QuEST Global Enhances Deep Learning Solutions with Intel’s Industrial Edge Insights Software

QuEST Global, a global product engineering and lifecycle services company, announced today that it has enhanced its vision analytics and predictive maintenance solutions with Intel® Edge Insights for Industrial. QuEST developed these deep learning solutions to help OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in the industrial and semiconductor sectors to automate security and monitoring systems and manufacturing tools used for making semiconductor chips.

The vision analytics solution developed by QuEST uses the Intel distribution of the OpenVINO toolkit to provide manufacturers with actionable insights based on specific patterns captured by machine vision systems. The solution uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop insights based on video feeds. In addition to OpenVINO toolkit, the solution incorporates Intel Edge Insights for Industrial framework to facilitate deployment by end-users.

The predictive maintenance solution developed by QuEST is designed to help semiconductor OEMs maintain manufacturing tools. In this application, Intel Edge Insights for Industrial framework provides times series analytic capability as part of a predictive maintenance solution. This analysis help OEMs determine the remaining useful life of an asset and help to optimize maintenance time.

Commenting on the two solutions Krish Kupathil, Head – Hi-Tech and Digital, QuEST Global said, “As a trusted thinking partner to our customers, we aim to develop and implement innovative solutions in the areas of manufacturing, security and monitoring, and automotive. Intel’s Edge Insights for Industrial framework and related technologies have been enhancing our vision analytics and predictive maintenance solutions and AI capabilities, helping us create the frontier for our customers. We look forward to continued collaboration with Intel to drive tech-driven business growth for customers across industries.”

Intel Edge Insights for Industrial enables near real-time analysis at the edge by making it easy to integrate data, devices, and processes in manufacturing applications and easy to utilize Intel processors and accelerators. “The industrial sector is using Intel Edge Insights for Industrial-based solutions and tools to help improve operational efficiency and to help tighten factory security and monitoring. This enabling software makes it easy to deploy AI solution and optimizes the hardware performance across Intel-based platforms,” said Jonathan Luse, General Manager, Intel Industrial Solutions.

QuEST Global works with leading global companies across diverse verticals, helping them to address the growing demand for providing connected engineering experience to the end customers. Over the past two decades, the company has been helping its customers take the next step in their digital transformation journey by automating the process of identifying production problems, proactively implementing innovative solutions, and making products safer and more reliable.

Ness Digital Engineering Expands Partnership with Snowflake in India

Ness Digital Engineering has announced it is expanding its partnership with Snowflake, the cloud data platform. Ness earned “Select” partner status and this enhanced strategic alliance expands Ness’s robust suite of data analytics and artificial intelligence solutions at a time when customers of all sizes and industries are demanding more business value from their data.

Snowflake’s support for data warehousing workloads provides a low maintenance, cost effective way for organizations to consolidate all their data silos into a single source of truth, allowing Ness to deliver near real time, data-driven insights to help clients achieve desired business outcomes.

Scott Schlesinger, Senior Vice President and Global Head of the Data and Analytics Practice at Ness Digital Engineering, says, “Snowflake’s dedicated storage and computing engines enable advanced data analytics capabilities that we use to help customers realize the power of their data and improve productivity and increase revenue. Combining the power of Snowflake with Ness’s deep modernization capabilities and AI accelerator presents a formidable offering to our customers looking to expedite time to market for data and analytics solutions and seamlessly execute transformative projects.”

Ness’s status as an Amazon Web Services Advanced partner, Microsoft Azure Gold partner and Google Cloud partner allows the company to bring Snowflake’s instant, frictionless, secure sharing of live data – within and between organizations – to all its clients embarking on their data warehouse modernization journey. Snowflake’s cloud data platform requires zero management for all the customer’s data and users in a cost-effective and scalable “pay only for what you use” structure.

Katie Ecklund, Director of NoAm Partners, Snowflake, comments, “Ness’s expertise in data and analytics plays a critical role in helping organizations engage customers and differentiate their brands,’ positioning them as an important member of Snowflake’s partner community. Ness has innovation hubs and delivery teams around the world, providing a global footprint that can work with Snowflake’s enterprise customers across geographic boundaries to increase the value of their digital solutions.”

