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      <p>
        Headout, a travel and experiences booking platform, has acquired Dabble, an AI product photography platform. The terms of the acquisition remained undisclosed.
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      <p>
        Following the acquisition, Headout plans to use Dabble's technological prowess to build AI-powered travel experiences for its users. This is expected to enhance the discovery and in-person delivery of experiences.
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      <p>
        Dabble is an AI-powered virtual product photography platform that enables ecommerce businesses to create hyper-realistic 3D product images and immersive shopping experiences without physical photo shoots. It works at the intersection of AI, computer vision, and new media to construct applications for various sectors, such as gaming, indoor navigation, and training.
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  <p>
    <a href="https://www.phocuswire.com/tour-activities-platform-headout-acquires-dabble-ai-experiences">
      PhocusWire
    </a>
  </p>
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Travel Tech

<div>
 
 <p>Travel and experiences booking platform, Headout, has acquired Dabble, an AI product photography platform. The details regarding the acquisition were not disclosed.</p> 
 <p>Post-acquisition, Headout aims to utilize Dabble's technology to develop AI-powered travel experiences for its users. This will reportedly boost the discovery and real-time delivery of experiences.</p> 
 <p>Dabble is a virtual product photography platform powered by AI. It aids ecommerce businesses to develop ultra-realistic 3D product images and immersive shopping experiences, eliminating the need for physical photo shoots. Dabble combines AI, computer vision, and new media to build applications for varied sectors like gaming, indoor navigation, and training.</p> 

</div>

Headout acquires Dabble to build AI-powered travel experiences

Empowering Tomorrow's Innovations with Generative AI Infrastructure

Generative AI Infrastructure

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced an innovative tool called Automated Reasoning checks as part of its Bedrock model hosting service. This tool has been purposed to mitigate AI hallucinations and uses a validation system that checks model responses against information supplied by customers.</p>
 <p>These Automated Reasoning checks function by comparing AI responses with ground truth data from customers. These checks produce rules which can be honed and applied to various models. While generating responses, they carry out cross-verification and at the same time display correct responses in conjunction with possible falsehoods for contrast.</p>
 <p>AWS declares that it is the first among major cloud providers to offer a safeguard effect against AI hallucinations. Moreover, it empowers clients to establish as well as personalize safety, privacy and truthfulness within an all-in-one solution. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is already incorporating this tool in producing AI assistants for its clientele. However, AWS hasn't shared any data that demonstrate the tool's reliability.</p> 
</div> <p>Analyst <b>QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The update builds on AWS' existing hallucination detection capabilities, initially having Guardrails for Amazon Bedrock in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/24413"> November 2023 </a> . In <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/31381"> July 2024 </a> , the company announced contextual grounding checks (to detect hallucinations in model responses based on a reference source and user query) and ApplyGuardrail API, which allows customers to evaluate input prompts and model responses against configured safeguards for any foundation model.</p>

AWS launches Automated Reasoning checks to combat AI hallucinations

Quantum information processing is slowly becoming a reality, ushering in a new technological era.

Quantum Computing

Equal1 launches quantum controller chip for cryogenic computing

AI, robotics, and IoT to streamline the flow of goods and information

Logistics Tech

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 <p>Extoec has formed a partnership with BlueStar, a provider of digital identification and mobility solutions, to introduce warehouse automation solutions in BlueStar's distribution centers throughout Europe and the US.</p>
 <p>The focus of the partnership is the implementation of Exotec's Skypod system, featuring 20 Skypod robots, racking with 23,000 bins, three picking stations, and one bin interface. This system has decreased warehouse traffic by 60% and improved order-picking efficiency at BlueStar's EMEA Distribution Centre in Eindhoven.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Today’s partnership adds BlueStar to Exotec’s growing list of customers, which also includes <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/35243"> Auchan Retail Luxembourg </a> , <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/26080"> Lane Automotive </a> , <a href="https:<br>
//www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-supply-partners-with-exotec-to-boost-its-operational-capabilities-and-support-business-growth-302150787.html"> First Supply </a> , and <a href="https:<br>
//media.renaultgroup.com/renault-group-positions-itself-at-the-forefront-of-innovation-in-automotive-logistics-with-exotec/"> Renault Group </a> .</p>

Exotec partners with BlueStar to deploy Skypod warehouse automation system

Additive manufacturing makes objects by systematically adding material via a CAD program

Additive Manufacturing

<div>
 <p>Metals additive manufacturing provider Amaero International has formed a three-year supply agreement with Perryman Company, a titanium parts provider. The agreement stipulates that Perryman will function as the primary source of titanium alloy bar feedstock for Amaero's production of premium spherical powder. The agreement includes specific pricing for the year 2025, which will experience annual increases and fluctuating surcharges based on the market rates of Ti64. The set pricing relates to yearly minimum order requirements of 45 metric tons in 2025, and 100 metric tons for both 2026 and 2027.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Amaero has been actively ramping up its production capacity in the US over the past few months <b>. </b> This news comes only two months after the company <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33656"> raised USD 16.9 million </a> in an institutional placement, which it earmarked for purchasing capital equipment, including a second atomizer, and improving its Tennessee headquarters.</p>

Amaero enters long-term supply agreement with Perryman

<div>
 <p>3D printing company, Raise3D, has introduced six new resins for its DF2 Resin digital light processing (DLP) printer, bringing its total product range to 15 resins. These new products have been designed for high-performance engineering prototyping and low-volume production.</p>
 <p>The new offerings are Raise3D Draft Grey V1 for high-speed prototyping, Forward AM Ultracur3D EL 4000 with Shore 90A hardness for hard products, Forward AM Ultracur3D EL 60 for elastic projects, and three Henkel LOCTITE products: 3D 3843 for impact strength, 3D PRO410 for high resolution, and 3D PRO417 for high strength applications.</p>
</div>

