nil interest rates. Furthermore, it encourages innovation as companies can focus more on creating innovative products and solutions with easier access to funds. The overall cost of the loan decreases due to lower interest rates, leading to savings that can be used for other business activities.

    Lastly, timely repayment of such loans can enhance a company’s credit profile, making it easier to secure future funding. However, while these benefits can provide a significant boost to companies, it’s also important for them to manage these funds wisely to avoid potential financial challenges.

    DashLoc CEO and co-founder Sumit Singh

    The budget has clearly exhibited that the government is extending full-fledged support towards adoption of technology across sectors. The special mention that deeptech in defence section gained in the speech truly indicates that the government is going to support emerging technologies in crucial sectors too. Alongside, it is a matter of pride that STEM courses have seen aggressive enrolment from women. We can expect a quality and skilled workforce in India that will keep the wheel running towards striking progress.

    Almonds AI co-founder & CEO Abhinav Jain

    Government’s forward-looking budget aligns remarkably well with the impetus required for the AI and technology sectors. The focus on digital infrastructure lays a robust foundation for innovation, and the commitment to skill development among youth mirrors the mission to empower the next generation with AI capabilities. The support for electric vehicles and clean energy initiatives resonate with the Green Loyalty Program, reinforcing belief in sustainable technological advancement. This budget not only catalyzes a tech-driven economy but also heralds a golden era for companies like ours at the intersection of AI and market technology. We are eager to contribute to this transformative journey and commend the government’s vision for a tech-empowered, inclusive growth trajectory.

    Superbot co-founder & director Sarvagya Mishra

    It’s encouraging that the government recognizes the importance of addressing skill development to meet the demand for a high-quality workforce in the emerging technology sector, crucial for India’s ambitious goal of a $5 trillion economy. All the initiatives mentioned in the Interim budget speech like establishment of more IITs, IIITs, STEM courses etc., are cementing the foundation of the growing India, which is youth. Commendably, the government’s embrace of deeptech in critical sectors like defense underscores our country’s progressive stance. Given that R&D is a capital-intensive step for businesses in deeptech, blockchain, machine learning, and generative AI, increased allocation towards MUDRA schemes and the announcement of a one-lakh crore corpus with 50-year interest-free support will undoubtedly fuel technological growth.

    NeuralGarage co-founder & CEO Mandar Natekar

    The interim budget presented today shall provide an impetus to an ecosystem of startups, technology companies and aspirants, providing them with ample opportunities to set-up, enhance technological offerings and bolster innovation. These are positive sentiments that will further strengthen India’s technology landscape through research and innovation. A corpus of Rupees One Lakh Crore will be established with a fifty-year interest-free loan. The corpus will provide long-term financing or refinancing with long tenors and low or nil interest rates. The private sector will witness a steep growth with innovation being at the forefront. Further, the government has extended tax benefits for start-ups to 31 March 2025 and withdrawn some outstanding direct tax demands. Deeptech and GenAI have the potential to revolutionize a variety of sectors. Ethical practices and its usage will lead to Indian brands and artists being recognised from local to global markets creating a seamless experience and put India on the global map for technological prowess.

    Yatiken Software Solutions founder and CEO Alok Kashyap

    In line with the government’s ambitious vision of technology contributing 20-25 per cent to the GDP by 2025, this forward-looking budget charts a promising course for the IT sector. The allocation for EV infrastructure development is particularly noteworthy as it opens avenues for software development in EV systems, IoT integration, and data analytics. The one-lakh crore corpus for long-term financing is another indispensable boon for the IT industry, fostering innovation and research. Moreover, the Skill India Mission’s initiatives and tax benefits for startups provide a robust foundation for skill development and entrepreneurial growth.

    icogz MD Amit Tripathi

    The budget allocated Rs 8,000 crore for the national mission on quantum technologies and applications, which aims to boost research and innovation in quantum computing, communication, cryptography, and artificial intelligence. This is as per expected lines and what I had predicted in my pre budget expectations.

