WUHAN, China, Oct. 22, 2021 — JIMU Intelligent, the global leading intelligent driving solution provider, has successfully raised CNY 200 million in a Series C1 funding round. This round was jointly led by Forebright Capital and SDIC Unity Capital, followed by well-known institutions such as AVIC Pingshan, Founder H Fund, MY Tsinghua Capital, UMC Capital and others.
The capital raised will allow JIMU Intelligent to further increase its R&D investment in intelligent driving, connectivity and autonomous driving in specific scenarios, continue to expand its customer base, and accelerate the mass production of high-level intelligent driving technologies.
In this round of funding, JIMU Intelligent has introduced top-level investment institutions, such as renowned Forebright Capital, SDIC Yangtze backed by State Development & Investment Corp., AVIC Pingshan, a subsidiary of China Aviation Industry Corporation, Founder H Fund, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Founder Securities, MY Tsinghua Capital backed by Tsinghua Strait Research Institute, and UMC Capital, an internationally renowned semiconductor group,etc. These new shareholders will promote the development of JIMU Intelligent with their industrial resources and capital.
Since its founding in 2011, JIMU Intelligent has been committed to becoming an internationally competitive intelligent driving solution provider, providing global OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers with self-developed leading intelligent driving solutions based on multi-sensor fusion and domain controllers. Relying on the industry-leading technology and cost-effective advantages, JIMU’s intelligent driving products have been applied in batches to around 100 models of nearly 30 OEMs globally. Up to now, JIMU Intelligent has won multiple passenger vehicle ADAS projects, supplying 80%+ head bus OEMs and 60%+ head truck OEMs in China, ranking top three in the market share of commercial vehicle L1-L2 solutions among Chinese companies.
Thanks to its rich experience in mass production in the commercial vehicle field, JIMU Intelligent has opened the passenger car market since 2020, and has won a number of L1~L2 new energy passenger car projects. In terms of products, JIMU’s L2+ domain controller will be completed by the end of this year. After this funding, the company will continue to actively expand the passenger car market, trying to enter the supply chains of at least five leading car companies in the next two years, and becoming a mainstream intelligent driving solution provider in the passenger vehicle field.
In addition, JIMU Intelligent is actively exploring overseas markets. It has reached extensive and in-depth cooperation with many international top T1 suppliers, and has taken the lead in exporting intelligent driving solutions to Japan, South Korea and other automotive powerhouses.
At present, the company’s new series funding is progressing smoothly.
Regarding this funding, Cheng Jianwei, founder and CEO of JIMU Intelligent, said: "Thanks to all our investors and customers for their recognition and support. We will actively grab the opportunities of the era of intelligent driving, make every effort to promote more technological breakthroughs and product innovations, and link industry ecosystem partners to create an intelligent driving enterprise with international competitiveness."
BEIJING, Oct. 22, 2021 — Deemed China’s "Mother River" and "the cradle of Chinese civilization," the Yellow River basin has seen remarkable improvements in its ecological environment over the last few years as the Chinese government attaches increasing importance to the conservation of China’s second-longest watercourse.
 
Hailing the Yellow River’s importance as an ecological barrier, an economic zone and a cultural heritage site in China, Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated efforts to promote its ecological protection and high-quality development.
On Wednesday, President Xi inspected the estuary of the Yellow River in the city of Dongying, east China’sShandong Province. He visited a dock at the estuary, an ecological monitoring center and a national-level nature reserve of the Yellow River Delta.
National strategy
"The protection of the Yellow River is critical to the great rejuvenation and sustainable development of the Chinese nation," President Xi said. This explains why China has set the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin as a major national strategy.
Starting from Qinghai Province, the Yellow River runs through nine provinces and autonomous regions before emptying itself into the Bohai Sea in Shandong.
As an "ecological corridor," the Yellow River, linking the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Loess Plateau and plains in northern China with severe water scarcity, plays an important role in improving the ecological environment, combating desertification and providing water supply.
The 5,464-kilometer-long waterway feeds about 12 percent of China’s population, irrigates some 15 percent of the arable land, supports 14 percent of the national GDP, and supplies water to more than 60 cities.
Since the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress, the Chinese president has visited all of the basin’s provinces and autonomous regions, sharing his concerns about China’s "Mother River." In less than a year from August 2019 to June 2020 alone, he inspected the Yellow River basin four times.
What are the challenges?
President Xi pointed out difficulties and problems in protecting the Yellow River during his inspection tours, such as the fragile ecological environment, the severe condition of water resources preservation and the need to improve development quality.
According to Xi, the peace of the Yellow River is significant to the stability of China. Although the river has not seen major dangers for many years, Xi has repeatedly told the nation not to relax its vigilance.
