Expanded LG SIGNATURE and SKS Lineups and New Builder Solutions Strengthen LG’s North American B2B Appliance Strategy 

News Summary 

• LG Electronics introduces its latest premium home solutions at KBIS 2026, including AI-powered appliances and design-led innovations across kitchen and laundry categories.
• The exhibit highlights expanded LG SIGNATURE and SKS lineups featuring refined design, advanced functionality and intelligent features.
• LG’s Core Tech-powered appliances deliver exceptional performance in diverse residential spaces while the LG ThinQ™ AI platform enables a seamless smart home integration.
• LG also presents builder-focused appliance packages and the ThinQ Pro platform, designed to support B2B customers across diverse residential environments.

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) is showcasing a wide selection of premium home solutions at the 2026 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), North America’s largest kitchen and bath tradeshow, held in Orlando, Florida, from February 17-19. Featuring the expanded LG SIGNATURE portfolio, SKS’s luxury appliances and the ThinQ AI and ThinQ Pro platforms, the exhibit highlights LG’s expanding presence across both consumer and builder markets in North America.

LG SIGNATURE: Refined Design Meets Cutting-edge Technology

Visitors to LG’s booth will encounter the expanded LG SIGNATURE portfolio of premium lifestyle solutions. Tailored to the evolving North American housing trends, the latest lineup combines technological innovation with refined design to reinterpret modern living. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, LG SIGNATURE offers an extended kitchen lineup covering 10 product categories. The brand’s sleek solutions represent the perfect balance of form and function, combining refined design and strong performance with convenient AI features to further enhance and enrich the user experience.

LG SIGNATURE presents three distinct design collections – Iconic, Tailored and Seamless – each reflecting regional lifestyle preferences and interior trends while expressing the brand’s refined minimal design identity. The Iconic Collection echoes the eye-catching color palettes popular in luxury condominiums, the Tailored Collection offers customization options including materials and finishes, and the Seamless Collection – developed in collaboration with Italian luxury living brand Poliform – delivers a subtle yet elegant aesthetic that seamlessly blends in with a diverse range of interior styles.

SKS Expands the High-end Living Experience from Kitchen to Laundry

At KBIS 2026, LG introduces the ultra-premium SKS brand’s first laundry solution alongside its latest kitchen lineup. Built on the pillars of precision, ingenuity and passion, SKS continues to expand its portfolio towards a Technicurean whole-home living environment. The new 29-inch SKS WashCombo™ and SKS Dryer incorporate advanced AI-driven fabric-care technologies and can be paired to create a fully integrated, efficient laundry environment.

Highlights of the SKS kitchen lineup include the much-anticipated 36-inch Integrated Column Freezer and Column Refrigerator, which automatically optimize cooling and ice production based on usage patterns. The innovative SKS Hidden Induction Island System delivers a clean, seamless appearance and intuitive usability with an invisible induction cooktop and downdraft hood.  The all-new 36-inch Full-Flex induction cooktop with two extended cooking zones that support oversized cookware up to 12.6 inches is also on display. LG is hosting live cooking shows at its booth, allowing visitors to experience the intelligent features and cooking precision of the latest SKS kitchen appliances.

LG’s Core Tech and AI Platform Maximize Reliability and Convenience

The premium appliances on show at KBIS owe their powerful performance and impressive durability to the company’s highly efficient Core Tech component technologies. LG’s laundry solutions incorporate proprietary Dual Inverter Heat Pump technology and Artificial Intelligence Direct Drive™ (AI DD™) motor, while the Zero Clearance hinge in LG’s Fit & Max refrigerators enables flexible installation and a flush-to-the-wall fit.

LG also demonstrates how its AI Home upgrades daily living via the smooth integration of AI appliances and the ThinQ AI platform, which encompasses the ThinQ ON AI Home hub, and the ThinQ UP and ThinQ Care services. Supported by LG Shield cybersecurity system, LG’s AI Home helps safeguard personal data and sensitive information while enabling personalized comfort and convenience.

Broadening Builder-Focused Solutions in North America

Targeting the North American builder market, LG introduces appliance packages designed for residential developments, including compact kitchen and laundry solutions as well as double-configured Styler packages.

Visitors can also explore LG ThinQ Pro, a space management platform for B2B customers that enables integrated system operation through simple QR-based setup and centralized monitoring.

“We are redefining the home experience across luxury, premium and mainstream segments by combining design sophistication, AI intelligence and seamless platform integration,” said Steve Baek, president of the LG Home Appliance Solution Company. “With a complete built-in appliance portfolio and differentiated builder offerings, we will continue to strengthen our leadership in the North American B2B appliance market.”

LG welcomes KBIS 2026 attendees to experience its latest premium home solutions firsthand at the LG booth (#W2100, Orange County Convention Center).

