In Japan-first, system combines fixed-route and demand-responsive transport, and contributes to sustainable public transportation as part of a project promoted by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

TOKYO, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fujitsu Limited today announced that its comprehensive traffic simulation system, developed under contract for Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)-led regional transportation DX promotion project COMmmmONS, has been adopted for Maebashi City Regional Public Transportation Plan, published by local government on March 23, 2026. Analysis carried out by the system is included in the plan as scientific evidence supporting the policy to increase bus routes, one of the plan’s key measures.

Across municipalities nationwide, addressing the needs of transportation-disadvantaged residents and responding to carbon neutrality in the transportation sector have become urgent challenges, driving the need to advance and modernize public transportation systems.

In Maebashi City, challenges such as demographic changes, increasingly diverse mobility needs, and a shortage of bus drivers have emerged. As city examined optimal bus route reorganization measures under Maebashi City Regional Public Transportation Plan, it required robust and credible scientific evidence to substantiate the effectiveness of these measures.

Fujitsu was selected for COMmmmONS project in April 2025 and developed a system capable of simulating both fixed-route and demand-responsive transportation, a first for Japan. The utility of the simulation results generated by this system was subsequently recognized, leading to its adoption in Maebashi City’s regional public transportation plan.

The comprehensive traffic simulation system leverages Fujitsu’s social digital twin technology to support pre-verification of measures by simulating human and social behavior. It utilizes generally available statistical data on resident attributes, movement, and destinations, as well as ridership data obtainable from MaaS apps.

Fujitsu plans to commercialize this system as a service by fiscal year 2026, developing it into a standard tool applicable across Japan. It will also promote collaboration with partners engaged in optimizing regional transportation, including local governments, consulting firms, and transportation operators. Through these efforts, Fujitsu aims to support the formulation of regional public transportation plans for local governments across Japan.

Fujitsu will continue to train the system using mobility data and other sources to establish it as an AI engine capable of accurately replicating diverse behaviors of local residents so that it can contribute to urban development and community planning nationwide.

For full release click here

Next-Generation Analyzer Delivers Improved Sensitivity with Proven Marine Chemistry Methods

WESTBOROUGH, Mass., March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KPM Analytics is introducing enhanced seawater nutrient analysis capabilities on its next-generation NexaFlo® Continuous Flow Analyzer, providing marine laboratories with improved sensitivity and expanded analytical flexibility ahead of Analytica 2026 in Munich, Germany.

NexaFlo® 400 (left) & NexaFlo® 450 (right) Continuous Flow Analyzers for Seawater Testing.

Monitoring nutrients in seawater is essential for understanding ocean productivity, tracking ecosystem health, and supporting environmental and regulatory programs. Analytical challenges are significant: while seawater contains high concentrations of major ions, critical nutrients such as nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, and ammonium can occur at extremely low concentrations, particularly in open-ocean and deep-water environments. Reliable detection of these trace nutrients requires stable baselines, precise reagent handling, and instrumentation capable of delivering low limits of detection with consistent signal quality.

The NexaFlo® platform, KPM Analytics’ next-generation continuous flow analyzer, addresses these requirements with upgraded electronics and improved signal processing that reduce background noise and improve measurement stability. For marine nutrient applications, NexaFlo® delivers 2–3× better analytical performance compared with the previous-generation Futura platform, enabling laboratories to quantify very low nutrient concentrations with greater confidence.

A major advantage of NexaFlo® is its compatibility with the extensive library of analytical manifolds developed for the Futura platform. Laboratories can continue using established chemistries and validated methods while benefiting from the improved performance of the new instrument architecture. The system supports proven Grasshoff chemistries for nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, and silicate analysis, as well as fluorometric methods for very low ammonium detection.

To simplify implementation for marine laboratories, KPM Analytics is also introducing a dedicated bundle of height seawater analysis manifolds covering the most common nutrient measurements (Nitrates, Nitrites, Silicates, Phosphates, Ammonia with fluorescence, Ammonia with phenol, Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen). The bundled configuration provides a ready-to-deploy solution for oceanographic research institutions, government monitoring programs, and commercial laboratories performing routine seawater testing.

