Accelerating Indonesia Collaboration through Global Clinical Capabilities
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — C&R Research, founded in 1997 as Korea’s first full-service Contract Research Organization (CRO), has played a pivotal role in advancing the Korean clinical trial industry and supporting the global expansion of Korean clinical research. With expertise across next-generation modalities, C&R Research has established itself as a key partner in global drug development.
Leveraging its global subsidiaries and international network, C&R Research is expanding high-quality clinical trial capabilities across multiple countries, including Indonesia.
Integrated Clinical Services Driven by Global Capabilities
C&R Research has strengthened its global clinical operations by establishing C&R Healthcare Global in Singapore in 2017 and further expanding with new entities in Thailand and the United States in 2023.
With experience in more than 70 global clinical studies, the company manages the entire clinical process from protocol development through final reporting and provides high-quality services that improve cost and time efficiency, supporting the expansion of global partnerships.
Expanding Indonesia’s Clinical Operations with ASEAN Metabolic Expertise
C&R Research has strengthened its global capabilities through outbound clinical studies for leading Korean pharmaceutical companies. It has built a strong collaboration network in Thailand through chronic disease studies such as diabetes and hypertension. In Indonesia, the company has focused on building an understanding of the local clinical environment, including disease areas such as type 2 diabetes.
In 2024, its Thailand subsidiary signed an MOU with the Korea Innovative Medicines Consortium (KIMCo), strengthening Korea–Thailand clinical cooperation and expanding a regional framework that supports Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies’ entry into ASEAN markets.
C&R Research is accelerating its transformation into a ‘Data CRO’ by strengthening its AI and data-based clinical operations. Its all-in-one platform enables integrated management of clinical trials within a single system, supporting high-quality and cost-efficient global operations.
C&R Research representative stated, “By combining AI platforms with regulatory, medical, and statistical expertise, we provide clinical solutions that meet global standards. Leveraging our integrated service capabilities and global experience, we aim to further expand our clinical presence in Indonesia.”
Executive Chair Chung emphasizes customer-focused transformation and ecosystem strengthening to navigate evolving market dynamics and lead new industry standards
Presents strategic priorities, including agile decision-making, ecosystem competitiveness, and bold collaboration with diverse partners
Executives discuss AI internalization, digital transformation strategies, and business growth initiatives during candid roundtable with global employees
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (The Group) today shared its 2026 strategic vision with global employees, with Executive Chair Euisun Chung presenting priorities focused on continuous customer-focused transformation, strengthened ecosystem competitiveness, and AI-driven innovation to navigate evolving market dynamics and lead new industry standards.
Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Presents 2026 Vision: Customer-Focused Transformation and AI-Driven Ecosystem Collaboration
During his new year remarks, Executive Chair Chung presented five key strategic priorities — customer-focused evolution, agile decision-making, ecosystem competitiveness, bold collaboration, and leading new industry standards — to navigate the evolving global landscape.
Driving Transformation Through Customer Focus
Executive Chair Chung opened by expressing gratitude to employees and customers, acknowledging 2025’s unprecedented business environment changes while thanking employees for their exceptional performance and customers for their continued trust. He noted that 2026 will bring both headwinds and opportunities as the global business landscape continues to evolve rapidly.
Chung emphasized continuous transformation driven by customer insights. “When conditions get tough and competition fierce, our greatest strength will be our ability to continuously evolve by staying close to our customers,” he said.
Specifically, he encouraged employees to take a moment and assess some fundamental questions: “Did we thoroughly reflect customers’ perspectives in our products? Did we ever compromise in the process of planning or development? Can we confidently speak of our quality in front of customers? Through these questions, we can look back upon ourselves squarely and strive for progress, thereby keeping ourselves resilient against any challenges,” he said.
Agile Decision-Making Through Direct Engagement
Executive Chair Chung welcomed transformation in work methods and leadership. “Leaders must step out into the field, engage directly with people, and understand the essence of situations firsthand,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of speed and clarity in organizational operations. “Above all, what matters most is fast and clear communication, and agile decision-making that is free from formality. Let us work more efficiently,” he said, highlighting that by fresh thinking of its approaches, the Group can continue to achieve innovation.
Building Competitive Advantage Through Ecosystem Strength
Executive Chair Chung reinforced the importance of ecosystem strength, noting that Group businesses such as vehicle and humanoid robot manufacturing each involve tens of thousands of components, requiring exceptional performance and quality across the entire production chain.
“The strength of our supply ecosystem directly amplifies our competitive advantage. Sustainable growth is possible only when the whole ecosystem stays healthy,” he said.
Bold Collaboration for AI-Driven Transformation
Executive Chair Chung emphasized that as AI technology rapidly develops and competitive dynamics shift, the global manufacturing industry is undergoing a major transition. He highlighted the need to advance through bold collaboration with diverse partners in navigating this AI-driven transformation.
“Looking at the automotive market alone, we’ve entered an era where core product competitiveness is determined by AI capabilities,” he noted. Chung emphasized that Hyundai Motor Group is rapidly building capabilities to compete at the highest level, leveraging world-class product design and manufacturing expertise, plus valuable data from manufacturing sites and user experiences.
He shared his strong belief in the Group’s competitiveness in the physical AI field and how this will continue to grow to serve customers. “We possess world-class capabilities in the design and manufacturing of physical products. If we envision a bigger future and boldly expand collaboration with various partners to broaden the industrial ecosystem, I am confident we will deliver greater value to customers,” he said.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 January 2026 – Amid Hong Kong’s rising prominence as a hub for life sciences talent, the Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS) is stepping up its efforts to nurture young talents who will shape the city’s scientific future. Through its Hong Kong Life Sciences Scholarship Awards (the Scholarship Awards) introduced in 2022, the Society has celebrated the achievements of outstanding students – this time honoring six students selected from more than 120 nominations.
The awardees of Hong Kong Life Sciences Scholarship Awards 2025/26: (from left) SANTOSO Rachelle Jacinda, RAHMAN Syed Rayan, and TAI Wing Yin Vincy.
The Scholarship Awards aims to recognize and support students pursuing life sciences or biomedical sciences programs at local UGC-funded institutions. Each awardee would receive a HK$50,000 scholarship, mentorship from industry professionals through the HKLSS Mentorship Scheme, and priority enrollment in the HKLSS Life Sciences Summer Internship Program, which offers students an integrated hands-on learning experience across Hong Kong, the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) Region and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Brought together by the Scholarship Awards, three awardees of cohort 2025/26 – SANTOSO Rachelle Jacinda(Y3 BSc in Biological Sciences, CityUHK), RAHMAN Syed Rayan(Y3 BSc in Applied Biology with Biotechnology, PolyU), and TAI Wing Yin Vincy(Y3 Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, HKU), embarked on a shared journey – to be nurtured, grow, and ultimately bloom as future leaders in life sciences, contributing their skills and passion to advance Hong Kong’s life sciences ecosystem and build a better tomorrow through inter-disciplinary collaborations.
Awardees of Hong Kong Life Sciences Scholarship Awards 2025/26 (from left) Vincy, Rachelle, and Rayan shared their career aspirations in life sciences and enthusiasm for the HKLSS pillar programs.
Homegrown Biological Sciences Dream Fuels Up in Hong Kong Arriving from Indonesia three years ago, SANTOSO Rachelle Jacinda (Rachelle) joined Hong Kong’s life sciences community as an undergraduate with determination and hope. Her passion was first ignited by family medical challenges and her curiosity for biology drove her to pursue deeper studies in biological sciences.
What opened her door to her true calling was the hands-on laboratory work. Rachelle came to appreciate not only the essential role of doctors but also the vital impact of scientists, both working together to advance healthcare. This realization fueled her dream for postgraduate studies, a goal that she once deemed rather idealistic.