Hyderabad to Host Medtronic’s Largest Global R&D Center Outside the U.S. with INR 1200 Crore Investment

 Medtronic plc, the global leader in medical technology, has decided to invest INR 1200 crores in scaling up and expanding the current R&D center into a state-of-the-art engineering and innovation center in Hyderabad. Medtronic Engineering & Innovation Center (MEIC) will be the largest global R&D center outside of the United States for Medtronic. This investment planned over 5 years will provide a boost to Telangana’s MedTech plans and cement Hyderabad’s position as the Medical Devices hub in India.

The Government of Telangana and Medtronic have been in discussion for the last two years regarding the modalities of investment. During his visit to the United States in 2016, Hon’ble Minister for Industries & IT Shri. KT Rama Rao and his team of officials from Government of Telangana had a meeting with Mr. Omar Ishrak, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board, Medtronic. The partnership was finally announced today via a virtual meeting with Mr. Omar Ishrak, Mr. Geoff Martha, Medtronic CEO, Mr. Bob White, EVP and President, Minimally Invasive Therapies Group (MITG), Madan Krishnan, Vice President Indian Subcontinent and MITG APAC, Mani Prakash, Vice President R&D, MITG, Subu Mangipudi Vice President RGI Quality & MEIC and Divya Prakash Joshi, Sr Engineering Director & Site Leader, MEIC Hyderabad. Among others with the Minister included Principal Secretary Shri. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS and Director for Life Sciences Shri. Shakthi Nagappan from Govt. of Telangana.

Making the announcement Mr. Omar Ishrak, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board, Medtronic said, “Research and Development leads to innovation and innovation is crucial to our growth strategy. Medtronic’s investment in India is a testament to our commitment to the region and we are proud to be collaborating with the Government of Telangana on this major investment in the country. The expansion of MEIC will help us serve the Medtronic Mission to use medical technology to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life for patients around the world, which is also aligned with the government’s vision to improve access to healthcare for patients in India.”

During the virtual meeting, Mr. KT Rama Rao briefed the Medtronic leadership team on various initiatives taken by the Telangana Government to promote Medical Devices sector and the developments over the last few years. While recalling memories of his meeting with Mr. Omar Ishrak in the U.S., he congratulated him for taking over as the Executive Chairman of Medtronic and Chairman of the Board of Intel and congratulated Mr. Geoff Martha on his appointment as the new CEO of Medtronic.

Mr. KT Rama Rao said, “We are delighted that Medtronic has chosen Hyderabad as its largest R&D base outside the U.S. and intends to create about 1000 jobs in the next few years. It is indeed a great honour for the city to host this center and it is a testimony to Hyderabad’s growing prowess in the medical devices sector. Government of Telangana is committed to the growth of med-tech in the state and we see this partnership with Medtronic as a pivotal one. We will work with them to ensure this center will continue to contribute to their remarkable efforts to improve healthcare globally.”

During the conversation, Mr. KT Rama Rao alluded to how the story on India for India and India for the world is getting stronger with recent turn of global events and assured them of all support from the State Government for the company’s growth plans and aspirations in India.

Commenting on the announcement, Madan Krishnan, Vice President Indian Subcontinent and Minimally Invasive Therapies Group APAC concluded saying, “At Medtronic, invention and innovation are vital so that we can help enhance therapy outcomes for people with chronic diseases. MEIC conducts advanced engineering R&D and product development in the areas of design, analysis, advanced hardware- software development and testing. The futuristic vision of Govt. of Telangana and access to great infrastructure has enabled us to make this investment in Hyderabad. I’m confident that this major investment would create many job opportunities in healthcare and help energize the medical devices innovation ecosystem in India.”

Jawa Riding Experience Amped Up with the "BSVI Models"

Classic Legends Pvt. Ltd. has begun the delivery of BS-VI models of Jawa and Jawa forty two through its dealership network across the country. Both models are now available for display, test rides and booking at the following Jawa dealership. 

Both Jawa and Jawa forty two continue to sport the 293cc, liquid cooled, single cylinder, DOHC engine. Both bikes now feature India’s first cross port technology that increases the volumetric efficiency of the engine by enabling better flow of charge and exhaust gases, and improves power and torque output.  

This engine is the world’s first single cylinder engine that uses the cross port configuration and develops similar power and torque to the BS4 configuration to offer the same superior riding experience to the customer. This tech also helps the motorcycles retain their characteristic twin exhaust identity and meet the stricter BS-VI emission standards while retaining similar power and torque numbers.  

With the world’s first Cross Port configuration on a single cylinder engine, the Jawa’s newly positioned lambda sensor monitors internal and external variables even more efficiently to give a consistent performance and cleaner emissions regardless of any road condition. The throttle response has been made crisper to respond to even the slightest inputs with precision through improved fuelling.  

