Category Archives: Technology

As an investor, knowledge of the past can help you understand the future. That may sound counterintuitive, but history tends to repeat itself in subtle ways. For instance, innovative technologies have changed the world on dozens of different occasions, acting as catalysts for productivity and economic growth.

In the last century alone, personal computers, the internet, and mobile devices have been inflection points that completely changed the way we live. Looking forward, I think several burgeoning technologies have the same potential, but none more so than artificial intelligence (AI). In fact, research from McKinsey & Co. suggests that AI could boost economic output by $13 trillion by 2030.

Building on that idea, let's look at two companies that are shaping the future of autonomous technology.

Image source: Getty Images

Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA)is a chipmaker that specializes in accelerated computing. Its core product is the graphics processing unit (GPU), a chip that can perform thousands of calculations simultaneously. When Nvidia invented the GPU in 1999, it revolutionized the gaming industry with ultra-realistic computer graphics. But GPUs have since become a gold standard in the data center, where they are used to accelerate intensive workloads like scientific computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.

In fact, Nvidia holds over 90%market share in the supercomputer accelerator industry, and it has consistently set records at the MLPerf benchmarks, a standardized testing event that compares the performance of AI technologies. Most recently, Nvidia set records in the inference trials in September, the part of AI where computers are used to make decisions and predictions.

Beyond industry-leading performance, Nvidia also benefits from a broad portfolio of products. It acquired Mellanox in 2020, adding high-performance networking to its repertoire. The company has diversified into software over time, and it now provides a range of frameworks that help developers build AI applications, such as Merlin for recommender systems, Metropolis for smart cities, and Isaac for autonomous machines.

Not surprisingly, Nvidia has seen strong demand in both its gaming and data center businesses, and that has translated into a strong financial performance over the past three years.

Metric

Q2 2020 (TTM)

Q2 2022 (TTM)

CAGR

Revenue

$10.2 billion

$21.9 billion

45%

Free cash flow

$2.4 billion

$6.7 billion

65%

Data source: YCharts. TTM = trailing-12-months. CAGR = compound annual growth rate.

Looking ahead, Nvidia is well positioned to grow its business. Management puts its data center market opportunity at $100 billion by 2024. Moreover, technologies like self-driving cars, smart cities, and autonomous robots will only become more common in the future, and Nvidia's platform brings those technologies to life.

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is undoubtedly one of the most controversial stocks on the market, but it's also one of the most innovative companies on the planet. In 2008, Tesla produced its first electric vehicle (EV), while the prestigious automakers of Germany laughed at the idea. As it turns out, Tesla saw the writing on the wall before the rest of the industry.

Since then, Tesla has parlayed its first-mover status into a more substantial competitive advantage. In 2017, it launched the 2170 battery cell, the cheapest and most energy-dense cell on the planet, according to CEO Elon Musk.

Why does that matter? Tesla pays far less to build battery packs (the most expensive part of an EV) than other automakers. And the energy density of 2170 cells means that Tesla's four different vehicles -- the Models S, X, Y, and 3 -- are the top four EVs in terms of range.

Not surprisingly, strong demand has helped Tesla maintain its leadership position. Through the first half of 2021, the company captured 15.2% market share, selling 386,100 vehicles. In turn, Tesla has posted impressive financial results over the last two years.

Metric

Q2 2019 (TTM)

Q2 2021 (TTM)

CAGR

Revenue

$24.9 billion

$41.9

30%

Free cash flow

$1.4 billion

$2.6 billion

36%

Data source: YCharts. TTM = trailing-12-months. CAGR = compound annual growth rate.

However, I think Tesla's best days lie ahead. With over 1 million autopilot-enabled vehicles on the road, the company had collected over 3 billion miles of real-world driving data by February 2020, far more than any other automaker. Some estimates even put that figure well over 5 billion miles today.

Then, a few months ago, management debuted the D1 chip, the custom-build semiconductor that will power Tesla's Dojo supercomputer. The D1 chip is custom built for AI, and it will make Dojo the most powerful AI training machinein the world. In summary, Tesla has more data and better technology than its peers.

To that end, Musk said: "About three years from now, we're confident we can make a very compelling $25,000 electric vehicle that's also fully autonomous." He made that statement roughly a year ago, and if taken at face value, Tesla is much closer to producing an autonomous car than any other automaker.

Finally, Tesla recently launched a car insurance product in Texas, where it will rely on its AI-powered "safety score" to determine premium prices. Here again, the company's fleet of connected cars and its prowess in the field of AI have opened a new market opportunity. That's why this company is shaping the future of technology.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the official recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. Were motley! Questioning an investing thesis -- even one of our own -- helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.

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These Stocks Are Shaping the Future of Technology - Motley Fool

?New technologies can radically change IP management practices by eliminating the lack of transparency, reducing enormous costs for services and providing all market participants with an unprecedented level of flexibility.

Theres hardly any area in entrepreneurship today that deals with innovation more than intellectual property rights protection in fact, cutting edge technology and inventions are at the core of the IP industry. However, this doesnt necessarily mean that the real-life practices, processes and management in the industry are as technologically advanced its actually quite the contrary, or, at least, has been until recently.

Following the footsteps of tech and service companies, the IP management market has also been exposed to the global digitization and automation trends. Just like the transportation market was dramatically transformed after the emergence of Uber, new technologies can radically change IP management practices by eliminating the lack of transparency, reducing enormous costs for services and providing all market participants with an unprecedented level of flexibility.

This article will provide an overview of how IP management has changed over the past decades and what it might look like in the future.

Intellectual property management is a relatively young discipline. The role of an IP manager has long been viewed from a risk management angle, since patents were mostly used to secure a companys products or avoid violating other companies intellectual property. Patent professionals were therefore primarily occupied with the invalidation of patents or opposing someone elses patents.

