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HeartBeam (NASDAQ: BEAT) Looks to Disrupt to Multi-Billion-Dollar Patch Market with its Patent-Protected 12-Lead ECG Patch Product

Benzinga

Monitoring a patient’s heart condition is an extensive undertaking considering the current standard of care practices. Up until a few years ago, heart patients seeking to have their condition monitored outside of a clinical environment were tasked with wearing a monitoring device called a Holter monitor. Holter monitors and records electrocardiographic signals from an individual as they go through their regular daily activities. Think of having an old "Walkman" with wires sticking out and strapped to you as you go through your daily life. Furthermore, the Holter monitor was developed in 1957 by Dr. Norman Holter. Given the incredible technology available today versus 1957, it is hard to believe the mobile ECG has not seen any major hardware updates in decades. HeartBeam (NASDAQ: BEAT) is one company that is working on a 21 st -century upgrade to the outdated wearable ECG market, using a convenient patch to help patients monitor their heart condition using a 12-lead ECG. What is the Importance of a 12-Lead ECG and Why Existing Patch Options Fall Short Wearable medical technologies continue to permeate into mainstream consumer electronics, as individuals look for ways to help monitor their health and wellness. Among the most popular wearables available right now is the Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) Watch. Consumers have been told they can monitor several different health and wellness metrics, including being able to take an ECG on the go. Unfortunately, what is not immediately known to those consumers is the fact the Apple Watch only uses a single-lead ECG. In the context of obtaining useful medical information, a single-lead ECG does not tell the patient or medical professionals very much at all. Single-lead ECGs only record one dimension of the heart's activity and do not provide the needed medical data to determine if an individual is having a heart attack or cardiac episode. The 12-lead ECG, on the other hand, provides a complete, standard of medical care, information for a patient’s heart. Rather than just monitoring rhythm, the 12-lead ECG provides diagnostic information needed for the detection of all heart diseases. For example, single-lead ECGs cannot detect ischemia, a condition that restricts blood flow to the heart and eventually results in a heart attack. Currently, there are a few patch products available on the market for heart patients. However, these products are largely single-lead and are only focused on diagnosing arrhythmias. These existing patch products are not capable of diagnosing any condition related to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which occurs when plaque builds along the heart's walls and can cause a life-threatening heart attack. Zio Patch by iRhythm Technologies (NASDAQ: IRTC) is considered to be the current market-leading patch option available today. However, the product again only has single-lead capabilities. Overall, the wearable ECG device market is estimated to be valued at a total addressable market of $2 billion in the United States alone, according to iRhythm. According to ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global ECG patch and Holter monitor market are estimated to reach $4.8 billion by 2030. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.16% between 2022 and 2030. With a CAGR of just under 20%, the patch and wearable ECG market is forecast to grow substantially faster than most other industries. HeartBeam’s disruptive technology could help them obtain a huge advantage over the existing products available today. HeartBeam’s Patch and AIMIGo ECG Technologies Through HeartBeam’s credit-card-sized AIMIGo 12-lead ECG device, patients at a high risk of heart attack can carry this ECG device in their purses or wallets without any major inconveniences to ensure anytime, anyplace monitoring. The company’s patch product is designed to be used by patients who are experiencing cardiac symptoms but do not have an existing underlying diagnosis. Despite HeartBeam’s high patient convenience factors the 12-lead data that is obtained is not reduced in value in any way. This ensures that patients and medical professionals are obtaining accurate health data to ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Furthermore, combining the convenience of a credit card-sized device with a more powerful 12-lead ECG, means that medical professionals would not likely prescribe a single-lead option when a better option is available. Not only that HeartBeam solutions offer critical remotely collected highly relevant medical data for use in a treatment plan, but these devices have potentially more favorable economics to that medical practice as well. HeartBeam’s disruptive ECG products are protected by U.S. patents. In fact, the company’s patent portfolio accounts for six granted patents that serve as vital protection for its technology against competitors. These patents continue to help HeartBeam position itself as a major player in the high-growth industry of cardiac telehealth. Specifically for the 12-lead patch product, HeartBeam was granted a U.S. patent in September 2022. The patent (No. 11,419,538 B2) expanded on the company's previously granted patent (No. 11,071,490 B1) for a 12-lead ECG patch monitoring technology. These two issued patch patents serve as a major foundation for the company's intellectual footprint as the company looks to expand its technology to make cardiac patients and their medical professionals' treatment options more effective. Overall, HeartBeam’s planned 12-lead ECG patch product is reportedly the first-of-its-kind and only such technology in existence. The U.S. patents granted for this disruptive technology help to ensure HeartBeam is protected from competitors and can potentially commercialize the products once approved by the FDA. HeartBeam looks to be at the forefront of the mobile, wearable ECG market, which gives freedom to patients while also ensuring regular monitoring of their conditions. For investors, patients, and medical professionals, HeartBeam’s technologies look to be a major game-changer. Disclaimer: This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga's opinions and has not been edited for content. This content contains sponsored advertising content and is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. Spotlight Growth creates exposure for companies through a customized marketing strategy, including design of promotional material, the drafting and editing of press releases and media placement.All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources. Spotlight Growth and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on external sources that Spotlight Growth believes to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Spotlight Growth may create reports and content that has been compensated by a company or third-parties, or for purposes of self-marketing. Spotlight Growth was compensated two thousand five hundred dollars cash for the creation and dissemination of this content by the company.This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management.The above communication, the attachments and external Internet links provided are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted by the recipient as a solicitation to participate in securities offerings. Investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors and may not be permissible in certain jurisdictions.Spotlight Growth and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may have bought or sold or may buy or sell shares in the companies discussed herein, which may be acquired prior, during or after the publication of these marketing materials. Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/ Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

