Alberta minister wants to see $100B in data centre infrastructure in next five yearsDefence pact, national award for Modi as India, Kuwait embark on new ‘strategic partnership’Pet & Veterinary FinTech: Financial Services for Animal CareFifteen Tarrant County educators are among more than 100 across the state under investigation by the Texas Education Agency for allegedly obtaining their teaching certifications through fraudulent means. The allegations, spread across six Tarrant County school districts and one charter school, follow a statewide probe into a testing scheme allegedly masterminded by Houston ISD educator Vincent Grayson who, along with four others, is facing charges from Harris County prosecutors for facilitating the scheme. The operation involved falsifying TEA licensing exams for unqualified candidates, according to Attorney General Ken Paxton. Now, North Texas districts, including Fort Worth ISD and Arlington ISD, are grappling with the fallout. Arlington ISD has already placed its allegedly uncertified educators on leave, according to the district, while International Leadership of Texas has terminated the contract of one of its employees. Fort Worth ISD The Report received a list of allegedly uncertified educators from the TEA Dec. 5. Five allegedly uncertified educators were employed by Fort Worth ISD based on 2023-24 financial data, according to the district. The TEA list named the following Fort Worth ISD educators as having allegedly obtained their certifications through fraudulent means: Destiny Bowman-Smith Hanna Hogan Dominique Reagor Sheba Regan-Waterford Reuben Vaughn “The district takes this matter seriously, is cooperating fully with TEA, and will continue to do so to address this issue thoroughly,” a Fort Worth ISD spokesperson said in a statement. Fort Worth ISD relies on TEA and the State Board for Educator Certification to oversee certification processes, the district’s statement said. Hogan works as a resource teacher at Riverside Middle School , according to the school’s website. Reagor, who was announced in an August Instagram post as an Arlington Heights High School assistant basketball coach, had an active page on X. Reagor often reposted videos of Arlington Heights basketball games on that social media page, which has since been deactivated. It is unclear whether the Arlington Heights coach was hired before the 2023-24 financial year ended in June. Reagor did not respond to multiple Fort Worth Report requests for comment. Vaughn recently worked as an assistant coach at Dunbar High School, according to the school’s website. More information on Bowman-Smith and Regan-Waterford’s employment history with the district was not immediately available. Arlington ISD Arlington ISD immediately placed three employees on leave upon notification from the TEA, according to the district. “The TEA is conducting a thorough investigation, and the Arlington ISD is fully cooperating and supporting their efforts,” the district said in a statement. The three educators named from Arlington ISD are: Shayla Bragg Money Martin Jordan Versey Bragg serves as a special education specialist . Versey is an assistant football coach at Bowie High School. Martin works as a special education inclusion teacher at Sam Houston High School. Arlington ISD board members next meet Dec. 12, when trustees could vote to terminate employees’ contracts, according to meeting documents. Crowley ISD, Mansfield ISD and Everman ISD Two Crowley ISD educators, two Mansfield ISD educators and one Everman ISD educator were also named by the TEA. Those educators are: Dnarius Green, Crowley ISD Janesha Haliburton, Crowley ISD Xavier Adams, Mansfield ISD Shameika Osborne, Mansfield ISD Caleb Hendrix, Everman ISD Green is an assistant football coach at North Crowley High School , according to MaxPreps. Haliburton has worked as a teacher in Crowley ISD, though it’s unclear where she has taught. Crowley ISD did not respond to a request for comment. Crowley ISD trustees next meet Dec. 12, during which they could vote to terminate any employee contract. Mansfield ISD confirmed to the TEA that both teachers are current district employees, the district said in a statement. Mansfield ISD’s Adams has worked as a teacher and assistant basketball coach for the district’s Legacy High School, according to social media posts. Osborne works as a reading and dyslexia specialist at Charlene McKinzey Middle School. “We are cooperating fully with TEA’s investigation,” the district said. “In addition, MISD is conducting its own investigation into our employees and will take appropriate action.” At Everman ISD, Hendrix was an educator at Joe Bean High School , according to the district’s 2023-24 annual report. Hendrix was not employed by Everman ISD for this school year, the district told the Report. International Leadership of Texas International Leadership of Texas, a public charter school network with six Tarrant County campuses, terminated the contract of the teacher listed by the TEA, a spokesperson told the Report. The educator named by the TEA was Kawonda Williams, employed at the network’s Arlington campus. “We are working with TEA and providing them with whatever information they need for their investigation,” Caitlin Madison, the school system’s executive director of communications, said. As a charter school system, International Leadership of Texas teachers are not required to have a teaching certification, she said. “But we do require all teachers to have a bachelor’s degree. We also encourage teachers to properly obtain teaching certificates, and support that effort through our own (programs),” Madison said. “Just like ISD’s, our hiring process includes a thorough review of certifications and TEA records.” When asked about the best general practices for teacher certification, TEA spokesperson Jake Kobersky referred to the agency’s website. The webpage outlines five requirements in becoming a certified teacher in Texas. Becoming a classroom teacher in Texas Becoming a certified teacher in Texas requires meeting specific qualifications to ensure educators are well-prepared to lead classrooms. The process includes five key steps: 1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree Candidates must earn a degree from an accredited college or university. The Texas Administrative Code requires degrees from institutions recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Certain certifications, such as Health Science Technology and Trades & Industrial Education, are exempt from this requirement. 