    The budget also proposed to set up a Data Centre Economic Zone to attract investments and create employment opportunities in the data centre industry, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23 per cent by 2025. Again on expected lines.

    The budget increased the tax deduction at source (TDS) on e-commerce transactions from one per cent to two per cent, which may affect the profitability and cash flow of e-commerce platforms and sellers.

    E-Factor Experiences Ltd MD Samit Garg

    The emphasis on digital transformation across sectors could encourage the adoption of advanced technologies in event management, like virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI, enhancing the audience experience. More investment in R&D would result in more availability of local resources, thereby pushing the costs down and making the solutions more affordable.

  • Times Internet adopts Unified ID 2.0

    Times Internet adopts Unified ID 2.0

    Mumbai: Times Internet announces its adoption of Unified ID 2.0 (UID2), a revolutionary identity framework designed for the open internet. This cutting-edge identity solution empowers advertisers to deliver highly targeted content by aligning first-party data with audience information within Times Internet’s fully authenticated logged-in dataset. In response to the deprecation of third-party cookies, forward-thinking publishers are embracing privacy-conscious approaches to navigate the evolving advertising landscape and strategies for a cookie-free future.

    The Trade Desk spearheaded the development of UID2, empowering consumers through a privacy-conscious identifier linked to encrypted email addresses. This open-source identity framework has swiftly gained traction among technology providers, advertisers, and publishers reliant on advertising revenue to sustain their businesses and support quality journalism.

    As India’s most prominent digital media conglomerate, Times Internet boasts an extensive network with over 415 million monthly visitors, reaching more than 54 per cent of internet users nationwide. Home to established brands such as TOI (Times of India), Economic Times, and GadgetsNow, Times Internet proudly becomes the first digital partner in India to embrace this innovative identity solution. UID2, which is interoperable with other identity frameworks, prioritises privacy and transparency while enabling advertisers to connect with more relevant audiences.

    Times Internet COO Puneet Gupt heralds a new era for India’s digital media landscape as the company takes a bold step forward by adopting Unified ID 2.0. In alignment with the industry’s data-driven evolution, this innovative identity framework not only empowers advertisers with precise targeting capabilities but also underscores Times Internet’s commitment to delivering premium content that readers trust. Unified ID 2.0 enhances the user experience, offering more relevant advertising while ensuring consumers enjoy heightened protection and control in the ever-changing digital advertising landscape.”

    The Trade Desk general manager of inventory partnerships Bihao Pan emphasised the significance of Unified ID 2.0 in the evolving advertising landscape, stating, “The deprecation of third-party cookies necessitates publishers adopting independent, privacy-centric solutions like Unified ID 2.0. As we progress towards a cookie-free future, Unified ID 2.0 offers an upgrade to current industry standards, resulting in a more personalised advertising experience for consumers. It also helps publishers address advertisers’ requirements for enhanced targeting and better measurement across various digital platforms. We’re proud to support Times Internet in their pioneering efforts for media in India.”

  • Kognoz and Giift partner to pioneer the future of work with IMMERSE

    Kognoz and Giift partner to pioneer the future of work with IMMERSE

    Mumbai: Kognoz, a technology-driven people consulting company, has announced a strategic partnership with Giift, a global leader in loyalty and rewards technology. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the realm of workplace dynamics, introducing a revolutionary platform named “IMMERSE” designed to address the challenges posed by the hybrid model of work.

    IMMERSE is a cutting-edge employee engagement approach that prioritizes self-determination and fosters an environment of immersion – specifically, immersion in purpose and well-being. In an era where remote and hybrid work models have become the norm, it aims to redefine the employee experience by providing a unique and tailored solution for immersive engagement.

    The partnership between Kognoz and Giift aims to leverage their respective strengths to create a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking to overcome the challenges of employee engagement in the evolving landscape of work. With the hybrid model presenting unprecedented hurdles in fostering a connected and engaged workforce, IMMERSE emerges as the solution to bridge the gap.

