Latest news with #DeepTech
The Star
4 days ago
- Science
- The Star
China can't buy Nvidia's RTX 4090. Now its optical chip is twice as fast
Chinese researchers have developed the first highly parallel optical computing integrated chip, named 'Meteor-1', setting a milestone for using light to perform an enormous number of operations at the same time, the scientists say. The advance promises hardware acceleration for AI and data centres struggling with soaring computational demands. The chip achieves a theoretical peak computing power of 2,560 TOPS (tera-operations per second) at 50GHz optical frequency – performance comparable to Nvidia's advanced GPUs – according to a report by Chinese publisher DeepTech last week. Nvidia's latest GeForce RTX 5090 graphic card, for instance, peaks at 3,352 TOPS while its previous flagship RTX 4090 only reached 1,321 TOPS. In the past, optical chips remained mostly in laboratory settings, and could not come close to commercial flagship GPUs in real-life tasks. Nvidia's 4090 and 5090 are effectively banned for sale to China because of US export controls on advanced semiconductors and AI chips that could aid Beijing in advancing its military capabilities. As traditional electronic chips hit fundamental physical limits – from heat build-up, quantum effects and unsustainable power consumption – optical computing emerges as a critical future direction. Its inherent advantages, such as ultra-high speed, broad bandwidth, low power and minimal latency, position it to overcome these barriers. Progress in optical computing has long focused on two key challenges: scaling up the matrix size and increasing optical frequency. Existing top models – exemplified by prototypes from TSMC and the California Institute of Technology – are pushing against both engineering and physical limits. Consequently, a third way – expanding computational parallelism, or the ability of chips to multitask – has become the necessary path forward. In a paper published on June 17 in eLight journal, Xie Peng and Han Xilin of the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM) and Hu Guangwei of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, detailed a novel optical computing system that could hold more than 100 frequency channels in a single photonic chip. 'This achievement enables a 100-fold increase (and even beyond) in optical computility through ultra-high parallelism without scaling up the chip size, offering a novel technological pathway for future optical computers,' they said in the paper. Han told DeepTech of the economic potential: 'This breakthrough promises to elevate optical computing to a cost-performance level competitive with electronic chips.' The integrated Meteor-1 system features fully self-developed architecture, including a light source chip, optical interaction chip, optical computing chip and a modulation matrix driver board. The light source chip uses an integrated micro-cavity optical frequency comb with an output spectrum exceeding 80 nanometres (nm), supporting more than 200 wavelengths. This chip-scale multi-wavelength source replaces hundreds of individual lasers, drastically reducing system size, power consumption and cost while boosting integration. The core optical computing chip itself boasts a high transmission bandwidth over 40nm, enabling low-latency parallel processing. Complementing this, the team's custom-designed driver board features more than 256 channels for precise optical signal control and efficient processing. Leveraging this system, the team set a world recording running more than 100 tasks at the same time on the system. Operating at 50GHz, the single chip delivers theoretical peak computing power of more than 2560 TOPS. Leading researcher Xie Peng earned his PhD at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States and then conducted research at Oxford University and NTU Singapore before building on those research foundations to establish the optical chip and photonic computing team at SIOM in Shanghai last year. Xie highlighted the advantage of the team structure at the Chinese Academy of Sciences to DeepTech: 'In our team, each key technical point has dedicated experts driving deep research. This modular-to-integrated approach enabled us to complete the full-chain innovation, from fundamental research to system integration, in a relatively short time frame. 'This also explains why challenges unresolved abroad for years saw breakthroughs quickly after my return.' 'Under our parallel optical computing scheme, key metrics like computational efficiency, power consumption and latency have the potential to surpass traditional electronic computing,' Xie said. 'We firmly believe optical computing, with the scalability challenge potentially addressed by our approach, can meet AI's ever-growing computational demands and unleash a wave of new applications.' – South China Morning Post