December 20, 2022 12:35 PM Eastern Standard Time

Spotlight Growth Shares 2 Small-Cap Stocks that could be Resilient in 2023

Benzinga

As investors look forward in preparation for 2023, small-cap stocks should be a key area of research. Overall, the majority of Wall Street estimates large-cap stocks in the S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) to drop or remain largely unchanged over the next twelve months. Market watchers are anxiously watching the Federal Reserve’s every move, as they continue to raise interest rates and increase the risk of a global recession. As of December 2022, major global investment banks maintain a price target range between 3,675 and 4,500. As of this writing, the S&P 500 is trading at 3,895. The potential hit to large-cap earnings continues to be debated by investors, but small-caps remain an area of the market that actually has growing bullish sentiment. According to Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Chief Investment Strategist Michael Hartnett said "Secular trends of stagflation, reshoring, localization, fiscal stimulus = small cap bull in 2023." In a recent blog post by Alliance Bernstein (NYSE: AB), James MacGregor, CFA (CIO of US Small & Mid Cap Value Equities), Bruce Aronow, CFA (CIO of Small & Mid Cap Growth Equities) and Samantha Lau (Co-CIO of Small & Mid Cap Growth Equities) penned an interesting article that supports the idea that small-cap stocks are further along in the recovery. “Small-cap stocks are also trading at extremely depressed valuations—the lowest in 20 years—compared to larger companies, based on price-to-earnings ratios. Current geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainties have disproportionately and indiscriminately impacted small companies. Investors have discounted further potential hazards for small-caps, without regard to company fundamentals. So, we think firms that offer resilient business models will stand out and benefit the most along the road to recovery,” according to the Alliance Bernstein article from December 2022. Looking ahead to 2023 with small-cap bullish sentiment building, here are two stocks that we believe have resilient business models and could weather any further economic & market volatility next year: Small-Cap #1: Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR) Asure Software is an Austin, Texas-based human capital management (HCM) cloud solutions provider in the United States. While the company is a small-cap with a current market cap of just under $180 million, Asure has been in business since 1985 and has continued to focus on developing tech innovations to help small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with streamlining their back office operations, such as human resources, taxes, payroll, employee benefits, and more. Shares of Asure have vastly outperformed the overall market with a positive year-to-date (YTD) gain of over 8.5%, as of mid-December 2022. This outperformance is a byproduct of the company’s strong resilience experienced throughout an economically-volatile year in 2022. Asure’s resilience was confirmed once SMBs began cutting costs across the board to prepare for a potential recession and continued economic uncertainty. However, these SMBs also realized that certain costs, like Asure’s suite of cloud HR technologies, actually help to save more money at the end of the day. Streamlining operations and helping to automate certain back-office tasks are essential for SMBs in all economic conditions, especially during uncertainty. In short, Asure’s payroll, FlexTax platform, vast 401(K) integrations, and other services actually help companies cut costs. Analysts covering Asure continue to maintain a bullish outlook on the small-cap tech company. Currently, the company has six analysts covering the stock with an average target price of $11.00 and a “buy” rating. Asure management is also forecasting a bullish 2023 after raising guidance during its Q3 2022 earnings release. For the fourth quarter of 2022, management estimates revenues to come between $23.5 million and $24 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the period is estimated to be between $3 million to $3.5 million. For the full-year 2023, Asure management sees total revenue between $98 million and $102 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin range of 14% to 16%. Beating estimates is nothing new for Asure. Over its past nine quarterly financial results dating back to the third quarter of 2020, Asure has either met or exceeded revenue and EBITDA guidance. The only time Asure slightly missed estimates was back during Q1 2021, when EBITDA came in just under consensus. However, from Q2 2021 to current, Asure’s earnings outperformance has picked up steam. This perfectly aligns with the tightening of the overall macro-economic environment, which has been bullish for Asure, as SMBs look to cut costs and streamline operations. Despite its earnings prowess, Asure continues to fly under-the-radar. However, it appears only a matter of time before the Street begins to take notice of Asure on a grander scale. 