<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Amazon Prime Air, the drone delivery arm of Amazon, has laid off dozens of employees attached to the company&rsquo;s R&amp;D and manufacturing sections. The decision seems to be driven by the fact that Amazon is looking to use third-party suppliers to expedite the development and deployment process.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Amazon has already entered into tentative deals with two external component suppliers, namely, Austria&rsquo;s FACC Aerospace and Spain&rsquo;s Aernnova Aerospace, both specializing in the manufacturing of composite components for the aviation industry. Amazon plans to enter into more such contracts in the future.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        The drones&rsquo; delayed manufacturing is cited as the main reason behind the layoffs and third-party deals. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, points out that despite the product having been in the making since 2013, drone deliveries at scale are yet to materialize.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        In August 2020, Amazon Prime Air received US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to launch commercial drone deliveries in the US on a trial basis. However, the company has not yet revealed its plans for trial runs.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.worldnpost.com/amazon-lays-off-dozens-of-staff-at-drone-programme/">
      World Post
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.cityam.com/amazon-sacks-dozens-of-staff-on-drone-delivery-programme/#:~:text=Amazon%20has%20reportedly%20laid%20off,kickstart%20its%20eagerly%2Dawaited%20project.">
      City AM
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Last-mile Delivery Automation

Amazon lays off dozens of employees at its Prime Air drone delivery program

Giving creators the power of content monetization and audience engagement.

Creator Economy

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>YouTube is introducing new AI-enabled tools, improved monetization alternatives, and larger community features to aid creators in increasing engagement, content production, and income generation on its platform.</p>
 <p>The company is debuting new elements to boost the creator experience, such as Dream Screen for AI-produced video clips in Shorts and an AI-driven Inspiration Tab for content ideas. YouTube is broadening Communities for fan interaction and unveiling the Hype Tool to showcase up-and-coming creators. Its Automatic Dubbing feature enhances global accessibility with organic dubbing across a variety of languages. Simultaneously, fresh monetization tools like Jewels and digital presents, a larger Shopping affiliate scheme, and smart TV monetization provide creators with additional revenue-earning options.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> YouTube's latest AI-powered tools and monetization updates indicate a strategic focus on improving creator engagement, expanding revenue streams, and reaching new markets. By introducing AI-powered content creation features like Dream Screen and the Inspiration Tab, the platform empowers creators to produce more dynamic, personalized content while saving time, aligning with its vision of using AI for creative expression. Expanded monetization opportunities, such as the Shopping affiliate program and new TV content features, highlight YouTube's strategy to grow the creator economy across geographies and platforms. This broadens YouTube's market impact and deepens its presence at the growing intersection of content creation and commerce.</p>

YouTube introduces new AI-driven tools and monetization updates for creators

More important now than ever, telehealth will long outlast the pandemic that drove its growth.

Telehealth

<div>
 
 <p>The Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 has been passed unanimously by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, extending vital telehealth regulations for two years beyond their late-2024 expiration date. The voting concluded with 41-0 votes in favour. </p>
 <p>The bill is targeted at enhancing telehealth services availability for non-English speaking individuals and rural citizens. It also seeks to maintain audio-only service for individuals with restricted broadband connectivity and allows hospitals to deliver inpatient care in the home context. The bill also involves clauses to heighten transparency in pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) contracts and severs the link between drug costs and compensation.</p>
 <p>Despite the legislation not rendering telehealth flexibilities permanent, it marks a significant forward stride in securing continued access to telehealth facilities.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> In <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/11959"> July 2022 </a> , the House of Representatives voted to pass legislation extending telehealth flexibilities until the end of 2024. The passing of the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 secures Telehealth’s place in the US healthcare system for a while longer and will help patients continue to obtain care remotely. It also leaves room for the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) planned initiatives to tighten controls on virtual prescribing practices of controlled substances, which were still being deliberated as of <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33244"> September 2024 </a> .</p>

