<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Einride, a Swedish autonomous truck manufacturer, has ordered 120 eActros from Mercedes-Benz Trucks to support its customers in European markets. The trucks provided by Mercedes-Benz will be paired with Einride software.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        The vehicle models eActros 300 and eActros 400, with three and four battery packs respectively (each with an installed capacity of 112 kWh), will be delivered in mid-2022. Series production of the eActros has started at Worth am Rhein, Germany in October 2021 at the Future Truck Center.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.electrive.com/2021/12/15/einride-orders-120-eactros/">
      Electrive
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://news.in-24.com/business/388108.html">
      News in 24
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.newpowerprogress.com/news/mercedesbenz-receives-first-major-order-for-eactros/8016964.article">
      New Power progress
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Truck Industry Tech

Einride orders 120 eActros from Mercedes-Benz Trucks

Platforms, apps, and cards to keep the corporate wallet in check

Business Expense Management

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 
 <p>Swedish firm, Medius, which specializes in accounts payable automation and spend management, has forged a partnership with Open ECX, a company known for its e-trading and finance automation software. The aim of this partnership is to offer an enhanced solution for Accounts Payable (AP) automation.</p>
 <p>This collaboration brings together Open ECX's statement reconciliation features and Medius' automated AP and fraud detection platform. This combination aims to automate and simplify intricate, manual finance procedures within businesses.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>The integration of these services allows the company to deliver a comprehensive automation solution. This platform aims to enable businesses to fully optimize their operational efficiency and adherence to compliance measures.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The latest partnership is in line with the firm's recent activities (which includes its&nbsp; <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25423https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25423"> partnership with Launchpad Technologies </a> ) to increase its partner network and expand its capabilities to provide an all-in-one integrated solution.</p>

Medius partners with Open ECX to offer advanced AP automation capabilities

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

<div>
 <p>MightyFly, a provider of drone-based delivery services, has been granted approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a flight corridor between the New Jerusalem and Byron Airports in California, a distance of 20 miles. This approval will allow MightyFly to conduct various flight tests with their “2024 Cento” drone. The drone has the capability to operate beyond the visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) of the operator and will be monitored by a chase plane.</p>
 <p>MightyFly highlights the potential of their drone for B2B fast logistics in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and defense. The company has plans to scale production through a Series A investment round.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Today’s approval marks a significant step forward for MightyFly, as it looks to test and commercialize its drone technology. The company unveiled its third-gen 2024 Cento drone <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25965"> in January 2024, </a> which can carry a maximum payload of around 100 lbs while cruising at a speed of 150 mph at a range of around 600 m.</p>

MightyFly receives FAA approval for test flight corridor in California

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

<div>
 <p>Resolution Games, a developer of XR games, has appointed Johan Gästrin as its new chief technology officer (CTO). In his new role, Gästrin will direct the company's technology strategy and spearhead innovation efforts, with a particular focus on spatial computing and mixed reality.</p>
 <p>With a 25-year career in the technology industry, Gästrin brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He has previously served as head of technology at Resolution Games and head of King’s internal game engine, Fiction Factory. In addition to his gaming background, Gästrin has held key roles at H&amp;M and has been involved in various industries including ecommerce and healthcare.</p>
</div>

Resolution Games appoints Johan Gästrin as CTO

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>Meta has rolled out the v65 update for its Quest headsets, which includes an enhanced feature that lets users import panoramas straight from iPhones. This, in turn, enhances the passthrough capability for a more immersive VR experience.</p>
 <p>This update allows users to upload and view their panoramas in VR through the Meta Quest app, a feature which is compatible with iPhones equipped with iOS 17 or later. It further improves the spatial video playback aspect and extends passthrough support across all system interfaces. In addition, v65 is designed to minimize interruptions caused by hand tracking when using a mouse and keyboard connected to the headset.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> The update follows Meta’s v64 update for the Quest 3 in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28347"> April 2024 </a> , which brought notable improvements to the headset. These included improved resolution and image quality in its passthrough mode, allowing users to read smaller text, such as smartphone notifications, more easily.</p>

Meta updates Quest headsets with panorama import and improved passthrough features in v65 update

Making banking work, without the paperwork

Neobanks

<div>
 
 <p>Lunar, a Danish neobank, has raised approximately USD 25.7 million in a funding round, bringing its total funds raised to USD 510 million. The funding was contributed by its existing investors and will be used to strengthen the company's capital position and expand its services across the Nordic countries. Lunar also plans to become a full-service bank in Sweden.</p>
 <p>This funding is particularly significant as Lunar previously failed to acquire the local lender Instabank due to insufficient capital. The failed acquisition, worth around USD 140.7 million, led to legal proceedings. As a result, Lunar is bolstering its capital reserves while it anticipates the next steps in the proceedings.</p>
 
</div>

Lunar raises EUR 24.1 million in funding to sustain growth

<div>
 <p>In Knoxville, Tennessee, regulators have prohibited the use of delivery droids on streets and sidewalks due to insufficient infrastructure. The decision was made after assessing applications from droid operators requesting to introduce their robots in the city.</p>
 <p>While the city might reconsider this decision in the future, currently only Starship Technologies is allowed to continue its droid-based food delivery service at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. However, the service is restricted to on-campus deliveries due to the imposed ban on off-campus activities.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Although Tennessee state regulations <a href="https:<br>
//trackbill.com/bill/tennessee-senate-bill-2836-traffic-safety-as-enacted-establishes-requirements-for-the-operation-of-personal-delivery-devices-specifies-that-a-personal-delivery-device-may-be-operated-in-pedestrian-areas-up-to-10-miles-per-hour-and-is-not-considered-a-motor-vehicle-amends-tca-title-55-chapter-1-title-55-chapter-10-title-55-chapter-12-and-title-55-chapter-8/1888807/"> approved </a> the operation of droids in 2020, the enacted ban in Knoxville will now restrict companies from deploying droids within the city. However, Knoxville is not the only city that has considered restricting delivery droids. Early adopters <a href="https:<br>
//www.bbc.com/news/technology-42265048"> San Francisco (California) </a> and <a href="https:<br>
//globalnews.ca/news/9324385/food-delivery-robots-canada-challenges/"> Toronto (Canada) </a> also later imposed restrictions or bans on robots due to concerns over pedestrian safety.&nbsp;</p>

Delivery droids banned in Knoxville, Tennessee

Empowering Tomorrow's Innovations with Generative AI Infrastructure

Generative AI Infrastructure

<div>

<p>An enterprise AI security platform, Prompt Security, has partnered with F5 to create a firewall specifically for AI applications within F5's Distributed Cloud Services. This collaboration targets security issues related to GenAI applications.</p>
<p>The newly developed firewall offers solutions to tackle GenAI-specific security problems by: 1) diverting all traffic to GenAI applications via Prompt Security to protect data privacy and prevent data leaks, 2) controlling content generated by LLMs to deter harm, and 3) ensuring governance and visibility through the surveillance of both incoming and outgoing traffic from GenAI apps.</p>
<p>Prompt Security asserts that this new solution can assist organizations in securely implementing GenAI applications, which will enhance business productivity and compliance with data governance regulations.</p>

</div>

Prompt Security Partners with F5 to launch ‘Firewall for AI’ to seucre GenAI Apps

<div>
 
 <p>Swedish company Medius, known for its accounts payable automation and spend management solutions, has forged a partnership with SourceDay, a firm that offers a supply chain collaboration platform. The aim of this partnership is to optimize the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) cycle specifically for distributors and manufacturers.</p>
 <p>By combining Medius' artificial intelligence (AI) driven invoice management solution with the supplier engagement tools offered by SourceDay, both existing and future customers will have the capacity to streamline their purchase order management. This is accomplished through automated invoice processing, enhanced security through the detection of anomalies, and real-time notifications to improve overall operational efficiency.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>According to the companies involved in the collaboration, this newly integrated solution can potentially lead to efficiency gains of up to 80%. Additionally, it could improve on-time delivery rates through 100% purchase order matching and minimize financial risks.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This latest initiative compliments Medius’ partnership with <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/26113"> Antaras </a> , an ERP provider in the manufacturing industry, to bring AP automation capabilities to various industries.</p>

Medius and SourceDay partner to optimize P2P operations for manufacturers and distributors worldwide

Empowering efficiency, visibility and collaboration throughout supply networks

Supply Chain Tech

<div>
 <p>Exiger, a leader in risk and compliance technology, has joined forces with the Institute for American Apprenticeships (IAA) to initiate a unique apprenticeship program aimed at training supply chain and third-party risk analysts. This groundbreaking partnership will see the development of the first apprenticeship of its kind, officially registered with the Department of Labor and centred on the risk and compliance industry. </p> 
 <p>Apprentices enlisted in the program will undergo niche training in areas such as AI-assisted research, meticulous risk analysis, and the scrutiny of various legal, regulatory, and media artifacts. The goal of this initiative is to cultivate a forward-thinking, skill-rich workforce that is well-equipped to handle the evolving demands of supply chain and third-party risk management. This innovative approach will also contribute significantly to the advancement of the industry as a whole.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Exiger actively collaborates with government agencies and associations to enhance risk management capabilities within supply chains. For example, in the recent past, the company has <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27246"> partnered </a> with aDolus to bolster supply chain cyber defense for critical industries and also <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/24987"> partnered </a> with the USPAE to secure the US electronics supply chain.</p>

Exiger and IAA partner to launch apprenticeship program for risk analysts

<div>
 <p>Invent Analytics, a retail planning solution provider, has secured USD 17 million in a Series B funding round. LFX Venture Partners spearheaded the round, with contributions from current investors, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Collective Spark.</p>
 <p>The company intends to utilise the investment to increase its AI platform's functionality, serve evolving omni-channel retail demands, reinforce strategic collaborations, and grow its team of retail experts.</p>
 <p>​Invent Analytic offers progressive analytics solutions aimed at enhancing retail supply chain planning to elevate profits. Their principal products, Omni-AI and Omni-Plan, amalgamate various optimization solutions such as demand forecasting, inventory, markdown, and price optimization. These offer a consolidated solution to modern retailers' challenges.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> With the increasing demand, competition in the Supply Chain Planning tech space is on the rise. Apart from new disruptors entering the space, existing players are also actively upgrading their offerings to remain competitive. For example, in the recent past, companies like <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28562"> o9 Solutions </a> , <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27743"> Algo </a> , and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27573"> RELEX Solutions </a> have been enhancing their products to capitalize on market opportunities.</p>

All Updates