Tech

Rivian says other automakers ‘knocking on door’ about tech from VW joint venture

Published

4 months ago

January 24, 2025

A view shows a second-generation R1S at electric auto maker Rivian's manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, U.S. June 21, 2024. REUTERS/Joel Angel Juarez/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

A joint venture between U.S. electric pickup and SUV maker Rivian (RIVN.O), and Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), is in talks with other automakers about supplying their software and electrical architecture, a senior Rivian executive said on Thursday.

The German automaker agreed in November to invest $5.8 billion in the joint venture, which will integrate advanced electrical infrastructure and Rivian’s software technology for both companies’ future electric vehicles.

While a joint venture will give Rivian higher volumes to negotiate better supplier deals and reduce costs, seen as critical amid a slowdown in EV demand, Volkswagen and potentially other traditional automakers will get quick and easy access to technology and software they have struggled to build for years.

“I’d say that many other OEMs are knocking on our door,” Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid said in an interview, referring to Original Equipment Manufacturers, a phrase used to describe vehicle makers.

Bensaid, who is also co-CEO of the joint venture, declined to provide names of the interested automakers and details on what stage the talks were at.

Rivian’s architecture requires fewer electronic control units and significantly less wiring, reducing vehicle weight and simplifying manufacturing. The technology is core to building cars with software that could be updated over the air like a smartphone – what the industry calls “software-defined vehicles”, an area where established automakers are still running behind.That would be nearly triple Wall Street forecasts.

“There is demand,” said Bensaid, adding that the priority until 2027 was to roll out the R2, Rivian’s smaller, less-expensive SUV and to integrate the technology in other Volkswagen brands. “Obviously other OEMs are talking to us and we’re trying to figure out how to support that in the future.”

“Any other OEM who wants to make a leap from a technology standpoint, the joint venture today becomes one of the key partners with whom they can make that collaboration,” he said.

The venture is likely to become the platform of choice in the Western world apart from Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab, Canaccord Genuity analysts said in a note. The joint venture also helps alleviate “a significant chunk of the capital concern” for Rivian, the analysts said.

Source: www.reuters.com/

Tech

University of Ghana (UG) Engages Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations on Strategic Collaboration

Published

4 weeks ago

April 17, 2025

Net News Ghana

A delegation from the University of Ghana (UG) today visited the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations (MoCDTI) to explore collaborative opportunities in digital innovation, skills development and policy alignment.

Director of the Research and Innovation Directorate at the University of Ghana highlighted the University’s commitment to supporting national digital initiatives emphasizing the importance of aligning UG’s research and innovation efforts with governmental agendas in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and coding.

Professor Dodoo-Arhin noted that UG has been proactive in fostering innovation through hackathons and other programs aimed at enhancing the skillsets of young people. He expressed the University’s interest in the proposed Innovation and Startup Bill, aligning with UG’s strategic focus on innovation.

He therefore announced UG’s readiness to provide space, expertise and certification support for government-led training programs, including curriculum development and short courses under the coders’ initiative.

Samuel Nartey George (MP) Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, welcomed the UG delegation and expressed the Ministry’s openness to partnerships with academia.

He underscored the significance of academic input in shaping policies and announced the Ministry’s commitment to completing the Digital Youth Village within three months.

This facility, to be operated in collaboration with UG, will serve as a hub for training and innovation.

The Minister also revealed plans to replicate such centers across the country, integrating them into a broader ecosystem to support national innovation.

He discussed the expansion of the “One Million Coders” program to reskill and upskill Ghana’s workforce, emphasizing the role of universities in this initiative.

The Minister highlighted the Ministry’s intent to act as an enabler for technology adoption across various sectors, including agriculture and health, leveraging AI and other emerging technologies.

Further discussions included the formation of a steering committee to review and evaluate existing training programs, aiming to develop a unified national curriculum for technological skills, subject to approval by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

The meeting also touched on the upcoming AI design hackathon for persons with disabilities, scheduled for May, and the 19th International Conference on Advanced Materials (ICAM), to be hosted by UG in collaboration with the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) and the African Materials Research Society (AMRS).

Present at the meeting were Prof. Isaac Wiafe, Computer Science Department

Ms. Mammie N. Hutchful Nortey, Senior Research Development Officer

Mr. Leslie C. Kumahlor, Research Development Officer

Mrs. Irene Y. Ashiley, Assistant Registrar and Administrator, Research and Innovation Directorate.

Tech

EU approves 920 million euro German aid for Infineon chips plant

Published

3 months ago

February 20, 2025

Net News Ghana

The European Commission said on Thursday it had approved a 920 million euro German state aid to Infineon for the construction of a new semiconductor manufacturing plant in Dresden.

The measure will allow Infineon (IFXGn.DE), to complete the MEGAFAB-DD project which will be able to produce a wide range of different types of chips, the Commission added.

Chipmakers across the globe are pouring billions of dollars into new plants, as they take advantage of generous subsidies from the United States and the EU to keep the West ahead of China in developing cutting-edge semiconductor technology.

The European Commission has earmarked 15 billion euros for public and private semiconductor projects by 2030.

“This new manufacturing plant will bring flexible production capacity to the EU and thereby strengthen Europe’s security of supply, resilience and technological autonomy in semiconductor technologies, in line with the objectives set out in the European Chips Act,” the Commission said in a statement.

The Commission said the plant – which will reach full capacity in 2031 – will be a front-end facility, covering wafer processing, testing and separation, adding that its chips will be used in industrial, automotive and consumer applications.

The aid will take the form of a direct grant of up to 920 million euros to Infineon to support its investment amounting to 3.5 billion euros. Infineon has said the plant will be the largest single investment in its history.

Infineon has agreed with the EU to ensure the project will bring wider positive effects to the EU semiconductor value chain and invest in the research and development of the next generation of chips in Europe, the Commission said.

It will also contribute to crisis preparedness by committing to implement priority-rated orders in the case of a supply shortage in line with the European Chips Act.

Source: www.reuters.com

Tech

Trump says he is speaking to China about TikTok

Published

3 months ago

February 20, 2025

Net News Ghana

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday that he was talking to China about TikTok as the United States seeks to broker a sale of the popular app.

Source://www.reuters.com