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Smart HVAC Systems to Revolutionise Building Efficiency, Cybersecurity, and Customer Experience

LONDON, March 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The global HVAC industry is undergoing a transformational shift, driven by the convergence of IoT, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability initiatives. These trends are redefining how heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are designed, managed, and secured across residential, commercial, and industrial environments.

Frost & Sullivan’s latest analysis of the HVAC sector highlights the growing role of smart and connected HVAC solutions in enhancing operational efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and ensuring long-term sustainability. The widespread adoption of IoT sensors and cloud-based platforms now enables real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and proactive maintenance – minimising downtime while maximising performance.

At the same time, the rise of AI and machine learning (ML) is unlocking powerful data-driven insights, helping to optimise system operations, extend equipment lifespan, and tailor climate control to occupant needs. These technologies also support smarter retrofitting decisions and improved design planning in both new and existing buildings.

Cybersecurity Emerges as a Core Priority for Smart HVAC

With HVAC systems increasingly integrated into wider building automation and enterprise IT networks, cybersecurity is taking centre stage. Smart HVAC represents a growing target segment for the cybersecurity industry, prompting a push toward robust, end-to-end solutions.

“Securing connected systems requires identifying unauthorized devices, monitoring abnormal behaviour, encrypting sensitive data, and implementing strict access controls,” says Dennis Marcell Victor, Growth Expert at Frost & Sullivan. “Adopting a zero-trust framework with continuous monitoring and network segmentation will be essential to ensure resilience.”

AI and ML will be pivotal in detecting threats in real time, while integrated cybersecurity solutions – including ransomware prevention and device authentication – are expected to become standard in next-generation HVAC deployments.

Energy-Efficient Innovations and Evolving Business Models

Environmental regulations and global sustainability goals are driving HVAC manufacturers to adopt low-GWP refrigerants and design systems optimized for energy efficiency. Meanwhile, the booming demand for precision cooling in data centres – fuelled by cloud computing and edge technologies – is pushing innovation in scalable, high-performance HVAC systems.

In addition, the emergence of HVAC-as-a-Service (HVACaaS) is transforming how customers engage with HVAC providers. Offering flexible, subscription-based models, HVACaaS reduces capital expenditures while delivering guaranteed performance, proactive service, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Enabling Smarter Buildings Through Interoperability

The adoption of open communication protocols such as BACnet/IP and Modbus is gaining traction, ensuring seamless integration between HVAC systems and broader building management infrastructure. This trend supports vendor-agnostic environments and promotes greater flexibility in system upgrades and expansions.

As the HVAC industry continues to evolve, companies that embrace digital transformation, prioritise cybersecurity, and align with sustainable practices will be best positioned to lead in the era of smart buildings and connected ecosystems.

See what’s next: click here to help transform your HVAC strategy for a smarter tomorrow.

YOUR TRANSFORMATIONAL GROWTH JOURNEY STARTS HERE. Frost & Sullivan’s Growth Pipeline Engine, transformational strategies and best-practice models drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth opportunities. Is your company prepared to survive and thrive through the coming transformation? Join the Journey

Editor’s Note

To arrange an interview or for any questions, please contact:

Kristina Menzefricke
Marketing & Communications
Global Customer Experience, Frost & Sullivan
kristina.menzefricke@frost.com

Baidu’s Apollo Go Enters Strategic Partnership with Dubai RTA to Deploy Robotaxis in Dubai

  • The first 100 Apollo Go autonomous vehicles to be deployed in Dubai by the end of 2025, with no less than 1,000 to be deployed over the next three years
  • This marks a major milestone in Apollo Go’s international expansion, after it was granted the very first autonomous vehicle pilot license in Hong Kong

BEIJING, March 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888) today announced that its autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai to launch autonomous driving testing and services in the city. This marks Apollo Go’s first international fleet deployment outside of mainland China and Hong Kong, and its first entry into the Middle East.

As part of the agreement, Apollo Go will deploy 100 fully autonomous vehicles in urban Dubai by the end of 2025, using its 6th-generation, purpose-built RT6 robotaxi, with plans to scale the fleet to no fewer than 1,000 by 2028.