The river’s natural and geological conditions have led to frequent flooding since ancient times. Over the past 2,500 years, the Yellow River has broken its dikes more than 1,500 times and made 26 major changes in its course on the lower reaches.
Still, busy industrial activities along the Yellow River once put it on the map as one of the world’s most polluted rivers about 10 years ago, which also resulted in ecological degradation.
Turning a blueprint into practice
To deal with major challenges facing the Yellow River basin, the central government and the local governments along the river have taken a series of measures, exemplifying how a national strategy is transforming from a blueprint into concrete practice while showing China’s determination to purse high-quality development.
Over the past 70 years, China has carried out four large-scale embankment projects, built water conservancy projects, implemented two phases of flood control projects on the lower reaches of the waterway and completed the standard levee construction. By 2019, the accumulated amount of silt and sand into the Yellow River has been reduced by nearly 30 billion tonnes and the sediment of the downstream river has been reduced by 11.2 billion tonnes.
High-quality development of the Yellow River basin started with adjustment and transformation of old industrial cities on the upper stream, developing modern agriculture in major grain-producing regions as well as exploring ways to help the impoverished residents along the riversides.
The country has also built more than 400 wetland nature reserves and national parks in the basin. The Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve, the one President Xi visited on Wednesday, is one of the examples.
The Reserve spanning about 153,000 hectares, with wetlands making up over 70 percent of its total area, is an important wintering and stopover site for migratory birds, including oriental storks, an endangered bird species.
Earlier in October, China released an outline for the Yellow River Basin’s protection and development through 2030, serving as a guide for policymaking and engineering project planning in the basin to address challenges. The country is also speeding up its legislation to advance ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin.
SYDNEY, Oct. 21, 2021 — FXTRADING.com experienced tremendous growth and development in Q3 2021, amidst challenging market conditions. On track in becoming the most technologically advanced investment broker in Australia and Asia Pacific (APAC) region, here are the key milestones they have achieved last quarter.
Q3 2021: Key Achievements and Milestones
July 2021 – Launched new partnership with CGS-CIMB Securities Singapore Pte Ltd
FXTRADING.com partnered with one of Asia’s leading integrated brokerage firms, CGS-CIMB, to offer clients the best trading environment on the IRESS Platform.
Market participants at FXTRADING.com can now gain access to over 10,000 shares spanning 10 different countries across the US, Europe, and Asia. Moreover, FXDTRADING.com traders can utilize more than 50 analytical charting tools and 59 technical indicators to help them make better trading decisions.
Traders at FXTRADING.com are now equipped with a diversified trading toolkit including Autochartist, Volatility/Correlation reports, News feeds, Webinars and Trading videos.
The custody of client fund at FXTRADING.com was upgraded to HSBC Client Trust Bank and National Australia Bank (NAB). These changes give the clients the benefit of more efficient local banking transfers, as well as enhanced fund security through the world’s largest international bank.
June 2021 – Accepted PayPal and Worldpay as Available Payment Methods
The funding process at FXTRADING.com has become much more effective than ever. With the integration of PayPal and Worldpay, traders now have additional options to deposit and withdraw funds in a highly secure, cost-effective manner across all major regions and popular currencies
In addition, as both Worldpay and PayPal provide more competitive exchange rates than commercial banks, this is a vital advantage for clients.
About FXTRADING.com, a subsidiary of Gleneagle Securities Australia
FXTRADING.com is the trading name of Gleneagle Securities (Aust) Pty Limited (AFSL 337985), privately owned multi-disciplinary financial services house catering to the trading and investing needs of Retail, Institutional, Corporate and High Net Worth clientele. Their investment products and services include Foreign Exchange, CFDs, Futures, Equities, Equity Derivatives, Exchange Traded Options, Initial Placement Offerings (IPOs) and selected Managed Accounts and Funds.
FXTRADING.com offer clients 10,000+ tradeable instruments including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks and Cryptocurrencies. They provide trading access to various platform interfaces (MetaTrader 4, IRESS Viewpoint, Prime FX and API Trading) depending on your trading needs. Their high-performance trading servers are based in Equinix NY4 and are cross connected to multiple liquidity providers to deliver ultra-low latency, reliable execution, and consistently competitive pricing.
FXTRADING.com’s mission is to provide to all customers an exceptional service, high performance trade execution, and extremely competitive spreads with low fees and complete transparency.
New computer-based training program from Gruver and Farley teaches software organizations how to address their own unique challenges instead of copying what others have done
SUN VALLEY, Idaho, Oct. 21, 2021 — Today, Gary Gruver (https://garygruver.com/), author and president of Gruver Consulting, announces the "Engineering the Digital Transformation Training and Certification" (EDT) program. EDT is a digital, self-paced training program for teaching software leaders and practitioners how to guide their own approach to continuous improvement. The goal is to help as many people as possible reduce the barriers to organizational change by making waste and inefficiencies visible.
As part of the new program, Gruver has partnered with Dave Farley, co-author of "Continuous Delivery," to supply trainees with key software design patterns and an understanding of how to avoid common mistakes along the way. This curated, wiki-style content library is based on Farley’s breadth of knowledge and decades of experience.
The EDT training program leverages certain principles from the manufacturing industry that have proven to deliver dramatic results. Instead of creating complex frameworks designed to solve someone else’s problem, which manufacturing organizations eventually realized didn’t work, EDT focuses on creating a systematic approach to continuous improvement. This approach leverages some of what was done in manufacturing but is modified to address the unique characteristics and capabilities of software.
"This is not a complex methodology to be implemented based on what practices worked for another team or organization," said Gruver. "Additionally, to help overcome the resistance to change, we help people learn how to understand and address their own unique challenges instead of telling them what to do. By focusing on providing visibility into inefficiencies, it enables teams to use that insight to align on the improvements they are most passionate about addressing. Then, to ensure success, we help people transition from principles to implementation recommendations based on David’s years of experience."
Organizations can’t replicate exactly what others are doing as transformation journeys aren’t a "one size fits all" approach. "Every company is on a different journey, in a different time and place. Teams need to learn how to do this themselves by analyzing their own unique problems," explained Gruver. "If they’re not their own ideas, they are less likely to embrace new ways of working. People need to be empowered to create improvement plans and take ownership of the process. And, when software practitioners and leaders start on the continuous improvement path, they also need design patterns to avoid common mistakes along the way. It helps them avoid struggles that hamper motivation and progress."
"Gary and I are at the point in our careers where we want to help as many people as possible throughout the transformation process with training we believe helps address unique challenges of the organization," said Dave Farley, founder and director of Continuous Delivery Ltd. "Instead of providing expensive hands-on consulting to a limited number of clients, we realized if we could capture our experiences in computer-based training it would enable us to help a lot more organizations and it would be much cheaper for the clients."
Engineering the Digital Transformation Training Offerings
White Belt There are two online White Belt Certification courses — one for leaders ($250) and one for practitioners ($200). Both versions provide an approach that enables people to quickly align on their specific priorities for driving improvements. The white belt helps participants understand how to take a systematic approach to continuous improvement and identify the best opportunities for improvement. This computer-based training program can easily integrate with learning management systems, and be used across a large organization quickly and efficiently, motivating people to further complete Green and Black Belt Certifications.
One of the biggest challenges with any transformation is getting alignment across the leadership team. Global 2000 companies have used the white belt training with executives to make their issues visible so they can agree on improvement plans. Gruver believes this step is so important to any successful transformation that he is willing to provide a free prototype of the training to any organization that can commit. The requirements are to provide a lead to run the training and make their company-specific issues visible, and get an executive team committed to completing the training. If interested, visit: https://www.engineeringthedigitaltransformation.com/prototype/.
Green Belt Green Belt Certification is designed for leaders and practitioners to be able to apply White Belt training principles in their own organization. After the Green Belt training, people can help their organization eliminate waste and inefficiencies with support from David Farley. This important step helps people to document and share the impact of their improvement project where the development and delivery process is made visible, the biggest sources of waste are identified, and a change to remove said waste is implemented.
Black Belt There are two types of Black Belt Certifications. First, there is a certification that ensures that people proficient in White Belt principles can certify their own Green Belts, enabling companies to be more self-sufficient. Second is to recognize larger and longer continuous improvement projects that can last years instead of months, and are projects that are of interest once the Green Belt Certification is completed.
Quotes/Testimonials
"I completed Gary Gruver’s new Leadership White Belt certification for improving the flow of delivery using the disciplined continuous improvement process he advocates in "Engineering the Digital Transformation," said Bryan Finster, experienced software engineer and value stream architect. "I always learn something from Gary’s pragmatic approaches and this course was no exception. If you’re interested in learning actionable lessons for improving your quality process and removing waste from your development flow, I highly recommend this course. It really should be required for every level of leadership who wants to "do the DevOps".
"I thoroughly enjoyed the White Belt training for "Engineering the Digital Transformation" from Gary and highly recommend people take the training and read his book," said Shaaron Alvares, Senior Manager of Cloud Agile Delivery for a leading CRM company, and former DevOps practices leader at multiple Fortune 500 companies. "The training and certification had the rigor people like me need in order to apply systematic approaches to continuous improvement with metrics that are insightful and actionable. The experience was very different from anything I have done as it provided me with a practical hands-on and outcome-driven approach."
The film making industry is bigger now than ever. It is also now more accessible than ever as independent filmmakers are starting to make their marks on social media and eventually the bigger screens. Camera technology has gotten so good these days that we never really stopped to think; what if a manufacturer like Sony, Canon, or even Arri could make the perfect cinema camera in a package no larger than their current line-up of cinema cameras.
