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Hardware is the key to winning the artificial intelligence race, says GlobalData

Major wireless tech companies are in a race to develop artificial intelligence (AI) to lock users into their respective ecosystems and many are discovering they can’t compete effectively in AI without investments in hardware, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

AI is where tomorrow’s tech money is. The technology learns our wants and how to anticipate our needs before we do, making useful suggestions and transactions on our behalf.

Uptime developers build a hat which helps blind people use traffic lights safely

In TechnoHack, a traditional format hackathon at Mectory technology centre in Tallinn, Uptime developers participated by building a hat for blind people which recognizes traffic lights.

Teams arrived on Friday and they had to be ready in Sunday evening to present a working prototype, as this format of event usually demands. From Uptime, Tanel Hiob, Liisi Mõtshärg, Carl-Martin Ivask and Siim Orasmäe hacked the software and hardware for 48 hours to be ready for a Sunday presentation.

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Entertainment Robot "aibo" Announced

Sony Corporation (Sony) is today proud to announce "aibo," the evolution of its autonomous entertainment robot that brings fun and joy to the entire family. aibo can form an emotional bond with members of the household while providing them with love, affection, and the joy of nurturing and raising a companion. It possesses a natural curiosity, and we hope it will bring joy into the everyday lives of our customers while growing alongside them as a partner.As the latest iteration of the beloved robotic companion, aibo features an adorable appearance, vibrant movements, and a responsiveness that is sure to delight. It will also develop its own unique personality through everyday interactions as it grows closer and closer to its owners.

Swedish smart fighter Gripen E goes supersonic

Defence and security company Saab announces that the Gripen E smart fighter flew supersonic for the first time. The aircraft broke the sound barrier over the Baltic Sea on the 18th November.

The Gripen E smart fighter flew at speeds greater than the speed of sound, at over Mach 1, as part of the ongoing flight trials programme. The purpose was to collect data from the aircraft as it achieved and sustained supersonic speed. The flight took place over the Baltic sea and the aircraft sustained supersonic speed for a number of minutes, whilst carrying out maneouvres, demonstrating the successful combination of the aicraft’s fighter design and its powerful engine.

Despite the hype, AI adoption still in early stages per SAS survey

The hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) is intense. But for most European businesses surveyed in a recent study by SAS, the leader in analytics, AI adoption is still in the early or even planning stages. The good news is, the vast majority of organizations have begun to talk about AI, and a few have even begun to implement suitable projects. There is much optimism about the potential of AI, although fewer were confident that their organization was ready to exploit that potential.

GrabCAD has hit 4 million members worldwide

GrabCAD, the world’s largest online community for engineers, designers, manufacturers and students, has hit 4 million members worldwide.

Founded in Estonia in 2010, GrabCAD began life as a service bureau connecting engineers with engineering jobs, but it was the power of its Community that soon took on a life all its own. Today, as part of 3D printing giant Stratasys, GrabCAD has over 100 software professionals working in five locations worldwide, including Tallinn, Boston, Cambridge, UK, Israel and Minneapolis, USA.

World Premiere: Telia To Show Off 5G Using Remote-Controlled Excavator

Tallinn hosted the 2017 Digital Summit on Friday that brought together EU heads of state or government. The exhibition area of the Tallinn Digital Summit features remote-controlled excavator which is operated over the 5G network.

The Digital Expo features Telia’s stand, which shows off together with Ericsson and Intel one of the possible industrial applications of 5G – a remotely-controlled excavator.

The remotely operated excavator provides a good example of how virtual and augmented reality can shape our daily lives already in the near future. It will make it possible to avoid subjecting people to dangerous work conditions – heavy machinery can be operated from a safe location in any part of the world.

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VIDEO: Telia to Launch First 5G Test Network in Estonia on Passenger Ship Tallink Europa

5G radio network has been built on Tallink’s cruise ship Silja Europa to test the new technology in September. The 5G network will replace the fiber optic cable that is connected with the ship upon docking with the purpose of improving the connectivity during increased data traffic that occurs when the ship is docked.

Previous tests show that 5G technology is perfect for handling large data traffic. Additionally, excellent connectivity is available throughout the ship when it enters the port’s waters, i.e. before the ship is actually docked.

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MassChallenge - the Global Accelerator Program is Looking for 200 of the Most Innovative Startups in the CEE Region

MassChallenge, in collaboration with PKO Bank Polski and Foundation for Technology Entrepreneurship, are opening submissions from September 1st for the first ever Bridge to MassChallenge Warsaw program. MassChallenge is one of the largest startup accelerators in the world operating in the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Mexico and Israel. The program is dedicated to ready-to-go-global startups from Central and Eastern Europe.

Central and Eastern Europe is one of the emerging startup ecosystems - not without a reason the biggest accelerators are increasingly looking at this part of Europe. Bridge to MassChallenge Warsaw – a competition for startups from CEE region, will be looking for promising ventures to support their international careers.

ABB's YuMi Robot Takes Center Stage in Pisa, Conducts Andrea Bocelli and Lucca Symphony Orchestra

YuMi, the world's first truly collaborative dual-arm robot, made its debut at the opera on Tuesday (Sept. 12) by conducting Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and the Lucca Philharmonic Orchestra at the Teatro Verdi in Pisa.

YuMi, which is manufactured by Swiss technology pioneer ABB, was invited to the stage by Mr. Bocelli, who performed the famous aria "La Donna è Mobile" from Verdi's Rigoletto. YuMi also conducted works of Puccini and Mascagni during its first night at the opera in front of a sold-out Teatro.

Among the guests was ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer, under whose leadership YuMi was developed.

The unique demonstration showed what can happen when advanced robotics meets the arts.