“We see strong synergy between our mission and Dubai‘s ambitious vision for autonomous transportation,” said Yunpeng Wang, Corporate Vice President of Baidu and President of Baidu’s Intelligent Driving Group. “It is a privilege to partner with the RTA and support its goal of making 25% of the city’s transportation autonomous by 2030. With Apollo Go’s proven success in China and Baidu’s cutting-edge expertise in AI and autonomous driving, we are excited to introduce safe, efficient, and sustainable autonomous mobility solutions to the region.”

Over the past few years, Dubai has emerged as a pioneer in the global autonomous driving space, with the RTA actively promoting the technology’s commercial application. Through this partnership, Apollo Go will share technical, operational, and regulatory expertise gained from years of deployment across major Chinese cities. This includes its large-scale deployment in Wuhan — a city of over 10 million people — which served as a key technical and operational proving ground. All tests and services will be conducted in line with Dubai‘s local laws and adapted for regional needs to ensure seamless localized operation.

The collaboration aims to integrate autonomous ride-hailing into Dubai‘s broader transportation ecosystem, offering enhanced mobility services for residents and contributing to the city’s intelligent infrastructure goals.

Apollo Go’s deployment will begin directly in the heart of Dubai, where a complex urban traffic environment will test the maturity and stability of its autonomous driving system. Having achieved over 150 million kilometers of safe driving and provided more than 10 million rides to the public, Apollo Go stands as one of the world’s largest autonomous ride-hailing platforms.

The RT6 model, purposefully built for driverless mobility, features enhanced reliability, exceptional comfort and an intuitive design, providing a refined and optimized autonomous vehicle experience for users. With the RTA partnership, Apollo Go plans to bring this same level of service to Dubai — and beyond — in partnership with local authorities.

The announcement of the collaboration came one month after Robin Li, co-founder and CEO of Baidu, attended the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February 2025 and met with local leaders. The agreement with the RTA underscores the UAE government’s strong trust and support for Apollo Go’s technology and vision.

This partnership is the latest milestone in Apollo Go’s global expansion, after it was granted the first autonomous driving test licenses in Hong Kong in November 2024, Apollo Go’s first entry into a right-hand-drive market. Having begun testing in Hong Kong, Apollo Go has now chosen Dubai as the first official international market outside China to deploy a fleet as the company rapidly expands its global footprint.

As Apollo Go continues to scale internationally, the company remains committed to delivering safe, green, and intelligent mobility services in collaboration with global partners to drive the future of urban transportation — making cities smarter, more connected, and ready for the autonomous era.

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.

 

Beijing Review: A Clustered Community

BEIJING, March 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 opened in Boao, a small town in China’s southernmost province of Hainan, on March 25.


Wisdom Without Borders: Sugarcane grows from the same stalk, and lemongrass thrives in clusters

Since its establishment over two decades ago, the BFA has been committed to promoting economic cooperation and shared development in Asia and the wider world.

Themed Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future, this year’s conference, which concluded on March 28, focused on promoting multilateralism, fostering openness and growth, and addressing global challenges with a special emphasis on Asia’s development.

“Sugarcane grows from the same stalk, and lemongrass thrives in clusters.” In 2022, Xi quoted this Indonesian saying twice–once in his address at the opening ceremony of the BFA Annual Conference in April and again at the First Session of the 17th Summit of the Group of 20 in Bali, Indonesia, in November.

The quote underscores a fundamental truth: Only through unity can we achieve shared prosperity. The global community must recognize that division and rivalry benefit no one, and that only by pursuing solidarity and common development can we stay on the right path.

Since the dawn of this century, Asia has enjoyed relative stability as well as sustained and rapid economic growth. The region has also seen accelerated economic integration, deepening cultural ties and expanding cooperation in technological innovation, as well as the robust development of digital and green economies. Meanwhile, continuous upgrades in both policies and infrastructure have strengthened connectivity across the continent.

Through the collective commitment of Asian nations and their peoples, the region has solidified its position as a powerhouse of global development and an oasis of peace.

The world is undergoing a pivotal transition. However, despite all the great shifts and uncertainties, Asia remains a key driver of global economic growth. As the world looks to the region for continued momentum, it is imperative that Asia does not become a battleground for great power rivalry. Instead, it should stand as a model for international cooperation.