The idea is not that far fetched if you think about it. Cameras are getting more powerful as technology progresses. At the same time, sizes of cameras continue to shrink. Stabilisation technologies are also constantly improving by leaps and bounds. A cinema camera that can do everything including proper stabilisation in a package is a dream.
Source: DJI
That dream is just about realised by DJI though. They released something called the Ronin 4D. No, it is not 4D camera. It is not a 3D camera as well. It is a normal camera. In fact, it packs DJI’s very own ZenMuse X9 Full-Frame camera that shoots at up to 8K resolution into Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW. Of course, the ZenMuse X9 also features DJI’s own DL mount interchangeable lens system.
As mentioned, the DJI Ronin 4D’s ZenMuse X9 camera system is mounted on a gimbal that is built into the cinema camera body as well. While most electronic gimbal system stops at 3-axis, the DJI Ronin 4D adds a fourth Z-axis that eliminates just about any shake you can introduce to your camera. You can run, walk, stumble around with the DJI Ronin 4D and it will look like you are shooting with a dolly. Mind you, you are shooting everything free handed. With the right tools as well, you are the one pulling focus on your, and even controlling the camera angles.
Source: DJI
Focus pulling with cinema cameras can be a pain in different situations. When you change lenses, you need to re-calibrate your focus pulling settings and test it out again and again in a set. Autofocus helps with a lot of the focus pulling problems you might have, but you do not have control over it. On the DJI Ronin 4D, it is as simple as turning a knob that connects to either your DJI Ronin 4D or a remote viewer/controller.
In a lot of times as well, focus pulling is a lot of guess work. Not on the DJI Ronin 4D though. Thanks to LiDAR technology, you can visualise your subject in a 3D space, understand where your subjects are within range, and just pull the focus on your desired object at the right distance every time. You do not need multiple shots of a single take just because you messed up your focus pulling.
Speaking of remote controls, the DJI Ronin 4D employs their drone know how in extending the Full HD feed range on a 7-inch monitor and reduce its latency to the point it is negligible and you can pull focus from anywhere within 6KM of the camera. You can monitor your shoots remotely with your camera moving around you too. If you need to, the remote monitor supports a MicroSD card input for proxy footage recording.
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
Source: DJI
You can record your films in three different types of storage. Out of the three (USB SSD, CFExpress Type-B, DJI PROSSD 1TB) of course DJI’s own native solution might work best. But for those who are already running on one or the other storage solutions, you are in luck. At the same time, there is a 2-channel 24-bit audio mic that is built-in directly into the camera body. It also packs a 3.5mm jack and two XLR ports for audio input and output options. Of course, it is all powered by a DJI proprietary TB50 battery that is supposed to last up to 2.5 hours in continuous shoot time.
It sounds like a perfect filmmaker’s tool, and it is, in theory. It packs everything that a filmmaker want in a compact cinema camera. It does come with a price though. If you are opting for a 6K version of the DJI Ronin 4D, you will have to fork out US$ 7,199 (MYR 29,965*). You get the main body attached to a ZenMuse X9-6K camera and its gimbal, a LiDAR range finder, main monitor, hand grips, a top handle, and the TB50 battery within a DJI carrying case. For US$ 3,300 (MYR 13,736*) more though, you get a ZenMuse X9-8K, and an extra PROSSD 1TB. The 4D Video Transmitter, the High-Bright Remote Monitor and PROSSD 1TB can be bought separately. More information on the DJI Ronin 4D is available on their website.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.16 on xe.com as of 21/10/2021
Samsung’s Bespoke brand was initially announced earlier this year for customised home appliances that blended in your decor. It looks like Samsung’s Bespoke branding is now making it to its mobile devices. The first to get it? The Galaxy Z Flip3! Yep – Samsung’s compact foldable just got a little bit more interesting with a level of personalization we’ve never seen in Samsung smartphones before.
Source: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition
The Galaxy Z Flip3 is already one of the more interesting devices available in the market right now. In fact, it’s also one with the widest range of colours available at launch. However, Samsung is also looking to make it one of the most personable devices with a selection of 49 possible colour combinations with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition. It also lines up perfectly with the company’s initial push to make the Flip3 a smartphone for self-expression.
Using Samsung’s Bespoke Studio, you will be able to choose from a selection of five available colours for the panels of their Flip3: Blue, Yellow, Pink, White and Black. In addition, you will also be able to choose your frame colour from the available Silver and Black. You will be able to choose colours for your front and back colours independently allowing you to mix and match the colours as you like.
Source: Samsung
Customization and personalization don’t end there. Samsung is also introducing the Samsung Bespoke Upgrade Care. The new care plan allows Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition users to change their smartphone colours to match their style over the course of a year. That said, the plan does not allow you to change your frame colour – for obvious reasons. There is also an additional charge for changing colours.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Edition
In addition to the Flip3, the Galaxy Watch4 is also getting a Bespoke edition. Similar to the Flip3, you will be able to customise your Galaxy Watch4 in more ways than ever before. Using Samsung’s Bespoke Studio, you will be able to choose from multiple watch bodies, watch faces and straps. You will also get access to some unique, limited edition straps that will be exclusively available on the Bespoke Studio.
Availability
The Bespoke Editions of the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Watch4 will be available exclusively via Samsung.com. It will be available in Korea, the US, the UK, Germany, France, Canada and Australia starting October 20th.
BEIJING, Oct. 20, 2021 — A news report by China.org.cn on how science helps karst-based Shuicheng district inChina’sGuizhou province to harness advantages and characteristics in order to reduce poverty and achieve rural vitalization.
 
Shuicheng district locates in Guizhou province’s Liupanshui city. It is a typically karst region and has historically suffered from high levels of poverty. In 2012, the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (WBGCAS) harnessed its humid subtropical climate and fertile soil resources to grow red kiwifruit and develop the local fruit industry. This initiative went on to transform the lives of poor households in the area. In fact, development of the local red kiwifruit industry has helped to drastically reduce poverty rate in Shuicheng, which fell from 28.86 percent in 2014 to 1.15 percent in 2020. The WBGCAS staff provided practical support and conducted professional training for local farmers, which has improved the industrial level of planting, and significantly increased yields and profits.
Shuicheng’s science-driven poverty alleviation model is bolstered by its rural resource transformation, a process that optimized the use of resources and funds and transformed the local farmers into company shareholders. Zhang Rongquan, who works as a senior agronomist of the Management Committee of the Eastern Agricultural Industrial Park in Shuicheng, commented on this achievement: "This rural resource transformation strategy originated in the Miluo Township of Shuicheng. It was first implemented at Miluo’s local red kiwifruit industrial base. The reform strategy was initiated by the local government in an effort to increase the incomes of villagers. This was achieved by making the best use of land resources, helping locals enhance their social capital and creating jobs for the unemployed in rural areas."
Yan Tingyin is one of the many villagers who have benefited from the development of the red kiwifruit industry. He told a china.org.cn reporter, "Our industry has achieved more output with the help of the CAS, and we’re earning more and leading a better life. I hope that when I can finally plant kiwifruit in my hometown, my kids will have a better education and achieve good grades. We need to strengthen our kiwifruit sector. We have all agreed that our kiwifruit industry is lucrative."
China succeeded in eradicating absolute poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in 2020, and the country is now more committed than ever to realizing its rural vitalization agenda. Many people believe that rural industrial development can build a bridge between poverty alleviation and rural vitalization. Zhong Caihong, who works as director of the research team on kiwifruit resources and breeding at the WBGCAS, is one of them. Since 2012, Zhong and her team have been conducting a field study in Shuicheng, which has helped to draw up a plan for developing a sustainable kiwifruit industry. "After much discussion and analysis, our research team soon realized that this area was crying out for experts to come up with a concrete solution [to rural underdevelopment and poverty]. In areas with suitable conditions for kiwifruit cultivation, we helped farmers lay out a plan for the establishment of an agricultural industrial park, and provided detailed training and on-site direction. We have since introduced a new variety of red kiwifruit called Donghong, which has CAS patent coverage," Zhong said.
"We have increased fruit varieties, grown more resilient fruit, and trained a number of farmers and local technicians who mainly came from municipal and county-level agriculture bureaus. A big part of our work is training staff from local enterprises. In recent years, we have established demonstration and pilot zones to train villagers, which has helped realize human resources development," Zhong added.
The introduction of new varieties and provision of training have resulted in positive outcomes. Such achievements were echoed by Chen Meiyan, a researcher from WBGCAS, who commented, "Many people have benefited from the kiwifruit industry. In order to benefit more villagers, we aim to expand planting areas. We now intend to increase our planting altitude by another 300 meters and introduce new fruit varieties. This will allow more locals to benefit [from rural development and vitalization]. Our next step is to help reduce labor production costs by experimenting with some new cultivation models. Our goal is to achieve high-quality growth across the entire industry and bring our industrial benefits to a new level."
However, the path to rural vitalization is not that easy. To combat challenges along the way, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has been continuously providing Shuicheng with scientific and practical assistance. In the phase of development, the WBGCAS plans to enhance locals’ planting skills by rolling out more universal training and building more demonstration sites.
Zhong Caihong believes that it is crucial for villagers to see and benefit from the positive outcomes of these demonstration sites. "Rural vitalization is, in its essence, industrial revitalization. Recent successes show that local prosperity can be achieved through renovating villages and improving rural infrastructure," she said.
