<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Wing, the drone delivery division operated by Google, has partnered with KFC Australia to pilot drone-based food deliveries in Queensland, Australia.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Initially, the service will be available for KFC customers in South East Queensland suburbs of Kingston, Logan Central, Slacks Creek, Underwood, and Woodridge, with plans to expand coverage to other locations.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
    &lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;
    <b>Analyst QuickTake:</b>
     Google Wing has been conducting drone-based deliveries in Queensland since 2014, which later expanded to include the US and Finland. The company reported completing 100,000 drone-based deliveries in August last year&mdash;mostly in Queensland, where it claims to have the largest residential drone delivery operation in the world. In addition, Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, also acquired the Australian restaurant tech company Dragontail Systems 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/158">
      in May 2021,
    </a>
     which also has its own drone network for restaurants. Nevertheless, today&rsquo;s partnership marks the first drone-based delivery operation for KFC Australia.&lt;/ul&gt;
  </p>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.verdictfoodservice.com/news/kfc-begins-drone-delivery-pilot-with-wing-in-australia/">
      Verdict Food Service
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.cmo.com.au/article/695011/kfc-australia-makes-its-drone-delivery-debut/">
      CMO Australia
    </a>
    &nbsp;
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://dronedj.com/2022/02/04/kfc-drone-delivery-australia/">
      DroneDJ
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Last-mile Delivery Automation

Google Wing partners with KFC for drone-based food deliveries in Queensland

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

Additive Manufacturing

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division, a leading provider of manufacturing technology solutions, has unveiled its latest innovation, the Advanced Compensation technology specifically designed for metal 3D printing. The novel technology is anticipated to be available to all existing Simufact Additive customers starting from the first quarter of 2025.</p>
 <p>The distinctive aspect of this technology is its potential to blend process simulation with geometry compensation which is vital in guaranteeing that large or intricate metal parts deform into their predefined shape during the printing process. The cutting-edge solution is compatible with Hexagon's Simufact Additive software and VGSTUDIO MAX technology. This integration equips users with the capability to perform actions on parts and compensate print-ready meshes with the help of 3D scan data. Based on the information provided by Hexagon, the introduction of the new technology will empower manufacturers to attain surface profiles that are between 98% and 100% within the acceptable tolerance range. Other projected benefits of the technology include reduction in material waste and a decrease in support structures.</p>
</div>

Hexagon unveils Advanced Compensation for metal 3D printing

Technology providers that enhance satellite operations

Next-gen Satellites

<div>
 <p>Gilmour Space Technologies has been chosen by Earth observation firm LatConnect 60 for a demonstration mission. The purpose of this mission is to offer insights into methane and carbon emissions from space. The mission will be facilitated through Gilmour's ElaraSat bus.</p>
 <p>The short-wave infrared imagery satellite (SWIRSAT) for the operation is 100 kg and will use Gilmour Space’s ElaraSat bus, compounded with Spiral Blue’s sensors and Edge computer, located at the ASMN facility in Queensland. The satellite will return high-resolution Earth observation data which will aid in achieving emissions reduction objectives. The expected launch partner is Skyroot Aerospace in India.</p>
 <p>WIRSAT holds the potential to provide key insights from extremely high-resolution Earth observation data in the short-wave infrared range. This will make it possible to precisely identify and measure source-level carbon emissions and fill a crucial data gap from low-Earth orbit.</p>
 
</div>

Gilmour Space partners with LatConnect 60 to build Earth observation satellite

Clean, congestion-free air travel gets liftoff

Passenger eVTOL Aircraft

<div>
 <p>Wisk Aero, a subsidiary of Boeing and developer of eVTOL aircraft, has signed an agreement with Archerfield Airport Corporation to build an advanced air mobility ecosystem at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane. The partnership aims to prioritize the development of eVTOL air taxi infrastructure in Brisbane, beginning with an electrification project to identify infrastructure needs.</p>
 <p>The Archerfield Airport, which is located 11km away from Brisbane’s CBD, will offer essential amenities, such as eVTOL recharging and maintenance services, with plans to begin operations in time for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.</p>
    <p>The partners anticipate that by 2032, in time for the Brisbane Olympic Games, eVTOLs will provide emissions-free transportation services from vertiports located across the region. This is set to reduce road traffic significantly, while ensuring efficient transportation of personnel to key locations in South-East Queensland.</p>
</div>