House committee advances bipartisan telehealth extension bill

<div>
 
 <p>Suki, an AI healthcare technology firm, is working with electronic health record system provider, MEDITECH, to introduce its voice AI assistant to over 12 health systems.</p>
 <p>Through this partnership, the AI assistant from Suki will be integrated with MEDITECH Expanse, enabling clinicians to accomplish EHR tasks using voice commands. This has resulted in better note quality and decreased documentation time as reported by health systems like St. Mary's Healthcare and Decatur County Memorial Hospital. The primary goal of this collaboration is to lessen the administrative duties of healthcare providers and amplify the quality of patient care.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This marks the fourth partnership Suki has secured in 2024. Previously, in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27284"> March </a> , Suki partnered with Amwell to integrate Suki's system to reduce healthcare providers' documentation burden. The company partnered with Premier in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/29197"> May </a> to streamline clinical documentation and several federally qualified health centers and community health centers in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/31689"> July </a> to enhance care in underserved communities. Through these partnerships, Suki has grown its market presence across the US.</p>

Suki partners with MEDITECH to deploy AI assistant in 12+ health systems

Technology providers that enhance satellite operations

Next-gen Satellites

<div>
 <p>Geospatial intelligence provider, BlackSky Technology, has collaborated with non-Earth imaging company, HEO, to introduce automated low-latency non-Earth imaging services. The partnership includes a multi-million dollar contract, and involves integrating BlackSky's constellation into HEO's sensor network for automating the tasking-to-delivery process. The goal is to use BlackSky's mid-inclination orbit and high-resolution imagery to enhance data collection above Earth's middle latitudes and consequently improve space situational awareness through real-time tracking and intelligence about spacecraft and on-orbit objects.</p>
 <p>With the use of HEO's automated “HEO Inspect” platform, customers can request non-Earth imaging products. The system is designed to automatically identify imaging possibilities, assign tasks to BlackSky's satellites, and produce comprehensive analytics reports including data on satellite attitude, location, and pattern-of-life analyses.</p> 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> BlackSky is expanding its offering of satellite imaging data for Earth and non-Earth applications. The company received a USD 476 million NASA contract in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33448"> September 2024 </a> to provide satellite imagery for Earth observation research under NASA's Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition Program (CSDAP).</p>

BlackSky partners with HEO to provide non-Earth imaging services for space domain awareness

Technology to explore opportunities beyond Earth

Space Travel and Exploration Tech

<div>
 <p>Florida-based luxury space experience company, Space Perspective, has completed a successful comprehensive test flight of its unmanned Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior. The crucial flight embarked from Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager in Florida and is a noteworthy step towards crewed missions. Tickets for forthcoming flights are being priced at USD 125,000.</p>
 <p>The test flight spanned over six hours, displaying the spacecraft's capability to rise to an altitude of roughly 100,000 ft, effortlessly traversing through 99% of Earth's atmosphere. Several key features underwent assessment, including the patented four-roller balloon lift system, the pressurized cabin outfitted with large windows, an advanced thermal control system, and the innovative hydrogen-powered SpaceBalloon.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Space Perspective's MS Voyager spaceport was unveiled in February 2024 and completed construction in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32516"> August 2024 </a> . The 294-foot-long MS Voyager is the first-ever spaceport for human spaceflight on open water and is equipped to launch and retrieve the company's SpaceBalloons for tourists. The company plans to begin passenger flights in 2025 and commercial operations in 2026.</p>

Space Perspective completes uncrewed test flight of Neptune spacecraft

Helping employers provide personalized, high-touch, and holistic financial wellness tools to their entire workforce.

Financial Wellness Tools

<div>
 
<p>DailyPay, a platform for accessing employee earned wages, has launched a new savings feature for its<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/33471"> DailyPay Visa Prepaid Card</a>. This general-purpose reloadable card allows users to access their earned wages instantly at no cost if they use it for direct deposit. </p>
<p>The Savings feature enables users to set up savings goals and put away money as it's earned. With a single button, users can transfer money from their DailyPay Card into virtual savings containers, helping them develop emergency funds for unforeseen costs. </p>
<p>DailyPay believes this feature will encourage users to form a habit of saving, which is crucial for transitioning from financial crisis to stability.</p>
 