2023 could be the year that Asure finally emerges as a key small-cap player, as the economic environments looks to continue favorable conditions for the company. For more information on Asure Software, visit https://www.asuresoftware.com and https://spotlightgrowth.com/analysts-reiterate-bullish-stance-on-asure-software-nasdaq-asur-collectively-raise-target-price-to-average-of-11-00/ Small-Cap #2: Terran Orbital (NYSE: LLAP) For space stocks, 2022 has been extremely painful. One of the largest space ETFs, the ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (NYSE: ARKX) holds total assets of $265.19 million and has declined nearly 32% YTD, as of this writing. Individually speaking, Terran Orbital Corporation has had a 2022 to forget with a return of -86% YTD, through mid-December 2022. However, Terran Orbital is not like other SPAC space hype stocks out there and while the company is still working on profitability, its operational achievements set the company apart from its competition. Since its establishment in 2013, Terran Orbital has supported over 80 missions, which have resulted in the launch of more than 200 satellite services for NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense. Furthermore, Terran Orbital has continued to see strong revenue growth and even secured a $100 million investment from major aerospace & defense company Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT). The company also entered into a strategic cooperative agreement with Lockheed that extends collaboration into 2035. During the third quarter of 2022, Terran Orbital reported record revenue of $27.8 million, which represents year-over-year growth of 171% compared to the same period last year. The company's backlog exploded by 168% to $198 million since the end of 2021. The space company did report a net loss of $27.4 million, but that was an improvement compared to Q2 2022’s net loss result of $32.3 million. Currently, Terran Orbital has six analysts covering the stock. All six maintain a “buy” rating on the space company, with an average target of just over $11.00. This represents a potential upside of over 680% from its current price of $1.41. For more information on Terran Orbital, visit https://terranorbital.com/ and https://spotlightgrowth.com/will-space-stocks-deliver-out-of-this-world-returns-over-the-long-term/ This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga's opinions and has not been edited for content. This content contains sponsored advertising content and is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. Spotlight Growth creates exposure for companies through a customized marketing strategy, including design of promotional material, the drafting and editing of press releases and media placement.All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources. Spotlight Growth and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on external sources that Spotlight Growth believes to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Spotlight Growth may create reports and content that has been compensated by a company or third-parties, or for purposes of self-marketing. Spotlight Growth was compensated five thousand dollars cash by Asure Software for the creation and dissemination of this content. This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. The above communication, the attachments and external Internet links provided are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted by the recipient as a solicitation to participate in securities offerings. Investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors and may not be permissible in certain jurisdictions. Spotlight Growth and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may have bought or sold or may buy or sell shares in the companies discussed herein, which may be acquired prior, during or after the publication of these marketing materials. Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/The Post “2 Resilient Small-Cap Stocks for 2023” First Appeared on Spotlight Growth. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

