New tech on the block: AI, metaverse, FinTech, cloud, cybersecurity, HealthTech

The Tech Panda takes a look at recent tech launches.

AI Content Creation: An unlimited plan 20% cheaper than ChatGPT at $16 a month

Writesonic, an AI content creation platform, launched its new unlimited plan, which includes access to Writesonic’s award-winning AI writer, their intelligent conversational AI bot, Chatsonic, their AI image generator, Photosonic, as well as over 100 other AI content templates. This potent combination empowers users to generate a wide variety of content, from articles and blog posts to emails and social media content, images, and creatives, all with a simple command.

“We are thrilled to offer this unprecedented value to our users,” said Samanyou Garg, Founder of Writesonic. “Our mission has always been to make AI-powered content creation accessible and affordable. The new Unlimited Plan and enhancements to our Business and Pro plans deliver on that promise.”

The Why

Writesonic’s new plan is not just about cost savings. It’s about empowering individuals and businesses to create more and better content without worrying about limits. With theoretically no limits across the Writesonic tools and the Chatsonic bot, users have a wealth of resources at their fingertips.

Features

Users of these plans will enjoy double the premium words in each payment plan, allowing for even more flexibility and freedom in creating content.

This plan will give businesses access to Writesonic’s exclusive market-leading GPT-4 and GPT-4 32K powered features like the AI Article Writer 5.0, Writesonic’s no-code ChatGPT-like AI chatbot builder Botsonic, Brand Voice, API, and many other features that will help businesses skyrocket their content marketing as well as engagement.

Metaverse: The first-ever Metaverse reality show by an OTT platform

AhaVerse, the Metaverse experience of Aha, designed and developed by IPVerse, launched Sarkaa?: A Battle of Corporates, the first-ever Metaverse reality show by an OTT platform. It represents the beginning of an exciting series of immersive experiences planned on AhaVerse.

Sarkaa? is a successful reality show on Aha, currently in the third season of its airing. AhaVerse version starts with the replication of the show’s set in a virtual world.

“We are standing at the precipice of a paradigm shift in the entertainment industry,” shares Pallav Bajjuri, the visionary founder of IPVerse. “As the lines between reality and virtual experiences blur, entertainment is poised to occupy larger portions of human lives. Thanks to AI-driven technologies, the creator economy will witness exponential growth, with millions of creators shaping the future. IPVerse aims to be the infrastructure that supports collaboration and creativity within the entertainment industry. Our goal is to become the most important company in this space.”

The Why

Metaverse has been termed the “future version of the internet,” which will be blending the frontiers between reality and virtuality at the convergence of immersive spaces, social and collaborative experiences, and the creator economy. Web3 and Metaverse market in India is expected to grow at 40 per cent per annum and is likely to reach a whopping $200 billion by 2035 as per a consultancy firm. Globally, Web3 and Metaverse are pegged to become a $13 trillion opportunity by 2030, which will be about 8 per cent of the global GDP then.

Business leaders and companies joining Sarkaa? will not only be part of a groundbreaking Metaverse show but also gain access to invaluable exposure and networking opportunities. By showcasing their brand alongside industry leaders, participants can elevate their visibility and expand their network within the AhaVerse community.

Features

• The show allows people from anywhere in the world participate in the show while in the comfort of their homes using a Meta Quest or a Windows or Mac powered desktops.
• Over the next two months, internal competitions will be held within companies with the best team being forwarded to the inter-corporate round. In the inter-corporate round top teams from 16 companies face off one another. The inter-corporate phase is also scheduled to be aired for the general public in September, creating a new category of content for OTT platforms akin to e-sports streaming.
• In the show, led by the charismatic Pradeep Machiraju, teams will engage in intense bidding wars, and face mind-boggling quizzes.
• A segment of the program will be streamed on Aha OTT, reaching a vast audience of over 25 million subscribers.
• It offers participants the chance to feature on Aha, a platform with over 25 million users, enabling them to reach a vast Telugu-speaking audience globally.

