Samsung’s ‘AI For All’ Vision Unveiled At CES 2024

* Samsung outlines strategy for using AI technology to make the connected device experience safer, more inclusive, and more energy-efficient

Samsung Electronics today shared its vision for how artificial intelligence (AI) technology will enable people to experience their devices more intuitively and conveniently than ever before. Presenting these ideas at a press conference at CES® 2024, Samsung teamed up with key partners to outline the technology behind this vision and how new products and services use AI capabilities to make life easier.

Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division, opened the press conference by describing how AI will enable connected technologies to improve people’s daily lives while always remaining nonintrusive and “in the background.” The strategy that he and others outlined focused on the role of AI in enhancing connected experiences that are both simple and useful. Throughout the press conference, Samsung presented a number of products and services that help achieve these aims.

“With the emergence of artificial intelligence, smarter, better experiences will redefine how we live,” Han said. “Samsung’s broad portfolio of powerful devices, along with the pursuit of open collaboration, will help bring AI and hyper-connectivity to all.”

AI-Enabled Visual Display Products and Digital Appliances Bring New Experiences to the Home

During the CES press conference, Jonathan Gabrio, Head of Connected Experience Center at Samsung Electronics America, outlined the ways in which AI technology is transforming how Visual Display products and Digital Appliances are used. For example, Samsung Neo QLED 8K QN900D boasts a built-in AI Processor, NQ8 AI Gen 3, equipped with an 8 times greater AI neural network and a two times faster NPU than its predecessor. Thanks to the NQ8 AI Gen3 processor, Samsung Neo QLED 8K automatically upscales low-resolution content to provide users with up to 8K quality viewing experience and sharpens fast-moving images via AI Motion Enhancer Pro. The Samsung Neo QLED 8K also features Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which analyzes voice and background noise by AI to optimize your TV listening experience so you can enjoy various content as if you are in the front row of a stadium or movie theater. Samsung Neo QLED 8K also features Tizen OS Home, which offers the latest apps, services, personalized content, and service recommendations to upscale your entertainment experience.

As for viewers with different needs, Samsung also provides innovative accessibility features. A sign language feature in Samsung Neo QLED can be easily controlled with gestures for the hearing impaired, and an Audio Subtitle feature turns text subtitles into spoken words in real-time for those with low vision.

Furthermore, Samsung is introducing the new The Premiere 8K, a projector that features not only a 150-inch display, but also the world’s first wireless 8K transmission for a projector. With The Premiere 8K, users will be able to enjoy a full-scale viewing experience like that of the cinema in the comfort of their own homes.

As for sound, Samsung also introduced Music Frame, a speaker with a customizable cover that integrates seamlessly into users’ homes. Via Q-Symphony, the Music Frame syncs with Samsung TVs and soundbars, bringing enriched bass and surround sound of dual built-in woofers to the home with minimal effort.

Samsung has also made major upgrades to Ballie, the rolling AI robot first introduced at CES 2020. Ballie has now evolved into your AI companion capable of interacting with other smart devices to provide customized services such as taking care of bothersome tasks or projecting images and videos on walls so that users can view key information for their daily lives such as weather or other relevant content wherever they are.

To enhance kitchen and food experiences, Samsung is unveiling the Bespoke 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™+[1] [2]. This refrigerator boasts a 32-inch screen that features the new AI Vision Inside[3], which uses an internal camera to recognize up to 33 different food items that are put into and taken out of the refrigerator and suggests recipes using those ingredients. Users can also set “use by dates” on the Bespoke 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™ screen for food items, which then allows the refrigerator to send a notification when the set date draws near. By conveniently helping to save money by reducing food waste, these AI features enable more environmentally conscious lifestyles. The Anyplace Induction range takes AI connectivity a step further, as recipes saved on Samsung Food can be shared to the cooktop’s 7-inch display so that users can easily follow along while cooking.