Raise3D launches six new resins for DF2 DLP solution

<div>
 <p>Anzu Partners LLC, a technology investment firm, has agreed to acquire voxeljet AG, a provider of large-format 3D printers and on-demand 3D printed parts, for EUR 20 million (~USD 21 million).</p>
 <p>Following the acquisition, Anzu's managing partner Whitney Haring-Smith will become chair of the board of directors, while current CEO Rudolf Franz will continue to lead the business.</p>
 <p>The transaction, expected to close in March or April 2025, includes a "go-shop" period until January 12, 2025, allowing voxeljet to consider alternative acquisition proposals.</p>
</div>

Anzu Partners acquires voxeljet for EUR 20 million

Managing employee health-related benefits

Health Benefits Platforms

<div>
 
 <p>Soda Health, a benefits management provider, has raised USD 50 million in a Series B funding round. This was led by General Catalyst, along with contributions from Bruce Broussard, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Define Ventures, Qiming Venture Partners US, and SVB Capital, increasing the company's total raised funds to USD 81 million.</p>
 <p>The funding will be utilized to scale operations, introduce new data products, and develop capacities to new compliance management systems. This includes CMS-compliant benefit categories and gap closure strategies. The ambition is to establish risk-based structures with Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans and widen CMS-compliant benefit offerings.</p>
 <p>As of December 2024, Soda Health's Smart Benefits platform operates in over 50,000 retail locations in the US, including prominent chains such as Kroger, Albertsons, CVS, and Hy-Vee. In the same year, over 33 million seniors relied on Medicare Advantage, accounting for USD 131 billion in supplemental benefits and reward dollars.</p>
 
</div>

Soda Health raises USD 50 million in oversubscribed Series B funding to scale operations

<div>
 
 <p>StretchDollar, a health benefits platform, has garnered USD 6 million in a seed funding round. Fika Ventures and Oscar Health were the lead investors, with Precursor Ventures and Springbank also participating. This amplifies the total funds secured by StretchDollar to USD 7.6 million.</p>
 <p>The capital will be utilized to augment the company's self-service platform and refine the benefits experience for small businesses.</p>
 <p>The platform of StretchDollar capitalizes on the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) rule instated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This rule enables employers to allocate pre-tax dollars towards employee healthcare expenses. As of December 2024, the company offers its platform to small businesses without any charges.</p>
 
</div>

StretchDollar raises USD 6 million in seed funding to expand platform

A concentration of wealth and a willingness to adopt age-in-place technologies present new opportunities.

Age Tech

<div>
 
 <p>Digital care coordination company, ThoroughCare, has successfully integrated its care management software into PointClickCare's platform. This strategic integration merges ThoroughCare's care coordination offerings with PointClickCare's cloud-based elder care software. As a result, long-term and post-acute care providers can now access comprehensive patient data including demographics, vital signs, chronic conditions, and medication records, all from a unified platform. </p>
 <p> The key features of this integration include a single sign-on capability and the creation of specific care plans facilitated by ThoroughCare's assessment tools. Furthermore, these care plan reports are effortlessly forwarded to patient charts on PointClickCare’s platform, optimizing the overall care process. This partnership aims to streamline care management, making it more efficient and effective for all parties involved.</p>
 
</div>

ThoroughCare integrates care management software with PointClickCare for coordinated healthcare delivery

Empowering sustainable food innovation through food engineering tech

Alternative Ingredients

<div>
 <p>Fraunhofer IME, metaX Institut für Diätetik GmbH, and Candidum GmbH have collaborated on the NovelSweets project to develop a new protein-based sweetener, X3. This initiative comes as part of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture's efforts to decrease sugar content in ready-to-eat foods. </p>
 <p>Brazzein, a sweet protein in the African plant, Pentadiplandra brazzeana, is used to create X3, which is reportedly 10,000x sweeter than regular table sugar. The production process embeds sweet-tasting protein genes into yeast cells, multiplies them in a bioreactor, and then refines and dehydrates the product.</p>
 <p>X3 is a calorie-free sweetener, posing no risk of cavities or raised blood sugar levels. MetaX is at the moment developing the inaugural range of X3 products, with a cocoa-based beverage powder being the first. Prior to seeking regulatory approval, further optimization of the manufacturing process is necessary. </p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Given the product's high potency, this development marks a major milestone for the food tech industry. During the year, <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/29597"> Sweegen </a> and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/36552"> MycoTechnology </a> launched brazzein and honey truffle sweet protein products, although these showcased much less sweetness than X3 (around 500x–2,500x).</p>

All Updates

Headout acquires Dabble to build AI-powered travel experiences

AWS launches Automated Reasoning checks to combat AI hallucinations

Equal1 launches quantum controller chip for cryogenic computing

Exotec partners with BlueStar to deploy Skypod warehouse automation system

Amaero enters long-term supply agreement with Perryman

Raise3D launches six new resins for DF2 DLP solution

Anzu Partners acquires voxeljet for EUR 20 million

Soda Health raises USD 50 million in oversubscribed Series B funding to scale operations

StretchDollar raises USD 6 million in seed funding to expand platform

ThoroughCare integrates care management software with PointClickCare for coordinated healthcare delivery

NovelSweets project develops protein-based sweetener 'X3'

Travel Tech

Headout acquires Dabble to build AI-powered travel experiences

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