Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF), the subsidiary of the Piaggio Group headquartered in Boston focused on robotics and mobility of the future, has kicked off some pilot programmes to test further applications of its revolutionary robot carrier gita, together with partners active in various business sectors, including travel, hospitality, real estate, retail, local food delivery.

Gita is the first innovative project of Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF), the Boston-based robotics and future mobility company of the Piaggio Group. It is a unique follow-me robot carrier, with a payload of 20 kg, designed to follow the user indoors and outdoors, at a top speed of 10 km/hour and with a 4-hour battery life.

Having launched gita to the US consumer market, Piaggio Fast Forward now looks at new opportunities to integrate robotics into business-to-business sectors, always with the goal to improve the way workers and customers move in different environments, outdoor and indoor.

“These pilot programmes are a testament to the excitement and energy that a product like gita brings to folks. The gita robot is a new  tool for a new today and sits at the intersection of new urbanism, helper robots and the human mobility revolution” - commented Michele Colaninno, PFF’s Founder and Chairman of the Board – “Today robots are more acceptable and desirable than ever before for both personal use as a consumer and increasingly, at scale as an assistive device in retail, residential and commercial environments. This corresponds precisely with our ideas at PFF: robotic intelligence and human beings must cooperate and develop a mutually beneficial relationship in order to create a better world for tomorrow."

The first pilot programmes to be launched include relevant partners such as Cincinnati International Airport (CVG). With a traffic of seven million passengers per year, is a relevant hub in Kentucky, renowned for paving the way for the latest in airport. Gita will be used to clear the path for contactless, digital, concierge services for travelers and to assist elsewhere in processes like luggage and cargo transport.

Delivery Co-op, company focused on food deliveries at neighborhood level, based in Lexington, Kentucky. Gita will be used for safe, contactless neighborhood deliveries; Doğan Trend Automotive, part of Doğan Group, holding based in Istanbul controlling a number of companies operating in different sectors such as, energy, industry, fuel, finance, internet & entertainment, automotive, tourism and real estate, playing a pioneering role in Turkish market. Gita will be tested in a retail mall and a waterfront marina location, where consumers can elect to have Gita shepherd commonly needed items like and shopping bags for them.

 “Thanks to gita, people can walk further, faster and more frequently, doing it with more pleasure. We are ready to experiment the use of gita in retail, residential and commercial environments with the aim to simplify and enhance human performance” - said Greg Lynn, Chief Executive Officer at Piaggio Fast Forward.

Gita robots are produced in the new Piaggio Fast Forward facility in the Charlestown district of Boston. Marketing began in November last year through online channels, with a first phase focused on the US market, where the circulation of robots on city streets is already regulated. (MT)

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German automotive technology giant Continental has developed a new sensor technology that is said to significantly enhance the efficiency and sustainability of electric vehicle (EV) motors.

For the first time, their new e-Motor Rotor Temperature Sensor (eRTS) directly measures the temperature inside permanently excited synchronous motors on the rotor itself.

This innovative approach delivers substantially more precise measurement results than current software-based temperature simulations, drastically reducing the tolerance range from 15deg Celsius to a mere 3deg Celsius. The enhanced accuracy offers a dual benefit for vehicle manufacturers: it enables them to reduce the reliance on costly rare earth elements used to boost magnet heat resistance and simultaneously improve potential motor performance. This, in turn, paves the way for greater sustainability in EV production.

The eRTS is a key development from Continental's E-Mobility Sensors (EMS) product centre, which is dedicated to creating advanced sensor technologies for electric vehicles.

Bin Huo, Head of Passive Safety and Sensorics (PSS) segment, Continental, said, "With less resource consumption and lower costs, eRTS sensor technology is advantageous over current solutions. This innovation shows that investing resources and focusing expertise in our product centre was absolutely the right decision. We will continue to successively expand our EV sensor portfolio."

Higher Measuring Accuracy

The eRTS system comprises two distinct components: a wireless mote temperature sensor unit positioned close to the magnet within the EV motor and a wired transducer element situated outside the motor, connected to the inverter control.

Rotors operate under extreme conditions, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 150deg Celsius. Consequently, precise monitoring and control of heat development in EV motors are paramount. Presently, heat development is not measured directly but is instead calculated based on data from the stator temperature sensor, phase current measurements and environmental variables. This indirect method results in a tolerance range of up to 15deg Celsius. To safeguard magnets from demagnetisation due to excessive heat, expensive rare earth elements are typically used to cover this entire tolerance range and ensure sufficient heat resistance.