2. Complete an Educator Preparation Program Prospective teachers must complete an approved program, which includes coursework and field experience. Candidates without a degree must enroll in a university-based program, while degree-holders can pursue alternative certification or post-baccalaureate programs. 3. Pass certification exams Candidates must pass the appropriate certification exams for their desired teaching area. Exam approval is typically managed through the candidate’s program . 4. Submit a State Application Once all requirements are met, candidates must submit an application to the Texas Education Agency for certification. Applicants are advised to verify eligibility with their program before applying. 5. Complete Fingerprinting First-time applicants must undergo fingerprinting as part of a national criminal background check to ensure classroom safety. Within Tarrant County, four universities offer bachelor’s degrees in teaching and other subjects, while two separate campuses — Education Service Center Region 11 and the Education Career Alternatives Program — offer educator preparation programs. While university costs vary, Education Service Center Region 11 and its GoTeach! Program costs prospective educators $5,950. The Education Career Alternatives Program costs $4,300. Both programs take up to 300 hours of online or in-person training to complete. Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @matthewsgroi1 . At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here . 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You can’t sell or syndicate our stories. You can only publish select stories individually — not as a collection. Any web site our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization. If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @FortWorthReport on Facebook and @FortWorthReport on Twitter. by Matthew Sgroi, Fort Worth Report December 11, 2024
Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 8 analysts have published ratings on Owens-Corning OC in the last three months. In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 1 2 5 0 0 Last 30D 0 1 0 0 0 1M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 2M Ago 1 1 4 0 0 3M Ago 0 0 1 0 0 Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Owens-Corning, revealing an average target of $204.12, a high estimate of $245.00, and a low estimate of $175.00. This current average reflects an increase of 10.04% from the previous average price target of $185.50. Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive Owens-Corning. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Matthew Bouley Barclays Raises Overweight $245.00 $192.00 Mike Dahl RBC Capital Raises Outperform $217.00 $213.00 Susan Maklari Goldman Sachs Raises Neutral $198.00 $178.00 John Lovallo UBS Raises Buy $218.00 $197.00 Sam Reid Wells Fargo Raises Equal-Weight $195.00 $175.00 Stephen Kim Evercore ISI Group Raises In-Line $196.00 $189.00 Stephen Kim Evercore ISI Group Raises In-Line $189.00 $175.00 Sam Reid Wells Fargo Raises Equal-Weight $175.00 $165.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Owens-Corning. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company. Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Owens-Corning compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Owens-Corning's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time. For valuable insights into Owens-Corning's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Owens-Corning analyst ratings. Get to Know Owens-Corning Better Owens-Corning Inc is a manufacturer of glass fiber utilized in composites and building materials. It has an integrated business model with three reportable segments: Composites, Insulation, and Roofing. It generates maximum revenue from the Roofing segment. Its Roofing segment laminate and strip asphalt roofing shingles, roofing components, synthetic packaging materials, and oxidized asphalt. It meets the growing demand for longer-lasting, aesthetically attractive laminate products with modest capital investment. Geographically the company generates the majority of its revenue from the United States. Owens-Corning: A Financial Overview Market Capitalization: With restricted market capitalization, the company is positioned below industry averages. This reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Owens-Corning's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 22.87% as of 30 September, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Industrials sector. Net Margin: Owens-Corning's net margin lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 10.54%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management. Return on Equity (ROE): Owens-Corning's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 5.79%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders. Return on Assets (ROA): Owens-Corning's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 2.14%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets. Debt Management: Owens-Corning's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 1.06 . This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage. The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are. Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update. Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders. Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. Click here for urgent details . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.DETROIT — Fifty years later, a man who grew up in suburban Detroit tried to return a very overdue baseball book to his boyhood library. The answer: You can keep it — and no fine. Chuck Hildebrandt, 63, of Chicago said he visited the public library in Warren while in town for Thanksgiving, carrying a book titled "Baseball's Zaniest Stars." He borrowed it in 1974 as a 13-year-old "baseball nut" but never returned it. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago holds the book "Baseball's Zaniest Stars," which was due Dec. 4, 1974, at the Warren, Mich., library, on Dec. 10. "When you're moving with a bunch of books, you're not examining every book. You throw them in a box and go," said Hildebrandt, who lived in many cities. "But five or six years ago, I was going through the bookshelf and there was a Dewey decimal library number on the book. 'What is this?'" Inside the book was a slip of paper indicating it was due back at the Warren library on Dec. 4, 1974. Hildebrandt told The Associated Press he decided to keep the book until 2024 — the 50th anniversary — and then try to return it. He figured the library might want to publicize the long overdue exchange. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago shows the library slip in the overdue book "Baseball's Zaniest Stars" on Dec. 10. He said he recently met library director Oksana Urban, who listened to his pitch. Hildebrandt said he hasn't heard anything since then, though Urban told the Detroit Free Press that all is forgiven. "Some people never come back to face the music," she said of patrons with overdue books. "But there was really no music to face because he and the book were erased from our system." So "Baseball's Zaniest Stars" is back on Hildebrandt's shelf. In return, he's now trying to raise $4,564 for Reading is Fundamental , a nonprofit literacy group. The amount roughly represents a 50-year overdue library fine. Hildebrandt seeded the effort with $457. The Major League Baseball draft is unique among professional sports drafts. The 30 organizations pick teenagers and college students who will not join their big league clubs for years—if ever. These athletes will spend that time honing their craft in the minor leagues, where long bus rides and minuscule paychecks are the norm. A few will move quickly up the ranks, seizing playing time opportunities to advance their careers and making their names known to scouts, fans, and other observers around the country. Some of the best will become MLB stars, but there's minimal correlation to draft position. Four of the players on this list were picked after hundreds of other diamond darlings, and only two were #1 overall selections. There's also more than a handful who didn't do much for the teams that drafted them, including superstars such as Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, and Randy Johnson. Each of these players was traded before they evolved into Hall of Famers. Still, calling the draft a "crapshoot" might be going too far. College players are " slightly more likely " than high schoolers to reach the revered stadiums of the majors, and third-rounders have a better chance than fifth-rounders, for example, though the margins are slim, as Vice reported. Teams not only make picks based on years-in-advance projections but also whether they can sign players, a step that must be completed before those youngsters begin playing professionally. To see how clubs have fared since the inaugural draft in 1965, ATS.io compiled a list of the best draft pick by each franchise using data from Baseball Reference . The players were ranked using career wins above replacement , so not one recent choice was named. The amazing Mike Trout, a 32-year-old selected in 2009, is the youngest player. Unsigned picks were not considered, and players who were traded as picks were credited to their acquiring teams. Data is as of June 5, 2024. - Draft: 11th overall pick in 2006 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 457 - Career stats: 214 wins, 3.15 earned run average, 1.08 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Missouri (Columbia, Mo.) - Wins above replacement: 75.0 - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1990 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,499 - Career stats: 468 home runs, .303 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.) - Wins above replacement: 85.3 - Draft: 48th overall pick in 1978 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 3,001 - Career stats: 431 home runs, .276 batting average, .788 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Aberdeen HS (Aberdeen, Md.) - Wins above replacement: 95.9 - Draft: 19th overall pick in 1983 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 709 - Career stats: 354 wins, 3.12 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 139.2 - Draft: 31st overall pick in 1984 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 744 - Career stats: 355 wins, 3.16 earned run average, 1.14 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Valley HS (Las Vegas, Nev.) - Wins above replacement: 106.6 - Draft: 7th overall pick in 1989 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 2,322 - Career stats: 521 home runs, .301 batting average, .974 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Auburn University (Auburn, Ala.) - Wins above replacement: 73.8 - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1965 - Position: Catcher - Games played: 2,158 - Career stats: 389 home runs, .267 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Binger HS (Binger, Okla.) - Wins above replacement: 75.1 - Draft: 333rd overall pick in 1989 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,543 - Career stats: 612 home runs, .276 batting average, .956 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Ill.) - Wins above replacement: 73.1 - Draft: 8th overall pick in 1995 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 2,247 - Career stats: 369 home runs, .316 batting average, .953 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: University of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.) - Wins above replacement: 61.8 - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 2004 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 518 - Career stats: 260 wins, 3.25 earned run average, 1.12 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Va.) - Wins above replacement: 81.7 - Draft: 428th overall pick in 1988 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 2,103 - Career stats: 130 home runs, .299 batting average, .794 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: University of Arizona (Tucson, Ariz.) - Wins above replacement: 68.4 - Draft: 29th overall pick in 1971 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,707 - Career stats: 317 home runs, .305 batting average, .857 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: El Segundo HS (El Segundo, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 88.6 - Draft: 25th overall pick in 2009 - Position: Centerfielder - Games played: 1,518 - Career stats: 378 home runs, .299 batting average, .991 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Millville Senior HS (Millville, N.J.) - Wins above replacement: 86.1 - Draft: 7th overall pick in 2006 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 425 - Career stats: 210 wins, 2.48 earned run average, 1.00 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Highland Park HS (Dallas, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 79.7 - Draft: 76th overall pick in 2007 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 1,589 - Career stats: 417 home runs, .258 batting average, .874 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 44.3 - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 1973 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,856 - Career stats: 251 home runs, .285 batting average, .772 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: William Howard Taft Charter HS (Woodland Hills, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 77.4 - Draft: 55th overall pick in 1969 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 692 - Career stats: 287 wins, 3.31 earned run average, 1.20 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Santiago HS (Garden Grove, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 94.5 - Draft: 295th overall pick in 1965 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 807 - Career stats: 324 wins, 3.19 earned run average, 1.25 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Alvin HS (Alvin, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 81.3 - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1992 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,747 - Career stats: 260 home runs, .310 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Central HS (Kalamazoo, Mich.) - Wins above replacement: 71.3 - Draft: 96th overall pick in 1976 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 3,081 - Career stats: 297 home runs, .279 batting average, .820 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Oakland Technical HS (Oakland, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 111.1 - Draft: 30th overall pick in 1971 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,404 - Career stats: 548 home runs, .268 batting average, .908 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Ohio University (Athens, Ohio) - Wins above replacement: 106.9 - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1985 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 2,986 - Career stats: 762 home runs, .298 batting average, 1.051 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.) - Wins above replacement: 162.8 - Draft: 86th overall pick in 1977 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,573 - Career stats: 28 home runs, .262 batting average, .666 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 76.9 - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 1985 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 1,976 - Career stats: 284 home runs, .303 batting average, .880 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, Miss.) - Wins above replacement: 56.5 - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1993 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,784 - Career stats: 696 home runs, .295 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Westminster Christian School (Miami, Fla.) - Wins above replacement: 117.6 - Draft: 402nd overall pick in 1999 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 3,080 - Career stats: 703 home runs, .296 batting average, .918 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods (Kansas City, Mo.) - Wins above replacement: 101.4 - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 2006 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 1,986 - Career stats: 342 home runs, .264 batting average, .804 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 58.6 - Draft: 4th overall pick in 1986 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 486 - Career stats: 211 wins, 3.28 earned run average, 1.22 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Ga.) - Wins