Israel, a nation smaller than the state of New Jersey, makes a big impression in the world of research and development. Israel spends more money on research and development compared to any other country in the world—4.25%, according to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).
You might then ask, “How does this affect me?”
When you consider the innovative technologies that were birthed out of this small nation, you might be surprised to discover you may use these inventions every day… or that you might need them in the future.
Not only are these technological developments useful at the personal level, but research and development also make a significant impact on economic growth on a large scale. How? Through innovation. When scientists and researchers develop new applications and techniques, the technology changes.
People respond to tech changes. Think about this—how many of us switched from a cell phone with buttons to a smartphone with none? And now, buying a new car that doesn’t have a computer manning it is unheard of.
With more innovations comes increased productivity while using fewer resources, which grows the economy.
Let’s take a look at a few of Israel’s everyday innovations.
- Waze– A GPS navigation software that gives you turn-by-turn information, travel times, and route details in real time
- PillCam™– A device often used by medical experts for endoscopies
- USB– A common data storage device that connects over a USB port
- Viber– An app for smartphones that allows you to make free calls
- Google suggest function– A function that autocompletes your query in the Google search bar
Has anything on the list changed the way you do everyday tasks? Does it make driving; talking with anyone, anywhere; or searching FAQs on the internet easier?
Here’s a deeper look into a few of Israel’s innovations:
Waze
An Israeli company began the Waze app development in 2006. The development was funded by two Israeli venture capital firms and one American firm. Waze Mobile was bought by Google in 2013.
Waze is unique in its approach to navigation as it has drivers who are out on the roads working together, giving each other a heads-up about what’s on the road ahead.
Get the best route, every day,
with real–time help from other drivers.
Waze is the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation app. Join other drivers in your area who share real-time traffic and road info, saving everyone time and gas money on their daily commute.[i]
PillCam™
PillCam™ is a capsule with a tiny video camera placed inside. This modern medical tech is quickly becoming one of the most popular methods used by clinical professionals to obtain images of the small intestine, and it’s likely to replace traditional endoscopy procedures.
The PillCam™ takes about 2 images per second after it is ingested by the patient. It travels throughout the digestive system over an 8-hour period.
The PillCam™ is favorable to the traditional approach of an endoscopy because it does not require sedation. It can be administered in a doctor’s office, there is zero recovery time, and it is considered the gold standard for detecting disease.
High-quality imaging supports greater diagnostic confidence—In one survey, 100% of GIs ranked the image sharpness, natural tissue colors, balanced illumination, and overall image quality provided by the PillCam™ SB 3 system higher than that of the previous generation.[ii]
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
If you own a computer, you very likely have a USB flash drive. This memory storage invention has changed the way we store information since the early 2000s. An Israeli company, M-Systems, in partnership with IBM, developed the first USB in the 1990s. It hit the market in the 2000s and quickly replaced floppy disks.
M-Systems was founded in 1989, by an Israeli electrical engineer named Dov Moran. The company was based in Kfar Saban, Israel.
Viber
Viber Media was founded in Tel Aviv, Israel, by two entrepreneurs that were chief information officers in the Israeli Defense Forces.
Founded in 1998, Viber is now used by millions to make free calls, deliver text messages, and send pictures from computers or smartphones.
More than messaging
With a variety of calling and messaging features, you have endless options when it comes to expressing yourself.[iii]
Viber has features such as audio and video calls, group chats, expressive stickers, and instant voice and video messaging. Due to the various features as well as being available to any smartphone or desktop user, Viber is quickly beating out the competition when it comes to communication.
Google Suggestion Feature
Google is the most well-known and frequently used search engine today. The suggest feature, or autocomplete, hit the engine in 2008. The suggestions take into account the user’s region, language, previously searched, and popular searches.
This feature has made search easier and faster. It also provides ideas to your search that you may not have thought of.
Google seeks the most innovative people, companies, and ideas because their “… mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” [iv] In essence, Google only works with the best.
The tiny nation of Israel no doubt makes a big splash in the pool of technology that impacts the world’s economy. When we begin to see all the innovative ways Israel has helped, and continues to help, the companies and nations that partner with her—we begin to understand what a valuable ally we have in the Middle East.
Israel, known as the “Start-up Nation,” will continue to research and develop valuable information and intel in everything from military and medical tech, to environmental and agricultural discoveries.
How we stand with Israel, is where we position ourselves in the world. How will you choose to respond to this impressive nation?
If you want to know more about Israel’s journey in becoming a start-up nation, go HERE and download FREE information about this economic powerhouse in the Middle East. There’s no better time than now to take a personal stand with the influential nation of Israel.
