Electronic Engineering announces $20,000 equipment donation, work-study program with DMACC

Wireless communications company Electronic Engineering announced a donation of $20,000 in communications equipment and a work-study/tuition assistance program for students at Des Moines Area Community College with interest in electronic engineering, radio communications and robotics specializations. The work-study program will provide on-the-job experience for students with compensation for work, and…

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Who in Iowa gets to be innovative?

Craig Ibsen, managing principal at Next Level Ventures, and Stephanie Atkin, vice president of marketing at Dwolla, at Thursday’s Power Breakfast: Innovation Acceleration. Des Moines talks a big game about Iowa being an innovation state, but at Thursday morning’s Business Record Power Breakfast, one audience member wondered: is this true…

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USDA’s rural broadband plan met with criticism and concerns

Slow speeds, bad coverage and expensive service. These are just some of the concerns contained in nearly 300 public comments on Rural Broadband Pilot Program proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a review by the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting found. Little has been done on the program since…

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Iowa 80 Truckstop seeks to offer electric vehicle charging stations – without public utility regulation

The Iowa Utilities Board is considering regulations around electric vehicle charging stations after Alliant Energy protested the Iowa 80 Truckstop’s plans to offer stations, reports the Midwest Energy News Network. Under the Iowa 80 Truckstop’s proposal, customers would be charged for each kilowatt hour put into a vehicle; Alliant Energy,…

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Microsoft unrolls rural broadband plan in urban Iowa counties

Some Iowans are scratching their heads after Microsoft announced a new rural broadband plan that will improve access in three Iowa counties – which are primarily urban, reports the Des Moines Register. Microsoft is partnering with Quad Cities company Network Business Solutions to expand internet service in three Iowa counties,…

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Autonomous vehicle security engineer to give Iowa Technology Summit keynote

Dr. Charlie Miller, Principal Autonomous Vehicle Security Architect at Cruise Automation, will deliver the keynote presentation at the Iowa Technology Summit Powered by Wellmark in downtown Des Moines on Oct. 2. Miller is the former head of the autonomous vehicle security division at Didi Chuxing and was previously a National…

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Governor Reynolds demonstrates new statewide emergency radio system

Governor Kim Reynolds placed the ceremonial ‘first call’ at the Iowa State Fair on Monday, using a new statewide radio network that will be used by public safety agencies, hospitals, first responders and public schools, her office reports. The Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System (ISICS) is built on Motorola Solutions…

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Lincoln, Neb. conducts test pilot program for Navya autonomous shuttle

What started as a feasibility study concept ended up as framework for a statewide policy for driverless vehicles in Nebraska, reports Silicon Prairie News. The city of Lincoln is the first in the state conducting a pilot test of a Navya autonomous shuttle over several weeks. The shuttle, funded in…

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West Des Moines, Microsoft to partner on pilot community Wi-Fi access

A new pilot project between the city of West Des Moines and Microsoft Corp., among other partners, aims to change the way Valley Junction neighborhood residents and businesses access high-speed broadband service. The broadband equity pilot project will provide levels of free community Wi-Fi access to Valley Junction homes, businesses, employees,…

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Siemens awarded contract for smart microgrid in Finland

Siemens AG and Lempäälän Energia will build a self-sufficient smart grid system in Marjamäki, Finland, Siemens announced on Tuesday morning. Project LEMENE will provide a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and secure energy supply to the community, Siemens said. The project will feature more than 15,000 solar panels, six gas motors and…

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