"The seed industry is the agricultural lifeline of our country. We, as scientific and technological workers, must first succeed in developing the seed industry. We also need to do a good job of research in the industry to help with the creation and cultivation of new varieties. I also hope to train a large number of young people [in the future]. I am really happy to see that many graduate students have started to work for our kiwifruit industry in recent years. I am very happy to see young people join in and help invigorate the industry,” Zhong smiled as she recalled.
Shuicheng’s science-driven resource transformation model prompts rural development revolution
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2021 — Leading EV and autonomous vehicle cybersecurity provider AUTOCRYPT, announced today that for the second year running, it has been named "Automotive Cybersecurity Company of the Year" in the 2021 AutoTech Breakthrough Awards, making it the only company to have won this title to date. Run by the Tech Breakthrough group, AutoTech Breakthrough is a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global automotive and transportation technology markets today.
AUTOCRYPT is the only automotive cybersecurity provider in the world that offers a complete security package for the entire mobility ecosystem. From securing in-vehicle systems and V2X communications to EV charging and fleet management, AUTOCRYPT provides a custom-built end-to-end solution for each client looking to integrate cybersecurity with functional safety, eliminating the complexity of searching for different providers. With branches and subsidiaries in Asia, North America, and Europe, AUTOCRYPT works closely with its clients based on regional needs.
"We are thrilled to be recognized by AutoTech Breakthrough for this award again this year. This back-to-back recognition is a strong indication that we have done things right, yet also encourages us to continue refining our products and solutions to exceed customer expectations," said Daniel ES Kim, AUTOCRYPT’s Co-Founder and CEO. "With the industry’s most capable R&D professionals holding decades of experience in IT and vehicular cybersecurity prior to our spinoff, we truly understand the challenges of OEMs and infrastructure developers and aim to tackle them at the individual level."
This year’s AutoTech Breakthrough Awards program attracted more than 1,400 nominations from over 15 different countries across the globe, with categories including Connected Car, Electric Vehicles, Engine Tech, Automotive Cybersecurity, Sensor Technology, Traffic Tech, and many more.
"As Plug&Charge (PnC) rolls out for EVs, simply plugging the car into the charging station involves the exchange of payment, driver, and vehicle information, making cybersecurity essential. AUTOCRYPT’s dedication to cybersecurity has allowed it to not only overcome today’s challenges but to shape the future of mobility with all industry partners by breaking through technical and regulatory barriers," said Bryan Vaughn, Managing Director of AutoTech Breakthrough Awards. "Congratulations to AUTOCRYPT, once again this year, for being our choice for ‘Automotive Cybersecurity Company of the Year.’"
Having opened its German office in Munich earlier this year, AUTOCRYPT is now working closely with European OEMs on in-vehicle and V2X security solutions. To find out more about AUTOCRYPT’s comprehensive mobility security solutions, contact global@autocrypt.io.
About AUTOCRYPT
AUTOCRYPT is the leading player in automotive and smart mobility security technologies, paving the way for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and autonomous driving through a multi-layered, holistic approach. Through security solutions for V2X, V2G (including PnC security), in-vehicle security, and fleet management systems, AUTOCRYPT ensures that security is prioritized and optimized before vehicles hit the road.
The Google Pixel series has always been a much-loved series of devices. Google’s decision to move out of the flagship hardware space and into the mid-range segment was met with a lot of glee. Not because it was a funny decision, it was a decision that gave a lot of people access to what Google deems as the standard for their smartphones.
In the four iteration of the Google Pixel smartphone range, Google has always been relying on Qualcomm to supply their processing chips. While Google may not be able to complain much in terms of power, there are a few things that even today’s most powerful System on a Chip cannot solve. Google understands that and wants to solve that with their Pixel series. It starts with the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with what Google calls the Google Tensor System on a Chip (SoC).
We will talk about the Google Tensor chip as more information on it becomes more available, we promise. For now, we do want to focus more on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices. They are what you are here for, correct?
Still, if you must ask, Google Tensor is something that Google had been working on for a few years. It is nothing like the Qualcomm Snapdragons or Samsung Exynos chips that we have seen in other smartphones. It is specifically made for Google, with Google’s input, in solving real world problems that Google sees fit – linguistic programming.
Android 12
Source: Google
Of course, we have to start with Google’s latest and greatest in terms of operating system. We are not going to elaborate too much on Android 12 though because we have covered it before, and you can read all about it here. Google’s Android 12 is very much built for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, and you can tell. Material You on the Pixel 6 devices are meant to look natural and has even more functions than your average Android 12 devices. For security, the Pixel 6 series will pack Google’s own developed Titan M2 chip for best-in-class hardware level security. That also allows google to support the device for up to five years.