December 20, 2022 12:15 PM Eastern Standard Time

SPARK Microsystems Releases 4K Mouse Reference Design for Wireless Gaming Applications

SPARK Microsystems

SPARK Microsystems, a Canadian fabless semiconductor company specializing in next-generation ultra-wideband (UWB), today announces the availability of its 4K gaming mouse reference design, supporting polling rates up to 4,000 Hz. The project is built with SPARK Microsystems’ software development kit, which allows users to configure and use synchronized wireless links between devices leveraging SPARK’s UWB wireless transceivers. “The SPARK 4K gaming mouse reference design signifies another advancement in our effort to proliferate our products using the unique SPARK UWB technology and support fast time to market for a wide range of gaming applications,” said Frederic Nabki, Co-Founder and CTO, SPARK Microsystems. “Unlike traditional wireless technologies, the ultra-low latency of SPARK UWB enables responsiveness on par with wired controllers and extended play and charge time, allowing gamers to enjoy truly wireless gaming without sacrificing their competitive edge.” In addition to best-in-class specifications, the 4K gaming mouse reference design offers several key features to simplify and accelerate development of a complete wireless mouse: Complete hardware design and schematics for mouse, antenna and USB dongle Software implementation based on latest SPARK SDK and mouse application using NXP LPC55 MCU Wireless link latency of 250 micro-second at 4000 Hz polling rate Required mouse features such as low power business mode, guaranteed delivery of packets for buttons, back-channel for LED data to mouse, concurrency and fallback modes Wireless channel setup and functions including pairing, link configuration and data packet configuration SPARK is offering demos of its 4K gaming mouse throughout CES 2023. The 4K mouse demo will show the high polling rate, low latency, and low power capabilities of SPARK’s UWB technology for wireless gaming devices. SPARK is also demonstrating the low latency, low power, and high data rates of its UWB technology in a variety of other applications, including: Uncompressed 96KSps high quality audio headset reference design Technology demonstration of wireless UWB capabilities including wireless video and multi-channel synchronization of wireless data streams Ultra-low power ranging and proximity detection Ultra-low power IoT sensors UBITO Energy Harvesting Sensor Module using an ultra-low power SPARK transceiver About SPARK Microsystems SPARK Microsystems is a fabless semiconductor company that is leading the way towards ultra-low power wireless communications for consumer and IoT-connected devices. With its patented technologies, SPARK Microsystems is bringing to market a high-performance wireless transceiver that allows for orders of magnitude improved power consumption, latency and more accurate ranging and positioning, while providing higher data rates than competing technologies. For more information, please visit www.sparkmicro.com. Contact Details Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.sparkmicro.com

December 20, 2022 11:28 AM Eastern Standard Time

DealMaker Closes Oversubscribed Financing Round

DealMaker

DealMaker, the leading provider of innovative capital markets solutions, is pleased to announce the closing of an oversubscribed financing round that included investment from the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) and Mawer Partners LP, a limited partnership managed by Mawer Investment Management Ltd. DealMaker is one of the fastest-growing FinTechs in the capital market space, with over 500% YoY growth, and is ranked the 3rd fastest growing company by the Globe & Mail. Its platform and solutions provide unique tools enabling hundreds of companies to power their capital raise like an e-commerce platform would enable an online store. "We were pleased to have such active interest from investors in DealMaker during such turbulent market conditions," said Rebecca Kacaba, CEO and co-founder of DealMaker. "We also look forward to a deeper partnership with the CSE, whose issuers can benefit significantly from the cutting-edge products we bring to market. With this strategic investment, companies can be supported from pre-seed to IPO." "The DealMaker team has executed incredibly well in the capital markets over the last four years," said Richard Carleton, CSE Chief Executive Officer. "We are committed to developing cost-effective capital markets solutions for our clients, and believe DealMaker brings tremendous value to bring to the ecosystem." The funding from this financing round will be used to further accelerate DealMaker’s market-leading functionality and global capabilities. In particular, DealMaker will focus on fueling product development as well as R&D in expanding capabilities to create one global capital market. DealMaker is on a mission to create the most sophisticated capital markets tools on the planet, empowering capital to flow faster. It offers a suite of primary issuance, shareholder management, and capital raising solutions that includes equity crowdfunding, investor ranking algorithms, and data/analytical tools to support all capital raise types and all securities. Its innovative technology was designed to enable organizations to own and control exempt market raises to get the money they need, faster. DealMaker works for their issuers: putting brands and founders back in control to run streamlined, successful capital raises. Its mission is to turn the process of raising capital into simple eCommerce. The company’s offices are located in Toronto, Canada, Austin, Texas and Tampa, Florida. Visit DealMaker.tech for more information. About CSE The Canadian Securities Exchange, or CSE, is operated by CNSX Markets Inc. Recognized as a stock exchange in 2004, the CSE began operations in 2003 to provide a modern and efficient alternative for companies looking to access the Canadian public capital markets. For more information, visit https://www.thecse.com/ About Mawer Investment Management Mawer is an independent investment firm managing portfolios for a broad range of foundations and not-for-profit organizations, pension plans, strategic alliances, and individual investors for over 45 years. For more information, visit Mawer at www.mawer.com Contact Details Natasha Jose +1 416-554-0949 natasha.jose@dealmaker.tech Company Website https://www.dealmaker.tech/