Wisk Aero partners with Archerfield Airport to develop eVTOL infrastructure in Brisbane

<div>
 <p>Joby Aviation, a manufacturer of eVTOL aircraft, has teamed up with Microsoft Flight Simulator to embed Joby's eVTOL air taxi in the recently released Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. After years of development, the collaboration offers authentic controls and dynamics for Joby’s aircraft, making it possible to simulate air taxi routes such as JFK Airport to Downtown Manhattan. The system features state-of-the-art "unified flight controls" similar to those utilized in vertical-lift military aircraft like the F-35.</p>
</div>

Joby Aviation partners with Microsoft Flight Simulator to integrate eVTOL aircraft

Empowering Tomorrow's Innovations with Generative AI Infrastructure

Generative AI Infrastructure

<div>
 <p>Wordware, the developer of AI platform GenAI, has secured $30 million in seed funding. The investment was led by Spark Capital and included contributors such as Felicis, Y-Combinator, Day One Ventures, and individual investors Paul Graham and Vlad Magdalin from Webflow.</p>

 <p>The company plans to use the funding to expand its services to individual users, allowing them to automate personal workflows via its platform. Wordware, which is focusing on team-building, is currently in a hiring phase.</p>

 <p>Wordware's creation is a full-stack AI-operating system called GenAI, which enables users to create AI agents by using natural language, instead of coding. Key features of this system include self-checking reflection loops, evaluation frameworks, and a GitHub-like repository for solution sharing. This is particularly beneficial for businesses seeking to accelerate their AI projects without the need for large specialized teams.</p>

</div>

Wordware raises USD 30 million in seed funding from Spark Capital

Reinforcing recycling, rerouting refuse, and reducing wasteflows

Waste Recovery & Management Tech

<div>
 
 <p>Sustainability-focused startup Grensol Group, based in Switzerland, has entered a partnership with XCharge North America, a provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. The aim of this partnership is to create eco-friendly recycling methods for used EV charging equipment.</p>
 <p>The recycling efforts will target electric vehicle supply equipment components such as charging cables and modules. Various recycling methods, including mechanical, chemical and thermal, will be utilized as part of the solution. Research collaboration with Worcester Polytechnic Institute is also part of the project, with the first batch of materials already sent for processing.</p>
 <p>The ultimate objective of this collaborative project is to provide an industry-standard recycling solution that can transform used charging equipment into essential raw materials for reuse. This responds to a recognized issue with the lifespan of charging equipment, which typically has a shortened lifespan due to high levels of wear and tear.</p>
 
</div>

Grensol partners with ​​XCharge to develop recycling solutions for EV charging equipment

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 
 <p>ExxonMobil is allocating USD 200 million towards the increase of its advanced plastics recycling operations in its Baytown and Beaumont facilities in Texas. The aim is to enhance the company's ability to recycle complex items including chip bags, synthetic turf, and industrial packaging.</p>
 <p>The primary goal of this expansion is to boost the processing capacity by 175,000 tons. This step will allow ExxonMobil to recycle 250,000 tons of plastic waste yearly in the US by 2026.&nbsp;</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> This expansion comes amid increasing scrutiny of plastic waste management, with ExxonMobil facing <a href="https:<br>
//www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/california-sues-exxonmobil-plastic-recycling-deception-rcna172267"> legal challenges </a> in California regarding its recycling claims.</p>

ExxonMobil plans USD 200 million expansion of recycling facilities in Texas

Bringing fresh produce closer to consumers with efficient, advanced technology.

Vertical Farming

<div>
 
 <p>Agrify, a company specialized in creating proprietary growing solutions for indoor farming, has raised a total of USD 25.9 million. This fund was raised through a non-brokered private placement from both institutional and accredited investors. The share price was set at USD 22.30. Benjamin Kovler, the Chairman and interim CEO of Agrify, also participated in this placement by purchasing 10,000 of the shares at a cost of USD 38.76 each.</p>
 <p>The company has disclosed plans regarding the use of these funds. Agrify will primarily use these funds for general corporate requirements such as working capital and business development. The closing of this private placement is set for November 21, 2024.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This latest round of funding follows the securing of USD 20 million in convertible secured note financing from Green Thumb Industries in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/35724"> November 2024 </a> and another public offering of USD 2.6 million in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27075"> February 2024 </a> . These funds were used for working capital and general corporate purposes, as well as to provide capital support and operational expertise to help position the company for growth and long-term value creation for shareholders.</p>

