Category Archives: Technology

AAEON’s UP Brand Partners with DEEPX to Deliver Ultra-Efficient AI Performance Across Hardware Platforms 

Taipei, Taiwan, Dec  9:AAEON’s UP brand, a leading designer and manufacturer of industrial development boards, today announced its collaboration with DEEPX, a pioneer in producing power-efficient yet sophisticated AI acceleration modules. 

The partnership will see multiple models from UP’s Development Kit and Mini PC series utilize DEEPX’s innovative DX-M1 AI chip to satisfy market demand for ultra-low power, compact, and AI-ready edge platforms upon which customers can build new, innovative industrial automation solutions.

Designed to bring GPU-class AI model execution at just 2W–5W, DEEPX’s DX-M1 AI chip is particularly well-suited for integration with the UP brand’s portfolio of small form factor products, given the module’s low power footprint and innovative thermal management. 

The first UP products to be equipped with the DX-M1 chip will be the recently-released UP Squared Pro TWL and UP Xtreme ARL Development Kits, granting the platforms a boost of 25 TOPs of AI performance alongside preinstalled Linux Ubuntu Pro 24.04 LTS with the UP AI Software Suite and NPU driver. 

The partnership between the two companies will also see AAEON stock the DX-M1 M.2 2280 expansion module for use with a range of AAEON’s UP Mini PCs, allowing customers to install the module on standard UP Squared and UP Squared Pro Edge systems via their M.2 M-Key slots. Meanwhile, AAEON has also announced its intentions to expand existing Mini PC lines to include models with the DX-M1 module preinstalled, with the Intel® Processor N97-powered UP Squared 7100 Edge expected to be the first. 

DEEPX will also add to its own AI System product line with the release of the DX-AiPlayer-N97, a turnkey system that will combine the UP Squared 7100 Edge with an integrated DEEPX® DX-M1 M.2 LPDDR5 AI accelerator for customers wishing to test the NPU on trusted, compatible hardware. DEEPX have confirmed the official unveiling of the product will take place at the DEEPX booth (LVCC #8745) during CES 2026. 

“Our collaboration with DEEPX marks an important milestone in making advanced AI performance accessible to industrial developers,” said Irene Lin, Product Manager at AAEON’s UP brand. “By integrating the DX-M1 module across our UP platforms, we’re bridging the gap between ultra-efficient AI acceleration and the flexibility of embedded edge computing empowering our customers to deploy smarter, more sustainable solutions with ease.”

Following these initial rollouts, the two companies plan to expand their collaboration across the entire UP Mini PC product line, building upon their respective presences across markets in Asia, Europe, and the US. In addition to this, DEEPX will be actively expanding mass production programs to target key industries to accelerate the uptake of the combined offering across smart factory and smart city projects. 

UP Squared Pro TWL and UP Xtreme ARL Development Kits with preinstalled DX-M1 modules are now available for preorder on the UP Shop. For detailed specifications for the UP Squared 7100 Edge and the DX-M1 M.2 2280, please visit their respective product pages on the AAEON website.

ZF Group to showcase Intelligent System Solutions made in India at EXCON 2025

Bangalore, Dec 9 : ZF is poised to address the need for high degree of flexibility and rapid development cycles, with products and solutions at  EXCON 2025 at Hall 1 Booth G149 . The company will demonstrate how it’s expertise in driveline technology and intelligent system solutions makes it the ideal partner to meet these demands.  ZF’s technologies contribute to ‘The Future of Construction’ with low or zero emissions and offer increased productivity at construction sites.

 ZF Group plans to address the local customer requirements with its “local for local” approach, producing the transmissions and axles out of its newly inaugurated Construction Equipment plant in Coimbatore, TN.

The state-of-the-art plant inaugurated in Jun 2025, is spread over an area of 10,000 sq meters. The new off highway plant aligns with ZF’s objective of ‘Make in India for India and the World’ approach, highlighting the company’s thrust towards local manufacturing excellence while simultaneously catering to the OEMs global demands. This facility is a critical component of ZF Groups strategy for growth and market penetration in India with pioneering innovative solutions for construction equipment segment and railways in India.

