Posts Tagged 'Technology'

deeplocal Chalkbot to Make a Mark at the Tour de France

The world’s greatest bike race kicks off this weekend and Pittsburgh tech company deeplocal is making it more interactive with its Chalkbot.

Yes, the Tour de France starts on July 4 :-) and now you can text a  message to be written on the roads of the Tour’s many stages. It’s all part of Nike LIVESTRONG and Lance Armstrong’s on-going cancer awareness campaign.

Click here to see how it works. deeplocal CEO Nathan Martin says the Chalkbot is receiving about 200 texts a day so far. The road is open. What will you say?

Tell PA Legislators What You Think About the State Budget

Governor Ed Rendell has proposed some serious business tax increases for next year’s State Budget. Despite receiving billions of dollars in federal economic stimulus funding, he’s still proposing a big  increase that will directly impact Pennsylvania technology companies.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council has made it easy to tell your elected officials what you think through our enhanced government relations section of our Web site.

Click hear to have your voice heard! Power to the people!

Quality of Life Technology Center Enters New Collaboration

Carnegie Mellon’s Quality of Life Technology Center (QoLT) entered into a collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh and TravellingWave, a deveoper of next-generation multimodal input technology, to develop advanced speech solutions for products – including robotic mobility assistants – for the elderly and disabled.

The CMU and U. of Pittsburgh teams will collaborate with TravellingWave under a grant-award provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Small Business Investigation Research (SBIR) supplemental awards program. 

TravellingWave’s VoicePredict™ product – which combines voice recognition with text prediction- enables users to switch between keyboard input and speech input with near-100% task-completion accuracy. 

Dr. Daniel P. Siewiorek, director of the CMU Human-Computer Interaction Institute who heads up the QoLT research in Human-System Interaction, will direct the work on the project, which marks the first commercial integration for TravellingWave’s VoicePredict.  VoicePredict will release a beta version of its product in the coming months.

MAYA Makes the Pages of Fast Company

Local tech companies have been a roll lately garnering the national spotlight.

ClearCount was profiled in Time Magazine last week and now MAYA Design has made it into Fast Company. It’s a tight profile of the company and how it has pioneered intelligent design. It also details the launch of  MAYA’s Luma Institute, which is teaching its human-centered design to other organizations.  Read the whole thing right here.

Breaking News: Vivisimo Names John M. Kealey CEO and Kevin E. Calderwood President

This news just in from Vivisimo!

The company today announced that John M. Kealey and Kevin E. Calderwood have joined the company as its respective CEO and president, effective immediately. Former CEO and co-founder Raul Valdes-Perez will become executive chairman.

Kealey and Calderwood each brings two decades of executive management experience across a variety of technologies and markets. Both will serve on Vivisimo’s board of directors.

“I am truly excited to join Vivisimo at a time when both its market and sales are growing rapidly,” Kealey said. “Vivisimo’s products and services enable companies that struggle with explosive growth in their electronic information to gain real value from this data. Vivisimo has built a strong foundation for success by bringing award-winning innovative solutions to market quickly, capturing leadership spots in independent industry analyst reports and landing marquis accounts such as Procter & Gamble, Airbus, the U.S. Air Force, USA.gov and LexisNexis. I look forward to building on these successes in moving the company forward to take advantage of the strong market demand for enterprise search.”

“After nine consecutive years of growth and a loyal customer base that spans markets and geographies, Vivisimo’s potential couldn’t be greater,” Calderwood said. “I’ve worked for many companies over the years, but none have had this perfect storm combination of the right product with a hungry, growing market and, of course, the right people. The opportunity here is remarkable.”

Formerly serving Vivisimo on its advisory board, Kealey is an experienced senior executive with more than 25 years in the communications and information technology industries. He is the former president and CEO of iDirect Technologies, which he helped grow to more than $120 million in annual revenue when it was acquired by Singapore Technologies. For a full bio on Kealey, visit http://vivisimo.com/about/management.

Calderwood was a founder and managing partner of Amp Capital Partners, a venture capital firm based in Reston, Va., and Palo Alto, Calif. Calderwood served in executive management for two Amp Capital portfolio companies and as the chairman of the board of iDirect Technologies. Calderwood served in executive and management positions at the Baan Company and at the Oracle Corporation during their early years of explosive growth. For a full bio, visit http://vivisimo.com/about/management.