With the subsequent sophistication of the innovation market and globalizing economies, intellectual property rights have become a potentially more valuable asset than extensive manufacturing facilities. Besides, IP rights for an invention or technology are much easier to deliver worldwide than the actual products or technologies.

All these changes created additional work for IP managers since they now have to deal with international law norms and practices, complicated contracts and an increased number of patents.

Today, global companies need to protect their IP rights in multiple geographies with various regulatory practices. So, they normally hire local IP attorneys or agencies to help them apply for patents or trademarks and enforce their rights, if needed.

One might liken these agents to taxi drivers before the Uber era with non-transparent pricing that can vary a lot for the same services provided, mashed-up business processes, and the fact that the customer does not have full access to the IP-related data, so its hard to prevent costly mistakes.

However, the situation is now changing slowly, allowing for a more civilized way of doing business globally not in the least thanks to IT technologies. Even though artificial intelligence cant be listed as an inventor on patents (at least, not in the United States), AI-powered solutions can, for example, speed up and cheapen patent search.

Like in other industries where theres a constant need for qualified professionals, online marketplaces and recruiting platforms are emerging in the IP rights industry. This makes a search for a highly experienced attorney or IP rights manager a much easier task than it used to be. We are also seeing a rise in IP management platforms that enable businesses to better manage their IP assets, processes, tasks and related communications. After all, its only logical that the market dealing with innovation in essence should be innovative itself.

In my view, we will see more and more businesses in the market choosing to commercialize their intellectual property and even making that their primary line of business. In which case, IP assets will increasingly serve as currency in this new knowledge economy and, therefore, add more value to standard business practices.

What is definitely not going to happen is a throwback to old-fashioned methods of IP management. When powered by technology, and with the help of top professionals, it radically transforms the way businesses store, manage, develop and distribute their IP assets. Luckily, we can be both spectators of and participants in this landmark shift.

Image Source: Deposit PhotosAuthor: tashatuvangoImage ID: 64811725

Alex Levkin is Chief Executive Officer of IPNOTE, a streamlined platform for managing and securing intellectual property. Alex aims to make the intellectual property market transparent and technologically advanced for every business. He has been working in the field of intellectual property for more than 10 years. Having witnessed the field firsthand he realized how outdated it is and decided to change it, bringing iPNOTE on the market.

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How Technology is Reshaping the IP Management Industry - IPWatchdog.com

ActivePure Technology is Added to Health and Safety Protocol at Six Malaysian Properties Amid the Pandemic

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / October 22, 2021 / ActivePure, the global leader in active surface and air purification technology, announced today that its disinfection systems are installed in several high-profile locations throughout Malaysia. ActivePure provides an extra layer of protection against the coronavirus, an airborne virus that easily spreads in enclosed spaces.

ActivePure partnered with local distributor Agrow Healthtech Sdn Bhd to install its products, namely the Aerus PureCloud, Induct 2,000, Induct 500 and the Aerus Pure & Clean. Agrow Healthtech is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Agrow Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OCB Berhad, a publicly listed group in the KL Stock Exchange. OCB Berhad is a Malaysia-based investment holding company. The company's segments include building materials, bedding products, consumer foods and others. OCB Berhad's subsidiaries include Dreambed (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Bedco Sistem (M) Sdn. Bhd., Kingkoil Corporation (M) Sdn. Bhd. and Acrowyn (M) Sdn. Bhd. Locations in Malaysia that have installed ActivePure include the following:

The Sunway Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Malaysia with significant operations in property development, construction, retail shopping malls, education facilities, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and IT services, has installed Aerus Pure & Clean powered by ActivePure in twelve of their property sales galleries. Sunway Property is the property arm of Sunway Group, established in 1974, and is now one of Malaysia's top multinational property-construction corporations, with businesses in 50 locations worldwide across 12 industries.

The Toyota Service Centers in Kuala Lumpur have Aerus Pure & Clean powered by ActivePure units in their service centers. Additionally, Aerus Mobile powered by ActivePure is also available for installation in customers' vehicles through Agrow Healthtech, which has partnered with Toyota Service Centers.

SNT Global Logistics, a premier omnichannel fulfillment service provider in Southeast Asia that provides services for both online and offline retail businesses, has installed PureCloud units powered by ActivePure.

The Westports logistics facility in Port Klang, one of the three main ports in the Straits of Malacca, handles gateway and transshipment container cargo. The location is near the main shipping route along the Straits of Malacca. Units powered by ActivePure, include the Aerus Pure & Clean, PureCloud and Induct models, were installed in their Port Operations building.

Em Hub Kota Damansara is a unique e-commerce, retail and logistics hub featuring a drive-up ramp design. The design allows cars and lorries to enter the building, drive up to the designated floor, and load or unload goods before exiting. The building will feature Induct 500 units in all elevators, and all Phase one tenants will receive Pure & Clean powered by ActivePure units.

Amaya Saujana Condominiums, the first private, high-end condo project in Saujana, installed Induct 500 powered by ActivePure units in its residential elevators.

The installation of ActivePure's products has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, especially from the high traffic facilities throughout the country. "We are delighted to see businesses and residences adopt a higher standard of indoor air quality with ActivePure," said Robert Wong, managing director of Agrow Healthtech Sdn Bhd. "We are proud to supply Malaysian businesses with ActivePure products and play a meaningful role in mitigating the spread of harmful surface and airborne pathogens."

Story continues

"Agrow Healthtech and their team in Malaysia have launched a business revitalization program to offer an extra layer of protection to businesses. We are extremely proud to partner with Agrow Healthtech in providing the industry best solutions for air and surface purification with ActivePure," said Anil Agrawal, vice president of international sales and operations of Activepure.

"As ActivePure expands in the international market, we are grateful to have partners like Agrow Healthtech who are committed to providing businesses and customers with the highest level of protection against airborne and surface contaminants," said Joe Urso, chairman and chief executive officer of ActivePure. "Our recent growth in Malaysia is a testament to the country's commitment to mitigating airborne spread and providing peace of mind during COVID and beyond."

