Home Blog Page 1198

Japan Pledges USD 7 Million for Disaster Prevention, Emergency Response in Laos

KOIZUMI Tsutomu and Phongsamouth Anlavan confimation of the agreement at the meeting in Vientiane on 12 December. (Picture by Embassy of Japan in Laos)

Japan has committed USD 7 million to enhance Laos’ capacity for disaster prevention and emergency response, a critical step in addressing the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

The support was formalized in a signing ceremony on 12 December at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane, attended by Japanese Ambassador Koizumi Tsutomu and Laos’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsamouth Anlavan.

Under the agreement, Japan will provide the fund to assist Laos in improving its disaster relief capacity. 

The aid includes providing temporary bridges to replace those damaged by natural disasters, drinking water purification machines, and other disaster-prevention equipment. The assistance comes in response to the severe flooding in central and southern Laos in 2023 and Typhoon Yagi’s impact in 2024, which caused significant damage to infrastructure, crops, and essential public services.

Long-Term Support for Infrastructure Development

This contribution is part of Japan’s ongoing commitment to supporting Laos’ infrastructure development. 

Japan has previously funded major road projects in Laos, including the Second Mekong International Bridge, the Pakse Bridge, National Road No. 9, and Road No. 1 in Vientiane Capital. 

The new disaster response equipment will further strengthen Laos’ ability to handle future emergencies and improve the resilience of its transport infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability. 

Meanwhile, both countries continue to elevate their bilateral ties under a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” aimed at addressing shared challenges and promoting sustainable economic and social development.

foodpanda Strengthens Merchant Care with Record Onboarding Milestone in Asia

SINGAPORE, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — foodpanda today announced a double-digit year-on-year increase in merchant sign-ups across Asia, underscoring its growing role as a trusted growth partner for local businesses. The milestone reflects foodpanda’s ongoing commitment to merchant care and success across Asia Pacific (APAC).

Turning challenges into growth opportunities

To help merchants navigate an increasingly competitive environment, foodpanda has introduced a range of initiatives across the region. These efforts span four key areas:

1. Personalised Support: Dedicated account managers and streamlined onboarding processes ensure merchants receive hands-on care from day one, helping them get online and reach customers quickly. In Taiwan, foodpanda partnered with the Commerce Development Research Institute (CDRI) and Asia Marketing Transformation Alliance (AMT) to form the country’s first Restaurant Transformation Advisory Team, offering consultant-led coaching, data analysis of over 1 billion orders, and tailored action plans to help SMEs digitise and grow.

2. Growth Tools: foodpanda is supporting merchant growth through AI-driven recommendations, offering vendors tailored insights to strengthen and expand their businesses. This AI capability is already being piloted in Singapore. Through solutions such as panda ads, retail media integrations, and data insights dashboards, foodpanda empowers merchants to attract new customers, optimise operations, and scale their business performance. For instance, Singapore’s Jaggi’s café grew monthly orders fivefold after adopting these tools, showing measurable merchant success.

3. Financial Access: In partnership with platforms like Funding Societies and AEON Bank in Malaysia and Bangladesh, foodpanda offers financing programmes that help small businesses invest in expansion and manage cash flow more effectively. In Hong Kong, foodpanda has strategically collaborated with major banks, payment partners and card schemes, co-creating campaigns and attractive offerings, to drive additional orders for valued merchants and support their long-term growth.

4. Recognition and Local Campaigns: foodpanda celebrates its diverse merchant community through initiatives such as Local Heroes campaigns, merchant awards, and appreciation events, spotlighting standout businesses that exemplify innovation and community spirit.

“Merchants are at the heart of foodpanda’s ecosystem,” said Giuseppe Randazzo, Chief International Officer at foodpanda APAC. “Every local business that joins our platform strengthens the communities we serve. Our mission is to help them thrive, with human-first support, smart technology, and partnerships that unlock real growth opportunities.”

Local businesses are finding ways to thrive

Local businesses across the region are finding new ways to thrive. Across foodpanda’s network, merchant growth continues to accelerate, with the number of active partners steadily rising — and many reporting significant sales uplift after joining the platform.

These stories reflect foodpanda’s role as a trusted growth partner – combining smart technology with human connection to help businesses stay competitive and future-ready in a digital-first world.

Looking ahead: Deepening merchant care across Asia

Building on this momentum, foodpanda will expand its merchant care programme across all 10 Asia-Pacific markets in 2026. This includes scaling initiatives such as panda ads, financing partnerships, and merchant recognition programs to reach more SMEs, from family-run hawker stalls to household brands.

“Research has shown that F&B spaces in malls have expanded roughly five times over the last decade, further intensifying the competition merchants face. Hence our goal is to create an ecosystem where every business, no matter its size, can thrive,” added Giuseppe Randazzo, Chief International Officer at foodpanda APAC. By combining local insights with regional expertise, we’re helping merchants turn everyday challenges into lasting success.”