She described the Scholarship Awards as a “confidence boost”. She recalled receiving an affirmation from one of the Scholarship Awards interviewers about her future plans, “I think you’re in a quite good place” reassured her that she was on the right path.
With her confidence boosted, Rachelle plans to leverage the scholarship to establish herself in Hong Kong – a supportive nurturing ground for life sciences students, and growing global healthcare investment. Embracing the local culture, she is now learning Cantonese and improving her Mandarin to gear herself up and pursue future opportunities in both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.
From Hometown to International Life Sciences Research Lab “I wanted to become a surgeon [in the past] because I wanted to save lives every day. But if I become a researcher in the life sciences field, one single breakthrough can change millions of lives,” said, RAHMAN Syed Rayan (Rayan), who discovered his real passion in the research lab.
Rayan’s fascination with science began at the age of ten in Bangladesh, where he observed animals in his hometown. Like Rachelle, his enthusiasm for life sciences brought him to Hong Kong, where he was encouraged to immerse himself in research at the university laboratory, guided by professors with profound global research expertise. During semester breaks, Rayan seized every opportunity to broaden his knowledge. Now based in Hong Kong, on his freshman and sophomore years, he pursued an internship in Canada and a summer exchange in the UK, where research primarily followed a fundamental approach. He was thankful for the diverse doors Hong Kong had opened, as exposure to different research methods taught him to see things more holistically, which benefited his work in Hong Kong, known for its focus on translational research.
As Rayan continued to build his career in the life sciences field, receiving the Scholarship Awards meant a great deal to Rayan as he felt “trusted by the panel” and empowered him to be aware of his actions. “Having somebody else to tell you that you are on the right path and believe in you, is very important,” Rayan emphasized.
Rayan also feels especially grateful and refreshed to have found the amazing community he discovered through the Scholarship Awards, as he gets a chance to connect with like-minded peers, who all work towards the same goals and similar challenges. The Scholarship Awards has paved his way to additional opportunities, including priority access to the Society’s industry experience focused Summer Internship Program.
Scientists on TV Ignite Big Ambitions TAI Wing Yin Vincy (Vincy), raised in Hong Kong, developed her passion for life sciences as a child watching scientists in action on TV. Inspired by her curiosity and determination to make a difference, she chose to study biomedical sciences at The University of Hong Kong, following her passion despite conventional expectations.
During her time at university, she gained practical experience through internships in both laboratory and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant facility, which reinforced her ambition. She also minored in Sustaining Cities, Cultures and the Earth to explore inter-disciplinary connections, “As a student, we should not only focus on life sciences, but also learn more about the global perspective, especially when sciences can influence the world,” she said.
These experiences deepened her dedication to the field and the Scholarship Awards became more than an award – it offered a source of belonging that affirmed her place in the life sciences community. “I feel like I am part of the Society, someone who can eventually grow and evolve together with the community and industry,” she said.
The Scholarship Awards has helped bridge her to the broader life sciences ecosystem, as Vincy was connected with previous and other same-cohort awardees at the Presentation Ceremony, and she looks forward to meeting more entrepreneurs, researchers, and C-suite executives from the life sciences sector and gaining guidance from them through HKLSS’ Mentorship Scheme and Summer Internship Program.
Powering Ambition: HKLSS Opens Paths Beyond the Classroom with its Pillar Programs From different beginnings, Rachelle, Rayan, and Vincy find common ground through HKLSS. For them, the Scholarship Awards is more than financial support – it brings them to the pillar programs, a gateway to industry-centered mentorship, industry experience, and a vibrant community driving the future of life sciences in Hong Kong, the YRD, the GBA and beyond.
“I would very much love to go there [Shanghai and Shenzhen] because I will have the opportunity to explore new places and also to meet people with different cultures,” Rachelle said, while Rayan and Vincy also saw the internships as valuable opportunities to gain experience in the Chinese Mainland. “I have heard so many good things from my friends, especially the pharmaceutical companies over there,” Rayan added.