The seat has been reengineered with a new seat pan as well as cushioning translating to more comfort over longer rides. In the cosmetic department, the chrome plating now comes with the backing of rigorous testing rated at two and a half times the industry standard. Both Jawa models continue to sport best in class braking systems equipped with (single & dual channel) ABS by Continental, offering shortest braking distance and best control among its competitors. 

In addition, there have been a host of changes under the skin right from the tone of the horn to a slicker gearshift.  

The motorcycles are also available with a range of easy finance options, that minimize the upfront spend and allow the customers the flexibility of paying the EMIs over a period of two or three years. 

The Finance Options on offer across Jawa dealerships are: 

Scheme 1 – 50% off on first 3 EMIs 

Scheme 2 – Special EMI plan @ Rs. 5,555/month 

Scheme 3 – EMI plans as low as Rs. 8,000 @ 2years and Rs. 6,000 @ 3years 

100% funding | Zero down payment | No income proof required. *T&C apply 

Classic Legends has put in place a comprehensive standard operating procedure across its sales outlets and the dealerships have been adhering to the policies and measures directed by the Central and State governments with respect to the safety of customers, employees and visitors. The showrooms are functional with teams trained and equipped to follow social distancing, hygiene and sanitation protocols. 

Godrej & Boyce Sees Growth in Precision Engineered Equipment as “Make in India” Policy Gathers Momentum

Make in India

* Delivers critical equipment to help India’s biggest indigenously developed nuclear power project achieve key operational milestone

Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej group said that there is likely to be rapid increase in the demand for precision equipment and larger opportunities for growth in bespoke engineering systems and equipment offerings as the country’s “Make in India” mission gathers greater momentum.

A strategic partner of Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) for over 20 years, Godrej Precision Engineering was integrally involved in supplying mission critical equipment to NPCIL for the Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 - the first indigenously built 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) in India that achieved criticality recently.

Godrej Precision Engineering delivered the Fueling Machine Bridge & Carriage for Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 which are installed in the critical zone of the Nuclear Power reactor.

With approval of 10 new 700 MW nuclear power projects, competent and committed partners with necessary experience in design, engineering & manufacturing, backed by significant scientific knowledge and technical prowess, will be one of the key drivers of the government’s ‘Atma-Nirbhar’ initiative. 

“At Godrej & Boyce, we have been investing for over 50 years in building strong engineering and machine-building capabilities and partnering with Indian institutions to deliver complex equipment for key strategic industries like Nuclear Power and Defence”, said Mr Jamshyd N Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej & Boyce.

“Our strong experience of mission-critical systems and an integrated framework for design, manufacturing and testing will help accelerate India’s journey towards industrial self-reliance”, Mr. Godrej added.

“Our ability to innovate and execute has helped us partner with our customers and the equipment has been ‘made in India’ for the first time”, said Kaustubh Shukla, Chief Operating Officer, Industrial Products Group, Godrej & Boyce.

Godrej Precision Engineering manufactures custom-built equipment for complex and sophisticated systems for several mission-critical applications in nuclear power, land based and naval systems for Defence and for other industries like Steel, and Wind Energy. Besides equipment for Nuclear Power, the business unit executes orders for defence land systems like Brahmos Missile Launchers, Missile carriers and Naval systems like Diving and Surfacing Systems, Hull Equipment, Life Raft Container Ejection Systems, Steering Gear and so forth.

Each high precision, custom-built equipment is developed, manufactured and tested according to stringent quality requirements of our customers.

About Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.

Godrej & Boyce (‘G&B’), a Godrej Group company, was founded in 1897, and has contributed to India’s journey of self-reliance through manufacturing. G&B patented the world’s first springless lock and  since then, has diversified into 14 businesses across various sectors from Security, Furniture, Aerospace to Infrastructure and Defence. Godrej is one of India’s most trusted brands serving over 1.1bn customers worldwide daily.

ABB India Opens a New Robotics Facility to Support the Digital Transformation of Manufacturing in India

The new ABB Robotics solutions delivery facility will enable Indian customers to reap the benefits of Industry 4.0 including cutting-edge robotics and digitalization technologies, going at the heart of helping India become a resilient high-tech manufacturing economy in the world.

