Latest news with #GRIP
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Poly grad hopes to solve food delivery spillage problem with innovative GRIPBox, Singapore News
In 2022, she got a D7 for Mathematics for her O-level exam. Three years later, Nallathambi Kavya is not only a fresh poly graduate but a founder of a start-up named GRIP, which aims to solve the woes of food delivery riders. The product, GRIPBox, is a storage box which helps to solve the problem of spillage. It is now in the testing stage and Kavya, 20, is still collecting feedback from delivery riders before she refines the product again. "People say (GRIPBox) is very practical, easy to use and innovative," she told AsiaOne. This achievement is a world away when she failed her O-level Math because she and her family tested positive for Covid-19 on the day of the exam, causing her to miss it. The poor Math score meant she could not apply to study an engineering-related course in a polytechnic via the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE). Undeterred, Kavya, who told AsiaOne she wanted to pursue engineering "no matter what", focused on securing a place in polytechnic through the Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE), and was accepted into Republic Polytechnic's (RP) Common Engineering diploma programme. The DAE allows students with ineligible qualifications under the JAE and Early Admissions Exercise to apply directly to a polytechnic for admission. "I'm very grateful for (being able to enroll) because when I received my O-level results, I really thought that I couldn't make it into poly at all," she said. Students enrolled in a Common programme have up to a year to decide on a specific diploma, and Kavya successfully transferred to the Diploma in Engineering Design with Business course after one semester. She told AsiaOne that her journey as an entrepreneur started when a classmate who worked as a part-time delivery rider complained about his job struggles, which inspired her group to zero in on exploring storage options for motorcyclists as their final-year project. After completing the project, Kavya continued developing the idea and decided to focus on a target audience of food delivery riders. Unlike many of her peers who took on internships, she chose the alternative five-month entrepreneurship programme by RP, which allows students to develop their business ideas. The "solopreneur" wanted to first tackle the "common" and "relevant" issue of food spillage, leading her to create GRIPBox. The insulated box is supported by a frame and split horizontally into two by a removeable compartment. The bottom section features six stretchable velcro straps designed to hold takeaway cups, while the netting at the bottom is for containers holding liquids such as soup. Other packaged foods can be placed on the top section. Users can also utilise an S-hook to hook items on the frame, if desired. Kavya revealed that her biggest challenge during the five months was managing time. "It's not like a nine to five internship where after five, you have your own time. As a as a business owner, you're on call like 24/7, you need to be up and going." But she added that she had a strong support system made up of friends and family, as well as her mentors who would check in on her and give advice. Kavya also explained that the cost of the box depends on whether she adds or removes any features in the refining process, but she will keep it as affordable as possible. Currently, she is waiting for the results of her university applications, hoping to pursue a degree in Business Administration. She is also working on other products that will aid food delivery riders and hopes to launch GRIPBox by the end of 2025. [[nid:717751]]
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gloucestershire Police found ‘inadequate' at protecting children
GLOUCESTERSHIRE Police has been found 'inadequate' at safeguarding children. An inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said the force was 'inadequate' at responding to children at risk, investigating reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children, and in its leadership of child protection arrangements. The inspectorate also said the constabulary 'requires improvement' at assessing risk to children and making appropriate referrals. In its report, it said the constabulary has 'good arrangements' to share information and contribute to joint plans to prevent harm to children. However, the inspectorate identified 'three causes of concern' relating to the constabulary's 'leadership of child protection, how it records incidents when children are missing, and how it investigates incidents involving children'. Gloucestershire Police said these findings will be used to develop an improvement plan. They also outlined the steps they have taken to address these concerns. Some of their actions include launching the Gloucestershire Rapid Improvement Plan (GRIP), putting monthly meetings in place to scruitinise how children are safeguarded, 20 more officers working in investigation teams, and providing more training to officers and staff. They also said they will run a multi-agency child protection conference, bring in advice from the National Police Chief's Council, and have started campaigns to tackle online grooming. Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone, lead for crime, justice and vulnerability, said: "Children and young people are some of the most vulnerable members of society and it's essential we do everything we can to keep them safe. "We accept HMICFRS' findings and recognise we have work to do to address the concerns identified in its report and to deliver the improvements required. "The steps we've already taken will help us ensure we've the necessary specialist skills and resources in place to protect children from harm; to respond to and investigate incidents involving them; and that appropriate leadership and oversight is maintained for all child protection matters. "The safeguarding of children in Gloucestershire is a key priority for the Constabulary and we'll continue to work with HMICFRS, as well as with our partners, to improve." His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said: "It was positive to see Gloucestershire Constabulary working well with its safeguarding partners, but in other areas, I have concerns about its work to protect children. "I recognise there has been some instability in the senior team, but I have received assurances from the temporary chief constable that leaders are taking the findings very seriously, and are determined to oversee improvements. "I will closely monitor progress in Gloucestershire Constabulary over the coming months."
