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51WORLD Unveils Two Embodied AI Products and Reveals Aerospace Strategy from Low Altitude to Deep Space

BEIJING and SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On August 18, 51WORLD, a Hong Kong-listed company (stock code: 6651.HK), held its “Physical AI Master Plan 2030” launch event. At the event, the company introduced two core products: AperData, an embodied data infrastructure, and AperOne, an embodied application platform. 51WORLD also disclosed for the first time a three-tier aerospace strategy covering “low-altitude, space and deep space,” laying out a full-stack business footprint that stretches from ground-based operations to outer space.

AperData: An Integrated Hardware-Software Data infrastructure that Turns Embodied Data Standards into Measurable Metrics

One of the embodied AI sector’s biggest bottlenecks today is data scarcity, compounded by the lack of a unified, practical standard for data quality. Industry estimates suggest that leading embodied-AI companies need about 1 million hours of high-quality data each year, while they can generate only a little over 100,000 hours internally, leaving a supply gap of roughly 10x.

AperData is positioned as a data infrastructure for embodied AI. It targets the shortage of training and validation data with a collection system that closes the loop from data capture to model training, improving both collection precision and efficiency.

At the event, 51WORLD announced a strategic joint venture with Union Image to focus on embodied data infrastructure. The debut product suite includes AperEgo and AperOS, an integrated hardware-software collection system that creates an end-to-end loop from data capture through training.

The first-generation product is available immediately, with an introductory price of RMB 5,100 per set. On the hardware side, AperEgo is a head-mounted collection device that can be worn by operators at work sites. It supports synchronized multi-sensor data acquisition, preliminary edge-side processing and filtering, and both task-based and opportunistic collection modes. On the software side, AperOS provides a full-lifecycle data loop and can deliver standardized trainable datasets. It supports cloud or private deployment, while the open platform supports customization and secondary development.

After raw captured data is processed through AperEgo x AperOS, the delivered data can reach 99% physical consistency in trajectory, while efficiency can improve by more than 10x compared with traditional teleoperation at the same cost.

51WORLD also released a five-year roadmap for AperData. In 2026, it plans to mass-produce the first-generation head-mounted data-collection kit and complete toolchains for baseline data annotation and quality inspection. From 2027 to 2029, the hardware side will gradually add multimodal full-body data-collection suits with force feedback and haptic gloves, lightweight wireless collection devices, and high-precision dexterous-hand collection terminals. On the software side, it will build a multimodal data-fusion platform spanning vision, force and pose; an AI-powered automatic annotation and scene-generation engine; and a simulation-enhanced data loop. By 2030, AperData aims to realize a fully automated data factory, a data engine for embodied foundation models, a globally distributed collection network, and adaptation kits for multiple robotic embodiments.

AperOne: A Five-Stage, Full-Chain Closed Loop that Brings Robots into Real World

If AperData addresses the supply of data, AperOne tackles the industry’s last-mile problem: enabling robots to truly take up work in real environments.

The robotics industry has long faced a gap between flawless lab performance and faltering operations in complex field environments. The underlying challenge is that real-world scenarios are highly complex and the cost of trial is high. AperOne is positioned as an embodied-application closed-loop OS platform. It builds a complete loop across reconstruction, training, evaluation, deployment and operations, addressing the difficulty of robot deployment and low fault tolerance.

The solution has already been validated in both general-purpose and specialized scenarios, including parks, venues, shopping centers, power stations, mines and factories. In a general-purpose setting, a national-level conference center used digital twins and spatial intelligence to support centimeter-level spatial computation and layout planning in seconds, enabling robots to conduct autonomous inspection, reception, and multi-agent cooperative moving, arrangement and setup of tables and chairs. In a specialized setting, a leading smart factory in Southwest China used digital twin reconstruction and a unified command screen to support robot inspection and monitoring of hazardous sources, gas and dust simulation, confined-space reconnaissance, pipeline-corridor inspection, and emergency coordination.

From parks to power stations and from shopping centers to mines, AperOne is moving embodied AI from “able to demo” to “able to work,” and is validating a standardized path for scaled real-world deployment.

51WORLD has already formed partnerships with leading vendors including Deep Robotics, Galbot, Sevnce Robotics, Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics, Gausium Robotics, GigaAI, Yimu Technology, BeingBeyond and SEER Robotics. Together, the companies aim to help hundreds of millions of embodied robots enter the physical world by 2030.

Aerospace Strategy: Extending the Boundaries of Physical AI from Low-Altitude Airspace to Deep Space

Another major highlight of the event was 51WORLD’s first disclosure of its three-tier aerospace strategy covering “low-altitude, space and deep space,” extending the application boundary of Physical AI from the ground to deep space.

At the low-altitude layer, 51WORLD is working with Insta360 to build a digital airspace simulation and test-flight assurance platform for low-altitude aircraft, enabling every eVTOL takeoff to be rehearsed first in the digital world. At the space layer, it is partnering with Huantian Wisdom around the collection of high-precision satellite remote-sensing data and the reconstruction of “physics-ready” data assets, and the two parties jointly customized the world’s first commercial remote-sensing satellite designed specifically for Physical AI training and simulation applications: Earth Clone Star “ECS-1.” At the deep-space layer, 51WORLD is collaborating with the Deep Space Exploration Lab to move Mars and lunar exploration missions into the digital world, enabling advance simulation and mission rehearsal for deep-space tasks.