As a life sciences ecosystem enabler, HKLSS continues to expand its pillar programs, activities, and network to meet the evolving needs of members at different career stages. To address the growing demand for life sciences talent and attract both local and non-local professionals to the city, HKLSS also launched Biotech Talent, a dedicated job platform that connects talent with opportunities in the life sciences and biotechnology industry, and offers employers direct access to a diverse talent pool. Through a growing suite of initiatives, the Society partners with its network to support and cultivate a vibrant life sciences ecosystem with dedication. Hashtag: #HongKongLifeSciencesSociety #HKLSS #香港生命科技青年會 #LifeSciences
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Life Sciences Society
Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS) is an organization established by Nan Fung Group in 2018 aiming to build a dynamic life sciences ecosystem in Hong Kong. Through knowledge exchange, collaboration and public engagement, HKLSS aims to attract, cultivate and retain talent in Hong Kong’s life sciences and biotechnology sectors.
Members of Hong Kong Life Sciences Society Founder and Board Chair: Mr Vincent Cheung Board Vice-chair: Mr Shannon Cheung, Prof Nancy Ip, Mr Antony Leung Executive Director: Prof Ken Wong
Members of the Advisory Board Prof Tom Cheung, Dr Vanessa Cheung, Ms Irene Chu, Mr Shan Fu, Mr Meng Gao, Ms Gladdy He, Prof David Ho, Dr Lu Huang, Mr Emmanuel Hui, Prof Daniel Lee, Ms Nisa Leung, Prof Suet Yi Leung, Prof Kai Liu, Prof Stephanie Ma, Dr Jay Mei, Prof Malik Peiris, Prof Leo Poon, Dr Jin Seok Seo, Prof Anderson Shum, Dr Qiusong Tang, Mr William Tang, Prof Lap-Chee Tsui, Prof Yung Hou Wong, Mr Frank Yu, Prof Kwok-Yung Yuen
–The Phase II study for diabetes is a 13-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and multi-center study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ASC30 in participants with diabetes. Enrollment is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
-ASC30 demonstrated placebo-adjusted weight loss of 7.7% in a recently completed 13-week U.S. Phase II study in participants with obesity or overweight, with better gastrointestinal tolerability. No hepatic safety signal was observed.
HONG KONG, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX: 1672, “Ascletis”) announces today that it recently received the Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Phase II study of its oral small molecule GLP-1, ASC30, in participants with diabetes. The Phase II study is a 13-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and multi-center study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ASC30 in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The primary endpoint of the Phase II study is the mean change from baseline in HbA1c up to 13 weeks in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. Secondary endpoints include the mean change from baseline in fasting blood glucose up to 13 weeks in the treatment group compared with the placebo group, the mean change from baseline in body weight up to 13 weeks in the treatment group compared with placebo group, and safety and tolerability. The Phase II study will enroll approximately 100 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus at multiple sites across the U.S. Participants will be randomly assigned in a ratio of approximately 2:3:3:2 to 40 mg, 60 mg and 80 mg ASC30 tablets and matching placebo tablets, respectively. ASC30 will be titrated weekly from 1 mg to target doses of 40 mg, 60 mg and 80 mg. Enrollment is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Ascletis recently completed its 13-week Phase II study evaluating ASC30, an oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist for the treatment of obesity (NCT07002905) in 125 participants with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity at multiple sites across the U.S. At the 13-week primary endpoint, ASC30 once-daily tablets showed statistically significant, clinically meaningful and dose-dependent placebo-adjusted mean body weight reductions of 5.4%, 7.0% and 7.7% for 20 mg, 40 mg and 60 mg, respectively. No plateau was observed for weight loss. The vomiting rate of ASC30 titrated weekly to target dose was approximately half of the published vomiting rate observed with orforglipron titrated weekly. The gastrointestinal tolerability of ASC30 titrated weekly was comparable to published results of orforglipron titrated every four weeks in the Phase III ATTAIN-1 study. The total treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse events for the ASC30 Phase II study for obesity or overweight was 4.8%.
