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139th Canton Fair Phase 2 Introduces New Product Zones, Reflecting Evolving Lifestyle Trends

GUANGZHOU, China, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has introduced nine new product zones, with Phase 2 adding four focused on quality living, highlighting sustainable materials, refined craftsmanship, and culturally driven modern‑living design.

Exhibitors in the Prefabricated House and Courtyard Facilities zone emphasize environmentally responsible materials, structural stability, and modular adaptability, with products evolving from individual panels to comprehensive modular solutions. High‑strength metal panels, insulation materials, and prefabricated structural components are presented for residential, commercial, tourism, and public‑use scenarios. Enhanced performance in areas such as thermal insulation, fire resistance, and wind protection positions integrated housing as a competitive option in global markets, underscoring the sector’s transition from material supply to holistic green‑construction ecosystems.

Sustainability is the heartbeat of the Bamboo Tableware & Kitchenware and Bamboo Household Items zones, where traditional materials are being adapted for a low-carbon world. Fully degradable bamboo tableware is emerging as a premier alternative to single-use plastics, aligning perfectly with global plastic-reduction initiatives. By blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, these products offer a natural aesthetic alongside superior antibacterial and heat-resistant properties. Furthermore, the implementation of automated production lines has made the rapid conversion of bamboo waste into finished goods a reality, significantly accelerating circular-economy practices across the sector.

The Fashion Jewelry zone is where tech meets tradition, defined by a blend of high-tech manufacturing and heritage artistry. Leading exhibitors demonstrate full-process capabilities in lab-grown diamonds and moissanite. These high-clarity, accessible luxury stones have gained favor among younger, eco-conscious consumers. Beyond technology, the zone also highlights a renewed appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. Filigree inlay, cloisonné enamel, and other time-honored techniques are being reinterpreted for contemporary style, signaling a shift toward jewelry that carries cultural identity as well as artisanal precision.

A unified vision connects these new product zones: the fusion of sustainable materials, tech innovation, and cultural storytelling. The 139th Canton Fair has seen Chinese manufacturers move toward high‑value, quality life-oriented solutions, underscoring that modern exports must resonate emotionally as well as functionally.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16


 

Upgraded Buyer Services at 139th Canton Fair Boost Efficiency and Support Long‑Term Global Partnerships

GUANGZHOU, China, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has opened recently and will conclude on May 5 across three phases. From the moment they arrived, buyers were greeted with an atmosphere more dynamic than ever.

A Saudi buyer lit up after trying the Fair’s unmanned delivery service for the first time, while an Egyptian buyer made a beeline for the CF Award display area to preview the latest, top‑tier innovations. In the exhibition halls, an Arabic‑language livestream guided Middle Eastern buyers through an immersive virtual tour. Whether onsite or online, buyers could clearly feel the strong momentum of supply and demand. To support this heightened activity, the Fair has introduced an enhanced, more systematic suite of buyer services designed to meet the evolving needs of specialized buyers seeking efficiency, reliability, and long‑term continuity.

A key upgrade is the launch of dedicated one‑stop buyer service centers. Seven centers cover all four Areas, bring the entire attendance journey and full‑chain trade support under a unified service framework. For overseas buyers navigating one of the world’s largest trade fairs, this centralized model streamlines the entire experience, from pre-registration, arrival and badge collection to business matching, negotiations, and post‑fair services. Outside of the Canton Fair Complex, the Canton Fair has also set up 70 off‑site service points and 628 service counters across airports, hotels and other locations. Overseas buyers can simply scan their passports and obtain their badges in about 30 seconds, ensuring a smooth and efficient attendance experience.

The Fair has also introduced a new “Veteran Buyer Tag,” an exclusive identifier for regular buyers. Once the system recognizes a buyer as a loyal attendee, it automatically provides tailored benefits, including special vouchers and personalized product recommendations. The initiative highlights the continuity of the Canton Fair experience, acknowledging long‑term engagement and fostering deeper relationships with the Fair.

Digital tools also play a central role in enhancing sourcing efficiency. One of the latest initiatives is the debut of a dedicated Canton Fair Newsletter for buyers, which has reached more than 810,000 buyers with targeted distribution, strengthening targeted communication.

At the same time, the upgraded Canton Fair APP provides comprehensive support throughout the sourcing journey, enabling smoother transitions from discovery to negotiation and long‑term cooperation.

