Samsung begins its CES 2026 Tech Forums by convening leaders in smart home interoperability for an industry-defining discussion

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today convened leaders across industries in to discuss the importance of smart home interoperability in the first of its Tech Forum panels at CES 2026 at The Wynn in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the session, titled “When Everything Clicks: How Open Ecosystems Deliver Impactful AI,” experts discussed how cross-industry partnerships are transforming connected homes into intelligent environments that feel seamless, safe and genuinely supportive of people’s lives.

Samsung Highlights How Open Ecosystems Unlock the Real Promise of Home AI at CES 2026

Openness as the Foundation of Home AI

The panelists agreed that the next era of home intelligence must be built on open collaboration, not closed ecosystems. As homes increasingly rely on devices and services from many brands and industries, openness enables AI systems to work together in ways that create real-world impact. Samsung shared its belief that open connectivity allows appliances, energy systems, safety services and partners across industries to deliver experiences that would be impossible in siloed environments.

“Home is the most personal place in our lives, so home AI must earn trust — quietly, respectfully, and with value users can feel,” said Yoonho Choi, President & Chair of the Board of the Home Connectivity Alliance and Head of Strategic Alliances at Samsung Electronics. “That requires interoperability across brands, so the home works as one system instead of disconnected features. Through cooperation with HCA and across industries, we’re turning openness into outcomes: safer homes, simpler routines and measurable savings — built on consent and transparency.”

Powering the World’s Largest Connected Home Ecosystem

Samsung highlighted the scale and depth of its connected ecosystem, noting that more than 500 million users are already part of the SmartThings community. With over a decade of leadership in connected living, Samsung brings deep insight into how AI companionship in the home is evolving, from today’s smart devices to tomorrow’s system-wide intelligence.

This foundation allows Samsung to design AI experiences that coordinate across appliances and services, delivering value that feels natural rather than technical.

“It’s crucial to deliver tangible user benefits that make people’s lives better,” said Michael Wolf, founder and editor-in-chief of The Spoon. “Along these lines, there’s no area that will bring more benefit than a broadly connected kitchen — one that that allows users to understand what’s in their refrigerator while connecting to the water and heating networks, allowing for a more holistic understanding that takes preventative action.”

Turning Collaboration Into Measurable Consumer Benefits

The panel also examined how open ecosystems enable measurable benefits for consumers through cross-industry partnerships. Samsung highlighted its collaboration with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) as a first-of-its-kind example of how smart home data — used responsibly and transparently — can deliver meaningful outcomes.

“We’re at a point where the connected home can bring seamless integration into user lifestyles, which begins to develop trust in smart home equipment that results in direct benefits to consumers,” said Jed Usich, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth Solutions at HSB. “Through our partnership with Samsung, we’ve created a bridge to the insurance industry that takes simple datapoints and turns them into tangible savings for consumers.”

Designing AI That Feels Human, Not Intrusive

Throughout the discussion, the panelists emphasized that for home AI to succeed, it must feel emotionally intelligent and fit naturally into routines including cooking, relaxing, entertaining and caring for families. Design, storytelling and behavioral understanding all play a role in making connected devices feel like calm, reliable companions.

Together, the panelists agreed that the future of home AI depends on interoperability, responsible data use and collaboration across industries, ensuring intelligent homes deliver real value without compromising trust.

As AI becomes more ambient and system-wide, Samsung remains focused on building open ecosystems that make connected living simpler, safer and more meaningful, proving that when everything clicks, home AI can truly improve everyday life.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

Samsung Highlights How Open Ecosystems Unlock the Real Promise of Home AI at CES 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Perhentian Islands has emerged as the fastest growing destination for attracting international travelers in Malaysia, according to digital travel platform Agoda’s latest New Horizons ranking. The travel platform further reveals Sitiawan to be the top trending domestic destination and Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam) to be emerging among Malaysian travelers.

Agoda’s New Horizons ranking, which is released annually, compares the accommodation booking ranks of the two previous years to identify the highest climbers in international travel in Asia.