</div>

DailyPay adds savings feature to Visa prepaid card

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

<div>
 <p>Anduril Industries, established by Palmer Luckey, has allied with Microsoft to enhance the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) mixed-reality headsets used by the US Army.</p>
 <p>The company's Lattice software is set to be merged into the IVAS headsets, giving the soldiers access to actual-time data from various sources including drones, vehicles, and defense systems. The goal is to amplify the visual and auditory faculties of the soldiers, potentially boosting their operational efficiency in the field.</p>
 <p>With this venture, Luckey is making a comeback to the VR headset sphere following the sale of Oculus to Meta back in 2014. The US Army is poised to pour in up to USD 21.9 billion over the course of the 10-year IVAS project contract. Further advancements and evaluations have been outlined for early 2025.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The partnership will provide a much-needed stimulus for Microsoft’s IVAS program, which has been rocky lately. In <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32777"> August 2024 </a> , the US Army reportedly planned to replace Microsoft with a different headset supplier. Before this, the US Army’s request for USD 400 million to buy IVAS headsets was <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/15732"> rejected </a> by Congress, citing mission-affecting physical impairments such as nausea, headaches, and eyestrain stemming from the headset.</p>

Anduril partners with Microsoft to enhance US Army's IVAS mixed reality headsets

<div>
 <p>In-car Virtual Reality (VR) entertainment startup holoride is planning to realign and expand its business post a successful restructuring. The company intends to start a holding company in Singapore, while its main team will stay in Munich. As part of its growth strategy, holoride aims to license its technology to industrial clients to create their software applications.</p>
 <p>In its reorganization process, holoride plans to carry forward its existing collaborations and plans to unveil an upgraded software suite in early 2025. The proposed software will support compatibility with more devices, thereby enhancing the company's technological prowess.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Chloride filed for insolvency in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/29340"> May 2024 </a> , unable to secure further funding. Licensing its technology will broaden the company’s revenue streams, which initially focused on the niche in-car VR entertainment market.</p>

holoride returns from insolvency; plans expansion into Asia and technology licensing

<div>
 <p>Benjamin Capital Partners, a company aiming to disrupt the consumer cash rewards sector, has purchased AR content creator New Thing Co. for an undisclosed amount.</p>
 <p>The firm intends to incorporate New Thing Co.'s AR technology into its app to improve "Benjamin Money Moments," which are cash rewards for common activities like shopping, playing mobile games, and watching advertisements.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>New Thing Co. designs user experiences for brand promoters using its unique AR rewards software and technology. This AR technology allows users to visually find and collect rewards at certain places, a concept similar to Pokémon Go but involving actual money.</p>
 
</div>

Benjamin Capital Partners acquires New Thing Co. to integrate technology for cash rewards

New data privacy regulations have opened up space for a new wave of compliance-focused startups.

Digital Privacy Tools

<div>
 
 <p>23andMe, the genetics and ancestry company, has accepted a settlement amounting to USD 30 million following a data breach in 2023. This breach exposed the data of approximately 6.9 million customers, affecting half of the user base.</p>
 <p>The proposed settlement, which awaits court approval, obligates 23andMe to offer up to USD 10,000 to customers who experienced hardships due to the breach. According to state genetic privacy laws, those living in Alaska, California, Illinois, and Oregon may qualify for extra payments.</p>
 <p>In addition to monetary compensation, the settlement includes three years of a security monitoring service, Privacy Shield, for impacted users. For a particular group of users whose personal health information was compromised by the breach, the company will offer USD 100 payments.</p>
 <p>A lawsuit was filed against 23andMe in January 2024, alleging failure to secure user data. The company also faced accusations of not alerting customers belonging to Chinese or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry that their data was intentionally targeted and disseminated on the dark web.</p>
 
</div>

All Updates

Amazon lays off dozens of employees at its Prime Air drone delivery program

YouTube introduces new AI-driven tools and monetization updates for creators

House committee advances bipartisan telehealth extension bill

Suki partners with MEDITECH to deploy AI assistant in 12+ health systems

BlackSky partners with HEO to provide non-Earth imaging services for space domain awareness

Space Perspective completes uncrewed test flight of Neptune spacecraft

DailyPay adds savings feature to Visa prepaid card

Anduril partners with Microsoft to enhance US Army's IVAS mixed reality headsets

holoride returns from insolvency; plans expansion into Asia and technology licensing

Benjamin Capital Partners acquires New Thing Co. to integrate technology for cash rewards

23andMe agrees to USD 30 million data breach settlement

Last-mile Delivery Automation

Amazon lays off dozens of employees at its Prime Air drone delivery program

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