SDAIA, Samsung Sign MoU to Explore Localization of Digital Technologies, Innovations

SDAIA signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Electronics Co. Limited to explore the localization of digital technologies and innovations. (SPA)
SDAIA signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Electronics Co. Limited to explore the localization of digital technologies and innovations. (SPA)
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SDAIA, Samsung Sign MoU to Explore Localization of Digital Technologies, Innovations

SDAIA signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Electronics Co. Limited to explore the localization of digital technologies and innovations. (SPA)
SDAIA signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Electronics Co. Limited to explore the localization of digital technologies and innovations. (SPA)

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) signed on Wednesday memorandum of understanding with Samsung Electronics Co. Limited to explore the localization of digital technologies and innovations.

The signing ceremony took place during SDAIA's participation in the third edition of the LEAP 2024 technological conference in Riyadh.

The MoU was signed on behalf of SDAIA by the Assistant Director of the National Information Center for the Tawakkalna Saleh bin Salem Musaibah and by Hyun-Dong Lee, the General Manager of Samsung Saudi Electronics Limited.

Cooperation aspects of the memorandum include automatically adding Tawakkalna system applications to all Samsung devices in the Kingdom and providing training services and workshops on the latest technologies used in application development.

Also at LEAP 2024, SDAIA signed an MoU with PwC Middle East to conduct experiments and research on the latest AI technologies.

In addition, SDAIA will create models specifically designed for the Arabic language to establish an advanced virtual laboratory for AI and a generative AI experiments center (GenAI).

CEO of Business Development Raed bin Faleh Al-Faleh signed on behalf of SDAIA, while General Manager Fadi Al-Qamati signed on behalf of PwC Middle East.



Tesla Plans Four New Batteries in 2026, Including for Robotaxi

FILE PHOTO: A staff member attends to customers inside a Tesla Model Y car at a showroom of the US electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A staff member attends to customers inside a Tesla Model Y car at a showroom of the US electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
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Tesla Plans Four New Batteries in 2026, Including for Robotaxi

FILE PHOTO: A staff member attends to customers inside a Tesla Model Y car at a showroom of the US electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A staff member attends to customers inside a Tesla Model Y car at a showroom of the US electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo

Tesla plans to design four new versions of its in-house battery to power the Cybertruck, its forthcoming robotaxi and other electric vehicles, the Information reported on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of its plans.

The Elon Musk-led firm currently sources most of its EV batteries from other companies, including Panasonic Energy and LG Energy but has been trying to ramp up production of its 4680 battery cells in the United States to lower costs and boost margins.

The development of the 4680 battery has been facing troubles, with the company losing 70% to 80% of the cathodes in test production compared with conventional battery makers, which lose fewer than 2% of their components to manufacturing defects, the report said.

Cathodes, a key part of the battery, helps in creating energy that propels an EV, Reuters reported.

The company has also been trying to scale production of dry-coated version of the 4680 cells but has been struggling with the speed at which they can make the batteries, Reuters had reported last year.

Tesla is planning to introduce the dry cathodes in Cybertruck batteries by the middle of next year, the Information report said, adding that the company plans to make between 2,000 and 3,000 Cybertrucks a week using the dry-coating technology.

By 2026, Tesla plans to introduce four versions of the 4680 that use the dry cathode, one of which, code-named NC05, will power the robotaxi, according to the report.

The EV maker is expected to unveil its long-awaited robotaxi product next week as it looks to shift its focus to AI-powered autonomous technology amid slowing demand for battery-powered cars.