Current Affairs - Technology

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Euclid mission has made a remarkable discovery of an Einstein ring near galaxy NGC 6505, approximately 590 million light-years away. This rare phenomenon is a result of gravitational lensing, where light from a distant galaxy 4.42 billion light-years away is bent around a massive object. The discovery highlights Euclid's capabilities in studying dark matter and energy.

IIT Kanpur, with the support of NABARD, developed solar dehydration technology to help farmers preserve their agricultural produce. This innovation aims to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers' income by allowing them to store fruits and vegetables for longer periods. By using this technique, farmers can sell their produce at peak prices, increasing profitability. The Namami Gange project also conducted live demonstrations and training sessions for farmers to enhance the adoption of this technology, contributing to the sustainable growth of agriculture.

ISRO and IIT Madras jointly developed the Indigenous RISCV Controller for Space Applications (IRIS) based on the SHAKTI processor. IRIS is built on the RISC-V architecture, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from IoT to strategic computing systems. This collaboration highlights India’s advancements in semiconductor technology, as the chip was fully designed, fabricated, and tested within the country, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in the field of space and electronics.

Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Aero India 2025 to collaborate on the development of advanced UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) aimed at sectors like defence, agriculture, and smart cities. The partnership focuses on creating AI-powered solutions that can cut energy use by 20%, reduce costs, and ensure regulatory compliance. This initiative is aligned with India's goal of enhancing self-reliance in UAV technology, contributing to both defence capabilities and employment opportunities in the country.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with UPM, a Finland-based company, to modernize its IT infrastructure. This collaboration focuses on cloud migration, AI-driven workplace transformation, and enhancing IT management for UPM's 19,000 employees. TCS will handle key IT functions such as data centre operations, network services, and end-user support. The partnership aims to improve operational efficiency and streamline business operations, reinforcing TCS's growing presence in the Nordic region and highlighting its capability to drive digital transformation for large enterprises.