Startups show off ocean-preserving tech at Paris trade fair
Harnessing ocean currents to boost fuel efficiency of vessels, or tracking whales using sensor data and AI --
startups
at Paris trade fair
Vivatech
have been showing off the latest innovations aimed at protecting the environment.
Recently developed AI programs capable of learning from vast datasets have boosted projects trying to understand and predict real-world phenomena, several company founders told AFP.
"We have to use AI because in the natural world there are too many variables" to deal with manually, said Emily Charry Tissier, a biologist and founder of Canadian startup Whale Seeker, which is developing technology to track sea mammals.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
Powered by "neural network" systems that ape the functioning of the human brain, the learning systems behind today's AI models "can calculate a weather forecast 1,000 times faster than a standard digital model running on a supercomputer", agreed oceanographer Alexandre Stegner.
He flagged an AI model developed by his firm, Amphitrite, that he said could predict ocean currents by crunching "several layers of satellite data corresponding to different physical variables".
Live Events
It can forecast currents up to 10 days in advance, he said, offering sea captains "a simple way to save fuel" by slightly changing course and using currents to gain a speed boost of up to four knots.
Discover the stories of your interest
Blockchain
5 Stories
Cyber-safety
7 Stories
Fintech
9 Stories
E-comm
9 Stories
ML
8 Stories
Edtech
6 Stories
That could save operators money on fuel, reduce the carbon emissions from shipping, and avoid the classic solution of telling sea captains to reduce their speed.
Global protection push
Technologies like these were being shown off in the halls of Vivatech as the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) drew to a close hundreds of kilometres to the south in French Mediterranean city Nice.
The conference has pushed a treaty to protect 60% of the world's oceans closer to becoming law, with 55 signatures -- just five shy of the number required for its enactment.
New technologies could be "a very good thing" for the oceans, said Andre Abreu, International Affairs Director at the Paris-based Tara Ocean Foundation.
But he warned that innovation should not be harnessed to allow more fish to be caught.
"That would mean shooting ourselves in the foot" on goals like preserving marine biodiversity, he said.
That ambiguity can be seen in technology from OceanEyes, a Japanese startup using AI analysis of satellite data to predict sea conditions.
The company hopes to cut the time fishing boats spend tracking down a catch.
"A big problem in Japan is the efficiency of the fishery operations. Many fishers spend a lot of time searching for fish in the water," said boss Yusuke Tanaka.
With less fuel burnt, operators will save money and greenhouse emissions can be slashed.
Anticipating concerns about overfishing, OceanEyes said it also aimed to help vessels comply with recently updated Japanese regulations that oblige fishers to "ensure sustainable use of marine resources".
'Can' vs 'should'
Whale Seeker's Tissier said technology could be used in a considered way to find sustainable solutions.
"I'd like the market to recognise its own limits -- not the limits of what we can do, but what we should do," she told AFP.
That attitude pushed her to refuse to work with a company that wanted to use whale detection to identify nearby fish to catch.
But startups cannot grow without funding and, in the context of oceans, investments are likely to come from big firms keen to make a saving -- from fishing and ship management companies to haulage and logistics giants.
This could well limit their ability to stand on principle.
Stegner called for "regulations that would push the maritime sector to reduce carbon emissions".
But Charry Tissier said the initiative could come from business.
