Vu Introducing the Worlds Brightest LED TV - QUANTUM PIXELIGHT LED TV in 65 and 75 Inches

Following the success of its Pixelight and PremiumSmart Series, California-based Smart TV leaders Vu Televisions introduces its ultra-stylish and luxurious Quantum Pixelight LED TV. Powered by 1500 nits, the Quantum Pixelight is the brightest LED TV in its segment. The revolutionary LED promises to deliver an immersive life-like TV viewing experience with its vibrant colour gamut and defining picture quality using quantum pixel technology. Vu’s Quantum Pixelight LED TV displays a healthy picture which is vivid and natural without having a viewer visually stressed. Currently available in 65 inches and 75 inches, the TVs are priced at Rs. 2.6 lakh and Rs. 4 lakh respectively.

The Quantum Pixelight LED TV is a visual treat and is highly appealing with its impeccable industrial metal body and aesthetics. The Vu Quantum Pixelight LED TV boasts of a picture quality encompassing the ‘4 Ultras’- Ultra HD, Ultra Colour, Ultra Contrast with local dimming, and Ultra Motion. Additionally, the smart TV comes with a dynamic Dolby audio effect powered through 55,000 sound holes.

Key Features:

·      1000+ nits peaking brightness

·      Pure Metal Industrial Design

·      Quantum Pixelight Optical Layer

·      Quantum Pixelight LED Focus On Colour and Contrast

·      Ultra Contrast with Local Dimming

·      Ultra HD

·      55,000 sound holes to ensure sound is rich & clear

·      Premium Smart, a smart TV operation for VU customers

·      4K Streaming and One Touch Access for Netflix and YouTube

Leading the way for Vu Televisions, Devita Saraf, Founder and CEO said, “Our latest Vu Quantum Pixelight LED TV is powered by 1500 nits offering viewers a vibrant and true to life picture quality. The combination of the highest level of brightness along with local dimming creates a completely new and unique contrast be it in extreme darkness or brightest light settings. The Smart LED TV has a complete metal design that is outstanding, and is based on the cutting-edge technology for the customer of today who do not settle for anything less than the best. Power packed with 55,000 sound holes, 4K Streaming and UHD, the all new Vu Quantum Pixelight LED TV is sure to appeal to customers with its luxurious design and engaging viewing experience.”

The Vu Quantum Pixelight LED TV premiered at a recently held TEDx Pre-Event dinner in Mumbai. Additionally, the Smart TV is based on Vu Technologies’ user-friendly Premium Smart operating system. The products are available at VU flagship stores and Vu’s exclusive online partner ~Flipkart.

New University Robotics Kit and Curriculum from TI Prepare Future Engineers for Systems-Level Design

In India, the field of robotics is increasing in popularity as a career path as more students learn about the integration of systems and engineering disciplines. To stay competitive in this world of increasing complexity and efficiency, today’s engineering students must graduate with an understanding of engineering concepts across multiple disciplines and products. To equip future engineers with this strong foundation in systems-level design, Texas Instruments (TI) has announced its newest educational solution for the university classroom, the TI Robotics System Learning Kit (TI-RSLK).

The TI-RSLK is a low-cost robotics kit and classroom curriculum, which provide students with a deeper understanding of how electronic system designs work. The first in the series, the Maze Edition, has more than 60 electronic and mechanical components, including the industry-leading SimpleLink MSP432P401R microcontroller (MCU) LaunchPad Development Kit. TI’s SimpleLink MCU platform is the broadest portfolio of connected ARM MCUs in a single software development environment, delivering flexible hardware, software and tool options for Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics applications.

Through the curriculum, students learn the function and purpose of each hardware and software component included within the TI-RSLK system. With this groundwork, students can write and develop their own code and then build their own fully functioning robotics system. This learning journey culminates in a robot that can complete line-following challenges, compete against other TI-RSLK robotic system and solve its way through a maze.

“The Indian undergraduate engineering curriculum focuses on fundamentals and teaches each component of electronics system design separately across different courses. Texas Instruments’ system design course integrates all components and teaches design trade-offs, complementing the current syllabus. TI-RSLK kit along with its associated software provides an appropriate platform for students to deploy classroom learnings in a hands-on environment. We hope the Indian academia will find it useful and adapt it in classroom sessions” says, Sanjay Srivastava, Director - University Program, Texas Instruments India.

The TI-RSLK was developed with Jon Valvano, Ph.D., an electrical and computer engineering professor at The University of Texas at Austin, with the intention of supplementing university faculty curriculum. The TI-RSLK Maze Edition comes with 20 learning modules covering basic to advanced topics. Each module is complete with lecture videos and slides, lab documentation and demonstration videos, quizzes and classroom activities. The kit and curriculum is fully customizable, allowing faculty to choose how they integrate the TI-RSLK into their class. The TI-RSLK is targeted to teach embedded systems and applications, and can be expanded and used in a variety of engineering classes at any level along a college student’s learning journey.

“Future engineers can’t push the boundaries of technology unless they first understand what the boundaries are,” says Peter Balyta, Ph.D., president of TI Education Technology and vice president of academic engagements and corporate citizenship. “I’m confident that as students gain a stronger understanding of how electronics systems work, once in their career they will create the technologies of the future that will astound us all.”

Jet Airways to Begin its Second Daily Flight to Singapore Effective March 15, 2018

Effective March 15, 2018, Jet Airways, India’s premier, full service international airline, will commence a second daily frequency from Bengaluru to Singapore, given the growing passenger traffic on the popular route.

The introduction of the second frequency forms part of Jet Airways’ focus to strengthen its presence in Bengaluru as the carrier’s upcoming third hub, aside from those in Mumbai and Delhi, in its endeavour to facilitate seamless onward connections for guests across its global network of 64 destinations, including 44 in India.

The new daily flight - 9W 26, will depart from Bengaluru at 02:05 hrs (IST) and arrive into Singapore at 09:15 hrs (LT), allowing corporate and business travellers to get a head start on their day. Aside from providing choice for Corporate travellers, the timings of the new flight are also expected to be of significance to the fast expanding Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions segment in Bengaluru.

During its return journey, flight 9W 25 will depart from Singapore at a comfortable time of10:15 hrs (LT), arriving in Bengaluru at 12:10 hrs (IST), allowing guests arriving in Bengaluru to travel onwards to destinations such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Mangalore using convenient connections on Jet Airways’ extensive domestic network.

To celebrate the introduction of the new frequency, Jet Airways has announced special ‘introductory’ return Economy fares from Bengaluru, starting at Rs 11,768 only. Guests can book tickets with these special fares starting February 15, 2018. These inaugural fares are applicable for journeys commencing from March 15, 2018 onwards.

Gaurang Shetty, Whole Time Director, Jet Airways, said “Jet Airways has seen an enthusiastic response from its guests travelling between Bengaluru and Singapore. We recognize the need for bolstering our existing service and provide guests with additional options to plan their travel. This second daily service will benefit business travellers who are looking at tapping into India and Singapore’s promising commercial opportunities. In addition, Singapore boasts of a huge Indian diaspora that can avail of this opportunity to strengthen ties to their roots.”

With the introduction of the second frequency between Bengaluru and Singapore, Jet Airways cargo capacity will now doubles on this route to offer 5000 kilos each way.

From Bengaluru, the primary commodities which are uplifted for Singapore are perishables, flowers, garments, computer parts and accessories. Whilst on the Singapore – Bengaluru route the primary commodities being shipped are electronic goods and accessories, computer parts and peripherals.

The new service importantly, will give movement of goods to access the Amsterdam market and other destinations in Europe. This is made possible with a daily connection from Singapore to Amsterdam via direct dallies available between Bengaluru and Amsterdam.

The new frequency will now offer guests from Bengaluru convenient connections to Denpasar/Bali, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur on flights operated by codeshare partners Garuda and Malaysian Airlines via Singapore. It will also offer guests travelling from destinations in the Indo-Pacific like Fiji, Darwin, Phuket, Penang, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane on codeshare partners like Fiji Airways, Jetstar Asia and Qantas, a seamless connection to Amsterdam via Bengaluru.

Jet Airways has been seeing an increase in air traffic between India, Singapore and the ASEAN region. Along with its codeshare partners, Jet Airways provides its guests the widest network of destinations to travel to by leveraging their strategic codeshare alliances. A growing Indian expatriate population in Singapore and strong India-Singapore trade links are fuelling demand for travel between the two countries. Simultaneously, the number of leisure travelers to Singapore has also seen a rapid rise. In 2016, about 100,000 cruise passengers from India - the highest for any country - were registered by the Singapore Tourism Board.

