WUHU, China, Jan. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 17, the “Technology Meets AI” 2026 Chery AI Night was held in Wuhu, Anhui Province. As the first flagship event of Chery’s technology IP “A Thousand and One Nights” in 2026, the event showcased Chery’s latest progress in full-scenario AI development. Among the AI innovations presented, AiMOGA Robotics, representing Chery’s exploration of embodied intelligence, became one of the key focal points of the evening.

From “Thinking” to “Acting”: AiMOGA Robotics as a Key Highlight of the AI Night

As AI moves beyond algorithms and computing power toward deeper integration with the physical world, embodied intelligence is increasingly viewed as a pathway to scalable application. Unlike screen- or voice-based systems, embodied intelligence emphasizes physical presence, autonomous action, and real-time feedback, enabling perception, decision-making, and execution in real environments.

At the AI Night, AiMOGA Robotics demonstrated this transition by extending AI from the digital domain into real-world scenarios. Built on Chery’s strengths in intelligent systems and manufacturing integration, AiMOGA is bringing embodied intelligence into everyday life and public service environments.

A Full Robot Family on Display: AiMOGA Showcases a Panorama of Multi-Scenario Applications

A dedicated AiMOGA exhibition and interaction zone was set up at the venue, where the AiMOGA robot family appeared in multiple forms and roles. Exhibits included the traffic police robot “Wuyou” Intelligent Police R001 and the “AiMOGA Care” RN001 medical service robot.

Visitors interacted closely with the robots and observed how embodied intelligence supports communication, guidance, and collaboration in real environments. The AiMOGA robot family became one of the most visited attractions of the event.

AI Beyond Automobiles: AiMOGA Robotics as Chery’s “Third Growth Curve”

Within Chery’s AI strategy, automobiles remain the core carrier, but not the only one. As one of Chery Group’s key third growth curves, AiMOGA Robotics works in synergy with smart mobility, intelligent manufacturing, and the human–vehicle–home ecosystem.

By 2025, AiMOGA had delivered and deployed 300 robots and 1,000 robotic dogs across more than 30 countries and regions. Its humanoid robot Mornine has obtained both hardware and software EU certifications, laying a foundation for global expansion. AiMOGA remains committed to building a trusted human intelligent assistant through practical technology and real-world applications.

JINGMEN, China, Jan. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A flagship facility of EVE Energy (300014.SZ) has been inducted into the Global Lighthouse Network by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company, making it as the world’s first lighthouse factory in the cylindrical battery sector. This distinguished recognition, symbolizing the pinnacle of global smart and digital manufacturing, underscores EVE Energy’s pioneering role in end-to-end smart transformation, powered by the deployment of 40+ digital solutions.

Smart Manufacturing Drives High Production Efficiency

EVE has built a complete digital system across R&D, production, and sales, launching China’s first 300ppm high-speed cylindrical batteries production line, capable of producing 300 batteries per minute per line.

• Physical simulation and AI integration enable intelligent outcome prediction and process-parameter optimization in seconds, reducing 75% of R&D experiments.
• Key production processes achieve 100% automation, and an AIoT-driven predictive equipment health system ensures 24/7 operation, boosting the maximum overall equipment efficiency (OEE) to 95%.
• For sales, the APS intelligent scheduling system analyzes global orders in seconds, reducing lead-time response by 50%.

Full-Process AI Quality Control System Ensures Consistent Quality

A full-process intelligent quality control system ensures 97%+ first-pass yield and 70% improvement in cell voltage consistency via real-time data monitoring and cross-process AI optimization during production. AI vision inspection achieves 100% inspection with zero missed judgments in 0.3 seconds per cell. Supported by a full-lifecycle battery data space, quality issues can be traced and improved within seconds.