Overall, 51WORLD has built a three-layer Physical AI capability stack. Upstream, it works with chip and compute partners to build an industry foundation. At the middle layer, its closed-loop capabilities around “model + simulation + data” provide the core support. Downstream, it covers multiple application scenarios including autonomous driving, embodied AI and aerospace exploration. This full-stack system not only supports 51WORLD’s own business implementation, but is also gradually becoming common infrastructure for the broader Physical AI industry.

51WORLD’s Physical AI strategic blueprint toward 2030 is also clear: starting in 2015, the company has gradually built a product and business matrix that extends from autonomous driving to embodied AI and then to aerospace exploration, with addressable market opportunities moving from the hundreds-of-billions scale to the trillions. As this strategy is implemented, 51WORLD’s platform value and valuation framework are likely to be reassessed.

About 51WORLD

Beijing 51WORLD Digital Twin Technology Co., Ltd. (51WORLD, Stock Code: 6651.HK), founded in February 2015, is China’s first core infrastructure enterprise for “Physical AI” listed on the capital market. With the vision of “cloning the Earth’s 510 million square kilometers,” the company is dedicated to building a bridge between the digital and physical worlds.

In terms of industry standards development, 51WORLD’s 51Sim business has continued to participate in ASAM-related standardization work since 2018, taking an in-depth role in the formulation and evolution of core standards including OpenSCENARIO, OpenMATERIAL 3D and Test Specification.

In terms of financial performance, according to 51WORLD’s 2026 interim results announcement, for the six months ended June 30, 2026, the company recorded revenue of approximately RMB124 million, up 129.8% year on year; gross profit of approximately RMB55.39 million, up 150.3% year on year; and a 25.5% year-on-year narrowing of loss for the period. Among its businesses, 51Sim revenue grew 545.2% year on year, with its revenue contribution rising from 14.8% in the same period last year to 41.4%, making it a core growth engine for the company.

IBM Connects Its First Modular Cryogenic Systems in Milestone Toward Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing

  • New cryogenic quantum fridges designed to link hundreds of quantum chips.
  • Cooled to below 15 millikelvin, more than 180 times colder than deep space, the build out marks a step forward in the engineering required for future quantum computers.
  • Advances IBM’s quantum roadmap to deliver the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer in 2029.

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it has successfully joined and cooled down two cryogenic modules into a single environment. The new architecture is designed to scale into the modular, shared, and ultra-cold system required to link hundreds of quantum chips into a more powerful quantum computer capable of solving large problems. Its deployment is a milestone on IBM’s path to delivering IBM Quantum Starling in 2029, which is expected to be the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer and will integrate advances across error correction, processor design, decoding, and systems engineering.


IBM’s scalable and modular cryogenic system to support fault-tolerant quantum computing. (Credit: IBM)

Combined, the first two operational modules stand more than 8 feet tall and 8 feet wide, and initial tests demonstrated they can jointly cool down to 4 Kelvin (the temperature of liquid helium) in under 5 days, reaching a final temperature of below 15 millikelvin shortly after. Each module’s vacuum enclosure offers up to 12 times more wiring space than the most widely used IBM quantum systems, enabling more chip-to-chip connections both within and between modules.

IBM’s new box-shaped design allows modules to connect in a tight row and use this larger space to directly link quantum processors with IBM’s “L-coupler” technology. L-couplers connect separate quantum chips together to share information, communicate, and operate as part of a larger quantum computer.

By 2027, IBM’s quantum roadmap plans to use L-couplers to link multiple processors into a larger quantum computer with at least 1,000 programmable qubits, which are qubits that can be directly used to perform computations. Towards this goal, IBM will install IBM Quantum Nighthawk processors into the cryogenic modules later this year to expand operational performance testing. At the time Starling is delivered, IBM plans for each cryogenic module to house thousands of qubits.

IBM’s plans for Starling were introduced last year with a new error correction code that dramatically reduces the physical resources required for fault tolerance. Since then, the company’s progression has remained on course, including the demonstration of core hardware components and breakthroughs in efficient error-correction decoding.

“Bringing fault-tolerant quantum computers to industries depends on several fundamental advances,” said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow. “The successful connection and operation of these cryogenic modules signals a leap forward in that direction and will accelerate our progress alongside continued innovation in quantum hardware, software, and algorithms.”

IBM expects its scalable cryogenic modules to help speed its pace of innovation. For example, three essential components of IBM Quantum System Two’s environment are built into the new architecture, but now in a way that allows each part to be independently tested, improved, and rapidly iterated.

The delivery of these new cryogenic quantum modules is further evidence that IBM is systematically delivering against its quantum roadmap, solving another one of the major hurdles required to accelerate its path to fault-tolerant quantum computing.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media contacts:

Dave Mosher
IBM
dave.mosher@ibm.com

Erin Angelini
IBM
edlehr@us.ibm.com 

IBM’s scalable and modular cryogenic system to support fault-tolerant quantum computing. (Credit: IBM)
IBM’s scalable and modular cryogenic system to support fault-tolerant quantum computing. (Credit: IBM)

IBM’s scalable and modular cryogenic system to support fault-tolerant quantum computing. (Credit: IBM)
IBM’s scalable and modular cryogenic system to support fault-tolerant quantum computing. (Credit: IBM)

So-Young to Report Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results on August 31, 2026

BEIJING, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — So-Young International Inc. (NASDAQ: SY) (“So-Young” or the “Company”), the leading aesthetic treatment platform in China connecting consumers with online services and offline treatments, today announced that it will report its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, before U.S. markets open on August 31, 2026.

So-Young’s management will hold an earnings conference call on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 7:30 AM U.S. Eastern Time (7:30 PM on the same day, Beijing/Hong Kong Time). Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

International:

Mainland China:

US:           

Hong Kong:   

Passcode:      

+1-412-902-4272

4001-201203

+1-888-346-8982

 +852-800-905945

So Young

A telephone replay will be available two hours after the conclusion of the conference call through 23:59 U.S. Eastern Time, September 7, 2026. The dial-in details are:

International:

US:

Passcode:      

+1-412-317-0088

 +1-855-669-9658

1697226

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at http://ir.soyoung.com.

About So-Young International Inc.

So-Young International Inc. (Nasdaq: SY) (“So-Young” or the “Company”) is the leading aesthetic treatment platform in China connecting consumers with online services and offline treatments. The Company provides access to aesthetic treatments through its online platform and branded aesthetic centers, offering curated treatment information, facilitating online reservations, delivering high-quality treatments, and developing, producing and distributing optoelectronic medical equipment and injectable products. With its strong brand recognition, digital reach, affordable treatments and efficient supply chain, So-Young is well-positioned to serve its audience over the long term and grow along the medical aesthetic value chain.

For more information, please contact:

So-Young

Investor Relations
Ms. Mona Qiao
Phone: +86-10-8790-2012
E-mail: ir@soyoung.com

Christensen

Ms. Joanna Quan
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: sy@christensencomms.com 

10Life Test: Airline Add-On Travel Insurance Priced by Airfare — Same Coverage, Premiums Differ by up to 34%


Key findings: 10Life found that premiums for the same airline embedded travel insurance plan ranged from HK$859 to HK$1,153 for the same route and trip duration, a 34% difference. Every HK$1,000 increase in airfare was associated with an increase of around HK$22 in the add-on premium, while similar coverage via an insurance comparison platform cost around HK$262, about one-quarter of the airline’s highest quote.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 – Adding travel insurance when booking a flight is a common practice among many Hong Kong travellers. However, the latest test by 10Life’s Research and Data Analytics team found that the same coverage may not always come at the same price.

Using the profile of one Hong Kong adult traveller, 10Life compared airline embedded travel insurance for a 14-day Hong Kong to New York trip across two departure dates and three economy fare classes, covering six scenarios in total. Each scenario involved the same travel insurance plan, coverage level, coverage details and benefit limits. Despite this, premiums ranged from HK$859 to HK$1,153, with the highest quote 34% higher than the lowest.

Table 1: Six quotes for the same travel insurance plan for a 14-day Hong Kong to New York trip, ranked by premium

Return airfare Travel insurance premium Difference vs. lowest premium Fare class Departure date
HK$9,131 HK$859 Light 15 to 28 October
HK$10,631 HK$892 +4% Essential 15 to 28 October
HK$12,531 HK$935 +9% Flexi 15 to 28 October
HK$19,411 HK$1,087 +27% Light 17 to 30 August
HK$20,461 HK$1,110 +29% Essential 17 to 30 August
HK$22,361 HK$1,153 +34% Flexi 17 to 30 August

Note: The premium difference is calculated against the lowest premium among the six tested scenarios, at HK$859. Test conditions: one adult traveller, single return trip, destination New York (John F. Kennedy International Airport), 14-day trip. Test and data update date: 6 August 2026. All amounts are in Hong Kong dollars. Premium amounts and percentages are calculated based on the relevant premiums and rounded to the nearest whole number. Premiums and quotes may change from time to time. Actual prices should be based on the relevant page shown at the time of purchase or booking.

1. Premiums appear to move with airfare, rather than being priced solely by coverage
Across the six tested scenarios, higher airfares were consistently associated with higher add-on travel insurance premiums. 10Life’s analysis found an almost linear relationship between airfare and premium: for every HK$1,000 increase in airfare, the add-on travel insurance premium rose by around HK$22.

Travel insurance premiums should generally be priced according to factors such as trip duration, destination, traveller age and coverage details, as these are the factors that typically determine risk. For the same departure date, destination and trip duration, the likelihood of an accident or medical claim should not increase simply because the airfare is higher.

It is also worth noting that higher fare classes usually offer more flexible change, cancellation or refund arrangements, which could theoretically reduce part of the trip cancellation risk. However, in the test, premiums for higher fare classes increased instead of decreasing. During the booking process, consumers may not easily notice these fluctuations in the travel insurance premium.