    Kognoz, known for its technology-driven people consulting expertise, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. The company’s innovative approach to human capital development aligns seamlessly with Giift leadership in employee engagement solutions. Together, they aim to create a holistic platform that addresses the dynamic needs of modern workplaces.

    Talking about the partnership, Kognoz co-founder and director Lokesh Nigam said, “We are thrilled to partner with Giift on this groundbreaking initiative “IMMERSE is not just a platform; it’s a paradigm shift in how we perceive and approach employee engagement. In collaboration with Giift, we are excited to bring forth a solution that goes beyond the conventional, offering an immersive experience that caters to the unique needs of the hybrid workforce”.

    Giift, recognised for its loyalty management solutions around the globe, adds its extensive insights and technology prowess to the partnership. The collaboration envisions empowering organizations to build a culture of sustained engagement, promoting employee well-being, and enhancing overall productivity.

    Giift co-founder, CPO & CMO Manoj Agarwal said “We are looking forward to this strategic partnership with Kognoz as IMMERSE aligns perfectly with our mission to create meaningful and memorable experiences for employees, regardless of their work location. Together, we aim to redefine the employee engagement landscape and set new benchmarks in fostering a connected and motivated workforce”.

    The partnership between Kognoz and Giift is poised to usher in a new era of employee engagement, providing organizations with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in the hybrid work environment. Immerse is set to be a game-changer, offering a unique blend of technology, human-centric design, and a forward-thinking approach to employee well-being.

  • Kore.ai secures $150 million investment to drive AI-powered for global brands

    Kore.ai secures $150 million investment to drive AI-powered for global brands

    Mumbai: Kore.ai, one of the leaders of enterprise conversational and generative AI platform technology announced $ 150 million in funding. The strategic growth investment was led by FTV Capital, a sector-focused growth equity investor with a successful more than 25 year track record investing across enterprise technology, along with participation from NVIDIA and existing investors such as Vistara Growth, Sweetwater PE, NextEquity, Nicola and Beedie. The new funding will accelerate Kore.ai’s market expansion and continuous innovation in AI to deliver tangible business and human value at scale.

    Poised to seize market momentum around putting AI to work

    The AI market has seen rapid growth and disruption driven by advancements in technology and shifting user expectations. Gartner estimates the conversational AI market to reach $ 377 billion in revenue by 2032, up from $66 billion in 2023. This reflects an exponential demand for enhanced customer experiences, streamlined business operations and innovative GenAI applications addressing specific business tasks.

    Kore.ai provides an enterprise grade no-code platform to help companies of all sizes power business interactions with AI safely and responsibly while driving significant revenue and cost savings. From conversational virtual assistants to generative AI (Gen AI) applications, Kore.ai’s differentiated platform offers purpose-built workflows, highly configurable tools and a flexible, open architecture that are recognized as the leading approach by customers and analysts. This gives teams the ability to craft custom solutions or deploy pre-built, domain-trained virtual assistants across multiple industries such as banking, healthcare and retail and across a variety of functional roles such as IT, HR and others, to accelerate time-to-value.

    Kore.ai founder and CEO Raj Koneru said, “We have been working with advanced AI for a decade now – our deep technology expertise and market understanding put us in a prime position to take advantage of the momentum and to do AI right in order to meet growing customer needs. Sitting above the infrastructure layer and LLM chaos, our open approach grants businesses freedom of choice with built-in guardrails for effective AI implementation. As we look to enhance our Gen AI-powered innovations and drive wider adoption across a variety of market segments, we are pleased to have the backing of FTV Capital, a firm that has significant experience in our space and invaluable connections across the enterprise to augment our exciting growth trajectory.”

