Author: Techtime

Lethal AI: Rafael unveiled Deep-Learning Target Recognition

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Photo above: SPICE-250 under the wings of F-16

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced that it has successfully tested and demonstrated a new Automatic Target Recognition capability for its SPICE-250 air-to-surface munition. The newly-unveiled ATR feature is a technological breakthrough, enabling SPICE-250 to learn the specific target characteristics ahead of the strike, using advanced AI and deep-learning technologies.

During flight, the pilot selects the target type to be attacked and allocates a target to each weapon. The weapons are launched towards the vicinity of the targets, using their INS for initial navigation. When approaching the target area, the weapons use the ATR mode for detection and recognition of the targets. Each weapon homes-in on the pre-defined target, either autonomously or with a human-in-the-loop, aided by the ATR algorithm.

SPICE (250, 1000, 2000) is a family of autonomous, air-to-ground weapon systems that attack targets with pinpoint accuracy without depending on GPS navigation in GPS-denied environments. It has a standoff range of 100 kilometers, and can be equipped with either general purpose or penetration 75kg class warhead. SPICE-250 uses a common aircraft interface and Smart Quad Rack (SQR) which simplifies the effort needed for aircraft integration. Four SPICE-250 weapons are carried on each SQR. SPICE is combat-proven with the Israeli Air Force and in operational service with a number of international customers.

Elbit Announced Deep Learning Photography Pod

AI is gradually become a reality in the modern battlefield. This week, Elbit Systems  launched its CONDOR MS, a new Long Range Oblique Photography (LOROP) system that introduces Multi-Spectral (MS) sensing capability and Artificial Intelligence (AI) analytics to stand-off strategic intelligence gathering missions. CONDOR MS integrates three high resolution Electro Optic (EO) sensors into the Company’s certified and widely operational CONDOR2 system: Visible & Near Infra-Red (VNIR), Medium-Wave Infrared (MWIR), and Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR).

Elbit said in a press release that this unique combination extends coverage area in day, night and adverse weather conditions. Deep learning algorithms and precise geo-location enable the CONDOR MS to identify a large number of targets at extremely high rates.The CONDOR family of systems is integrated onboard a variety of platforms. Among them the F-16 A/B/C/D/I, F-4, SU-30 as well as B-737.

 

TDK Honored Digi-Key with European Distribution Award

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TDK has recognized Digi-Key Electronics Europe with their European Distribution Award 2018 in Gold in the high-service distribution category during the annual TDK European Award Dinner. This was Digi-Key’s fifth consecutive award from TDK. The awards are based on TDK’s annual Senten Manten distributor performance evaluation program. The Japanese term, Senten Manten, stands for the perfect result, with a maximum of 1,000 points available.

Distributors are assessed on performance and collaboration with TDK in four categories: business performance, inventory management, contractual terms, and operational excellence. “We’re honored to receive this award as it is very well reflected in our daily activities,” said Hermann Reiter, Director, Global Strategic Business Development & Supplier Management at Digi-Key. “The Distributor Partner Award evaluates up to 1000 performance points. It means that a thousand things done right – every day”.

“Digi-Key is one of our largest distribution partners, and this award is a reflection of their extreme hard work in achieving the highest score to date in our performance assessment,” said Ludger Trockel, President and Managing Director of TDK Europe GmbH. TDK’s broad portfolio of products is available for immediate shipment globally from Digi-Key.

TDK Products in Digi-Key's Website
TDK Products in Digi-Key’s Website

TDK Corporation is a leading electronics company based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. Its portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors, power supplies and energy devices.

Digi-Key Electronics, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., USA, is an authorized global, full-service distributor of electronic components, offering more than 6.8 million products, with over 1.4 million in stock and available for immediate shipment, from over 750 quality name-brand manufacturers. Digi-Key also offers a wide variety of online resources such as EDA and design tools, datasheets, reference designs, instructional articles and videos, multimedia libraries, and much more. Technical support is available 24/7 via email, phone and webchat.