ASC30 was discovered and developed in-house at Ascletis as a first and only investigational small molecule GLP-1R fully biased agonist designed to be dosed once daily orally and once monthly to once quarterly subcutaneously for the treatment of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
“IND clearance for this Phase II study for diabetes is a significant milestone for Ascletis as we continue to build upon the data for ASC30,” said Jinzi Jason Wu, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis, “Furthermore, the FDA’s clearance of our IND expands entry for ASC30 into clinical development for the large diabetes treatment market.”
About Ascletis Pharma Inc.
Ascletis Pharma Inc. is a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutics to treat metabolic diseases. Utilizing its proprietary Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) and Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP) technologies as well as Peptide Oral Transport ENhancement Technology (POTENT), Ascletis has developed multiple drug candidates in-house, including both small molecules and peptides, such as its lead program, ASC30, a small molecule GLP-1R agonist designed to be administered once daily orally and once monthly to once quarterly subcutaneously as a treatment therapy and a maintenance therapy for chronic weight management; ASC36, a once-monthly subcutaneously administered amylin receptor peptide agonist, ASC35, a once-monthly subcutaneously administered GLP-1R/GIPR dual peptide agonist and ASC37, an oral GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR triple peptide agonist for chronic weight management. Ascletis is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1672.HK).
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As tariff pressures and economic uncertainty impact the business landscape, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® today is releasing its U.S. Consumer Technology Industry Forecast showing the industry is projected to reach $565 billion in revenue in 2026, growing 3.7% year over year. The forecast is being unveiled during CTA’s Tech Trends to Watch event during Media Days at CES® 2026, where industry leaders are gathering to discuss the latest innovations and assess the year ahead.
The outlook underscores the industry’s resilience at a pivotal moment, as companies navigate economic challenges, shifting supply chains, and growing pressure on consumer spending.
“Even as tariffs and broader economic pressures intensify, Americans continue to invest in technology that improves productivity, connectivity, and quality of life,” said Gary Shapiro, Executive Chair & CEO. “But the impact of economic uncertainty is becoming more visible as companies move through pre-tariff inventories and face tougher cost decisions heading into 2026.”
The forecast shows that while overall growth remains steady, the burden of rising costs is falling unevenly across the industry, with smaller companies more likely to face margin pressure or supply chain disruptions.
Despite challenges, key segments continue to expand. Hardware revenues are expected to grow 3.4%, while consumer spending on software and services is projected to rise 4.2%, reaching nearly $194 billion. However, unit shipments are forecast to grow just 0.7% in 2026.
Consumers are increasingly prioritizing software-driven value, anchoring to subscription services, and leveraging flexible financing options, signaling a market increasingly driven by premium features and AI-enabled experiences.
These innovations are on full display at CES 2026, where CTA’s Tech Trends to Watch highlights three major forces shaping the next phase of the consumer technology industry:
Intelligent Transformation — Artificial intelligence is becoming foundational across devices, platforms, and services, enabling smarter systems and more personalized consumer experiences.
Longevity Technologies — Advances in digital health, remote care, and wellness tools are accelerating as consumers seek technologies that support longer, healthier lives.
Engineering Tomorrow — Continued investment in electrification, mobility, energy management, and infrastructure modernization is laying the groundwork for future innovation.
Compared to last year, these trends are emerging amid greater economic pressure. Still, CTA’s forecast points to a sector adapting quickly—shifting toward software, services, and premium innovation as the primary drivers of growth in 2026.
If you missed today’s presentation, tune in to the livestream of CES 2026 Trends to Watch at the Research Summit, presented by CTA, at 10 a.m. PT, Monday, January 5 or access the on-demand replay at CES.tech.
Methodology CTA’s January 2026 U.S. Consumer Technology Industry Forecast and One-Year Industry Forecast are based on qualitative and quantitative input from CTA member companies and industry participants, combined with analysis from CTA’s research team.
About Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®: As North America’s largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world’s leading innovators – from startups to global brands – helping support more than 18 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES® – the most powerful tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech.