December 20, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

OPPO achieves their fastest roll-out with ColorOS 13, guarantees longer software update starting in 2023

OPPO

ColorOS 13 rolled out faster than any other version in its operating system’s history. OPPO guarantees four major ColorOS updates with five years of regular security patches for selected flagship models starting in 2023 SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach - 20 December 2022 - Today, OPPO officially announced that ColorOS 13 rolled out faster than any previous version in its operating system’s history. The company also expanded its update policy for ColorOS to guarantee four major Android upgrades with five years of security patches for selected flagship models in 2023. The Fastest Rollout with ColorOS 13 ColorOS 13 is the latest Android-Based operating system from OPPO. Designed for simplicity and comfort with its brand-new Aquamorphic Design, ColorOS 13 includes a series of impressive features such as Smart AOD, Multi-Screen Connect, and Home Screen Management that provide intelligent, and user-friendly experiences to global users. Since launching on August 18th, 2022, ColorOS 13 has been delivered to 33 smartphone models globally, making it the fastest and biggest update in the history of ColorOS. During the same four-month time frame following their official release, over 50% more handset models were compatible with ColorOS 13 (data from October 11, 2021, to February 11, 2022) compared with ColorOS 12 (data from August 18 to December 18, 2022). There are 3 times more users covered during the global rollout of ColorOS 13 compared to ColorOS 12 during the same period. OPPO also announced the new ColorOS update policy. This includes the commitment to guarantee four major ColorOS updates with 5 years of security patches for global users on selected flagship models starting in 2023. Through it, OPPO aims to bring longer-lasting and more stable intelligent experiences to global users by continuing to build on ColorOS. About OPPO OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find X and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO has footprints in more than 60 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world. About ColorOS ColorOS is a highly customized, efficient, intelligent, and richly designed Android-based mobile OS from OPPO. With over 500 million global monthly active users, ColorOS supports 67 languages, including English, Hindi, Thai, and Indonesian. Contact Details OPPO Media Contact press@oppo.com