2. Other purchase channels did not show similar price fluctuations, with premiums up to 77% lower
10Life also reviewed two travel insurance products in the market offering similar coverage, referred to here as Product A and Product B. The findings showed that, whether purchased directly through an insurer’s website or via an insurance comparison platform, premiums were generally calculated based on trip details, such as destination, trip duration and traveller age. They did not appear to vary according to airfare.

Table 2: Premium comparison across different purchase channels for a 14-day Hong Kong to New York trip

Purchase channel Premium Does the premium vary with airfare?
Product A purchased through an insurance comparison platform HK$262 No observed fluctuation
Product A purchased through an insurer’s website HK$287 No observed fluctuation
Product B purchased through an insurance comparison platform HK$442 No observed fluctuation
Product B purchased through an insurer’s website HK$553 No observed fluctuation
Airline booking page add-on HK$859 to HK$1,153 Fluctuation observed

Note: Quotes for products purchased directly through insurer websites and insurance comparison platforms were based on travel insurance products with similar coverage. Product names, quote sources and key benefit limits are set out in the appendix. Test conditions are the same as Table 1. All amounts are in Hong Kong dollars and rounded to the nearest whole number. Coverage scope, benefit limits, claim conditions and exclusions may vary between products. Consumers should read the policy terms carefully before purchasing. Product A refers to MSIG iTravel Go Plan B; Product B refers to HSBC TravelSurance Worldwide Basic Plan. Quotes from the insurance comparison platform were obtained from the 10Life platform.

The airline booking page’s highest quote was HK$1,153, while Product A, which offers similar coverage, was quoted at HK$287 on the insurer’s website and HK$262 through an insurance comparison platform — approximately 75% and 77% lower respectively. Even compared with the airline booking page’s lowest quote of HK$859, Product A was still approximately 67% and 70% lower through the two channels.

Product B showed a similar trend. It was quoted at HK$553 on the insurer’s website and HK$442 through an insurance comparison platform, which were approximately 52% and 62% lower than the airline booking page’s highest quote, and approximately 36% and 49% lower than its lowest quote. Unlike the airline booking page, quotes from insurer websites and comparison platforms did not appear to vary according to airfare, suggesting that the convenience of one-click add-on may come at a higher cost.

3. 10Life view: Convenience should not come at the expense of pricing transparency
Airlines have increasingly separated flight-related charges, with services such as seat selection, baggage and ticket changes priced individually. Consumers can usually understand these differences because the service itself varies.

Dexter Ng, Head of Research and Data Analytics at 10Life, said: “Consumers generally understand why seat selection or baggage fees may differ, because the service itself is different. But if it is the same travel insurance plan, with the same coverage and the same benefit limits, the premium should not rise simply because the airfare is higher. In our test, the same coverage rose from HK$859 to HK$1,153 across different booking scenarios, a difference of nearly HK$300. From a consumer perspective, pricing the same insurance coverage based on airfare is difficult to justify.”

10Life believes that when the same insurance plan is priced differently across fares or booking scenarios without a clear explanation, consumers may find it difficult to judge whether the premium is reasonable. This lack of transparency is unfair to consumers. The key question is simple: should travel insurance premiums be based on the coverage provided, or on the price of the flight ticket?

4. Three travel insurance tips from 10Life

  1. Compare other purchase channels before adding travel insurance
    Before confirming a one-click travel insurance add-on, consumers can take 30 seconds to open another tab and check similar products on insurer websites or insurance comparison platforms. Consumers may find plans with similar, or even better, coverage at a lower premium. In 10Life’s test, the premium difference could amount to several hundred Hong Kong dollars.
  2. A higher premium does not necessarily mean better coverage
    When choosing a plan, consumers should compare key benefit limits, including medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage and personal accident coverage. They should also read the claim conditions and exclusions carefully.
  3. A higher airfare does not necessarily mean more expensive travel insurance is needed
    Trip cancellation cover is usually subject to a fixed benefit limit, meaning a higher airfare does not automatically result in a higher payout. Consumers should compare the actual benefit limit against their ticket cost, and review exclusions carefully, especially if the trip involves family travel, self-driving, diving, skiing, cruise holidays or other activities that may be subject to specific conditions.

Travellers who are unsure how to choose travel insurance may use the Travel Insurance Recommendation Tool for an initial comparison. By answering a few questions, the system can help match suitable travel insurance products based on destination, trip type and potential risks. Travellers may also use an insurance comparison platform to compare premiums, coverage scope, claim conditions and key terms across different products, helping them understand the coverage clearly before purchasing.

Travel insurance comparison: https://www.10life.com/en/products/travel
Travel insurance recommendation tool: https://www.10life.com/en/products/travel/recommend

About the Study
This test used the profile of one Hong Kong adult traveller and compared the same travel insurance plan recommended on the booking page of the same airline. Using a 14-day Hong Kong to New York trip as an example, the test covered two departure dates and three economy fare classes, resulting in six scenarios in total. All quotes were obtained based on one adult traveller taking a single return trip. 10Life did not test all airlines in the market. The results reflect only the airline, route and scenarios tested. Full data is available from 10Life upon request.

