Author: Techtime

Smart Shooter reveals ultra-precise fire control system for UAVs

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SMART SHOOTER, a designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of small arms, reveals the SMASH Dragon: an armed drone system incorporating Smart Shooter’s combat-proven SMASH Technology that ensures precise target elimination.

Presented by the company for the first time, SMASH Dragon is an advanced robotic weaponry payload that can be mounted on different drones and other unmanned aerial platforms. It can incorporate various types of assault rifles, sniper rifles, 40mm, and other ammunition with great precision. Extremely lightweight and therefore allowing long mission endurance, SMASH Dragon integrates a unique stabilization concept with the SMASH technology that enables the system to accurately hit static and moving targets while flying.

Featuring SMASH’s proprietary target acquisition and tracking algorithms as well as sophisticated computer vision capabilities, the remotely operated SMASH Dragon Offers the SMASH technology’s fast and precise hit capabilities and other exclusive benefits while engaging targets from the air.

The company stated that the system has successfully completed live firing tests and is currently under advanced stages of development. 

Michal Mor, SMART SHOOTER CEO: “Smart Shooter’s SMASH technology offers precise elimination of threats at ground, air and sea. We are now happy to offer the same precise, combat-proven target engagement technology mounted on an unmanned aerial platform that can be controlled from a distance. When it comes to drones, platform weight is a critical factor as it impacts mission endurance and cost, and we are proud to announce that the extremely lightweight SMASH Dragon meets this criterion”.

One shot – one hit

SMART SHOOTER is a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of small arms. With a rich record in designing unique solutions for the warfighter, SMART SHOOTER technology enhances mission effectiveness through the ability to accurately engage and eliminate ground, aerial, static or moving targets during both day and night operations.

Designed to help military and law enforcement professionals swiftly and accurately neutralize their targets, the company’s combat-proven SMASH Family of Fire Control Systems increase assault rifle lethality while keeping friendly forces safe and reducing collateral damage. With a unique technology that makes it possible for every battlefield element to be connected with every other battlefield element, SMASH creates a micro-tactical network that dramatically enhances real-time situational awareness and ensures that the entire platoon shares a common operational picture.

The company’s experienced team of engineers combine electro-optics, computer vision technologies, real-time embedded software, ergonomics, and system engineering to provide cost-effective and easy-to-use solutions for modern conflicts. 

Fielded and operational, Smart Shooter SMASH family of solutions provides end-users with a “One Shot – One Hit” capability across multiple mission areas, creating a significant advantage for the infantry soldier and ultimately revolutionizing the world of small arms and optics.

SMART SHOOTER’s headquarters are based in Yagur, Israel, and its American subsidiary, Smart Shooter Inc., is located in Virginia. Smart Shooter also has offices in Düsseldorf, Germany, and in Canberra, Australia. 

Memic Announces Adoption of Hominis® Surgical System at Three U.S. Hospitals

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Memic Innovative Surgery Ltd. (Memic), a medical device company dedicated to transforming surgery with its proprietary surgical robotic technology, today announced that HCA Florida Healthcare’s Kendall Regional Medical Center, AdventHealth Celebration and The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial have acquired the Hominis® Surgical System for use in single site, natural orifice laparoscopic-assisted transvaginal benign gynecological procedures including benign hysterectomy. Hominis is the first and only FDA-authorized surgical robot that features miniature humanoid-shaped arms, with shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints that provide human level dexterity and 360-degree articulation.

“It is essential that healthcare systems and clinicians continue to invest in innovative and disruptive technology to offer superior healthcare and optimal outcomes for patients,” said Ricardo E. Estape, MD, a practicing gynecology oncologist at Kendall Regional Medical Center and director of HCA Healthcare’s Institute for Gynecologic Oncology. “Kendall is one of the busiest robotic surgery programs in South Florida, and we are proud to be among the first in the U.S. to offer this novel system, allowing us to perform minimally invasive gynecological procedures using the transvaginal approach, which is known to offer less pain, lower infection rates, faster recovery, and no visible scarring.”

The Hominis System is designed to replicate the motions and capabilities of a surgeon’s arms. Multiple instruments can be introduced to the body through a single portal and the 360-degree articulation offers obstacle avoidance as well as optimal access and working angles. Hominis requires a much smaller footprint and costs significantly less than conventional robotic systems, making it possible for more hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers to acquire the system and offer more patients the benefits of less invasive robotic surgery. Hominis was granted de novo marketing authorization from the FDA in February 2021.

“As a leader in robotic surgery, we are always looking to bring innovative and leading edge technology to our community to enhance efficiency with surgical techniques and highlight our overall commitment to whole person health care. This technology will allow us to perform surgical techniques not feasible today and improve the surgical experience for a wide range of patients,” said Doug Harcombe, CEO at AdventHealth Celebration.

