TopTechTrends

Dynamic duo

October 26, 2022
Robert Downey Jr. got to wear Iron Man’s suit playing fictional MIT alum Tony Stark on the big screen. But he marveled at what he called “real-world technology miracles” when he met up with Professor Hugh Herr, who coleads MIT’s K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics, in July. Downey serves on the center’s executive advisory…

Building the next version of the internet

October 26, 2022
Kirin Sinha ’14 remembers the first time she worked with augmented reality (AR) as a student at MIT. With a friend and fellow engineer, she built the Ironman desk—a computer system and AI technology that uses holographic projections controlled by hand movements and voice commands. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Illumix, a…

Ten to One founder aims to change people’s perception of rum

October 26, 2022
When you think of rum, what comes to mind? A strawberry daiquiri? A piña colada with a cocktail umbrella? Marc-Kwesi Farrell ’03 thinks there is a lot more to rum than that, and he’s on a mission to reinvent the spirit as a versatile, top-shelf drink.  “If you look at rum today, it is saddled…

A search engine for shapes

October 26, 2022
Imagine you’re an automobile manufacturer. You have warehouse after warehouse full of parts. You’d like to use some of those parts in a new model and save on design and production costs. But you can’t find those parts through a text search. You don’t know what they’re called. Often the only record of them is…

Hyundai and WeRide plan to fuel self-driving with hydrogen in China

October 26, 2022

While hydrogen is still relatively niched as a fuel for electric vehicles, a startup in China is jumping ahead to embrace it for autonomous driving scenarios. WeRide, one of the most funded robotaxi operators in China with investors including Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, said Tuesday it is joining hands with Hyundai to launch a “self-driving hydrogen-powered vehicle […]

Hyundai and WeRide plan to fuel self-driving with hydrogen in China by Rita Liao originally published on TechCrunch

WATI, a CRM tool built for WhatsApp, raises $23M led by Tiger Global

October 26, 2022

WhatsApp is used by more than two billion around the world, and is an important tool for many small businesses. But as they scale up, even WhatsApp for Business might not be able to keep up with their needs. That’s where WATI (WhatsApp Team Inbox) steps in. Built on WhatsApp for Business’ API, WATI has […]

WATI, a CRM tool built for WhatsApp, raises $23M led by Tiger Global by Catherine Shu originally published on TechCrunch

Helbiz’s Wheels acquisition fails to impress investors

October 26, 2022

Helbiz’s deal to buy Wheels has officially gone through, and with it some promises from the shared micromobility operator to its investors that the tie up will double its annual revenue and help it reach profitability. Helbiz is hardly the only shared micromobility operator battling to achieve profitability. It’s a situation that most companies in […]

Helbiz’s Wheels acquisition fails to impress investors by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch

Square Peg Capital closes $550M fund for Southeast Asia, Australia and Israel

October 26, 2022

It’s a tough market for venture capital, but Square Peg Capital is plowing ahead with its focus on Australia (where it is based), Southeast Asia and Israel. The firm announced today that it has closed its fifth fund totaling $550 million. This brings its total raised across all funds to about $1.6 billion. Square Peg […]

Square Peg Capital closes $550M fund for Southeast Asia, Australia and Israel by Catherine Shu originally published on TechCrunch

Lyft relaunches monthly subscription plan at half the price

October 26, 2022

Ride-hail giant Lyft has relaunched Lyft Pink, its monthly subscription plan, at half of its previous price. At $9.99 per month or $99 per year, the new membership offers perks like free priority pickups and a discount of “at least” 5% on Preferred, Lux and XL rides, the company said Tuesday. Members will also receive […]

Lyft relaunches monthly subscription plan at half the price by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch