<div>
  <p>
  </p>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Takeoff Technologies, a provider of automated micro-fulfillment solutions to grocery retailers, has partnered with Hy-Vee, an employee-owned grocery store chain operating in the midwestern and southern states of the US, to create a network of micro fulfillment centers (MFCs).
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The MFCs will be launched at Hy-Vee&rsquo;s select metro locations and will complement the company&rsquo;s online grocery ordering system. Hy-Vee expects the technology to enhance the availability of the service by increasing the number of available time slots for the system.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        <b>Analyst QuickTake:</b>
         Hy-Vee joins Takeoff&rsquo;s global network of retail customers, which includes companies such as 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19489">
          Albertsons
        </a>
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7190">
          ,
        </a>
         
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1399">
          Wakefern
        </a>
        , 
        <a href="https://www.supermarketnews.com/online-retail/loblaw-tests-micro-fulfillment-online-grocery">
          Loblaw
        </a>
        , 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1412">
          Carrefour,
        </a>
         
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1406">
          Countdown,
        </a>
         
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1382">
          Woolworths
        </a>
        , and Tienda
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10584?industryIds=17">
           Inglesa
        </a>
        .&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.prweb.com/releases/takeoff-technologies-partners-with-hy-vee-to-bring-efficiencies-to-online-shopping-301954512.html">
      Press release
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


Retail Industry Robots

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

DISRUPTOR_PRESENT

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 
 <ul>
  <li><p>Takeoff Technologies and Hy-Vee have partnered to create a network of micro fulfillment centers (MFCs). These centers will be launched at select metro locations of Hy-Vee to enhance the availability of their online grocery ordering system by increasing the number of available time slots for the service.&nbsp;</p></li>
 </ul>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:</b> Hy-Vee joins Takeoff’s global network of retail customers, which includes companies such as <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19489"> Albertsons </a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7190"> , </a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1399"> Wakefern </a> , <a href="https://www.supermarketnews.com/online-retail/loblaw-tests-micro-fulfillment-online-grocery"> Loblaw </a> , <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1412"> Carrefour, </a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1406"> Countdown, </a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1382"> Woolworths </a> , and Tienda <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10584?industryIds=17"> Inglesa </a> .&nbsp;</p>

Takeoff Technologies partners with Hy-Vee to launch micro-fulfillment centers at metro locations

Biometric Payments

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 
 <p>OVE, a provider of biometric payment services, is collaborating with Fingerprint Cards (FPC) to develop a prototype titled "Touch and Go." This is a fingerprint sensor designed for biometric payments in retail settings.</p>
 <p>Thanks to the partnership, the payment solution can make use of FPC's technology for facilitating mobile payments across many venues such as bars, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. The solution can safely store millions of fingerprint hashes in the cloud while connecting multiple account types for payments to single fingerprints. This system integrates with retailers' point-of-sale systems using Wi-Fi.</p>
 <p>In a bid to aid its commercialisation, OVE is currently running a seed funding round which is predicted to wrap up by the close of 2024.</p>
 <p>The OVE Touch and Go service combines identity and payment services, capitalising on biometric technology to ensure secure, convenient transactions. The service enables users to connect multiple payment methods, like credit cards and bank accounts, to each individual fingerprint.&nbsp;</p>
 
</div>

OVE launches fingerprint-based payment authentication solution in partnership with Fingerprint Cards

AI-based solutions for evolving digital threats

Next-gen Cybersecurity

<div>
 <p>Fortinet, a cybersecurity products organization, has introduced a new GenAI assistant focusing on Internet-of-Things (IoT) security.</p>
 <p>Furthermore, the company rolled out several features for its FortiAI portfolio. This assists network and security operations teams in managing and configuring network changes and addressing threats through easy natural language commands.</p>
</div>

Fortinet launches GenAI IoT Security Assistant

<div>
 <p>BlackBerry has introduced CylanceMDR, an upgraded version of its managed detection and response (MDR) solution, powered by the Cylance AI platform. </p>
 <p>This solution combines artificial intelligence for detecting threats with human expertise, providing numerous services. These include alert triage, investigation, managed threat hunting, digital forensics, incident response, and critical event management. It also offers comprehensive onboarding support, advisory, and a USD 1 million guarantee.</p>
 <p>BlackBerry states that their Cylance AI identifies threats 13 times faster than rival solutions. </p>
</div>

BlackBerry launches CylanceMDR, an MDR solution

<div>
 <p>Aikido, a Belgian startup from Ghent that is developing a comprehensive developer security platform, has successfully raised 17 million USD in a series A funding round. The funding was led by Singular VC, with Notion Capital and Connect Ventures also participating as they are returning investors. The total funding Aikido has received to date amounts to 22.5 million USD.</p>
 <p>The capital raised in this round is slated for enhancing the Aikido platform along with broadening its features and capabilities.</p>
 <p>Designed to simplify security for developers, Aikido's platform is an integrated solution that merges both code and cloud security tools. The company mainly courts small and medium enterprises (SMEs), offering a free basic service with additional paid features as part of its business model. Moreover, Aikido is also committed to open-sourcing new products. As of now, the company boasts of a customer base that exceeds 3,000.</p>
</div>

Aikido raises USD 17 million to build out developer security platform

Leveraging personal data for custom-fit diagnosis and treatment

Precision Medicine

<div>
 <p>Rymedi and Precision Genetics have created a strategic partnership to integrate the pharmacogenetics platform of Precision Genetics, PrecisionOp, with Rymedi's blockchain health data management solutions. This move is intended to optimize the effectiveness of precision therapeutics.</p>
 <p>As part of the partnership, Rymedi's clinical trial and registry platform will assist Precision Genetics' research study, PROMISRx. This IRB-approved study will track and analyze how surgical patients respond to various medications, with the goal of gathering data that can be used to create personalized therapeutics. These customized treatments aim to maximize recovery and minimize side effects.</p>
 <p>Precision Genetics specializes in advanced molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenetic solutions that create personalized treatments. The company offers a variety of testing services, including the PrecisionOp platform for perioperative care, the Neuropharmagen solution for mental health diagnostics, and Precision Primary for comprehensive health solutions. All of these services use genetic insights to determine the efficacy and safety of medications.</p>

</div>

Rymedi and Precision Genetics partner to transform health outcomes through precision medicine

<div>
 <p>Karius, a life sciences firm, has successfully secured USD 100 million in a Series C funding round. Participants included Khosla Ventures, 5AM Ventures, Gilde Healthcare, Seventure Partners, Softbank Vision Fund 2, General Catalyst, HBM Healthcare Investments, Blue Water Life Sciences, Innovation Endeavors, and Waycross Ventures. The raised funds are expected to bolster the reach of the Karius Test— the company's proprietary liquid biopsy test for detecting pathogens— beyond its existing network of 400 US hospitals. Furthermore, the funding will also support research into the expansive health implications of Karius' microbial cell-free DNA technology beyond just infectious diseases.</p>
 <p>Specializing in infectious disease diagnostics, Karius leverages genomic insights to perform its operations. The Karius Test is an innovative diagnostic tool that can non-invasively detect around 1,000 pathogens from a single blood sample. Utilizing advanced genomics and Artificial Intelligence, the test analyzes microbial cell-free DNA to furnish diagnostic information that aids in making swift treatment decisions.</p>
</div>

Karius raises USD 100 million in Series C funding to expand Karius Test infectious disease diagnostic tool

<div>
 <p>Biopharmaceutical company Genomenon has announced a collaboration with Pharming Group, an entity that focuses on developing protein replacement therapies and precise medications. The partnership aims to provide genetic data relating to the PIK3CD and PIK3R1 genes involved in Activated PI3K delta syndrome (APDS) to global medical researchers and clinicians.</p>
 <p>The essential genetic data associated with APDS will be made available worldwide to diagnostic laboratories and medical professionals via Genomenon’s Mastermind Genomic Intelligence Platform as part of the alliance.</p>
 <p>Pharming Group is renowned for developing and commercializing protein replacement therapies and precision medicines geared towards the treatment of rare diseases. Their product line includes RUCONEST (conestat alfa), designed for treating acute angioedema attacks, and JOENJA (leniolisib), used for treating activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) syndrome (APDS). The company is also involved in the development of other drugs that are currently in pre-clinical and clinical stages.</p>
 
</div>

Genomenon collaborates with Pharming to enhance APDS diagnosis

Foundation Models

<div>
 
 <p>The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has set up an international system to regulate and utilize GenAI to ensure its safety and trustworthiness, preventing potentially detrimental uses of AI.</p>
 <p>This initiative will be carried out by The Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group, comprising 49 countries and regions. This group focuses on formulating principles and a code of conduct to navigate the risks associated with GenAI.</p>
  
</div>

Japanese Prime Minister introduces international framework for GenAI regulations

Reinventing gene therapies with next-generation technologies

Human Gene Editing

<div>
 
 <p>Microsoft has imposed a restriction on US police departments, preventing them from utilizing GenAI for facial recognition via Azure OpenAI Service, which incorporates OpenAI's present and forthcoming image-analyzing models.</p>
 <p>This restriction is solely applicable to US police forces and doesn't extend to international law enforcement bodies. Moreover, it does not include facial recognition processes carried out with static cameras in controlled environments.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The updated policy comes after Axon, a producer of tech and weapons products for military and law enforcement, launched a product that reportedly used OpenAI's GPT-4 generative text model to summarize audio from body cameras. Microsoft and OpenAI seem to be treading carefully in using AI technology in law enforcement and the military.</p>

Microsoft reaffirms ban on US Police’s use of Azure OpenAI Service

<div>
    <p>MedStar Washington Hospital Center has enrolled the initial heart patient from the US in the Phase III MAGNITUDE clinical trial of NTLA-2001. This clinical trial is led by Intellia Therapeutics and focuses on in vivo CRISPR-based therapy for patients who are suffering from transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).</p>
    <p>NTLA-2001 involves a single-use, intravenous gene editing therapy that employs CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This technology focuses on preventing the formation of abnormal transthyretin (TTR) protein. This protein leads to ATTR-CM, a condition wherein the TTR protein amasses in the nerves and heart, often leading to heart failure. The preliminary results of the Phase I and II clinical trials suggest that NTLA-2001 can lead to a substantial reduction in TTR protein levels.</p>
</div>

All Updates