AFP – Thai forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas during a stand-off with Cambodian protesters along their disputed border on 17 September, Bangkok’s military said, a move that Phnom Penh stated injured more than 20 people.
Thai Forces Fire Tear Gas in Border Stand-off With Cambodians

Neuronata-R® Phase 3 Results Confirm Subgroup Benefit at PACTALS 2025, Strengthening Biomarker-Driven Pathway
Meaningful improvements confirmed in slow-progressor subgroup; biomarker reductions support precision-medicine approach and potential FDA accelerated pathway
SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CorestemChemon Inc. (KOSDAQ: 166480) announced today that it has presented key findings from the Phase 3 ALSummit trial of Neuronata-R® (lenzumestrocel), an autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), at the PACTALS 2025 congress in Melbourne, Australia.
The first session, chaired by Professor Seung-Hyun Kim of Hanyang University Hospital — a global leader in stem cell-based ALS research — brought together a panel of seven distinguished ALS experts from six countries. As part of the panel, Dr. Ryung-A Lee (Head of R&D Innovation, CorestemChemon) introduced the company and shared a brief overview of the Phase 3 trial results.
In the second session, the full Phase 3 clinical trial (ALSUMMIT trial) results were formally presented by Professor Ki-Uk Oh (Department of Neurology, Advanced Regenerative Medicine Center, Hanyang University Hospital, and principal investigator of the ALSUMMIT trial).
A presentation on CorestemChemon’s ‘Neuronata-R’ at the International ALS Conference PACTALS 2025 held in Melbourne, Australia (Photo = CorestemChemon)
Subgroup Analysis Demonstrates Statistically Significant Benefit
While the overall trial did not meet its primary and secondary endpoints, Neuronata-R® showed meaningful efficacy in patients with slower disease progression.
At 12 months, participants in this subgroup receiving Neuronata-R® achieved:
- ALSFRS-R (functional rating scale): 31.2 vs. 26.4 in placebo (p=0.001)
- CAFS (Combined Assessment of Function and Survival): 20.95 and 24.78 vs. 17.92 in placebo (p=0.024; p=0.041)
- SVC (slow vital capacity, respiratory function): 62.2% vs. 50.6% in placebo (p=0.017, Study Group 2)
These findings confirm Neuronata-R®‘s potential to preserve function and respiratory capacity in ALS — outcomes directly linked to quality of life and survival.
Biomarker Data Underscore Neuroprotective Effect
Biomarker analysis revealed sustained reductions in neurofilament light chain (NfL) and MCP-1, indicating a strong link between neuroprotection and clinical outcomes.
This strengthens the case for biomarker-guided patient stratification and a precision-medicine strategy in ALS drug development, reflecting the evolving global regulatory landscape.
Regulatory Pathway Toward Accelerated Approval
CorestemChemon stated that the PACTALS 2025 results mark an important step for regulatory discussions. The company plans to request a Type-C meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Q4 2025 to discuss the dataset and biomarker-driven subgroup efficacy.
Based on this discussion, CorestemChemon plans to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) within 2026, aiming to pursue an accelerated approval pathway aligned with precedents in ALS, including FDA’s decision on Tofersen.
Innovative Stem Cell Therapy
Neuronata-R® uniquely addresses the complex mechanisms of ALS by leveraging MSCs derived from the patient’s own bone marrow. These cells exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, protect motor neurons, and, through paracrine signaling, secrete trophic factors, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles that modulate the microenvironment and reduce neuroinflammation. By targeting these underlying pathological processes, Neuronata-R® is designed to interrupt the neurodegenerative cascade.
About Neuronata-R®
Neuronata-R® (Lenzumestrocel), developed and commercialized by CorestemChemon Inc. (KOSDAQ: 166480), is an autologous MSC therapy for ALS patients. The company began ALS research in 2002 and obtained MFDS approval for Neuronata-R® in 2014. To date, it has been administered to more than 400 commercial patients and 190 clinical trial participants with no treatment-related serious adverse events reported.
Neuronata-R® holds Orphan Drug Designation from both the U.S. FDA (2018) and the EMA (2019). CorestemChemon completed a Phase 2 trial (NCT01363401) in 2014 and its Phase 3 trial (NCT04745299) in 2024; the final CSR has been submitted to the MFDS.
