Maserati Breaks World Land Speed Record For Autonomously Driven Cars
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Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
Top 10 Tech Skills Employers Are Hiring For
Introduction The world of technology is evolving faster than ever. Businesses are adopting automation, AI, and advanced networking to stay ahead of competition. But with rapid transformation comes one big challenge—finding the right talent with the right skills. Employers are no longer hiring based on just degrees. Instead, they want professionals who can apply modern tech skills to solve real-world problems—from building intelligent networks to analyzing business data. At PyNet Labs, we constantly engage with learners, industry experts, and recruiters. And based on industry demand, we've identified the Top 10 Tech Skills Employers Are Hiring For in 2025. If you're planning your next career move, this list could be your roadmap. 1. Network Automation – Powering the Future of IT Why it's in demand: Enterprises now run massive, multi-vendor networks. Managing them manually is error-prone and slow. That's why employers are prioritizing network automation, which allows engineers to use scripts, APIs, and tools to configure and monitor devices automatically. Real-world example: Companies like Cisco, Juniper, and large ISPs are integrating automation into their workflows. Even banks are adopting automation to ensure fast, secure, and consistent network updates. Salary insights: According to Indeed, network engineers with automation skills earn 25–30% more than those with only traditional networking knowledge. Who should learn it: Freshers with CCNA knowledge wanting to stand out Networking professionals planning to move into DevNet/automation roles 2. Ansible & Terraform – The Language of Infrastructure as Code Why it's in demand: Employers are shifting to Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for speed and scalability. Ansible automates configuration management, while Terraform handles provisioning across multiple cloud platforms. Together, they're must-have skills for modern DevOps and networking teams. Real-world example: Netflix and Spotify rely on IaC to scale infrastructure on-demand, ensuring uptime during peak traffic. Salary insights: Cloud/network automation engineers with Ansible & Terraform earn ₹10–18 LPA in India and $110K+ in the U.S. Who should learn it: Network engineers moving toward DevOps roles Cloud professionals aiming to manage multi-cloud environments 3. CCNA with Automation – The New Entry Point Why it's in demand: The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) has always been the starting point for networking careers. But in 2025, employers want CCNA candidates who also understand Python, APIs, and automation frameworks. Real-world example: Global firms like Accenture and Infosys specifically mention 'CCNA with automation skills' in job postings for network engineers. Salary insights: Entry-level engineers with CCNA + automation can earn ₹6–9 LPA in India and $70K+ abroad—higher than traditional CCNA profiles. Who should learn it: Fresh graduates entering IT networking Professionals wanting a hybrid skill set (traditional + modern networking) 4. Data Science – The Goldmine of the Digital Era Why it's in demand: Data is the new oil, and data science is how businesses extract its value. Employers want professionals who can build machine learning models, forecast trends, and provide decision-making insights, which is why enrolling in a data science course with placement guarantee has become a smart career move for aspiring data professionals. Real-world example: Amazon uses data science for personalized recommendations, while hospitals use it for predictive patient care. Salary insights: Data Scientists in India earn ₹12–20 LPA. In the U.S., the average salary crosses $130K per year (Glassdoor). Who should learn it: Freshers from any background (IT, commerce, or even non-technical fields) Professionals in IT, marketing, or finance wanting career growth 5. CCNP – Advanced Enterprise Networking Why it's in demand: The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is one of the most respected certifications for advanced networking. Employers hire CCNP-certified engineers for large-scale enterprise networks, troubleshooting, and security. Real-world example: Global service providers and MNCs like TCS, Wipro, and Dell prefer CCNP-certified professionals for mid-level networking roles. Salary insights: CCNP professionals in India earn ₹9–15 LPA, while in the U.S., salaries average $95K+ annually. Who should learn it: CCNA-certified professionals ready to move up Engineers targeting enterprise networking or leadership roles 6. Generative AI – Redefining What's Possible Why it's in demand: Generative AI is changing how businesses work—automating customer support, generating content, and even writing code. Employers want professionals who understand