FinTech: A one-click checkout solution to address cart abandonment & improve conversion rates

Safexpay, a payments solution company, has introduced Aasaan Checkout, a one-click checkout solution, to address the issue of cart abandonment and improve conversion rates for digitally enabled businesses. The platform specifically caters to Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands and small to mid-size e-commerce marketplaces that do not have dedicated mobile apps. Aasaan Checkout aims to increase conversion rates by up to 30% compared to current levels.

Ravi Gupta, Chief Executive Officer at Safexpay said, “In today’s fast-paced e-commerce landscape, many brands struggle to gather accurate and actionable data regarding their product insights. Aasaan Checkout’s advanced analytics solution resolves this challenge by eliminating any minimum threshold, ensuring accessibility for businesses of all sizes. Merchants can now effectively monitor their marketing campaigns across popular platforms and gain valuable insights to tailor targeted promotions. With these powerful features, businesses are empowered with the necessary tools to thrive in the competitive e-commerce market. Our overall objective is to provide shoppers with an easy checkout experience and increase conversions.”

The Why

According to a report, the average cart abandonment rate in India is approximately 51%, which increases to 70-75% during festive seasons, resulting in significant revenue loss to e-commerce companies. These high abandonment rates are primarily attributed to inconvenient and time-consuming checkout experiences that require manual input of personal details. MSME e-commerce players and D2C brands operating solely through web browsers, without their own mobile apps, are particularly affected by these issues.

Implementing Aasaan Checkout not only improves conversions but also drives repeat sales and increases the order value for merchants.

Features

• It can seamlessly handle high transaction volumes, ensuring smooth operations even during peak periods.
• Allows users to onboard and utilise it without any minimum threshold limits in terms of order volume or other parameters.
• Aasaan Checkout’s consolidated dashboard offers a comprehensive overview of marketing campaigns across Meta platforms such as, Facebook and Instagram, as well as Google services.  
• This dashboard includes data from distribution channels like websites and marketplaces (e.g., Amazon, Meesho, Myntra).
• Users can experience Aasaan Checkout while shopping at select merchants on WooCommerce. Going ahead, it will also be available on Shopify.

eSports: A Battle Royale game with an Indian battle landscape

Starlight Gaming, a company of SOFTSTAR ENTERTAINMENT INC., launched a Battle Royale game, Raider SIX. According to the company, the game garnered close to 1.2 million downloads in just 7 days in event attended by Bollywood superstar Sidharth Malhotra.

Sharing his enthusiasm, actor Sidharth Malhotra, said, “’Raider SIX’ is a fun game to play. The game captures the spirit of Indian culture while providing a unique and exhilarating gaming experience. I can clearly recall my childhood play when I would use my toy rifle and go on grand adventures. It brings back those priceless memories to be a part of this event where gaming meets real-world events. I’m having a wonderful time and feel excited to be a part of this amazing event.”

Yautian Chen, the General Manager of SOFTSTAR ENTERTAINMENT INC., said, “We are delighted to present ‘Raider SIX’ to the vibrant Indian gaming community. The game exemplifies our unwavering dedication to delivering an authentic gaming experience that seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology and India’s cultural diversity. We firmly believe that it will captivate gamers and redefine the boundaries of the Battle Royale genre.”

Features

Raider SIX is a Battle Royale Action mobile game that immerses players in an Indian battle landscape. Tailored exclusively for the Indian gaming community, it aims to capture the hearts of Indian gamers with a rich tapestry of characters and aesthetic scenery. The game includes Indian-style characters with renamable names.

AI: An AI-enabled Voice Assistance System

Staqu Technologies, a developer of artificial intelligence solutions, has unveiled its cutting-edge AI-enabled Voice Assistance System – ‘JARVIS HELP’.  The innovative technology utilizes voice commands, gestures, and hand waves to activate its functionality. This advanced system is designed to receive and interpret visual and audio directives, promptly notifying the appropriate stakeholders in real time.

