China’s Geely buys a $9 billion stake in Daimler.

Li Shufu, the founder of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. has acquired a nearly 10 percent stake in Daimler AG, the German company said in a regulatory filing Friday.

The stake, which is worth just over $9 billion at the current market price for Daimler shares, makes Li Shufu the biggest single shareholder in the maker of Mercedes Benz cars, trucks and vans and marks the biggest investment in a global automobile manufacturer by a Chinese company. More »

Sony is developing an AI-based taxi hailing system. Algorithms would predict when you are likely to need a ride.

As Sony wants to expand its artificial intelligence presence in both the commercial and business sectors, Sony is forming a joint venture with five taxi operators in Japan. The joint venture is going to launch a taxi-hailing system that will use artificial intelligence to predict customers’ demands.

Sony’s partners in the creation of an AI-powered hailing platform include Tokyo-based Taxi operators Checker Cab, Hinomaru Kotsu, Daiwa Motor Transportation, Kokusai Motorcars, and Green Cab. More »

Intel is planning to launch consumer smart glasses this year.
Intel has developed a prototype for a set of smart glasses that are designed to look normal but are able to provide information like a smartwatch.
Called Vaunt, but reportedly known internally as “Superlite”, the regular-looking glasses are impressively light. They have plastic frames and weigh no more than 50 grams.
The device allows you to check information while doing other activities. For instance, you can check a person’s birthday or other info while you’re chatting on the phone. Sensors can also detect whether you’re in the kitchen and give you recipes or a shopping list. More »