About foodpanda APAC

foodpanda is a leading on-demand delivery platform in Asia dedicated to bringing consumers a wide range of food, groceries and more, quickly and conveniently. Powered by technology and operational excellence, foodpanda is spearheading the growth of quick-commerce (q-commerce) across the region with its network of retail partners, as well as pandamart cloud stores to provide more on-demand options beyond the millions of food delivery options. foodpanda operates across 10 markets in Asia PacificSingapore, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. foodpanda is a subsidiary of Delivery Hero, a global leader of the food delivery industry. For more information, visit www.foodpanda.com.

Meridian Innovation Unveils “Cheetah” — A New Generation of High-Performance, Cost-Optimized 50×50 LWIR Thermal Imaging Sensor

SINGAPORE, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Meridian Innovation, a global leader in CMOS-based thermal imaging solutions, is excited to announce the launch of Cheetah, a breakthrough 50×50 LWIR thermal imaging sensor engineered to deliver a new level of performance, compactness, and affordability for mass-market applications.

Built on Meridian’s proven SenXor® technology platform, Cheetah offers unrivalled price-performance, enabling broad adoption across smart devices, industrial systems, and consumer electronics. It is uniquely positioned to serve high-growth markets, spanning smart appliances and IoT, HVAC systems, automotive interior air-conditioning and safety, as well as health monitoring and wellbeing and smart infrastructure.

Key Features of the Cheetah 50×50 Sensor

  • 50×50 array of LWIR detectors for cost-sensitive and compact applications
  • Very low cost and low power enabled by its CMOS-based architecture
  • Small footprint (as tiny 7x7x7 mm) suitable for space-constrained designs
  • Camera modules (with integrated lens of different FOV) and evaluation kits (with standard interfaces) available

Product Availability & Roadmap

  • Pre-production samples: Now available for evaluation, please email to info@meridianinno.com for more information.
  • Mass production: Scheduled for early 2026

Cheetah represents Meridian Innovation’s next strategic step in bringing thermal imaging into the mainstream. With a strong focus on cost efficiency and integration simplicity, Cheetah enables thermal sensing to be deployed at scale across everyday products and applications. We extend our sincere appreciation to our partners and customers for their continuous support.

About Meridian Innovation

Meridian Innovation is a pioneering developer of advanced CMOS Thermal Imaging solutions with operations in Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, USA and UK. Its patented SenXor™ CMOS Thermal Imaging technology enables mass producible LWIR products for consumer and commercial applications, promotes safer and better living.

LLVision to Debut Leion Hey2, the World’s First Purpose-Built AI-Powered AR Translation Glasses, at CES 2026

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LLVision will debut Leion Hey2, the world’s first purpose-built AI-powered AR translation glasses, at CES 2026, with demonstrations at LVCC Central Hall, Booth 15453. The unveiling marks a major milestone in LLVision‘s expansion into the U.S. consumer market, advancing its vision for real-time, AR-enabled cross-language communication.


Designed from the ground up specifically for live, real-world translation, Leion Hey2 represents a new category of AR glasses focused not on display or entertainment, but on seamless human communication across languages. The product builds on LLVision‘s more than a decade of experience delivering enterprise-grade AR solutions in demanding professional environments.

Founded in 2014, LLVision has focused on building integrated AR and AI software and hardware solutions for real-world applications. Its technology foundation is supported by full-stack capabilities spanning self-developed optical modules, array light waveguide technology, metasurface lithography, and an AI Agent platform. To date, the company has built a substantial global IP portfolio, including more than 80 invention patents and over 270 AR-related patents worldwide.

Leion Hey2 arrives following strong global momentum. The product’s international debut generated over 10,000 pre-orders within two hours, and LLVision has since completed the industry’s first 100-person live field trial, including a two-hour presentation delivered entirely through the glasses by CEO Dr. Wu Fei. The demonstration validated the product’s stability and performance in extended, high-pressure, real-world scenarios. The first-generation Leion Hey has shipped more than 30,000 units globally, with users averaging 150 minutes of daily use.

Beyond market traction, LLVision‘s work has received broad international recognition. Its products and innovations have earned more than 180 industry awards, including the iF Design Award. The first-generation Leion Hey was named one of UNESCO’s Top 10 Global Innovations, while LLVision‘s design and technology have been featured in Fortune’s Best Designs and Harvard Business Review’s The Year in Tech, highlighted alongside ChatGPT as a defining technological insight.

Most recently, in December 2025, a joint research project titled “AR Smart Glasses Empowering the Hearing-Impaired,” conducted with Professor Li Ting of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (Visiting Professor at Tsinghua SEM), received the AIS Impact Award from the Association for Information Systems (AIS), recognizing the outstanding social impact of LLVision‘s AR glasses.