KPM Analytics brings decades of experience supporting nutrient analysis in environmental and marine laboratories worldwide. The NexaFlo® platform builds on the proven performance of the company’s continuous flow technology while delivering improved sensitivity and modernized instrumentation for demanding marine applications.

See the NexaFlo® Continuous Flow Analyzer at Analytica 2026

The expanded NexaFlo® seawater analysis capabilities will be showcased at Analytica trade show in Munich, Germany, Hall A1, booth 312, where visitors can learn more about KPM Analytics’ continuous flow solutions for marine and environmental testing.

About KPM Analytics

KPM Analytics is a global leader in scientific instrumentation, providing analytical and vision inspection solutions to laboratories and industrial operators in the food, feed, agriculture, industrial and environmental sectors. KPM products have a long history of helping companies secure product quality, optimize production processes, and make confident, data-driven decisions through reliable solutions, supported by dedicated application expertise and local service. Visit https://www.kpmanalytics.com to learn more. 

Media contacts:
Delphine Cornic
Marketing Manager
dcornic@kpmanalytics.com
+33 6 32 86 38 99

• Formula E concluded its inaugural Madrid E-Prix at the Circuito del Jarama, where Hankook’s iON Race operated consistently across the championship’s longest circuit
• The race marked the first single-header event to feature PIT BOOST, adding a new strategic layer alongside a revised ATTACK MODE
• Hankook also engaged fans at the Hankook booth in the Fan Village, highlighting its iON EV tire technology

MADRID, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global leading tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (hereafter Hankook), the exclusive tire supplier to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, equipped all teams as Formula E staged the 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix at the historic Circuito del Jarama. The race unfolded as a strategically complex contest shaped by Pit Boost, revised Attack Mode, and the demands of the championship’s longest circuit.

Round 6 of Season 12 unfolded over 23 laps of the 3.934 km Jarama circuit, where fast-flowing corners and plenty of elevation changes placed a premium on energy management and strategic execution. The first single-header use of PIT BOOST, alongside a revised ATTACK MODE, added an additional strategic dimension for teams.

António Félix Da Costa led Jaguar TCS Racing to victory at the inaugural Madrid E-Prix, securing a 1–2 finish ahead of teammate Mitch Evans, while Pascal Wehrlein completed the podium for Porsche Formula E Team. Strategy and energy management played a key role across the 23-lap race.

Throughout the race, Hankook supplied all teams with its iON Race tire, which delivered stable grip and controlled thermal performance as track conditions evolved across the weekend. Jarama’s fast directional changes and sustained cornering loads demanded predictable warm-up characteristics and consistent traction over the full race distance. Despite limited historical race data at the venue, the tire’s balanced performance window enabled teams to commit to their PIT BOOST and ATTACK MODE strategies with confidence.

“The Madrid E-Prix offered a valuable opportunity to see how teams adapted their strategy on Formula E’s longest circuit,” said Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director of Hankook Motorsport. “With PIT BOOST and a revised ATTACK MODE influencing race dynamics, tire consistency was an important factor as teams managed energy and race pace across the 23-lap distance. Insights from Jarama will contribute to our ongoing collaboration with the championship as the season continues.”

With Round 6 completed in Madrid, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship now turns to Rounds 7 and 8 in Berlin, where teams will face a contrasting challenge on the championship’s established Tempelhof circuit.

SHANGHAI, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Morphy Richards, the British premium small appliance brand established in 1936, proudly commemorated its 90th anniversary with a prominent debut at the Appliance & Electronics World Expo 2026 (AWE), one of the world’s most influential home electronics exhibitions.

Under the theme “Time Forged, Vision Forward”, Morphy Richards was honoured with the AWE 2026 Innovation Award for its Kitchen Master 2-in-1 Mixing Fryer and showcased its latest innovations, including the Fully Automatic Coffee Machine, InfuseChill Flavoured Ice Maker and Fully Automatic High-Speed Blender.

90 Years of Evolution: From British Workshop to Global Brand

For nine decades, Morphy Richards has been a trusted home appliance innovator, combining rigorous engineering with trend-setting design. Drawing on 1940s aircraft component expertise, it built a precision-driven, high-quality foundation, becoming a top UK home appliance brand in the 1970s and spanning over 30 countries by 1990.