December 20, 2022 04:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

News Release

How Computerized Cars Have Changed Auto Repair in Today’s World

AutoTech IQ

In the not-so-distant past, all auto technicians needed was a good understanding of a car’s engine. They would listen to and feel the car’s engine, and most often, they could diagnose and fix a problem. But today’s cars are more complex, and the average technician has to rely on diagnostic and test equipment to understand what’s going on under the hood. Today’s cars have hundreds or even thousands of computer chips that are all controlled by software. Cars have evolved so much that some people believe that in the near future, an increasing number of cars will be powered by self-driving software. Trends Computerized Cars Are Setting Remember when automatic car windows replaced the roll-up model? Auto technicians all over the world had to switch from a mindset of fixing a busted manual knob to fixing one that is not only driven by a motor but also controlled by a computer. As cars become more computerized, auto repair shops have to stay current on more technology. High-Tech Features Mean Specialists Are Needed for Repairs In today’s auto repair world, technicians have to use complex diagnose and test equipment instead of focusing on just replacing fluids and car parts. That’s because cars aren’t so much mechanical machines anymore. Instead, they are often thought of as computers on wheels. Gone are the days when people could work on their own cars. Today, specialized software is needed to find the glitch in the car’s system before it can be repaired. Complicated Network Systems Are More Interconnected Than Ever Before The cars of yesterday had individual, mechanical working parts that, together, made them run. But today’s cars are interconnected in ways that old-school technicians could never imagine. Vehicles today utilize advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and their computers are extremely complex, yet they all communicate seamlessly with each other. For instance, Tesla’s onboard AI chip is smarter than the US Air Force’s F-35 fight jet and is packed with 150 million times more computer power. Because of the technological advances in vehicles, it’s extremely important for technicians to have a thorough understanding of how to properly calibrate the systems so drivers remain safe on the road. Costs Are Rising Because of the Complexity of High-Tech Vehicles Because of the complexity of computerized cars, the number of visits to auto repair shops has radically decreased but the cost per visit is going up and changing the way auto shops do business. For instance, car owners sporting European models can’t just go to any repair shop, they need technicians who specialize in their make and model of vehicle. This makes car repairs on a budget a thing of the past. The increased need for specialized equipment and technicians has driven up the cost of running a shop, and as cars continue to become more computerized, that isn’t likely to change. Auto shops also have to have specialized equipment to help diagnose issues. If these shops don’t specialize in one vehicle make and if they don’t have the equipment, they will hire diagnosticians who will help diagnose the issues. This also drives up the cost of doing business. Why Digital Inspections Are Essential for Computerized Car Owners Because cars are so complex and rely on computers, service intervals have increased dramatically. The frequency of shop visits is going down which requires tracking the vital sign of your vehicle regularly. What you know from your doctor’s visit is also true for your vehicle. Digital inspections are the tool to track the car’s vital signs. They allow technicians to check the car's computer system and overall health and pinpoint the source of a potential problem. When a service advisor emails a customer a digital report that outlines the problem and details the optimal fix, it instills a sense of trust in consumers because of images and videos educating the customer plus recommendations giving the customers options. Gone are the days when consumers are pressured into making a decision on the phone without understanding the true nature of the problem. Digital inspections eliminate the risk of paying for an unnecessary repair. Instead, these inspections pinpoint the problem and educate the customer about options on how to fix it. How To Find an Auto Repair Shop You Can Trust Are you ready to have more of a partnership with your auto repair shop rather than having to trust a phone call without any real evidence? If so, AutoTechIQ can help. AutoTechIQ connects you with an auto repair shop in your area that focuses on your education about the best options based on Digital Vehicle Health Inspection results. This allows you to work with shops to find the best (and most long-term economical) solution when your car needs repair. It also ensures that your shop is held accountable and does not suggest repairs that are not needed. To find an auto repair shop that makes use of this technology, use the Shops Near You function on AutoTechIQ’s website and schedule an appointment with an auto shop that wants to earn your trust. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only. Contact Details AutoTech IQ +1 866-678-8505 support@AutoTechIQ.com Company Website https://www.autotechiq.com/

December 19, 2022 03:54 PM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

Have You Noticed How Your Auto Repair Shop Has Changed?