ZF Group has invested 20 million Euro (192 Crores in early 2025) in this plant over the year,  to strengthen the innovative solutions and unwavering commitment to localize world class technologies, products and solutions for the evolving Construction Equipment sector.

Akash Passey, President ZF Group India mentioned,

“At ZF Group, we’re proud to deepen our commitment to India’s dynamic construction sector by expanding local production of transmissions and axles in the recently inaugurated plant at Coimbatore. This strategic investment aligns with the Group’s ambition for the region and is aligned with the Government of India’s ambitious infrastructure push. Our advanced product portfolio is designed for unwavering reliability and is in step with the market trends toward cleaner, smarter, and digitally enabled machines.”

Wheel Loader Tech: Boost Efficiency & Comfort

ZF’s ERGOPOWER powershift transmissions are engineered for maximum productivity and efficiency in wheel loaders. Standard 4‑speed units and optional Efficiency Packages – including 5‑speed and DirectDrive – deliver up to 15% fuel savings and up to 40% productivity gains. They ensure smooth, effortless shifting with minimal tractive effort disruption, increasing driver comfort and lowering lifecycle costs.

Complementing ERGOPOWER, ZF’s MULTITRAC rigid axles are built for heavy-duty loader applications. These axles feature compact design, reduced weight, and wet multi‑disc brakes that minimize braking losses while enhancing efficiency. Durable and service-friendly, they offer excellent ground clearance and operate reliably under extreme conditions.

Backhoe Loader Solutions: Power Meets Precision

Backhoe loaders benefit equally from ZF’s combined ERGOPOWER & MULTITRAC systems. The powershift transmission ensures smooth operation across diverse digging and loading cycles, supporting high torque demands and continuous shifting. Meanwhile, MULTITRAC axles provide robust performance, long component life, and maintenance-friendly features designed for the intense workloads of excavating and back‑filling machines.

Concrete Mixer Drives: Reliability for Every Load

ZF’s ECOMIX I hydrostatic drum drives deliver proven reliability and efficiency for mixer trucks. These compact and rugged gears provide high power density, easy installation, low maintenance, and long service life even under the most demanding conditions. The ECOMIX product range sets industry standards in durability and performance, making it a trusted benchmark for mixer applications worldwide.

Intelligent braking portfolio provides turnkey solutions for off-highway customers

A global leader in hydraulic and electrohydraulic braking systems, ZF supports customers in the heavy duty, off-highway, construction, mining, and agriculture sectors with safe and efficient brake technology.

The company’s newest brake-by-wire solution is an important step change, as it provides vehicle manufacturers the ability to control deceleration via an electronic signal that adjusts brake pressure when needed, removing the need for hydraulic lines in the cab and evolving towards remote and autonomous operation.

With solutions that address the market requirement and meet the present needs of the OEM partners, ZF is driving India toward smarter, safer, and sustainable transportation- Redefining India’s Mobility.

slice UPI credit card:  India’s best UPI credit card for everyday payments

Bengaluru, Dec 09:  slice recently launched its UPI credit card; a card designed for everyday payments. As UPI has become the country’s default mode for digital payments, integrating credit directly into this ecosystem was essential to provide people with greater access, convenience, and flexibility in their everyday spending. It combines the familiarity and convenience of UPI with the benefits of credit, giving users a way to earn rewards, manage liquidity, and access short-term credit.

Why slice introduced it:

Most credit cards in India are optimized for infrequent, high value spends, whereas the average user’s daily transactions happen on UPI. slice introduced the slice UPI credit card to bridge this gap, so that everyday payments, whether small or recurring, also come with the option of credit and rewards. The idea is to enable users to continue paying the way they already do on UPI, but with the added benefit of cashback while maintaining a balance in their savings account.