Spread over 3,600 sq.m at the ABB Nelamangala factory premises in Bengaluru, the new facility will enable ABB India to deliver robotic applications and digital solutions for a variety of Indian industries, including automotive, food & beverage, electronics and other upcoming sectors. The facility houses a state-of-the-art shop floor that can run proof of concepts and factory acceptance tests for 1000 ABB robots every year, which doubles the company’s capacity. This enables rapid innovation, adaption, optimisation and agile delivery of made-to-order robotics applications for Indian customers.

“The new facility harnesses the powers of ABB’s deep global expertise and knowledge of the Indian industrial landscape to support our customer base,” said Sanjeev Sharma, Managing Director of ABB India. “Even with increased demand for automation, the penetration of robotics, especially in small and medium enterprises is still low in India compared to the global average. With the help of the new and improved robotics facility, we will be able to share our knowledge and encourage Indian manufacturers to embrace our game changing technologies and become best-in-class manufacturers for local and global markets.”

The facility includes a demonstration center where the latest technologies in robotic welding, gluing and material handling will be showcased and can be used to carry out joint prove-out sessions with customers. ABB will also integrate an ABB AbilityTM Connected Services team that can remotely monitor an installed base of ABB robots to conduct predictive maintenance and high uptime.

A new Customer Experience Center is being set up for customers to learn about the latest in robotics technology and applications, including ABB’s dedicated robot simulation and programming software, RobotStudio. Additionally, the facility will host a paint lab where customers can run simulations of a broad range of industrial painting applications.

ABB is one the leading suppliers of robot, robot systems and machine & factory automation solutions, having shipped over 400,000 robot solutions across the globe. Designed as a complete digital ecosystem, ABB’s factory of the future concept will cater to the growing demand of collaborative automation solutions, by enabling innovation of new robot applications tailor-made to the Indian market.

About ABB Group

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.

upGrad Filling Up Senior Leadership Roles Amid COVID-19, Plans to Double Employee Base

While most companies have gone on a hiring freeze or rationalizing their human resources, growing sectors like edtech are on a hiring spree.  upGrad, India’s largest online higher education company in its most recent development onboarded Rohit Dhar as the new President - Products, this July. Rohit, who had co-founded Brainybatch Internet, India’s first lending platform focused on making education affordable by providing short-term, has over 13 years of experience in managing products for leading companies like OLX, Flipkart, e-Bay, PayPal, and StubHub. He will be leading the entire Product, Data Science, Analytics, and Design teams at upGrad.

Prior to him, the company onboarded Puneet Tanwar as President - Technology who will be leading the Technology vertical at upGrad. Puneet has accumulated over 20 years of experience in software development and joins upGrad from 1E, a UK-based software product company where he was Head of Engineering, India. Prior to this, he has held leadership positions in Engineering in firms such as Diebold Nixdorf, Microsoft and Electronic Arts.

In June upGrad also appointed Deepak H. Singhka, who started his career at Mahindra & Mahindra and went on to work at BYJU’S. There, he was responsible for initiating the ‘Field Sales’ across multiple cities in India, along with ‘Inside Sales’ in the Bengaluru office. His notable contribution includes helping the edtech set up their e-commerce channel with Amazon and Flipkart. As the Vice President - Business, Deepak will help steer the entire business towards growth and manage as well as improve upon success rate for working professionals, the college, and the academy business.

Talking about the recent hiring’s, Mayank Kumar, Co-Founder & MD, upGrad said “COVID-19 is an opportune time for the edtech sector and our strategy is to make the most of the opportunity and double-up our workforce. Leadership hiring plays an integral role in this, it is the right time to invest in senior talent which will help us to get ready for the new normal of workplace and learner dynamics. With our newly assembled team, we look forward to creating an impactful talent pool within the organisation that will help us drive new businesses and provide learners with the best edtech products.”

On April 1st, upGrad had onboarded their CEO – India, Arjun Mohan, who was erstwhile serving as the Chief Business Officer (CBO) at BYJU’S. The company is geared towards doubling up its workforce to 2000 by the end of this fiscal. The hiring will happen across all spectrum between fresher’s as well as lateral hiring. On the employee front, upGrad has announced salary reversal on the first day of this quarter owing to the positive business growth in past months and have declared work from home until the end of this year, in order to end the growing apprehensions amidst its workforce.

