Deep learning is a type of machine learning that leverages multi-layered neural networks that are capable of transforming high-dimensional inputs into an output. Preferred Networks (PFN) a Tokyo-based start-up has been increasingly exploring the concepts of AI in order to reshape IoT ever since they moved on from being a search engine to a deep learning-based company in 2014, The founders of PFN started as a Japanese search engine in the early 2000s and later on as deep learning sectors boomed they readily cashed in their opportunity to integrate IoT and the robust manufacturing sectors of Japan.PFN has a wide range of services that they cater ranging from medical diagnostics to self-driving cars. But their early partnership with Fanuc a large Japanese robotics firm led to one of the biggest breakthroughs of the company in the field of bin picking. Although it is a low-skilled, tedious yet necessary task for the manufacturing sector, machine learning has made it possible to automate these tasks using robotic arms.PFN developed a vision-based solution enabling bin-picking bots to learn quickly from each fumbled attempt and achieved a 90% success rate after 8 hours of work. Recently PFN partnered with Toyota to develop Toyota’s Human Support Robot Platform that aims at making robots that are capable of carrying out mundane tasks autonomously. Read More>>
Monthly Archives: December 2019
A False Sense of Progress with Easier Tasks
Maryam Kouchaki, an associate professor of management and organizations at Kellogg, and her colleagues studied people who were overwhelmed with the workload and the approach taken by them to achieve them. They found that many people choose to perform simpler tasks when the workload is heavy and although this gives a sense of satisfaction instantly, in the long run, this strategy definitely fails because it does not contribute anything to the overall goal of the organisation and does not help the individual learn or improve any skills. To tackle this situation at an organisation it is essential that the managers encourage the workers to take up difficult tasks and disintegrate them into smaller subtasks that can be achieved, so they can get the same satisfaction if they had performed an easier task. this not only challenges people but also provides the opportunity to learn new skills every day. It is imperial that the managers educate their employees about the importance of tackling difficult tasks for professional growth. Thus it can be concluded that Getting a sense of progress is so essential and at the same time it should not be mistaken to instant gratification. Read More>>
1st project with limited parking outside downtown
“We want our residents to see life from their doorstep, not stuck behind a windshield,” said Jeff Berens, who founded the San Francisco-based firm Culdesac alongside Ryan Johnson with $10 million in venture capital. The residential township in Tempe, which will be spread across 16 acres near Apache Boulevard and River Road, that is expected to open in 2020 will be the first apartment that will have no car parking for residents in the US. It will be opened to renters from Smith-Martin light-rail stop in fall 2020 and The $140 million worth project will have scooters, bicycles and some ride-sharing cars and also plans to offer residents of the 636 apartment’s deals on light rail, buses, and rides with Uber or Lyft in order to promote carpooling and usage of public transport in order to mitigate traffic. the developers believe that the Millenials will welcome this move as they are less careless and they are the generation that will choose to not own cars and would want to save on transportation costs. The Tempe city officials waived its parking requirements in order to accommodate the development project. The Review panel plans to vote on a zoning map amendment and development plan review for the first phase of the project in December. Read More>>
Can Calculations help build a profitable startup?
Entrepreneurs must perform certain calculations in order to evaluate their ideas against those characteristics, vision, and goals before proceeding further because every idea has different viability, validity, feasibility, capital requirement, and potential characteristics. Irrespective of the bussiness model whether it is on-demand, SaaS, e-commerce, the marketplace, subscription or others, the two most important key metrics in a startup are customer acquisition cost and customer lifetime value. Without a product, it is hard to obtain all the numbers necessary to perform calculations to validate the revenue model thus it is advisable to use figures from benchmark companies to understand the fixed costs, variable costs, how much it cost them to acquire the customers and a customers lifetime value. All these values help the founders to deduce the breakeven point after which the company will be profitable. This gives the founders an understanding of their big vision and helps them plan in advance without having much to lose. In conclusion, the objective is to estimate the viability and feasibility of the idea given your goals and resources. Better know this sooner than later in order to change execution strategy, market or idea.Read More>>
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