Green Initiatives Drive Eco-Social Sustainability

From 2022 to 2025, EVE Energy achieved 60%+ and 55%+ reductions in per-unit carbon emissions and product energy consumption. Real-time optimization via an AI-driven energy management model targets high-consuming systems, while the innovative “Battery Passport” system provides each battery with a unique digital identifier, encompassing 200,000+ supply chain nodes to enable precise recycling. Through renewable energy, recycled materials, and energy-saving upgrades, EVE has cut the product’s full-lifecycle carbon footprint by 15%.

EVE advances human-machine synergy: AR training and remote expert guidance accelerate skill development for key roles from months to days, empowering operators to oversee advanced algorithms. A 360° air-ground security platform integrates over 1,000 intelligent sensors and UAV inspections, achieving zero production accidents with AI real-time risk warnings.

EVE Energy demonstrates how digital technologies can drive simultaneous advancements in both manufacturing efficiency and green performance. This is poised to inspire industry peers to pursue high-quality and low-carbon pathways, advancing global sustainability efforts.

BANGKOK, Jan. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Chulalongkorn University, Chiang Mai University and Mahidol University held their first joint meeting of university councils and senior administrators and jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on academic collaboration among the three institutions on January 17, 2026, at the NSP Rice Grain Auditorium, Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University. The objective was to integrate the strengths of the country’s three leading universities, elevate Thailand’s higher education system, and enhance international competitiveness.

This collaboration is driven by the MC² concept, which represents the integration of the strengths of Mahidol (M), Chula (C), and Chiang Mai University (CMU). By combining the expertise and distinctive strengths of each institution, the partnership aims to create a multiplied collective force to develop human capital, research, and innovation that respond to the nation’s future needs.

The joint meeting of the three university councils commenced with remarks by Professor Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Chairman of the Chulalongkorn University Council and Chiang Mai University Council, who outlined the objectives and expressed his congratulations on the collaboration. This was followed by congratulatory remarks from Clinical Professor Emeritus Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, Chairman of the Mahidol University Council.

On this occasion, Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University; Professor Dr. Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, President of Chiang Mai University; and Professor Dr. Piyamitr Sritara, President of Mahidol University, presented their universities’ policies and missions, as well as the joint initiatives to be undertaken.

The three presidents then jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding on academic collaboration, received recommendations from university council members, and exchanged perspectives. The event concluded with the exchange of commemorative gifts among the presidents of Chulalongkorn University, Chiang Mai University, and Mahidol University, followed by a group photograph.

This collaboration among the three leading universities marks a significant milestone in advancing Thai higher education. Through strategic cooperation and a powerful three-way synergy, the alliance aims to develop human potential across all age groups, drive research, innovation, and startups, address social and environmental challenges, and foster ethics, integrity, honesty, and transparency in a sustainable manner.

Read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/283150/ 

About Chulalongkorn University

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

Social Media: 

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/15101896/

YIWU, China, Jan. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A vibrant blend of red-carpet formality and approachable humor set the stage as practical business insight met authentic personal storytelling. On January 15, 2026, the “Digital Trade Citizens, Yiwu All-Star SHOW” — the Chinagoods Annual Talk Show Gala — officially opened in Yiwu, marking a large-scale industry gathering focused on trade, people, and shared exchange.

An all-star group of 500 merchant representatives participated in the red-carpet program, with 100 outstanding individuals formally recognized through annual awards. Among them, 13 appeared on the stand-up comedy stage to share candid accounts of their entrepreneurial paths, engaging international buyers, media representatives, and industry professionals in attendance. This integrated format — combining red-carpet presentation, awards, and live performance — was frequently referenced by attendees as the “Oscars” of the commerce and trade sector.

Red Carpet and Awards: Recognizing Meaningful Contributions and Strengthening a Collaborative Ecosystem

The gala opened with female entrepreneurs from Yiwu leading the procession on the runway. Each participant walking the red carpet represented a distinct phase in Yiwu’s ongoing commercial development.