“As one of the region’s most cutting-edge surgical centers, we are excited to be adding new technology and surgical solutions that will benefit our patients,” said Joanne Ruggiero, MSN, MA, NE-BC, interim CEO of Holtz Children’s Hospital/The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial. “We are proud to be among the first in the country to offer this new scarless surgery, and look forward to making an impact in the lives of our South Florida patients.”

“We are proud to partner with these leading healthcare providers to empower surgeons with a better user experience and help them better serve the thousands of women who undergo gynecologic surgery each year,” said Dvir Cohen, co-founder and chief executive officer of Memic. “These sites establish a strong foundation for expanding market adoption of Hominis, including a leading robotic surgery center of excellence, a 450-bed hospital owned by one of the largest U.S. hospital systems, and a 1,550-bed nonprofit teaching hospital affiliated with an acclaimed medical school. With their support, we are expanding our commercial footprint to increase the reach of our proprietary technology and have a positive impact on the Florida region and elsewhere as we work to expand adoption of Hominis worldwide.”

Udelv Unveils Autonomous Cab-Less Transporter, driven by Mobileye

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Udelv, a Silicon Valley venture-backed company, unveiled the Transporter, an autonomous electric delivery vehicle for multi-stop delivery, driven by Mobileye Drive self-driving system. The multi-stop electric delivery vehicle features a self-contained, hot swappable modular cargo pod called the uPod.  It can carry up to 2,000 pounds of goods, make up to 80 stops per cycle at highway speeds, cover ranges between 160 and 300 miles per run and be operated by Udelv’s mobile apps to schedule, deliver, track and retrieve packages.

Founded in California in 2017 by CEO Daniel Laury and CTO Akshat Patel, Udelv successfully accomplished the first-ever autonomous delivery on public roads in 2018. Udelv has since completed over 20,000 deliveries for multiple merchants in California, Arizona and Texas with two prior vehicle generations.

Udelv aims at having 50,000 units of the Transporter, driven by Mobileye, on public roads by 2028, with the first Transporters being commercially deployed in 2023. The company has already garnered more than 1,000 reservations, including from US-based Donlen and Europe-based Planzer and Ziegler Group.  The company was also awarded a prestigious contract from the US Air Force for a pilot program on Edwards Air Force Base in California.

The Transporter is driven by the Mobileye Drive™ self-driving system with a suite of cameras, LiDARs, radars and the fifth generation of EyeQ, Mobileye’s System-on-Chip for automotive applications. To rapidly deploy at scale, the Transporter will integrate Mobileye’s AV maps based on Road Experience Management (REM), a crowdsourced, continuously updated map of the world that digitizes what autonomous vehicles need to navigate.

Renesas Completed the Acquisition of Celeno Communications

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Above: Gilad Rozen, President & CEO of Celeno. Photo: Techtime

Renesas Electronics Corporation has announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Celeno for approximately US$315 million. Headquartered in Israel, Celeno offers a wide range of wireless communication solutions, including advanced Wi-Fi chipsets and software solutions. Among them the industry’s most compact chipset for Wi-Fi 6 and 6E. The deal will significantly enhance the connectivity portfolio of Renesas.

The company explained that Celeno’s technologies, combined with Renesas’ offering of MCU/MPU/SoC processors, wireless ICs, sensors and power management technologies, creates a comprehensive, end-to-end connectivity solutions for IoT, infrastructure, industrial and automotive applications.

Hidetoshi Shibata, President and CEO of Renesas, said: “Building on our recently-expanded connectivity portfolio following the Dialog acquisition, the addition of Celeno provides us with more advanced Wi-Fi connectivity capabilities. Renesas is now strongly positioned to capitalize on the growing opportunities from the massive rise in connectivity and requirements created by increasingly connected world.”

Techtime has learned that the new Celeno-centered design center will develop connectivity solutions for the Automotive industry, including V2X chips. Celeno was established in 2005 by the President & CEO Gilad Rozen. It received US$140 Million investments from high profile bodies such as Cisco, Samsung and major VCs. Its main competitors are Qualcomm, Broadcom and Mediatek. Most of its 170 employees are located in Israel. During 2020 Celeno shipped 15 million chips to costumers, for total sales of US$37 Million.

Innoviz Introduced a New Category of HD LiDAR Sensor

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Tel Aviv-based Innoviz Technologies, announced Innoviz360 – a new HD LiDAR architecture that provides 10 times resolution compared with current automotive LiDAR sensors. Unlike traditional spinner solutions that are performance limited with only up to 128 scanning lines, the new, lightweight, Innoviz360 LiDAR allows multiple scanning software configurations with up to 1280 scanning lines (10x) at a cost-effective price.

Innoviz360’s wide FoV (360 ° x64 ° ) and reduced cost targets the markets of  L4-L5 automotive applications, such as robotaxis, shuttles and trucks, and other applications beyond the automotive space. Innoviz expects samples of its Innoviz 360 HD LiDAR to be available in Q4 2022. “New innovations such as the Innoviz360 running on our open and scalable DRIVE platform can help the industry achieve truly autonomous transportation , ” said Gary Hicok, Senior VP of Engineering at NVIDIA.