At CES 2026, LLVision will present live, hands-on demonstrations of Leion Hey2, offering a first-hand look at how AR and AI are enabling real-time, cross-language communication.

 

SKF advances sustainability goals by announcing six new decarbonized factories

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Six additional factories across SKF’s global manufacturing footprint have achieved decarbonized status, marking a significant step towards the Group’s target to reach decarbonized operations by 2030. The newly decarbonized sites include Nilai in Malaysia, Puebla in Mexico, Haridwar and Pune in India, Massa in Italy, as well as Ladson in USA.

To qualify as decarbonized, the factories must demonstrate a reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions corresponding to 95% compared to the 2019 baseline, as well as present a clear plan to address any remaining greenhouse gas emissions. They should also show continuous improvement in energy performance.

“We are proud to see six additional decarbonized SKF factories, representing an important step in our overall net-zero journey. By reducing the carbon footprint of our products, we are also enabling our customers to develop sustainable solutions as well as supporting society in the transition to a more sustainable future,” says Sofie Runius Cederberg, Head of Sustainability.

Key achievements at the newly decarbonized sites include transitioning to renewable electricity and phasing out fossil fuel-based heating systems. In addition, investments have been made in energy-efficient technologies such as heat pumps and advanced chillers with energy savings being documented and verified even during periods of increased production.

“Climate change is a global challenge, and this achievement reflects our commitment to climate action and operational excellence. By investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and innovative solutions, we are also increasing our own resilience by lowering our energy demand,” says Susanne Larsson, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP Finance.

The six factories join the previously recognized facilities in Steyr, Austria, Tudela, Spain, and Gothenburg, Sweden. These nine decarbonized factories represent almost 20% of SKF’s baseline manufacturing emissions. SKF’s climate targets are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming that the decarbonization pathway is grounded in the latest climate science. This achievement underscores that SKF is on track to achieve its SBTi-approved goal for decarbonized operations by 2030.

For more information on SKF’s decarbonized sites and sustainability strategy, please visit: https://www.skf.com/group/organisation/sustainability/achieving-net-zero

Aktiebolaget SKF
      (publ)

For further information, please contact:
Press Relations: Carl Bjernstam, +46 31-337 2517; +46 722 201 893; carl.bjernstam@skf.com 
Investor Relations: Sophie Arnius, +46 31-337 8072; +46 705 908072; sophie.arnius@skf.com 

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skf/r/skf-advances-sustainability-goals-by-announcing-six-new-decarbonized-factories,c4283571

The following files are available for download:

Trina Storage Completes 5MWh LSFT at Maximum Severity — Surpassing the Industry’s Highest Safety Standards

CHANGZHOU, China, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, Trina Storage has successfully completed a full-container 5MWh Large-Scale Fire Test (LSFT) of its self-developed Elementa 2 Pro system under extreme conditions, achieving zero thermal propagation, full structural integrity, and validated system-level safety performance under conditions far exceeding industry standards.

The test was conducted under the full supervision of internationally recognized third-parties, TÜV Rheinland and North American fire engineering consultancy Hiller, and executed in accordance with the latest NFPA 855:2026 & UL 9540A:2025-11 safety standards, under conditions more stringent than standard industry requirements.

Trina Storage's full-container 5MWh Large-Scale Fire Test (LSFT) under maximum-severity conditions
Trina Storage’s full-container 5MWh Large-Scale Fire Test (LSFT) under maximum-severity conditions

A real-site layout — intensified far beyond test limits

  • 10 cm cabinet spacing — heat concentration intensified
    Containers were arranged side-to-side at only 10 cm, far below the 60 cm standard distance, minimizing heat dissipation and increasing thermal stress.
  • Maximum energy configuration — 100% SOC full installation
    The initiation container was ignited with all modules installed and charged to 100% SOC, maximizing thermal runaway.
  • Fire suppression disabled — safety design fully tested without intervention
    All automatic suppression and active extinguishing functions remained OFF throughout the test, requiring the system to rely solely on its structural isolation and engineering-level safety design.
  • Explosion-vent panels and ventilation system kept open — oxygen flow boosted
    Explosion-vent panels and ventilation system remained open to intensify oxygen flow, increasing combustion strength and thermal load beyond real-world failure scenarios.

Despite these extreme conditions, Elementa 2 Pro maintained structural stability and controlled thermal behavior — demonstrating complete end-to-end safety performance from cell to system.

Elevating industry safety standards to new heights

Throughout the entire test, the initiation container maintained structural integrity without any collapse, while no thermal propagation occurred in adjacent containers.

