Latest news with #InnovationLab
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Can Gap's AI Water Bet Fix a Leaky Supply Chain System?
Gap Inc. has signed a 10-year deal with Fido Tech to fund AI-powered leak detection across 350 kilometers of water pipelines in Bengaluru. 'Water resilience is a critical issue both for Gap Inc. and for the communities in which we operate,' Dan Fibiger, Gap's vice president of global sustainability, said. 'The collaboration has the potential to significantly improve water resilience for communities, industries and ecosystems in a region that faces growing demand and limited supply—it's fundamental to our efforts to bridge the climate gap in the context of our supply chain.' More from Sourcing Journal Waste360's Trashion Show Puts Circular Designs on the Runway EXCLUSIVE: Arvind, Fashion for Good's 'Near-Carbon-Neutral' Factory Initiative Seeks to Break Industry Paralysis Algolia's New Tech Aims to Help Companies Capitalize On Consumers' Increasing Trust in AI Meet Fido: A UK-based global technology company using deep learning to rapidly improve global water management and community water resilience at scale, specifically within leak detection and non-revenue water (NRW)—aka, water that gets 'lost' before reaching its intended end-user. Fido stated that water loss from leaks (aka NRW) is a major driver of water stress, especially since many leaks are hidden underground and difficult to detect. The World Bank estimates that roughly 30 percent of the world's water supply is lost in this way, although the rate varies across utilities. Emerging from the 2019 United Utilities Innovation Lab cohort—a 12-week program for emerging enterprises to collaborate with the UK's largest listed water company—Fido's sensor agnostic data-as-a-service (DaaS) platform functions as 'a microcosm of systems thinking for the water industry.' Billed as cutting-edge water leak detection technology, the AI platform and in-field device utilize multi-path data analytics algorithms to analyze both audio and kinetic signals, enabling the detection of leaks in pipe systems regardless of the material or existing infrastructure. For areas without embedded sensors, the company deploys its proprietary, capex-free mobile 'Fido Bug' devices along pipe networks to gather real-time data and generate leakage heatmaps across the network. Using these bugs with its proprietary Cloud Correlation technology, Fido claims it can locate leaks within a one-meter radius. The platform's AI-driven leak detection claims over 92 percent accuracy and offers estimated leak sizes—an edge that's earning attention in the smart infrastructure space. 'This insight removes human error from the detection process and prioritizes the leaks that matter,' according to global water solutions provider SKion Water, 'thereby improving efficiency, reducing leak runtime and, ultimately, water losses.' For reference, Fido was absorbed by the global water tech firm during a multi-million-pound acquisition (and follow-on investment led by Emerald Technology Ventures) in September 2022. SKion Water is a subsidiary of SKion GmbH, an investment company founded by Germany's richest woman and heiress Susanne Klatten. Fido said its results are verified using volumetric water benefit accounting and a global water stewardship standard, now spanning five continents. 'Water stress affects families, businesses, livelihoods and the environment,' Victoria Edwards, co-founder and CEO of Fido Tech, said. 'Places like Bengaluru are on the front line.' Also known by its colonial name, Bangalore is the largest city in Karnataka and a central hub for South India's garment industry. Nongovernmental organization Cividep India alleged that Bengaluru accounts for 20 percent of the republic's total annual garment production. It's also the region that saw thousands of garment workers forced to resign following pandemic-induced financial losses—in turn, losing half a billion dollars themselves in withheld severance, per the Worker Rights Consortium. To that end, Edwards continued, 'forward thinking companies' can tap in for an alleged-enduringly positive impact. 'By using their skills and resources to help accelerate of new technologies they contribute not just to immediate water replenishment; they help improve institutional capacity in utilities for the benefit of all consumers,' Edwards said. 'I am delighted to be working with such a talented team.' On the topic of this supply chain climate gap, Gap Inc.'s 83-page 2023 ESG report outlined the group's path to net-zero by 2050. This included updated water stewardship aspirations, such as to 'reduce water use and replenish water to nature, equivalent to 100 percent of the water used in manufacturing apparel and in our company-operated facilities' by 2030, per a March 2023 announcement. While Gap Inc. doesn't explicitly mention sourcing from a specific state, such as Karnataka, in its publicly available information, the company has significant sourcing operations in India and a dedicated team in Bengaluru, according to LinkedIn insights. Consider Gap as something of a four-quadrant group for Americana's middle market. The Old Navy owner collaborates with vendors that have facilities across 25 countries, according to the Yeezy collaborator's 2022 ESG report. China, India, and Bangladesh collectively account for approximately 76 percent of the group's total procurement spend, according to a 2022 CDP Water Security Questionnaire. That said, the 'supply chain climate gap' doesn't seem retailer (or revenue) specific. Consider Kering's internal analysis that was shared last week. It indicated that 66 percent of the luxury conglomerate's water consumption occurred during the production phase of raw materials. As the Balenciaga and Givenchy parent company keeps sourcing diversified—spanning several continents for its key materials—water scarcity doesn't seem region-specific, either.
