The 2019 edition of VivaTech, the world’s rendez-vous for startups and leaders, played host to 13,000 startups and welcomed more than 120,000 attendees in Paris for a three-day event to celebrate innovation. Big groups such as: Facebook, Google, Huawei, Microsoft also attended the call.

The lineup of speakers included prominent world leaders such as Jack Ma, Founder and Executive Chairman of AliBaba group, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Holly Elizabeth Ridings, chief flight director at NASA, among others.

For his part Trudeau announced that “Canada will be launching a digital charter to combat online hate speech, misinformation and electoral interference”. President Macron addressed the issue of taxing giants to ensure fair competition. He stated that he wants the measure to be implemented all over Europe.

.@JustinTrudeau announces at #VivaTech that Canada is launching a brand new digital charter – a guide for the digital landscape! pic.twitter.com/ew2tuauxuR

— #VivaTech (@VivaTech) May 16, 2019

Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt also took part in the event by launching a personal electric scooter service in Europe. The service is available in some states in the US, and Bolt plans to expand the footprint across this country.

The VivaTech’s Hall of Tech area presented an impressive tech exhibition in which startups and big companies displayed their innovations: animations, drones, robotics, etc. Attendees could witness the AeroMobil Flying Car, a hybrid with folding wings and fins around the wheels; they could also see ‘Pillo’, a Personal Home Health Robot that manages family’s health and can answer health and wellness questions.

Have you seen this cutie in the #VivaTech Discovery Zone by @EDFofficiel? @PilloHealth is a voice-activated home health companionand it provides a total wellness program for you and your loved ones 👨‍⚕️💊 pic.twitter.com/cX1t6tir6G

— #VivaTech (@VivaTech) May 17, 2019

A French startup named HAVR presented BrightLock, a smart lock that enables to unlock doors through LiFi. It uses light from your smartphone and allows you to share digital keys with whoever you want. And for those interested in 3D printing, Imprimante unveiled its personal 3D printing. In their creators’ words “the fastest, the most flexible and the most accessible 3D printer worldwide”.

Another product that was featured at the event was ‘Bin-e Smart Waste Bin’, a device that can sort and compress waste, offering excellent recycling solutions for an eco-friendly workplace.

Expo goers were fascinated and sometimes in disbelief at the wide variety of technological breakthroughs showcased at the event, thinking that what may seems odd today may turn out to be ordinary tomorrow.

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