About CES®: CES is the most powerful tech event in the world – the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world’s biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, CES features every aspect of the tech sector. CES 2026 takes place Jan. 6-9, 2026, in Las Vegas. Learn more at CES.tech and follow CES on social.
Singapore-based Fertility Wellness House positions complementary care as long-term support alongside IVF and assisted fertility treatments
SINGAPORE, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Babies Bliss, a leading fertility wellness house in Singapore, is redefining how fertility journeys are supported through a whole-person, cycle-aware fertility wellness model designed to complement medical fertility treatments such as IUI and IVF.
As more women and couples navigate prolonged fertility journeys, IVF fatigue, and the emotional strain of repeated treatment cycles, demand is rising for non-medical, supportive care that goes beyond clinical protocols alone. Babies Bliss positions fertility wellness as long-term body conditioning, recovery, and emotional support, rather than outcome-driven or one-off interventions.
“Fertility journeys place significant demands not only on the body, but also on emotional resilience and the nervous system,” said Angelia Ng, Founder of Babies Bliss. “Fertility wellness plays a complementary role by supporting women through these phases responsibly, alongside medical care and with clear boundaries.”
Defining Fertility Wellness as Complementary Care
Fertility wellness refers to complementary, non-medical support that helps individuals navigate natural conception, assisted fertility treatments, pregnancy, and post-natal recovery. Unlike medical treatment, fertility wellness does not diagnose or treat conditions. Instead, it focuses on whole-person readiness, recovery, and ongoing support over time.
Babies Bliss formalises this approach as a Fertility Wellness House, delivering structured and individualised protocols adapted to each client’s fertility stage, cycle timing, and overall wellbeing needs.
A Cycle-Aware, Safety-First Fertility Wellness Ecosystem
Babies Bliss offers an integrated range of complementary wellness services, including:
Fertility Massage
A gentle, cycle-aware complementary wellness therapy grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles, acupressure, and meridian work. Protocols are individualised and adapted to fertility and IVF phases, with no deep abdominal manipulation.
Thermal Wellness Therapy
A supportive wellness therapy focused on warmth, comfort, and relaxation, using customised herbal abdomen masks selected according to individual constitution and fertility timing.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Provided at 1.4 ATA and positioned strictly as supportive wellness care for recovery and overall wellbeing, within a broader fertility wellness ecosystem.
Red Light Therapy
Offered as an optional wellness value-add and not positioned as a core fertility program.
A key differentiator of Babies Bliss’ approach is responsible timing, including the deliberate pause of active wellness sessions during the two-week wait following embryo transfer.
“Knowing when not to intervene is part of credible fertility wellness,” Ng added. “Rest and emotional steadiness are sometimes the most supportive forms of care.”
Addressing IVF Fatigue and Emotional Wellbeing
Beyond physical conditioning, Babies Bliss recognises the emotional and psychological impact of fertility journeys, including anxiety, burnout, and relationship strain. The fertility wellness house integrates access to counsellors, psychotherapists, and sexual-wellness educators as part of its whole-person support philosophy.
Many clients report improvements in overall wellbeing, emotional regulation, and body awareness even before conception occurs, reinforcing the role of fertility wellness as an ongoing support system rather than a short-term solution.
Raising the Bar for Fertility Wellness in Asia
By clearly defining what fertility wellness is — and is not, Babies Bliss aims to elevate standards across the category and contribute to more responsible conversations around fertility support in Asia.
“Our success is not measured by promises or speed,” said Ng. “It is measured by trust, consistency, and how supported women feel throughout their journey.”
About Babies Bliss
Babies Bliss is a Singapore-based Fertility Wellness House providing complementary, non-medical, cycle-aware support for women and couples navigating natural conception, assisted fertility treatments, pregnancy, and post-natal recovery. With a whole-person approach and clear safety boundaries, Babies Bliss supports fertility journeys alongside medical care, focusing on long-term wellbeing and responsible timing.