"Technology is developing so much faster than regulation... what I'd like is for big companies to decide for themselves to be responsible," she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fred Smith, FedEx founder who revolutionised package delivery business, dies at 80
Fred Smith , the FedEx Corp. founder who revolutionised the express delivery industry , has died, the company said. He was 80. FedEx started operating in 1973, delivering small parcels and documents more quickly than the postal service. Over the next half-century, Smith, a Marine Corp. veteran, oversaw the growth of a company that became something of an economic bellwether because so many other companies rely on it. Memphis , Tennessee-based FedEx became a global transportation and logistics company that averages 17 million shipments per business day. Smith stepped down as CEO in 2022 but remained executive chairman. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Smith, a 1966 graduate of Yale University, used a business theory he came up with in college to create a delivery system based on coordinated air cargo flights centred on a main hub, a "hub and spokes" system, as it became known. The company also played a major role in the shift by American business and industry to a greater use of time-sensitive deliveries and less dependence on large inventories and warehouses. Live Events Smith once told The Associated Press that he came up with the name Federal Express because he wanted the company to sound big and important when in fact it was a start-up operation with a future far from assured. At the time, Smith was trying to land a major shipping contract with the Federal Reserve Bank that didn't work out. In the beginning, Federal Express had 14 small aircraft operating out of the Memphis International Airport flying packages to 25 US cities. Smith's father, also named Frederick, built a small fortune in Memphis with a regional bus line and other business ventures. Following college, Smith joined the US Marines and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He left the military as a captain in 1969 after two tours in Vietnam where he was decorated for bravery and wounds received in combat. He told The Associated Press in a 2023 interview that everything he did running FedEx came from his experience in the Marines, not what he learned at Yale. Getting Federal Express started was no easy task. Overnight shipments were new to American business and the company had to have a fleet of planes and a system of interconnecting air routes in place from the get-go. Though one of Memphis' best-known and most prominent citizens, Smith generally avoided the public spotlight, devoting his energies to work and family. Despite his low profile, Smith made a cameo appearance in the 2000 movie "Castaway" starring Tom Hanks. The movie was about a FedEx employee stranded on an island. "Memphis has lost its most important citizen, Fred Smith," said U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, citing Smith's support for everything from the University of Memphis to the city's zoo. "FedEx is the engine of our economy, and Fred Smith was its visionary founder. But more than that, he was a dedicated citizen who cared deeply about our city." Smith rarely publicized the donations he and his family made, but he agreed to speak with AP in 2023 about a gift to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation to endow a new scholarship fund for the children of Navy service members pursuing studies in STEM. "The thing that's interested me are the institutions and the causes not the naming or the recognition," Smith said at the time. Asked what it means to contribute to the public good, he replied: "America is the most generous country in the world. It's amazing the charitable contributions that Americans make every year. Everything from the smallest things to these massive health care initiatives and the Gates Foundation and everything in between," he said. "I think if you've done well in this country, it's pretty churlish for you not to at least be willing to give a pretty good portion of that back to the public interest. And all this is in the great tradition of American philanthropy."
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
5 Animals can live far longer than humans
When we think about long life, humans often come to mind, especially with ever-advancing medical progress pushing life expectancy further. But the animal world also has its own champions of a long lifespan, and some of them make our lifespans look short by comparison. These creatures are found everywhere, from the deepest oceans to remote islands, and they live quietly for centuries, outlasting generations of humans without anyone even noticing. But the question remains, what makes these animals so different? Some have these exceptionally long lifespans due to their slow metabolisms, others due to unique genetic traits or extreme environmental conditions. While humans may strive for longevity through diet, medicine, and exercise, nature has already achieved the art of aging gracefully, and that too in unexpected corners of the animal kingdom. Many of these animals show little to no signs of aging, and continue to survive well even in extreme old age. Here are some of the longest living animals that outlive human beings Rougheye rockfish The rougheye rockfish, which is native to the North Pacific, is one of the longest-living fish species on Earth. It can live up to 205 years, according to research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This deep-sea fish lives in cold, oxygen-rich waters, which help slow its metabolism and aging process. Its longevity is a result of living in stable, low-predator environments. Despite being relatively unknown, this pinkish fish is a living reminder that the ocean still holds ancient secrets. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ofertas Hotel PortAventura PortAventura World Compra ahora Undo Bowhead whale The bowhead whale is a true Arctic legend, not just for its massive size, but for its exceptional lifespan of over 200 years. One individual was even discovered with a harpoon embedded in its body from the 1800s. According to studies by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, bowheads age incredibly slowly and have unique DNA repair capabilities. These whales live in icy waters, which is a possible reason for their long lives by lowering stress and cellular damage. They are among the longest-living mammals on Earth. Scarlet koi fish Koi fish are often seen in ornamental ponds, but some varieties, especially scarlet koi, are famous for their age-defying lives. While most koi live 25–35 years, a legendary scarlet koi named Hanako reportedly lived 226 years, as confirmed by scale testing at a Japanese university. Though this is exceptional, it shows koi can live far longer than expected under ideal conditions. Their slow metabolism, stress-free environment, and minimal predators all contribute to their long lifespans in captivity. Aldabra giant tortoise The Aldabra giant tortoise, native to the Seychelles, is famous for its long, slow life. These tortoises can live over 150 years, with some reports of individuals reaching 200. One tortoise named Adwaita was believed to have lived over 250 years in an Indian zoo. Their slow metabolism, herbivorous diet, and relaxed lifestyle allow them to age at a glacial pace. They also have few natural predators, especially in controlled environments, helping them enjoy incredibly long lives. Escarpia laminata This deep-sea tubeworm may not look quite beautiful, but it's one of the oldest living creatures ever recorded. Escarpia laminata, found near hydrothermal vents in the Gulf of Mexico, can live for over 300 years. According to a 2017 study published in Nature, some specimens were estimated to be more than 300 years old, this is because of their low-energy lifestyle and stable habitat. Their bodies grow extremely slowly, and they reproduce late, making their long lifespan an adaptation to deep-sea life.
