<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Rivian, a Nasdaq-listed EV maker, reportedly produced and delivered 2,553 and 1,227 electric vehicles in Q1 2022, respectively.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The company states that these numbers are in line with its production guidance of 25,000 units for the full-year 2022.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        <b>Analyst QuickTake:</b>
         Rivian started deliveries of its R1T electric pickup truck and R1S electric SUV in September and December last year, respectively. By the end of 2021, the company had reportedly produced and delivered 1,015 and 920 units, respectively.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220405006225/en/Rivian-Produced-2553-Vehicles-in-Q1-2022/">
      Press release
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/05/rivian-ev-production-pickup-q1/">
      TechCrunch
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


EV Economy

Rivian’s Q1 production in line with guidance

Building future-ready applications in the cloud

Cloud-native Tech

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>The multinational IT and consulting firm, International Business Machines (IBM), is reportedly on the verge of acquiring HashiCorp, a leading provider of multi-cloud infrastructure automation software. IBM aims to enhance its cloud services through the acquisition of HashiCorp.</p>
 <p>HashiCorp, the maker of the highly demanded infrastructure automation software Terraform, is known for developing solutions which address real-world IT issues in multi-cloud environments, relating to infrastructure provisioning, security, networking, and application deployment.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> IBM’s <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/2981#strategy"> strategy </a> includes strengthening and promoting hybrid cloud solutions and AI adoption and pursuing M&amp;A opportunities to serve clients better. Its series of acquisitions focusing on AI and hybrid and multi-cloud solutions include <a href="https:<br>
//newsroom.ibm.com/IBM-acquires-Manta-Software-Inc-to-complement-data-and-AI-governance-capabilities"> Manta </a> , <a href="https:<br>
//newsroom.ibm.com/2023-06-26-IBM-to-Acquire-Apptio-Inc-,-Providing-Actionable-Financial-and-Operational-Insights-Across-Enterprise-IT"> Apptio </a> , <a href="https:<br>
//techcrunch.com/2022/07/06/ibm-acquires-databand-to-bolster-its-data-observability-stack/"> Databand </a> , and notably <a href="https:<br>
//www.redhat.com/en/about/press-releases/ibm-closes-landmark-acquisition-red-hat-34-billion-defines-open-hybrid-cloud-future#:<br>
~:<br>
text=IBM%20(NYSE%3AIBM)%20and,the%20cloud%20market%20for%20business."> RedHat </a> . This move could strengthen IBM's competitive position in the cloud market. HashiCorp is renowned for its tools that automate the provisioning, securing, and running of cloud infrastructure, which would complement and enhance IBM's existing cloud offerings.</p>

IBM gears up to acquire HashiCorp

Information to create a more efficient, cleaner and safer way to travel in the city of the future

Smart Mobility Information

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

Hyundai Motor Group partners with the Dutch government to facilitate smart mobility and connectivity services

<div>
 <p>HAAS Alert, a provider of a digital alerting platform called "Safety Cloud", has established a partnership with Traffic and Parking Control Co., Inc. (TAPCO), a company focusing on traffic safety innovations. The collaboration aims to enhance road safety by merging advanced traffic technologies with digital alert systems.</p>
 <p>As part of the collaboration, the companies will incorporate Safety Cloud's digital alerts into TAPCO's Wrong-Way Alert Systems. In case a vehicle is detected taking the wrong route, notifications will be automatically dispatched to the approaching motorists, enabling them to adopt necessary safety measures.</p>
 <p>The provided alert services will not incur additional charges for TAPCO's customers.</p>
 
</div>

HAAS Alert and TAPCO partner to enhance roadway safety with real-time digital alerts

Foundation Models

<div>
 
 <p>Microsoft has launched Phi-3 Mini, a new lightweight AI model that can comprehend complex instructions just as larger models can.</p>
 <p>The model reportedly has the capacity to process 3.8 billion parameters and comes in two context-length versions: 4K and 128K tokens.</p>
 <p>In addition to the mini model, Microsoft intends to release another two variations: Phi-3 Small and Phi-3 Medium. These versions are able to process 7 billion and 14 billion parameters respectively.</p>
 <p>According to Microsoft, the Phi-3 models perform better than <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24842">Phi-2</a>, a small language model unveiled in December of the previous year, and larger counterparts like GPT-3.5. These newer models are more cost-effective and function efficiently on personal devices. Furthermore, these models can be accessed on platforms like Azure, Hugging Face, and Ollama.</p>
 
</div>

Microsoft launches Phi-3 Mini, an AI model for advanced reasoning

<div>

 <p>OpenAI has upgraded its enterprise-grade features for API customers, including enhanced file search, improved security, and better cost control and management. The 'file_search' feature can now manage up to 10,000 files, allowing improved file management and better conversational responses with real-time streaming capabilities.</p>
 <p>For security enhancements, OpenAI has introduced a private link for safe Azure cloud connectivity and native Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). There's also a newly introduced feature named Projects that gives better administrative control, allowing enterprises to manage API keys, set permissions, and handle costs at the project level.</p>
 <p>In the context of cost management, OpenAI now offers discounted rates for regular usage and a 50% cost cut for asynchronous workloads via the Batch API. This supports higher rate limits and guarantees results within a day, thus catering to enterprises and customers that need flexible response times.</p>
 
</div>

OpenAI introduces improved enterprise features for API customers

Generating, collecting, and analyzing enterprise data will never be the same.

