Industry News

Microsoft acquires Semantic Machines, a step towards conversational computing

Microsoft has acquired Semantic Machines, a conversational AI company. The natural language processing technology developed by Semantic can not just follow commands, but also hold conversations. Microsoft’s Cortana and the Azure Bot Service are expected to be integrated with the technology.

Nissan to foray into rooftop solar panels and batteries

Nissan has joined the bandwagon with Tesla by entering in the electricity sector with rooftop panels along with a battery storage product. The integrated solar panel and battery system will allow the consumers to store electricity as well as generate it.

Apple to test 55 self-driving cars, gets permit from DMV

Apple is likely to enter in the bandwagon of self-driven cars as it gets permit for testing of 55 autonomous cars by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Apple is now second to General Motor’s Cruise automotive which has 104 vehicle permits.

Manufacturers in San Antonio to adopt IoT for creating smart factories

The local manufacturers in San Antonio, Texas are adopting IoT technology to create smart factories. Manufacturers are being enrolled to learn Manufacturing 4.0, a concept that uses IoT and Big data to improve overall productivity.

Flipkart- Walmart Deal: Walmart to aggressively compete with Amazon

Walmart has acquired a 77% stake in Flipkart for around USD 16 Billion. The deal now values Flipkart at about USD 21 Billion. The deal is expected to change the domestic retail industries dynamics as well as allow Walmart to aggressively compete with Amazon.

Vodafone Buys Liberty’s European Assets for Nearly $21 Billion

Vodafone struck a deal to buy a few European assets of the United States cable company Liberty Global.

Nokia expands Internet of Things portfolio, acquires SpaceTime Insight

Nokia has recently acquired SpaceTime Insight to expand the company’s Internet of Things (IoT) portfolio and IoT analytics capabilities. The acquisition is expected to deliver high-value IoT applications and services to Nokia’s customers

Mahindra to set up an Agricultural Tech Centre at Virginia Tech

Mahindra Group will be setting up a Mahindra Ag Tech Center at Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in the United States. The facility will be creating revolutionary technology products for the agriculture market in North America.

DuPont and Archer Daniels Midland inaugurate pilot facility in Illinois

DuPont and Archer Daniels Midland Company recently inaugurated the world’s first bio-based furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) production plant in Decatur, Illinois. The plant is projected to introduce a variety of eco-friendly and sustainably sourced biomaterials.

Microsoft signs the largest corporate solar deal

Microsoft signs the largest corporate solar deal with sPower to purchase solar energy from two of its plants based in Virginia. The plants will be producing 315 MW to power Microsoft’s Virginia Data Centers.

T-Mobile, Sprint agree on USD 26 Billion Merger

T-Mobile and Sprint Corp have recently agreed on a USD 26 Billion all-stock deal. The merger between the third and the fourth largest telecom giants is expected to give US tech lead over China in terms of 5G Network preparedness.

Mahindra Electric ties up with Meru for e-vehicle project

Mahindra Electric and Meru have recently announced an alliance for a pilot Electric Vehicle project in Hyderabad. Meru will deploy a fleet of eVeritos, an all-electric sedan by Mahindra which will be available for booking by Meru App and Meru Zone at the Hyderabad Airport.

Volvo to locally assemble hybrid vehicles in India

Volvo is planning to assemble hybrid vehicles in India to get ahead in the luxury car segment to emerge leaders when the emission standards get strict in the country. The company has set a target of selling a million electric vehicles by 2025 and India is expected to be a key contributor.

Flipkart's Main Investors Agrees to Sell Stake to Walmart

The key investors in India's biggest online retailer Flipkart have consented to offer their stakes in the Bengaluru-based organization to Walmart yet the greatest of them. SoftBank, is waiting for a better price.

India and Saudi invest $44 Billion to build world’s largest greenfield oil refinery

Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Hindustan Petroleum have signed an agreement with Saudi Aramco to set up the largest greenfield integrated oil refinery on the western coast in India at the ongoing 16th International Energy Forum (IEF).

Government of India Extends FAME Scheme for Third Time

The Phase-I of the FAME India scheme has been extended for an additional six months or till the beginning of Phase-II. It will be the third time the Phase-I has been extended. The extension is in line to promote the purchase and usage of e-vehicles.

India Reaches Number 4 in Passenger Car Market, Overtakes Germany

India has overthrown Germany to become the World Number 4 in the Passenger Car market owing to the accelerated growth in sales of cars and SUVs. India witnessed sales of 5,60,806 units in the first two months of 2018 as is expected to witness a 10% growth by the end of the year.

Power Ministry Proposes to Central Government Departments to Supply E-Vehicles

The Power Ministry has offered to supply electric cars to the central government departments that can either be leased or purchased. The move is expected to raise the demand for electric vehicles by 5 lakhs and will be a big boost for major automobile players.

Mahindra posts 22% growth in domestic annual sales in tractors

Mahindra Group has posted a growth of 22% by accomplishing sales of over 3 Lakh tractors in FY2018. The company has sold 304,019 units in the domestic as well as 319,468 exports in the fiscal year 2018. Mahindra holds over 42% market share in the Indian tractor market.

PayPal agrees on RBI guidelines, ready to store transaction data in India

PayPal has agreed to store its transaction data in India after RBI issued a mandate asking all the payment firms to comply within six months. The aim is to allow participation in the global market as well as protecting consumer data privacy and security risks. PayPal is the first company that has r