    FTV Capital partner Kapil Venkatachalam said, “We’ve spent significant time examining the landscape and evaluating advanced-AI platforms, and Kore.ai clearly stood out with its proven enterprise-grade platform capabilities, visionary leadership, strong R&D focus, established global customer base and clear path to profitability. We’re excited to partner with such an experienced and high-calibre team that consistently delivers world-class innovations, and we look forward to leveraging our deep knowledge and network to catalyse Kore.ai’s success.”

    Market understanding and expertise across diverse use cases

    Today, several Fortune 2000 companies across a variety of industry verticals leverage Kore.ai to enhance their customer, employee and contact centre agent experiences and drive measurable ROI. Customers include leading financial institutions, such as PNC Bank and large global banks, as well as major brands such as AT&T, Cigna, Coca-Cola, Airbus and Roche.

    Over the past several years Kore.ai has consistently demonstrated triple-digit year-over-year growth in revenues. The company automates 450 million interactions a day for about 200 million consumers and two million enterprise users worldwide. In addition to domestic growth, Kore.ai’s growth has been fuelled by rising demand from emerging markets in Asia Pacific, Europe, LatAm and the Middle East. As a result, Kore.ai has added new global 2000 enterprise customers across major verticals. 

  • Acer launches its first AI ready laptop Swift Go 14

    Acer launches its first AI ready laptop Swift Go 14

    Mumbai: Acer 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 Co-pilot in Windows, Acer PurifiedVoice™ 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 colour 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 customise 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 personalise 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 Co-pilot 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.

    At the launch, Acer India chief business officer Sudhir Goel 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 per cent 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. Emphasising user customisation, it includes the Intel Killer Prioritisation 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.

    Price and Availability –

    The all-new Swift Go 14 is priced at Rs 84,999 and is now available exclusively on Flipkart.

  • The Integration of smart farming technologies for a greener and smarter agricultural landscape

    The Integration of smart farming technologies for a greener and smarter agricultural landscape

    Mumbai: From ancient practices relying on man and animal power to the modern era, where technology has become an indispensable ally in our quest for sustainable, efficient farming, our agricultural practices have covered a long journey. This progression, often termed the “AgTech Revolution”, represents a pivotal shift towards more innovative, greener agricultural practices driven by the integration of cutting-edge technologies into traditional farming methods.

    The story of agricultural innovation spans centuries, marked by distinct eras delineated by the predominant technologies of their time. The traditional agricultural method relied on manual labour and rudimentary tools, giving way to the mechanisation of farming processes till recent times. While this brought about improvements in productivity, it also introduced new challenges, such as environmental degradation and resource inefficiency.

    The 20 century witnessed the emergence of a new agricultural era characterised by the integration of computational and electronic technologies. This era saw the birth of precision agriculture, leveraging robotics, programmed machinery, and advanced techniques to optimize farming practices while mitigating environmental impacts. Coming to the present, we are witnessing the dawn of a new agricultural era, where technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing are reshaping the agricultural landscape as we know it.

    The Rise of Smart Farming

    At the heart of this agricultural revolution lies the concept of smart farming, a paradigm shift towards precision agriculture empowered by modern technologies. Smart farming leverages many tools and techniques, including IoT devices, GPS, sensors, robotics, drones, and data analytics, to revolutionize agricultural operations.

    Precision agriculture, enabled by IoT technologies, heralds a new era of data-driven decision-making in farming. Sensors embedded in fields monitor parameters such as soil moisture, climate factors, and crop health in real-time, allowing farmers to make timely interventions and optimize resource usage. This real-time monitoring extends beyond the confines of the farm, enabling remote monitoring and management of agricultural activities from anywhere with an internet connection.

    In the face of escalating climate challenges, smart agriculture provides a new hope, offering innovative solutions to enhance farm resilience and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) leverages IoT technologies to monitor and adapt to changing environmental conditions, ensuring sustainable food production while safeguarding the planet for future generations.