Fabian Teja, Country Director Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda said, “Travelers today are looking beyond the usual hotspots, and destinations like the Perhentian Islands, Sitiawan, and Phu Quoc reflect a growing appetite for authentic, nature-led, and culturally rich experiences. At Agoda, we’re excited to help travelers discover these rising destinations by making travel more accessible through great value deals across accommodation, flights, and activities, all in one easy-to-use platform.”

Perhentian Islands has climbed the ranks to 14 in the year 2025 from 16 in 2024, showcasing its growing appeal among international visitors. Known for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, the islands offer exceptional snorkeling and diving experiences. The serene beaches and lush jungles provide a perfect escape for nature lovers.

Sitiawan, meanwhile, has become the top domestic destination, moving up to rank 43 in 2025 from 48 in 2024, indicating a rising interest among local travelers. This charming town is famous for its delicious seafood and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore traditional temples and enjoy the warm hospitality of the local community.

For Malaysians traveling abroad, Phu Quoc Island has seen a rise in popularity for outbound destinations, jumping to rank 21 in 2025 from 34 in 2024. With its stunning beaches and luxury resorts, Phu Quoc offers a tropical paradise for relaxation. The island’s vibrant night markets and fresh seafood make it a culinary delight for travelers.

Looking at the top emerging destinations for Asian travelers combined, Sapa (Vietnam) tops the list as Asia’s rising star. Vietnam’s scenic mountain destination is followed by Okayama (Japan), Bandung (Indonesia), Matsuyama (Japan), and Takamatsu (Japan) as the top five destinations in Asia showcasing the highest growth in international travel interest.  

Travelers making their 2026 plans are encouraged to check out Agoda’s great value deals on over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities and experiences that are available on the platform. The latest deals are available in the Agoda app or on agoda.com/deals.

The module integrates a high-efficiency AI SoC with in-house software and peripherals to serve as a powerful Edge AI platform.

TAIPEI, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Innodisk, a leading global AI solution provider, announced the launch of its new AI on Dragonwing computing series, developed in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc^[1]. The flagship EXMP-Q911 COM-HPC Mini module delivers up to 100 TOPS of AI performance while maintaining low power consumption and wide-temperature reliability from -40°C to 85°C. The Qualcomm Dragonwing™ SoCs also offers longevity support through 2038, ensuring supply stability for long-term industrial deployments. As the first product line within Innodisk’s AI on ARM portfolio, the series opens a new chapter for customers seeking sustainable and scalable ARM-based Edge AI solutions.

The AI on ARM portfolio marks a key milestone in the collaboration between Innodisk and Qualcomm. The efficient architecture of the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ SoCs delivers exceptional AI inference TOPS within strict thermal and power constraints in edge environments. Combined with Innodisk’s extensive in-house expertise in driver porting and peripheral integration, the AI on ARM line-up elevates the SoC’s capabilities, making it a robust foundation for industrial edge AI deployments. This new line-up also reflects a deep co-development effort from both companies, uniting joint hardware–software engineering and early-stage system design to drive next-generation edge intelligence.

This collaboration centers on the EXMP-Q911 COM-HPC Mini module, powered by the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ IQ-9075 processor featuring an 8-core Kryo Gen 6 CPU and an Adreno 663 GPU, supporting 100 TOPS of AI performance. Based on defined test scenarios^[1], the EXMP-Q911 can achieve up to 10× higher AI inference FPS relative to similar modules.

The EXMP-Q911 integrates 36GB of LPDDR5X memory and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, along with a rich set of interfaces, including PCIe Gen4, USB 3.2, dual 2.5GbE LAN, dual DP1.2, MIPI CSI-2, CAN FD, and more, delivering strong connectivity for compact, performance-demanding edge systems.

Beyond hardware, Innodisk strengthens its offering with software tools, including IQ Studio, an open-source developer portal on GitHub that provides BSPs, reference code, benchmark tools, and a dedicated community space for developers. These resources help accelerate prototyping, testing, and system integration. In addition, Innodisk’s cloud-based management platform, iCAP, further enhances remote device and AI model management across distributed edge environments.