Reference Materials

Appendix 1: Comparison of key travel insurance benefit limits

Key benefit limit Airline booking page add-on plan Product A: MSIG iTravel Go Plan B Product B: HSBC TravelSurance Worldwide Basic Plan
Medical expenses HK$1,000,000 HK$1,000,000 HK$1,000,000
Personal accident HK$500,000 HK$500,000 HK$800,000
Trip cancellation HK$20,000 HK$25,000 HK$25,000
Travel delay HK$2,500 HK$2,000 HK$2,000
Baggage delay HK$1,000 HK$500 HK$1,000
Personal belongings HK$10,000 HK$15,000 HK$8,000

Note: The above table sets out only the maximum benefit limits for selected key coverage items and does not represent the full coverage of each product. Coverage scope, claim conditions, exclusions, item sub-limits and compensation calculation methods may vary between products. Consumers should read the policy terms carefully before purchasing. Benefits such as travel delay and baggage delay may be subject to delay duration, per-incident limits or specific claim conditions, and may not be directly comparable based solely on the total benefit limit. All amounts are in Hong Kong dollars. The information was compiled based on publicly available product information and test results. Data update date: 6 August 2026. Actual coverage, premiums and final underwriting results should be subject to the information shown on the purchase page, the relevant policy terms and the insurer’s final approval.

Notes

  1. Test conditions: one adult traveller, single return journey, destination New York, John F. Kennedy International Airport, with a trip duration of 14 days. The test covered two departure dates and three economy fare classes, resulting in six scenarios in total.
  2. Data from the airline booking page test was collected and updated on 6 August 2026. Comparison data for products purchased directly through insurer websites and insurance comparison platforms was also collected on 6 August 2026.
  3. Airline travel insurance premiums and plan information were obtained from tests conducted on the airline booking page. The airfare referenced in this release includes fuel surcharges, taxes and other charges.
  4. The comparison products purchased directly through insurer websites and insurance comparison platforms. Product A refers to MSIG iTravel Go Plan B; Product B refers to HSBC TravelSurance Worldwide Basic Plan. Quotes from the insurance comparison platform were obtained from the 10Life platform.
  5. All amounts are in Hong Kong dollars. Premium amounts and percentages are calculated based on the relevant premiums and rounded to the nearest whole number.
  6. The comparison was made based on products with similar coverage. However, coverage scope, benefit limits, claim conditions and exclusions may vary between products. Consumers should read the policy terms carefully before purchasing.
  7. The premiums, discounts and quoted prices above may change from time to time and may vary depending on purchase time, purchase channel, trip details and policy terms. Actual prices and final coverage should be subject to the information shown on the purchase and booking pages, the relevant insurer’s published information and final approval.
  8. This study was conducted by 10Life’s Research and Data Analytics team.

Hashtag: #10Life

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About 10Life

is a one-stop insurance comparison platform committed to bringing fair insurance to life. Founded by insurance professionals, 10Life combines technology with a human-centered approach to bring fair products, fair sales and fair claims to Hong Kong.

10Life pioneered insurance product ratings, enabling consumers to compare premiums, coverage scope, key terms and actuarial ratings across different insurance products, and purchase selected plans online according to their needs. The 10Life team also includes insurance advisers who provide professional advice based on customer needs, while independent claims specialists focus on claims support, helping policyholders obtain fair compensation.

10Life’s services cover insurance comparison, purchase and claims support, with the goal of helping consumers “buy right insurance and get fair payout”.

For more information about 10Life, or to compare different types of insurance, please visit: 10life.com

FAWCAR Opens Vientiane Showroom, Launches Two SUVs in Lao Market

FAWCAR has launched the JOYEE S04 electric SUV and JOYEE S08 plug-in hybrid SUV in Laos. The new models are now available in Vientiane, with nationwide distribution planned. (Photo supplies)

On 17 August, Delong Auto opened its FAWCAR showroom in Vientiane and launched two vehicles into the Lao market: the JOYEE S04, an electric SUV, and the JOYEE S08, a plug-in hybrid SUV.

Bounvanh Vilavong, Head of the Office of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and Yang Zhiyong, Chairman of the Inspection Committee of Delong Auto Group, as a distributor for FAWCAR in Laos, attended the event along with guests, influencers, and media representatives.

The launch extends FAWCAR’s expansion into ASEAN, backed by manufacturing from China FAW. The company built both models for Lao road and weather conditions and will use the Laos-China Railway to transport vehicles and parts, aiming to shorten delivery times for buyers.

FAWCAR priced the JOYEE S04 at USD 22,500 for a 445km-range version and USD 23,800 for a 565km-range version. The SUV runs on a Jigull electric drive system rated at 88 percent efficiency. Its battery uses High-molecular Carbon Nanocoating technology and has passed 169 safety tests covering fire, seawater immersion, and underbody impacts. The cabin includes a panoramic glass roof, a 14.6-inch control screen, L2 driving assistance, and a 360-degree camera.

The JOYEE S08 costs USD 24,800 and pairs a fuel engine with an electric motor. 

It runs up to 200 kilometers on electric power alone, supports 2C fast charging, and reaches up to 1,500km on a full battery and tank. The SUV carries a water-resistant battery, a full driver-assistance system, a continuous 360-degree camera, 33 storage points, and seats upholstered in Ganoderma mushroom leather. FAWCAR ranks it fourth among the world’s top 10 best-selling hybrid vehicles.