For more information, visit www.digikey.com

Ford Motor Company Opened a Research Center in Tel Aviv

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Ford Motor Company has today opened its Ford Research Center, Israel in the heart of Tel Aviv’s burgeoning technology community. The new center will serve as a research hub augmenting Ford’s global Research and Advanced Engineering team. It will also support Ford’s automotive and mobility businesses by identifying technologies and start-up companies in the fields of connectivity, sensors, automated-systems research, in-vehicle monitoring, and cyber security.

The Center, opened by Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company (photo above), will play a significant role as Ford pursues its vision to become the world’s most trusted company, designing smart vehicles for a smart world. The center will include a vehicle lab to support proof of concept efforts and AI work.

“We recognize the importance of being in one of the world’s leading innovation communities and ecosystems,” said Bill Ford.  “This new center is not only an expansion of our existing Research and Innovation centers but provides an opportunity to join a growing innovation community in Israel.”

The research center will operate closely with Ford’s subsidiary, SAIPS, led by Udy Danino, founder and CEO, who has also been appointed as Israel Technical Director for the new center. SAIPS is an Israeli leading computer vision and machine learning company, acquired by Ford nearly three years ago.

Ford has had a presence in Israel for nearly a decade. In 2015, Ford it was among the first major automakers to host a developer challenge in Israel. The Ford Research Center in  Tel Aviv joins Ford’s global network of research centers, including Aachen, Germany,  Nanjing, China and Dearborn, USA.

Newsight and ZKW develop Vehicle Lightning based on CMOS Imager

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ZKW Group from Wieselburg, Austria, is entering a new era of smart lightning solutions for the future car and the autonomous driving, and is looking for new ideas and technology. This week it announced a a collaboration agreement with Newsight Imaging from Ness Ziona, near Tel Aviv, a provider of advanced CMOS image sensor chips for machine vision. The future product’s traits are kept secret, but the companies said they will jointly develop innovative safety and driver monitoring systems that ZKW will offer its customers, leading OEMs in the automotive market.

“The collaboration with Newsight Imaging in the field of advanced, customizable CMOS image sensor technology enables us to increase road safety through smart lighting,” said Ralf Klädtke, CTO of ZKW Group. The Automotive industry is under a profound re-shape process, and this includes also lightning solutions. The once simple halogen headlight, the Automotive lightning has evolved into a high-tech product.

New World of Smart Lightning

Laser lights, LEDs, and other technologies are facilitating innovative applications like glare-free high beams. ZKW is making its way into miniature lasers, Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS), organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and specialized LED configurations. ZKW is a premium supplier of brands like BMW, Volvo, Mercedes, Audi, Ford and Volkswagen. With roughly 10,000 employees, it generated in 2018 total revenues of over 1.34-billion euros.

Newsight Imaging brings to the collaboration a new kind of CMOS Imager. Its NSI3000 chip (photo above) is a CMOS sensor produced in TowerJazz that was designed for Machine Vision applications. It is composed of 8 rows of 2048 pixels each, of which 4 rows are of 4µm x 8µm pixels and 4 rows are of 4µm x 4µm pixels. Binning the large pixels provide Ultra-high sensitivity while using the small pixels provide a fine signal with effective resolution of 8192 pixels with low power dissipation and compact size.

It provides direct pixel control by programming, frame rate up to 40,000 fps and Multiple Readout modes. These days the company is developing an innovative sensor based on the field-proven patented eTOF technology (Enhanced Time-of-Flight) for the acquisition of depth points. “Given ZKW’s advanced systems technology and market footprint, we believe that this is a major milestone for Newsight,” said Eli Assoolin, CEO and Co-founder of Newsight Imaging.

Innoviz: $170M Funding Round for Solid-State LiDAR

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Innoviz Technologies, from Rosh Ha’ayin, Israel, has closed its Series C funding round with $170 Million secured. This is a much bigger round compare to the company’s expectation of $132M (March 2019). Innoviz provides solid-state LiDAR sensors and perception software to enable mass-production of autonomous vehicles, and had been chosen by BMW to supply the LiDAR sensors of its future autonomous car. The brings Innoviz’s total funding to $252 Million.

The announced that the funding will support several key initiatives, including the enhancement of Innoviz’s perception software. This software support the sensors by providing vehicles with a deep understanding of the 3D driving scene, including object detection, classification, segmentation and tracking. In addition, Innoviz has secured two computer vision industry experts, Dr. Raja Giryes and Or Shimshi, to serve as strategic collaborators to the software.