Built on the compact COM-HPC Mini form factor under the latest PICMG specification, the EXMP-Q911 offers next-generation expandability beyond COM Express Mini and streamlines OEM integration with faster development cycles. As a deployment-ready module, it can be directly embedded into customers’ self-designed carrier boards for seamless system integration and reduced development effort. For a fully optimized integration experience, the module delivers even greater capability when paired with Innodisk’s carrier boards and pre-validated peripherals, including MIPI and GMSL embedded cameras with fully ported drivers for VLM and computer-vision AI, along with modular M.2 expansion cards for networking, storage, and industrial I/O. This combination provides a ready-made solution for streamlined deployment.

“With Innodisk’s new AI on Dragonwing series, we’re making advanced edge intelligence more accessible and scalable for industrial customers,” stated Anand Venkatesan, Senior Director, Product Management and Head of Industrial Processors, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “By pairing Qualcomm Dragonwing™ SoCs with Innodisk’s in‑house software and peripherals, OEMs can accelerate development and deploy with the performance, efficiency, and reliability they need—today and over the long term.”

Looking ahead, Innodisk and Qualcomm Technologies will strengthen their collaboration across reference designs, demo kits, and go-to-market initiatives. The product portfolio will also incorporate Qualcomm’s Dragonwing™ IQX and IQ8 SoCs and future ARM platforms for industrial automation, defect detection, AGV/AMR, smart city applications, and a wide range of vertical markets.

• Hyundai Motor Group debuts real-world human-centered AI Robotics at CES 2026
• The Group to secure optimal capabilities, including its expansive Group-wide value chain and product portfolio, to lead the Physical AI industry
• The Group to also connect global Physical AI industries, including Korea and the U.S., to build a differentiated core foundation
• CES Theme ‘Partnering Human Progress’ represents the Group’s bold roadmap for advancing human-robot collaboration, underpinned by three foundational partnerships
• Partnering humans and co-working robots to commence the era of AI Robotics, starting in manufacturing environments
  … Boston Dynamics unveils the product version of its new Atlas® robot
  … Atlas to be deployed at HMGMA by 2028 for sequencing tasks, advancing human-centric smart factory innovation
  … Atlas reduces human physical burden by performing higher-risk tasks; lays the groundwork for robot commercialization and collaborative human-robot environment
• Partnering Group Value Network with Boston Dynamics to lead AI Robotics training, commercialization, and expansion
  … Group affiliates – including Hyundai Motor, Kia, Hyundai Mobis, and Hyundai Glovis – to collaborate and build an End-to-End (E2E) AI Robotics value chain
  … enhance robotics capabilities through data-driven production and validation systems, such as the Robot Metaplant Application Center (RMAC) and Software-Defined Factory (SDF) platform
  … drive world-class AI Robotics development through strategic partnerships with NVIDIA and other initiatives
  … leverage Group’s global manufacturing expertise to accelerate AI Robotics mass production, and expand Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) offerings
• Partnerships with global AI leaders to initiate joint innovation for human progress
  … accelerate technological development of next-generation humanoids through Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind collaboration
  … drive safe and efficient deployment of humanoids by integrating cutting-edge robotics and AI technologies
• The Group to showcase Atlas, Spot®, and MobED with AI Robotics integration at its CES 2026 booth, featuring interactive experiences and live demonstrations

SEOUL, South Korea and LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today unveiled its transformative AI Robotics Strategy at the Consumer Electronics Show 2026 (CES 2026), presenting a bold roadmap for advancing human-robot collaboration under the theme ‘Partnering Human Progress’.

This year’s theme builds on its CES 2022 theme, ‘Expanding Human Reach’, evolving hardware-driven robotics into adaptive, artificial intelligence-driven robots designed to amplify human potential. At the heart of this progression is the Group’s human-centered AI Robotics, created to assist and collaborate with individuals.

To achieve this goal, the Group’s AI Robotics Strategy is underpinned by three foundational partnerships to drive progress and unlock entirely new possibilities for industry and society:

1.    Partnering humans with co-working robots: Robots designed to assist and collaborate with people starting from manufacturing environments, performing hazardous and dangerous, as well as repetitive tasks.

2.    Partnering the Group Value Network with Boston Dynamics: Combining Boston Dynamics’ expertise in AI Robotics with Hyundai Motor Group’s global scale and manufacturing capabilities to create safe training grounds and an End-to-End (E2E) AI Robotics value chain.