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Lenovo LEAP Digital Innovation Lab and Skilling Platform aims to skill 10,000 students across Goa in emerging technologies
VMPL Sanquelim (Goa) [India], June 3: In a major step toward strengthening digital skilling in Goa, Shri Pramod Sawant, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, today inaugurated the Lenovo LEAP Digital Innovation Lab located at the Government College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Sanquelim and officially launched the program's dedicated online skilling platform. The initiative is part of Lenovo India and Motorola Mobility India's CSR program--Lenovo LEAP and is being implemented by BharatCares(Social Impact Arm of CSRBOX Group). The initiative aims to train 10,000 students across Goa in Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Full Stack Web Development, with a strong focus on inclusion--targeting at least 40% women participants and reaching 1,000 students with disabilities. The Digital Innovation Lab will serve as a central space for hands-on, experiential learning. Complementing this is the Lenovo LEAP Learning Management System, a custom-built digital platform offering structured, accessible, and industry-aligned training opportunities. The launch event was graced by Shri Pramod Sawant, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, and also witnessed the presence of senior representatives from the Directorate of Higher Education, Goa, including Shri Bhushan K. Savaikar, Director, and Dr. Niyan Marchon, Program Director. They were joined by leadership from Lenovo India, and BharatCares, including Mr. Shailendra Katyal, Vice President & Managing Director, Lenovo India; Mr. Bhomik Shah, Founder and CEO, CSRBOX Group and Managing Trustee, BharatCares; and Mr. Manoviraj Singh, Vice President, CSR and Government Practice, BharatCares. The launch was marked by a showcase of AI-based projects and prototypes developed by students as part of a 30-hour immersive workshop titled "AI in Action." During the workshop, student teams worked on real-world problem statements and built functional solutions using AI technologies. These students were felicitated during the event and awarded certificates by the dignitaries present. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pramod Sawant, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, said, "This initiative is designed with inclusivity and scale at its core. Through Lenovo LEAP, we are not only creating skilled professionals but also shaping responsible innovators who will contribute meaningfully to India's digital growth story." Shailendra Katyal, VP & Managing Director, Lenovo India, said, "At Lenovo, we're proud to collaborate with our partners to empower the next generation of innovators. By bringing advanced AI/ML capabilities into a hands-on learning environment, the Digital Innovation Lab and the LEAP platform will together enable students and faculty across disciplines to engage in real-world problem-solving, cutting-edge research, and meaningful innovation." Bhomik Shah, Founder and CEO, CSRBOX Group, said, "This initiative is designed with inclusivity and scale at its core. Through Lenovo LEAP, we are not only creating skilled professionals but also shaping responsible innovators who will contribute meaningfully to India's digital growth story." The lab is equipped with modern computing infrastructure, adaptive learning tools for students, and high-speed connectivity to facilitate online and offline training. The launch of the Lenovo LEAP learning site provides continuous learning support and access to industry ready curriculum with students receiving certificates of participation. About BharatCares BharatCares, the social impact arm of the CSRBOX Group stands tall amongst the Top 50 Social Impact Organisations in India. Specifically established and curated for program delivery, BharatCares' commitment revolves around the principles of innovation, technology, and scalability, aiming to address societal challenges comprehensively. Functioning as a social solution bridge, BharatCares facilitates collaboration among communities, innovators, funders and government to implement the best impact solution for the last mile. Our flagship initiatives focus on improving education, employability, rural and healthcare infrastructure, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability and road safety. To find out more, visit: About Lenovo Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #248 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world's largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo's continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). Motorola Mobility LLC was acquired by Lenovo Group Holdings in 2014. Motorola Mobility is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lenovo and is responsible for designing and manufacturing all Moto and Motorola branded mobile handsets and solutions. To find out more visit and read about the latest news via our StoryHub and Motorola Global Blog.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
New innovation lab could be a ‘game-changer' for automotive education in Barrie
A brand new Innovation Lab at Georgian College will fast track automotive education and bring digital tools to students in the classroom.
