Hi everyone! In this digest we will tell you about recent announcements from Google and SpaceX, the merger between Yandex.Taxi and Vezet, VR broadcasts from MTS and more.

Yandex.Taxi acquires Vezet taxi service

Vezet is currently active in 123 Russian cities. As of 2017, it had the largest market share. Yandex.Taxi will acquire its software and call centres and invest approximately 8 billion rubles into the development of taxi services in Russian regions.

The partners intend to complete the deal by the end of 2019, as soon as they get the green light from the Federal Antimonopoly Service. After that, drivers currently working for Vezet will move to the unified Yandex.Taxi platform, following in the footsteps of Uber drivers.

Customers will not be affected, as these changes will only affect the internal structure of the company. As usual, users will be able to order a taxi through the company’s app or by phone. Yandex.Taxi promises to use their new technologies to make cab rides even more comfortable for passengers.

MTS launches VR broadcasts from concerts

MTS has started showing VR broadcasts from various public events and concerts. Guests can purchase VR access passes in ticket services Ticketland and Ponominalu. Users will need VR glasses or helmets, as well as an Internet connection from 20 Mbps to enjoy the performances in VR.

By the end of 2019, MTS will post the first 15 recordings from various events and show several online broadcasts. The first broadcast from Park Live festival on July 12–14 is already available. In 3 days, the project attracted 5 thousand viewers.

MTS is currently actively pursuing contracts with different performance, offering them a percentage of the sales.

7 high tech projects from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus granted international design award

A list of winners of the international design сompetition Red Dot Award was published in early July. The competition attracted more than 5500 entries. Winners were selected in three nominations:

Product Design;

Brands and Communication;

Design Concept.

The award was granted to seven high tech projects from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Personal conditioner Evapolar evaCHILL with intuitive controls, with cooling, filtering and humidifying features.

2. Teslasuit for VR immerses its wearer into the digital world. The suit features a minimal design with a built-in motion capture system, biometric sensors and climate control.

3. A concept for the new RZD train cars offers more personal space to passengers compared to previous versions. The cars are equipped with private capsules featuring heavy curtains. Each capsule contains an outlet, a USB port and suitable lighting.

4. Atol Smart.Lite Mobile Terminal. The device provides automation for storekeepers, delivery workers and service center experts.

5. Compact electronic books PocketBook Touch Lux 4 and PocketBook Touch HD are made using pleasant materials and equipped with mechanical buttons.

6. Wireless sound amplifier Whooshi can ve easily fixed on clothing and allows its users to comfortably listen to music in any conditions.

7. ‘Infinite’ pencil Nuka is made entirely out of metal. When the metal is oxidized, the pencil can write on any kind of paper without losing its sharpness.

SpaceX gives reason for Crew Dragon explosion

SpaceX is currently testing their Crew Dragon spaceship in preparation for an upcoming NASA journey to the International Space Station. The spaceship can accommodate from four to seven passengers.

On April 20, a Crew Dragon capsule exploded. Luckily, there were no casualties, as the capsule was empty for the test launch. The explosion occurred two and a half months before the planned journey to the ISS.

SpaceX vice-president Hans Koenigsmann made an announcement explaining the reason behind the explosion: a liquid oxidizer had leaked through the titanium helium release valve. This process destroyed the structure and set the fuel on fire.

Company representatives claim that their engineers immediately reacted and changed the oxidizer delivery system. Crew Dragon has become much safer for astronauts.

Google is listening to user commands made to its voice assistant

Google employees are listening to user voice commands to Google Assistant and Google Home. This information was revealed on the company blog by Google product manager David Monsees, following complaints against the company’s disclosure of personal information.

Belgian channel VRT News has stated that Google has taken advantage of data from users making voice commands for their personal gain.

According to Monsees, only 0.2% of recorded commands are passed from Google to professional linguists. These recordings are not linked to user accounts. Conversations recorded in the background are strictly off limits.

Monsees explained that the company collects this information for the purpose of improving voice recognition technology for different languages. He mentioned that Google is committed to protecting user personal data.

RPA technology to be implemented by Russian companies

A special project titled ‘RPA knowledge base’ is being launched in Moscow. It will combine information on Russian and global experience with implementation of RPA technology..

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is used for automation of business processes. A robot program imitates a user’s actions to achieve the necessary results. позволяет автоматизировать бизнес-процессы. The technology can be used in a variety of industries: finance, sales, procurement, etc.

The robot can take over certain routine tasks: invoicing, certificate creation, document preparation, newsletter distribution and monitoring. As a result, companies will cut costs while increasing operational speed and efficiency.

RPA is a rapidly developing area. Over the next few years, 54% of Russian companies will switch to robots to automate some of their business processes.