/C O R R E C T I O N — CAIR/
In the news release, “EchoCare” Ultrasound Large Model Launched in Hong Kong as CAIR Showcases Large-Scale Ultrasound Dataset Training Achievements, issued 17-Sep-2025 by CAIR over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the headline, 2nd paragraph, 6th paragraph, and 7th paragraph have been updated. The complete, corrected release follows:
“EchoCare” Ultrasound Foundation Model Launched in Hong Kong as CAIR’s New Breakthroughs Propel AI Ultrasound into the Era of Large Models
HONG KONG, Sept. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Amid the global surge in rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, the healthcare sector is entering a critical phase of intelligent transformation. As a vital tool in clinical diagnosis, ultrasound imaging has long been plagued by issues such as low efficiency, inconsistent diagnostic standards, and insufficient AI model accuracy. These challenges urgently call for technological breakthroughs and industrial collaboration. Against this backdrop, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation (HKISI), Chinese Academy of Sciences unveiled its latest scientific achievement – the “EchoCare” Ultrasound Large Model – on 17th September in Hong Kong.
At the press conference, Prof Hongbin Liu, Director and Professor of CAIR, Prof Gaofeng Meng, Deputy Director and Professor of CAIR, Prof Jiebo Luo, Member of Academia Europaea and the US National Academy of Inventors, Prof Randolph Hung-leung Wong, Chief of the Cardiothoracic Surgery at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), were joined by numerous renowned scholars, clinical experts, and more than ten media representatives to witness this milestone breakthrough in AI-powered ultrasound medicine.
Pioneering Structured Contrast Self-Supervised Learning Framework
The “EchoCare” Ultrasound Large Model was trained on the first ultrasound image dataset known to exceed 4 million images. The model introduces a “Structured Contrast Self-Supervised Learning Framework”, which leverages hierarchical tree labels derived from medical priors to enable multi-label semantic relational structured learning and implicit encoding. Through techniques such as Masked Image Modelling (MIM), Adaptive Hard Patch Mining, and Progressive Training, the model effectively enhances its ability to model the deep semantic features of ultrasound images and improves generalisation performance.
Test results demonstrate that “EchoCare” achieves state-of-the-art (SOTA) performance across seven medical tasks, including image segmentation, classification, detection, regression, and enhancement, as well as in over ten downstream applications. On average, it delivers a 3%-5% improvement compared with current SOTA methods.
A Major Milestone for Inclusive Smart Healthcare
In his opening remarks, Prof Jiebo Luo congratulated the successful development of the “EchoCare” Ultrasound Large Model and highly praised it as another significant breakthrough in the deep integration of AI and medical applications. He noted that the implementation of “EchoCare” in routine hospital examinations can significantly reduce reliance on medical specialists while assisting doctors in making diagnoses more efficiently and accurately. This technology is expected to substantially improve the efficiency of medical services while providing greater opportunities for the optimal allocation of healthcare resources.
“Listening to Sound, Grasping Principles”
At the press conference, Prof. Gaofeng Meng, Deputy Director of CAIR, explained that the name “EchoCare” originates from the idiom “Listening to Sound and Grasping Principles” (Ling Yin Cha Li) in Liu Xie’s The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons (Wenxin Diaolong • Zhiyin). The text notes that “One becomes proficient in music only after mastering a thousand melodies, and gains insight into weaponry only after observing a thousand swords.” which aligns closely with the philosophy behind developing the ultrasound large model. He further introduced that EchoCare innovatively adopts a structured contrastive self-supervised learning approach, enabling feature learning and downstream task decoupling without the need for extensive data annotation, thereby achieving the internalization of prior knowledge in the ultrasound domain and facilitating cross-task knowledge transfer.
Prof. Meng emphasized that, unlike traditional large models, EchoCare innovatively adopts a structural self-supervised learning approach. It removes the need for extensive data annotation, enables feature learning, and decouples downstream tasks, thereby internalizing prior knowledge in ultrasound and facilitating cross-task knowledge transfer.
He also showcased the model’s technical highlights, data advantages, and application results. Specific case validations included 1,556 ovarian tumor ultrasound cases at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and more than 1,000 thyroid ultrasound examinations at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, where EchoCare significantly outperformed existing state-of-the-art methods.
Relieving Physicians, Benefiting Patients, and Offering Immense Clinical Value
The standardized analytical capabilities of “EchoCare” can effectively reduce the rates of missed and misdiagnosed major diseases, significantly enhancing the efficiency and standardisation of clinical diagnosis. It provides robust technical support for frontline medical practitioners.