About upGrad:

upGrad is India’s largest online higher education company. Founded in early 2015, upGrad has onboarded over 30K paid learners and impacted more than half a million individuals globally, within a short span of 5 years.

upGrad provides online programs in the areas of Data Science, Technology, Management and Law to college students, working professionals and enterprises. These programs are designed and delivered in collaboration with top-notch universities like IIT Madras, IIIT Bangalore, MICA, NMIMS Global Access, Jindal Global Law School, Duke CE, Deakin University, Liverpool John Moores University and others.

With an 80% program completion rate, robust tech platform, outcome-based learning approach, industry-relevant curriculum, finest university credentials, strong mentorship, and steadfast placement support, upGrad has established its position as the leader in the Indian education system.

IIIT Bangalore and upGrad's PG Diploma in Data Science is India’s first-ever PG Diploma to be recommended and validated by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM). The program is India's largest Data Science program with over 10,000 alumni & learner-base, which now provides learners with certification from NASSCOM FutureSkills, thereby making the program aligned to Government approved National Occupational Standards (NOS) to facilitate the upskilling of India’s IT workforce and make them abreast of the new-age skills. Through this first-of-its-kind collaboration, upGrad joins NASSCOM’s mission to make India a hub for innovation and a global hotspot for a skilled talent pool.

upGrad has been awarded the title of ‘Best Tech for Education’ by IAMAI in 2019. upGrad received the ‘Best Education Brands’ award by Economic Times in 2018, Most Innovative Companies in India' by Fast Company in 2017 and has made it to LinkedIn’s ‘Top 25 Startups’ two years in a row in 2018 and 2019.

LAVA Overwhelmed with the Response for ‘Design in India Contest’ Extends Registration Deadline till July 18

Indian mobile handset brand, Lava International Limited, has extended the deadline of its ‘Design in India’ contest till 18th July. The decision has been taken owing to a large number of requests from all over the country for the extension of registrations. The applicants who missed the opportunity to register earlier, can now participate in this unique contest by Lava which has challenged students and working professionals to design the next #ProudlyIndian smartphone. 

Speaking about the contest, Tejinder Singh, Head- Product, Lava International said, “We are overwhelmed with the kind of response that we have received for the contest. So far, we have received more than 12000 registrations. Keeping the large number of requests in mind, we have now extended the deadline to give another chance to people who could not participate earlier. We will reach out to the participants with further updates once all the registrations are over.”

The Design in India contest was rolled out on 2nd July with an initial registration deadline of 9th July. The contest is open for students of B.Tech, B.E, B.Des and M.Des and engineering professionals from ECE, IT, CS, Mech, and Industrial Design departments. Students or professionals can choose to participate in the contest in groups of 1-3 and in the end, the top three teams will get a pre-placement interview opportunity at Lava. Additionally, they will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000, and Rs 15,000 respectively. 

For T&C and to register, please visit- https://www.lavamobiles.com/design-in-india-challenge/

Wipro BPO recruitments; Techies protest

Hundreds of students in West Bengal, protesting IT company Wipro's decision to recruit engineers as business process outsourcing (BPO) employees, met state IT Minister Debesh Das to air their problems.

The students, who were earlier selected for engineering jobs by the IT major, say the company is now recruiting them as BPO employees.

“We met the IT minister and he told us that he will look into the matter,” Sayantan Mukherjee, a student of Bengal Institute of Technology said.

"We were promised jobs in the company after we complete our engineering courses in 2009. But last week we were asked to join as BPO employees," he said.

Mukherjee got Wipro's offer in March 2007 for the post of project engineer, but was later asked by the company to join its BPO division.

"Moreover, the company is asking for a bond money of Rs 75,000 for the BPO job, which is unheard of in the industry. Usually project engineers are asked to deposit money, not BPO employees," he added.

However, when contacted, a Wipro official told the media that the decision was taken to give opportunity to graduates to start their work without any delay.

"Every year campus joining is spread out over the four quarters. This is done for logistical reasons of training and seating. Due to current business scenario we estimate delays in joining dates of some batches of recruits," Pradeep Bahirwani, VP (talent acquisition), Wipro, told from Bangalore through an email.

"We are providing them an option of a technical support role in our BPO division. The objective is to let engineering graduates commence work without delay," he said.

Bahirwani added that the employees would have an opportunity to move into the technologies business in 12-18 months based on business demand. "The annual compensation will remain unchanged as per the original offer letter and those not wishing to exercise this option would have to await their joining dates for the technologies division."

Mukherjee said similar things were happening in other states like Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The students over there were also protesting against the decision, he said.

Source: Agencies