How it helps customers:

• Users can earn up to 3% cashback on UPI payments with no transaction limits. People can earn rewards even on a Rs.50 payment.
• Because payments are made using credit instead of a savings balance, customers can maintain liquidity and continue earning interest on their deposits.
• For bigger purchases, any transaction above ₹2,000 can be instantly converted into three interest-free EMIs through the slice app. This feature is available on 40 million merchant outlets.
• The card has no annual fees and avoids hidden or complex charges.

Palo Alto Networks Predicts Autonomous AI Agents to Bridge Cyber Skills Gap in 2026

Palo Alto Networks 2026 Predictions: Autonomous AI Agents To Close Cyber Skills Gap

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, today released “6 Predictions for the AI Economy: 2026’s New Rules of Cybersecurity,” forecasting a transformative leap to the AI economy. This new AI-native global economic model, where AI drives productivity and operations, also introduces a seismic shift in risk. In 2026, autonomous AI agents will fundamentally redefine enterprise operations, setting the stage for major changes in identity, the security operations center (SOC), quantum computing, data security and the browser.

Palo Alto Networks forecasted 2025 as the Year of Disruption based on the rise in mega breaches that take entire enterprise networks offline — driven by supply chain vulnerabilities and attackers reaching new levels of speed and sophistication. This has since been proven true, as 84% of the major cyber incidents that Unit 42^® investigated this year have resulted in operational downtime, reputational damage or financial loss. In 2026, we will enter into the Year of the Defender, where AI-driven defenses tip the scale in the defense’s favor, driving down response times, reducing complexity and increasing visibility to quickly respond to cyberattacks. These themes also mirror India’s experience, where hybrid work and rapid GenAI adoption continue to expand the attack surface for both enterprises and critical infrastructure.

While AI adoption is rapidly redefining cybersecurity risk, it also creates the ultimate opportunity for defenders. As attackers utilize AI to scale and accelerate threats across a hybrid workforce—where autonomous agents outnumber humans by 82:1, defenders must counter that speed with intelligent defense. This necessitates a fundamental shift from reactive blocking to a proactive approach that actively manages AI-driven risk while fueling enterprise innovation.

Swapna Bapat, VP and MD, India and SAARC at Palo Alto Networks said, “In 2026, the velocity of innovation is inseparable from the urgency of governance. The immediate threat is not just a theoretical deepfake, but the ‘CEO Doppelgänger’ and the surge in digital identity fraud that is already eroding public trust across our digital economy and financial sector. This is magnified by the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, which has made data trust and accountability an immediate, high-stakes executive priority; breaches of personal data, especially those caused by a rogue AI agent, now carry clear financial penalties up to ₹250 crore. For Indian enterprises to lead globally, security must evolve beyond a compliance checklist. We must adopt unified, AI-native platforms that enforce the principles of the India AI Governance Guidelines, making trust-by-design the foundation for every machine, every application, and every digital identity, ensuring the twin goals of ‘AI for All’ and ‘Safe & Trusted AI’ are met.”

Kunal Ruvala, Senior Vice President & GM, India at Palo Alto Networks, said: “AI-driven deception and data exposure are now frontline risks for Indian enterprises. Deepfakes, contextual data leakage and prompt abuse are creating a new class of insider threat at a scale we have never seen before. At the same time, hybrid work has made the browser the new enterprise workspace, increasing interest in secure enterprise browsing. These shifts are pushing Indian organizations to strengthen identity-first, behavior-based and Zero Trust defenses much earlier in their AI adoption journey.”