Samsung’s AI technology extends to appliances beyond the kitchen, as well. The new Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™ — an All-in-One washer and dryer — features the AI Hub[4], which is a 7-inch LCD display that acts as an intuitive control center for managing laundry, allowing users to enjoy a simple washing and drying experience. It personalizes washing and drying by remembering users’ habits and using machine learning to suggest cycles. Meanwhile, Samsung’s upcoming vacuum and mop robot cleaner, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo™[5], utilizes AI technology to provide a more convenient, effective cleaning experience. With AI Object Recognition upgraded from the previous robot cleaner lineup, it will be able to distinguish more objects, as well as detect stains and spaces[6]. The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo™ also recognizes the type of floor it encounters — along with carpet length — and adjusts its settings accordingly.

Samsung Reveals Galaxy Book4 as Company’s Most AI-Ready Laptop Series Yet

Samsung has been elevating what a PC can do and has been collaborating with Microsoft to create new, seamless connected experiences. Now, these experiences are being advanced further with new connectivity features that make the Galaxy Book4 series smoother, smarter, and more adaptable, reinforcing Samsung and Microsoft’s commitment to providing the best PC experience possible.

Using intelligent, intuitive AI capabilities, Microsoft Copilot[7] connects the Galaxy Book4 series with Samsung Galaxy smartphone to make them work seamlessly together, so that it feels like just one device. Microsoft Copilot can find, read or summarize text messages from a user’s Galaxy smartphone and even automatically create and send messages on a user’s behalf directly from the PC. Without having to turn on the smartphone and open each individual app, the Galaxy Book4 series can access smartphone functions and information more quickly and intelligently.

The Galaxy Book4 series can now turn Samsung Galaxy smartphones’ powerful camera into a PC webcam[8], using it for video calls on virtual conferencing apps. Users can switch freely between front and rear cameras with just a click on their PC, and it also offers a variety of features from Galaxy smartphones – including Background Blur and Auto-framing – that help focus on the speaker’s image in any environment.

Through tight, ongoing collaboration between Samsung and Microsoft, more intelligent capabilities will continue to be made possible on the Galaxy Book4 series, with the above connectivity features being available starting from March.

Plus, the Galaxy Book4 series can be paired with other Galaxy devices beyond smartphones. Tab S9 Ultra can be used as an additional PC monitor, and users can enjoy crystal-clear sound quality with reduced latency when the PC is connected with Galaxy Buds2 Pro. With all these capabilities and more, the Galaxy Book4 series is designed to deliver the best PC experience possible.

Better Connecting Users and Devices through Spatial Intelligence

Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings, highlighted the exciting new ways in which AI technology is impacting the relationship between users and their devices, including Samsung’s vision for SmartThings: The more Samsung devices a customer uses, the smarter those devices become and the better they can understand and support daily life.

Spatial AI is the key to enabling this vision, by helping devices understand the living space and routines of the user, thus enabling more a personalized home management experience. SmartThings uses LiDAR[9] on connected devices like robot vacuums to create digital floor plans so users can easily check the status and location of all their devices.  And in March, SmartThings will roll out the upgraded 3D Map View for a more detailed experience on Samsung smartphones and TVs. Furthermore, a simple QR code will allow users to add family and friends to their SmartThings ecosystem, so that every member of the household can create their own routines.

Using smart sensors and AI, SmartThings can detect unusual circumstances, such as a fall, and send alerts to designated family and caregivers.  Also, thanks to the Galaxy SmartTag2, users can track their pets’ activities and digitally store identifying information by attaching the tag to a collar or harness[10].

Another point EVP Jung discussed was how the Bixby voice assistant is allowing smart homes to become more dynamic with its enhanced AI capabilities. Bixby can now automatically route commands to the most appropriate devices based on an understanding of the user’s location and activities.  Key technologies like Multi Device Wakeup combined with a shared communication protocol, enable Bixby to listen to commands with all the devices in a room but then only perform the requested action on the most relevant device. So if a user is in the kitchen watching a recipe video on their Family Hub™, and they can call out, “Hey, Bixby! Play music!”  At that point, music will play from the user’s smart speaker, but the recipe video will continue to play on the Family Hub™, uninterrupted.

The TV, with the Samsung Daily+ service, will increasingly become a central hub for much of this smart home functionality, while also granting access to a variety of additional services. These include video calls through ConnecTime, video veterinary consultation services[11], and Workout Tracker — through which workout data can be transferred to Samsung’s smart watches. Samsung also announced the new Samsung Now+ service, which displays useful information about users’ homes, such as the weather or a live security camera feed from a home security system without the TV even being turned on.  As is the case with SmartThings features, users can also access this information via voice command.