About LG Electronics Home Appliance Solution Company  

The LG Home Appliance Solution Company (HS) is a global leader in home appliances and AI home solutions. By leveraging industry-leading core technologies, the HS Company is committed to enhancing consumers’ quality of life and promoting sustainability. The company develops thoughtfully designed kitchen and living appliance solutions and has recently integrated LG’s Robot Business Division to incorporate advanced robot technologies into its home solutions. Together, these products offer enhanced convenience, exceptional performance, efficient operation and sustainable lifestyle solutions. For more news on LG, visit www.LGnewsroom.com. 

BANGKOK, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Researchers at Chulalongkorn University have developed a new cookbook designed to improve nutrition, safety, and quality of life for older adults and people with swallowing difficulties, or dysphagia. Titled Happy to Swallow: 52 Simple Recipes for Delicious Dysphagia Meals, the publication adapts popular Thai dishes into texture-modified meals that are safe to swallow while remaining visually appealing and flavorful.

The cookbook is led by Assitstant Professor Dr.  Varanya Techasukthavorn, the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. It builds on the team’s earlier work, 46 IDDSI-Compliant Swallowing Practice Menus, Thailand’s first cookbook developed under the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI). The new volume translates years of academic research on texture-modified foods into practical guidance for home kitchens and care settings.

The book features 52 recipes spanning familiar Thai main dishes, desserts, and beverages that have been redesigned to reduce choking risk while preserving authentic flavor and presentation. Each recipe was tested and refined in a kitchen laboratory to ensure safety, palatability, and nutritional adequacy.

Malnutrition remains a significant concern among older adults and individuals with dysphagia, many of whom avoid eating due to fear of choking or dissatisfaction with unappealing puréed foods. To address this, all recipes are developed by professional dietitians to provide balanced nutrients and adequate energy intake. The cookbook emphasizes natural, locally available ingredients and minimizes the use of additives, making it accessible to families and caregivers.

All dishes comply with IDDSI standards, a globally recognized framework used in hospitals and long-term care facilities to classify food textures and liquid thickness. The bilingual Thai-English format broadens the book’s reach to international caregivers, healthcare professionals, and foreign seniors living in Thailand.

The publication forms part of a national research project examining the implementation of IDDSI-based diets in hospitals nationwide and is partially funded by the Ratchadapisek Somphot Fund of Chulalongkorn University. Researchers say the project aims not only to improve nutrition and safety, but also to restore dignity, confidence, and enjoyment at the dining table.

Happy to Swallow is available as a free digital download and for purchase through designated online platforms, serving as a practical resource for caregivers and health professionals seeking safer, culturally familiar meals for people with swallowing difficulties.  

Contact LINE Official Account: @dysphagiadiet.th for more information.

Read the full article and download Happy to Swallow: 52 Simple Recipes for Delicious Dysphagia Meals for free at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/278578 

The book is available for purchase via the Happy to Swallow Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/happytoswallow/ 

Read the full article at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/278578/

About Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University has made the world’s top 50 university list for employment outcomes, which reflects both the high employment rate and work ability of Chula graduates. The university is also listed as the best in Thailand for the 15th Consecutive Year (since 2009), according to the newly released QS World University Rankings 2024, putting Chula at 211th in the world, up from 244th last year.

Social Media: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChulalongkornUniversity
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chulauniversity
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/15101896/

Avalara’s 2026 Cross-Border Chaos Report shows that 83% of business leaders find international operations more complex, with 39% delaying market entry amid rising uncertainty.

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New research from Avalara, Inc., the agentic tax and compliance leader, shows that while businesses are eager to expand globally, fading confidence in stable trade rules is forcing many to slow or delay growth amid rising regulatory complexity, tariffs, and geopolitical volatility.

• Read Avalara’s 2026 Cross-Border Chaos Report here.

Avalara’s 2026 Cross-Border Chaos Report reveals that 83%¹ of business leaders believe cross-border operations are more complex than a year ago, while 70%² say trade is more complex than it was three years ago.

Nearly 4 in 10 companies (39%) have delayed entering new markets altogether due to regulatory uncertainty. As a result, global expansion is losing momentum, with just 43% of businesses actively pursuing new international opportunities. Tariffs, fragmented regulations, and geopolitical volatility are making cross-border operations increasingly unpredictable, costly, and complex.

In response, businesses are turning to technology to create their own certainty. 87%³ of companies now use AI in some capacity for their cross-border operations. This suggests that automation and intelligent compliance systems are becoming central to managing risk, maintaining control, and sustaining growth. In addition, it points to a fundamental shift in global trade, where trust is moving towards systems that can adapt as quickly as the rules change.