Dr. Raja’s experience includes senior academic and research roles and a doctorate in computer science. Or brings significant private sector experience managing teams and serving in advisory roles for computer vision, deep learning, machine learning and AI with Samsung Semiconductors, Intel, Qualcomm and Citi Bank. Innoviz will also accelerate its path to mass production and commercialization.

The company expects that its InnovizOne automotive-grade LiDAR solution to enter series production in 2021 for global automakers. The company’s high-performance, solid-state LiDAR solution InnovizPro is available now, offering better performance as well as mapping and other applications.

NoTraffic Adopted V2X Chipsets from Autotalks

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NoTraffic from Tel Aviv and Palo Alto, California, has decided to adopt Autotalks’ V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) chipset in its traffic management platform. The system is based on a network of plug and play AI sensors connected by V2I communication technologies. The company says that any signalized intersection can be transformed to a smart one in less than one hour. NoTraffic’s platform includes fusing various sensor data (camera, radar, V2X) at intersections working directly with a centralized system in the cloud to enhance traffic flow and road user safety.

“Projects equipping Road Side Units with V2X and cameras allow drivers and autonomous vehicles to get safety messages about dangers at intersections ahead of time as well as to optimizing the flow of traffic,” said Hagai Zyss, CEO of Autotalks from Kfar Netter, near Tel Aviv. Tal Kreisler, CEO of NoTraffic, said that the collaboration with Autotalks will allow to accelerate the deployment of the company’s platform.

“Establishing a communication channel between infrastructure and road users is crucial in order to make the roads safer and more efficient. Our system is already deployed in a number of locations in the US, and we are expanding to additional locations.” Autotalks’ deployment-ready, 2nd generation V2X chipset supports both DSRC based on 802.11p/ITS-G5 standards and C-V2X based on 3GPP release 14 and 15 specifications with embedded V2X cyber-security functionality. The chipset allows customers to easily toggle between DSRC and C-V2X communications.

Vayyar Launched a Single-Chip Automotive Radar

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Vayyar Imaging from Tel Aviv, announced the launch of its first automotive 4D point cloud application on a single radar chip. 4D point cloud transforms radar technology by constructing a real-time, high-resolution 4D visualization of both in-cabin and car exterior environments. Vayyar’s Radar on a Chip (ROC) has 48 transceivers at 76-81GHz which allows over 2,000 virtual channels. The chip also consists of an internal DSP for real-time signal processing.

This new chip is a variation of its basic technology of 3D radar in a chip. Its former chips consisted of  40 Transceivers array (40 Tx/Rx) and a 72 transmitters and 72 receivers array chip, covering the imaging and radar bands from 3GHz-81GHz with  in one chip. The new CMOS SoC from the company is dedicated to Automotive applications. Along with the antenna array, it creates point cloud which displays the dimension, shape, location and movement of people and objects, enabling the classification of the car’s environment.

“Vayyar is the first to close the gap between the robustness of radars and the resolution of LiDAR and optics,” said Ian Podkamien, Director of Automotive Business Development for Vayyar Imaging. “Our real-time, 4D point cloud solution can work in any environmental condition. We believe our sensors will create a shift in the way the automotive industry will use radar in the future.”

Vayyar is already working in cooperation with big industry leaders. Together with Mini-Circuits, it offer microwave transceiver project kits for for students and university programs in electromagnetic theory, RF/microwave engineering, RF systems, and radar technology. Valeo chose Vayyar’s technology for its automotive sensors to enhance infant passenger safety in vehicles, and Faurecia, one of the world’s leading automotive technology companies, has recently chosen Vayyar’s radar sensors for their automotive “Cockpit of the Future.” The two companies will work together to optimize vehicle safety with constant monitoring and automatic alert services.

Vayyar Imaging was established in December 2011 by the chairman and CEO Raviv Melamed with VP Research and Development Miri Ratner and CTO,Naftali Chayat. Melamed previously held the role of VP and GM of the Mobile Wireless Group at Intel Corp. On December 2017, Vayyar have closed a $45 million financing round co-led by Walden Riverwood and ITI. It brought total capital raised by the company to $79 million USD.