 Atul Rai, Co-founder, and CEO of Staqu Technologies, said, “As a responsible corporation, it is a privilege to develop an innovative technology that enhances our communities to become more futuristic and safer. Our pioneering technology in AI-enabled Voice Assistance Systems, JARVIS Help can significantly contribute to our long-term goal. By combining voice recognition and real-time video analysis on existing CCTV, JARVIS Help will be an intuitive and efficient solution for addressing rescue and safety needs for our citizens. Our contribution to creating a smarter and safer ecosystem through advanced AI technology can become a reality owing to JARVIS’ incredible accuracy and technological prowess. We aim to contribute to enhancing national security and reaffirming our commitment to the country by using our cutting-edge technology to create a better and safer India.”

The Why

The introduction of JARVIS Help holds significant potential for rescue systems and the development of smart city ecosystems. By incorporating advanced AI-enabled surveillance technology, JARVIS Help can effectively monitor illegal activities or ensure the safety of individuals. This innovative solution contributes to the establishment of safer and more secure communities.

Features

• It has the potential to provide enhanced risk identification in rescue systems in alignment with human behaviour, to leverage real-time audio and video inputs, and analyze hand motions, facial expressions, and gestures indicative of assistance requirements.
• It has been supported by the world’s most accurate audio setup with an accuracy level of 98.7 percent, backed by the International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing (ICASSP) and VoxCeleb.
• The technology mainly being used to identify any one with voice sample and the same time can also be used to identify wake up words like “JARVIS HELP” coming from any audio streaming device.
• For Instance, in critical situations like rescue, stuck in lift, kidnappings or robberies, JARVIS Help serves as a life-saving solution. It swiftly responds to distress calls by detecting signs of violence or assistance and immediately notifying the relevant authorities in real time.
• Whether through analyzing audio and visual cues or recognizing gestures like waving or signaling for help within the camera’s range, JARVIS Help acts as a vigilant guardian, ensuring rapid assistance when victims need it most.
• Its advanced technology enables it to identify indicators of danger even when there are no apparent physical signs of violence. By simply calling out “JARVIS Help!” in situations where explicit communication may be challenging, individuals can activate the system and trigger a prompt response. With its ability to analyze audio and video feeds, JARVIS Help provides an additional layer of security, proactively safeguarding individuals in distress and significantly enhancing their safety.
• Through continuous algorithmic improvements, JARVIS Help delivers analytical insights and promptly notifies the relevant authorities, thereby improving the operational efficacy of apt authorities.
• The system can potentially employ a combination of AI and automation, enabling the deployment of drones to track individuals and gather crucial audio and video inputs as well. This interaction between JARVIS Help and humans mirrors the way two individuals communicate, encoding and decoding messages through gestures or voice commands.
• The core focus of JARVIS Help is to comprehend human language and provide accurate outcomes by decoding visual or voice commands. The accuracy level of audio analytics being used in JARVIS Help is based on the idea of using CCTV cameras to record ambient audio data from beyond their field of vision in order to spot any disturbances or out-of-the-ordinary events and immediately trigger appropriate tactical reactions. For instance, the sound of breaking glass outside a physical store may be a sign of ongoing robberies, vandalism, or sabotage, whereas the sounds of gunshots, screaming, or loud shouting typically indicate physical violence and a serious threat to life.

Hardware: An avant-garde hardware unit designed to detect small defects in flat surfaces

Jidoka Technologies, an automated cognitive inspection for manufacturing solution, launched Fujin, an avant-garde hardware unit. This unit is designed to detect small and minute defects in flat surfaces that require scrupulous inspection and are imperceptible to the human eye.

Sekar Udayamurthy, CEO and Co-founder, of Jidoka Technologies, said, “We are indeed excited to introduce Fujin to the market, the advanced hardware unit in automated cognitive inspection space which is set to alter the way manufacturers approach quality control for detecting minute defects while helping them maintain highest quality standards.”  He further added, “Besides having a positive impact on product quality and customer satisfaction, Fujin will support manufacturers to gain a competitive edge with 100% visual inspection, faster processes, and a significant increase in throughput.”