To test both models under local conditions, the FAWCAR team began a 1,500 kilometers drive from Vientiane to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The S04 is running urban and suburban routes within Laos, while the S08 is covering the cross-border stretch into Cambodia.

FAWCAR said it will expand distribution from Vientiane to nationwide coverage as demand for new energy vehicles grows in Laos.

The showroom is located in Dongnasok Tai Village, Sikhottabong district, Vientiane Capital. 

Contact info:

Phone: 020 9538 7666.

Facebook page: @Delong Auto ເຕີຫລົງ ອໍໂຕ້

Alpro Group and AstraZeneca Collaborate to Advance Early Detection Across the Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Spectrum and Raise Awareness of Hyperkalemia

Nationwide #AreYourKidneysOK+? initiative expands access to subsidised blood screening, public education, and pharmacist support for 12,550 Malaysians.


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 – As chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease continue to affect Malaysians, early detection is becoming increasingly important in reducing complications and improving long-term health outcomes.

(From left: Dr. Cheng Yong Fatt (Consultant Nephrologist of KPJ Seremban Specialist Hospital); Dr. Svetlana Yanchuk (Country President of AstraZeneca Malaysia); Ph. Hiew Fei Tsong (Co-founder of Alpro Group); Dr. Ng Ming Lee (Medical Director of Alpro Clinic); Ms Jenny Poon (Business Unit Director of CVRM/R&I of AstraZeneca Malaysia); Dr. Yong Lit Sin (Consultant Endocrinologist of Columbia Asia Hospital Seremban)
(From left: Dr. Cheng Yong Fatt (Consultant Nephrologist of KPJ Seremban Specialist Hospital); Dr. Svetlana Yanchuk (Country President of AstraZeneca Malaysia); Ph. Hiew Fei Tsong (Co-founder of Alpro Group); Dr. Ng Ming Lee (Medical Director of Alpro Clinic); Ms Jenny Poon (Business Unit Director of CVRM/R&I of AstraZeneca Malaysia); Dr. Yong Lit Sin (Consultant Endocrinologist of Columbia Asia Hospital Seremban)

These conditions are closely interconnected across the Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic spectrum, meaning that a problem affecting one area of health may also increase the risks to other parts of the body. However, many individuals may not recognise these risks until their condition has progressed or complications have developed.

One such complication is hyperkalemia, a condition characterised by elevated potassium levels in the blood. Hyperkalemia is more common among people living with chronic kidney disease because impaired kidneys may have lower ability to remove excess potassium from the body. As the condition may not always present noticeable warning signs, it remains under-recognised by the public and may lead to serious complications affecting the heart’s rhythm if not appropriately identified and managed.

Recognising the need to strengthen early detection and public awareness across the Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) spectrum, Alpro Group, in collaboration with AstraZeneca Malaysia, announced the launch of #AreYourKidneysOK+?, a nationwide awareness campaign dedicated to encourage early detection, promoting kidney health, and raising awareness of hyperkalemia.

This nationwide initiative aims to empower Malaysians to better understand the connection between their heart, kidney and metabolic health, while bringing greater attention to hyperkalemia as an often-overlooked complication associated with chronic kidney disease.

At the heart of the campaign is a subsidised blood screening programme aimed at encouraging more Malaysians to take an earlier and more proactive approach to their health. Eligible individuals will receive subsidy on selected blood test packages, to reduce financial barriers in screening and to support the earlier identification of potential Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic and health risks.

The campaign aims to reach 12,550 individuals across Malaysia, a shared commitment by Alpro Group and AstraZeneca Malaysia to turn public health awareness into meaningful action.

Beyond providing financial support for screening, the campaign creates a more accessible pathway for Malaysians to learn about their potential health risks, undergo appropriate screening and speak to their healthcare professionals about the next steps they may need to undertake.

To extend the campaign’s reach beyond physical pharmacy locations, the initiative is supported by a dedicated digital health education platform containing trusted and easy-to-understand information about hyperkalemia, including its causes, risk factors, possible warning signs and relationship with chronic kidney disease.

The platform serves as a public health resource that Malaysians can access at any time, helping individuals and caregivers better understand hyperkalemia and prepare for more informed conversations with pharmacists, doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Through Alpro Group’s community healthcare network, members of the public will also have greater access to pharmacist support and guidance. Alpro pharmacists can help individuals better understand the importance of screening, recognise relevant risk factors and seek appropriate medical assessment or follow-up when necessary.

“Many chronic health risks develop quietly and may only be discovered after complications have occurred. Through this campaign, we want to make preventive healthcare more accessible by connecting public education, affordable screening and professional healthcare support. By targeting 12,550 Malaysians, we hope to encourage more people to take an earlier and more proactive step towards understanding their heart, kidney and metabolic health,” said Dr. Ng Ming Lee, Medical Director of Alpro Clinic.