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Switched Source Expands Manufacturing, with $5 Million Facility Investment to Meet Utility Demand for Grid Modernization
Recent deployment of Phase-EQ with National Grid in New York increased load capacity by 1,200 kW and demonstrated potential capital expense savings of $500,000 New facility increases company's domestic manufacturing by 150% Expansion scales production of distribution automation product that acts as an intelligent traffic system to enhance grid capacity and reliability without costly infrastructure upgrades CHICAGO, March 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As utilities face increasing grid constraints and growing energy demand, Switched Source, a leader in power flow control technology, has expanded its domestic manufacturing capabilities with a new 20,000-square-foot facility in the Chicagoland area. The facility is expected to increase current production capacity by 150% and allow Switched Source to deliver at least 50 units of its Phase-EQ technology per year. Switched Source's technology provides a cost-effective, rapidly deployable alternative to traditional grid upgrades, allowing utilities to dynamically balance power flow across distribution circuits. With production already underway, the expansion supports investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, and municipal utilities as they modernize distribution networks and address growing electrification demands. The Phase-EQ is as easily installed as a pad-mounted transformer. The device continuously mitigates phase imbalances, stabilizes voltage fluctuations, and optimizes system efficiency, extending the lifespan of existing assets and reducing operational costs. A recent deployment with National Grid demonstrated how the Phase-EQ improves grid resilience, increases hosting capacity, and optimizes existing infrastructure without requiring costly new infrastructure. The pilot project in New York showed that the Phase-EQ dynamically balances power flows, reducing the need for manual grid adjustments and expensive system upgrades. Switched Source estimates that a single unit could save more than $500,000 in capital expenses and increase load capacity by 1,200 kW. The project highlighted how utilities can unlock additional capacity without immediate large-scale infrastructure investments. "Much like a three-lane highway with uneven traffic, today's grid struggles with bottlenecks that limit capacity and slow energy delivery. Utilities need solutions that can optimize existing infrastructure now, not years from now," said Charles Murray, CEO and Co-Founder of Switched Source. "The Phase-EQ acts as an intelligent traffic system for electricity, dynamically directing power to where it's needed most. With our new facility online, we're scaling production to ensure utilities can deploy these solutions at the pace electrification demands, improving resilience and reliability without costly buildouts." The manufacturing expansion also coincides with growing industry recognition. The company recently received a Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) grant facilitating a five-year, $99M project to deploy units across Florida to support storm restoration. Switched Source was also named to the Darcy Group Pioneers List for leadership in energy technology and was nominated for an Excellence in Engineering award for its contributions to grid modernization. "Grid investments are high-stakes decisions, and utilities need options that maximize flexibility while minimizing ongoing cost and risk," said Lane Nelson, CFO and Co-Founder of Switched Source. "Expanding our manufacturing capacity ensures utilities don't have to wait years for solutions. The Phase-EQ provides a cost-effective alternative that integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure, helping utilities unlock capacity to strengthen reliability and adapt to evolving grid challenges." Later this month, Switched Source will showcase its technology at DISTRIBUTECH 2025, where industry professionals can stop by booth 2846 to explore interactive demonstrations and learn how the company's solutions are shaping the future of grid reliability and efficiency. For additional information, please visit About Switched Source: Switched Source offers advanced power flow control solutions that allow electric utilities to increase reliability, unlock latent capacity, and support growing electrification—without expensive infrastructure investments. Since 2016, Switched Source has pioneered technology that optimizes power distribution, mitigates congestion, and strengthens grid flexibility, offering a rapidly deployable alternative to traditional system upgrades. Switched Source is committed to helping utilities adapt to new demands while delivering a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable power grid. Visit to learn more. View source version on Contacts Jenna LandgrafTechnica Communications for Switched Sourceswitched@ Sign in to access your portfolio