“Global expansion hasn’t lost its appeal, but the rules of the game are changing faster than ever,” said Craig Reed, GM of Cross-Border at Avalara. “As trade becomes more fragmented and unpredictable, businesses are realizing they can’t wait for certainty to return. They’re using technology and automation to stay compliant, manage risk, and keep moving forward.”

Other findings from the Cross-Border Chaos Report include:

Compliance is core to growth: Once viewed as a back-office function, compliance is now a defining factor in expansion decisions. Nearly half of respondents (49%) noted that regulatory change after market entry was their most influential risk for cross-border operations. Other concerns include border disruption (46%) and unexpected fines (38%).

Technology emerges as a source of stability: Businesses are now embedding technology directly into their expansion strategies. 87%³ of respondents now use AI for cross-border operations. More than a quarter (27%) are deploying it broadly and 19% have made it central to their risk management. Rather than waiting for regulatory clarity, companies are engineering their own predictability through data-driven compliance systems and automation.

One global challenge, different regional pressures: While uncertainty seems universal, its impact varies by region. In the U.S., concerns about sudden policy shifts are driving higher levels of AI adoption. In the UK, post-Brexit divergence and friction with Europe continue to reshape trade strategies. And in Australia and India, regulatory fragmentation and shifting trade alliances complicate market entry. Across markets, technology is emerging as the common foundation for sustainable growth in today’s volatile trading environments.

The full 2026 Cross-Border Chaos Report, including regional breakdowns and industry insights, is available to download at: newsroom.avalara.com/image/Avalara+Cross-Border+Chaos+Report.pdf

About the Cross-Border Chaos Report
Avalara commissioned Censuswide to survey 1,500 senior business decision‑makers within businesses / retailers that trade and / or sell goods cross-border across the U.S., UK, India and Australia. The data was collected between January 13 – 20, 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.

About Avalara
Avalara is the agentic tax and compliance leader. For more than two decades, Avalara has developed one of the most expansive libraries of tax content and integrations in the industry, supporting over 200,000 direct and indirect customers across more than 75 countries. The company’s purpose-built AI agents automate end-to-end compliance processes with greater precision, from tax calculations and return filings to exemption certificate management and beyond. For more information, visit Avalara.com.

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/avalara_logo.jpg

CHICAGO and MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rand McNally today announced the launch of a new multi-brand capability for Toyota Halo, developed in partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA). The capability was launched on January 20, 2026, and enables Toyota fleet customers in Australia to manage mixed fleets, including non-Toyota vehicles, within a single Toyota Halo portal using Rand McNally’s GX6 device.

Rand McNally’s GX6 in-vehicle telematics unit

Toyota Halo is Toyota’s fleet management platform, sold exclusively by Toyota to its fleet customers as a Toyota-branded, white-label solution powered by Rand McNally technology. The platform helps fleet operators monitor, manage, and optimize their vehicles through a centralized portal designed to support real-world fleet operations.

With the introduction of the new multi-brand capability, Toyota Halo can now support non-Toyota light vehicles and light commercial vehicles alongside Toyota vehicles in the same system. This includes vehicle types such as sedans, SUVs, and Utility vehicles, provided they are compatible with the GX6 device. At this stage, the multi-brand capability is limited to light vehicles and light commercial vehicles.

The enhancement is enabled by Rand McNally’s GX6 device, an in-vehicle telematics unit that captures and transmits vehicle data into the Toyota Halo platform. GX6 is the only approved device for enabling multi-brand functionality within Toyota Halo and has been approved for use by TMCA.

“This launch reflects how fleet customers actually operate,” said Adam Ricketts, General Manager APAC & MENA for Rand McNally. “Most fleets operate a mix of vehicle brands, and this capability allows Toyota Halo customers to manage those vehicles together in one system, without the complexity of multiple platforms.”

The new capability unlocks additional opportunities among mixed-fleet customers by extending Toyota Halo beyond Toyota-only fleets while maintaining a consistent, Toyota-branded fleet management experience. It also represents an expansion of the partnership between Rand McNally and Toyota Motor Corporation Australia, extending the functionality and commercial reach of Toyota Halo within the Australian market.

The multi-brand capability is available now to eligible Toyota Halo customers in Australia using the GX6 device.

About Rand McNally
Rand McNally is a leading provider of navigation, mapping, and fleet management solutions, delivering technology platforms that help fleets operate more efficiently, safely, and intelligently.

About Toyota Halo
Toyota Halo is a Toyota-branded fleet management solution offered by Toyota Motor Corporation Australia that enables fleet customers to monitor, manage, and optimize their vehicles through a single, integrated platform.

Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/rand_mcnallys_gx6_in_vehicle_telematics_unit.jpg

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/rand_mcnally_logo.jpg

SYDNEY, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Roborock, the global leader in intelligent home robotics engineered to simplify daily life, today announced the launch of Qrevo Edge 2 Pro, its latest premium robot vacuum cleaner designed to help households stay cleaner, healthier and more comfortable — without adding extra effort to daily routines.

As families balance work, children, pets and increasingly busy lifestyles, expectations around home cleaning continue to evolve. It is no longer enough to remove surface-level dust. More households are seeking reliable solutions that address hidden dirt, bacteria, and allergens, while operating quietly and efficiently in the background.

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro is built to meet exactly that need.

Uncovering Hidden Hygiene Challenges

While dust and stains are easy to spot, many of the most persistent hygiene challenges remain out of sight. Low-clearance spaces beneath beds and sofas often trap hair, allergens and fine particles, while damp mop pads and unclean docks can become sources of odour and bacterial growth over time.

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro tackles these hidden challenges with a 7.98cm ultra-slim design and an upgraded retractable LiDAR system, enabling it to clean effectively under low furniture without compromising navigation or mapping accuracy. By reaching areas that standard cleaning often misses, the robot helps minimise the build-up of fine debris and allergens, supporting a more thorough and hygienic home environment.

High-Temperature Hygiene Built into the Dock System

Beyond floor coverage, Qrevo Edge 2 Pro integrates a high-temperature self-cleaning system designed to deliver consistent hygiene across every cleaning cycle.

The dock performs 100°C hot water mop washing to break down grease and microbial residue, followed by 55°C hot air drying to prevent moisture-related odours and mould formation. In addition, the base station itself is cleaned using 100°C hot water, helping maintain internal cleanliness and long-term system hygiene.

Together, these processes provide a clear, verifiable hygiene logic — using heat-based cleaning to address bacteria, allergens, and odour sources at both the mop and dock level.

Powerful Cleaning Performance for Everyday Living

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro is powered by Roborock’s 25,000Pa HyperForce suction, delivering strong airflow to effectively remove fine dust, embedded debris and pet hair from carpets and hard floors.

For floor washing, warm water mopping combined with 12N downward pressure and dual spinning mop pads improves surface contact and stain removal efficiency, supporting deeper cleaning results in high-traffic household areas.

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro also features an industry-first Dynamic Chassis system, enabling dual-layer obstacle crossing of up to 4cm and adaptive movement across rugs and uneven surfaces, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted cleaning across multiple rooms.

Peace of Mind for the Whole Family

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro is built to reduce daily maintenance and make home cleaning worry-free, featuring a Hygienic Multifunctional Dock that automates mop washing, drying and base self-cleaning. It’s also certified as both a Pet Friendly Floor Cleaner and Maternal & Infant Cleaning Robot – supporting sensitive users and healthier family homes.

Additional convenience features include a Dual Anti-Tangle System that minimises hair wrap on both the main and side brushes, plus advanced Obstacle Recognition technology capable of identifying over 200 household objects for precise everyday navigation.

Together, these intelligent features help deliver a cleaner, healthier home with minimal effort, giving families, seniors and busy households greater peace of mind while protecting the spaces where kids, pets and loved ones spend their time.

Refined Design for Contemporary Homes

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro combines performance upgrades with a refined industrial design that fits seamlessly into modern homes. The low-profile robot body integrates advanced sensing hardware within a clean, minimal silhouette, while the square dock features geometric lines and premium finishes. The dock’s front panel uses a glossy material paired with a 2.5D curved surface, creating rich depth and dynamic reflections from different angles, enhancing both visual appeal and tactile quality, and making the product a sophisticated addition to contemporary Australian living spaces.

Building on Roborock’s expanding Qrevo Edge lineup, Qrevo Edge 2 Pro reflects the brand’s continued focus on delivering higher standards of hygiene, extended coverage and intelligent automation. Additional models within the Qrevo Edge 2 series are expected to follow, offering households more flexible options tailored to different living environments and cleaning needs.

Pricing and Availability

Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 Pro will be available in Australia at an RRP of AUD $2,799, through Roborock’s official online store and selected retail partners.

For more information, please visit Roborock’s official website.

About Roborock 

Roborock is a leading smart cleaning brand renowned for its intelligent cleaning solutions. Having become the #1 best-selling robotic vacuum cleaner brand according to IDC*, Roborock enriches lives with its innovative line of robotic, cordless, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, robotic lawn mowers and washer-dryers. Rooted in a user-centric approach, our R&D-driven solutions cater to diverse cleaning needs in millions of homes across more than 170 countries and regions. Headquartered in Beijing and with strategic subsidiaries in key markets, including the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and South Korea, Roborock is dedicated to elevating its market presence worldwide. As of 2026, Roborock serves more than 22 million households. For more information, visit https://global.roborock.com/.