Bringing the Home and Car Closer Together With Home-to-Car Capabilities

Samsung also announced developments in the automotive industry, starting with a partnership with Hyundai Motor Group.  Samsung and Hyundai have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which was announced ahead of CES 2024. Under the agreement, users will have access to Home-to-Car and Car-to-Home services, courtesy of SmartThings connectivity. Haeyoung Kwon, Head of Infotainment Development Center and SDV[12] Execution Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group, delivered remarks regarding the partnership.

“Using Hyundai Motor Group’s software-defined vehicle, SmartThings will now work with Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles through the app,” Kwon said. “All of us at Hyundai Motor Group appreciate our partnership with Samsung, and we’re excited about the new features we’re bringing to your vehicles through smarter connectivity.”

Through SmartThings, users will be able to utilize voice commands to remotely perform functions in their car, such as heating it up in advance or opening and closing windows. SmartThings connectivity goes the other way, too, with users able to control home functions from their vehicle. Users will be able to automatically open and close garage doors based on the location of the car, as well as regulate home temperature. All of these actions can be carried out via voice commands.

Additionally, Samsung has further deepened the longstanding partnership with HARMAN to elevate the way users experience driving. Michelle Gattuso, Vice President of Product Management at HARMAN, discussed how the two companies are building new technologies to elevate the driving experience.

“Samsung’s leadership in consumer technology — together with HARMAN’s automotive expertise — has opened the door to game-changing experiences like HARMAN Ready Care, Ready Vision and Ready Display,” Gattuso said. “But now, the work we do with Samsung is getting even more integrated. Samsung and HARMAN are working in lockstep to bring even more impactful experiences to the entire in-cabin ecosystem.”

HARMAN’s Ready Care, which focuses on driver safety, implements deep learning neural networking techniques to monitor the driver’s movement and cognitive alertness, and can provide personalized reminders and alerts. Additionally, Ready Care can now identify whether passengers are adults or children, and adjust airbag deployment settings accordingly.

Furthermore, Ready Vision brings an intuitive display directly to windshields — courtesy of augmented reality — in drivers’ line of sight, right when they need it. For example, drivers have access to a map that updates according to routes in real time, as well as recommendations for the fastest route or where to stop for coffee. Another HARMAN product, Ready Upgrade, allows automakers to frequently update their vehicle’s hardware and software. This keeps vehicles relevant, modern and efficient for longer.

Samsung Focuses on Security and Privacy Across Devices

In this future of AI-enabled, deeply interconnected devices, Samsung recognizes that security and privacy are paramount. Shin Baik from the Mobile Experience Security Team discussed the company’s security solutions as a foundation for the hyper-connected era.

One such solution is Samsung Knox Matrix, which now provides end-to-end encryption across many Samsung Galaxy smartphones and smart TVs. The technology will allow devices to monitor each other to identify and isolate security threats. Knox Vault, which helps keep user data safe on some of Samsung’s most popular devices, has been expanded to cover more devices connected by SmartThings, such as Samsung Neo QLED 8K TVs. Additionally, Samsung’s partnerships with major tech companies allow users to experience security and privacy in a way that is tailored to their specific needs.

Samsung Makes Strides in Responsible Materials, Energy Management, and Accessibility

Meanwhile, Inhee Chung, Vice President of the Samsung Corporate Sustainability Center, highlighted Samsung’s plans for a more circular economy. As part of these plans, Samsung increasingly incorporates recycled materials into its products — including recycled plastic sourced from discarded fishing nets in Galaxy devices[13], recycled plastic in TVs, and recycled aluminum in Bespoke refrigerators[14]. Additionally, the company’s Certified ReNewed program — available in the U.S. and select European countries — offers affordable refurbished phones, while Galaxy Upcycling allows consumers to reuse or repurpose their old phones in creative ways. The company plans to scale up recycling and upcycling, as well.

As for the ways Samsung’s technology contributes to sustainability efforts, the company is utilizing AI to make the use of its products more energy-efficient through features like SmartThings AI Energy Mode, which automatically optimizes energy usage to help users save electricity. These features are yet another example of how AI technology will not only make lives easier, but also allow consumers to live in a way that is more environmentally and economically responsible.