1. The New Age of Deception: The Threat of AI Identity: In 2026, identity will become the primary battleground as flawless, real-time AI deepfakes or CEO doppelgängers make forgery indistinguishable from reality. This threat is magnified by autonomous agents and a staggering 82:1 machine-to-human identity ratio, creating a crisis of authenticity where a single forged command triggers a cascade of automated actions. As trust breaks down, identity security must transform from a reactive safeguard into a proactive enabler for the enterprise, securing every human, machine and AI agent.
2. The New Insider Threat: Securing the AI Agent: Enterprise adoption of autonomous AI agents will finally provide the force multiplier needed to solve the 4.8 million-person cyber skills gap and end alert fatigue. This is also an inherent risk, creating a potent new insider threat. These always-on, implicitly trusted agents are given privileged access and the keys to the kingdom, instantly becoming the most valuable target. Adversaries will no longer make humans their primary target; they will look to compromise these powerful agents, turning them into an “autonomous insider.” This forces a shift to autonomy with control, requiring AI firewall governance tools at runtime to stop machine-speed attacks and ensure the AI workforce isn’t turned against its owners.
3. The New Opportunity: Solving the Data Trust Problem: Next year, the new frontier of attack will be data poisoning — invisibly corrupting AI training data at its source. This attack exploits a critical organizational silo between data scientists and security teams to create hidden backdoors and untrustworthy models, igniting a fundamental “crisis of data trust.” As traditional perimeters become irrelevant, the solution must be a unified platform that closes this blind spot, using data security posture management (DSPM) and AI security posture management (AI-SPM) for observability and runtime agents for firewall as code to secure the entire AI data pipeline.
4. The New Gavel: AI Risk and Executive Accountability: The enterprise race for an AI advantage will collide with a new wall of legal reality. By 2026, the massive gap between rapid adoption and mature AI security (with only 6% of organizations having an advanced strategy) will lead to the first major lawsuits holding executives personally liable for rogue AI actions. This “New Gavel” elevates AI from an IT issue to a critical liability issue for the board. The CIO’s role must evolve to that of a strategic enabler — or partner with a new Chief AI Risk Officer using a unified platform to provide verifiable governance that enables innovation safely.
5. The New Countdown: The Quantum Imperative: The “harvest now, decrypt later” threat, accelerated by AI, creates a crisis of retroactive insecurity, as data stolen today becomes a future liability. With the quantum timeline shrinking from a ten-year problem to a three-year one, governments’ mandates will soon force a massive, complex migration to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). This immense operational challenge requires organizations to shift from a one-time upgrade to building long-term crypto agility the ability to adapt cryptographic standards as a new, non-negotiable security foundation.
6. The New Connection: The Browser as the Novel Workspace: As the browser evolves from a tool for information synthesis into an agentic platform that executes tasks, it is becoming the new OS for the enterprise. This trend creates the single largest, unsecured attack surface — an AI front door operating with a unique visibility gap. With GenAI traffic up over 890%, organizations will be forced to adopt a unified, cloud-native security model capable of enforcing consistent zero trust security and data protection at the last possible millisecond inside the browser itself.

Latest version of One UI brings enhanced productivity, privacy and performance across the Galaxy ecosystem

Samsung Electronics today announced the One UI 8.5 beta program, introducing new and easier ways to create, connect and stay safe. One UI 8.5 enables users to do more with less effort, featuring upgrades that enable more seamless actions, device management and enhanced security.

One UI 8.5: What’s New for Content Creation?

One UI 8.5 makes creating and sharing content more intuitive from start to finish. Users can keep generating new images without interruption with the updated Photo Assist. They can edit photos using Photo Assist features continuously, without needing to save each iteration. When finished, they can easily review all the creations in edit history and pick their favorites to keep.

Sharing is smoother too, thanks to enhancements to Quick Share which now recognizes people in photos and proactively suggests sending them directly to those contacts.

How Does One UI 8.5 Improve Device Connectivity?

New cross-device features make managing devices easier, whether users need to manage files, share their network, or communicate with nearby devices. Audio Broadcast enables effortless communication with LE Audio-supported devices nearby using Auracast. In addition to audio from media sources, users can now broadcast their voice using their Galaxy phone’s built-in microphone ideal for group situations like tours or events

Storage Share brings even more fluidity to the Galaxy ecosystem by showing files from other Galaxy devices including tablets and PCs — directly in the My Files app. It also allows users to access their phone’s files from other Samsung devices, including their TV.

How Is My Galaxy Device Staying Protected?

