Michael Jordan or a robot, who would win?
| NS Weekly is a roundup of the latest Asian tech news. ‘NS’ is an acronym for NODESHORE, representing the N and S poles of a magnet. We gather news from across the globe and present it in an easy-to-read format. This series is published every Monday at 5 p.m. |
China’s Changan Auto Targets Flying Car Launch by 2026
ㆍChangan Auto announced plans to launch its flying car by 2026, signaling its entry into the futuristic mobility market. The company will sign a contract this Saturday to advance research into flying car technology, marking a significant step forward in innovation.
ㆍAlongside the flying car, Changan Auto aims to develop a low-altitude aircraft and has scheduled a detailed reveal for December 27, 2024, outlining its vision for the future of aerial mobility.
Indian and Japanese Startups Collaborate to Address Space Debris
ㆍIndia’s InspeCity and Japan’s Orbital Lasers have joined forces to tackle the growing issue of space debris. The partnership focuses on developing a laser-based system mounted on satellites to safely remove or relocate hazardous space junk.
ㆍThe collaboration aims to create technology that ensures a safer space environment by mitigating risks posed by old and dangerous debris orbiting Earth. This initiative highlights the importance of international cooperation in space sustainability.
South Korea Begins Nanotechnology Filter Production for Semiconductors
ㆍSouth Korea’s Sinopex Co. has launched the country’s first production of nano-scale filters, critical for purifying chemicals used in semiconductor cleaning processes. Located in Dongtan, the plant has a production capacity exceeding 100% of domestic demand and is vital as semiconductor line widths continue to shrink, requiring advanced cleaning techniques.
ㆍSinopex plans to build a mass production facility worth $82.72 million per year and supply filters to cleaning equipment makers like STI, which will then cater to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The industry has benefited from $8.48 million in R&D funding, enhancing South Korea’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
Toyota’s AI Robot Sets Guinness World Record with 24-Meter Free Throw
ㆍToyota’s AI robot, Cue6, set a new Guinness World Record by making a 24.55-meter free throw (80 feet, 6 inches). Developed as part of Toyota’s Q Project, which began in 2017, the robot uses AI to adjust its stance, arm position, and shooting strength in real time, achieving human-like precision in basketball.
ㆍThe project started with the goal of exploring AI adaptability in physical tasks, inspired by an engineer’s love for basketball. Previously, an earlier version of the robot set a record with 2020 consecutive free throws in 2019. The Cue team aims to continue innovating, with the ultimate dream of creating a robot capable of performing slam dunks like Michael Jordan.
Funding Societies Secures $25 Million to Support SMEs in Southeast Asia
ㆍSingapore-based fintech startup Funding Societies has raised $25 million from Cool Japan Fund (CJF), marking the sovereign wealth fund’s first investment in a Southeast Asian fintech company. The platform, which operates in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, has already disbursed over $4 billion in funding to nearly 100,000 SMEs.
ㆍThe new funding will enable Funding Societies to expand its efforts in providing faster financing to SMEs across the region. With strong growth in the SME sector, the startup continues to strengthen its position as a leading SME lending platform in Southeast Asia.