Thanks to a new collaboration with Tesla, SmartThings Energy is becoming even more useful both inside and outside of the home. The collaboration has integrated SmartThings Energy with Tesla products, including electric vehicles (EVs), the Powerwall home battery, Solar Inverter and Wall Connector EV charging solution.  Another benefit is that SmartThings Energy users can take advantage of the Tesla app’s Powerwall “Storm Watch” function, which flags severe weather through SmartThings not only on the Tesla app, but also on users’ connected Samsung TVs and mobile phones. SmartThings can also help users prepare for power outages by activating AI Energy Mode to extend the usage time of backup energy stored in their Tesla Powerwalls.

Samsung is adding new features to increase device accessibility, such as digital appliances responding to hands-free gestures. Additionally, mobile devices provide auto-generated captions during calls, and TVs and displays offer a new, AI-enabled text-to-speech feature that converts subtitles into spoken audio. To further aid those with low vision, Relumino Together is a new viewing mode on Samsung TVs that enables users of all abilities to watch TV together, with or without visual adjustments. Now, everyone can enjoy home entertainment together at the same time.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For latest news on Samsung India, please visit Samsung India Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com/in. For Hindi, log on to Samsung Newsroom Bharat at https://news.samsung.com/bharat. You can also follow us on Twitter @SamsungNewsIN.

Navy Chief Unveils First Indigenously Manufactured Drishti 10 UAV Of Adani Defence & Aerospace

Atmanirbharta’ in defence took wing today with Adani Defence & Aerospace unveiling and handing over its indigenously manufactured Drishti 10 Starliner Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to the Indian Navy. Drishti 10 Starliner is an advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform with 36 hours endurance and 450 kg payload capacity.

The only all-weather military platform with NATO’s STANAG 4671 (standardized agreement 4671) certification for the UAV system’s airworthiness, it is cleared to fly in both segregated and unsegregated airspace. The UAV will now be taken from Hyderabad to Porbandar to be inducted into naval maritime operations.

The flag-off ceremony was led by chief guest Admiral R Hari Kumar (PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC), Chief of the Naval Staff, who lauded Adani’s efforts in aligning its roadmap to the Navy’s requirements and establishing an ecosystem of partners and capabilities to enable ‘Atmanirbharta’ in defence and security. He said, “This is a momentous occasion and a transformative step in India’s quest for self-reliance in ISR technology and maritime supremacy. Drishti 10’s integration will enhance our naval capabilities, strengthening our preparedness in the ever-evolving maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.”

Honourable Minister of Industries & Commerce, IT, Electronics and Legislative Affairs of Telangana Mr D. Sridhar Babu congratulated the Adani Defence & Aerospace team for setting up a vibrant ecosystem for unmanned systems. He said, “Adani Aerospace Park in Hyderabad is a world class facility with focus on innovation and indigenization, a testament to Indian ingenuity. can only say that we have taken all the right steps towards achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing and with initiatives taken by companies like Adani Defence, the vision laid out by the Hon’ble Prime Minister shall be achieved in its complete spirit.”

The vision of Adani Group Chairman Mr Gautam Adani is to create a legacy by supporting the goal of making India scientifically, industrially, and economically an advanced and self-reliant nation. He sees an opportunity not just to make a humble contribution to the armed forces but also support India in claiming its rightful place as a technology leader.

Jeet Adani, VP, Adani Enterprises, said, “Recent geopolitical events have reinforced the convergence of physical, informational, and cognitive tactics underpinned by intelligence, information processing capabilities, and use of unmanned and cyber systems for dissemination of information and disinformation. Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms across land, air and naval borders are a key priority for Adani to serve the armed forces and place India on the global map for exports. We are proud to be able to serve the Indian Navy.”

Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, said, “The handover of Drishti 10 Starliner UAV is a watershed moment in our journey towards self-sufficiency and indigenisation of advanced technologies. Our on-time delivery to the Navy is a testament to our robust quality management processes and excellent support from our partners, who worked diligently over the last 10 months from contract to delivery.”

Adani Aerospace Park is the country’s first final assembly line in the private sector for military grade unmanned systems, tactical and loitering drones, seamlessly integrated with carbon aerostructures manufacturing unit, electronics and avionics unit, and EO IR (electro optical/infra-red) payloads, thus contributing to more than 70% indigenisation.