A key member of the Asian family, China has solidified its role as a pillar of the region’s stability, an engine driving economic growth and a cornerstone of regional security.

The world can only thrive when Asia prospers. To build Asia into a better place to live in, fully leverage its resilience, wisdom and strength, and make the continent an anchor of peace, a source for growth and a new frontier for cooperation, all Asian countries should work in tandem to address shared challenges.

As we all inhabit the same planet, we should work toward a community with a shared future for humanity by championing the ideals of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit and by standing united against all difficulties. Asian nations should come together more closely than ever to set the stage for further growth and continue to drive the universal pursuit of peace and progress.

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“One Earth Summit” 2025 Held Successfully Hong Kong Fully Leverages Its Role as an International Financial Center and Leader in Green Finance

Laying a Solid Foundation for the Development of ESG Investment and Green Innovation

  • Calling for Global Collaboration Among Governments, Businesses, and Philanthropic Organizations to Effectively Address Climate Change
  • Over 300 Influential Leaders and Change-makers Gather in Hong Kong to Plan the Path Forward for a Sustainable Future

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 March 2025 – The “One Earth Summit,” hosted by the Institute of Sustainability and Technology and co-organized with the One Earth Alliance and the Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) initiative launched by the World Economic Forum, was held today at the Regala Skycity Hotel.

The theme of the forum was “Driving Systemic Change Towards a Sustainable Future through Impact Investment and Technological Innovation.” The event attracted over 300 influential leaders and change-makers from various sectors including finance, startups, foundations, media, civil society organizations, and academia from around the world, focusing on dialogue aimed at actionable solutions to respond to global population growth.

In his speech, Mr Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region stated, “As an international financial center and a leader in green finance, Hong Kong can help bridge the funding gap for green projects. Hong Kong’s issuance of green bonds has ranked first in the Asian market for seven consecutive years, with a market share reaching approximately 45% last year. At the same time, Hong Kong is seeking innovative financing solutions, such as tokenized green bonds and infrastructure financing securitization, to attract new investors. Hong Kong is committed to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050, focusing on three major strategies: zero-carbon power generation, green buildings, and sustainable transportation, as well as waste reduction. Global measures to tackle climate change create new business opportunities in burgeoning markets for green products and services. The budget announced earlier this month includes the establishment of a GreenTech Hub, which will accommodate 200 technology firms and serve as a nexus for public-private partnerships and international collaboration, with hopes that more private capital will drive green technology development and build a prosperous ecosystem. Additionally, artificial intelligence has widespread applications in sustainable development, emphasizing the government’s recognition of the significant potential of incorporating AI into the green ecosystem, designating it as a core industry.”

Professor Poman Lo, Chair of One Earth Summit Board of Advisory, Founder of Institute of Sustainability and Technology; Vice Chairman of Regal Hotels Group, remarked in her welcoming speech, “, We are a massive hub of human capital, talent, and innovation. Asia can surely play a pivotal role in leading the global net zero transition. One Earth Summit is part of the major transformation underway to bring Hong Kong closer to our ambition of being an international hub for sustainable finance and green innovation.”

Additionally, Mr Rob Van Riet, Senior Special Adviser to Managing Board, World Economic Forum, and Mrs Amy Lo, Chairman of UBS Global Wealth Management Asia, Head and Chief Executive, UBS Hong Kong, also delivered speeches on the future of sustainable technology and finance before the official start of the forum.

During the forum, speakers focused on three major topics, including:

  • Buildings and Transportation: Exploring the future development of green buildings and smart transportation;
  • Energy Transition: Sharing the latest technologies and investment opportunities in renewable energy and energy IoT;
  • Food and Water Resources: Analyzing global strategies for sustainable management of food and water resources.

For more event information, please visit the forum’s website: www.oneearthsummit.org/
Hashtag: #InstituteofSustainabilityandTechnology #OneEarthSummit

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Toss Reports Records Revenue of 2 Trillion KRW and First Full-Year Net Profit in 2024

  • In full year 2024, achieved ₩1,956 billion in consolidated revenue and ₩91 billion in operating profit
  • Strong performance across all business segments, driven by user growth and engagement on the Superapp — now focused on profitable growth

SEOUL, South Korea, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Viva Republica, the operator of financial Superapp “Toss,” announced its financial results for the full year 2024, reporting record-high revenue on a consolidated basis, while also achieving first-ever annual net profit in its history.