The awards were designed to recognize tangible contributions to market vitality. In addition to categories such as “Outstanding Businesswomen” and “Next-Generation Digital Trade Pioneers,” which acknowledge leadership in market transformation, brand development, and international expansion, special recognition was also given to partners who have contributed over time to the development of Yiwu’s broader commercial ecosystem.

Multifaceted Impact: Engagement, Shared Recognition, and Brand Visibility

The gala encouraged discussion and reflection among its broad range of participants.

Jia Yuan, Chairwoman of the Women’s Federation of Zhejiang China Commodities City Group, noted, “Each speaker acts as a representative example of Yiwu’s digital transformation. Their stories show that digital trade is not an abstract idea, but a practical tool already being applied by merchants in their daily operations.”

Business owner Yang Jiaoping of Jiahao Cultural Creativity said, “Listening to each other’s stories helped us identify shared challenges and transferable insights. That exchange fostered a sense of momentum and reinforced our confidence moving forward.”

Russian buyer Ilya shared an international perspective, stating, “The event showed me a different side of my Chinese partners — open, humorous, and resilient. Their long-term focus on quality and brand building strengthened my confidence in continued cooperation.”

The Talk Show Stage: Translating Yiwu’s Business Thinking into Everyday Stories

When business insight moved beyond formal presentation and was expressed through stand-up comedy, the connection with the audience became more direct and relatable.

In her set “The Best Price, My Friend!”, Lou Dan used a lighthearted story about negotiating with a client from Dubai to illustrate a broader shift from price-driven competition toward value-based engagement. Gong Hongying, in “From Village Girl to Webbing Queen,” adopted a self-aware and accessible persona to explain how emotional resonance and authenticity can support the development of new market opportunities.

The comedy topics ranged from generational transition within family businesses and everyday cross-cultural misunderstandings to the growing role of artificial intelligence in foreign trade. Through self-reflective humor and grounded storytelling, the performers translated complex business realities into accessible narratives, earning sustained audience engagement and positive feedback.

Built on Confidence: Articulating a Shared Vision for Yiwu’s “Sixth-Generation Market”

This annual gala served as a shared platform reflecting common priorities, celebrating the achievements of the trading community while supporting innovation, technology adoption, and creative expression.

Yiwu’s businesswomen represent the market’s depth and continuity, while the next-generation digital trade pioneers signal its future direction. By establishing this high-visibility platform, China Commodities City Group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurial initiative, with the aim of strengthening the business environment, enabling sustainable growth, and enhancing overall market competitiveness.

These merchants — skilled in navigating languages, technology, and communication — represent Yiwu’s core commercial strength as it advances toward a sixth-generation marketplace model. Their collective energy, insight, and sense of responsibility contribute to Yiwu’s continued participation in global trade. The gala marked the start of a new year of collaboration and development for the Yiwu trading community.

• Having secured the fully driverless commercial permit in mid-November 2025, the partners have launched fully autonomous ride-hailing service via the AutoGo app.
• Initial operations cover Yas Island, with phased expansion planned for Reem, Al Maryah, and Saadiyat Islands.
• The launch marks a critical step toward the partners’ goal of deploying hundreds of vehicles by 2026 and building Abu Dhabi’s largest fully driverless fleet.

ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888) today announced that its autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, and AutoGo, a leading UAE-based autonomous mobility company, have officially launched the fully autonomous commercial ride-hailing service in the emirate. The launch of the service, now available via the AutoGo app, marks a major milestone in the commercialization of autonomous driving in the Middle East. The service has launched initially on Yas Island, where users in Abu Dhabi can now download the app to hail fully driverless rides.

The collaboration between Baidu’s Apollo Go and K2’s AutoGo began in March 2025, when they announced the partnership to build Abu Dhabi’s largest fully driverless fleet. Building on that momentum, the companies secured one of the inaugural permits for fully driverless commercial operation in Abu Dhabi in mid-November 2025 and signed a next-phase agreement to scale the fleet to hundreds of vehicles by 2026. With the service now available to the general public through the AutoGo app, the partners are actively advancing their goal of establishing the emirate’s largest fully driverless fleet.

