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TechCrunch Space: Relieving the load on the launch platform

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Welcome back to TechCrunch Space. Let’s jump in!

Want to pass on a tip? Email Aria at aria.techcrunch@gmail.com or text me on Signal at 512-937-3988. You also can send a note to the entire TechCrunch crew at Tips@techcrunch.com. For safer communicationclick here to contact us, which incorporates SecureDrop instructions and links to encrypted messaging apps.

This week we have now some very cool news from Hubble Networks, which was the first in history to attach a Bluetooth chip to a satellite. The startup has remained relatively low-key, but with this technology validation, it goals to expand and connect perhaps billions of Bluetooth-enabled devices.

One of Hubble’s satellites in a ground-based test chamber. Image credits: Hubble network

Slides and audio recordings from a non-public NASA meeting reveal the agency’s ambitious plans for the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Making these plans a reality is crucial for personal space firms including Rocket Lab, Northrop Grumman and others, and will reduce the density of launch pads on each coasts.

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus spacecraft will launch from Pad-0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Saturday, November 2, 2019, in Virginia. Image credits: NASA/Bill Ingalls

In The New York Times, Kenneth Chang describes how a bunch of scientists identified 27,500 newly discovered asteroids in the solar system, including about 100 “near-Earth” asteroids, those who fly in Earth’s orbit.

asteroid on its way to earth

Asteroid near Earth, computer graphics. Image credits: Science Photo Library – ANDRZEJ WOJCICKI / Getty Images

This week we glance to the future… On Monday, May 6 (today!), Boeing hopes to make history by carrying two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station for the first time in its Starliner capsule. The mission will launch at 10:34 p.m. ET.

God, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams! God, Starliner!

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. Image credits: NASA

This article was originally published on : techcrunch.com
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Revolut will introduce mortgage loans, smart ATMs and business lending products

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Revolutthe London-based fintech unicorn shared several elements of the corporate’s 2025 roadmap at a company event in London on Friday. One of the corporate’s important goals for next yr will be to introduce an AI-enabled assistant that will help its 50 million customers navigate financial apps, manage money and customize software.

Considering that artificial intelligence is at the middle of everyone’s attention, this move shouldn’t be surprising. But an AI assistant could actually help differentiate Revolut from traditional banking services, which have been slower to adapt to latest technologies.

When Revolut launched its app almost 10 years ago, many individuals discovered the concept of debit cards with real-time payment notifications. Users may lock the cardboard from the app.

Many banks now can help you control your card using your phone. However, they’re unlikely to supply AI features that might be useful yet.

In addition to the AI ​​assistant, Revolut announced that it will introduce branded ATMs to the market. These will end in money being spent (obviously), but in addition cards – which could encourage latest sign-ups.

Revolut said it plans so as to add facial recognition features to its ATMs in the longer term, which could help with authentication without using the same old card and PIN protocol. It will be interesting to see the way it implements this technology in a way that complies with European Union data protection regulations, which require explicit consent to make use of biometric data for identification purposes.

According to the corporate, Revolut ATMs will start appearing in Spain in early 2025.

Revolut has had a banking license in Europe for a while, which implies it may offer lending products to its retail customers. It already offers bank cards and personal loans in some countries.

Now the corporate plans to expand into mortgage loans – some of the popular lending products in Europe – with an emphasis on speed. If it’s an easy request, customers should generally expect immediate approval and a final offer inside one business day. However, mortgages are rarely easy, so it will be interesting to see if Revolut overpromises.

It appears that the mortgage market rollout will be slow. Revolut said it was starting in Lithuania, with Ireland and France expected to follow suit. Although all these premieres are scheduled for 2025.

Finally, Revolut intends to expand its business offering in Europe with its first loan products and savings accounts. In the payments space, it will enable business customers to supply “buy now, pay later” payment options.

Revolut will introduce Revolut kiosks with biometric payments especially for restaurants and stores.

If all these features seem overwhelming, it’s because Revolut is consistently committed to product development, rolling out latest features quickly. And 2025 looks no different.

This article was originally published on : techcrunch.com
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Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal is leaving PhonePe’s board

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Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal has stepped down three-quarters from PhonePe’s board after making an identical move on the e-commerce giant.

Bengaluru-based PhonePe said it has appointed Manish Sabharwal, executive director at recruitment and human resources firm Teamlease, as an independent director and chairman of the audit committee.

Bansal played a key role in Flipkart’s acquisition of PhonePe in 2016 and has since served on the fintech’s board. The Walmart-backed startup, which operates India’s hottest mobile payment app, spun off from Flipkart in 2022 and was valued at $12 billion in funding rounds that raised about $850 million last 12 months.

Bansal still holds about 1% of PhonePe. Neither party explained why they were leaving the board.

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Binny Bansal for being one of the first and staunchest supporters of PhonePe,” Sameer Nigam, co-founder and CEO of PhonePe, said in a press release. His lively involvement, strategic advice and private mentoring have profoundly enriched our discussions. We will miss Binny!”

This article was originally published on : techcrunch.com
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The company is currently developing washing machines for humans

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Forget about cold baths. Washing machines for people may soon be a brand new solution.

According to at least one Japanese the oldest newspapersOsaka-based shower head maker Science has developed a cockpit-shaped device that fills with water when a bather sits on a seat in the center and measures an individual’s heart rate and other biological data using sensors to make sure the temperature is good. “It also projects images onto the inside of the transparent cover to make the person feel refreshed,” the power says.

The device, dubbed “Mirai Ningen Sentakuki” (the human washing machine of the longer term), may never go on sale. Indeed, for now the company’s plans are limited to the Osaka trade fair in April, where as much as eight people will have the option to experience a 15-minute “wash and dry” every day after first booking.

Apparently a version for home use is within the works.

This article was originally published on : techcrunch.com
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