“As chronic kidney disease remains a significant public health challenge in Malaysia, this collaboration reflects a shared commitment across the healthcare ecosystem to strengthen public awareness of kidney health and bring health education closer to the public. Through Alpro Group’s nationwide network, we aim to help more Malaysians learn about relevant risk factors and have informed conversations with healthcare professionals to support appropriate assessment and follow-up,” said Dr. Svetlana Yanchuk, Country President, AstraZeneca Malaysia.

Through this collaboration, Alpro Group and AstraZeneca Malaysia reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing preventive healthcare by combining greater public awareness, accessible screening and professional healthcare support.

The campaign also demonstrates the important role that community pharmacies can play in supporting wider public health efforts by providing Malaysians with convenient access to health education, early screening opportunities and trusted professional guidance within their communities.

Members of the public are encouraged to learn more about hyperkalemia by visiting www.alpropharmacy.com/pages/hyperkalemia or by speaking to an Alpro pharmacist.

References
1. KDIGO Controversies Conference. Potassium Homeostasis and Management of Dyskalemia in Kidney Diseases. Kidney International (2020). [kdigo.org]

2. National Kidney Foundation. High Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment (updated 2025).
Hashtag: #AlproPharmacy #AlproGroup #AreYourKidneysOK+?

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Alpro Group

Founded in 2002, Alpro Group’s ecosystem has grown to include Alpro Pharmacy, Apotek Alpro, Alpro スギ (Sugi) Pharmacy, Alpro Physio, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Baby, Alpro OptiSaver, Alpro Audiology, Alpro Health, and Alpro Foundation. Supported by a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, optometrist and many others, Alpro serves over 5 million families in Malaysia and Indonesia through its extensive network of 500 physical outlets.

Alpro Pharmacy is the first and only community pharmacy in the region to offer product liability insurance of MYR 1 million in Malaysia and IDR 3 billion in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of genuine medications and enhancing consumer trust.

With the vision of a healthy and vibrant world, Alpro Group aims to become the No. 1 prescription pharmacy chain in Southeast Asia.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science led biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of innovative medicines that transform patient outcomes. Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, the company operates in more than 100 countries and plays a significant role in advancing modern healthcare through research driven innovation and strategic partnerships worldwide.

Guided by its purpose to push the boundaries of science to deliver life changing medicines, AstraZeneca prioritises long term investment in research and development. The company’s global strategy is built on deep scientific expertise, advanced technology platforms, and precision medicine approaches, including biologics, antibody drug conjugates, and data driven drug discovery. These capabilities enable AstraZeneca to address complex diseases and unmet medical needs with increasing accuracy and effectiveness.

HEIDELBERG systematically pressing ahead with strategic development – solid start to FY 2026/2027

  • Taking over manroland sheetfed lifecycle business and POLAR production operations strengthens core business
  • ONBERG pursuing partnership with Skyeton in European defense sector
  • Move into production of sodium-ion battery storage systems taps into new potential
  • First-quarter incoming orders lay solid foundation for further business development
  • Sales and EBITDA margin at start of year in line with expectations
  • Forecast for financial year 2026/2027 confirmed

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 19 August 2026 – Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) has started financial year 2026/2027 by systematically continuing its transition to a more broadly based technology company. HEIDELBERG is setting the course for future growth with a number of strategic initiatives. Besides expanding its core business by taking over manroland sheetfed lifecycle business and POLAR production operations, the company is also tapping into additional potential by taking advantage of new market opportunities arising from energy storage systems and the European defense sector.

HD Advanced Technologies is handling industrial production of battery energy storage systems (cabinets) for PHENOGY.
HD Advanced Technologies is handling industrial production of battery energy storage systems (cabinets) for PHENOGY.

Integration of the manroland sheetfed Group’s lifecycle business and global sales and service companies, together with full acquisition of POLAR postpress systems, has further enhanced the strategic position of HEIDELBERG as a systems integrator in its core business. As part of the manroland sheetfed transaction, HEIDELBERG has also secured the intellectual property rights for the Roland 900 / Cartonmaster in the large-format sheetfed offset segment. The first press of this model has already been sold, and HEIDELBERG is currently looking into further production and development options for this system at a low-cost location. In this way, the company is reinforcing its leading position in the printing and packaging sector.

Live Hub opened to demonstrate integrated drone defense

At the recent international aerospace trade show ILA Berlin, ONBERG signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a further joint venture – with the Ukrainian drone developer Skyeton. The Skyeton portfolio includes high-tech, combat-proven surveillance drones, which are being combined with the HEIDELBERG unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to create an autonomous system of systems. The unmanned air-ground systems that are currently being developed in rapid innovation cycles in Ukraine are increasingly regarded as a future defense solution. In July, ONBERG opened a Live Hub to demonstrate integrated counter-UAS capabilities at its Brandenburg site, where decision-makers from public authorities, operators of critical infrastructure, the armed forces, and industry can see exactly how integrated protection from enemy drones works in practice.

The move by HD Advanced Technologies into the production of sodium-ion battery storage systems is also opening up new potential. The company has teamed up with Swiss business PHENOGY to collaborate on a technology and industry platform in this sector. As an initial step, HD Advanced Technologies will start handling the industrial manufacturing of complete energy storage systems for PHENOGY – from procurement and production through to rollout, installation, service, and maintenance. The two companies are also laying the groundwork for a joint venture focusing on the development and industrial manufacturing of sodium-ion battery cells based on PHENOGY’s cell chemistry and a specific printing process from HEIDELBERG.