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MD&M East Partners with New York Robotics
NEW YORK CITY, NY / / May 16, 2025 / Informa Markets Engineering, the leading business to business (B2B) event producer, publisher and digital media platform for the advanced manufacturing industry, today announces its involvement as a founding partner for New York Robotics. The New York region is home to the fastest-growing tech ecosystem in the world. Tech in New York has grown twice as fast as the city's overall economy, three times faster than the U.S. tech ecosystem, and six times faster than the overall U.S. economy. According to McKinsey's New York 2040 Report, robotics generated $21 billion in global revenue in 2022 and is projected to grow to between $190 billion and $910 billion by 2040, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 13.02% and 23.29%. This wide range reflects the multifaceted impact of robotics across industries and the diverse scenarios that could shape its future trajectory. Established in January 2024, the non-profit New York Robotics has become a place for robotics in New York. The group aims to catalyze innovation and accelerate the commercialization of robotics and embodied AI in the tri-state region while driving progress across the national and global robotics ecosystem. NYR is already uniting nearly 100 independent robotics companies, 20 university research programs, over 100 venture capital firms, 25 industry leaders worldwide, with more than 150 service providers and consulates from leading robotics industry countries including international innovative tech hubs such as Japan, Germany and Denmark. "Global leaders in robotics, DeepTech and AI are flocking to New York, not only for research, funding and customers, but also for its thriving ecosystem of creativity and collaboration that fuels the American economy and future industry development," says Steve Everly, MD&M East Event Director, Informa Markets Engineering. "The city offers a chance to innovate, convene, learn and share knowledge, working together to address some of the most complex challenges in the robotics industry today. "Robotics is necessary to help solve some of the world's most pressing challenges," says Jacob Hennesey-Rubin, co-Founder and Executive Director, New York Robotics. " Yet it is certainly its own unique investment class, with its own unique needs. We have seen that robotics companies require a specific set of ingredients to grow, scale and eventually exit, and there is no doubt that New York has all of these key ingredients to fuel robotics from innovation to billion-dollar exits." Additional founding partners and sponsors include Cybernetix Ventures, New York University, J.P. Morgan, AlleyCorp, Interwoven Ventures, Polsinelli Law Firm, Standard Bots, Monozukuri Ventures, SDP/SI, Eisner Amper and Mercer Labs. To learn more about the onsite partnerships at MD&M East visit: About Informa Markets EngineeringInforma Markets Engineering is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit Media ContactInforma Markets Engineering PREngineeringPR@ SOURCE: Informa Markets Engineering View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Khaunte: Need govt-startup collaboration for innovative solutions
Panaji: Govt departments need to work with private sector startups and innovators to resolve challenges, said minister for information technology, electronics and communications, Rohan Khaunte . The minister said that startups and innovators can help govt find 'practical solutions' that will solve 'critical challenges' of citizens. He added that there are over 600 registered startups, including a medtech unicorn in Goa, whose expertise can be harnessed. 'Traditionally, govt challenges were addressed within departments, often in silos. There is a need to involve startups and student innovators for a meaningful change,' said Khaunte. The IT department has been working with local startups, students, and innovators to identify business ideas and technologies to find practical solutions to the challenges of govt departments. 'Startups bring that edge — they are agile, creative, and technology-driven. We need solutions that are not just innovative but also ready to be deployed on the ground. By opening our doors through the Goa Open Innovation Challenge , we are inviting them to become co-creators of smarter, tech-enabled public solutions,' said Khaunte. This is not just about ideas — it is about turning ideas into action and creating meaningful change for our citizens. He announced that the Goa Open Innovation Challenge will become an annual platform to foster an ecosystem for innovation and technology-driven solutions . 'The goal is clear. Bring in technology-driven, scalable solutions that can be scaled across India tomorrow,' said Khaunte, hoping that Goan startups will lead in tourism tech, clean and green technologies, and DeepTech while creating local jobs.