ActivePure is a science-driven company that has developed a one-of-a-kind technology that works 24/7 to proactively inactivate pathogens, including mold spores and other bacteria and viruses known to cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs.) ActivePure has received over 130 patents with 70 plus in the United States and 60 plus internationally.

With origins in the U.S. space program, ActivePure's patented technology releases thousands of submicroscopic particles that actively target pathogens in the air and on surfaces, inactivating them on contact and turning them into harmless byproducts.

For more information on ActivePure, go to ActivePure.com or call 1-888-217-4316.

ABOUT ACTIVEPURE:Privately held ActivePure has been the global leader in active, continuous surface and air disinfection systems for healthcare and educational institutions, commercial and public facilities, hospitality and residential applications since 1924. It is the only product in its class recognized by the Space Foundation as Certified Space Technology and included in the Space Foundation Hall of Fame. The ActivePure Medical Guardian is registered and cleared as an FDA Class II Medical Device. ActivePure has origins in U.S. space program research and has since evolved for use in consumer products to reduce exposure to many common pathogens, including RNA and DNA viruses, bacteria and molds, by up to 99.9% in the air and on surfaces. For more information, please visit ActivePure.com, or call 888-217-4316.

MEDIA CONTACTS:Jo Trizila, TrizCom PR on behalf of ActivePure Technologies Email: Jo@TrizCom.comOffice: 972-247-1369Cell/Text: 214-232-0078

Tonie Auer, TrizCom PR on behalf of ActivePure Technologies Email: Tonie@TrizCom.comOffice: 972-247-1369Cell/Text: 817-925-2013

SOURCE: ActivePure Technologies

View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/669351/ActivePure-Technology-Air-and-Surface-Disinfection-Systems-Installed-Throughout-Malaysia

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ActivePure Technology: Air and Surface Disinfection Systems Installed Throughout Malaysia - Yahoo Finance

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Ask a dozen people how they feel about technology and youll get a dozen answers. Some would say its kept them sane and connected throughout the craziness of 2020. Others would insist that without regular digital deprivation, tech wreaks havoc on mental health and social bonding. Regardless, though, tech is here to stay.

The key is figuring out how and where technology belongs in your personal and professional life. But to make that conclusion, youll probably want to get a broader understanding of how tech has changed and is continuing to change thehuman race. And youll find lots of insight from a decidedly offline source: books.

Related: 4 Reasons Every Entrepreneur Should Be Reading More

If youre interested in delving into technologys direction, pick up these noteworthy reads. Theyll give you a contemporary outlook on tech from unique and thoughtful perspectives.

Humans are curious creatures. They cant stop themselves from inventing and innovating. So is it any wonder that a futurist like Eric Pilon-Bignell believes our tenacity is bringing about the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Pilon-Bignell believes that whats happening today with the rise in digitization is causing a tsunami of disruption in every fabric of the culture. As a result, he invites readers to make a deliberate choice: Sit back and watch the waves coming or take the bold step and begin Surfing Rogue Waves.

If youve wondered how to deal with the fast-paced world of tech-focused advancements or are worried about the purpose of AI, this book belongs in your library. Youll enjoy not just a history lesson in how far weve come in such a short time, but a reminder that tomorrow is affected by whats done today. You may never see technology in the same light after seeing digital through Pilon-Bignells lens.

This isnt your average coming of age novel. Instead, its a memoir dedicated to author Brian Paes-Bragas journey to achieve financial freedom by age 30, a journey that nearly devastated him. In 8, he lays out an honest look at why turning an impossible dream possible doesnt always end up the way you planned.

Where does technology fall into the equation? For Paes-Braga, the digital world became both friend and foe. It allowed him to achieve his loftiest goals. And meeting those goals both thrilled and devastated him. Now, hes on a mission to help others learn how to use technology to revive their spirits and set personal missions that offer fulfillment and true satisfaction. Never settle for a future of personal bankruptcy. Check out 8 to boost your resilience.

Related: The 17 Habits of Millionaires Who Started Small and Retired Young

Ex-Morman. Ex-millionaire. Unfilled. When those are the adjectives youd use to describe yourself, you might end up taking chances. Thats exactly what happened for Doug Cartwright as he embarked on a series of adventures and adrenaline-filled journeys to find inner peace. Now a CEO, Cartwright peppers Holy Sh!t Were Alive with the wisdom hes gathered throughout his years of soul-searching.

If youve ever wondered what would happen if you stepped away from the grind, from the devices, from reality, this is your must-read companion. Be prepared to hear about Cartwrights use of mind-altering substances to help him see his former mistakes and avoid living anything but a purposeful life from this point forward. Though you might not want to repeat the choices he discusses in Holy Sh!t Were Alive, youll come away with a new appreciation for a different way of dealing with the expectations and burdens of living in a fast-paced, always-on society.

The Generation Z digital natives are coming of age and theyre leveraging technology in unprecedented ways. From using social media to rally for equity and justice to leveraging the Internet to raise consciousness and hold companies accountable, theyre a powerful cohort.AnneMarie Hayeks groundbreaking work, Generation We, outlines what makes Gen Z such an important force. Not only are they poised to inherit the earth, but theyre trying to save it as well.

As you pour over Hayeks work, youll learn more about Gen Zs vision and capabilities that represent what she calls their hardened realism. Not everyone is comfortable with what Gen Z brings to the international table, especially Millennials, Generation X members, and Baby Boomers who dont understand. After reading Generation We, youll experience a clearer view of the most unlikely generation of social warriors and youll understand why they need you as their ally both online and off.

Related: Stop Selling to Gen Z

Is technology wonderful? Or is it menacing? Nick Shevelyov lays out a passionate take on how technology can be used in myriad ways. Growing up in Russia, he saw technological means used against his father. Yet, he didnt push against technology or eschew all things digital. On the contrary, he embarked on a career in tech-related risk management.