At its core, the Canton Fair has long served as a bridge connecting global demand with China’s manufacturing strength and innovation capacity. At the 139th session, this role is further strengthened through a series of upgraded initiatives that enhance professionalism and digital capability, aligning the platform with evolving global business models and supporting long‑term, stable trade partnerships.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16 

LONGi EcoLife Series Module Top TaiyangNews Global Ranking, Ushering in the “25%+” Era of Photovoltaic Efficiency

XI’AN, China, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Taiyang News, a globally authoritative photovoltaic media outlet, officially released its April 2026 edition of the “TOP SOLAR MODULES LISTING”. LONGi’s EcoLife series modules (LR7-54HJD-510M), built on HIBC technology, have firmly claimed the top spot with a mass production efficiency of 25%. This milestone marks international recognition of LONGi’s innovation strength in the back-contact (BC) technology pathway and ushers in a new “25%+” era for PV module efficiency.


Since 2022, Taiyang News has published its monthly “TOP SOLAR MODULES Listing,” now widely recognized as an authoritative efficiency ranking in the global PV industry. The ranking imposes stringent inclusion criteria: only products that have achieved large-scale mass production, have complete technical data, and deliver conversion efficiency of ≥21.5% are considered. Moreover, all data must come from commercial products already delivered to end customers. With “real and deliverable” as its baseline, the ranking holds high industry reference value and credibility, serving as a barometer for global PV module efficiency levels. LONGi’s top position proves that its HIBC products have reached the world’s highest efficiency in real mass production.

Behind this achievement lies LONGi’s persistent efforts in BC technology. HIBC (High-temperature/Low-temperature Hybrid Interdigitated Back-Contact) cell technology is a major innovation along LONGi’s BC roadmap. It combines the high passivation performance of heterojunction (HJT) technology with the superior light utilization of the back-contact structure, achieving the world’s first mass production of such modules. In April 2025, the ISFH (Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin) certified LONGi’s HIBC cell efficiency at 27.81%, setting a new world record for this technology and approaching the theoretical limit of single-crystalline silicon cells.

Li Zhenguo, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of LONGi, commented: “This is another peak that LONGi has reached in technological innovation, as well as another major breakthrough in our BC technology journey. We have taken PV module efficiency to a significantly higher level, fully demonstrating the high scalability of BC technology and the substantial room for further efficiency gains.”

The EcoLife series modules, designed specifically for residential applications, deliver a maximum power output of up to 510W. The EcoLife series modules increase the cell-to-module area ratio from 93.2% to 95.1%, thereby significantly enhancing light absorption. To address shading issues, the modules feature a unique quasi-bypass diode structure that enables current routing. Under shading, power loss is reduced by more than 70% compared to TOPCon products, making them highly resistant to soiling and shadows. With a leading power density of 250W/m², the modules effectively solve the challenge of generating more power on limited roof areas, substantially reducing household electricity costs.

Martin Green, known as the “Father of PV” and a professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia, has praised the technology: “On the ‘Solar Cell Efficiency Tables’ list, LONGi’s HIBC technology dominates, taking the number one spot. This is also attributable to LONGi’s persistent efforts on the BC technology track.”

To date, LONGi’s HIBC and BC series modules have gained extensive market validation worldwide. In January 2026, the LONGi EcoLife won the German Excellence Award 2026 in the “Energy & Environment” category. The jury’s citation read: “LONGi EcoLife: Higher Power Generation, Higher Safety – Modules for an Uncertain Climate Future,” specifically acknowledging the product’s technical leadership and application value. In February, LONGi renewed a three-year framework agreement with Energy 3000, a well-known European energy solutions provider, to continuously supply a total of 2GW of high-efficiency PV modules, focusing on HPBC 2.0 and LONGi EcoLife modules based on HIBC technology.

At present, HIBC cell technology has already achieved large-scale mass production. LONGi has built a complete BC technology matrix ranging from HPBC 2.0 to HIBC. Moving forward, LONGi will continue to drive technological innovation, further boost module efficiency and power density through its BC technology platform, deepen global market applications of high-efficiency products such as HIBC, and strive to deliver more valuable clean energy solutions to customers worldwide, contributing to the global energy transition and the realization of carbon neutrality goals.