AutoTech IQ

Just a few decades ago, the vast majority of cars had mechanically controlled engines and transmissions, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) were a brand-new thing, and everything was gas or, to a much lesser degree, diesel-powered. The best fuel efficiency for an affordable car was 18 miles per gallon (mpg), and the best-selling cars were Honda Accord, Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Cavalier. Once a vehicle was out of warranty, most car owners would take it to an independent auto repair shop. The leading factors for choosing a shop were the distance to the client's home or work, customer service quality and service price compared with a dealership. Since then, much has changed, but some has not. Today, car owners still take their vehicles to independent auto repair shops for the same reasons. But the technology built into cars has changed dramatically. Much of the operations are computerized, creating a fuel efficiency of 35 mpg and higher for cars that are not hybrid or electric. That technology shift created new challenges and opportunities for independent auto repair shops, changing many aspects of their business. Challenges and Opportunities for Independent Auto Repair Shops Because of the complexity of computerized cars, tools in auto repair shops now include diagnostic devices with ever-increasing depth giving technicians the ability to pinpoint the cause of a problem. And just like your home computer prompts you to update its software applications, modern cars’ software can be updated. Because dozens of complex computers in a car interact with each other, they require trained staff and authorized programming tools. Some dealerships imply that only factory-trained techs lay hands on the complex cars they service, but independent auto repair shops with a built-in training program aren’t lagging behind them. The digital transformation is in full swing for car technology and auto shop service advisers are improving communications with on-the-go car owners. That communication isn't restricted to appointment scheduling by text or email. Advisers can educate their customers without having them on the phone or at the counter. The perfect example is sending a state-of-health report to car owners illustrating, with edited images and videos, what work needs to happen now and what can wait. Why is Digital Transformation a Game Changer? The ease of use has made digital tools such as smartphones, desktop computers and tablets the dominant way to communicate. The ability to send information without interrupting the recipient at home or work takes the stress out of many interactions that could otherwise lead to a loss of focus, productivity and control. The ability to digest information on the recipients' schedule gives them control and creates a sense of empowerment to make confident decisions based on the options at hand. For example, the customer can ask questions digitally and get second opinions before approving work. Before contacting the shop, AutoTechIQ.com offers vehicle owners the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the symptoms the car is exhibiting. Articles like “ My Car Smells Like Burning Rubber ” offer a simple three-step path to: Confirm the symptom Add info for the shop with a simple click Request an appointment at an AutoTechIQ-certified shop You don't need a ride after dropping off your vehicle at the auto shop in the morning. Instead, an assigned employee picks it up and drops it off at your home or work after it’s repaired. You can schedule everything through text messages or with a digital app on your phone that will provide status notifications about the repair progress throughout the day. Instead of interruptions at work, you receive a link to your vehicle's state-of-health report. Then, you can study it on your timeline and ask questions before approving the proposed work — all through texts or chat messages. Increased Level of Professionalism Have you noticed that many shops don’t fly by the seat of their pants anymore? Today’s successful auto repair shops are professional businesses focusing on you — the customer — for the lifetime of your vehicle and beyond. Car repair and maintenance businesses have transitioned to professionally run establishments focused on the education and longevity of their customers’ vehicles instead of the transactional business model of repairing the issue at hand. Seasoned shop owners realize that they can replicate their customer service in other locations and establish a multilocation business providing consistent, high-quality service across the same area. Companies like Transformer Institute help shop owners — especially multilocation owners — seize the opportunity of providing higher-quality service to car owners, exceeding what wrenching technicians typically offer. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only. Contact Details AutoTech IQ +1 866-678-8505 support@AutoTechIQ.com Company Website https://www.autotechiq.com/

December 19, 2022 03:29 PM Eastern Standard Time

Multipolar Development Corporation Early Modeling Success Paving Way for New Direct Current Electric Machine Prototype