how to leverage Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI tools responsibly. Real-world example: Companies like Google, Microsoft, and startups are embedding generative AI into products—from AI-powered chatbots to design assistants. Salary insights: Generative AI engineers earn ₹15–25 LPA in India and $140K+ abroad due to the talent shortage. Who should learn it: Developers, analysts, and IT pros exploring AI careers Anyone curious about future-proof, cross-industry opportunities 7. SD-WAN – Networking for the Cloud Era Why it's in demand: With remote work and multi-cloud adoption, employers rely on Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) to ensure secure, high-performance connectivity. Real-world example: Banks like HSBC use SD-WAN to connect branches worldwide with lower costs compared to MPLS-only models. Salary insights: SD-WAN engineers in India earn ₹10–17 LPA, while global roles can reach $120K per year. Who should learn it: Network engineers working with WANs Professionals aiming for cloud and hybrid networking roles 8. SCOR (350-701) – Cybersecurity Core Why it's in demand: Cybercrime is rising. Employers need experts certified in SCOR (Cisco Security Core 350-701) to design and implement advanced security strategies. Real-world example: Companies in finance and healthcare require SCOR-certified engineers to manage firewalls, VPNs, and identity management. Salary insights: Cybersecurity engineers with SCOR average ₹12–20 LPA in India, while U.S. salaries exceed $115K annually. Who should learn it: CCNP-level professionals wanting to specialize in security IT engineers targeting high-demand cybersecurity roles 9. MPLS – Still Valuable in Hybrid Networks Why it's in demand: While SD-WAN is gaining traction, MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) remains critical for enterprises that need guaranteed performance, reliability, and QoS. Real-world example: Telecom providers still depend on MPLS to manage latency-sensitive services like VoIP and video conferencing. Salary insights: MPLS engineers in India earn ₹8–14 LPA, while global roles often exceed $100K per year. Who should learn it: Network engineers in ISPs, telecom, and banking Professionals handling large-scale WANs 10. Data Analysis – Practical, Everyday Business Impact Why it's in demand: Not every company needs AI models, but all need data analysts to interpret and visualize information. Employers value data analysts for actionable insights that improve decision-making, which is why many professionals now choose a data analyst course with placement guarantee to build a secure and rewarding career. Real-world example: Retail chains use analysts to understand customer buying behavior and improve inventory management. Salary insights: Data analysts in India earn ₹6–10 LPA, while in the U.S., the average salary is $75K–90K annually. Who should learn it: Fresh graduates looking for an entry into data careers Professionals in finance, HR, or operations aiming to upskill Why Employers Value These Skills Across industries, these 10 skills—automation, AI, networking, data, and security—stand out because they: Reduce costs and improve efficiency Strengthen cybersecurity and resilience Enable innovation in cloud and AI adoption Provide businesses with data-driven decision-making Simply put, employers are hiring not just for knowledge, but for impact. How PyNet Labs Can Help You Build These Skills At PyNet Labs, we specialize in training professionals for the skills employers are asking for. Our programs cover: Networking & Automation: CCNA, CCNP, Network Automation, Ansible, Terraform Advanced Networking: SD-WAN, MPLS, SCOR (350-701) Data Careers: Data Science, Data Analyst AI Careers: Generative AI We don't just focus on passing exams. Our hands-on labs, real-world case studies, and expert trainers ensure you gain practical skills that employers trust. Final Thoughts The job market in 2025 belongs to professionals who adapt to change. By mastering these Top 10 Tech Skills—Network Automation, Ansible & Terraform, CCNA with Automation, Data Science, CCNP, Generative AI, SD-WAN, SCOR (350-701), MPLS, and Data Analysis—you place yourself among the most employable candidates worldwide. If you want to future-proof your career, now is the time to act. With the right training at PyNet Labs, you won't just learn—you'll transform your career. Ready to upgrade your skills? Explore PyNet Labs' expert-led programs today and take the first step toward the career employers are already hiring for. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Forbes
04-08-2025
- Forbes
Indy 500 & Robotic Cars Race On Challenging Laguna Seca Raceway
