This month in technology: Amazon’s green pledge and Vodafone’s AR glasses

Vodafone unveils multi-tech glasses

Mobile giant Vodafone has unveiled a pair of glasses which deliver augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) capabilities by using new 5G technology.

In partnership with Chinese technology firm Nreal, the new glasses are compatible with Android devices and will allow users to browse the web, watch video content and enjoying gaming experiences.

The glasses also boast a widescreen viewing feature which is comparable to a portable IMAX screen and will allow users to use three apps simultaneously.

Vodafone and Nreal are also working together to develop specific AR and MR apps ahead of the rollout of the glasses in Germany and Spain in 2021.

Phil Patel, Vodafone group director for products and services, said: “Nreal Light is a breakthrough product and we are excited to announce that Vodafone is bringing Nreal’s cutting-edge glasses to Europe.”

Chi Xu, Nreal CEO, added: “European consumers will be able to experience the future through Nreal Light. They’ll enjoy a new way to see and interact with their favourite apps in a 3D mixed reality environment on Vodafone’s 5G network.”

Hyundai invests in robotics firm

Hyundai has agreed to buy an 80% stake in robotics firm Boston Dynamics in a deal which values the firm at $1.1bn (GBP).

The automotive group with acquire the stake from SoftBank Group Corp. which will leave the Japanese firm with a 20% minority share in the company.

SoftBank initially purchased Boston Dynamics from Google in 2017, after the Alphabet-owned group took control in 2013.

Hyundai has already indicated its intention to expand its presence in the humanoid robot market, in addition to the existing use of robotics on the production line.

The South Korean firm, which has a market cap of $20.1bn, has also developed robotic exoskeletons that aim to help ease fatigue and prevent injuries among factory workers.

In a joint statement, Hyundai, SoftBank and Boston Dynamics said: “The combination of the highly complementary technologies of Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics, and the continued partnership of SoftBank, will propel development and commercialisation of advanced robots.”

Green-fingered giant

Amazon has confirmed that it will financially back 26 new wind and solar energy projects across the globe.

As part of the company’s renewable energy commitment, Amazon will support projects in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Sweden, the UK and the US.

The 26 projects would have the capacity to produce up to 3.4 gigawatts, the equivalent power of more than 330 million LED bulbs.

Although financial details have not been disclosed, the deal means that Amazon will become the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy, surpassing Google.

The project is part of Amazon’s drive to ensure its operations are powered by renewable energy by 2025, and to become fully carbon neutral by 2040.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO, said: “Amazon is helping fight climate change by moving quickly to power our businesses with renewable.”

UK to reenergise regulation

The UK government is set to introduce a unit dedicated to regulating the largest technology companies operating in the country.

The Digital Markets Unit, which will operate within the Competition and Markets Authority, will work with the likes of Ofcom to develop a code of conduct which all major tech companies will need to adhere to.

The unit will begin work in April 2021, and has been tasked with providing more transparency across tech platforms and supporting smaller technology firms against larger conglomerates.

Oliver Dowden, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, said: “I’m unashamedly pro-tech and the services of digital platforms are positively transforming the economy – bringing huge benefits to businesses, consumers and society.

“But there is growing consensus in the UK and abroad that the concentration of power among a small number of tech companies is curtailing growth of the sector, reducing innovation and having negative impacts on the people and businesses that rely on them. It’s time to address that and unleash a new age of tech growth,” he added.

Under attack

US federal agencies have suffered from a cyber-attack which may have let foreign powers monitor government communications.

The treasury and commerce departments were both attacked, with the government’s cyber-security firm FireEye stating it had uncovered an issue after its own hacking tools had been stolen.

All US federal agencies were told to disconnect from SolarWinds Orion, the computer network that the branches operate on.

Sources close to the story told Reuters that Russia was believed to be behind the attack, allegations which the Russian foreign minister labelled as “baseless”.

US National Security Council official John Ullyot said the US was “taking all necessary steps to identify and remedy any possible issues related to this situation”.