above replacement: 67.8 - Draft: 17th overall pick in 1995 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 416 - Career stats: 203 wins, 3.38 earned run average, 1.18 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Arvada West HS (Arvada, Colo.) - Wins above replacement: 64.2 - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1985 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 618 - Career stats: 303 wins, 3.29 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 101.1 Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Prominent industry insider Evan Blass has unveiled yet another exciting leak, this time showcasing the Italian poster for the 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event. Following his earlier revelations of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Plus images, this poster sheds light on some key details. First and foremost, the event date has been confirmed. The earlier rumoured date of January 22 is accurate. Now, onto the more captivating aspects of the poster. ALSO READ | Google Doodle Today: Google Celebrates December's Final Half Moon By Releasing Interactive Game, Here's How To Play Four Smartphones To Be Unveiled At Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event? It prominently displays four smartphones, which is a significant revelation. While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim has been in the rumour mill for some time, its appearance alongside the other S25 models is unexpected. This could suggest that the Galaxy S25 Slim will only be officially announced during the event, with its release slated for a later date. Its inclusion on the poster might simply indicate its presence at the event, rather than an immediate launch. All four phones showcased in the poster prominently feature rounded edges. Earlier reports indicated that Samsung is transitioning the Galaxy S25 Ultra from its previous sharp-edged design to a more rounded corner aesthetic. While the Ultra isn’t as curved as the other models in the lineup—as observed in leaked footage of the Galaxy S25 Ultra—the change is still quite noticeable. On the poster, the Ultra appears to be the phone positioned in the top left corner. Another interesting detail is the arrangement of the phones. The lighting shining through the gaps between the devices appears to form the Galaxy AI logo. This subtle design choice aligns with expectations that Galaxy AI will be a major highlight of the event. Samsung has reportedly transformed Bixby into a robust Large Language Model (LLM) AI, potentially outpacing Apple in delivering the advanced AI features it has previously teased.( MENAFN - Robotics & automation News) Mantis Robotics raises $5 million to develop 'human-centric robots' December 22, 2024 by David Edwards Mantis Robotics , a pioneer in“physical AI” for robotic automation, has secured $5 million in new investments led by Emerald technology Ventures with participation from the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund. This cash infusion will enable Mantis Robotics to scale its operations, enhance its product portfolio, and expand its presence in the rapidly growing industrial robotics market. Mantis has entered the next frontier in robotics by creating the first adaptive, human-centered robots. The company makes industrial robotic arms that are inherently safe for human interaction, eliminating the need for costly and complex external safeguards such as fences or laser barriers. Mantis' technology learns and understands its environment based on sensor data from a proprietary built-in sensor-suite. This enables Mantis Robots to detect obstacles and humans in its direct environment and adjust the robot's behavior accordingly in real-time, making robot arms safe and autonomous. The robot's intuitive deployment software with 3D real-time Digital Twin, requires no technical or coding knowledge to use, making them accessible for diverse industries and users. By reducing operational complexity, Mantis' robot systems can result in savings of as much as 75 percent in a typical robotic deployment. The company's transformative technology has the potential to advance industries far beyond manufacturing and warehousing, paving the way for a new era of human-machine collaboration. Gerry Vannuffelen, founder and CEO of Mantis Robotics, says:“We built our company on the premise that robots should be an extension of human capability. “Our industry has benefited greatly from many new developments in AI-powered application software. Unfortunately, these systems do not allow for safe human-robot interaction. We provide the link between AI and the physical world, by enabling robots to interact safely and capably with humans.” Michal Natora, senior investment director at Emerald, says:“The investment into Mantis Robotics is another bet of Emerald on the huge potential of physical AI. “We believe Mantis Robotics' unique technology will revolutionize robotics and will enable never-seen before levels of human-machine collaboration. Mantis Robotics unlocks entirely new automation use cases initially in manufacturing and in warehousing, and in soon virtually every other domain.” Franziska Bossart, head of the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, says:“At Amazon, collaborative technology is key to running safe and efficient operations. Technology can serve its best purpose when it's human-centric and able to work seamlessly to support employees as they deliver for our customers. “We are excited about Mantis Robotics' science-driven approach to advancing human-machine collaboration, fostering safer and more ergonomic workplaces.” MENAFN22122024005532012229ID1109021548 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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