 

Pony.ai Announces New Generation Autonomous Driving Compute Platform Built on NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion

GUANGZHOU, China, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pony AI Inc. (“Pony.ai”) (NASDAQ: PONY; HKEX: 2026) today announced its new generation autonomous driving domain controller, a high-performance compute system designed for both Pony.ai’s L4 autonomous driving platform and a broader set of customer applications across autonomous mobility. Developed in collaboration with NVIDIA, the new controller is built on the NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion platform and powered by NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor with NVIDIA NVLink, supporting Pony.ai’s next phase of commercialization in robotaxis and its growing domain controller business.

The new system is designed to deliver significant gains in AI computing performance, energy efficiency and support for the latest AI models, while meeting core L4 requirements such as multi-sensor fusion, full-scenario perception and high-complexity scenario understanding. It is also engineered to further enhance safety redundancy, system robustness and deployment flexibility.

Pony.ai expects the new platform to support a portfolio spanning multiple compute tiers and cooling solutions, enabling deployment across a wide range of autonomous applications. With flexible single-chip and multi-chip configurations, the platform is expected to incorporate NVIDIA NVLink to enable high-speed, low-latency communication between the two DRIVE Thor system-on-a-chips (SoCs), achieving a combined maximum computing performance of 4000 FP4 TFLOPS.

“Our collaboration with NVIDIA has supported several critical milestones in Pony.ai’s autonomous driving journey,” said Dr. James Peng, Founder and CEO of Pony.ai. “The next-generation domain controller built on NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion will be a key enabler for the continued evolution of our L4 autonomous driving products and help accelerate large-scale commercialization.”

“Autonomous driving systems are rapidly increasing in complexity, driving the need for scalable, high-performance compute platforms,” said Rishi Dhall, Vice President of Automotive at NVIDIA. “Pony.ai has been a long-standing NVIDIA DRIVE customer and ecosystem partner, and we’re pleased to see them build their next-generation domain controller on NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion with DRIVE Thor accelerated compute to support advanced L4 autonomous driving applications.”

The new platform builds on a long-standing collaboration between Pony.ai and NVIDIA that began in 2017. In 2022, Pony.ai launched its in-house developed automotive-grade computing unit powered by single or multiple NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin SoC, which was deployed in its sixth-generation Robotaxis. In 2025, the company began mass production of the world’s first L4 Robotaxi domain controller equipped with four NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin SoCs. That controller now powers Pony.ai’s seventh-generation (Gen-7) Robotaxis and provides a strong foundation for scalable, fully driverless operations.

As one of the few L4 autonomous driving companies globally with full-stack, in-house capabilities across both software and hardware, Pony.ai brings deep expertise in domain controller design. Its software-hardware co-design approach enables system-level optimization across performance, safety and cost.

Over the past year, Pony.ai has seen growing demand for its automotive-grade domain controllers across low-speed delivery, robosweeping, logistics, mining, autonomous shuttles and other robotics and intelligent mobility applications. Shipments of its “Fangzai” domain controller in 2025 surged by more than 500% year over year. Customers are spread across dozens of countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, and Switzerland.

Building on Gen-7’s gains in cost efficiency, safety and reliability, Pony.ai has also achieved significant milestones in robotaxi commercialization, including unit-economics breakeven in two of China’s major metropolitan markets. The company aims to expand its robotaxi fleet to more than 3,000 vehicles and its geographic footprint to more than 20 cities globally by the end of 2026.

About Pony AI Inc.

Pony AI Inc. is a global leader in achieving large-scale commercialization of autonomous mobility. Leveraging its vehicle-agnostic Virtual Driver technology, a full-stack autonomous driving technology that seamlessly integrates Pony.ai’s proprietary software, hardware, and services, Pony.ai is developing a commercially viable and sustainable business model that enables the mass production and deployment of vehicles across transportation use cases. Founded in 2016, Pony.ai has expanded its presence across China, Europe, East Asia, the Middle East and other regions, ensuring widespread accessibility to its advanced technology.

Contact
Pony.ai: media@pony.ai

WisPaper Enables Parallel Scientific Exploration, Moving Research Beyond Sequential Workflows

SINGAPORE, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WisPaper, an AI-powered academic research agent, today introduced a new approach to scientific workflows that supports concurrent research execution. The development addresses a longstanding constraint in research—the reliance on sequential, step-by-step processes—by enabling multiple lines of inquiry to progress in parallel, allowing researchers to expand both the speed and scope of exploration.

Breaking the Limits of Sequential Research

Traditional research follows a linear structure, where literature review, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and validation are carried out sequentially. This model limits researchers to advancing a single direction, as each stage requires manual effort.