“John is the perfect leader for Vivisimo. His technology background, strong management experience and knowledge of Vivisimo’s culture and operations will help take us to a new, outstanding phase of corporate growth and market leadership,” said Valdes-Perez, the company’s CEO for the past nine years. “John and Kevin Calderwood both have a distinguished record of accomplishment in a variety of executive roles in successful technology companies. They’ve worked closely together for many years and have proven themselves to be a formidable team.”

Valdes-Perez co-founded Vivisimo in 2000 and was a 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the North Central Region. Before Vivisimo he was on the research faculty at Carnegie Mellon University’s computer science department, where he earned a doctorate in computer science in 1991.

New Director Named

In addition to the executive changes, Vivisimo has added Phil Carrai to its board of directors. Currently executive vice president of the $100 million IT solutions group for Kratos Defense, Inc., Carrai has more than 20 years’ experience in technology businesses, ranging from enterprise software and service to mobile media and Internet infrastructure. Carrai has served in leadership roles with Ai Metrix, General Atlantic, the Morino Group, McCabe and Associates and Legent Corporation. As a member of the board of directors, Carrai will play a strategic role in the company’s vision and execution of its business and growth goals.

Carrai joins Kealey, Calderwood, Valdes-Perez, Vivisimo Chief Scientist Jerome Pesenti and North Atlantic Capital’s Mark Morrissette on the board, after having served Vivisimo on its advisory board for more than a year.

“I am looking forward to working closely with John, Kevin and Phil and the rest of the Vivisimo team, as we work together to fulfill our ambition of making enterprise search as ubiquitous in the workplace as web search is in the home,” Valdes-Perez said. “I can’t imagine a more capable team to lead the company into the future.”

Digital Technologies Media Mixer Showcases Pittsburgh’s Coolest Tech Outfits

Last night, Techburgher was at the Digital Technologies Media Mixer at Vivisimo’s headquarters in Squirrel Hill. The event was sponsored by the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance to give local technology companies exposure to national press. Among the handful of publications were Scientific American and Computer World to name a few.

Presenting companies included DynaVox, Astrobotic Technology, BPL Global, QuantaPoint and Vivisimo.

Each company gave a 10-minute presentation of their operations, technology and competitive advantage. It was fascinating to see such a diversity of technologies all under a single roof. From medical devices to robotic moon rovers to energy and search, the entire tech gamut was in the house.

The media appeared pleasantly engaged with the presentations and Pittsburgh’s overall scene. Hats off to the PRA for organizing and Vivisimo for being such a gracious host.

Pittsburgh Technology News Round Up

We’re on fire here at the old Techburgher. News keeps coming off the grill hot and tasty. Here are some excellent news bites ready for your consumption. Pass the ketchup!

MADGETECH INC. INTRODUCES  HITEMP150-TSK, HIGH TEMPERATURE LOGGER AND THERMAL SHIELD

The recent nationwide recall of salmonella tainted nut products created a demand for devices that thoroughly monitor nut processing to ensure the quality of the final product.

In response to the demand, MadgeTech developed the HiTemp150-TSK, a logging system which includes a HiTemp150 data logger and thermal shield. The system was designed to monitor and record the extreme temperatures required in peanut processing. The HiTemp150-TSK is fully submersible, and can withstand temperatures in air up to 150ºC indefinitely, 200ºC for 45 minutes, and 250ºC for 32 minutes. Although the HiTemp150-TSK was designed for nut processes such as dry blanching and oil roasting, it is versatile, and can be used in other applications such as meat processing, food processing, autoclave validation and conveyor oven monitoring.

ELLIANCE NABS IMA AWARD

Elliance has been recognized as an IMA Top 10 Agency of the year.  Over 500 agencies submitted their best work to Interactive Media Awards in 2008, and the agencies having the highest scoring evaluations, in addition to other scoring factors, were honored for their award winning web design. The IMA recognize the highest standards of excellence in website design and development and honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievement.
In 2008, sites designed by Elliance were named ‘Best in Class’ in the non-profit, school, manufacturing and university categories. The Best in Class award is the highest honor bestowed by the IMA. It represents the very best in planning, execution and overall professionalism.