IAC (Indy Autonomous Challenge) robotic race cars performed at the historic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA on July 24, 2025. Eight teams participated in individual time trials across a challenging track (~2.25 miles/lap) with 11 sharp turns (including the famous corkscrew, see Figure 1 below), and steep elevation changes (180 feet). This is a first for robotic racing in the history of the WeatherTech Raceway. It is also the first time that IAC has performed during a week of Indy 500 racing events, culminating on 27 July 2025 with the Java House Grand Prix race. IAC has been hosting robotic car races since 2021 at tracks like the Indiana Motor Speedway (home of the Indy 500) and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The event in Las Vegas, held in concert with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2025, featured a 4-car race, something not attempted before. At the recent event in Monterey (the first time an IAC event was held during the same time period and track as the Indy 500 race), the competition featured single race cars at a time. Given the difficulty of the track and first-time participation by the different teams, multi-car racing was considered to be too risky. The course is particularly challenging for robotic cars given the perception and localization challenges due to the sharp turns and elevation changes. Stable vehicle control at high speeds is also difficult because of these factors. IAC event competitors include university teams (typically with Ph.D. level students and faculty advisors) from the USA, Germany, Italy and Korea. Participating teams for this event included: IAC races are designed to engage top robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and vehicle dynamics/control talent across universities. The goal is to nurture practical experience in physical AI, and use the intellectual property to understand autonomy in high speed, commercial applications like autonomous cars and drones. The hardware platforms are identical (car, engines, tires, sensors, compute). Teams compete based on the quality of the AI and robotic control at high speeds, and low latency perception and decision making, PolyMOVE-MSU won the event with a winning lap time of ~90 seconds over the 2.25-mile course (average speed of ~90 mph). The peak speed reached was 148 mph. This is the first ever experience for an autonomous racing competition on a road-course circuit in the USA (Figure 2). The Purdue team was a strong competitor and came in second, with KAIST in third place. A couple of cars (CAST-Caltech and Tiger Racing) were unable to negotiate the difficult corkscrew turn and had to be rescued by tow trucks (human driven! We are yet to get to autonomous tow trucks !). According to Paul Mitchell, CEO of Indy Autonomous Challenge and its parent company Aidoptation: 'Our university research teams stepped up to this challenge, advancing the field of AI and autonomy by pushing vehicle dynamics to the absolute edge and laying down lap times that only the best human drivers can achieve". Professor Sergio Savaresi (Polytecnico Di Milano) and Rodrigo Senofieni (former Ph.D. student of Professor Savaresi, and currently at Aidoptation) are the technical leads for the PoliMOVE-MSU team. Per Professor Savaresi, the key enablers for their winning performance were: Professor Savaresi commented: 'Our team spent a lot of time in simulation to perfect the AI driver's decision-making capabilities. I am incredibly proud of this team". Purdue entered the IAC in 2021, but decided to reorganize 18 months ago to grow capabilities and focus. IAC provided guidance and sharing of best practices, and Purdue's Dean of Engineering, Arvind Raman internally championed the initiative. Dan Williams, an ex-automotive executive with extensive experience in vehicle autonomy joined as Professor of Practice two years ago, and allocates ~50 % of his time in mentoring the team of graduate students from diverse disciplines like vehicle dynamics and computer science. As a result, Purdue was just a second behind the seasoned winner PolyMOVE-MSU, a remarkable achievement on this complex racecourse. Per Professor Williams, the factors that contributed to this are: It turns out that the complexity of the Laguna Seca roadway was a perfect fit for what Purdue had been training on under Professor William's guidance for the past 12 months. The Grand Prix event was held 3 days after the IAC robotic car race (24th July), on the same track (Figure 3). This is a Indy 500 racing circuit event consisting of 95 laps (~2.25 miles each) and 27 human-driven race cars, and is part of the NTT INDYCAR Series championship. Experiencing the throb, sounds, smells and sight of engine power equivalent to ~20,000 horses at the start of the race is an out-of-world experience! The winner was Alex Palou, a strong favorite, driving the DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda race car (Figure 4). The previous two days included trial competitions. Mr. Palou dominated here as well, and started in the leading position at the Grand Prix event. This is his third win in the past 4 years at this track. Including three pit stops, he took ~2 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 