“This financial year at HEIDELBERG is all about investments in line with our strategic agenda. We are looking to further strengthen the company’s market position and tap into new potential. This will create the basis for profitable growth and sustainable value enhancement in the coming years,” says Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG.

Solid start to FY 2026/2027

During the first quarter of financial year 2026/2027 (April 1 to June 30, 2026), underlying conditions continued to be challenging for HEIDELBERG. Despite this, the incoming orders figure of € 537 million was only slightly down on the equivalent quarter of the previous year (€ 559 million) and therefore laid a solid foundation for further business development. The phasing-out of a state-subsidized investment program in Italy had a massive impact in the first quarter, reducing incoming orders there by over € 60 million compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The positive developments in China and the rest of Asia only partly compensated for this.

Sales totaled € 404 million and, as expected, were therefore below the figure for the equivalent period of the previous year (€ 466 million). Sales were significantly higher in China, the UK, and Brazil, but lower elsewhere, especially in the EMEA region. Adjusted for special items, the EBITDA margin for the first quarter of financial year 2026/2027 was 0.2 percent (corresponding quarter of previous year: 4.4 percent), primarily due to the lower volume of sales. As is normally the case at this point in the financial year, the free cash flow after the first three months was negative, at € -77 million (equivalent period of previous year: € -68 million). The net result after taxes for the first quarter amounted to € -32 million (corresponding period of previous year: € -11 million).

The HEIDELBERG Technology segment’s incoming orders and sales after three months exceeded the level recorded in the equivalent period of the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA remained stable at € -4 million. A partly expected downturn in the EMEA region was a particular factor contributing to the Print & Packaging Equipment segment’s lower incoming orders and sales. In the Digital Solutions & Lifecycle segment, incoming orders after three months were around 5 percent up on the equivalent quarter of the previous year, while sales matched the previous year’s quarterly figure.

“In our core business, we are targeting our investments toward growth markets, which is also boosting our service, consumables, and spare parts business,” says Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. “At the same time, we can increase the proportion of repeat sales and better balance out new machine business, which tends to depend on economic trends,” he adds.

Forecast for financial year 2026/2027 confirmed

The forecast for financial year 2026/2027 remains unchanged. The company is expecting stable Group sales matching the previous year’s level in financial year 2026/2027 and a noticeable improvement in the adjusted EBITDA margin compared with the previous year. It is assumed that there will be no substantial changes in relevant exchange rates for business activities.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About HEIDELBERG:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth and as a total solution provider, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control systems, automation technology, robotics, and the growing green technologies sector. With its strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the USA, and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth.

Image material and further information about the company are available in the portal and of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at .

Important note:
This release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, the actual future development and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements due to various factors, such as changes in the overall economic situation, in exchange and interest rates, and within the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability for future developments and results deviating from the assumptions and estimates made in this press release.

Prime Minister Calls for Tighter Oversight of Boten SEZ Amid Development Challenges

A picture of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone during his visit and the Boten Special Economic Zone in Luang Namtha. (Photo by Lao Paxason)

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has called for stronger management of the Boten Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Luang Namtha as Laos seeks to expand the border area as a trade and investment hub.

Laos began developing the Boten SEZ in 2012 to attract investment in finance, trade, industry, transport and tourism. More than a decade later, the zone has completed most of its basic infrastructure, including roads and water supply systems.

During a visit from 17 August, authorities said they were preparing to build a data centre in the zone, adding digital infrastructure and technology investment to its traditional focus on trade and logistics.

Sonexay instructed authorities to review land allocations to ensure investors use land efficiently and projects receive proper oversight.

He also called for closer coordination between Electricité du Laos (EDL) and the SEZ developer to ensure a stable power supply. He tasked the Ministry of Labour with securing enough local workers to meet legal employment quotas.

The prime minister also ordered road repairs and told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local border officials to work with Chinese authorities to streamline procedures for people and goods crossing the border.

The push comes as trade and transport links through Boten continue to grow.

Boten Railway Station began its first major expansion in June since opening in 2021. The upgrade aims to increase capacity and improve cross-border freight handling as trade between Laos and China continues to rise.

Ongoing challenges

The development push comes as authorities tackle security and environmental concerns in Luang Namtha.

On 30 June, police in the province raided a building inside the Boten SEZ that authorities said organised scam groups used to run fake investment schemes, fraudulent online platforms and social media scams. During the raid, police detained 135 suspects

On 12 August, local authorities formed a committee to tackle drug trafficking and online scams as part of regional cooperation between China, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Wildlife trafficking has also emerged as a major concern in the Boten area.

A 2022 study found protected wildlife products, including pangolin and bear parts, for sale in outlets in the Boten SEZ.

Despite these challenges, Luang Namtha collected more than LAK 2.21 trillion (USD 98 million) in revenue during the first half of 2026, reaching 58.4 percent of its annual target, according to officials.

The province spent LAK 220 billion (USD 9.8 million), or 26.24 percent of its annual budget target, suggesting that project implementation and government spending remain slow.