About Adani Defence & Aerospace

Adani Defence & Aerospace, part of the Adani Group, is a pioneer in design, development, and manufacturing of state-of-the-art defence products. Our products and services are trusted worldwide, ranging from small arms and ammunition to unmanned aerial vehicles, counter-drone systems, missiles, and aircraft services. We take pride in supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and contributing to national security agenda.

We have provided a platform to start-ups and MSMEs to help develop a vibrant defence ecosystem with an export-oriented mindset, with best-in-class processes and quality management systems. Our objective is to ensure that those we serve stay ahead of time and remain prepared for any untoward contingencies. We are committed to delivering excellence in everything we do.

Website: www.adanidefence.com

ELGi Powers AIRLAB Fitness’ Simulated High-Altitude Fitness Training Facility In Miami, Florida

Elgi Equipments (BSE: 522074 NSE: ELGIEQUIP), one of the world’s leading air compressor manufacturers, has enabled AIRLAB Fitness, a Miami-based, cutting-edge fitness studio, to offer strength, conditioning, and HITT classes at altitude, accelerating endurance gains and expediting the recovery process for every customer. The simulated high-altitude training environment is powered by ELGi’s EG37 Series screw air compressor within hypoxic air chambers from Australian-based Altitude Training Systems (ATS), a pioneer in altitude technology. The compressed air solution addressed AIRLAB’s specific needs by providing excellent air composition, stability, and variability to replicate different altitudes and environments. ELGi’s UPTiME promise and comprehensive, industry-leading warranty plans also ensured reliability, peace of mind, and ease of maintenance, permitting AIRLAB to focus on what they do best.

Co-CEO of AIRLAB Fitness, Varun Jay Varadaraj, said, “At AIRLAB, we embrace the ethos as a cornerstone of our training philosophy. Our studio takes full advantage of Miami's environment, enabling our members to push boundaries during high-altitude sessions while ensuring a swift recovery process. ELGi stood out as the only company capable of providing us with an economical compressed air solution at this size and scale. The high-quality and energy-efficient compressed air system from ELGi translated to lower operating costs, a vital aspect for a start-up like ours. With their uptime guarantee, we are assured of continuous support. Thanks to the unwavering support we received, I don't feel the pressure of becoming an expert in compressed air and compressor maintenance. As a new business with a growing clientele, operational efficiency is crucial to our continued success."

Compressed air plays a pivotal role in drawing ambient air from the surroundings and delivering it to the hypoxic chamber; simulating a hypoxic atmosphere similar to that seen at higher altitudes with lower oxygen levels by nitrogenizing the air and lowering its oxygen concentration. Pattons, an ELGi subsidiary in North America, supplied the compressor and accessories, to compliment the hypoxic technology from ATS (Altitude Training Systems), a division of Pulford Air & Gas, an ELGi subsidiary in Australia.  ELGi’s EG Series EG37-125 compressor was selected basis critical factors such as CFM, flow capabilities, and energy efficiency. The EG Series enabled AIRLAB Fitness to fill their altitude training studio efficiently and cost-effectively within the desired timeframe, delivering exceptional air composition stability and variability to replicate various altitudes and environments. Industrial Air Centers, an ELGi distributor in Florida, provided invaluable assistance with setup and service, ensuring the installation was completed in just one day, allowing AIRLAB to get down to business in record time.

“ELGi's reliable and efficient compressed air technology is a perfect match for AIRLAB Fitness. We're excited to be supporting a one-of-a-kind fitness studio. This is a testament to our innovation and ability to provide solutions to meet the compressed air requirements of unique businesses," added Scott Sutton, Vice President, ELGi Distribution Operations.

Speaking about the hypoxic solution provided by ATS - Altitude Training Systems, Ramesh Ponnuswami, Executive Director (OSEA), Elgi Equipments Limited, said, “ATS’s innovative hypoxic training solution proved to be the ideal choice for AIRLAB Fitness, enabling the creation of high-altitude training conditions that are essential for their fitness programs. ATS provided the technology and expertise required to set up an effective altitude training environment, setting the fitness studio on a trajectory toward new heights of excellence.”