Just when you thought that youd never understand cybersecurity, Cyber War ...and Peace is here to provide enlightenment. Through the work, youll enjoy a walk through historys most enduring battles and find out how they can inform our digital decisions now. Youll also hear how Shevelyov recommends that you begin building digital trust as an ethical entrepreneur.

Have you ever had the sneaking suspicion that your digital marketing efforts are leading to nothing but dead ends? Atul Minocha understands. For more than three decades, hes worked in the marketing field. In Lies, Damned Lies, and Marketing, he walks you through how to make the most of your online marketing dollars. Plus, he helps you finally crack the code and make your money work online.

Minocha pulls back the veil on some of the most misunderstood digital marketing concepts, from social media to creating content. Best of all, youll finally crack the Google code thats been holding you and your company back from seeing honest-to-goodness results. One final note: While Lies, Damned Lies, and Marketing spends a lot of time talking about tech-related marketing, it dives into traditional marketing approaches, too. Therefore, if your organization dabbles in all forms of advertising, youll appreciate this book doubly.

On the heels of his first book, The Private Equity Playbook, author Adam Coffey brings The Exit-Strategy Playbook to life. If you own a business today or plan on owning one soon, youll get a fast education on how to make your dream irresistible to buyers from day one. Youll also hear how Coffey has used a mixture of art and science to grow organizations that fetch millions down the road. One of his secrets involves investing in and keeping up with the latest tech advances to woo bigger and better bids.

Even if youre entirely in love with your business today, you never know when youll want a change of scenery. Having an exit strategy map on hand to inform your moves can help you sell fast and smart. Why lose all the value youve put into your company? Learn the insider details from someone whos bought and sold more than 100 businesses.

Technology is a tool, no doubt about it. But, like any other tool, you need to figure out how to make it useful for your needs. So put down your laptop and grab a great read. Your email can wait.

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These Authors Share the Good, the Bad and the Ugly about Technology's Role in Society - Entrepreneur

GUANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--XPeng Inc. (NYSE: XPEV and HKEX: 9868) today revealed a series of crucial innovations at its annual 1024 Tech Day, including the latest and most sophisticated version of its in-house developed advanced driver assistance system XPILOT 3.5 and XPILOT 4.0, the design of new generation road-capable flying car, major supercharging technology breakthroughs, and robotic innovations, forming the key components of the companys smart mobility ecosystem.

Our exploration of more efficient, safer, carbon-neutral mobility solutions goes far beyond just smart EVs, and is the cornerstone of our long-term competitive advantages, said Mr. He Xiaopeng, Chairman & CEO of XPeng, at the 1024 Tech Day. We strive to implement cutting-edge mobility technologies in mass-production models for the benefit of our customers, Mr. He added.

XPILOT 3.0 achieved outstanding track record since launch

XPILOT has established a leadership position at the cutting edge of smart driver assist technology. Launched in early 2021, Navigation Guided Pilot (NGP) for highways, the core function of XPILOT 3.0, has assisted customers in driving for 11.98 million kilometers, with 60% NGP penetration rate for highway driving mileage in 3Q 2021. The usage data to date demonstrates strong customer adoption and broad recognition of XPILOTs multi-scenario driver assistance.

XPILOT 3.5 driver assistance system capable of handling city driving scenarios

In 1H 2022, XPeng will be rolling out XPILOT 3.5, extending XPILOTs driver assistance system to support Chinas complex driving scenarios in major roads in the city.

Man-machine co-pilot functions will remain critical for the foreseeable future. Our mission is to progressively transition from advanced driver assistance to full autonomous driving, with a clear roadmap to connect all driving scenarios. Our closed-loop data operation, fast software iteration and mass production capability all created in-house put us in pole position to significantly improve safety and resolve the industrys long-tail issues in China, said Dr. Xinzhou Wu, Vice President of Autonomous Driving at XPeng, at the Tech Day event.

XPILOT 3.5 incorporates the industrys first mass-produced quadruple perception fusion solution, with dual-camera-vision coverage, complemented by LiDAR and millimeter-wave radar sensors. Its visual perception network has been upgraded from 2D detection to 3D, with multiple-target recognition, classification and positioning. With the worlds first LiDAR perception system in a mass production model, XPILOT 3.5 will deliver deep information fusion in a 3D drivable space.

Safety is a core priority at XPeng. The Company has rolled out the industrys first fully integrated smart driver assistance safety test, setting clear boundaries for drivers before activating functions. Drivers will receive comprehensive safe driving knowledge education and safety tests through XPengs smart driving score system, in order to fully embrace a safer man-machine co-pilot experience.

XPILOT 4.0 full-scenario advanced point-to-point driver assistance

Planned for roll-out in the first half of 2023, XPILOT 4.0 is designed to deliver full-scenario driver assistance which can support point-to-point driving for customers. XPILOT 4.0 will be built on a comprehensive hardware upgrade, with 508 TOPS ECU computing power supported by two Orin-X autonomous driving SoC (System-on-the-Chip) units, 8-million-pixel front-view binocular camera and 2.9-million-pixel side-view cameras, and a highly integrated and expandable domain controller. The hardware upgrade will again significantly increase XPILOTs perception capability on top of its market-leading multiple-perception fusion platform.

High voltage supercharging technologies to significantly boost charging power and efficiency

The evolving smart mobility ecosystem depends on highly efficient and full-coverage power infrastructure. To deliver this goal, XPeng will introduce Chinas first 800V high-voltage mass-production SiC platform, with new-generation X-Power superchargers able to charge for a range of up to 200 km in just 5 minutes. To maximize the utility of the 800V SiC platform, XPeng will also roll out lightweight 480 kW high-voltage supercharging piles with IP67 protection, and safety monitoring, delivering a superior safe and convenient charging experience for customers. Supporting this supercharging network, XPeng will also launch power storage facilities in both piles and mobile vehicles.