The airline had recently launched a non-stop, wide body service to Amsterdam from Bengaluru, in codeshare with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France and Delta Air Lines, connecting guests to 106 destinations in Europe and onwards to North America, which has been receiving an encouraging response

During the summer schedule, the timings of the new flight will change to depart from Bengaluru at 01:30 hrs (IST) to arrive in Singapore at 08:55 hrs (LT). The return flight from Singapore will however, continue to depart at 10:05 hrs (LT) to arrive into Bengaluru at 12:10hrs (IST).

ABB India Delivers Solid Growth and Balanced Performance in 2017; PAT Up 12% to Rs 420 Cr

“We have delivered balanced performance in 2017, and built a solid foundation for future growth and profitability as our nation's and global markets improve. The year was marked by our success in landmark nation-building projects across the country from Kashmir to Kerala,” said Sanjeev Sharma, Managing Director, ABB India. “In addition, our collaboration with customers for charting their digitalization and higher productivity roadmaps resulted in significant engagement and business traction. ABB India will continue to deliver next level solutions and enabling technologies for nation building through our partners and customers for the energy and the fourth industrial revolution.”

KEY FIGURES					Figures in INR crores*
	Q4 2017		Q4 2016	2017	2016
Orders	2911		2025***	9490	8000***
Revenue	2779		2508	9087	8643
Profit before tax	251		246	622	573
Profit before tax %	9.0		9.8	6.8	6.6
Profit after tax	172		163	420	374
Profit after tax %	6.2		6.5	4.6	4.4
Operational EBITA**	286		250	592	607
Operational EBITA %	10.3		10.0	6.5	7.0

All numbers including comparative periods are as per IndAS accounting standards.

The Company evaluates the profitability of its segments based on Operational EBITA. Operational EBITA represents income from operations excluding: (i) amortization expense on intangibles, (ii) restructuring and restructuring-related expenses, (iii) non-operational pension cost, (iv) gains and losses from sale of businesses, acquisition-related expenses and certain non-operational items, as well as (v) foreign exchange/commodity timing differences in income from operations consisting of: (a) unrealized gains and losses on derivatives (foreign exchange, commodities, embedded derivatives), (b) unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables (and related assets/liabilities).

*** Like for like basis, excluding one-time mega HVDC order (received in Q4 2016) and large traction transformer order (received in Q3 2016) totaling Rs 4467 crore

Orders

Total orders grew in the fourth quarter by 44 percent and in 2017 by 19 percent, excluding the exceptionally large UHVDC order and the large traction transformer orders booked in 2016. Orders in the second half of the year benefited from reviving industrial activity; however, base orders developed well throughout 2017, and short cycle activity was strong.

Export orders reached an all-time high in the year, significantly more than doubling in 2017.

Major orders were secured from both domestic and international customers, comprising propulsion equipment for railways in India, and substations for electric transport from South East Asian countries.

The efforts in getting customers digital-ready yielded results in 2017 with smart factory pilots, including remote monitoring solutions, established across several sectors including cement, paint, pharma, oil and gas and two-wheeler manufacturers.

Orders received for the fourth quarter were Rs 2911 crore. The order backlog of Rs 11,534 crore, as of December 31, 2017, notwithstanding the absence of the exceptionally large UHVDC order, provides solid visibility for future revenue.

Revenue and operations

ABB India’s revenue for 2017 was Rs 9087 crore.

All divisions contributed, aided by stabilization and selective improvement in end-customer markets including ports, process industries, mining, refining and emerging markets such as food and beverage, smart cities and metros.

The company closed the year with a solid cash performance across all four divisions, reinforcing the mantra of cash over revenue for a balanced growth.

Profit

Profit before tax (PBT) increased by 8 percent to INR 622 crore and profit after tax (PAT) by 12 percent to INR 420 crore compared to the prior year period.