Innoviz Co-Founder and CEO, Omer Keilaf, said: “The new architecture breaks through the performance and cost limitations of traditional and standard-resolution 360 spinners”. The new product complements InnovizOne and InnovizTwo, front looking LiDARs that are targeting high level of automation and are optimized for passenger vehicles (L2-L3). Innoviz360 is expected to generate revenues starting in 2023. It adds new total addressable market (TAM) for non-automotive applications of approximately $20B by 2030, in addition to $55B TAM for automotive applications.

 

Cipia’s DMS enters SAIC’s internet car

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Above: Cipia’s DMS software integrated into Roewe RX5 MAX car model running on TI TDA4VM SoC

Cipia, formerly Eyesight Technologies, announced that the Chinese automotive company SAIC Motor is to integrate its driver and interior monitoring system in the Roewe RX5 MAX car model. The purchase order was made through the systems supplier Tier 1 Technomous, Cipia’s partner in the Chinese automotive market.

The RX5 series was launched at 2016 as a joint venture of SAIC and the e-commerce giant AliBaba. Together, they branded the RX5 as “the first internet car in the world”. Cars in this series are equipped with AliBaba’s operating system and top data processing capabilities, designed to improve the performance of navigation, information, entertainment and maintenance applications. The MAX model, considered the premium model in the series, was launched at 2018.

According to research from Continental China and non-profit organization HCVC, 74% of people who survived road traffic accidents attributed the main cause to distracted driving. With the growing number of distractions in cars coupled with an overreliance on semi-autonomous driving features, there is a clear need for technology to mitigate the dangers of distracted driving.

The computer vision and AI technology powering Cipia’s Driver Sense, monitors and analyzes the driver’s behavior by detecting visual attributes such as eyelids, pupils, gaze direction, etc., and translating them to the physiological state of the driver (drowsiness, distraction, talking on the phone, etc.), enabling life-saving warnings and actions.

The Chinese automotive market has been in a steady growth state for the past two decades. In 2020, 25M vehicles were manufactured in China – more than the US and EU combined, and in recent years Chinese automakers started acquiring international auto brands and targeting western markets with international brands. SAIC Motor has been the top-selling automotive manufacturer in China for 15 consecutive years, reaching a sales volume of 5.6 million vehicles across its brands in 2020.

NanoPass painless MEMS microneedle

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NanoPass from Nes-Ziona, Israel, has signed a strategic agreement with the Korean company Micro2Nano (M2N) to develop a mass production infrastructure for the smallest microneedles. NanoPass tiny needles, less than 1 millimeter of length, are manufactured using MEMS (Micro-electromechanical systems) technology.  The companies are being cooperated for several years now in developing the production technology, and the current agreement is part of accelerating NanoPass product trade. Using M2N production infrastructure will allow for the fabrication of million units annually. The complete system is being assembled and produced in Israel by the medical production vendors Elcam Medical (owned by Kibbutz Baram) and TAV Medical Company from Shlomi.

NanoPass developed unique microneedle which enable to inject the medical material – whether it is a vaccine, medicine or aesthetic one – directly into the upper skin layer. This intradermal method has clinical advantages comparing to subcutaneous or intramuscular injections, since the intradermal injection generates better immune response and the substance absorbed faster. Some researches even showed that intradermal injection requires less medical material, but using standard needles for this purpose is a complex process which requires high proficiency.     

The length of NanoPass microneedle is about 0.6 millimeter and it can be mounted onto standard syringe. The microneedle simplifies the intradermal injection process and with a higher precision level. It is made of a silicon crystal and shaped as a hollow pyramid. Producing such structure is feasible only when using MEMS, which is a process technology used to create tiny integrated devices or systems that combine mechanical and electrical components.

Painless shots

Till now, NanoPass performed about 60 clinical tests in the United States, Europe and Israel. These tests were aimed to examine both safety and clinical efficiency of the needle. About 7,500 patients took part in these tests, receiving about 30,000 shots. NanoPass says to Techtime that this needle is the smallest needle ever approved by the FDA. Currently, the company destines the new microneedle to three main applications: Vaccines (to include flu and COVID-19), delicate aesthetic treatments such as mesobotox and Platelet-Rich Plasma 9PRM), allergy diagnosis and tuberculosis tests and vaccines.  

Additional advantage of such highly flattened intradermal injection is that no pain is accompanies to the process, since no nerve cells are being injured. Minimizing pain might be highly significant for diabetes type 1 patients, for example, which need to inject Insulin several times a day, and inoculating children or people with fear of needles (Trypanophobia). Preliminary test performed by the company showed that injecting insulin into the skin speeds up the body response to the material, which may allows the patient to inject near to the meal.