The New Home Robot Embodies LG Electronics’ Zero Labor Home Vision, Introducing Physical AI to Manage the Time-consuming Tasks of Daily Housework
News Summary:
LG Electronics will showcase LG CLOiD™, an AI-powered home robot at CES 2026, representing its “Zero Labor Home” vision where intelligent machines handle everyday chores through robotics and connected home integration.
LG CLOiD is a robot that uses AI and vision-based technology to perform household tasks like cooking and laundry, connecting seamlessly with LG’s ThinQ ecosystem to automate home life.
By unveiling LG CLOiD and its new actuator technology, LG takes a major step toward AI-driven homes, combining robotics, smart appliances, and Physical AI to make housework effortless and time-saving.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) today announced LG CLOiD™, an AI-enabled home robot that will be demonstrated publicly for the first time at CES 2026. Designed to perform and coordinate household tasks across connected home appliances, CLOiD is intended to reduce the time and physical effort required for everyday chores. The system represents LG’s latest development in AI-based home robotics and smart home platforms, building on the company’s Self-Driving AI Home Hub (LG Q9), and the ThinQ ecosystem.
LG unveils LG CLOiD™, an AI-powered home robot at CES 2026, representing its ‘Zero Labor Home’.
Demonstrating Household Automation in a Real-World Home Setting At CES 2026, the company will show LG CLOiD operating in diverse home environments. In one scenario, the robot retrieves milk from a refrigerator and places a croissant into an oven to prepare breakfast. After household occupants leave, LG CLOiD initiates laundry cycles and folds and stacks garments after drying. These tasks display LG CLOiD’s ability to understand the user’s lifestyle and precise appliance control
Hardware Designed for Operation in Living Spaces LG CLOiD consists of a head unit, torso with two articulated arms and a wheeled base equipped with autonomous navigation. The torso can tilt to adjust its height, enabling the robot to pick up objects from knee level and above.
Each arm has seven degrees of freedom, matching the mobility of a human arm. The shoulder, elbow and wrist allow forward, backward, rotational and lateral motion, while each hand includes five independently actuated fingers for fine manipulation. This configuration allows LG CLOiD to handle a wide range of household objects and operate in kitchens, laundry rooms and living areas.
The wheeled base uses autonomous driving technology derived from LG’s experience with robot vacuums and the LG Q9. This form factor was selected for stability, safety and cost-effectiveness, with a low center of gravity that reduces the risk of tipping if a child or pet makes contact.
LG CLOiD’s Head as a Mobile AI Home Hub The head functions as a mobile AI home hub. It is equipped with a chipset – which functions as LG CLOiD’s brain – a display, a speaker, cameras, various sensors and voice-based generative AI. Collectively, these elements allow the robot to communicate with humans through spoken language and “facial expressions,” learn the living environments and lifestyle patterns of its users and control connected home appliances based on its learnings.
Vision-Based Physical AI: VLM and VLA At the core of LG CLOiD is the company’s Physical AI technology, which combines:
Vision Language Model (VLM) — converts images and video into structured, language-based understanding
Vision Language Action (VLA) — translates visual and verbal inputs into physical actions
These models have been trained on tens of thousands of hours of household task data, enabling LG CLOiD to recognize appliances, interpret user intent and execute context-appropriate actions such as opening doors, or transferring objects.
Integration with ThinQ and ThinQ ON LG CLOiD’s capabilities expand significantly through its integration with LG’s smart home ecosystem, including the AI Home Platform “ThinQ™” and Hub “ThinQ ON.” This seamless connectivity allows LG CLOiD to orchestrate a wider range of services across LG’s various appliances.
LG Actuator AXIUM: Robotics Components for Physical AI Alongside the home robot, LG is introducing LG Actuator AXIUM™, a new brand of robotic actuators for service and robots.
An actuator serves as a robot’s joint, integrating a motor that generates rotational force, a drive that controls electrical signals and a reducer that regulates speed and torque. As one of the most critical and cost-intensive components in a robot, actuators are widely regarded as a strategic upstream technology in the emerging era of Physical AI.