3.    Partnering with AI leaders: Collaborating with global AI pioneers to open new chapters in AI Robotics innovation and drive the vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’.

Based on this strategy, Hyundai Motor Group plans to position itself as a human-centric leader in the Physical AI industry by leveraging its Group-wide value chain and extensive product portfolio. Physical AI refers to the tangible realization of technologies that collect data using hardware in real-world environments to make autonomous decisions — spanning areas such as robotics, smart factories, and autonomous driving.

As the Group secures essential data for Physical AI implementation across the entire value chain — from manufacturing and logistics to sales — it will establish a cycle of continuous improvement by digitizing real-world data for AI learning, applying this to products. This approach will enable the expansion of industries from mobility to robotics.

The Group will also promote the establishment of the Hyundai Motor Group Physical AI Application Center, which will play a key role in advancing the Physical AI ecosystem. In addition, the Group plans to build a robot manufacturing and foundry plant based on customized robotics technologies developed through Physical AI.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at: http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com

SINGAPORE, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Uni Shades, a leading awning supplier and professional awning contractor in Singapore, has unveiled its redesigned website, https://www.unishades.com.sg/, to provide users with a more intuitive and informative platform to explore awning solutions for residential and commercial properties.

With a refreshed layout, simplified navigation, and improved mobile responsiveness, the redesign enables visitors to browse awning types, learn about material options, and request quotations more efficiently.

Modern Design and Easier Access to Information

The redesigned website features a cleaner layout, improved navigation, and optimised mobile performance, ensuring a smoother browsing experience for users. Visitors can easily explore Uni Shades’ extensive range of products, including polycarbonate awnings, tempered and laminated glass awnings, retractable awning solutions, cassette awnings, roller blinds, fixed awnings, aluminium composite roofing solutions, Ziptrak systems, and custom roofing installations.

Each product section provides clear details on material types, installation suitability, and maintenance requirements, helping customers choose the right awning for their outdoor spaces such as patios, balconies, and courtyards.

Built with Singapore’s tropical climate in mind, the website highlights the use of highly durable, water-resistant, and corrosion-resistant materials that protect against direct sunlight, heavy rain, and UV rays. These design choices ensure every structure remains reliable and visually consistent, even under harsh weather conditions. Guidance on maintenance practices, including cleaning with only mild soap, is also provided to extend the lifespan of installations.

“The redesign focuses on simplicity, clarity, and practicality,” said a Uni Shades spokesperson. “We wanted to make it easier for all our customers to access detailed information, compare different awning solutions, and identify systems that best suit their specific needs. It’s about making quality craftsmanship and informed decision-making more accessible online.”

A Practical Resource for Homeowners and Businesses Alike

In addition to product insights, the website serves as a practical resource for property owners undertaking home renovations or upgrading commercial properties. Its comprehensive library of articles details how motorised retractable awnings with remote controls function, polycarbonate roofs, and other roofing solutions that can provide shade, improve functionality, and support comfortable outdoor areas in a cost-efficient way.

The new site also underscores Uni Shades’ focus on workmanship, after-sales support, and the use of the highest-quality materials sourced to ensure longevity and performance. With a proven track record in delivering comprehensive solutions across Singapore, Uni Shades remains dedicated to combining form, function, and reliability in every project it undertakes.

About Uni Shades

Founded in 2013, Uni Shades has grown into one of Singapore’s trusted names in awning and roofing solutions. The company designs, fabricates, and installs polycarbonate awnings, aluminium composite (ACP) awnings, tempered and laminated glass awnings, retractable awnings (manual and motorised), stationary awnings, outdoor blinds, Ziptrak systems, and custom roofing installations.

Serving clients across the island, from central districts such as Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar, and Orchard to residential areas like Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, and Pasir Ris, Uni Shades caters to homeowners, commercial property owners, and industrial operators alike. Its projects range from small balcony awnings to large-scale canopies for warehouses and shopfronts.

Media Contact:
Uni Shades
4023 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 1, #01-335, Singapore 569634
+65 6635 3550
info@unishades.com.sg
Unishades.com.sg