New Bigger, Better Camera
Source: Google
One of the biggest improvements on the Google Pixel though is in its camera. Where others have been struggling to find new ways to innovate, Google found a different path. Instead of piling on more Megapixel and more hardware power on the issue of photography, Google uses their know how of machine learning and artificial intelligence to solve the complex problems that comes with photography.
That said, it is not like Google did not improve the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro sensors. They now get a 50-Megapixel sensor that measures in at 1/1.3-inch. Its larger size also means that it can absorb 150% more light than before. Certain things just cannot be solved with software alone, and this is one of them; it simply is just a physics problem. More light also means that the photos you get comes with more detail and better colours.
Where the Pixel 6 stops at a 12-Megapixel Ultrawide camera, the Pixel 6 Pro comes with an additional 48-Megapixel telephoto camera. Both devices shoot videos at 4K 60fps of course. The Pixel 6 Pro sports an 11.1-Megapixel front camera that is also capable of shooting videos at 4K 30fps though.
Again, Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s camera improvements are more than just a hardware update. Thanks to Tensor, the camera on the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is in a class of its own. One of the updates comes in the form of an improved Super Res Zoom that allows you to get up to a 20x zoom photo with little loss to detail, even if it is captured by using a 4x zoom lens.
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: Google
Then there is Magic Eraser. It is exactly what it sounds like, an eraser for your photos, and it is magic. You no longer need to go to a single site, take a lot of photos, load those photos on to Adobe Photoshop and combine them to create a photo with no human subjects, or to erase a certain object in the photo. Instead, you simply take a photo with your Google Pixel, tap on the subjects you do not want in your photo, and voila. The only other device that is known to do that is HUAWEI’s Mate 40 series. This is possible though, thanks to Tensor.
There is also a Motion Mode for more artistic Action Pan and Long Exposure photos, but without the hassle, hardware, or even skill. You simply take a photo of your subject, be it a fast-moving car, bicycle, or even your friend against a busy street or train station. The camera app cleverly understands your environment and subject, and then creates a stylish blurred background to simulate motion which adds an artistic flair to your photos, all without needing any extra gear or time.
The most important improvement in the Google Pixel camera though is in its Real Tone. The improvement in the colour science in smartphones comes a long way. That also means that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro can reproduce much better and more accurate skin tones, especially with coloured skins. Thanks to Machine Learning as well, the improvements of recognising various skin tones also spreads to Google Photos.
Language Barrier? Not a Problem
Source: Google
Of course, Google has not forgotten that the smartphone is mainly a communication tool. The smartphone started its life as a regular mobile phone device that is used to make calls remotely and untethered. It was a revolutionary tool that brough people closer together, without being physically close. The next step is to bridge the gap between people of different cultures and languages.
The Google Pixel 6 series’s Live Translate now encompasses everything within the smartphone. It now allows you to text in different languages without even knowing the language. For example, you could type your message on your chat apps like WhatsApp in English and have it translated to Japanese, or Italian, or French, or even German. You do not even need to jump between Google Translate app and your messaging app just to figure out the right word. All of this is done on-site too, so you are not even relying on your network data, nothing leaves your device in all these processing.
In situations where conversing with someone is key and is of the essence, the Pixel 6 series is really your best friend. The device has something called an interpreter mode and you just need to activate Google’s Assistant and say, “Be my interpreter”. It allows you to converse in up to 48 languages without knowing the language. The next time you travel, you know what to do.
Its speech recognition goes beyond that though. The Google Pixel 6 device now understands that when you say ‘send’, or ‘clear’, or ‘accept’, or ‘decline’, you are referring to commands rather than words. In that sense, you do not have to say, “Hey Google,” whenever you want to pick up your smartphone. Your message does not have to say, “Hey, shall we arrange for a night out? Clear,” or “Are you coming home for dinner? Send”. You can even ‘stop’ and ‘snooze’ your alarms without even touching your device.
Annoying Answering Machine? Not a Problem Too, just Direct My Call
Source: Google
Google’s transcribing algorithm is also now implemented throughout the Pixel 6 device. They call it Direct My Call and that allows you to make calls to businesses and not feel the pain of interacting with the answering machine the regular way. Instead, Google Assistant now transcribes your call and displays your options in real-time on your screen for you to see. You can even select your next steps on your screen instead of pressing a number on your keypad.
Nothing is more annoying than having to wait endlessly for your call to get through when you need to speak to a representative though. That is when Wait Times and Direct My Call cleverly tells you the expected waiting time for when you make calls at each hour. Wait Times also allows you to see that particular data for the rest of the week, just so that you can plan your time better when you need to make the calls to the business line. The only downside is that all these technologies is only available in the United States (U.S.) and in English for now.