95 laps (~214 miles) at an average speed of 102 mph and reached a maximum average lap speed of ~114 mph in the 10th lap. For reference, Indy racecars can reach maximum speeds of ~240 mph on level, oval tracks like the Indiana Motor Speedway (IMS) in Indianapolis. Given the complexity of the Laguna Seca track, this is considerably lower (~50%). Second and third place went to Arrow McLaren's Christian Lundgaard and Colton Herta of Andretti Global (Figure 5). Lundgaard edged out Herta in an exciting finish in the track's final corner. There were also a few collisions and crashes, and tense moments as officials scrambled to throw flags and clear accidents. Following the Grand Prix event trials a day earlier, and seconds after Alex Palou exited the track, the PoliMOVE-MSU AI driver performed high speed autonomous laps for 10 minutes, exposing thousands of racing fans to the promise of robotic car racing. As mentioned earlier, the PolyMOVE-MSU team won the IAC robotic car event with an average lap time of 90 mph. This is about 80% of that achieved by Mr. Palou. The IAC race was substantially shorter (8 laps), raced a single car at a time., and had a few instances of hardware failures and crashes. Since only a single car performs at any given time, there are no risks of human fatality, multi-car collisions or extensive property damage. IAC racecars have achieved maximum speeds of ~150 mph on the IMS, about 60% that achieved by the Indy 500 cars. Part of the difference can be attributed to the more powerful engine in the latter (700 hp and 6 cylinder engine in the Indy 500 car vs 500 hp, 4 cylinder engine in the IAC car). For Mel Harder, president & general manager, WeatherTech Raceway 'Hosting the IAC at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as part of the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey was a thrill. Not only did we introduce our fans to the world's fastest autonomous race cars, but IAC also attracted hundreds of companies, researchers, and government leaders in AI and autonomy from Silicon Valley and around the world to our venue, and promoted engagement in motorsports.' Advances in sensing, perception and computing has enabled high-speed F-22 fighter jet pilots achieve substantially higher levels of speed (> Mach 2) and endurance. Similarly, progress in IAC technology (like sensors, perception, compute, vehicle dynamics and active safety) can enable human-driven race cars to achieve higher performance levels, balancing motorsport excitement, audience engagement and human safety. Learning from human race car drivers about multi-agent path planning (local planning) is absolutely critical for physical AI applications like AVs at very high speeds on highways. The ability to use visual, acoustic and localization cues that human drivers employ to operate in multi-agent environments is something that physical AI needs to emulate, on public roadways and racetracks. Human-driven race car performance has plateaued over the last 50 years, because of passive safety protocol constraints and saturation of human driver capability at the top levels of performance. Of course, records will continue to be broken due to factors like weather and performance peaks, as well as changes in car design and race rules. But these improvements are likely to be limited and random. For AI driven race cars, it is a different story. The technology is currently in its infancy, with significant opportunities for improvement as sensor hardware, software, compute stacks and digital twin simulation capabilities accelerate in performance. IAC car performance has improved orders of magnitude in the past 3 years of its existence. The Purdue team demonstrates how experience, physics and physical AI can improve performance dramatically in the space of 12 months. The question is whether Physical AI will improve to the point where robotic and human driven race cars are able to perform together in multi-car track or road racing? To make this a reality, addressing the multi-agent path planning problem is critical. Human drivers are exceptional at this, robotic cars not so much. The success of road traffic applications in which Waymo autonomous cars and human-driven cars perform together in uncontrolled environments depends on humans and computers understanding each other's cues, tactics and behavior (Figure 6). Mixed human and robotic racing will need similar understanding, but at extremely high speeds and very low decision-making latency. Human race car drivers can be instrumental in teaching AI drivers to solve this problem, not by massive data gathering and training, but maybe with other physical AI approaches like neuromorphic learning. Paul Mitchell, CEO of IAC 'hopes that such performance parity and understanding will be achieved in the next 2 decades as IAC and motorsports nurture and learn from each other'.
Forbes
04-08-2025
- Forbes
Maserati GranCabrio: This Supercar Is Stellar. But Is Its Future?