During the case-sharing segment, Prof Randolph Hung-leung Wong from CUHK first presented retrospective validation results for the detection and analysis of aortic aneurysms using “EchoCare” in cardiac ultrasound. He also envisioned the potential clinical value of integrating this large model with robotic technology. In the live demonstration, he showcased two ultrasound scanning videos, where the model rapidly captured and analysed the key medical information, successfully identifying abnormal cases and automatically generating ultrasound reports for the doctors’ reference.
Various Views: Technology for the People, AI Deeply Rooted in Reality
During the media Q&A session, Prof Hongbin Liu, Prof Gaofeng Meng and Prof Randolph Wong answered questions from media representatives, such as Phoenix TV. They engaged in in-depth discussions on the technical details, clinical applications, and commercialisation pathways of the EchoCare Ultrasound Large Model. Following the Q&A, the media representatives conducted exclusive interviews with the invited guests and visited the Embodied-AI Surgery Platform developed by CAIR, where they experienced CAIR’s latest AI healthcare achievements up close.
The “EchoCare” Ultrasound Large Model, open-sourced by the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, breaks down the compatibility barriers between traditional ultrasound devices and unlocks the value of multi-centre data, providing medical institutions with reusable AI infrastructure. This achievement not only accelerates the large-scale deployment of ultrasound AI but also injects sustained innovation into the advancement of the smart healthcare industry.
Released by
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR).
Established in 2019, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) is one of the two centres under Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation (the only directly affiliated research institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hong Kong).
CAIR is dedicated to integration and innovation of artificial intelligence and life sciences, conducting research in three main areas: Multimodal AI Large Model, Embodied Intelligent Robots, and Intelligent Sensing Technologies. CAIR is a key institution supported by Hong Kong’s InnoHK initiative in the field of AI. It is among the few institutions globally that systematically carry out research and development of AI systems for medical and healthcare applications, as well as their technological transformation.
Agoda’s World Tourism Day Sale Presents Opportunities for Travel Partners
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Hoteliers and accommodation partners can boost visibility and capture demand with deals up to 60% off for travelers this World Tourism Day
SINGAPORE, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda is calling on travel partners including, accommodation, flight and activity providers, to be a part of its upcoming World Tourism Day sale, designed to inspire travelers to explore new destinations.
With visa restrictions easing across Asia Pacific, travelers now have more opportunities than ever to explore established tourist hubs and beyond. Agoda’s latest New Horizons list showed a rise in demand for emerging cities, with destinations such as Chiayi in Taiwan, the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia, Cheongju-si in South Korea, and Siquijor Island in the Philippines ranking as the fastest growing destinations.
Timed to coincide with World Tourism Day on 27 September, the upcoming Agoda World Tourism Day Sale campaign creates the perfect moment for emerging destinations alike to attract greater attention and demand. This increased accessibility is sparking curiosity and inspiring travelers to venture beyond the usual hotspots, giving hoteliers and travel partners in these emerging destination cities a valuable chance to capture a larger share of regional tourism.
“World Tourism Day is a reminder of the need to keep travel accessible and affordable for everyone,” said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda. “Across Asia Pacific, accommodation searches for emerging cities now account for over 30% of overall searches in the first half of the year and they are a big part of the region’s growing tourism story.
This campaign offers hoteliers in both major hubs and emerging cities the opportunity to connect with new audiences and capture demand through Agoda’s global platform.”
Running from 24 September to 8 October, the World Tourism Day sale will offer up to 60% off hotel bookings, with special flash sales of up to 70% on 27 September and 6 October and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 21 to 23 September.
By participating, hoteliers can tap into Agoda’s extensive global reach to increase property visibility, drive bookings from high-intent travelers, and connect with new guest segments during a key seasonal travel window. To help its partners maximize these opportunities, Agoda offers data-driven tools and insights designed to optimize performance in capturing demand.
Campaign highlights for partners:
- VIP Early Access (21–23 September): Up to 60% off for Agoda VIP members.
- Mega Sale (24 September – 8 October): Up to 60% off hotels for all travelers.
- Flash Sales (27 September and 6 October): Up to 70% off hotels for limited-time bookings.
- Exclusive Flight and Activity Deals: Enhanced cross-sell opportunities.