One UI 8.5 strengthens device protection and gives users clearer control over their security settings. Theft Protection keeps phones and their data secure in the case that it is lost or stolen. For additional protection, Failed Authentication Lock automatically locks the screen if there are too many failed attempts to verify identity by fingerprint, PIN or password. Identity check also safeguards more settings than before, adding an extra layer of protection.

Availability

The One UI 8.5 beta program will be first available to Galaxy S25 series users in select markets including Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK and the U.S. from December 8. Galaxy users can apply to join the beta program via the Samsung Members app.

HFCL Honoured with Glotel Award 2025 for MahaKumbh Connectivity Project, Setting New Industry Benchmark

HFCL, a leading Indian telecom company specializing in next-generation technologies such as Wi-Fi, optical fiber and 5G has been honored with Global Telecoms (Glotel) Award in the ‘Project Delivery Perfection category for its large-scale, mission-critical connectivity and backhaul deployment at the MahaKumbh 2025. This accolade recognizes excellence in telecom project execution worldwide, celebrating completed projects that demonstrate outstanding business outcomes through innovation, scale, and flawless delivery.

The MahaKumbh 2025 project was a formidable engineering and operational challenge, executed in partnership with India’s largest mobile operator during the world’s largest religious gathering, a 45-day event in Prayagraj that drew over 660 million pilgrims. To support the unprecedented surge in connectivity demand, HFCL deployed carrier-grade Wi-Fi access points, implemented high-capacity wireless backhaul using Unlicensed Band Radios, and integrated an intelligent surveillance backbone. The successful delivery demonstrated HFCL’s ability to engineer mission-critical solutions at national and global scale, underpinned by “Make-in-India” innovation.

The Glotel Awards, renowned as a global benchmark for telecom excellence, celebrate transformative projects that push boundaries in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and network security. This year Glotel Awards brought together leading telecom players from around the globe at London’s historic Plaisterers’ Hall, celebrating innovation and excellence across 24 competitive categories. Indonesian operator Telkomsel emerged as a major winner with three awards, while Huawei and Netcracker each secured multiple recognitions, reflecting the vibrant global energy and diversity of the telecom industry. Other standout winners included Jio Platforms and Samsung Networks. HFCL’s selection among these top international players underscores the global relevance and competitiveness of India’s telecom capabilities and Make-in-India engineering leadership.

Receiving the Award marks a proud milestone for HFCL, amplifying the company’s values of innovation, reliability, and inclusivity. The project not only strengthened India’s digital ecosystem during a critical cultural event but also established a replicable blueprint for future smart cities and large-scale public infrastructure, demonstrating HFCL’s role as a trusted partner to Tier-1 operators and governments.

AEIM Breakthrough: In-House Production of Metrology-Grade Sapphire Probes

AEIM Achieves Breakthrough in In-House Production of Metrology-Grade Sapphire Cubes and Spheres for CMM Probes

Artificial Electronics Intelligent Materials Limited (AEIM), a fast-emerging leader in advanced semiconductor materials, precision components, metrology solutions, and next-generation manufacturing technologies, today announced a major technological breakthrough: the successful in-house production of metrology-grade sapphire cubes and spheres for Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) probe sensors.

This milestone places AEIM among an elite group of companies worldwide capable of manufacturing these ultra-high-precision sapphire components, which have historically presented significant materials-engineering and machining challenges due to sapphire’s extreme hardness and the sub-micron tolerances required.

Sapphire cubes and spheres are mission-critical elements in touch-trigger probes, scanning probes, styli, and precision sensor assemblies. Their unparalleled hardness (9 on the Mohs scale), exceptional wear resistance, thermal stability, and optical uniformity make them the material of choice for applications demanding repeatable, long-term accuracy.

The ability to produce these components internally unlocks substantial new revenue streams for AEIM in the fast-growing global CMM consumables market and creates a strategic springboard into the machine tools and full CMM systems segment.