WisPaper shifts this structure by reducing dependencies between stages. Tasks that once required sequencing can now proceed more independently, allowing different research threads to move forward without waiting for earlier steps.

Enabling Concurrent Exploration

With this approach, WisPaper supports a more parallel mode of research. Researchers can initiate multiple hypotheses or problem statements simultaneously, while the system advances processes such as literature analysis, experimental setup, and result generation across these directions.

This enables a higher density of exploration within the same time frame. Instead of focusing on a single hypothesis over an extended period, researchers can evaluate multiple possibilities, compare outcomes, and adjust direction more efficiently.


Redefining the Researcher’s Role

As execution becomes less constrained by manual coordination, the role of the researcher shifts toward higher-level decision-making. Researchers can focus on defining questions, setting priorities, and interpreting results across multiple ongoing investigations.

This model mirrors how larger research teams operate, where parallel efforts are coordinated toward shared objectives. By enabling similar capabilities at the individual level, WisPaper expands how research can be structured and managed.

Implications for Knowledge Production

Parallel exploration introduces a different rhythm to scientific work. By allowing more research paths to be tested within a given period, it may influence how quickly new findings emerge, particularly in areas where validation is time-intensive.

As research workflows continue to evolve, approaches that balance depth with broader exploration may play an increasing role in shaping how knowledge is produced.

About WisPaper

WisPaper is an AI-powered academic research agent designed as a full-chain research accelerator. It supports literature retrieval, analysis, experiment design, execution, and paper writing within a unified workflow, helping researchers manage complex scientific tasks more efficiently across disciplines. For more information, visit http://wispaper.ai/?utm_source=news.

Hardware & Tools Category at 139th Canton Fair Powers a Shift Toward Smarter, Safer and More Efficient Solutions

GUANGZHOU, China, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As global demand grows for efficient and adaptable solutions, exhibitors from the Hardware category at the 139th Canton Fair are presenting new technologies that reimagine how traditional tools and machinery operate in real‑world environments.

One of the most notable trends is the rapid rise of intelligent outdoor maintenance equipment. Responding to increasing labor costs and safety risks, new remote‑controlled mowing robots are transforming landscape management. Their tracked designs can navigate slopes of up to 30 degrees, allowing operators to remain at a safe distance from hazardous terrain such as embankments and uneven ground. With daily work efficiency exceeding manual labor by more than 500%, these machines offer a safer and significantly faster solution for agricultural and municipal applications.

In the power tools segment, versatility and system integration are becoming defining features. A newly introduced 20V Max brushless wet‑and‑dry vacuum cleaner reflects this direction, offering strong suction performance and an 8‑liter capacity suitable for wood chips, dust, and liquid cleanup on construction sites. Its IPX4 water resistance and wireless remote control improve usability in complex environments, while compatibility with modular stackable tool‑storage systems supports streamlined transport and organization for professionals in woodworking, renovation, and flooring installation.

Manufacturing processes themselves are also under the spotlight. Fully automated coil‑nail production systems on display use AI‑enabled visual inspection and roller‑conveyance mechanisms to reduce jamming and improve consistency. With daily output reaching 100 tons and labor productivity increasing by 50%, these systems demonstrate how smart manufacturing can enhance stability, quality control, and resource efficiency across the supply chain.

Practical hardware innovations are further improving logistics and safety. A new foldable ratchet fastening device features a handle that folds from 0 to 180 degrees, significantly reducing storage space while maintaining high-strength locking performance. Lightweight magnetic drill presses also support flexible, precise drilling across a range of industrial settings.

Taken together, the innovations presented in the Hardware category reflect a continued effort to address real‑world challenges through practical engineering and digital integration. By focusing on safety, efficiency, and smarter workflows, exhibitors at the 139th Canton Fair are contributing to the ongoing evolution of global hardware and tool solutions for modern industrial needs.

For pre‑registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16


 

New Nong Khai Bypass Opens, Cutting Travel Time for Thai-Lao Trade

This image is used for representational purposes only.

On 23 April, Thailand inaugurated a 21.8-kilometer eastern bypass in Nong Khai Province, designed to alleviate traffic congestion in one of the busiest trade corridors between Thailand and Laos.

The road was built with a budget of THB 2.893 billion (USD 89 million).

Bypassing the residential areas of Nong Khai, the new road reduces travel times for trucks and travelers while easing pressure on local roads.