XPeng currently has comprehensive supercharging network in China among all Chinese auto brands, with 1,648 free charging stations servicing 98.6% of its car owners, and 439 branded supercharging stations across China.

Unveils design of the next generation flying car, showcasing fly and drive conversion

At the Tech Day, XPeng unveiled the new generation flying car design developed by its affiliate Urban Air Mobility (UAM) company HT Aero. The new model will be built on HT Aeros successful record of 15,000+ safe flights completed to date, fully in-house developed R&D, and multi-level safety redundancy design.

Planned for roll-out in 2024, the new road-capable model will feature a lightweight design, and a foldable rotor mechanism for seamless fly-drive conversion.

Robotic technology designed to support superior autonomy

XPeng also presented another aspect of its smart mobility ecosystem, its robotics innovations, during its 1024 Tech Day. XPeng foresees smart robots becoming an intelligent platform for the integrated smart mobility ecosystem. Addressing far more complex challenges in autonomy, sensing and interaction than vehicles, the pony-style robot prototype will be able to perceive diverse environments and multiple targets with 3D route planning, and execute multi-mode user recognition through facial, body and voiceprint sensing.

The next generation of robotics technologies integrated into smart mobility will need advanced sensory and tactile interactions to navigate and interact with complicated and highly diverse environments. The robot will have a 360-degree peripheral camera module and LiDAR sensing system, with object recognition, sound field sensory capabilities. XPeng will explore increasingly diverse scenarios to support wider mobility, planning and man-machine interaction.

Tech Day images and videos:

XPENG 2021 TECH DAY LIBRARY

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About XPeng Inc.

XPeng is a leading Chinese smart electric vehicle company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets Smart EVs that appeal to the large and growing base of technology-savvy middle-class consumers in China. Its mission is to drive Smart EV transformation with technology and data, shaping the mobility experience of the future. In order to optimize its customers mobility experience, XPeng develops in-house its full-stack autonomous driving technology and in-car intelligent operating system, as well as core vehicle systems including powertrain and the electrification/electronic architecture. XPeng is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, with main offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, San Diego and Amsterdam. The Companys Smart EVs are manufactured at its plant in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province. For more information, please visit https://en.xiaopeng.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company goals and strategies, expansion plans, future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the trends in, and size of, Chinas EV market; the Companys expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services, its expectations regarding its relationships with customers, contract manufacturers, suppliers, third-party service providers, strategic partners and other stakeholders; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

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XPeng 1024 Tech Day Unveils Smart EV Technologies and Mobility Ecosystem - Business Wire

Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Frederickson hoped body-worn camera technology would be up and running by September.

But because Massachusetts mandates a town vote for system leases going beyond three years, body-worn cameras wont find focus in the town until 2022.

We anticipated that we would be using them by now, Frederickson said. But as we entered into the procurement process, we found that it was more affordable to engage in a five- to 10-year contract, and that requires a vote at town meeting.

Yarmouth voters approved $50,516 at its May 18town meeting to outfit two full shifts of Yarmouth police officers with body-worn cameras at a time for one year. Another vote is set for Tuesday atspecial town meeting for the new camera systems program to move forward, said Bob Whritenour, Yarmouth town administrator.

The article will allow police technology to be leased for a period of up to 10 years, Whritenour said. Currently, under the state law, we are only allowed to finance that type of project for up to three years, unless the town adopts a longer standard.

Frederickson is expecting a favorable outcome at town meeting but said that nothing about thecamera systems will be set in stone until after the town meeting vote. The unforeseen delay will push paperworkand officer traininginto the next year, he said.

If approved, Yarmouth would be the second town police department on the Cape using body-worn cameras. The MashpeePolice Department startedits body camera pilot program in December 2020.

Dashboard-mounted cameras, which will be linked tobody-worn technology, will also need to be installedin every Yarmouth police cruiser, which pushes the timelineback even further, Frederickson said.

I would love to tell you it will take two weeks but that is not going to be the case, he said. It could take four months before we have everything installed and running at 100%.

With the town meeting vote pending, Deputy Chief Kevin Lennon is using the extra time to research technological bundles and packages through potential provider WatchGuard Technologies, which provides mobile video solutions for law enforcement. The Body Camera-as-a-Service program provides a pay-as-you-go option for law enforcement agencies looking to begin an all-inclusive body-worn program, Lennon said.

You can buy cameras outright and own them or do a service plan that gives you the camera, mounting system and unlimited access to the communications central program with off premises storage, Lennon said. We are opting for the pay-as-you go service plan.

Andres Lacambra, senior director for Mobile Video and Motorola Solutions, saidthat WatchGuard,which was acquired by Motorola Solutions in 2019, offers body-worn camera programs built from an understanding of challenges associated with being a police officer. Because the wireless in-car system is connected to the camerasand the dispatch radio, for example, wearablecameras begin recording as soon as an officer is dispatched to an incident, and the cruiser siren and lights are activated.

Officers often have to think about a lot of things at the same time whenever they find themselves in front of an incident, he said. We try to make it as simple as possible, so officers have as much time to focus on a mission and not worry about technology. At the same time, they can avoid getting into situations where they forget to capture something that is important.

The off-site computer storage, which Lacambra said is a cloud-based system kind of like iTunes is for music that transfers the video collected, or original evidence, from an officers shift to an evidence management system. A record of what happened at any given time is documented: when it was uploaded, who has seen itand whetherits been edited, exported or compromised.

That solution provides the agency with the means to organize all videos. They have the ability to manage content and classify it based on different types of incidents, Lacambra said. It also provides tools for officers to redact and share evidence with the judicial system share it with prosecutors.