“Moving from an initial partnership agreement to launching live, fully driverless operations for the public in a span of just a few months is a remarkable milestone,” said Liang Zhang, Managing Director of EMEA at Baidu Apollo. “This speed of execution highlights the technical readiness of Apollo Go, the strong operational capabilities of our partnership, and the steadfast support of local regulatory bodies.”

“AutoGo’s transition to live robotaxi operations marks an important milestone in Abu Dhabi’s autonomous mobility journey,” said Sean Teo, Managing Director of K2. “Launching the service at the start of the year reflects our focus on execution and long-term value creation. By introducing robotaxi services in real urban environments and scaling across key districts, we are moving decisively from development to deployment—delivering autonomy that is practical, safe, and ready for everyday use.”

The initial operation covers Yas Island, a premier leisure and entertainment hub in Abu Dhabi, now designated as a permitted zone for fully driverless operations. This service allows users to simply download the AutoGo app, request a ride, and experience a journey in a vehicle with no human driver behind the wheel.

Following the initial launch on Yas Island, the service will implement a phased geographic roll-out across Abu Dhabi. The expansion will begin with Reem Island, Al Maryah Island, and Saadiyat Island. Over time, the service will continue to expand across additional areas, with the long-term objective of operating across the wider Abu Dhabi emirate.

Apollo Go’s rapid expansion into the UAE is backed by its industry-leading autonomous driving technology and proven real-world operational expertise. As a leading autonomous ride‑hailing service provider globally, Apollo Go has logged more than 240 million autonomous kilometers, of which over 140 million kilometers were completed in fully driverless mode. With a global footprint across 22 cities, Apollo Go’s weekly ride count has recently surpassed 250,000, and the service has completed more than 17 million cumulative rides as of October 31, 2025. Looking ahead, Apollo Go and AutoGo will scale fully autonomous commercial ride-hailing services to reach more users and advance Abu Dhabi’s smart city vision.

About Baidu
Founded in 2000, Baidu’s mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under “BIDU” and HKEX under “9888.” One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

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HONG KONG, Jan. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GS1 Hong Kong (‘GS1 HK’), as a member of the Port Community System (‘PCS’) Industry Expert Liaison Group, expresses strong support for the official launch of the PCS, a pivotal digital logistics platform established by the Hong Kong SAR Government that provides round-the-clock, real-time cargo tracking, designed to transform Hong Kong’s maritime and logistics ecosystem. With over 2,300 companies already registered, the PCS marks a significant leap towards a fully integrated, transparent, and efficient digital logistics community.

GS1, as a global data standards organization, establishes the common business language— including unique product identifier – Global Trade Item Number (‘GTIN’, also known as ‘barcode’) that enables disparate systems to communicate seamlessly. Locally, GS1 HK is facilitating the incorporation of the GS1 Global Registry, specifically GTINs, into the PCS platform to enable better accuracy and efficiency for trade declaration and strengthen traceability that benefit Hong Kong’s logistics and port industries.

This also aims to enable seamless cross-border data exchange with China’s Single Window system, where their customs already required GTIN for imported goods declaration. Moving forward, we will also look into leveraging global standards for item-level traceability of goods and shipments, to ensure visibility and accountability across supply chain.

GS1 HK will continue to support Transport and Logistics Bureau’s ongoing collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s ‘Project CargoX’, which utilizes cargo data from PCS to help banks carry out credit assessment and SMEs secure credit funding more effectively.

Ms. Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 Hong Kong, said, “Data is the fuel in shaping the economy. GS1 HK stands ready to support this PCS initiative, providing global standards-based data solutions to drive information flow, goods flow and cash flow, which directly enhances Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international trade, finance, and logistics hub.”