TIER IV, Komatsu and EARTHBRAIN collaborate on autonomous technology for construction equipment
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TOKYO, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TIER IV, a pioneer in open-source software for autonomous driving, is collaborating with Komatsu and EARTHBRAIN to develop autonomous technology for construction equipment. The collaboration will focus on autonomous operation of Komatsu’s articulated and rigid dump trucks for civil engineering and quarry sites in Japan, aiming for a practical use in fiscal 2027.
Komatsu and its subsidiary EARTHBRAIN are developing automation and remote fleet technologies to enable unmanned operations at construction jobsites. TIER IV has spearheaded the development of Autoware*, open-source software for autonomous driving, and its proven expertise in autonomous driving technologies for on-road vehicles has been acknowledged as a key factor in bringing about this collaboration.
This collaboration brings together the strengths of the three companies: TIER IV’s autonomous driving technology, Komatsu’s vehicle engineering for construction equipment, and EARTHBRAIN’s expertise in construction process management utilizing digital technologies. Together, the three companies will develop an autonomous system and fleet management system for construction equipment, aiming to bring the technology into practical use. TIER IV will co-develop the autonomous system with Komatsu and support its integration and deployment at jobsites. EARTHBRAIN will be responsible for developing the fleet management system.
The collaboration aims to deliver value to customers in the following ways:
- Address labor shortages at civil engineering and quarry sites by enabling autonomous operation of dump trucks, contributing to reduced labor requirements.
- Significantly improve haulage efficiency through integration of a fleet management system, allowing dynamic route optimization and stable autonomous controls.
- Enhance safety and reduce environmental impact by minimizing fuel consumption through optimized operations and by supporting unmanned operations, which also contribute to improving the overall working environment.
Komatsu will first apply this technology to its articulated dump truck HM400 (maximum payload: 40 tons) and rigid dump truck HD785 (maximum payload: 93.9 tons), with plans to expand the technology to other models in the future. The solution is intended for a wide range of industrial sites, including steel mills and plants. Komatsu also envisions future global deployment.
TIER IV, Komatsu and EARTHBRAIN will promote autonomous operation of construction equipment and the smart transformation of civil engineering and quarry sites, contributing to solving the challenges of each customer’s jobsites.
*Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation.
Media contact
TIER IV
pr@tier4.jp
Purpose-Driven and Material Innovation: Xpore Teams Up with Patagonia and Industry Leaders at “From Material Science to Mission: 2025 Circular Economy Forum”
TAIPEI, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BenQ Materials hosted the groundbreaking “From Material Science to Mission: 2025 Cross-Industry Circular Economy Forum” at the Taiwan Textile Research Institute on September 16. This milestone event gathered global brand Patagonia, the Taiwan Technical Textiles Association, Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, and the Circular Taiwan Network to explore how material innovation, product footprint, responsible supply chains, and cross-industry collaboration can advance sustainable transformation. The collective goal: to position “Sustainable Manufacturing in Taiwan” as a trusted global hallmark.
Xpore Teams Up with Patagonia and Industry Leaders at “From Material Science to Mission 2025 Circular Economy Forum
BenQ Materials: Cross-Industry Vision and Leadership
Dr. ZC Chen, Chairman of BenQ Materials, opened the forum by emphasizing that enterprises should not merely serve as suppliers, but as “co-creators of sustainable value.” Expanding from electronics into textiles, BenQ Materials is driving cross-industry circularity through its performance textile brand Xpore. The pioneering Xpore e2cycle – the world’s first and only recycled PET fabric derived from LCD waste – demonstrates how e-waste can be transformed into high-performance, durable, and functional textiles. This innovation connects the electronics and textile sectors, realizing the vision of “upcycling and upvaluing” materials to prolong their lifecycle and boost value.
Patagonia: Sustainability DNA and Collaborative Action
Matt Dwyer, Vice President of Global Product Footprint at Patagonia, delivered a keynote titled “Product Footprint: A Balancing Act,” reviewing a decade of progress and challenges in implementing preferred materials – fibers and raw materials that improve environmental or social sustainability outcomes, now used in over 95% of Patagonia’s products. Dwyer underscored Patagonia’s pledge to eliminate PFAS by 2025 and to push the “Waste Economy,” such as transforming discarded fishing nets into NetPlus® nylon, diverting over 6.2 million pounds of ocean-bound nets since 2018. He highlighted the company’s “Fair Trade” initiatives, showing with data how these raise employee satisfaction, enhance product responsibility, and build consumer trust, while moving toward the “living wage” goal.