About ELGi: Elgi Equipments Limited is a global air compressor manufacturer with a broad line of innovative and technologically superior compressed air systems. ELGi has consistently ensured that its customers achieve their productivity goals while keeping the cost of ownership low. ELGi offers a complete range of compressed air solutions, from oil-lubricated and oil-free rotary screw compressors, oil-lubricated and oil-free reciprocating compressors, and centrifugal compressors to dryers, filters, and downstream accessories. The company's portfolio of over 400 products has found wide application across industries. For further information on the organisation and its products, visit http://www.elgi.com

LG Electronics Announces Winner Of "India Ka Celebration" Campaign

LG Electronics, one of India’s leading consumer durable brands, is thrilled to announce the lucky winner of its ongoing "India ka Celebration" campaign. Mr. Rajesh Chandran, CEO, Lubond technologies, is the lucky winner of the Grand Prize Audi Q3 Premium. Mr. Rajesh Chandran purchased a top load washing machine from Reliance Retail on 13th October 2023.

During the campaign period from September 16th to November 12th, 2023, customers had the golden opportunity to celebrate Diwali with LG and take advantage of the fantastic offers. LG is dedicated to making life more convenient, and truly unforgettable, as the company spreads happiness and enhances the festive spirit.

Commenting on the same, Mr. Mr. Hong Ju Jeon - MD LG India said, “Our 'India ka Celebration' campaign is all about spreading happiness and making the festive season and New Year truly special. LG brand philosophy is Life’s Good which represents our unwavering commitment to making people’s lives better through innovation. Through our recent brand reinvention, our endeavour is to deliver the values and philosophy of Life’s Good at every touch point across the customer experience. Heartfelt congratulations to our one lucky winner, Mr. Rajesh Chandran, and a big thank you to all the participants. This is certainly a Life’s Good moment for Mr. Rajesh and his family.”

“LG's 'India ka Celebration' campaign has truly lit up my holiday spirit! Winning the Grand Prize Audi Q3 Premium is a dream come true, and I couldn't be more grateful for this incredible surprise”, said Mr. Rajesh Chandran.

This Diwali, LG went above and beyond in spreading joy and happiness by introducing an incredible opportunity for everyday customers to win the coveted LG Dream Home Package. A total of 58 fortunate winners were declared under the daily dream home package, with each day bringing excitement as one lucky customer won an entire suite of five exceptional products. The Dream Home Package included a Side-by-Side Refrigerator, Front Load Washing Machine, Water Purifier, Microwave Oven, and an OLED TV. These products are designed to provide utmost convenience and luxury to customers, making their celebrations even more special.

This thoughtful initiative not only added a special touch to their Diwali celebrations but also garnered heartfelt appreciation from customers who were touched by LG India's generous gesture.

About LG Electronics India Pvt Ltd               

LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. (LG Electronics), a wholly owned subsidiary of LG Electronics, South Korea was established in January 1997 in India. It is one of the most formidable brands in consumer electronics, home appliances*, HVAC, IT hardware. In India, LG Electronics has earned a premium brand positioning and is the acknowledged trendsetter for the industry. LGEIL's manufacturing unit at Greater Noida is one of the most eco-friendly units among all LG manufacturing plants in the world. The second Greenfield facility is located at Ranjangaon; Pune has the capacity to manufacture LED TVs, air conditioners, commercial air conditioning systems, washing machines, refrigerators, and monitors.

*Home Appliances include- Refrigerator; Washing Machine, AC, Water purifier, Microwave, Fan, Dishwasher & Air purifier.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Announces The 17th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest 2024

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is delighted to announce the commencement of the 17th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest for the year 2024. The competition, will be open for entries from 5th to 31st January 2024, with the theme "YOUR DREAM CAR," inviting children from across the country to unleash their creativity by illustrating and making a sketch of their dream cars. The contest aims to nurture the creativity of young inventors, thinkers, and dreamers. It not only gives children the opportunity to share their ideas about the future of mobility, but also encourages them to envisage and pursue their dreams.

Open for children under the age of 15 years, the contest features three age categories: Category 1 (upto 7 years old), Category 2 (8-11 years old), and Category 3 (12-15 years old). The competition unfolds at both National and Global Levels. The "National Contest" will take place from January 2024 onwards, where nine winners (three from each category) will get an opportunity to compete at the "World Contest" and stand a chance to get an educational grant.