Indian Express
35 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Can't think of any postgraduate who hasn't been absorbed into some industry by end of course': asst prof at SPPU's Department of Foreign Languages
Written by Kavyaa Musurkar At the Department of Foreign Languages in Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), learning a new language is no longer just a leisurely pursuit. Over the years, the department has seen a shift in its student profile – from hobbyists to working professionals, students to senior citizens, all looking to boost their employability and global mobility. 'The demand keeps changing – some years it's one language, other years it's another,' said Dr Nandita Wagle, Assistant Professor, who has been teaching French and is associated with the department since 2013. 'During admissions, especially after Class 10 or 12, nearly all languages see demand, except perhaps Russian. However, in Pune, French, German, and Japanese continue to draw the most interest,' she added. The diversity of the department's student body reflects its growing relevance. Wagle mentioned that while most of those undergoing the various courses are students, they also have a substantial number of working professionals; in fact, many of the learners are above 50. 'Most professionals join because they view the course as an opportunity to enhance or even reshape their careers,' she said. In 1995, while working with Datapro Infoworld after completing his Computer Engineering from Pune Institute of Computer Technology (PICT), Pramod Karanjkar enrolled in the department's Japanese language part-time course. 'I was fortunate to be taught by Dr Hari Damale Sensei, who not only taught us the language but also shared his cultural experiences from Japan. He helped us understand the nuances of the language and the values behind it,' Karanjkar said. During his course, he was offered a position as a Bilingual Engineer in the Japan-focused division of Datamatics Ltd. 'Within six months, I was interacting with a Japanese client who visited India. Soon after, I flew to Japan for a new project. The education I received, both language and culture, helped me take that leap. I eventually got the opportunity to lead a dedicated Japan Offshore Development Centre in Pune,' he added. In the same batch as Karanjkar was Dattatray Sadashiv Warunkar, then in his 40s, who completed all three levels of the Japanese course between 1997 and 1999. He also credited Damale's teaching for shaping his understanding of the Japanese language and values. 'We got the chance to interact with many native Japanese speakers who visited the department. Through conversations with them, I learned so much about their discipline, dedication, humility, and above all, their love for their country. These are qualities I think Indian citizens can benefit from adopting,' he said. Warunkar went on to serve as Vice President of the Japanese Language Teachers' Association of Pune (JALTAP) for 15 years after completing the course. He fondly recalled how being in the classroom with younger students gave him a fresh outlook on life. 'I loved talking with them. They had so much energy and joy. It inspired me to take life lightly, to laugh more, and live happily. I learned as much from the students around me as I did from the curriculum,' he added. The department has adapted its curriculum and teaching methods in step with changing times. 'Our courses are updated regularly,' Wagle said, adding that 'Post-Covid, many classes moved online. We now run hybrid batches. Faculty members are trained in digital teaching tools utilising smart boards, online textbooks, and other resources. Students also have the option of choosing between paper and e-book formats.' She explained that language education today is deeply connected with real-world career needs. 'Earlier, people came to learn a language out of cultural interest. Today, it's seen as a skill that adds value to any career path,' she said, adding that 'for many, it opens doors to opportunities abroad, or adds a global edge to their current profession.' 'Teaching and translation are traditional options, but many also work in management, localisation, verification services, or with embassies and consulates,' Wagle further said. 'With the way the economy has opened up, language learners can find employment in a variety of roles. I can't think of a single postgraduate who hasn't been absorbed into some industry or the other by the end of the course,' she added. (Kavyaa Masurkar is an intern with The Indian Express)