Xpore and Patagonia: Opportunities and Challenges in Partnership
Dwyer spotlighted the journey of collaboration with Xpore: from rigorous audits to enduring partnership, Patagonia recognized the potential of Taiwanese suppliers in the global chain. When Xpore debuted in 2020 with its PFAS-free, solvent-free material, Patagonia quickly initiated discussions in pursuit of high-performance yet eco-friendly solutions.
The real test came with Patagonia’s thorough audits in 2023, examining wages, safety, worker welfare, and even conducting direct interviews with frontline staff. Xpore’s transparent pay practices, above-standard benefits, and honest culture enabled it to pass in one attempt—often a rare feat among textile factories. This transparency and commitment accelerated the partnership and deepened mutual trust.
Today, Xpore and Patagonia have moved beyond a traditional client–supplier model, becoming true problem-solving partners. Xpore’s highest-grade Ultra nanoporous film is now featured in the Patagonia M10® Waterproof Alpine Anorak, designed to withstand extreme environments with outstanding performance and comfort—all through a PFAS-free process that exemplifies the best in technological and sustainable innovation.
Xpore’s story demonstrates that Taiwan’s textile industry can not only match global standards in technology, but also excel in ESG, supply chain responsibility, human rights, and transparency—offering a blueprint for how material science can be mission-driven and setting a new bar for sustainable transformation.
Textile Association: Innovation Through Design
Dr. Cam Huang, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Technical Textiles Association, shared stories of “the Oscars of the textile world,” highlighting the industry’s dual strengths in high-performance and sustainable design, and urging more companies to make sustainability the core of brand value.
Chung Hwa Pulp: From Forest to Future Materials
Kirk Hwang, Chairman of Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, spoke on “From Forest to Purpose,” demonstrating commitment to responsible forestry and circular manufacturing. By expanding pulp into biofibers and low-carbon packaging, coupled with energy transformation, Chung Hwa Pulp aims for 50% green energy self-sufficiency by 2030, embodying sustainable innovation in raw materials.
Circular Taiwan Network: Good Ideas + Good Governance = Good Business
Charles Huang, Chairman of the Circular Taiwan Network, called for breaking linear thinking and advancing Circular Collaboration for Climate Crisis (CC4CC). Only through cross-industry and international cooperation can a sustainable ecosystem be built, citing the limited impact of global carbon reduction efforts over the past 30 years.
Co-Creating a Global Mark for “Sustainable Manufacturing in Taiwan“
With its purpose-driven approach and focus on material innovation, BenQ Materials aims to lead Taiwan into a new era of sustainable manufacturing. From global brand Patagonia to Taiwanese leaders in material science, textiles, and circular industries, all participants echoed the call to establish the “Taiwan Can Lead” alliance. By integrating ESG, circular economy, and responsible supply chains, they aspire to make “Sustainable Manufacturing in Taiwan” a global standard and to propel cross-industry transformation toward a sustainable future.
Matt Dwyer, Vice President of Global Product Footprint at Patagonia
Expanding from electronics into textiles, BenQ Materials is driving cross-industry circularity through its performance textile brand Xpore. The pioneering Xpore e2cycle – the world’s first and only recycled PET fabric derived from LCD waste – demonstrates how e-waste can be transformed into high-performance, durable, and functional textiles.
Vingroup named to TIME’s ‘World’s Best Companies 2025’ list

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2025 – Vingroup, Vietnam’s leading private conglomerate, has been honored as one of the “World’s Best Companies” by TIME magazine. Vingroup is the first and only Vietnamese company to be included on this elite global list, solidifying its reputation and standing on the international stage.

The “World’s Best Companies 2025” ranking, compiled by TIME in collaboration with global data firm Statista, evaluates businesses on three key criteria: Revenue Growth, Employee Satisfaction, and in-depth analysis of Sustainability (ESG).
Vingroup, as the first Vietnamese enterprise to meet the rigorous selection standards, demonstrated a strong performance across all three metrics. With a total score of 77.06, the conglomerate secured the 817th position among the top 1,000 companies worldwide.
In the Revenue Growth category, Vingroup was ranked “Very High”. The Group’s total assets exceeded 958.235 trillion VND as of June 30, 2025. Its consolidated net revenue and after-tax profit for the first half of 2025 reached nearly 130.476 trillion VND and 4.540 trillion VND, respectively, representing a 103% increase in revenue compared to the same period the previous year.