Additionally, the UPS within the initiating container remained functional, and the electrical cabinet was preserved intact, validating spatial layout, electrical isolation and equipment protection strategy. Cell temperatures remained below 43.9°C in the back-to-back container and 23.9°C in the side-by-side container — both far beneath the cell venting point.

From field validation to grid-level operation

This large-scale fire test not only validates resilience under extreme boundary conditions, but also reflects Trina Storage’s commitment to safety-first engineering and system-level innovation.

Trina Storage will continue to push safety technology forward, working with customers, regulators and partners worldwide to build a safer, more resilient and high-quality clean energy future.

Hisense Will Lead a Human-Centric Display Evolution at CES 2026

QINGDAO, China, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, will arrive at CES 2026 with its global theme “Innovating A Brighter Life,” presenting a future where display innovation is defined by a more human-centric approach. For Hisense, this theme reflects an enduring commitment to designing technologies that elevate everyday life—making screens more natural to view, more sustainable to use, and more emotionally engaging in the home.

This vision will be anchored by Hisense’s latest evolution of RGB MiniLED. The real upgrade of the technology will deliver next-level color performance with improved eye comfort and enhanced energy efficiency. As The Origin of RGB MiniLED, Hisense is rethinking the light engine from its very source — guiding the industry into a new era of displays while continuing to push technological boundaries.

Beyond display technology, Hisense will also showcase its latest AI-powered home appliances and next-generation engineering innovations, illustrating how intelligent, connected systems will shape the future of modern living. These innovations reflect Hisense’s holistic belief that a brighter life is created not by isolated products but by an ecosystem designed around real human needs.

Through “Innovating A Brighter Life,” Hisense will demonstrate at CES that the future of screens will be designed for people first—and that the new era of display excellence will begin with RGB MiniLED innovation.

Press Conference
Date & Time: Monday, January 5, 202610:00 AM PST
Location: South Convention Center, South Seas Ballroom F, Las Vegas, NV

Hisense Booth at CES 
Dates: January 6–9, 2026
Location: Booth #17704, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

About Hisense

Hisense, founded in 1969, is a globally recognized leader in home appliances and consumer electronics with operations in over 160 countries, specializing in delivering high-quality multimedia products, home appliances, and intelligent IT solutions. According to Omdia, Hisense ranks No. 1 globally in the 100-inch and over TV segment (2023- Q3 2025). As the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Hisense is committed to global sports partnerships as a way to connect with audiences worldwide.

Raythink Launches AI Thermal Imaging System to Help Stop Illegal Miners Before Disaster Strikes

YANTAI, China, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Raythink today introduced its AI-powered thermal security solution designed to combat the growing crisis of illegal mining. By enabling early detection, this security solution helps reduce the risk of fatal accidents, violent confrontations, production disruptions, and significant economic losses—strengthening protection for mine operators, workers, and public revenue.

At the core of the solution is a 360°infrared panoramic camera combined with a multi-spectrum PTZ camera, enabling 24/7 wide-area monitoring. The infrared panoramic camera can complete a full 360° scan within 2 seconds and instantly link with PTZ cameras upon detecting suspicious targets to capture detailed visuals.

The system can simultaneously detect and track over 200 targets. Leveraging self-developed AI technology, it accurately identifies personnel, vehicles, and wildlife, ensuring comprehensive monitoring with minimal false alarms. Intelligent behavior analysis detects unusual activities and triggers instant alerts for rapid response. The system also features smoke and fire detection, providing early warning to prevent fire-related incidents.

Designed for the Unique Challenges of Illegal Mining

Illegal miners often operate at night or in low-light conditions, and mining sites are dusty. Traditional visible-light surveillance struggles in these circumstances, generating false alarms or missing critical activity. Raythink’s AI-powered thermal security solution detects heat signatures rather than relying on light, ensuring accurate and reliable monitoring around the clock.

Mining sites span tens to hundreds of square kilometers. A single Raythink station can cover a radius of up to 2 kilometers, and multiple stations can be integrated into Raythink’s proprietary VIS-4100 cloud platform for unified management. The platform supports electronic mapping, allowing operators to visualize equipment locations, set up virtual fences for restricted zones, and monitor alerts in real time.

Ensuring Compliance Through Advanced Monitoring

Installing monitoring systems is a key compliance requirement. ILO C176 requires risk monitoring and accident prevention. In the EU, directives 89/391/EEC and 92/91/EEC mandate risk assessments and high-risk environment monitoring. In Africa, countries like South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana require comprehensive safety systems. Raythink’s AI thermal solution captures thermal and visual data, tracks multiple targets, and records unusual activity, providing verifiable evidence for audits and regulatory compliance.

To learn more about Raythink’s innovative thermal imaging and intelligent security solutions, please visit the Solutions section on the Raythink official website.

For Further Information:
Email: sales@raythink-tech.com
Website: https://www.raythink-tech.com/