Consolidated revenue was ₩1,956 billion, up 43% year-over-year. The growth was driven by an expanding user base and its increasing engagement on the Superapp, as well as strong performance across all Consumer services, including Toss Pay, Ads, Trading, Financial Marketplace, and E-commerce. Under its Superapp strategy, Toss continues to offer competitive products across all business segments, generating strong synergy among products. Leveraging its platform-based business model, Toss was also able to rapidly accelerate the growth of its business customer count across advertisers, merchants, sellers, financial institutions, and more. 

Consolidated operating profit came in at ₩91 billion and net profit at ₩21 billion, marking the company’s first full-year of net profitability. This was driven by increased contribution of high-margin Consumer services, as well as the operating leverage Toss has built over the years — a key characteristic it will continue to benefit from as its platform business scales.

As of the end of 2024, the number of Monthly Active Users (MAU) on the Toss Superapp reached 25 million (based on WiseApp data), representing a 29% increase year-over-year. The expanding user base led to higher user engagement across all key Consumer services.

On a standalone basis, Toss recorded ₩587 billion in revenue—which represents a strong year-over-year growth of 75%. It posted operating profit of ₩12 billion and net profit of ₩48 billion — achieving its first-ever full-year net profit on a standalone basis.

“Our achievements this year are a result of the priority shift towards monetization of our platform business. Toss has now structurally transitioned into a stable business generating recurring profit.” said SG Lee, CEO of Toss. “Well rounded growth across all business segments and expanding user base have created a two sided growth flywheel, laying the foundation for profitable growth. We’ve just begun our journey in driving financial growth with business customers and going forward, we will continue to focus on both growth and profitability through user-centric product innovation and platform expansion.”

 

FLSUN Shines at RAPID+TCT 2025, 10th Anniversary Great Benefit!

From April 8-10, 2025, RAPID+TCT will grandly kick off at Huntington Place in Detroit. FLSUN(Booth 1925)will make a major appearance with its ultra-high-speed 3D printing solutions.

DETROIT, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FLSUN has long specialized in delta 3D printing tech. It’s dedicated to making ultra-high-speed printers and setting global standards. After years of growth, it’s well-regarded in over 150 countries and regions, with its delta models leading the industry in export volume.

At this exhibition, FLSUN will showcase its star models, the S1 Pro and T1 Pro with ‘Triple speed, Triple Reward’. KOCs and KOLs will present for live streaming, come and join us to win exclusive commemorative gifts.

Currently, FLSUN’s ultra-high-speed 3D printing technology has been deeply integrated into various fields, and it is the first choice product for more than 100,000 makers, 3D printing entrepreneurs, and 3D printing farmers. In addition, FLSUN has revealed that it will release a new ultra-high-speed personal intelligent manufacturing product in August, continuing the excellent performance of ultra-high-speed printing and unlocking more possibilities for creativity and manufacturing. Stay tuned!

CONTACT: service@flsun3d.com 

BE OPEN debuts at the 4th annual Sustainability Week Asia conference

LUGANO, Switzerland, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —  On March 25, BE OPEN visited Thailand, as The Economist Group’s signature sustainability summit returned to Bangkok for the fourth time. Sustainability Week Asia rounds off a series of global conferences – from Cape Town to New York – which bring together the world’s foremost experts and industry leaders shaping the transition to a more sustainable future.

Opening with keynote addresses by high-ranking officials from Thailand’s Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Industry, this year’s event welcomed more than 900 delegates from across Asia and beyond. It also marked BE OPEN’s first time participating in this important summit to witness conversations about banks driving the ongoing green vehicle transition, providing subsidised financing options for green auto consumption;  Asian manufacturers adapting to ‘net zero’ goals, the region’s brightest architects revolutionising sustainable living, and many more.