For Employee Satisfaction, Vingroup ranked 894th globally. The Group has cultivated a dynamic work environment that fosters dedication, innovation, and engagement, with a strong emphasis on professional and personal development. Vingroup has consistently topped the “Best Places to Work in Vietnam” lists by independent evaluation organizations.
In the Sustainability category, Vingroup’s significant contributions to societal development, both within Vietnam and on a global scale, distinguished it from many other major international brands. Vingroup has become a model for sustainable economic and social development, particularly through its leadership in the global green mobility revolution.
Madam Le Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup and Chairwoman of VinFast, stated: “Being named one of TIME’s ‘World’s Best Companies 2025’ is not only a testament to our tireless efforts but also a recognition of Vingroup’s credibility, transparency, and global standing. This will motivate us to continue our commitment to sustainable growth, fostering a progressive work culture, and making a positive impact on the community and society for a better future for all.”
This recognition follows two consecutive years of accolades for VinFast, a Vingroup subsidiary, which was previously named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential Companies 2024” and “Asia-Pacific’s Best Companies of 2025” lists. In the latter, VinFast was recognized as one of the companies “shaping the region’s position on the global economic map.”
Founded 101 years ago, TIME is a leading global magazine headquartered in New York. With its worldwide presence and deep, objective analysis of political, economic, cultural, and scientific events, TIME holds significant influence in shaping public discourse. Its lists and rankings are widely regarded as authoritative and credible worldwide.
Hashtag: #Vingroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Vingroup
Vingroup is a leading private economic conglomerate in the region, with a workforce of 200,000 employees. Its operations extend beyond Vietnam to international markets including North America, Europe, India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The Group’s five core pillars are Industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, and Social Enterprises.
Vingroup offers a diverse ecosystem of products and services, from electric cars, e-scooters, and robots to artificial intelligence, entertainment, tourism, real estate, retail, healthcare, education, transportation, and renewable energy.
Six Vingroup brands, Vinhomes, VinFast, Vinpearl, Vincom Retail, Vinschool, and Vinmec, were recently named to the “Top 100 Most Valuable Brands in Vietnam” list by global brand valuation firm Brand Finance.
Xinhua Finance: Chongqing’s Intelligent Bionic Robot Competition Highlights Advances in “Evolving” Robotics
CHONGQING, China, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 10th “Maker in China” Intelligent Bionic Robot Competition was recently held in Chongqing, bringing together dozens of robotics teams that used the event as a platform to present new products, technologies, and ideas. “This year’s competition not only featured more teams and use cases, but also showcased technologies whose stability and maturity now rival leading international offerings,” said one participant. According to industry analysts and corporate executives, this event was more than a showcase of innovation and entrepreneurship in the robotics field—it also offered a preview of the future trajectory of intelligent machines.
The competition was co-hosted by the Cybersecurity Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology, and the Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Administration Committee, and organized by the Industry Development and Promotion Center of MIIT. Since its launch in April, the event has attracted more than 100 corporate and maker teams. After more than three months of competition, 64 winning projects were selected, covering consumer services, healthcare, transportation, and industrial applications.
“This is our universal chassis for embodied intelligent robots. Its strength lies in its ability to move autonomously in complex environments, while maintaining high stability under heat, bright light, noise, and heavy dust, materially improving operational efficiency,” said a representative from Kantu Wujie (Beijing) Robot Co., Ltd. At the event, the company’s team demonstrated its embodied-intelligence platform, drawing strong interest from participants. According to the team leader, the product will undergo further refinement for demanding operating conditions, with broader prospects in intelligent logistics, specialized tasks, and smart manufacturing.
The finals also featured a series of live demonstrations, including bionic ground mobility, humanoid and embodied-intelligence roadshows, robotic surgery trials, humanoid robot handling, automated EV charging, and power grid inspection simulations.
Ultimately, technological breakthroughs must convert into commercial use, while adoption depends on collaboration across the value chain. Chongqing is working to build a National Science and Technology Innovation Center and has rolled out a set of policies to advance embodied intelligence, including the “Policy Measures to Support the Development of the Embodied Intelligent Robot Industry in Chongqing.” These initiatives have attracted a growing cluster of robotics ventures to the city.