Amazon officially launches in Australia, Starbucks is integrating AR, and more
Cutting-edge innovations
Japan Airlines funds US supersonic aviation startup [Wall Street Journal]
Japan Airlines has invested US$10 million in Boom Technology, a US-based startup that wants to build a faster-than-sound airliner that can reportedly fly 48 passengers from Tokyo from the US’s West Coast in about five hours.
A one-third scale version is expected to start flight tests in late 2018.
Groove X, the developer of SoftBank’s robot, raises up to US$56.7 million for new project [Nikkei Asia Review]
The developer of SoftBank’s Pepper robot, Groove X, has raised US$56 million through a private share placement.
It will use the funds to develop a new robot called Lovot, which is a home-use robot that can provide companionship and comfort to people.
Starbucks opens reserve roastery that has AR tech [Business Wire]
Starbucks has opened a 30,000 sq ft Reserve Roastery that will feature Starbucks’ first augmented reality (AR) experience – accessible through the custom-designed Roastery digital web-app platform or on Alibaba’s Taobao app.
Using the AR-powered app, customers can share details of the coffee bars and brewing methods online as they walk through the Roastery, as well as unlock virtual badges to earn a custom Roastery filter to commemorate the moment and share on social media.
Fintech news
Indonesia launches national payment gateway [e27]
Bank Indonesia has launched the national payment gateway (NPG) as part of the e-commerce roadmap series.
NPG is a system built by the central bank to actualise interconnectedness between switchings, as well as interoperability of the national payment system. The general public will be able to conduct cashless transaction easily at a more affordable cost.
The other goal of the implementation of NPG is to increase consumer protection by securing data from each transaction.
Philippines mulling regulations for ICOs [Bloomberg]
As Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrencies grow in accessibility and prominence globally, the Philippines government is looking at regulating these transactions.
The country’s central bank is in talks with the nation’s Securities and Exchange Commission on this matter.
“The SEC is concerned about possible unlicensed investment-taking activity or otherwise selling of investment contracts in the guise of so-called cryptocurrencies via a so-called initial coin offering,” said Commissioner Ephyro Amatong.
Filipinos are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin to remit money as it is both cheaper and quicker than going through a traditional remittance company.
Other news
Amazon officially launches in Australia [CNBC]
Amazon has officially launched its operations in Australia, with the opening of a distribution warehouse in Melbourne’s outskirts.
Free shipping will be offered for purchases over AUD 49 (US$38).
The launch of Amazon Australia has, however, been lukewarm owing to its limited product offerings and uncompetitive prices.
Two Singapore Airbnb hosts charged with illegal home-sharing [e27]
Two Airbnb hosts are in the hot soup for renting out homes for short-term stays illegally in Singapore — the first of such a case in the country (that involved Airbnb users).
Also Read: Japan’s legalisation of Airbnb is an embarrassment for Singapore
They are facing four charges each for leasing out four condominium units, or private flats, to tenants under six months.
For their offences, the hosts face a fine of up to S$200,000 (US$149,000).
Google leads US$12 million round in Dunzo [VCCircle]
Task management platform Dunzo has raised US$12 million in a Series B round led by Google. Existing investors Aspada Investment Advisors and Blume Ventures also participated in the round.
The dunzo app, with its full stack approach, leverages both Artificial Intelligence and human operators in providing solutions for consumers’ everyday tasks.
“This can be buying groceries, picking up your dry cleaning, finding a plumber, buying medicine at 3 in the morning, or picking up a contract from your office and sending it to your lawyer. Our fleet of runners on the ground are all independent contractors, and they are responsible for getting almost all of our tasks done,” Biswas explained, in a previous interview with e27.
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Image Credit: Amazon
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