India Today
15-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Over 700 marginalised youths trained in AI, robotics, and fintech skills
More than 700 marginalised youths from Delhi NCR and Bengaluru have successfully completed a 200-hour training programme focused on artificial intelligence. Covering key areas such as generative AI, robotics, and fintech, the initiative blended technical education with soft skills training to enhance job readiness and support entry into the evolving tech received over 140 hours of core AI training alongside more than 60 hours of sessions focused on communication, problem-solving, and workplace readiness. Expert-led workshops, real-world exposure through corporate visits, and mentorship from volunteers formed a key part of the holistic training on the success of the initiative, Jyoti Sharma, CEO, Nasscom Foundation said, 'AI is not just reshaping industries, it's redefining the future of work. Our collaboration with Capgemini, under the AI for Skilling initiative, reflects our shared vision of an inclusive digital economy, where marginalised youth have the opportunity to participate and break barriers to AI access. By enabling future-ready skills and focusing on foundational, core-work skills, we are investing in the potential of India's youth to fully embrace evolving digital opportunities.'Ashwin Yardi, CEO – India, Capgemini said, 'AI is shaping a bold new era of work—one where innovation, inclusion, and human potential thrive together. Through Capgemini's Digital Academy, in partnership with Nasscom Foundation, we are bridging the digital divide - equipping the youth with industry-relevant AI and technology skills for meaningful careers."The programme's first cohort has already started securing placements across technology sectors. Building on this success, the next phase of the initiative will expand into DeepTech fields, aiming to create a sustainable talent pipeline and bridge the digital divide for underserved communities.
Business Standard
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
New York-based BAT VC Announces India Entry with $100 Million AI-focused Fund II
VMPL New York [US], May 14: BAT VC, a prominent New York-based venture capital firm, announced its entry into India, unveiling plans to invest up to $100 million through its second fund targeting India-linked startups specializing in AI and DeepTech disruptions in FinTech and B2B SaaS. Fund II builds on BAT VC's successful track record of identifying high-potential startups early, demonstrated through investments in Wand AI, StockGro, Nickelytics (acquired), Accern (acquired) and Uptiq AI from its previous fund. India's AI sector is entering a golden era, growing at 32% annually and projected to reach $23 billion by 2027. The country now boasts a pool of 450,000+ AI/ML professionals and an ecosystem ripe for global scale. In parallel, India's enterprise SaaS market surged to $8.7 billion, growing at a 35% CAGR--twice the global average. U.S.-India cross-border AI investments grew 180% to $4.7 billion in 2023, and the convergence of talent, capital, and market access has created a uniquely compelling investment landscape. The new India-focused initiative will be spearheaded by BAT VC's three General Partners: Manish Maheshwari, ex-Twitter India head, Mason Fellow at Harvard University and former Flipkart executive, whose AI venture, was recently acquired. Aditya Mishra, who achieved a successful entrepreneurial exit with FaceLogique and has held executive roles at Yahoo!, G/O Media, Accenture, and EY. Ravi Metta, former CTO at Finastra and product engineering leader at Intuit, brings deep technical expertise and a proven track record of driving innovation. "My move to Bengaluru underscores our conviction in India's potential to lead the next wave of AI-driven global growth," said Manish Maheshwari, General Partner and India Head at BAT VC. "We aim to back Indian founders building globally relevant AI products, supported by capital and perspective from both the US and India," said Aditya Mishra, Managing Director and General Partner. "Our technical depth enables us to identify high-impact AI startups early and guide them through global scale-up," said Ravi Metta, General Partner. India's startup ecosystem has grown significantly, with funding doubling to $27 billion, a 3x increase in scaled startups (>$10M revenue), and over $36 billion in public tech exits over the past five years--driven by momentum in fintech, SaaS, and digital innovation. Yet, India remains under-allocated: it receives just 5% of global VC capital despite representing nearly 20% of the world's population. This gap represents an arbitrage opportunity. The firm has garnered substantial interest from institutional investors and family offices in both the US and India, reflecting growing global confidence in India's potential. These stakeholders increasingly recognize India as the next big venture capital opportunity, especially as China-related risks grow and capital looks for alternative high-growth markets. Fund II reflects BAT VC's belief that India is no longer a frontier, but a core allocation for forward-looking global LPs. For more information, visit