The 16th edition of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest garnered an overwhelming response, with entries from across the nation. Notably, Ms. Sruthi Manojna, a young artist and National Contest Winner from Andhra Pradesh, India, achieved the prestigious Best Finalist award at the World Contest.  Sruthi was rewarded with a cash price in recognition of her exceptional achievement in the age category of 12-15 years.

Since its inception in 2004, the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest has become a global phenomenon, about 780,000 artworks from 90 countries and regions in total submitted to the 16th edition. This overwhelming response is a testament to Toyota's commitment to providing a boundless space for children to dream freely. The contest fosters an environment where the boundaries of imagination are pushed, and innovative ideas are celebrated without constraint.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor is thrilled to extend a warm invitation to all young artists across India to participate wholeheartedly in the 17th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. Details about the contest, including rules, submission guidelines, and the history of the event, can be found on www.toyotabharat.com/dream-car-contest.

About the Global Toyota Dream Car Art Contest

The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is open worldwide for children upto 15 years of age. The contest, first conducted in 2004, gives children throughout the world an opportunity to develop an interest in cars, helps them feel the joy and importance of having a dream. National contests are held around the world, with the winning artworks submitted to be judged in Japan during the World Contest.

IndiaSkills Competition Registration Date Extended Till January 15

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), is organizing the IndiaSkills 2023-24— a pan-India competition anticipating participation from lakhs of aspirants. This prestigious event seeks to celebrate a myriad of skills, empowering individuals to envision a future filled with opportunities.

Looking at the overwhelming response and the growing interest from participants across the States/UTs has led to the extension in the registration deadline for the competition until 15th January 2024.

Aligned with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of making India the third-largest economy in the world, the competition offers a distinctive opportunity to ‘Amrit Peedhi’, with employability and domain skills in traditional/new job roles to showcase their skills on a global scale. The competition stands as a vibrant celebration of skills and craftsmanship, a robust platform that bridge the skill gap and help youth to attain world-class standards of competence, excellence, and productivity.

The extended timeline will accommodate the growing interest from the candidates and will ensure that all the potential participants have sufficient time to complete their registrations and be a part of this prestigious event.

Registration for this grand event has commenced on the Skill India Digital website, inviting aspirants from across the nation to showcase their talents and skills. The competition unfurls through a set of stages at the District, State, Zonal, and National levels- with the ultimate reward being the chance to represent India in the WorldSkills Competition at Lyon, France, in 2024.

Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International, emphasized on the role of IndiaSkills in advancing the careers of emerging professionals. He highlighted the competition's significance in offering participants the opportunity to display their skills with perfection.

There are over 60 categories within the competition including Construction and Building Technology, Automotive Technology, Fashion designing, Hair Dressing, Baking, Industry 4.0, Cyber Security and much more. This inclusivity not only widens the scope for individual excellence but also encourages collaboration among various sectors.

IndiaSkills is a platform that celebrate the diverse skills that make our nation truly unique and offers a stage to our skill champions. The competition will be a facilitator of ‘Kushal Bharat Viksit Bharat’ that seamlessly integrates vocational education with hands-on training and chart youth journey towards self-empowerment, discovery and thriving careers.

WorldSkills is the largest skill competition in the world, held once every two years, conducted by WorldSkills International, which has 86 member countries. 

Honda Presents World Premiere Of The “Honda 0 Series” Represented By Two New Global EV Concept Models At CES 2024

– Adopting new “H mark” design exclusively for the next-generation EVs – 

Honda today unveiled the “Honda 0 Series,” a new EV series Honda will launch globally starting in 2026, with the world premiere of two concept models, namely Saloon and Space-Hub, at the CES 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Honda also presented the world premiere of the new H mark to be used exclusively for the next-generation EV models of Honda. 

Honda 0 Series Special Website: https://0.honda/en/ 

Honda has been conducting business based on its Global Brand Slogan: The Power of Dreams – How we move you. This slogan conveys the message that Honda will create mobility products and services which enable people to “transcend various constraints such as time and place,” and to “augment their abilities and possibilities.” With such mobility products and services, Honda will support the realization of dreams of more people and become the driving force that moves society forward. 