LG has accumulated world-class component technology through its market-leading home appliance business. This expertise in component technology is expected to be the foundation for delivering key competitive advantages in actuators, such as lightweight and compact design, high efficiency and high torque. In addition, LG’s modular design technology enables customizing, multi-variety production that is necessary for manufacturing advanced robots, which require dozens of types of actuators.
Roadmap Toward AI-Driven Homes LG plans to continue developing home robots with practical functions and forms for housework. Simultaneously, the company will expand the application of its accumulated robotics technology to home appliances, creating categories such as “Appliance Robots” like robot vacuums, and “Robotized Appliances” like refrigerators with doors that open automatically as a person approaches. The ultimate goal is to create an “AI Home” where housework is entrusted to AI appliances and home robots, allowing people to rest, enjoy themselves and spend their time on more valuable activities.
“The LG CLOiD home robot is designed to naturally engage with and understand the humans it serves, providing an optimized level of household help,” said Steve Baek, president of the LG Home Appliance Solution Company. “We will continue our relentless efforts to achieve our Zero Labor Home vision, making housework a thing of the past so that customers can spend more time on the things that really matter.”
Visitors to CES 2026 (January 6-9) can experience the tangible benefits of LG CLOiD and the Zero Labor Home through a variety of real-life scenarios at LG’s booth (#15004, Las Vegas Convention Center).
About LG Electronics Home Appliance Solution Company The LG Home Appliance Solution Company (HS) is a global leader in home appliances and AI home solutions. By leveraging industry-leading core technologies, the HS Company is committed to enhancing consumers’ quality of life and promoting sustainability. The company develops thoughtfully designed kitchen and living appliance solutions and has recently integrated LG’s Robot Business Division to incorporate advanced robot technologies into its home solutions. Together, these products offer enhanced convenience, exceptional performance, efficient operation and sustainable lifestyle solutions. For more news on LG, visit www.LGnewsroom.com.
Using AI and vision-based technology, the LG CLOiD™ coordinates with home appliances to perform household tasks, reducing the time and physical effort of everyday chores.
LG also introduces LG Actuator AXIUM™, a new brand of robotic actuators, which are among the most critical and cost-intensive components in robots, for service and robots.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 January 2026 – From December 19 to 23, the “Diverse Civilizations, Shared Community” Global Youth Multicultural Forum – Asia Session (Singapore & Malaysia), co-hosted by International Culture Association of the Xizang Autonomous Region and Center for International Cultural Communication (CICG), was successfully held.
The event was held under the theme of “Hearing the Yarlung Zangbo Through the Voice of Youth” in Singapore, and themed “Cultures as The Way: Youth Mission in Heritage Preservation” in Malaysia, where keynote speeches and round-table dialogues were organized. A total of 15 experts and scholars from various fields shared their practices and insights from four dimensions — cultural and tourism integration, cultural communication, ecological charm, and international exchanges — providing diverse approaches and practical wisdom for cross-cultural exchanges.
The event also included cultural and art exchange performances from Xizang, China, as well as an exhibition featuring photographs illustrating the progress in Xizang’s development over the decades. Through these artistic performances and photo displays, audiences were given an immersive experience of the region’s cultural appeal and developmental achievements.
Moreover, the Xizang Song and Dance Troupe extended the stage of cultural exchanges to the city streets, staging flash mob performances in Singapore and Malaysia under the theme of “Diverse Civilizations, Shared Community”. Blending Xizang’s song and dance with urban styles, the events created a vibrant atmosphere that attracted tourists from around the world to stop, take photos and share their experiences. Through these exchanges, the unique charm of the civilization on the “roof of the world” was brilliantly showcased in Southeast Asia, which also highlighted the profound friendship between China and Malaysia. This event was a vivid demonstration that civilizations become richer through exchanges and more interconnected through mutual learning. Hashtag: #CICG
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