Prices and Availability
The new Google Pixel 6 series starts its pre-orders today in the U.S. and wills start at US$ 599 (MYR 2,490*). The Pixel 6 Pro will set you back US$ 899 (MYR 3,737*) but it will come with an extra camera sensor, a larger display, bigger RAM, and more storage. Google is expecting the first devices to hit the shelves in the U.S. on the 28th of October 2021.
You can also get the Google Pixel 6 with Pixel Pass. For US$ 45 (MYR 187*) a month, you get a Google Pixel 6 and subscriptions to Google One, YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, and Google Play Pass and Preferred Care. The Pixel 6 Pro will set you back US$55 (MYR 229*) a month. Again, there are no confirmation on whether the Google Pixel 6 series will ever make it to Malaysia. We are hopeful though, but not entirely optimistic about its official Malaysian presence.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.16 on xe.com as of 20/10/2021
DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 20, 2021 — Today, the 7th Ultra-Broadband Forum (UBBF2021) is opened in Dubai. In the agenda of the first day, Bill Wang, Vice President of Huawei’s Optical Product Line, delivered a keynote speech. He pointed out that in addition to benefits in energy saving and rate improvement, all-optical target networks also accelerate the digital transformation of various industries, bring premium service experience, and generate higher business values.
Bill Wang, Vice President of Huawei Optical Product Line, delivering a keynote speech
Global operators continuously increase investment in optical fibers, improve broadband quality, and develop services such as FTTR and OTN premium private lines to increase the revenue from fixed networks. As a fundamental element of green and smart cities, all-optical target networks have gradually become an industry consensus.
However, in the process of building all-optical target networks for smart cities, operators still face difficulties such as high costs, slow service provisioning, and difficult management in FTTH ODN construction. In addition, device deployment, network evolution, and new service development also represent pressing concerns.
Bill Wang, Vice President of Huawei’s Optical Product Line, said: “To solve these problems, Huawei has released the DQ ODN and Edge OTN series products. These products have been designed to help operators quickly build all-optical target networks that are visible and manageable from end to end, greatly reduce operator O&M costs, and provide a high-speed entrance to the digital world for various industries and households. They can help operators expand the enterprise market, improve home broadband experience, reduce costs, and increase revenue.
DQ ODN is a solution that implements plug-and-play, scanning for resource visualization, and one-click O&M through pre-connection, intelligent image recognition, and optical iris technologies. With this solution, operators can quickly build an all-optical target network that is visible and manageable from end to end. Specifically, the solution has the following features:
The pre-connection technology with low insertion loss is used to adapt to multiple outdoor and indoor network solutions. It supports all-scenario network construction without splicing, greatly reducing the ODN construction difficulty, improving the construction efficiency by 70%, reducing the TTM by 30%, and reducing the TCO by 15%.
Intelligent image recognition and the industry’s first optical iris technology are used to automatically identify key feature changes of optical signals after they pass through ODN links, and perform big data modeling and analysis on the network management platform. In this way, the ODN link topology and resources can be accurately managed in a visualized manner, and the long-term resource accuracy can reach 100%. In addition, this solution can work with Huawei’s service provisioning and fault locating platform to implement fast service provisioning and accurate fault locating, greatly reducing O&M costs for operators.
Edge OTN is a full-scenario and full-service integrated bearer platform. It supports indoor and outdoor cabinets and OLT/BBU co-cabinet deployment, adapts to installation in all cabinets, and meets the requirements of high-speed energy-saving transmission at integrated access sites.
Blade-OXC based on LCoS optical switching enhancement supports one slot for one optical direction, reducing space usage by 75%. The products are compact and flexible, and can be deployed in various scenarios.
Thanks to the silicon photonics technology, the size and power consumption are reduced by more than 60%. In addition, the capacity is increased by five times.
The Liquid OTN technology is used to support OSU slicing, 2M to 100G service access, on-demand hitless bandwidth adjustment, and ultra-low latency, providing premium connections for various industries.
Highly integrated edge OTN devices can be easily co-sited with OLTs, extending premium optical connections to each organization. Large enterprises can use the OTN P2P private line solution to achieve premium E2E connections. For a large number of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Huawei launches the innovative OTN P2MP solution to help them quickly improve connection quality. The solution also helps operators expand the private line market space.
In his speech, Bill Wang also said that all-optical networks can be further applied to industries to promote digital transformation and build a secure, efficient, and experience-guaranteed all-optical base for smart cities. Optical fibers can be extended to factories and machines. All-optical networks can provide premium connections with anti-interference, high bandwidth, and low latency. When used in hospitals, optical networks can ensure massive data transmission to support telemedicine.
Finally, Bill Wang said that all-optical networks are the main contributor to the growth of home broadband and enterprise service revenue. All-optical networks will further enrich our life and work and promote digital transformation. Ubiquitous optical connections will bring infinite possibilities.