Much of the technology will remain consistent and pretty straight forward across police platforms, Lacambra said, but its the actual procedures and policies such as privacy, warrantsand length of data collection, that will differ from state to state.

There are all of the procedures and policy dealing with content that the agency needs to put in place, he said. That is in each police departments hands.

To tackle policies associated with the new technology, an internal committee composed of Lennon and six to eight Yarmouth officers convened twice in the last six months to hammer out procedures governing the use of police body-worn cameras, including when they must be turned on, when video can be viewed and by whom, and how long videos are stored in the cloud. By largely modeling Yarmouth policies after Massachusetts State Police guidelines,and conferring with the Cape and Islands District Attorneys Office, Lennon said Yarmouth procedures are 85%done.

A lot of the language between policies is extremely similar so we need to tweak certain things to fit Yarmouth based on our chief, command staff and the union, Lennon said. The policy is a work in progress, but we should have a final stamp of approval by December.

Policies will also depend on evolving legislationon body-worn technology, as well as the police reformbill signed by Gov.Charlie Baker in December 2020. The state law, spurred by the killingof George Floydin 2020 when he was restrained by Minneapolis police,, createsa standardized licensing and training process for police accountability and transparency.

As laws grow and change on evolving law enforcement technology, Frederickson said, there will be much more to come.

Its an evolving area, he said. I think as time goes on there will be more guidelines and policies. Gray areas will become clear one way or another.

As Yarmouth police presspause on body-worn cameras until after the town meeting vote, wearable camera technology for the Mashpee Police Departments pilot program will be extended into June 2022, Police Chief Scott Carlinesaid. By lengthening the program, he said the state can further advise on future mandates for body-worn cameras under the new reform law.

Id like to get all the information I can from what the state is looking at before we implement any policies, Carline said. Regardless, we are receiving constant positive feedback from the officers involved and I couldnt be happier in the direction this program has gone.

The pilot program, which was initially slated to run for one year has gone so well, Carline said, that Mashpee police bought two additional wearable devices, bringing the total to five body-worn cameras that are shared by officers.

For training purposes, we monitor the cameras every day and the evidence these bring are extremely eye opening, Carline said. Its one thing to read a report and get a picture of what happened, versus actually seeing what happened on video. Its brought a much higher level of professionalism to our overall patrol operations.

For Frederickson, the success that police agencies like Mashpee has enjoyed using wearable technology has further demonstrated thatbody-worn cameras will help Yarmouth police build credibility within the community.

We want to make sure our community is being protected in a way they think they should be, he said. Hopefully the evidence will showa tremendous amount of professionalism is taking place. There are many reports that say otherwise but we are confident this will be a positive addition to the department.

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Yarmouth police look to move forward with body-worn cameras, pending town meeting vote - Cape Cod Times

On a chilly afternoon in December 2010, an officer and his dog discovered the first of ten sets of human remains on New Yorks Long Island, setting off the hunt for an elusive serial killer or killers whose atrocities shook a quiet beachfront community to its core.

More than a decade later, with no arrests made in the case, investigators are relying on new, cutting-edge technology to solve a mystery that has stumped even the most experienced detectives.

They may be close.

"We are making progress," Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini told Fox News.

Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old escort from Jersey City, N.J., disappeared from Oak Beach, N.Y., in May 2010. The police search to find her led to the discovery of ten sets of humans remains and set off the hunt for a serial killer or killers.

"We are looking for someone who is sophisticated, particularly someone who knows how to evade detection," he added.

Nine of the ten victims whose remains were found along Ocean Parkway in Suffolk County are believed to have been sex workers. Four of the victims advertised as escorts on Craigslist. Police said the killer used burner phones to contact these women. The suspect also used a cell phone belonging to one of the victims to make taunting phone calls to a family member short calls that pinged from busy cell towers near Times Square and Penn Station, according to investigators.

Sini, a former federal prosecutor with a background in cold case investigations, has invested more than $300,000 in advanced technology to analyze old phone data in the case.

"Cell phone work is critical to solving this case," he said. "There is an incredible amount of data were talking over five million data points. The human brain cannot analyze that data in any constructive way."

"We're trying to collect dots but then the key is to connect the dots, so we realized we had to invest in hardware and software to appropriately analyze that data," said Sini, who has assigned 23 people in his office to work on the investigation since taking office in early 2018.

Sini noted that while the killer used a burner or "throwaway phone" to contact victims, the killer likely also carried a regular, traceable cell phone.

"Imagine the ability to track where the killer was by utilizing the bad guy phone and figure out exactly where that bad guy phone was and then compare it to the different victims and see if there is a number that pops that's common to those different times in different areas," he said.

While Sini would not say whether authorities have a suspect in the serial murders, he confirmed to Fox News that investigators have identified certain phone numbers of interest in their investigation.

Crime Scene investigators using metal detectors to search a marsh for the remains of Shannan Gilbert on Dec. 12, 2011, in Oak Beach, New York. (AP Photo/James Carbone, Pool, File)

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"The more we put into the software and the more we study the results, we are getting a clearer picture of what happened during the time these women were murdered," he said.

In the pre-dawn hours of May 1, 2010, 24-year-old Shannan Gilbert, an escort from Jersey City, N.J., disappeared from Oak Beach, a secluded, gated community on the South Shore of Long Island. The police search to find Gilbert led to the discovery of ten sets of human remains in thick brush off Ocean Parkway, which traverses a narrow strip of barrier beaches.

Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, disappeared in July 2007. Her remains were found in 2010 at Gilgo Beach.

In December 2010, the skeletal remains of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Lynn Costello, 27, were found wrapped in burlap and placed 500 feet apart from each other in the bramble at Gilgo Beach. The four young women, who disappeared at different times, had advertised as escorts on Craigslist.