Multipolar Development Corporation

Multipolar Development Corporation (MDC) an electrical engineering company announced a key design milestone in the development of its novel Multi-Polar Technology™ electric vehicle (EV) propulsion enhancement system. Models are proving that MDC’s patented technology will improve efficiencies in overall performance and range of operation, particularly in large consumer vehicle trucks and commercial transport vehicles. MDC engineers and partners are completing a finite element method (FEM) model for a 10 kW 2 kV prototype direct current (DC) electric machine that demonstrates the ability to operate at higher DC voltages and without the need for a commutator. “Multi-Polar represents one of the single greatest incremental improvements in motor technology I have seen in more than 25 years,” stated engineering expert and MDC team member Arie Hirshbein, “I am thrilled and excited to be part of the development team at this early stage.” “The machine analyzed could be operated like a one-phase brushless machine, providing an advantage in control that could provide flexibility at different operating points of the motor. Without a need for rare earth permanent magnets, Multipolar technology provides a huge advantage in the performance of the motor and avoids supply chain and environmental issues associated with permanent magnets currently utilized,” Hirshbein continued. “Since the failure and maintenance of commutators have made higher power of DC electric machines impractical, the success of our model bodes well for its future in an industrial setting,” stated Multipolar inventor Shaun McCutcheon. “The Multi-Polar design is expected to allow high motor torque performance, including a high starting torque, making it suitable for heavy industrial applications and large electric vehicles (EV’s).” “The modeling is paving the way for us to demonstrate and prove the gains in overall system efficiency that our technology achieves through a physical prototype. We are designing a prototype based on the current computer models and showcasing the significant practical use of the technology,” McCutcheon continued. MDC technology modeling employs an advanced software and firmware-based control system that adjusts the polarity and the magnetic field strength of each electromagnetic pole within an electric motor or generator to achieve the desired operation. The control system relies on sensor data about the position and speed of the rotor to optimize pole parameters in real-time to enhance performance. The FEM model simulates 42 and 78 poles within a rotating machine and provides a numerical solution for the electromagnetic fields and relevant voltages. Recent simulations achieved rectification of generator output exceeding 2000 V DC at speed with no brushes or commutator in the model, resulting in a significant proof of concept for the design. Multi-Polar motors will require fewer external drive components as the speed and torque are managed directly by the advanced control system. Unlike standard DC brushless machines, they will require only two power connections. The wide range of operational speeds at full power – owing to the ability to change the number of poles virtually – will allow MDC’s machines to be repurposed through software and firmware changes rather than being replaced or redesigned. The advanced control system will also be able to compensate for efficiency losses due to mechanical imperfections or damage. “Multipolar moves us into a truly digital machine age – an advanced machine without many of the inherent inefficiencies and limitations of classic electromagnetic energy conversion,” McCutcheon explained. “The modeling proves our technology has the potential to shock the EV industry and advance it to a new level of efficiency and performance.” Multipolar Development Corporation is an Austin, TX-based S-Corp comprised of energy, electric, and automotive engineering experts. ### Please visit: https://www.multipolarmachine.com/ For more information or to schedule an interview with Shaun McCutcheon, please contact Dan Rene of kglobal, at daniel.rene@kglobal.com or 202-329-8357 Contact Details kglobal Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website https://www.multipolarmachine.com/

December 19, 2022 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Travel Technology Association Files Comments with U.S. Department of Transportation on Airline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections

Travel Tech

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and a consistent advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, filed comments today in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on “Airline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections,” – Docket No. DOT-OST-2022-0089. "On behalf of consumers and our member companies that serve them, the Travel Technology Association is proud to stand with the U.S. Department of Transportation in assuring once and for all that airline travelers are made whole when their flights are canceled,” said Travel Tech President and CEO Laura Chadwick. “You get what you pay for, and when you don't, you should get your money back." "We welcome the Department's decision to define what constitutes a ‘canceled flight’ and ‘significant change to flight itinerary.’ These definitions will bring much-needed uniformity and clarity to what have been fraught and stressful experiences for travelers facing weather or airline staffing issues," Chadwick continued. "Great customer service, whether before, during, or after a trip, is key to the value Travel Tech members offer. These definitions will help online travel agents better support their customers navigating frustrating flight cancellations and the labyrinth of airline customer service systems." The Travel Technology Association’s full comments may be viewed at: https://www.traveltech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Comments-of-The-Travel-Technology-Association.pdf In its comments, the Travel Technology Association explains that ticket agents are already bound to issue refunds “promptly” after airlines provide the authorization and funds to do so. In its draft rule, the Department proposes that customers receive refunds within seven days. However, it takes up to eleven days to secure refunds from airlines' payment and refund systems. "To require refunds before the funds are returned by the airline – as the proposed rule currently demands – would impose an undue financial burden and risk on ticket agents. We encourage the Department to revise this part of its proposal to reflect that airlines’ payment and refund systems are beyond the control of ticket agents.” ### About Travel Tech The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) is the voice of the travel technology industry, advocating for public policy that promotes transparency and competition in the marketplace to encourage innovation and preserve consumer choice. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including global distribution systems, online travel agencies and metasearch companies, travel management companies, and short-term rental platforms. To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com. Contact Details kglobal Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website https://www.traveltech.org.

December 19, 2022 10:15 AM Eastern Standard Time