Since entering China in 2013, Morphy Richards has grown rapidly by integrating British design with localized innovation. Expanding across five continents, it has over 2,000 retail stores in China and 100 million household users worldwide, winning global accolades from design and appliance industries.

New Launches: Innovate for Enlightening Progress

True to its Smart Ideas for Your Life philosophy, Morphy Richards showcased a series of flagship kitchen innovations at AWE 2026, inviting visitors to experience how thoughtful design and reliable performance integrate seamlessly into daily life. Three products garnered particular attention:

The Fully Automatic Coffee Machine features an exclusive hot & cold dual-extraction system, delivering well-balanced espresso and cold brew in one unit. Visitors also highly praised its versatile beverage options and consistent performance. Building on a legacy of reinvention, the InfuseChill Flavoured Ice Maker pioneers a brand-new category that transcends traditional ice making. Supporting customizable multi-flavour ice cubes, it redefines homemade ice and elevates the iced beverage experience with rich, undiluted flavor in a new way. Furthermore, the latest Fully Automatic High-Speed Blender orchestrates every step—from heating and blending to dispensing and sanitizing—at a single touch, quietly elevating everyday nourishment.

Award-Winning: Spatial-Folding Innovation

At AWE 2026, the Kitchen Master 2-in-1 Mixing Fryer was honoured with the AWE 2026 Innovation Award for its organic functional synergy and innovative spatial-folding concept.

Anticipating the growing demand for clutter-free countertops, this revolutionary machine elegantly integrates core daily cooking functions—mixing and frying—into a streamlined workflow. With three interchangeable vessels for seamless prep-to-plate convenience, it frees up valuable space and caters to modern priorities of efficiency, versatility and uncompromising quality.

With this, Morphy Richards pioneers a new paradigm in spatial integration, steering the industry towards a simpler, smarter and more elegant future.

From iconic kitchen appliances to diverse lifestyle categories, Morphy Richards is rooted in local life, integrating technology into daily scenarios. At AWE 2026, driven by its More Stylish, Higher Quality, Smarter vision, the brand injects fresh vitality into the industry. On its 90th milestone, it champions consumer-centric innovation, forging a new chapter in its legacy.

Discover more: morphyrichards.com

PR contact
Email: marketing@morphyrichards.com

SHANGHAI, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From May 20 to 23, under the theme “Innovate Beyond • Premiere Fusion • Link Future,” the global baking community will gather at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai for Bakery China 2026, the 28th edition of the event. Organized by the China Association of Bakery & Confectionery Industry and Bakery China Exhibitions, the event will return at an unprecedented scale, bringing together industry professionals to push the boundaries of bakery craftsmanship.

“With nearly 30 years of history, our platform has become a cornerstone of the baking industry as we continue building a global hub that advances the baking ecosystem and brings new ideas to market each year,” said Zhang Jiukui, president of the China Association of Bakery & Confectionery Industry. “Bakery China 2026 will offer insights into market trends, consumer shifts, and emerging innovations, helping shape the industry’s future,” he added.

This year’s edition will expand significantly in scale and participation, with exhibition space exceeding 330,000 square meters across 13 halls. The event will host more than 2,200 exhibitors from over 70 countries and regions, showcasing tens of thousands of products and attracting nearly 400,000 professional visits from more than 130 countries, including leading brands across the industrial baking, chocolate, and other related food value chains.

The exhibition also marks a new level of global reach, with international brands accounting for over 20% of exhibitors. National pavilions from Germany, Italy, and Japan will appear alongside emerging brands from Belt and Road partner countries. Overseas visitor pre-registrations have increased by 30% year-over-year, further reinforcing the exhibition’s position in the global baking market.

In a landmark move, Bakery China 2026 will host an inaugural forum supporting Chinese companies’ global expansion, offering strategies on regulatory compliance, supply chain adaptation, and brand localization. The exhibition will also feature thousands of product launches across raw materials, processing technologies, and business models.

To further highlight the theme, the event will feature a week-long initiative dedicated to new product releases, including an innovation-focused competition and the launch of Bakery China’s industry handbook. Specialized zones spotlighting healthy, pre-made, and smart manufacturing trends will highlight key shifts shaping the sector.

