About
Alibaba Group provides the fundamental technology infrastructure and marketing reach to help merchants, brands, and other businesses that provide products, services, and digital content to leverage the power of the internet to engage with their users and customers. Its businesses are comprised of core commerce, cloud computing, digital media and entertainment, innovation initiatives, and others. In October 2017, Alibaba opened a lab in Israel with the goal of creating innovative machine learning and computer-vision technologies to empower and enlarge Alibaba's diverse business. This lab is part of an Alibaba Group global initiative called DAMO, where researchers and engineers work together on emerging products and technologies. The company established this research center with the acquisition of the Israeli start-up Visualead, which raised investments from Alibaba in 2015. Visualead developed a new kind of "dot-less" QR code that Alibaba has been using for its business in China. In 2019, Alibaba acquired InfinityAR, which specializes in sensor fusion, computer vision, and navigation technologies. InfinityAR joined the existing local R&D team. In June 2022 Alibaba closed R&D center in Israel.
Company Intelligence Q&A
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- When did Alibaba establish its R&D lab in Israel and what was its primary goal?
- Alibaba opened an R&D lab in Israel in October 2017. Its primary goal was to create innovative machine learning and computer-vision technologies to support and expand Alibaba's various businesses.
- Which Israeli startup acquisition led to the establishment of Alibaba's research center in Israel?
- Alibaba established its research center in Israel through the acquisition of the Israeli startup Visualead. Alibaba had previously invested in Visualead in 2015.
- What technology did Visualead develop that Alibaba utilized?
- Visualead developed a new type of "dot-less" QR code, which Alibaba integrated into its business operations in China.
- Which company did Alibaba acquire in 2019 to enhance its R&D team in Israel?
- In 2019, Alibaba acquired InfinityAR, a company specializing in sensor fusion, computer vision, and navigation technologies. InfinityAR's team joined Alibaba's existing R&D team in Israel.
- When did Alibaba close its R&D center in Israel?
- Alibaba closed its R&D center in Israel in June 2022, ceasing its operations in the country.
- What was the status of Alibaba's operations in Israel as of June 2022?
- As of June 2022, Alibaba's operations in Israel were inactive, following the closure of its R&D center and the layoff of its entire staff.
- What was the purpose of Alibaba's DAMO initiative?
- The R&D lab in Israel was part of Alibaba Group's global DAMO initiative, where researchers and engineers collaborated on emerging products and technologies.
- When did Alibaba partner with an Israel Ports Company for a blockchain initiative?
- In August 2020, Alibaba joined forces with an Israel Ports Company for a blockchain initiative.