Agrify raises USD 25.9 million in private placement for general corporate purposes

Clear the air on carbon capture, reuse, and storage

Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage (CCUS)

<div>
 <p>Swedish e-fuel facility developer, Liquid Wind, has raised EUR 44 million in a Series C funding round. The round, which is the largest the company has secured to date, was spearheaded by Uniper SE and HYCAP. Samsung Ventures also participated as a new investor, bringing Liquid Wind's total funding so far to USD 63.6 million.</p>
 <p>The funds will be used to support the construction of ten e-fuel facilities by 2027. Liquid Wind has formed partnerships with Sundsvall Energi, Umea Energi, NordFuel, and Puhuri to develop three facility projects across Sweden and Finland.</p>
 <p>Established in 2017, Liquid Wind develops plants that transform biogenic CO2 and renewable electricity into e-methanol. Each standard site aims to produce up to 100,000 tons of e-fuels annually while capturing 150,000 tons of CO2. By 2050, the company plans to roll out 500 of these facilities globally.</p>
 
</div>

Liquid Wind raises EUR 44 million in Series C funding to construct e-fuel facilities

Moving industry forward with next-gen advancements in energy storage and transmission

Alternative Energy

<div>
 <p>Liquid Wind, a Swedish developer of e-fuel facilities, has gathered EUR 44 million (~USD 46 million) in a Series C funding round. The round, which is the company's largest yet, was led by Uniper SE and HYCAP and included contributions from new participant Samsung Ventures. Total funding for the company now sits at USD 63.6 million.</p>
 <p>Funds from this round will be used to support the company's construction of 10 e-fuel facilities by 2027. To achieve this, Liquid Wind has entered into partnerships with Sundsvall Energi, Umea Energi, NordFuel, and Puhuri and is now developing three projects in Sweden and Finland.</p>
 <p>Liquid Wind was established in 2017 with the aim of creating facilities that transform biogenic CO2 and renewable electricity into e-methanol. Each standard site is expected to produce annually up to 100,000 tons of e-fuels and capture 150,000 tons of CO2. The long-term goal for the company is to deploy 500 such facilities worldwide by 2050.</p>
</div>

All Updates

Google Wing partners with KFC for drone-based food deliveries in Queensland

Hexagon unveils Advanced Compensation for metal 3D printing

Gilmour Space partners with LatConnect 60 to build Earth observation satellite

Wisk Aero partners with Archerfield Airport to develop eVTOL infrastructure in Brisbane

Joby Aviation partners with Microsoft Flight Simulator to integrate eVTOL aircraft

Wordware raises USD 30 million in seed funding from Spark Capital

Grensol partners with XCharge to develop recycling solutions for EV charging equipment

ExxonMobil plans USD 200 million expansion of recycling facilities in Texas

Agrify raises USD 25.9 million in private placement for general corporate purposes

Liquid Wind raises EUR 44 million in Series C funding to construct e-fuel facilities

Liquid Wind raises EUR 44 million in Series C funding to construct e-fuel facilities

Last-mile Delivery Automation

Google Wing partners with KFC for drone-based food deliveries in Queensland

Contact us

All Updates

Google Wing partners with KFC for drone-based food deliveries in Queensland

Hexagon unveils Advanced Compensation for metal 3D printing

Gilmour Space partners with LatConnect 60 to build Earth observation satellite

Wisk Aero partners with Archerfield Airport to develop eVTOL infrastructure in Brisbane

Joby Aviation partners with Microsoft Flight Simulator to integrate eVTOL aircraft

Wordware raises USD 30 million in seed funding from Spark Capital

Grensol partners with ​​XCharge to develop recycling solutions for EV charging equipment

ExxonMobil plans USD 200 million expansion of recycling facilities in Texas

Agrify raises USD 25.9 million in private placement for general corporate purposes

Liquid Wind raises EUR 44 million in Series C funding to construct e-fuel facilities

Liquid Wind raises EUR 44 million in Series C funding to construct e-fuel facilities

Last-mile Delivery Automation

Google Wing partners with KFC for drone-based food deliveries in Queensland

Contact us

Grensol partners with XCharge to develop recycling solutions for EV charging equipment