<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Tennant, a developer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for floor cleaning, has announced the introduction of lithium-ion battery technology for its robots including the T380AMR, T7AMR, and T16AMR.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        The new technology reportedly improves productivity by increasing the cleaning time by up to 25% to 60% (lithium-ion AMRs can operate between 5-6.5 hours compared to lead-acid batteries that operate around 4 hours) and by reducing maintenance time, allows opportunity charging to charge the machine at any time (even when the battery is not fully discharged) without the risk of battery degrading, improves safety, and promotes sustainability.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
    &lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Tennant, a developer of floor cleaning equipment, introduced autonomous floor cleaning robots in 2018, in which the AI software is powered by 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/210739">
      Brain Corp. 
    </a>
    Tennant robots are deployed in several retailers including Schnuck Markets and Sam&rsquo;s Club.&lt;/ul&gt;
  </p>
  <p>
    &lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;
    <b>Analyst QuickTake:</b>
     Tennant AMRs, which became multi-purpose robots with the introduction of 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/210739">
      Brain Corp&rsquo;s
    </a>
     
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7628">
      inventory scanning solutions
    </a>
     will benefit from the new technology, which allows robots to run longer than they did previously, freeing up employee time for more value-adding tasks.&lt;/ul&gt;
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220405005266/en/Tennant-Company-Introduces-Lithium-Ion-Technology-to-AMR-Autonomous-Mobile-Robot-Floor-Cleaning-Machines">
      Company press release
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Retail Industry Robots

Tennant introduces lithium-ion battery technology to its AMRs

Metaverse Experience Platforms

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>

 <p>Game developer Studio369 has partnered with Mon Protocol, a creator of blockchain-based games such as Pixelmon. The collaboration is aimed at integrating the player communities of Studio369's game MetalCore and Mon Protocol's Pixelmon.</p>
 <p>As part of the partnership, MetalCore will be available to the 1.1 million Pixelmon players. These players can undertake special quests in MetalCore and earn $MON Tokens. These tokens can be utilized for trading digital in-game assets and participating in Mon Protocol's governance system.</p>
 <p>Plans for future include enabling players to exchange their Mission Points for $MON Tokens, which they can use to buy various digital collectibles within the MON universe including those from Pixelmon gaming IP.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>Pixelmon, which launched in early February, already has over 1.1 million users on the Mission Platform with more than 600,000 registered for in-game wallets. However, MetalCore is currently in closed beta.</p>

</div>

Studio369 and Mon Protocol form collaboration to combine player communities

A decentralized version of the web powered by the blockchain

Web3 Ecosystem

<div>

<p>Game development company, Studio369, known for its blockchain-powered multiplayer shooter game, MetalCore, has entered into a partnership with Mon Protocol, a publisher of blockchain-native games such as Pixelmon. The collaboration is aimed at merging their respective communities of players.</p>

<p>As part of this collaboration, MetalCore will be made available to Pixelmon's 1.1 million players. These players will now have the opportunity to complete special quests in MetalCore to earn $MON Tokens. These tokens can then be used for trading digital in-game assets and for participating in Mon Protocol's governance.</p>

<p>Looking ahead, players will be able to exchange Mission Points for $MON Tokens, which can be used to buy a range of digital collectibles in the MON universe, including those related to the Pixelmon gaming IP.</p>

<p>Since its launch in early February, Pixelmon has drawn in over 1.1 million users to the Mission Platform, with over 600,000 registering for in-game wallets. However, MetalCore is still in the closed beta phase.</p>

</div>

<div>

 <p>Movement Labs, a company developing a network of modular Move-based blockchains, has raised a significant USD 38 million in a Series A round. Leading this round is Polychain Capital, with other notable participants being Hack VC, Placeholder, Archetype, Maven 11, and Robot Ventures. The total funds gathered by Movement Labs now amount to USD 41.4 million.</p>
 <p>The primary aim of this funding round is to strengthen the company's goal of integrating Facebook's Move Virtual Machine (MVM) into Ethereum. This integration has the potential to address smart contract vulnerabilities and enhance the throughput of transactions.</p>
 <p>Movement Labs, established in 2023, is actively working on constructing a network comprising Move-based blockchains. Through the Movement SDK, the company is promoting horizontal interoperability. This is accomplished by deploying a high-throughput, modular MVM which can be smoothly integrated into any existing blockchain network.&nbsp;</p>
 
</div>

Movement Labs raises USD 38 million in Series A funding

Making banking work, without the paperwork

Neobanks

<div>
 
 <p>OakNorth, a neobank from the UK that serves SMEs, is collaborating with financial services platform, Marqeta, to provide a commercial card service to its business clientele.</p>
 <p>This collaboration allows OakNorth’s SME clients to enjoy services often only accessible to commercial banking clients, like deposit accounts and automated bill payment tools.</p>
 <p>Leveraging Marqeta's platform, these SMEs will have better expenditure tracking and cash flow management capabilities, which is a significant challenge for many UK SMEs.</p>
 
</div>

OakNorth partners with Marqeta to offer commercial card for SMEs

Platforms to make the most of cloud infrastructure

Cloud Optimization Tools

<div>
 <p>CloudBolt Software, a leader in cloud automation and orchestration, has announced a partnership with StormForge, a platform specializing in managing Kubernetes resources. The collaboration aims to enhance IT teams' ability to cut Kubernetes costs by leveraging top-tier FInOps tactics.</p>
 <p>As part of this partnership, StormForge's machine-learning algorithms will be incorporated into CloudBolt's FinOps solutions. This integration will help in optimizing Kubernetes clusters and provide real-time cost allocations. The end goal of this collaboration is to simplify the process for IT teams to monitor Kubernetes costs along with other IT platforms expenses, with the use of tools that promote proactive issue management.</p></div>

CloudBolt partners with StormForge to optimize Kubernetes costs

New technologies are opening up mental health services to previously overbooked and underserved populations.