Key Achievements

• First successful in-house production of metrology-grade sapphire cubes and spheres meeting OEM specifications
• Demonstrated mastery of advanced single-crystal sapphire machining and sub-micron finishing techniques
• Immediate access to the multi-million-dollar global market for CMM probe balls, stylus tips, and sensor components
• Significant strengthening of vertical integration and elimination of dependency on foreign suppliers
• Clear technology foundation for future expansion into complete CMM probe systems and machine manufacturing
• All components produced in AEIM’s ISO-class cleanroom facilities, ensuring world-class consistency and traceability

Mr. Vishaal Nandam, Executive Director of AEIM, commented:

“The in-house production of sapphire cubes and precision spheres represents a transformative leap in our metrology and advanced materials capabilities. This breakthrough gives AEIM the technological and cost advantages needed to compete at the highest levels of the global precision-measurement consumables market and accelerates our strategic roadmap into CMM systems and machine tools.”

With this capability now secured, AEIM is uniquely positioned to serve industries that demand the ultimate in measurement accuracy, including aerospace, automotive, semiconductor fabrication, precision tooling, and advanced manufacturing.

About AEIM Artificial Electronics Intelligent Materials Limited (AEIM) is an innovative Indian technology company specializing in advanced semiconductor materials, ultra-precision components, metrology solutions, and next-generation manufacturing technologies. Driven by a commitment to innovation, quality, and self-reliance, AEIM delivers globally competitive products that redefine the boundaries of precision engineering.

NMDC Signs MoU with IIT Kanpur to Strengthen Cybersecurity and Advance Digital Technologies

Hyderabad, Dec 06: In a landmark step towards strengthening industry-academia collaboration, NMDC, India’s largest iron ore producer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, to facilitate new initiatives in the areas of cybersecurity and promote the adoption of modern digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), across NMDC’s operations.

This MoU was signed by Mr. Satyendra Rai, Executive Director (Digital Transformation), on behalf of NMDC, and Prof. Ashoke De, Dean, R&D, IIT Kanpur in the presence of Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, senior officials from NMDC and representatives from IIT Kanpur.

Through this partnership, NMDC will work with IIT Kanpur across key areas such as cybersecurity risk assessments; policy, governance and compliance support; Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) integration and advancement; security operations and incident response; capacity building and knowledge sharing; and joint research and innovation. 

Additionally, NMDC and IIT Kanpur will jointly conduct training programmes, undertake research activities, run pilot projects, and co-develop proof-of-concept solutions.

Speaking on this collaboration, Shri Amitava Mukherjee, CMD, NMDC, said,

“This MoU brings IIT Kanpur’s advanced research capabilities in NMDC’s extensive operational ecosystem. This collaboration will help us strengthen our digital defences, improve operational intelligence, and build a secure and future-ready technological foundation for NMDC.”

The MoU reflects NMDC’s commitment to becoming a digitally strong and future-ready mining organisation.

India’s Digital Rights at Risk: Experts Warn X v. Union of India Could Redefine Free Speech Online

LG to Showcase “Innovation in Tune With You” at CES 2026

SEOUL, Dec 5: LG Electronics (LG) invites global audiences to join the LG World Premiere press conference on January 5 at 08:00 (PST) at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Under the banner of its CES 2026 theme, “Innovation in Tune With You,” LG will share its vision for elevating daily life through Affectionate Intelligence – delivering harmonized and seamlessly connected customer experiences.

With global media in attendance, LG will unveil a portfolio of AI-powered solutions that combine world-class devices and solutions with advanced AI core technologies. LG is evolving its products into intelligent solutions designed to expand meaningful connectivity between devices, people and spaces. This evolution extends from the home to mobility and urban environments, enabling a more seamless and elevated life journey.

The groundbreaking products revealed and demonstrated during LG World Premiere will be on show throughout CES 2026 at LG’s booth. Along with the latest products and solutions from LG, visitors will be able to explore and enjoy a variety of unique, AI-fueled innovation experiences and immersive, interactive installations aligned with the company’s customer-centered vision and exhibition theme.