Travel Daily News
19-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Strategic collaboration between Pegasus and UC Berkeley
Driven by its vision to become one of the top three airlines in the world in terms of technology use, Pegasus is focused on shaping the airline experience of the future through a strategic partnership with the University of California, Berkeley. LONDON – As scientific knowledge guides technological progress and technology accelerates scientific advancement, the lines between the two continue to blur. In today's world, competitiveness is no longer solely defined by the ability to produce goods and services; it is increasingly measured by technological capability and the speed at which knowledge is generated. Recognising this, Pegasus is building strong partnerships with universities, which are essential drivers of innovation, sustainable growth, and global competitiveness. As part of this vision, The Pegasus Innovation Lab, established in Silicon Valley to guide the company's innovation agenda, is entering a new era through its strategic partnership with UC Berkeley, a powerhouse of academic knowledge and research. Together, the two institutions aim to develop data-driven, user-focused, and efficiency-enhancing innovations that will shape the future of the aviation sector. This robust collaboration reinforces Pegasus' international innovation vision by combining UC Berkeley's academic expertise with the practical, technology-led focus of Pegasus Innovation Lab. Innovation Through Artificial Intelligence This partnership will bring together Pegasus' industry know-how with the academic strength of the Institute for Business Innovation at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, one of the world's foremost research institutions, to carry out joint projects in operational efficiency, flight safety and AI-based data-driven innovation. Through this collaboration, Pegasus aims to accelerate the development of next-generation business models by transferring academic insights into practical applications. Seamless Air Travel Experience: Designing the Future Together with Students A key pillar of this collaboration is the 'Seamless Air Travel' project, which is being carried out in partnership with UC Berkeley's MBA ecosystem. This initiative focuses on creating an end-to-end self-service travel experience, with a particular emphasis on digital aviation, user experience and guest-centric solutions. By combining the creative energy of academia with operational needs, Pegasus seeks to transform innovative ideas into tangible outcomes. Creative Solutions for Aviation Challenges Through the Innovation Hackathon Jointly organised with Berkeley, the Innovation Hackathon aims to generate creative solutions for the aviation sector's digitalisation and efficiency-driven needs, particularly in areas such as AI-powered guest experience and operational processes. The ideas developed during the hackathon will not only contribute to Pegasus' technology strategy but also lay the groundwork for inspiring practices across the wider industry. AI and Data Analytics Training to Deepen Competencies An educational programme will be offered to Pegasus employees to deepen their knowledge of artificial intelligence and data analytics. Beyond technical training, the initiative aims to foster a culture of innovative thinking and data-driven decision-making across the organisation. A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Impact This partnership is not just a project-based collaboration, but part of a long-term strategic vision. Believing that university-industry partnerships deliver not only technology development but also knowledge exchange, collective intelligence and talent growth, Pegasus is committed to designing the future through this multifaceted cooperation with UC Berkeley.
Qatar Tribune
18-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
CSGDB moves to support innovation, fast-track project implementation
QNA Doha President of the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CSGDB), and Secretary-General of the National Planning Council, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, launched the 'Government Initiatives Accelerators' at the Innovation Lab. The initiative aims to accelerate the implementation of innovative government projects in line with national priorities under the Third National Development Strategy. During the launch, Director of Government Development Affairs Youssef Jaber Al Jaber provided an overview of the four phases of the accelerator programme, explaining the mechanisms of each phase and how innovation tools are employed to support decision-making and develop solutions in a collaborative and systematic manner. The accelerators provide a practical model that supports the transformation of government work methodologies from planning to execution. They contribute to building a more effective institutional framework that enhances responses to developmental challenges and aligns with the aspirations of Qatar National Vision 2030. The accelerator programme follows a structured, four-phase approach over an eight-week period. It begins with the exploration phase, which involves analysing the current situation and identifying challenges and needs. This is followed by the idea generation phase, which includes interactive workshops utilising innovation design tools. The next phase, solution design, focuses on developing a proof-of-concept model in collaboration with the Innovation Lab team. The final phase involves handing over the model to the partner organization for broader application. This model provides a practical framework to accelerate institutional progress and enhance the readiness of government entities to launch projects that have a tangible impact on service improvement.