About GS1 Hong Kong

GS1 Hong Kong is the local chapter of GS1®, a global, not-for-profit data standards organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and represented in over 120 economies. We help businesses identify, capture, and share trusted data across both physical and digital supply chains. Through global standards like GTIN (barcodes) and standard-based platforms, GS1 Hong Kong empowers companies to improve efficiency and enhance visibility.

In today’s AI-driven economy, data quality is essential. GS1 Hong Kong provides a foundation for data that is accurate, searchable, shareable, and traceable.

GS1 Hong Kong currently supports close to 8,000 corporate members from 20 sectors including retail & consumer goods, food & beverage and food services, healthcare, apparel & footwear, logistics & ICT. By working closely with industry stakeholders and government, we foster a collaborative ecosystem to “Go Digital • Go Green”.

Website: www.gs1hk.org

HANOI, Vietnam, Jan. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Viettel Group has officially broken ground on the construction of Vietnam’s first semiconductor chip fabrication plant. The project is implemented by Viettel as a mission assigned by the Ministry of National Defense, in accordance with a Government Resolution.

For the first time, Vietnam is developing domestic chip fabrication capability, laying a foundation for the goal of gradually mastering core technologies and developing a domestic semiconductor ecosystem.

The plant will be built in the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park (Hanoi) on an area of 27 hectares, oriented to become national infrastructure serving research, design, testing, and semiconductor chip production.

Once operational, the plant will be able to serve national industries such as aerospace, telecommunications, IoT, automotive manufacturing, medical devices, and automation, among others.

A complete semiconductor chip product typically goes through six main stages: product definition, system design, detailed design, chip fabrication, packaging and testing, and integration and testing. In recent years, Vietnam has gradually participated in five of these stages; however, chip fabrication—the most complex and critical stage—has not yet been possible domestically. Building a semiconductor chip fabrication plant will help complete and close the entire semiconductor chip production process in Vietnam.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh emphasized: “The groundbreaking of Vietnam’s first high-tech semiconductor chip fabrication plant is an event of particularly important significance. This is a step toward realizing the national semiconductor industry development strategy, creating a foundation for Vietnam to gradually participate more deeply in the global value chain, based on science, technology, and innovation.”

According to the Prime Minister, the plant’s presence will contribute to completing the domestic semiconductor ecosystem, enabling chip design companies, technology start-ups, and research institutions to shorten testing cycles, quickly finalize products, and bring technology into practical applications.

The plant is also expected to become a hands-on training center for the semiconductor workforce, linking training with a real production environment. Through this, Vietnam aims to train 50,000 chip design engineers under the Semiconductor Industry Human Resources Development Program through 2030, toward a scale of more than 100,000 people in Vietnam’s semiconductor industry under the National Semiconductor Strategy through 2040.

For Viettel, being assigned to lead the implementation of the semiconductor chip fabrication plant continues the Group’s core technology development strategy, which it has persistently pursued for many years. Viettel has proactively prepared human resources through in-depth training, international cooperation, and technology transfer, while also accumulating experience from research, design, and the application of chips in technology systems and products.

Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang, Chairman and CEO of Viettel Group, affirmed: “Immediately after today’s groundbreaking ceremony, the Group will begin implementing the project, with the set objective that by the end of 2027 we will complete the construction, receive technology transfer, and begin pilot production. The period from 2028 to 2030 will focus on finalizing and optimizing processes and improving line efficiency in accordance with industry standards, thereby serving as a basis for researching chip fabrication technology at more advanced process nodes.”

The project will be implemented during 2026–2030, with a roadmap from plant construction and technology transfer to process completion and improved operational efficiency. In the long term, the Hoa Lac plant is planned to be expandable in scale, providing a foundation for Vietnam to gradually access more advanced semiconductor technologies.

The groundbreaking of the high-tech semiconductor chip fabrication plant marks an important milestone in Vietnam’s journey to build technological capability, contributing to realizing the goal of “Technological self-reliance, Sustainable Future.”