Dividend

The Board of Directors has recommended a dividend of Rs 4.4 per share (220 percent), subject to the approval of shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Chairman of the board of ABB India

Jean Christophe Deslarzes, Head of Human Resource, and member of Executive Committee, ABB Group has been appointed as the non-executive non-independent director and the chairman of the board of directors for ABB India Limited. He succeeds Frank Duggan, who has resigned from the position of chairman and he has taken over a new role as the President of the Europe region, ABB Group.

ABB is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization with two clear value propositions: bringing electricity from any power plant to any plug and automating industries from natural resources to finished products. As title partner of Formula E, the fully electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 135,000 employees.

Kansai Nerolac Paints Primes for Digital Innovation Journey with SAP Leonardo

SAP SE has announced that leading Indian paints company Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd is adopting SAP Leonardo to streamline operations by leveraging next-generation technologies including Machine Learning and Internet of Things (IoT).

Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd (KNPL) will also implement SAP Cloud Platform, SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Edge Services to help fulfil the company’s objective of fast-tracking its digital transformation journey. As key milestones of the journey, KNPL aims to immediately transform its salesforce effectiveness, supply chain efficiency and manufacturing robustness. The company will thus be able to innovate faster with less risk through proven methodology, pioneering technology and industry accelerators enabled by the SAP portfolio.

“The arrival of new-age technologies has given rise to an urgent need for digital innovation in the industry,” said Jason Gonsalves, VP – Corporate Planning, IT, HR and Materials, Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd. “We are aiming to boost our digital quotient with SAP. By being able to rapidly incorporate the next-generation technologies, we will be able to catalyse process innovation at every level of our organisation.”

“With SAP Leonardo, KNPL will be able to automate and augment existing processes while building a smarter business model,”said Subramanian Ananthapadmanabhan, Vice President, Enterprise Business, SAP Indian Subcontinent. “As an early adopter of this revolutionary technology, KNPL is paving the way for the industry to go digital.”

SAP Leonardo is a digital innovation system that brings together machine learning, IoT, blockchain, analytics and big data on SAP Cloud Platform using design thinking services.

MAHE Pro Vice Chancellor to Take Over as President MUJ

Dr. G.K. Prabhu, Pro Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education has been appointed as President, Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ). He will take charge on February 14, 2018. Dr. Prabhu has held a number of posts in MAHE, Manipal. In September 2015, he was chosen to head Manipal Institute of Technology. And, while still holding the Director’s post, he was made Pro VC (Technology and Management) in April 2017. He was responsible for the development and implementation of Manipal University’s Strategic Plans for its engineering and management institutions.

Prior to becoming Director of MIT, Dr. Prabhu served as the Registrar of the University for seven and half years. Dr. Prabhu started his career as Lecturer in Electronics and Communication Engineering, MIT, Manipal in 1989. Since then, he has served the institute in various capacities such as Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Associate Director (Research & Development) and Deputy Registrar (Technical), Manipal University.

As an acclaimed teacher, he carved a niche for himself. He is passionate about research and has several publications in reputed national and international journals. He was honored with the “Shri Shyam Lal Saxena Memorial Award” from the National Academy of Medical Sciences for his published work in Biomedical Engineering in 2007.

Dr. Prabhu is an active member of the “Biomedical Engineering Society of India” (BMESI), a professional body and was the Secretary of this association during 2002-08. As Director MIT, he has led several student focused initiatives, including initiating the upgradation and modernization of the MIT campus and infrastructure. His open-door empathetic approach and management style continue to win him admiration and plaudits from his colleagues, faculty and students. For his several achievements and his contributions to the local community the District Administration has honored him with the ‘Udupi District Kannada Rajyostava Award’ in November 2017. 

Dr. Prabhu completed his schooling in Karkala, where he belongs to. He obtained his B.E. degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mysore University in 1989. With a passion for applying engineering principles to solve problems of medicine and biology, he pursued his M.Tech in Biomedical Engineering in 1994 from Manipal Institute of Technology, Mangalore University with a first rank and completed Ph.D. in 2001 from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

Toyota Showcases All New Land Cruiser Prado at Auto Expo 2018

Toyota Kirloskar Motor showcases the All New Land Cruiser Prado at the  Auto Expo 2018.  One of the most celebrated off-roader globally, the Prado in its renewed avatar comes with robust exteriors, impressive and highly functional interiors, while maintaining the legendary toughness and substance of the SUV.