    Big data analytics and AI algorithms are pivotal in harnessing the wealth of data generated by smart farming systems. These technologies provide invaluable insights into crop performance, soil health, and resource utilization, enabling farmers to optimize inputs, improve yields, and reduce environmental impact.

    The Promise of Smart Agriculture

    The promise of smart agriculture lies in its ability to enhance productivity and efficiency and its potential to promote environmental sustainability and food security. By harnessing the power of IoT, big data, and AI, smart farming offers a holistic approach to agricultural management that is both technologically advanced and ecologically responsible.

    As we stand at the precipice of a new agricultural era, integrating smart farming technologies offers a glimpse into a greener, smarter future for agriculture. By embracing innovation and harnessing the power of technology, we can pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient agricultural landscape that meets the needs of both present and future generations.

    The AgTech Revolution represents a transformative shift in agricultural practices driven by the seamless integration of smart farming technologies. From precision agriculture and IoT-enabled monitoring to climate-smart solutions and AI-driven insights, these technologies are crucial to unlocking a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient agricultural future. As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world, the promise of smart agriculture offers hope for a greener, smarter tomorrow.

    ( The author of the article is managing director of the Best Agrolife Ltd)

  • ACT Karya together to transform tech landscape for livelihood opportunities to rural communities

    ACT Karya together to transform tech landscape for livelihood opportunities to rural communities

    Mumbai: ACT, an Indian venture philanthropy organisation has announced its support to Karya, a startup that leverages technology as a means to provide livelihood and up-skilling opportunities to disadvantaged communities. The Rs 4 Cr grant aims to support Karya in its vision to bring 100 million people out of poverty by building ethical data collection methods that fairly compensate its workers, most of whom are primarily from rural India.

    ACT director Aakanksha Gulati said, “Karya’s strong tech DNA has allowed them to show exponential growth over the last two years in generating high quality Indian-language data sets to train Large Language Models (LLMs) for a variety of AI use cases. At the same time, this DNA is also deeply rooted in the mission of uplifting India’s most vulnerable out of poverty. This potent combination has enabled them to offer workers from underserved communities as much as 20 times the prevailing minimum wage in India. With our first joint grant from ACT For Education and ACT For Women verticals, we’re excited to support Karya in their journey to on board and help accelerate national as well as international demand for their data work and generate insights on the impact of this model on capacity building and income generation for individuals across rural India, with an emphasis on gender-specific nuances.”

    As per UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index, ‘200 million people in India live in poverty. However, with the massive growth of AI across businesses, there is a huge demand for data to train AI/ML models. Karya is leveraging this opportunity by providing simplified data work to rural Indians through its micro tasking platform, the Karya App. Their solution democratises digital data work that has the potential to generate up to Rs 1500 in supplementary income for data collectors from underserved communities within a year and accelerate their social mobility. Additionally, through their ‘earn then learn model’, Karya also supports the workers with upskilling opportunities via Karya Learn and career guidance through Karya Grow.

    Karya co-founder Manu Chopra said, “We are thrilled about this partnership with ACT; their investment will enable Karya to dramatically accelerate our work and create even more meaningful impact. As an organisation committed to using technology to bring dignified, digital work opportunities to our communities, we are heartened to be a part of the ACT community and are deeply grateful for their support,” said Since its inception in 2021, Karya has impacted over 32,000 individuals (60 per cent of whom are women), across more than 25 states/UTs, who have received wages totalling Rs 4.5 Cr for the completion of more than 35Mn digital tasks.

     

  • RecFaces to participate in an ‘Unlocking Tomorrow’s Security’ panel discussion

    RecFaces to participate in an ‘Unlocking Tomorrow’s Security’ panel discussion

    Mumbai : RecFaces, an international facial recognition software developer, has
    announced its participation in an upcoming online panel discussion hosted by Security Today Group in India. The event is to be held at 3:30 pm on 31 January, 2024.