Maserati has been on a tear lately. The Trident-anchored supercar has redesigned every aspect of its lineup, starting with its engines and working upward from there. The brand has its sites set on conquering the race circuit and (re)proving its mettle as a world-class performance brand, and the daily-driving embodiment of this journey—and one of the most beautiful cars on the road—is the Maserati GranCabrio. A convertible version of the brand's GranTurismo coupe, the GranCabrio made its global debut just 12 years ago, but in 2024 it was reinvented for Maserati's modern age. It sports the brand's new Nettuno engine, a 6-cylinder turbo that is designed to prove that a V6 can deliver what only larger engines could in the past. It powers the 483 hp GranCabrio, the 542 hp GranCabrio Trofeo, the new 621 hp MCPura, the 631 hp GT2 Straddle, and the 730 hp F1-ready MCXtrema. Buyers who want the most powerful Maserati on the road, though, can opt for the GranCabrio Folgore, a EV that delivers more power than any other in the lineup at 751 hp, taking its intelligence from Maserati's investment in Formula E racing. A Modern Design Journey Led To This Moment The GranCabrio's arched fenders, sweeping sidelines and perfectly balanced proportions are classic supercar design, an idea that the brand has leaned into in its modern iteration: not only does its 6-cylinder engine deliver the supercar experience, but so does its design. The design of the GranCabrio, as well as the other cars in the lineup, delivers more than just a pretty face and luxe interior. Every detail in Maserati's design is focused on efficiency. From the vertical front grille and mesh air intake to the rear trunk spoiler and wide-set lower diffuser, these features are designed to assist the engine by enhancing performance. Inside driver and passenger will find sport seats designed to cradle occupants and keep them secure on a spirited drive, and leather surroundings designed to deliver a soft, tactile experience. Carbon fiber is the material of choice for hard surfaces (though there is also a woven copper option), and chrome mesh grilles cover the Sonus faber speakers, a sound system upgrade inspired by the legendary $1million home system and designed just for Maserati. Driving The Maserati GranCabrio The efficiency of the exterior design and the power of the 6-cylinder engine is something you'll quickly see when behind the wheel as the GranCabrio grips every curve masterfully, both on a longer road course as well as a quick trip around an autocross track. We found out recently at the Circuit of The Americas track in Austin, Texas when we took the GranTurismo and GranCabrio out for the day. The GranTurismo delivered a surprisingly fast and precise lap around the track, easily hitting its stride on the long straightaways and clinching the track's technical turns. On the autocross course the GranCabrio quickly cut around the cones and hit impressive speeds on short straight stretches, quickly and confidently braking at the end of the course. It made the run on this world-class track seem simple when of course, we know it's not. Adding to the fun are the drive modes that are accessible on the steering wheel dial, which is where you'll also find the stop/start button. Drive modes are, of course, Italian-inflected: Comfort, GT, Sport and Corsa, or track mode. Surprisingly Smart Tech Defines The Maserati Interior The Maserati GranCabrio is a touring coupe by definition: a four-seat configuration filled with creature comforts to ensure a delightful ride for daily driving and weekend jaunting. Comprising much of the comfort is the technology we've become accustomed to in most cars, a feature that can be surprisingly antiquated in higher-end super cars; they often partner with other players in the field and end up with last year's multimedia system or head up display technology. Not so in the Maserati GranCabrio and GranTurismo thanks to parent company Stellantis, and this detail was a delight. A few years ago Stellantis, maker of Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo and others, invested in its tech future by hiring a fleet of gaming and video designers as well as user experience experts to design and build multimedia systems for all its vehicles. The result has long been one of the best in automotive with advanced features that it took competitors years to catch up to. Among them, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; voice activated assistance, which in this case answers to 'Hey, Maserati;' and a menu of functions that allow you to customize your experience in the Maserati GranCabrio. Below the main screen is a second screen dedicated to climate controls; this is where you'll find the control for the convertible top. Simply tap the Cabrio icon and a slider animation appears; slide it to open or close the top. Between the two screens is the push-button gear shifter, a bit of a novel function for a supercar but one that keeps the interior open and minimalist in its design. The Maserati Quandary: Convertible Or Coupe? After driving both the GranTurismo and the GranCoupe it boils down to personal preference: hard top or convertible? The hardtop GranTurismo became an iconic character in the hit Apple TV streamer Your Friends and Neighbors (no spoilers here); the GranCabrio, which is an additional $8,900, delivers more of a fair-weather experience, though the nicely muted top makes for a quiet ride (for a convertible). Here's how the GranCabrio shakes out in trims and pricing: As a true luxury car, Maserati offers lots of options: 24 exterior colors; five soft top colors, nine brake caliper choices, 12 interior leather choices and three hard surface choices. Options include driver assistance ($7,280) vented front seats ($1,470), a carbon fiber spoiler ($2,880), Sonus faber premium sound ($4,600) and head up display ($2,300). The price of our GranCabrio Trofeo test model was about $229,300. There's been some discussion around the viability of the Maserati brand's future, but with the development of the Nettuno engine, the introduction of the newest MCPura model and the brand's commitment to racing, the road ahead is in focus and Maserati clearly intends to conquer it.