The significantly greater measuring accuracy of the eRTS, which reduces the tolerance range to just 3deg Celsius, presents car manufacturers with new design possibilities and freedom in permanent magnet synchronous EV motors.

A considerable proportion of costly rare earth materials, which would otherwise be required to account for the wider tolerance range for safety reasons, can now be saved. Furthermore, the improved accuracy offers the intriguing prospect of enhancing motor performance by pushing the operational limits closer to the actual temperature threshold.

Christoph Busch, Lead – Product Centre, Continental, said, "Our E-Mobility Sensors product centre aims to increase efficiency and sustainability in electric vehicles. The eRTS technology is a prime example of this: reducing the use of rare earths contributes to a more sustainable supply chain, especially given that the number of EVs is expected to greatly increase in the coming years and decades. In combination with other sensor technologies, such as the e-Motor Rotor Position Sensor, it can even act as a system solution to create synergies that can save car manufacturers money and effort."

Ultrasound Technology

The eRTS's two components, the mote element and the transducer element, work in tandem. The mote temperature sensor unit measures the temperature directly at the target area, as close as possible to the magnet. Crucially, the wireless mote draws its energy solely from the wired transducer, which is connected to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and simultaneously provides the transducer with its measuring data. The transducer is located outside the EV motor on the chassis and transmits temperature information to the inverter control via a communication interface. Both the mote and transducer communicate using Piezo ultrasound, which also facilitates the energy supply to the mote.

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In a landmark development for artificial intelligence and global technological partnerships, G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, SoftBank Group and Cisco have joined forces to launch Stargate UAE, a next-generation AI infrastructure cluster set to operate in Abu Dhabi.

The announcement, made in the presence of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, highlighted UAE’s commitment to driving cutting-edge innovation on the world stage.

The launch event witnessed the attendance of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence Council, alongside prominent dignitaries and senior officials.

Stargate UAE, a 1-gigawatt compute cluster, will be constructed by G42 and operated by OpenAI and Oracle. NVIDIA will provide its cutting-edge Grace Blackwell GB300 systems, while Cisco contributes AI-ready connectivity and zero-trust security frameworks. SoftBank Group will also play a crucial role in the initiative. Once operational, Stargate UAE will deliver exceptional AI infrastructure, scalable compute resources, and ultra-low latency for inferencing, enabling powerful AI applications across industries. The first 200-megawatt cluster is slated to go live in 2026.

Designed to fuel scientific discovery, industry innovation and economic growth, Stargate UAE will support sectors including healthcare, energy, finance and transportation. It forms the cornerstone of the newly announced UAE–US AI Campus, a 5-gigawatt AI hub spanning 10 square miles in Abu Dhabi – the largest deployment of its kind outside the United States. Powered by a combination of nuclear, solar and natural gas sources, the facility will prioritise sustainability and low-carbon operations. It will also feature a science park to nurture talent, advance research, and promote sustainable computing solutions.

The UAE–US AI Campus builds upon the ‘US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership’, a framework unveiled last week by the U.S. and UAE governments to foster safe, secure and responsible AI technologies. As part of this initiative, UAE entities will expand their digital infrastructure investments in the U.S., including projects like Stargate U.S., aligned with the ‘America First Investment Policy.’

Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42, said, “The launch of Stargate UAE is a significant step in the UAE–US AI partnership. As a founding partner, we’re proud to work alongside institutions that share our belief in responsible innovation and meaningful global progress. This initiative is about building a bridge – rooted in trust and ambition – that helps bring the benefits of AI to economies, societies, and people around the world.”

Sam Altman, Co-founder and CEO, OpenAI, said, “By establishing the world’s first Stargate outside of the US in the UAE, we’re transforming a bold vision into reality. This is the first major milestone in our OpenAI for Countries initiative – our effort to work with allies and partners to build AI infrastructure around the world. It’s a step toward ensuring some of this era’s most important breakthroughs – safer medicines, personalised learning, and modernised energy – can emerge from more places and benefit the world.”

Larry Ellison, CTO and Chairman, Oracle, said, “Stargate pairs Oracle’s AI-optimised cloud with nation-scale sovereign infrastructure. This first-in-the-world platform will enable every UAE government agency and commercial institution to connect their data to the world’s most advanced AI models. This landmark deployment sets a new standard for digital sovereignty and demonstrates how nation states can harness the power of the most important technology in the history of humankind.”

Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO, NVIDIA, said, “AI is the most transformative force of our time. With Stargate UAE, we are building the AI infrastructure to power the country’s bold vision – to empower its people, grow its economy, and shape its future.”

Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO, SoftBank Group, said, “When we unveiled Stargate in the US with OpenAI and Oracle, we set out to build an engine for the next information revolution. Now, the UAE becomes the first nation beyond America to embrace this sovereign AI platform, proving the global nature of this vision. SoftBank is proud to support the UAE’s leap forward. Bold investments, trusted partnerships, and national ambition can create a more connected, more joyful and more empowered world.”

Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO, Cisco, said, “Cisco is proud to join Stargate UAE to advance groundbreaking AI innovation in the UAE and around the world. By embedding our secure AI-optimised networking fabric for this international deployment, we're building smart, secure and energy-efficient networks that will turn intelligence into impact at global scale.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has announced a new partnership with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) aimed at fostering innovation and creating business opportunities for startups in both India and Japan.

The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to bridge the startup ecosystems of the two nations.

The MoU was formally exchanged by Dr Tapan Sahoo, Executive Officer, Digital Enterprise, Maruti Suzuki India and Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO India, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, was also present during the signing.

As per the understanding, Maruti Suzuki India and JETRO will work together to help Indian startups gain access to Japan's innovation landscape, while Japanese startups will similarly have the opportunity to explore India's vibrant startup ecosystem.

Beyond access, the partnership will facilitate networking and participation for these startups in relevant industry events and activities, connecting them with potential partners. Indian startups selected through Maruti Suzuki's four innovation programs – Accelerator, Incubation, Mobility Challenge and Nurture – will be eligible to participate in these initiatives. Japanese startups, on the other hand, will be able to explore the Indian market through JETRO's support.

Hisashi Takeuchi, said, "Through our multi-format innovation programs, we have been engaging with startups in India to co-create technology-driven solutions relevant to the automobile manufacturing and mobility space. We see great potential in Indian startups, and with this MoU with JETRO, we will be able to provide a platform for these promising startups to explore the Japanese business landscape."

Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO India, said, "Maruti Suzuki stands as one of the finest examples of the successful partnership between India and Japan. With this MoU, we are creating opportunities for even more fruitful business collaborations between our two nations. This MoU aims to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and further strengthen the deep-rooted ties between India and Japan."

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Bengaluru-headquartered product engineering and innovation company Tata Elxsi has showcased its 'Battery Aadhaar' technology demonstrator at the Battery Summit 2025, organised by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India.

The demonstration formed part of a consortium-led initiative, backed by the UNEP-led programme 'Electrifying Mobility in Cities' and coordinated by NITI Aayog and the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Tata Elxsi, in collaboration with consortium partners – Tata Motors, Tata AutoComp Systems (TACO), IIT Kharagpur, WRI, LOHUM Cleantech, NUNAM Technologies and Oorja Energy, presented the 'Battery Aadhaar' concept to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and other key government stakeholders. The solution was presented as an end-to-end enabler for the Indian battery ecosystem.

'Battery Aadhaar' represents a significant national endeavour to equip batteries with secure, digital identities. This innovative approach aims to ensure comprehensive traceability, regulatory compliance, and unparalleled lifecycle transparency – from the initial sourcing of raw materials to their second-life applications and eventual recycling. By meticulously capturing crucial lifecycle data such as manufacturer identity, usage history and material composition, 'Battery Aadhaar' is designed to prevent unsafe reuse, non-compliance issues and potential environmental risks.

The solution is built on Tata Elxsi’s proprietary MOBIUS+ platform, integrating robust blockchain-backed traceability, dynamic data flows and automated compliance reporting. Through MOBIUS+, Tata Elxsi is laying the groundwork for a digital and transparent battery ecosystem across India.

The demonstration at the summit highlighted several key functionalities of the platform, including:

• Creation of Battery Aadhaar and Digital Product Passports (DPP)
• Detailed chain of custody and lifecycle mapping
• Configurable public and private data access views
• Role-based dashboards tailored for OEMs, battery manufacturers, recyclers and regulators
• Real-time analytics, encompassing battery health prediction and estimation of residual useful life

Crucially, the platform has been designed to align with evolving Indian regulatory initiatives. Furthermore, its architecture is built for adaptability, ensuring future compatibility with international frameworks such as the EU Battery Regulation, emerging Japanese and North American standards, and future global battery passport specifications.

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