The Why

Fujin, is an innovative development in the domain and is an end-to-end integrated unit with machine vision and automation to ensure the most complete image of the defined defect at a very high resolution.

Features

• Fujin is a two-axis table for end-of-line inspection where its motion can be designed to be used to move the product in front of the stationary camera or to move the camera across the length and width of the stationary component. The movement is also designed to ensure the highest resolution possible image is taken on a limited field of view on the component so that even very small defects on the order of 0.1 mm on a 500 mm large product can also be captured reliably.
• It can be leveraged by the electronics industry for printed circuit boards, the automobile industry for airbags inspection in addition to machine tools inspection, and in the textile industry as well.
• This unit is customized to the product type, complexity in shape, size, nature of defects, and production volume, and fits in seamlessly on the production line – for in-process as well as end-of-line inspections.
• Depending on the component size and the requirements, Fujin can detect defects and anomalies in products with a speed of 3 to 5 parts per minute – and an accuracy rate of at least 98%.

Cloud: AI-powered platform to revolutionize enterprise hiring, talent management, internal mobility, & workforce planning

iMocha, a SkillsTech platform launched its Skills Intelligence Cloud, an AI-powered platform to revolutionize enterprise hiring, talent management, internal mobility, and workforce planning processes. This innovative solution provides HR and business leaders with real-time access to skills data across their organization, enabling them to forecast, predict, and effectively address skills gaps to build a future-proof organization.

“Skills are the new currency, and they are also transforming at a rapid pace. For businesses to stay ahead of the curve, they need to harness their organization’s skills data on a real-time basis,” said Amit Mishra, Founder & CEO of iMocha. “By capturing skills data at the most granular level and layering it with AI, our Skills Intelligence Cloud will revolutionize people analytics and skills-gap analysis, empowering enterprises to stay prepared for future and technological disruptions.”

According to Sujit Karpe, the CTO & Co-founder of iMocha, “The Skills Intelligence Cloud empowers CHROs and business leaders to adopt a skills-first approach and is specifically designed for organizations that prioritize continuous learning, employee development, and data-driven decision-making.”

The Why

The launch of iMocha’s Skills Intelligence Cloud comes amidst the rising global call for a skills-first approach to talent management. The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Report on Putting Skills First has recently revealed that over 100 million individuals could directly benefit from such a shift. The report also estimates that by 2030, a skills gap could leave 85 million jobs unfilled globally, leading to a staggering $8.5 trillion in unrealized annual revenues.

Responding to this pressing need, iMocha’s AI-powered Skills Intelligence Cloud transforms each job role and employee into skills profiles with a precise set of proficiencies, enabling CHROs to develop industry-specific skills taxonomies and ontologies for their organization. Leveraging a combination of multi-channel skills validation and AI-inferred models, iMocha empowers organizations to create a workforce that is well-equipped for the future.

Features

• Effective talent management, recruitment, and retention strategies with data-driven decisions
• Future proof organization with strategic workforce planning; with a clear understanding of the organization’s skills landscape, HR can strategically plan for future needs.
• Increased employee engagement and retention: by understanding and focusing on the skills of the employees, organizations can create personalized development programmes, leading to increased employee engagement and retention.
• HR can plan training and reskilling programmes more effectively by having a real-time view of an organization’s skills inventory. It gives a comprehensive view of the available skills, skill gaps, demand vs supply of skills, and areas for development.
• Improved hiring efficiency: availability of a clear skills taxonomy and ontology improves hiring efficiency by quickly identifying the skills needed in potential hires. This leads to a shorter time-to-hire and better quality of hires.

Cybersecurity: An advanced network detection and response solution

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC., a provider of enterprise performance management, carrier service assurance, cybersecurity, and DDoS protection solutions, announced its next-generation Omnis Cyber Intelligence (OCI) solution. OCI is an advanced network detection and response (NDR) solution that uses highly scalable deep packet inspection (DPI) and multiple threat detection methods at the source of packet capture to detect threats in real time and allows historical investigation of high-fidelity network metadata and packets. 

