Newsroom's technology columnist Richard MacManus takes a deeper look at the opportunities in China for New Zealand technology companies and finds we have a few advantages

HMI Technologies/Ohmio announces a US$20 Million investment agreement with the Heshan Industrial City Management Committee to establish an Ohmio manufacturing plant for Autonomous Vehicles The agreement was signed by Mohammed Hikmet, the founder and Chairman of HMI Technologies and its subsidiary, Ohmio Automotion Ltd, and the Deputy Director of the Heshan Industrial City Administration Committee, Wu Xiaoqing.

Virtual Commissioning - In 1895, pioneer of astronautic theory, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, developed the concept of the space elevator, a transportation system that would allow vehicles to travel along a cable from the Earth’s surface directly into space.

Seequent, a world leader in visual data science, and Mott MacDonald have been shortlisted in the British Construction Industry Awards for Digital Initiative of the Year. Innovating together the companies delivered a digital, 3D geological modelling solution on the Upper Chelburn Impounding Reservoir in the UK, which is owned and operated by United Utilities.

The TechWomen programme ShadowTech won the engaging youth in ICT gong at the annual New Zealand CIO awards in Auckland last night.

Air New Zealand today announced a strategic development partnership with Magic Leap, which is building the next spatial computing platform, powering experiences that seamlessly blend the digital and physical world.

As the airline embarks on a journey to revolutionize the air travel experience, Air New Zealand is developing exciting new experiences with Magic Leap that will initially highlight the dramatic, diverse landscapes and activities that make the country a unique tourism destination.

“Air New Zealand is excited to bring innovative, emerging technology to our customers and create a more enjoyable travel experience. Our goal with this partnership is to continue to encourage new visitors to experience the wonders of New Zealand with us,” says Jodi Williams, Air New Zealand General Manager of Global Brand and Content.

Together with London-based creative studio Framestore, Air New Zealand is creating a “Fantastical Journey throughout New Zealand” that allows travellers to experience the country in a completely new way with Magic Leap. This first-time experience will debut later this year and is part of a longer-term programme committed to redefining travel experiences.

“Magic Leap and Air New Zealand have a shared ambition to bring true innovation to everyday experiences, including the air travel experience. As a Magic Leap partner, Air New Zealand is uniquely positioned to bring revolutionary technology to the travel industry,” says Rachna Bhasin, Magic Leap Chief Business Officer.

Air New Zealand is regarded as one of the leading and most innovative airlines globally, having been named by Airlineratings.com and Condé Nast Traveler as the best airline in the world in 2017.

Hundreds of fledgling New Zealand tech companies will feel the pinch if stimulating research and development grants are replaced with tax credits, NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says.

The digital revolution that has begun will change, redefine and disrupt almost every sector across the country, New Zealand Techleaders chair David Kennedy says.

Teachers need to be better paid as they adjust to educating kids in the fastest growing sector in New Zealand, - technology, an award-winning Maori chief executive of a fast growing ed-tech company says.

Autodesk has now begun the rollout of its own A.I. assistant called Ava and the company recently revealed how it is going about avoiding a phenomenon commonly referred to as the “uncanny valley.”  Reports Daniel Golightly for Android Headlines.