The founder of BE OPEN Elena Baturina focused on the value of the conference for the foundation: “We are happy to become part of the event that connects businesses, investors and innovators to achieve a more sustainable future. Annually for our sustainability competitions we collect hundreds of outstanding creative projects from young people all over the world, and do our best to promote them to the public and private sector. Educating and motivating young people to become leaders of sustainable change is the best way forward. That is why we keep trying to do more by offering them a platform for pitching, discussion and exchange of ideas boosting their confidence and helping them to see that they matter.”

Since its inception, BE OPEN has tried to identify the evolving needs of the future, offering a platform for the enterprising young leaders of tomorrow to realise their potential as they work to design, create and innovate for the betterment of the planet. As BE OPEN believes in the power of human creativity to push the boundaries, it values such opportunities to share insights and derive inspiration from the cutting-edge developments taking shape in Asia.

BE OPEN is a global initiative to foster creativity and innovation, a think-tank whose mission is to promote people and ideas today to build solutions for tomorrow. It is a cultural and social initiative supported by Austria-based international philanthropist and businessperson Elena Baturina.

RoboSense Launches AC1: The All-in-One AI-Powered Robotic Vision Platform

SHENZHEN, China, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — RoboSense (2498.HK), a pioneering AI-driven robotics technology company, has announced the launch of AC1, the first product in its groundbreaking Active Camera series, along with the AI-Ready ecosystem, providing an all-in-one solution for robotic perception development. Mark Qiu, CEO of RoboSense, introduced the new product, detailing its design philosophy, technological innovations, usage, and application scenarios for developers.

The AC1 and AI-Ready Ecosystem Launch Event Replay:  https://youtu.be/xPrQ-28o1Nw
The AC1 and AI-Ready Ecosystem Launch Event Replay: https://youtu.be/xPrQ-28o1Nw

As the inaugural product in the Active Camera series, AC1 pioneers the Spatiotemporal fusion of three core sensors: LiDAR, camera, and IMU. This hardware-level data integration enables the seamless combination of depth information, visual semantics, and motion pose. With an ultra-wide fusion perception FOV of 120° x 60° (a 70% improvement over conventional 3D cameras), an extended detection range of up to 70 meters (with precise detection of low-reflectivity objects with 10% reflectance at 20 meters), and a Stable ranging accuracy of 3cm@1sigma, the single device is capable of meeting all the robotic needs for obstacle avoidance, mapping, and localization, allowing developers to focus on core functionality development without the challenges of multi-sensor stacking, calibration, and data conflicts.

The AI-Ready ecosystem provides developers with basic software tools and open-source algorithms, including the AC Studio all-in-one toolkit, which eliminates the need for redundant development efforts. The open-source SDK includes a full suite of tools covering drivers, data acquisition, and fusion algorithms, while the accompanying algorithm library supports advanced technologies such as SLAM, semantic segmentation, and 3D Gaussian splatting, all optimized for mainstream AI computing platforms.

With the AI-Ready ecosystem, AC1 is designed for diverse applications that require the fusion of depth, color, and motion posture information. Developers can leverage AC1 for humanoid robots, drones, digital twin environments, 3D scanning, environmental monitoring, and bulk material tracking. The device also holds significant potential for autonomous driving, industrial robotics, and home robotics.

RoboSense has launched a dedicated developer portal on its official website, where developers can apply for AC1 trials. The product will soon be available for online purchase via the RoboSense official store, making it accessible to developers worldwide. Stay tuned for in-depth insights on AC1 and the AI-Ready ecosystem by following RoboSense.

Missed the event? Watch the AC1 and AI-Ready Ecosystem launch replay here: https://youtu.be/xPrQ-28o1Nw.

About RoboSense
RoboSense (2498.HK), founded in 2014, is an AI-driven robotic technology company that supplies advanced and reliable incremental components and solutions for the robotic industry. The company is committed to “become a global leader in robotic technology platforms,” and its mission is “Safer world, Smarter life.” Based on its research and development of humanoid robot technologies, RoboSense is developing and providing advanced mobility and manipulation components and solutions for robots. In the rapidly growing intelligent robotic market, RoboSense is serving over 2,600 customers across robotic and other industries in more than 40 countries and regions worldwide by offering incremental components and solutions (as of Q3 2024).