    The online panel discussion, titled “Securing Tomorrow: A Deep Dive into Facial Recognition Integration for Business Excellence” is focused to bring together industry experts, thought leaders, and key stakeholders to provide a comprehensive view on the current security challenges.

    This event involves participation of a vibrant panel with representatives from RecFaces along with acclaimed leaders of manufacturing industry.

    RecFaces, known for its facial recognition software products is to contribute valuable insights to the discussion on the integration of facial recognition technology for achieving business excellence in security. The panel will dive into the current security issues being faced by the manufacturing industry in India and opportunities associated with facial recognition.

    Participants will reap invaluable benefits from understanding how facial recognition technology can help enhance decision making to fight challenging security situations for better structure development. Integrators will also get a chance to understand the ease of integration of facial recognition software in their existing video management system.

    RecFaces global marketing partner, APAC & MENA Sukrit said, “Implementation of facial recognition technology at the right level of security is integral to achieve higher business efficiency across sectors. This panel discussion will highlight how Facial Recognition is the perfect biometric solution to achieve overall business excellence,”

    Click here to register for the online discussion, Time – 3:30 PM IST. For more info contact at sales@recfaces.com.

  • Route Mobile Ltd Q3 FY24 results: Revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,024.3

    Route Mobile Ltd Q3 FY24 results: Revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,024.3

    Mumbai: Route Mobile Limited (“Route Mobile”) cloud communication platform service provider to enterprises, over-the-top (“OTT”) players, and mobile network operators has announced its financial results for the third quarter ended on 31 December 2023.

    Highlights for Q3FY24 (YoY) Consolidated Financials –

    Revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,024.3 crore as against Rs 985.7 crore in Q3FY23

    Profit Before Exceptional Items and Tax stands at Rs 116.6 crore as against Rs 103.1 crore in Q3FY23

    Profit after Tax (PAT) reported was at Rs 113.6 crore as against Rs 85.4 crore in Q3FY23.  PAT in Q3 FY24 was boosted by exceptional items amounting to Rs 15 crore, representing the fair value gain, as on 31 December 2023, of the contingent consideration payable towards the acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in M.R Messaging FZE

    EPS stands at Rs 16.89 (basic) and Rs. 16.66 (diluted)

    Q3 FY24 vs. Q2 FY24 (Consolidated)

    Revenue from operations for the quarter ended 31 December 2023, stood at Rs 1,024.3 crore as compared to Rs 1,014.6 crore in Q2 FY24 results.Profit before Exceptional Items and Tax (PBT) stood at Rs 116.6 crore for Q3 FY24 as compared to Rs 103.8 crore in Q2 FY24. The company’s PBT margin stood at 11.4 per cent

    Profit after Tax (PAT) reported at Rs 113.6 crore for Q3 FY24 as against Rs 88.4 crore in Q2 FY24. PAT margin stood at 11.1 per cent. PAT in Q3 FY24 was boosted by exceptional Items amounting to Rs 15.0 crore, representing the fair value gain, as on 31 December, 2023, of the contingent consideration payable towards the acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in M.R Messaging FZE

    Commenting on the results, Route Mobile Limited, managing director & group chief executive officer Rajdipkumar Gupta said, “ I am delighted to share that we have registered our best quarterly revenues during the quarter gone by. It was a slightly muted performance, considering Q3 is historically our best quarter. This is due to the industry headwinds and delays in a couple of our large contracts going live. We have recently onboarded some large customers in Asia and Europe and they should gradually ramp up”. He also said, “We are encouraged by the growing adoption of channels like WhatsApp and RCS, some of our latest contract wins are equivalent to the monthly revenues of these product lines. The evolving messaging landscape is creating exciting opportunities for us to welcome numerous new clients to our omnichannel platform.”

    Talking about the Proximus deal, he added, “We have secured the most important US approval and are in striking distance of the deal closure. A couple of regulatory approvals from the Middle East are awaited anytime soon”.