Moreover, Honda is aiming to realize carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by 2050. To this end, the company is pursuing electrification to achieve its automobile electrification target of “increasing the ratio of EV and FCEV sales to 100% globally by 2040.” 

The Honda 0 Series is a new EV series that symbolizes how Honda is undergoing a major transformation in line with its Global Brand Slogan and electrification policy. The series name represents Honda’s determination in taking on this challenge of developing new EV series by going back to the starting point of Honda as an automaker and creating completely new EVs from “zero.” With this new EV series, Honda will strive to further advance its “M/M concept*1” and the “joy of driving,” which Honda values in its car making, and take the “joy and freedom of mobility” to even greater heights. 

In 2026, Honda will begin introducing the first model of the Honda 0 Series globally, starting from North America, then to Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and South America. 

*1 The “man maximum, machine minimum” concept is a basic approach to Honda car design, an approach to increase the efficiency of the vehicle interior by maximizing space for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components. 

About Honda 0 Series

Thoughts behind the “0” (zero) 

1.  History of Honda: The origin and staring (“zero”) point of Honda 

Honda will create a new point of origin for the next-generation of Honda by going back to the starting point of Honda, including the pursuit of the M/M concept, the joy of driving and the joy of the freedom of mobility, which Honda has always valued and will continue to pursue. 

2.  Implementation of the Global Brand Slogan: Moving peoples’ hearts with the value created from “zero” 

Under its global brand slogan “The Power of Dreams – How we move you,” Honda will always be driven by “dreams,” and by creating new value through creative thinking from zero, Honda will provide experiences that will become a new starting point for our customers. This is how Honda will move people and their hearts. 

3.  Initiatives to contribute to society: Determination to achieve “zero” 

Honda is determined to achieve “zero environmental impact” throughout the vehicle’s life cycle, including corporate activities, and “zero traffic collision fatalities” involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles. 

“Thin, Light, and Wise” – New approach to EV development and the five core values Honda EVs will offer 

In developing the Honda 0 Series, the development team went back to the starting point of Honda and reconsidered what kind of EVs Honda wants to create in the coming era. Honda will strive to create new value for EVs by transcending the constraints of being a “thick and heavy” vehicle due to an increase in battery capacity the vehicle has to carry to secure enough range, as well as a large body and platform necessary to accommodate such battery capacity. Honda describes this new approach to EV development as “Thin, Light, and Wise.” 

Thin: 

Augmenting design potential, including styling with a low vehicle height, and realizing excellent aerodynamic performance by utilizing a “thin” dedicated EV platform to create a low floor height. 

Light: 

Realizing sporty driving and electricity efficiency performance that defy the established beliefs people have about EVs through Honda original technologies created by going back to the starting point of Honda as an automaker. 

Wise: 

Realizing Honda original software-defined mobility products by leveraging the knowledge Honda has amassed to date and by making cars wiser through the advancement of intelligent technologies. 

Honda EVs, which will be built based on this development approach and feature a dedicated EV architecture, will offer the following five core values: 

1)  Artistic design that evokes resonance 

2)  AD/ADAS that ensures safety and peace of mind 

3)  A “space” for people made possible by the internet of things and connected technologies 

4)  The joy of driving with the feeling of oneness with the vehicle 

5)  Outstanding electricity efficiency performance 

Five core values 

1)  Artistic design that evokes resonance: 

The design concept is “The Art of Resonance.” Under the theme of a “resonance with the environment, society and users,” Honda will offer sustainable mobility products that evoke resonance in people who see them and expand the possibilities of people’s daily life. 

2)  AD/ADAS that ensures safety and peace of mind: 

In 2021, Honda put Level 3 automated driving into practical use by introducing the all-new Legend equipped with Honda SENSING Elite that includes an advanced technology qualifying for Level 3 automated driving (conditional automated driving in a limited area). In order to offer automated driving technologies Honda has amassed to more customers around the world, the Honda 0 Series will feature an ADAS (advanced driver-assistive system) that utilizes the technologies of Honda SENSING Elite. 

Moreover, in the second half of the 2020s, Honda 0 Series models will feature an AD (automated driving) system and will be offered as more affordable.