A next-generation mid-sized Land Cruiser, the All New Prado boasts of exterior updates through a new hood, radiator grille, headlamps, bumpers, fenders and a cabin that is spruced with a new design combimeter and center console is available in D-4D Diesel with engine offering a power of 127 kW @ 3400 rpm and a torque 410 Nm @ 1600-2800 rpm.

Commenting on the new offering,  N Raja, Deputy Managing Director, Sales & Service, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We are delighted to showcase the renewed version of our luxury SUV with go-anywhere capability – the All New Land Cruiser Prado in the Indian market.  Over the years, we have continued to hone the Prado to embody an SUV of indomitable repute which has made it a head turner in any city and off-roader that will leave others trailing behind. Encompassing the enduring Land Cruiser DNA of a hard-core off-roader ready to take on any hurdles coupled with advanced robustness and functionality, the Prado’s heroic stance traces back to years of off-roading adventure and dominance on city roads. Also equipped with top-notch off-road features such as crawl control and multi-terrain select, the Prado is an offering apt for ardent adventure lovers. One of the finest of SUVs, today Prado has been esteemed in around 190 countries, by 2.95 million customers.

The All New Land Cruiser Prado is a radical evolution towards a more modern and advanced impression in line with the changing lifestyle preferences of our customers. Built on the ironic heritage of QDR [Quality, Durability, and Reliability] leadership and our commitment to the rich heritage of Toyota’s unconquerable SUVs, we are certain that this new offering will continue to delight our Indian customers who are looking for a top-class SUV. Today Utility Vehicles (UVs) constitute around 28% of the mass market vehicles in India, and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) about 40% of higher price products.UVs have been always our stronghold, and with this we hope to further consolidate our position in the market and complement our four wheel drive range he added.

The New Land Cruiser Prado will be available in three new Exterior Colors- Blackish Ageha, Avant Garde Bronze and Vintage Brown Pearl apart from its existing colors (White Pearl, Silver Metallic, Grey Metallic, Attitude Black Metallic and Red Mica Metallic and two New Interior Colors- Neutral Beige and  Redwood apart from the existing Black color.

Ø  Exteriors -  Tough styling as a genuine SUV and robust new exterior that will assert the powerful on-road presence

Ø  Interiors – Advanced impression with a highly functional layout and refined craftsmanship

New & Advanced Robust Exteriors:

Ø  New and imposing Hood & Radiator Grille

Ø  All new LED Headlamps and taillights

Ø  All new front and rear bumpers

Ø  Chrome door window frame moulding

Ø  New Fenders

Ø  ORVM – Puddle lamp addition

Ø  Alloy Wheels with New high brightness paint

Ø  New license plate garnish

New Luxurious & Modern Interior Features:

Ø  New design Combimeter and Center Console

Ø  Robust and Modern seat upholstery and ornaments

Ø  Driver and passenger seat ventilation and heating

Ø  New Steering Wheel

Ø  Illuminated Entry System [ Side + Rear Step ]

Ø  New Interior colors and Ornaments

Ø  Painted inside door handle

   Safety & securities:

Ø  ABS [Anti-lock Braking System] with EBD [Electronic Brake-force Distribution] and BA [Brake Assist]

Ø  7 SRS Airbags: Driver, Passenger, Driver & Passenger Side, Driver Knee, Curtain Side Airbags

Ø  Whiplash Injury Lessening [WIL] Headrests [Front only]

Ø  Vehicle Stability Control [VSC]

Ø  Tyre Pressure Monitoring System [TPMS]

Ø  Immobilizer

Ø  Angle sensor in Intrusion sensor

     Chassis and Transmission

Ø  Suspension Front / Rear - ( Double Wishbone / 4 – Link with Air Spring , Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System [ KDSS], Adaptive Variable Suspension [Comfort,Normal,Sport Modes] with Rear Air Suspension

Ø  Brake Front / Rear – Ventilated Disc/ Ventilated Disc

Ø  Transmission – 5 Speed Automatic

Ø  Drive type – 4WD

      Off-road Features:

Ø  Crawl Control [5 Speed Select]

Ø  Multi Terrain Select [MTS]

Ø  Multi Terrain Monitor [4 Camera Surround Check]

Ø  Panoramic View Monitor

*The vehicle prototype is undergoing evaluation by testing agencies and type approval certificate is awaited