ANSYS RELEASES SIWAVE 4.0

ANSYS, Inc., a global innovator of simulation software and technologies designed to optimize product development processes,  announced the latest release of SIwave™ software. Part of the Ansoft family of products, version 4.0 of this technology includes new features for signal-integrity, power-integrity and electromagnetic compatibility testing. It includes numerous enhancements including an improved desktop graphical user interface with new post-processing of results, solver enhancements that provide accurate solutions beyond 10 Gb/s, and automation that links SIwave electromagnetics with circuit simulation using Ansoft Designer® and Nexxim®. Additionally, a new link between electromagnetics and thermal analysis has been created for board and package thermal effects via ANSYS® Icepak® software. The link enables accurate characterization of additional heating due to copper-resistive losses that engineers have previously estimated or ignored completely.

YINZCAM MAKES NETWORK WORLD MAGAZINE

YinzCam has revolutionized the way hockey fans watch the game. The world champion Pittsburgh Penguins implemented the technology this past season to heighten its fans’ experience. Seems like Network World has taken notice and wrote a sweet article about its development and roots with Carnegie Mellon University. Read the article right here.

CARNEGIE LEARNING RELEASES NEW COGNITIVE TUTOR SOFTWARE

Carnegie Learning, Inc., a  publisher of innovative, research-based math solutions for middle school, high school, and post-secondary students, today released the 2009-2010 version of the Cognitive Tutor® Math Software which focuses on empowering teachers to integrate technology flexibly and effectively into their core curriculum and intervention implementations. The 2009-2010 release is available immediately and includes enhancements to the company’s full suite of math software solutions — Cognitive Tutor® Bridge to Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.

ClearCount Makes the Pages of Time Magazine

It’s always so freaking cool when a Pittsburgh-based technology company gets some major national/international ink. It’s not only great for the company, but the entire region, too!

ClearCount’s SmartSponge system was profiled in the latest edition of Time Magazine. Get the details right here.

While you’re at it, check out the news regarding ClearCount’s introduction of the industry’s first Never Event Warranty (NEW). Gotta love clever acronyms!

G-20 Brainstorming Sessions Set for Next Week

The upcoming G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh on September 24-25, 2009 is an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the ‘new America’ to the leaders of the world economy.  Pittsburgh today is a model for economic and environmental transformation in the United States and elsewhere.

The clock is ticking, and it’s time to get to work. The region has a long and successful history of public-private partnerships in Pittsburgh. Together, we’re building another to get ready for the G-20. There’s a call to Pittsburgh-area businesses, foundations, health care, cultural, educational and hospitality institutions to contribute their resources to welcome the world.

Three brainstorming sessions across the county are planned in the coming days. Your participation is vital.

Click here for all of the details.

Don’t Miss Pittsburgh’s Premier Art and Technology Event on 6/18/09

The 2009 Annual Art + Technology Exhibition Opening Event is upon us. Partnering this year with The Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh’s exclusive James Gallery, the event promises to be one like never before.

To celebrate Pittsburgh’s status as one of the foremost Robotic centers on the globe, the 15 Minutes Gallery has collaborated with CREATE Lab  to present The BURGHBot Project — a collection of ten robotic, interactive art pieces, designed by selected artists throughout the East Coast.

In addition, the exhibition features work from 36 of the region’s finest artists in both traditional and new media, as well as presentations from tech companies including: Etcetera Edutainment’s Crowdplay; deeplocal’s artist-in-residence T. Foley’s Locally Toned; and Art Energy Design’s Power Flower, the region’s first 12’ tall sustainable energy technology public art sculpture.

To add to the excitement the Council is giving away two “Essential Pittsburgh Arts Prize Packages” to folks who register in advance for the event. This raffle prize  includes complimentary tickets to Pittsburgh’s most illustrious Arts venues including — Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, The Mattress Factory, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Quantum Theatre, The Pittsburgh Ballet, Pittsburgh Filmmakers and the Pittsburgh Public Theatre — a package valued at over $300!

Add that all up and mix it together with live Jazz music, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and you have all the makings for a great night of creativity and innovation in Pittsburgh.

EVENT DETAILS:
Thursday, June 18, 2009
5:30 – 7:30 PM

Pittsburgh Technology Council’s 15 Minutes Gallery
2000 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15219

COST: $10 for Council Members / $15 for Non-Members [Free Parking]

Click Here to Register
and Be Eligible to Win an
“Essential Pittsburgh Arts Prize Package”!

www.15minutesgallery.org.

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