“For enterprise-level organizations to reach Zero Trust maturity, comprehensive network visibility is essential,” said John Grady, principal analyst for network security at TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group. “Security analysts can no longer rely solely on traditional network perimeter or endpoint defenses. Insight at the packet level is required to verify compliance with new security standards as network edges blur. NETSCOUT’s unique source of high-fidelity network metadata and deep integrations throughout the cybersecurity ecosystem combine to make Omnis Cyber Intelligence a compelling solution for efficient detection, investigation, and analysis of threats as they move across highly distributed and complex modern-day networked infrastructure.”

“As cyberattacks continue to grow more sophisticated and numerous, organizations need greater visibility into their networks and higher fidelity data to quickly catch and mitigate attacks before they have a chance to spread and inflict serious damage,” said Sanjay Munshi, senior vice president, product management, NETSCOUT. “Based on customer input, our engineers have worked hard to build a more advanced network detection and response (NDR) solution that makes organizations’ security stacks more effective, supported by deep integrations with leading vendors like Splunk, Palo Alto Networks, and AWS. Additionally, customers can now export and use our high-fidelity network data to improve the accuracy of their AI/ML-based threat detection algorithms.”

The Why

In the face of rising cyber threats, OCI provides security teams with real-time packet-level visibility across their digital infrastructure. It helps identify threats earlier in the attack life cycle and quickens investigations by gathering network-based forensic evidence to reduce the Mean Time to Response (MTTR). OCI is a valuable tool for verifying the effectiveness and improving the existing cybersecurity ecosystem, ensuring compliance, and lowering the risk of successful cyberattacks.

Features

• Hierarchical threat detection that combines ML-based behavioral analysis, threat intelligence, intrusion detection signatures, and continuous attack surface monitoring to detect threats at scale with higher confidence.
• A new security event dashboard with mappings to the MITRE ATT&CK® framework that reduces the time needed for security operations center (SOC) teams to triage alerts and conduct more efficient threat analysis.
• Enhanced data optimization and export capabilities that improve and reduce the cost of integration into existing security ecosystems such as Splunk, Palo Alto Networks, or custom data lakes.

HealthTech: Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) therapy service

Tulasi Healthcare, a mental well-being platform launched its latest Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) therapy service. This therapy aims to provide effective treatment for individuals facing treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

“We are excited to offer a transformative solution for individuals battling treatment-resistant depression, a challenge that has been daunting for many. With our non-invasive brain stimulation technique, approved by regulatory authorities, we are determined to provide patients with an effective path towards recovery. Our team of expert psychiatrists and clinical psychologists is committed to delivering compassionate care and personalized treatment plans, ensuring that each patient receives the support they need to overcome TRD and achieve lasting mental well-being. At Tulasi Healthcare, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to lead a productive and happy life, and our dTMS therapy service stands as a beacon of hope for those in need” said Dr. Gorav Gupta, Co-founder of Tulasi Healthcare and Emoneeds.

The Why

dTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique approved by regulatory authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for the treatment of depression, specifically for individuals with TRD. Treatment-resistant depression is a form of depression that does not respond adequately to standard treatments, such as antidepressant medications and psychotherapy.

dTMS therapy works by delivering repetitive magnetic pulses to target specific brain regions, such as the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inducing neuroplastic changes that enhance neural circuit connectivity and mood regulation. This advanced form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown promising results in treating treatment-resistant OCD and depression.

Features

Since its launch in July 2023, Tulasi Healthcare has successfully treated 4 patients with treatment-resistant depression. The emotional and mental-wellness platform aims to expand its reach and impact, with plans to treat 50 patients per month. Each dTMS session lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes, and the total number of sessions may vary depending on the prescribed treatment protocol, lasting up to 4-6 weeks or up to 12 weeks in some cases.

The comprehensive approach of Tulasi Healthcare allows for the integration of dTMS with other treatment modalities, such as antidepressant medications or psychotherapy, tailored to meet the specific needs and treatment goals of each patient. By combining dTMS with other therapies, Tulasi Healthcare aims to provide a holistic and personalized treatment plan that maximizes the chances of a successful recovery.