Mental Health Tech

<div>
 <p>Online therapy organization, Talkspace, is partnering with specialty telemedicine company, Thirty Madison. This partnership is intended to improve mental health treatment for women.</p>
 <p>The collaboration will extend the mental health treatments provided by Nurx and Cove, which are brands under Thirty Madison, by including Talkspace as a suggested therapy partner. The new offerings will include online therapy sessions and a self-guided app offered by Talkspace. In addition to this, patients of Talkspace will be able to use Nurx's in-depth women's health services and Cove's migraine care. This partnership comes as a response to the growing demand for mental health services whilst also trying to overcome the limitations of traditional in-person sessions.</p>
</div>

Talkspace and Thirty Madison partner to expand mental health services for women

Making meat sustainable over the long term.

Cell-cultured Meat

<div>
 <p>The Cultivated B (TCB), a firm specializing in cell agriculture technologies, has announced a partnership with The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain) to improve bioreactor design and technology.</p>
 <p>The aim of this partnership is to examine and further develop TCB's AUXO V bioreactor technology through in-depth testing and feedback from users at the DTU-Technical University of Denmark. The collaborative effort is expected to facilitate advancements in bioreactor technology by making it more scalable, efficient, and sustainable for bioproduction processes.</p>
 <p>Additionally, the partnership includes a thorough evaluation of the bioreactors, guided by seasoned sustainability experts from DTU Biosustain. The ultimate objective is to elevate industry standards in bioprocessing through the development of design and performance that prioritizes user-focus.</p>
</div>

The Cultivated B partners with DTU Biosustain to advance bioreactor design and innovation

A new wave of meat, fish, and poultry alternatives are driving this hyper-growth industry into the mainstream.

Plant-based Meat

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 <p>Alternative protein ingredients startup, Edonia, located in Paris, has secured EUR 2 million (~USD 2.1 million) in a pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Asterion Ventures and included investment from bpi.</p>
 <p>The funds raised in this round will be used by Edonia for the development of a pilot plant and expansion of its research and development (R&amp;D) endeavors. Within the coming two years, the firm also plans to set up a full-scale production factory.</p>
 <p>In 2023, Edonia came into existence and since then it has been involved in the production of alternative protein ingredients utilizing microalgae. The company has orchestrated a distinct method named "edonization" to transform microalgae biomass into beneficial protein ingredients. By the end of the current year, Edonia’s premier product, Edo-1, is set to be introduced to the market with commercial proofs of concept.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Microalgae is a preferred alternative protein ingredient due to its high protein content and essential amino acids. It requires significantly less land and freshwater to produce compared to animal proteins, and its versatility allows for multiple applications. <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/1018539"> Phycom </a> and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/146065"> Triton Algae Innovations </a> are a few notable startups that develop algae-based protein ingredients.</p>

Edonia raises EUR 2 million in pre-seed funding to advance production

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

<div>
 <p>Swave Photonics, a company based in Belgium, has unveiled the Holographic eXtended Reality (HXR) chipset. This is the first 3D holographic display for compact XR devices worldwide.</p>
 <p>The device, which is aimed primarily at AR glasses, facilitates AI-powered spatial computing experiences. Using non-volatile Phase Change Material (PCM) and a standard CMOS semiconductor process, it can provide true 3D holographic displays of up to 64 gigapixels, while remaining scalable.</p>
 <p>The company expects the HXR to be available to consumers in the latter half of 2024. Orders are currently being taken for development kits for device manufacturers. Predictions for future applications of the technology extend beyond AR glasses to include automotive heads-up displays and holographic displays that don't require glasses.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake</b> :<br>
 The company differentiates by achieving holography through light refraction and interference. Swave Photonics raised EUR 3 million (~USD 3.3 million) in a seed funding round in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/19621"> June 2023 </a> . The funds were earmarked to facilitate the development of its diffractive optics technology used in XR applications.</p>

Swave Photonics launches world’s first 3D holographic display for compact XR devices

<div>
 <p>The Nitto Denko Corporation, located in Japan, has partially acquired TruLife Opticals, a manufacturer of AR glasses, for an undisclosed amount.</p>
 <p>This acquisition will permit Nitto to join the AR glass manufacturing industry and take advantage of its proficiency in adhesive, film, sheet technology, and optical design technology to improve current products. This decision is line with the company's medium-term management plan, labelled "Nitto For Everyone 2025", which centers on the creation of digital interfaces.</p>
 <p>TruLife Opticals, based in the UK, is a prominent manufacturer of holographic optical elements (HOEs) for glasses. The company has its own team of optical designers and possesses several proprietary models and codes.</p>
 
</div>

All Updates

Studio369 and Mon Protocol form collaboration to combine player communities

Studio369 and Mon Protocol form collaboration to combine player communities

Movement Labs raises USD 38 million in Series A funding

OakNorth partners with Marqeta to offer commercial card for SMEs

CloudBolt partners with StormForge to optimize Kubernetes costs

Talkspace and Thirty Madison partner to expand mental health services for women

The Cultivated B partners with DTU Biosustain to advance bioreactor design and innovation

Edonia raises EUR 2 million in pre-seed funding to advance production

Swave Photonics launches world’s first 3D holographic display for compact XR devices

Japan-based Nitto acquires partial stake in TruLife Opticals to enter AR glass manufacturing sector