It’s a wrap: News this week (Nov 16 — Nov 22)

There have been multiple developments this week on the tech front. From major IT services deals to Addverb’s humanoid robots, this is the list of the most important developments for a quick catch-up:

Addverb to launch humanoid robots

Noida-based robotics company, Addverb, on Tuesday announced its foray into humanoid robotics by 2025. The new humanoid robots will be an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) agent capable of processing vast volumes of multi-modal data from vision, audio, and touch inputs, and is targeted to diverse industries, the company said in a statement.

Addverb, which has operations across the US, Europe and Asia, will develop its first humanoid robot with Reliance, using Jio’s AI platform and 5G services. Reliance invested in Addverb in 2021. And the company deployed its advanced robotic solutions across Reliance’s businesses, including grocery, fashion, petrochemicals, and healthcare.

IT services deals of the week

L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS) on Monday partnered with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance (CSCA) to develop smart city projects in the state of Colorado. The collaboration is expected to leverage LTTS's advanced engineering capabilities to advance CSCA's efforts in enhancing urban living conditions, adopting best practices for sustainable ecosystems, and more. 

In a separate but related news, LTIMindtree announced the extension of its contract with European firm Nexi Group. This collaboration with LTIMindtree will help the paytech provider to elevate its technology landscape across core acquiring, issuing, and e-commerce platforms, further solidifying its position as a key player in the digital payments space.

Another major deal of the week was Mphasis’ announcement of a multi-year partnership with auto racing team MoneyGram Haas F1, becoming its Official Digital Partner. This collaboration aims to revolutionise motorsport performance through the integration of advanced technology.

Ascendion launches AI studio in Hyderabad

Software engineering services company Ascendion launched an artificial intelligence (AI) studio in Hyderabad. This is the second AI studio for the US-based organisation in India. The Hyderabad facility launch follows the Austin AI Studio establishment. The Hyderabad AI studio will offer an interactive environment for clients and engineers to collaborate on developing solutions to enhance consumer and worker experiences across multiple sectors. 

Further, healthtech firm Indegen also opened a new center in Hyderabad, India this week. The facility will support the company’s global operations and meet the increasing demands of the pharmaceutical industry. 

The new center in Hyderabad is part of Indegene’s strategy to strengthen its delivery network and assist pharma companies in adapting to rapid changes in the industry. With the healthcare sector facing mounting pressure to innovate, the Hyderabad center will help companies accelerate their transformation efforts.