FOX NATION'S GRIM TIDE INVESTIGATES HUNT FOR LONG ISLAND SERIAL KILLER

A more extensive search of the area with the assistance of the FBI yielded more human remains: the skull, hands and forearm of 20-year-old Jessica Taylor, whose torso was found in Manorville, N.Y. in 2003; the skull, hands and foot of 24-year-old Valerie Mack, who was identified through genetic genealogy and whose torso was also found in Manorville in 2000, and the skeletal remains of an unidentified Asian male dressed in womens clothing. Those findings were quickly followed by more grisly discoveries: an unidentified female toddler, bones of a woman believed to be her mother and a skull linked to a torso found in 1996 on Fire Island.

Valerie Mack, left, is seen in an undated photo with her sister, Amanda. For years, Mack was known as "Jane Doe No. 6." Her naked torso was found in Manorville, N.Y., in 2000 and the rest of her dismembered remains were found in 2011 along Ocean Parkway in Long Island. In 2020, authorities announced that they had positively identified the remains as Mack through the use of genetic genealogy.

"I vividly remember the discovery of those sets of remains," said Stuart Cameron, the acting Suffolk County Police commissioner who oversaw the ground searches as the commanding officer in 2010.

"It was very troubling to the police officers involved in the search that they had found a toddler," he said.

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Authorities eventually found the skeletal remains of Gilbert in a marsh near Oak Beach in December 2011. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner ruled her cause of death as undetermined, a finding that has been called into question by the Gilbert family attorney, John Ray.

One question befuddled investigators from the beginning: Were they hunting for one serial killer or more than one killer? Theories diverge on the answer. A source close to the investigation told Fox News the murders are likely the work of one killer whose behavior and methods evolved over time.

Amber Lynn Costello, 27, disappeared in September 2010 from Babylon, N.Y. Her remains were found three months later at Gilgo Beach.

Others, like Cameron, do not believe the evidence is definitive enough to draw a conclusion.

"I can see the validity of both theories," he said. "But when you're engaged in an investigation, especially a serial killer investigation, you have to keep an open mind. To lock in one theory would be, I think, misguided."

In addition to new phone technology, Sini has also employed the help of an M-VAC system to collect DNA from porous or rough objects as well as to retest physical evidence that has been preserved for a decade.

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On a September afternoon in the Suffolk County crime lab, Clyde Wells, a forensic scientist working on the case, offered a rare look at the technology to demonstrate how the system works by suctioning particles from a rope and then releasing them into a testing solution.

"It's satisfying because we know we're close," Wells said of the technology. "We think it's only a matter of time."

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In Long Island serial killer investigation, new phone technology may be key to break in case - Fox News

Instead of tuning out when confronted with a smartphone or social media account, senior citizens can learn a few basics to take away the fear and confusion. Whether you need to learn how to turn the computer on and off, or just need to make sense of a few things, theres a learning path for you.

Theres no going back to the pre-technology days, and seniors need to get with the program or prepare to be left behind. If you dont learn some technology, you will have an increasingly hard time doing basic things like making a phone call or paying a bill. And you will miss out on the speed, efficiency, and other attractive capabilities of these new methods.

Once you learn the basics, youll be able to find many helpful free tools. Valuable programs, from calorie counters to financial management systems, are available free online. For instance,OneLaunchprovides a handy but unobtrusive dashboard for you to access your favorite items.

Learning to use computer technology lets you find information online: Is the post office closed on Monday? Whats the capital of Iowa?

It also lets you access services. You can renew your drivers license, sign up for a social security account, pay your bills, and peruse your medical records. You can receive a daily wellness check phone call, get your groceries delivered, and be reminded to take your medicine.

Your computer or smartphone keeps you in touch. You can zoom your grandkids, email friends and business contacts, share items of interest on social media, network with your book club members, or chat with friends.

You can take professional-quality photos and videos and share them. You can shop. You can play games for fun and to keep your brain sharp. You can indulge the writer in you and start a blog. You can indulge the artist in you and learn to draw and paint digitally.

Your computer is an entertainment center. You can watch shows and movies when and where you want. Tens of millions of songs are available at a click.

If you learn well from books, there are many available to help seniors become computer literate. Browse at a library or online until you find the one(s) that speak to you.

If you can make it onto the internet, youll find many online tutorials for seniors about computer and smartphone basics. For instance, this nonprofit organization offers afree how-to guidethat covers how to set up your computer, get on the internet, avoid viruses, troubleshoot problems, and move files around. If you want to know what an operating system is or what the cloud is all about, its all here. You can also find free or inexpensive computer classes at your local senior center or community center.

You never know when youll come across a piece of information that transforms your relationship to technology. Learning keyboard shortcuts, for instance, can make using computers immensely easier than relying on the menus. If your first attempts at computer literacy fall flat, dont give up just try a different learning path.

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Why and how seniors should learn to use technology - AZ Big Media

The origins of Processing at the MIT Media Lab go back to the Visible Language Workshop (VLW). Founded in 1975, the VLW became a founding research group at the lab from 1985 until 1994, when the director Muriel Cooper passed away. Processing emerged directly from the Aesthetics + Computation Group (ACG), a research unit set up at the Media Lab by John Maeda in 1996. Maedas work at the lab continued to synthesise visual design exploration with emerging software technologies. Within the ACG, Maeda initiated the Design By Numbers (DBN) programming platform, which was released in 1999.

Following this first appearance, he brought the two of us into the project to help maintain and extend it. Many aspects of Processing were modelled after DBN, which also integrated a code editor with a language. DBN was a minimal system: the canvas was always 100 by 100 pixels and only grey values could be used there was no colour. These constraints, as well as comfortable code elements such as paper and pen, made DBN easy to learn. Our experience with DBN kindled the ambition to begin Processing. We started by extending DBN to include colour and other features, but we soon realised that these limitations were the essence of that platform and it shouldnt be expanded. Our aim was to devise a system that was as easy to use as DBN, but with a bridge to making more ambitious work. We wanted to allow people to work in colour, at large sizes, to create 3D graphics, and more. Simple Processing sketches are almost as straightforward as DBN sketches, but Processing scales up it has a low floor and a high ceiling.

