NewsBytes

Tesla likely to enter India with fully-built, pricier model

With Tesla finally gearing up to enter India later this year, the Elon Musk-run electric vehicle (EV) major is set to take a “top-down approach”, launch expensive models in the country first and then follow it up with the cheaper vehicles. The electric car maker is reportedly set to import its fully-built Model Y from its Berlin Gigafactory, as the electric SUV is manufactured in right-hand drive configuration in the European facility. The Tesla Model Y would cost Rs 60-70 lakh, considering the revised import duty structure recently announced by the government. The country has reduced basic customs duty on high-end cars priced above $40,000 from 110 per cent to 70 per cent.

SaaS leads India's AI start-up boom

India's artificial intelligence (AI) start-up ecosystem is witnessing a major boom, driven by the rapid adoption of AI-powered software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, a new report said. The government has already committed Rs 2,000 crore to the IndiaAI mission and increased funding for AI Centres of Excellence by 82 per cent, a strong push towards AI infrastructure growth. SaaS has emerged as the dominant force shaping India's AI landscape as enterprise AI spending surged six times year-on-year (YoY) to $13.8 billion in 2024 as compared to $2.3 billion in 2023. The evaluation of 849 AI start-ups confirms that India is focused on AI applications and tooling. Another major trend is the rise of Edge AI, which allows AI to run directly on devices rather than relying on cloud computing.

Woxsen University collaborate on AI study to predict deceptive movements in cricket

Woxsen University's Artificial Intelligence Research Centre (AIRC) and the Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST) have jointly published a study on using artificial intelligence to predict deceptive movements in professional cricket. The study explores how AI and machine learning can enhance sports analytics by analysing and predicting deceptive movements in cricket. This research introduces a computer vision-based AI model that analyses video sequences of professional cricket players to forecast the next deceptive movement. A key application of the study focuses on analysing the bowling performance of Indian Premier League (IPL) fast bowler Umran Malik, demonstrating how AI can provide real-time insights into biomechanical variations that impact performance.

New Google India campus, one of its largest globally, set to build for the world

To further bolster India's digital transformation, tech major Google inaugurated 'Ananta' campus, which is one of the company's largest offices globally. Stressing that India has always played the role of a strategic nerve centre in the tech discourse — evident in the thriving start-up and app ecosystems, the digital public infrastructure and the depth and diversity of Indian creators – the company said ‘Ananta' is part of its ongoing efforts to build with and for India and the world. A collaboration between Google India and a local development and design team, the Ananta campus embodies Google’s latest thinking in workplace design. The building's name, Ananta, means ‘infinite' or ‘limitless' in Sanskrit,” said Sunil Rao, Vice President, Global Delivery, Google Cloud India.

Canada reports outbreak of H5N5 bird flu on backyard farm

Canada has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N5 avian influenza on a non-commercial backyard layer poultry farm in the eastern part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health said. The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has ravaged flocks around the world, disrupting supply and fuelling higher food prices. Its spread to mammals, including dairy cows in the United States, has raised concerns among governments about a risk of human transmission. Analysis of the H5N5 virus detected in Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador province showed that it was similar to the H5N5 one which had hit Canada in 2023, the Paris-based WOAH said in a report, citing Canadian authorities. It also showed that it was related to the H5N1 (2.3.4.4b) lineage that has affected some farms in Canada and has been spreading in other parts of world, mainly in the United States and Europe.

IndusPark — An industrial park in Punjab’s Rajpura on cards

The PLPB, a real estate and infrastructure development company, has announced a strategic collaboration with Singapore-based Surbana Jurong to develop PLPB IndusPark, an industrial park in Punjab's Patiala. Slated to span over 150 acres of greenfield land near Rajpura in Patiala district, the project will have direct access to the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC), ensuring seamless logistics and supply chain efficiencies for manufacturers, especially SMEs and MSMEs, the statement said. Surbana Jurong is a global urban, infrastructure and managed services consulting firm. “PLPB IndusPark is set to facilitate manufacturing units under orange and green categories, in compliance with the central and state government guidelines. The park aims to attract investments from industries across the globe seeking sustainable and compliant infrastructure while fostering employment opportunities for Punjab's skilled workforce,” the PLPB statement said.

Air pollution may be higher inside your home than outdoors

A new study reveals that people may be exposed to unhealthy levels of airborne pollutants inside their homes, even if the outdoor air quality is good.  Researchers at the University of Birmingham used low-cost sensors and innovative techniques over a two-week period to compare particulate matter (PM) in three homes. They discovered that pollution levels in each house were higher and more variable than outdoor levels. The researchers found significant differences in PM levels between the three houses, with one home exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) 24-hour PM2.5 limit on nine days. This highlights the importance of monitoring indoor air quality at a household-specific level.

Abu Dhabi to host ‘Made in Russia’ Festival

The UAE capital is set to welcome the “Made in Russia” Festival & Fair, taking place from February 21 to February 25 at Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Organised in collaboration with the Russian Export Centre, this vibrant festival invites residents and visitors to embark on an immersive journey into Russia's rich cultural heritage, traditions, and cutting-edge industries, all in a lively and entertaining atmosphere. With free entry, the festival promises a diverse programme filled with exciting showcases, live performances, and exclusive shopping experiences featuring authentic Russian products. One of the festival's cultural highlights is Mezen painting, a centuries-old artistic tradition from Russia's northern regions. This distinctive art form is characterised by its bold black and red patterns, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural heritage of the Mezen region in Arkhangelsk.