Page 5 - bne_Tech_11_2019

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November 2019 www.intellinews.com I Page 5
Russia's Yandex sells out its smartphone, unveils delivery robot
Russian internet major Yandex has sold out of its pilot smartphone model Yandex.Phone, which has proven to be a rare dud for the company, Kommersant daily reported on November 7, citing distributors and electronics retailers. The company has only sold a total of 18,000 units, which is still seen as a niche product by the experts.
As reported by bne IntelliNews, the initial launch of the smartphone in December 2018 belly flopped with less than 500 units sold.
Reportedly, retailers have sold off their inventory after lowering the price at least twice. The sales and activations remained marginal as compared to market leaders (Samsung importing 5mn handsets in 1H19) and niche brands such as Inoi Russian phone (sold 0.9mn units).
Yandex is reportedly continuing to work on the development of the product, but it has not announced the second stage of the sales yet.
In the meantime in a separate report Vedomosti daily announced the unveiling of another gadget, the Yandex.Rover delivery robot, which comes under the umbrella of Yandex.Taxi services. The robot the size of a suitcase can navigate sidewalks and deliver small parcels.
Previously the company's representatives hinted that automated delivery is one of the directions for the development of the driverless division
of Yandex, which has been gaining steam. Automated delivery solutions could be integrated with foodtech services such as Yandex.Food and Yandex.Lavka, and the marketplace Beru.
Sberbank to create AI alliance, launches supercomputer
Russia’s largest bank and digital innovation frontrunner Sberbank announced creating an Artificial Intelligence alliance including the state- controlled bank, Yandex and Mail.ru internet majors, MTC mobile operator, Gazprom Neft oil company, and the Russian Fund for Direct Investment, Vedomosti and Tass reported on November 8 citing the CEO of the bank German Gref.
As reported by bne IntelliNews, Sberbank is
a digital innovation frontrunner and Sberbank plans its own digital ecosystem under Sber brand.
The news of an AI alliance are in line with the general trend of big tech advances being pushed by conglomerations of largest banks and corporate majors. Latest such initiative is Russian integrated telecom major Rostelecom and country's second- largest state-controlled VTB Bank considering to set up a big data exchange platform.
Reportedly, the AI solutions will be developed in the format of state-private partnership, curated by the Ministry of Economic Development. The RFDI will take charge of both financing and