This bypass provides a more efficient route for vehicles traveling between Udon Thani, Nong Khai, and Bueng Kan.

Direct Impact on Trade and Logistics

Nong Khai is a key gateway for cross-border trade between Thailand and Laos, located directly across the Mekong River from Vientiane.

The new bypass aims to ease long-standing issues for Lao truck drivers and traders, who frequently experienced delays in the town center.

Thailand supplies over 97 percent of Laos’ refined fuel and remains its largest trade partner. Enhancing the road infrastructure connecting the two nations directly impacts Laos’ supply chains, fuel deliveries, and the cost of imported goods.

This road expansion is part of a broader effort to improve infrastructure and facilitate smoother trade and travel, reinforcing the vital economic ties between Laos and Thailand.

Silicon Valley Stars Gather for Dreame’s San Francisco Debut

SAN FRANCISCO, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dreame Technology, a global high-end technology company, confirmed the guest lineup for DREAME NEXT, the company’s largest-ever international launch event, running April 27 to 30, 2026, in San Francisco. The roster brings together figures who have shaped the trajectory of autonomous driving, personal computing, and professional sports: Sebastian Thrun, Steve Wozniak, and Dwyane Wade will all attend.

DREAME NEXT
DREAME NEXT

The breadth of expertise on the guest list reflects the reach of DREAME NEXT itself. Over four days, Dreame will stage product launches across smart mobility, smart home appliances, personal devices, and premium personal care, the first time a single event from the company has spanned its full product ecosystem. The event is organized around five themed segments: Drive Next, Living Next, Connect Next, Self Next, and Humanity Next.

Over the course of the four-day launch event, DREAME NEXT will bring together leading voices from across technology, academia, investment, and innovation to explore the next stage of industry transformation. Discussions will center on how AI-driven applications are reshaping products from the ground up, whether the age of AI requires products to be fundamentally reimagined, how intelligent technologies will redefine the foundations of manufacturing productivity, and what the next decade of human technological evolution may look like.

Featured speakers include AI pioneer Sebastian Thrun (Google X, Udacity), tech futurist Robert Scoble (Microsoft), Meta design leader Julie Zhuo, AI strategist William Fong (Microsoft), and business veteran James W. Keyes (7-Eleven, Blockbuster). The lineup also features Turing Award winner David Patterson, NASA rocket scientist Sylvia Acevedo, Stanford GSB’s Yossi Feinberg, economist Barry Eichengreen, tech journalist Rebecca A. Fannin, engineering leader Jim Chen, and Fremont Mayor Emeritus Lily Mei, alongside former Google DeepMind AI researchers and the co-founders of Robot Launch. These global leaders will share insights on AI, technology, innovation, economics, and entrepreneurship.

Demonstrating Dreame’s growing global influence, the event will also welcome standout guests from beyond the technology sector, including Apple co-founder and personal computing pioneer Steve Wozniak; and three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade.

The guests in attendance at DREAME NEXT reflect where the company is headed; that leaders from autonomous driving, personal computing, and professional sports are all in the same room for a single company’s launch event speaks to the scale and ambition of what Dreame is building. DREAME NEXT is not just a product launch but the opening chapter of the company’s next ten years.

Dreame’s product portfolio now spans categories that, until recently, belonged to entirely separate industries. DREAME NEXT is designed to demonstrate that these categories are connected by core technologies, including high-speed motors, intelligent algorithms, and bionic robotic arms, which are now being applied across smart mobility, personal devices, home appliances, and personal care. It represents not only the next generation of products and lifestyles, but also the beginning of Dreame’s vision for the next decade.

DREAME NEXT runs April 27 to 30, 2026, in San Francisco. Media, partners, and invited guests are welcome to attend.

Please stay tuned for the latest updates from the event through the official website or the social accounts on X: @DreameGlobal, Facebook: Dreame Tech, and Instagram: @dreame_tech.

About Dreame Technology

Founded in 2017, Dreame Technology is a global high-end technology brand built on a foundation of high-speed digital motors, intelligent algorithms, and bionic robotic arms. The company’s product portfolio spans smartphones, smart vehicles, smart home appliances, intelligent cleaning appliances, outdoor smart devices, and personal care, designed to simplify daily life and give users more time for what matters. Dreame operates in more than 120 countries and regions with over 6,500 offline stores and serves more than 42 million households globally. As of December 31, 2025, the company has filed more than 10,000 patents worldwide and holds over 3,000 granted patents.