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Processing, the software that is a synthesis of art and technology - Domus

LONDON (AP) The term metaverse seems to be everywhere. Facebook is hiring thousands of engineers in Europe to work on it, while video game companies are outlining their long-term visions for what some consider the next big thing online.

The metaverse, which could spring up again when Facebook releases earnings Monday, is the latest buzzword to capture the tech industrys imagination.

It could be the future, or it could be the latest grandiose vision by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg that doesnt turn out as expected or isnt widely adopted for years if at all.

Plus, many have concerns about a new online world tied to a social media giant that could get access to even more personal data and is accused of failing to stop harmful content.

Heres what this online world is all about:

WHAT IS THE METAVERSE?

Think of it as the internet brought to life, or at least rendered in 3D. Zuckerberg has described it as a virtual environment you can go inside of instead of just looking at on a screen. Essentially, its a world of endless, interconnected virtual communities where people can meet, work and play, using virtual reality headsets, augmented reality glasses, smartphone apps or other devices.

It also will incorporate other aspects of online life such as shopping and social media, according to Victoria Petrock, an analyst who follows emerging technologies.

Its the next evolution of connectivity where all of those things start to come together in a seamless, doppelganger universe, so youre living your virtual life the same way youre living your physical life, she said.

But keep in mind that its hard to define a label to something that hasnt been created, said Tuong Nguyen, an analyst who tracks immersive technologies for research firm Gartner.

Facebook warned it would take 10 to 15 years to develop responsible products for the metaverse, a term coined by writer Neal Stephenson for his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash.

WHAT WILL I BE ABLE TO DO IN THE METAVERSE?

Things like go to a virtual concert, take a trip online, and buy and try on digital clothing.

The metaverse also could be a game-changer for the work-from-home shift amid the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of seeing co-workers on a video call grid, employees could see them virtually.

Facebook has launched meeting software for companies, called Horizon Workrooms, to use with its Oculus VR headsets, though early reviews have not been great. The headsets cost $300 or more, putting the metaverses most cutting-edge experiences out of reach for many.

For those who can afford it, users would be able, through their avatars, to flit between virtual worlds created by different companies.

A lot of the metaverse experience is going to be around being able to teleport from one experience to another, Zuckerberg says.

Tech companies still have to figure out how to connect their online platforms to each other. Making it work will require competing technology platforms to agree on a set of standards, so there arent people in the Facebook metaverse and other people in the Microsoft metaverse, Petrock said.

IS FACEBOOK GOING ALL IN ON THE METAVERSE?

Indeed, Zuckerberg is going big on what he sees as the next generation of the internet because he thinks its going to be a big part of the digital economy. He expects people to start seeing Facebook as a metaverse company in coming years rather than a social media company.

A report by tech news site The Verge said Zuckerberg is looking at using Facebooks annual virtual reality conference this coming week to announce a corporate name change, putting legacy apps like Facebook and Instagram under a metaverse-focused parent company. Facebook hasnt commented on the report.

Critics wonder if the potential pivot could be an effort to distract from the companys crises, including antitrust crackdowns, testimony by whistleblowing former employees and concerns about its handling of misinformation.

Former employee Frances Haugen, who accused Facebooks platforms of harming children and inciting political violence, plans to testify Monday before a United Kingdom parliamentary committee looking to pass online safety legislation.

IS THE METAVERSE JUST A FACEBOOK PROJECT?

No. Zuckerberg has acknowledged that no one company will build the metaverse by itself.

Just because Facebook is making a big deal about the metaverse doesnt mean that it or another tech giant will dominate the space, Nguyen said.

There are also a lot of startups that could be potential competitors, he said. There are new technologies and trends and applications that weve yet to discover.

Video game companies also are taking a leading role. Epic Games, the company behind the popular Fortnite video game, has raised $1 billion from investors to help with its long-term plans for building the metaverse. Game platform Roblox is another big player, outlining its vision of the metaverse as a place where people can come together within millions of 3D experiences to learn, work, play, create and socialize.

Consumer brands are getting in on it, too. Italian fashion house Gucci collaborated in June with Roblox to sell a collection of digital-only accessories. Coca-Cola and Clinique have sold digital tokens pitched as a stepping stone to the metaverse.

Zuckerbergs embrace of the metaverse in some ways contradicts a central tenet of its biggest enthusiasts. They envision the metaverse as online cultures liberation from tech platforms like Facebook that assumed ownership of peoples accounts, photos, posts and playlists and traded off what they gleaned from that data.

We want to be able to move around the internet with ease, but we also want to be able to move around the internet in a way were not tracked and monitored, said venture capitalist Steve Jang, a managing partner at Kindred Ventures who focuses on cryptocurrency technology.

WILL THIS BE ANOTHER WAY TO GET MORE OF MY DATA?

It seems clear that Facebook wants to carry its business model, which is based on using personal data to sell targeted advertising, into the metaverse.

Ads are going to continue being an important part of the strategy across the social media parts of what we do, and it will probably be a meaningful part of the metaverse, too, Zuckerberg said in the companys most recent earnings call.

That raises fresh privacy concerns, Nguyen said, involving all the issues that we have today, and then some weve yet to discover because were still figuring out what the metaverse will do.

Petrock she said shes concerned about Facebook trying to lead the way into a virtual world that could require even more personal data and offer greater potential for abuse and misinformation when it hasnt fixed those problems in its current platforms.

I dont think they fully thought through all the pitfalls, she said. I worry theyre not necessarily thinking through all the privacy implications of the metaverse.

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OBrien reported from Providence, Rhode Island.

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See APs complete technology coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/technology

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EXPLAINER: What the metaverse is and how it will work - Associated Press