Beyond the trade floor, activities including professional competitions, live masterclasses, guided tours, and a coffee & bread festival will bring trade exchange, trend insights, and networking together. The upgraded iBakeryChina digital platform now fully bridges the physical and digital divide, offering a unified, cross-channel environment engineered to streamline global supply chain integration.

Bakery China 2026 will debut the China Chocolate Industry Exhibition alongside the 2026 China Chocolate Industry Forum, showcasing the full value chain from cocoa to finished products, with leading brands across the entire chocolate industry.

From August 27 to 29, Bakery China will expand overseas for the first time with the launch of Bakery ASEAN in Jakarta, Indonesia, exploring new opportunities in the regional baking market.

For more information:

• Website: https://www.bakerychina.com/en/
• Visitor registration: https://bakerychina.7-event.cn/t/en/pr

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Monash University and ClinChoice Inc, a leading global clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on innovative therapeutics, today announced a strategic partnership designed to fast-track early-phase clinical trials and bring groundbreaking health innovations and discoveries closer to patients worldwide.

Each organization brings distinct strengths to healthcare innovation, and both share a clear commitment to improving health and wellbeing for patients around the world.

Monash is a top 50 global university, and is Australia’s largest university with a global presence across the Indo-Pacific, Europe and the US.

The University is also part of Australia’s largest clinical trial network, spanning five major affiliated health services with more than 7,000 hospital beds and a national network of more than 3,000 GPs. Monash University-led trials account for around a quarter of all clinical trial activity in Australia, reaching a patient population of 4.5 million people.

The collaboration combines Monash University’s internationally recognized research excellence and clinical ecosystem with ClinChoice’s global development, regulatory and data science capabilities to support high‑quality, patient‑centric research across Australia and the broader international research landscape. A particular focus will be on accelerating early-phase clinical development and bringing innovative therapies to patients faster.

“Monash is deeply committed to pursuing impact-driven partnerships that leverage our expertise in research and healthcare innovation,” said Professor Robyn Ward AM, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise). “We’re proud to partner with ClinChoice. By combining our research excellence with their global capability, we can bring new therapies and technologies to patients while strengthening collaboration between our talented researchers with the global biotechnology sector.”

“We are honored to formalize this partnership with Monash University, a globally respected institution at the forefront of pharmaceutical science,” said Kevin Xu, Chairman and CEO of ClinChoice, “This collaboration is a strong testament to ClinChoice’s mission to support innovation through academic and clinical partnerships.”

“By combining our global development experience with Monash’s research excellence, we will advance clinical research in an even more efficient and impactful manner, ultimately bringing new therapies to patients faster,” added Kerry Dyson, President, International Clinical Operations at ClinChoice.

About Monash University

Monash University is one of Australia’s premier research-intensive universities and a globally recognized leader in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacology.

The university ranks in the world’s top-50 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026, QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 and US News and World Report (USNWR) Best Global Universities Rankings 2025-26. Monash has an international reputation for excellence in healthcare research and translation, and is ranked third internationally in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and fourth in Pharmacy and Pharmacology.

Through its world-renowned Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), Monash drives breakthrough innovations from target identification through preclinical and translational development. Consistently ranking among the top institutions worldwide for pharmacy and pharmacology, Monash plays a pivotal role in advancing novel therapeutics by integrating fundamental science with strong industry collaboration to translate research into real-world healthcare outcomes.

The university is home to the Monash Technology Precinct, bringing together researchers, industry partners and world-class facilities to drive collaboration and innovation – creating commercial opportunities and delivering meaningful benefits for communities.

About ClinChoice

ClinChoice is a global, clinical-stage CRO partnering with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to translate scientific innovation into clinical impact. With more than 30 years of experience and operations spanning over 15 countries across North America, Europe and Indo/Asia-Pacific, ClinChoice brings deep therapeutic expertise in hematology/oncology, immunology and inflammation (I&I), cardiometabolics and CNS. Having delivered more than 3,000 studies globally, ClinChoice has a strong track record of working with biopharmaceutical companies worldwide, and delivering early phase as well as late stage programs with speed, quality and innovation.