Edge Computing

<div>
 <p>Embedded computing solution provider, Advantech, is partnering with fabless semiconductor provider, Qualcomm Technologies. Their combined expertise in AI will drive innovation in industrial computing.</p>
 <p>This partnership aims to develop advanced edge AI platforms and a dedicated SDK for AI applications. This move is intended to manage fragmentation in the IoT industry and promote interoperability with AI. The areas that stand to benefit from this partnership are industrial automation, transportation, medical fields, and emerging sectors like robotics and energy.</p>
</div>

Advantech partners with Qualcomm to boost edge AI applications and industrial computing

<div>
 <p>Akamai Technologies, a leading cloud services provider, has launched a media-centric new service that integrates NVIDIA GPUs with its global edge platform. The key goal of this latest cloud-based service is to enhance productivity whilst reducing expenses for businesses in the media and entertainment sector.</p>
 <p>The central attribute of this service is its utilization of GPU-based encoding. This makes use of the NVIDIA RTX 4000, which provides a substantial uptick in frames per second in comparison to traditional CPU-based techniques. The service aids organizations in developing scalable, reliable, and portable workflows, promising faster speeds, increased reliability, and enhanced portability.</p>
 <p>Additionally, the service ensures low latency and reliable compute resources, while preserving the portability of workloads. It supports a broad array of workloads, spanning video transcoding, VR, AR, AI, gaming, and scientific computing, thus demonstrating its adaptability and wide-ranging relevance.</p>
</div>

Akamai Technologies launches media-focused service with NVIDIA GPUs

Disrupting the traditional financial system using blockchain

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

<div>
 
 <p>Turnkey, a provider of crypto wallet infrastructure, has successfully raised USD 15 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Lightspeed Faction and Galaxy Ventures, and saw participation from Sequoia, Coinbase Ventures, Alchemy, Figment Capital, and Mirana Ventures.</p>
 <p>The company offers a blockchain infrastructure which allows users to create more user-friendly cryptocurrency wallets. These wallets can be created and embedded into their applications or websites using the company’s application programming interfaces (APIs). The platform also enables transactions like invoices and payments to be automated. Additional features of the platform include a 50–100 ms signing latency, a range of security measures like passwordless authentication, and a customizable policy engine.&nbsp;</p>
 
</div>

Turnkey raises USD 15 million in Series A funding

<div>

<p>AI-powered search engine, Perplexity AI, has secured USD 62.7 million in a funding round headed by investor Daniel Gross. Other contributors include Stanley Druckenmiller, Y Combinator's Garry Tan, Figma Inc. CEO Dylan Field, and previous investors such as Jeff Bezos and NVIDIA Corp, bringing the company's valuation to over USD 1 billion.</p>
<p>The raised amount will be directed towards the firm's global expansion ambitions and efforts to grow its user base. Perplexity has also introduced a service, Enterprise Pro, aimed at businesses, equipped with advanced security and privacy features which are available for a monthly fee of USD 40. High-profile corporations such as Zoom and HP have already incorporated this service.</p>
<p>In order to broaden its reach, Perplexity has partnered with telecom giants including SoftBank Corp. in Japan, and Germany's Deutsche Telekom AG. These partnerships will assist in marketing Perplexity's offerings to both consumer and business clientele.</p>

</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This news comes just three months after the company raised <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25210"> USD 73.6 million </a> in a Series B round to support its expansion plans. The move to launch a new plan and enter several partnerships signify Perplexity's intent to scale globally and reflect its capability to influence and possibly lead the future of AI-driven search technologies.</p>

Perplexity AI raises USD 63 million in new funding; launches Enterprise Pro

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

Mental Health Tech

<div>
 
 <p>Headspace, a California-based company, has launched a new mental health coaching service for its direct-to-consumer subscribers. The service, priced at USD 99.99 per month, offers one-on-one support for various life challenges. The coaches, trained with clinically validated techniques, provide a personalized and action-oriented approach to care that includes setting realistic goals, fostering new habits, motivating change, and taking responsibility for their own success. Headspace claims that this service is more accessible and affordable compared to therapy.</p>
 <p>Apart from individual coaching, Headspace provides a range of mental healthcare services such as coaching therapy, psychiatry, and meditation mindfulness tools, all delivered through a smartphone app. They also offer stress management and sleep therapy solutions. Furthermore, they run a "Headspace for Work" program targeting businesses. </p>
 
 </div>

All Updates