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IMG Travel Outlook Survey Reveals 2026 Top Destinations and Rising Use of AI in Trip Planning

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Advertorial Desk
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INDIANAPOLIS, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IMG has released the results of its 6th annual Travel Outlook Survey that gathered 1,000+ responses from IMG customers about their 2026 travel plans.

Travel Outlook Survey Findings:

International and domestic travel plans
This year’s results show continued demand for travel in 2026, with high interest in both international and domestic trips.

  • 93% of respondents plan to travel internationally
    • 38% of international travelers plan to take three or more trips
  • 88% of respondents plan to travel domestically – a 3% increase from last year’s survey
    • 53% of domestic travelers plan to take three or more trips

Top destinations
The most popular destinations respondents plan to travel to next in 2026 include:

  1. Italy – 1st time being ranked #1
  2. Canada
  3. Mexico
  4. France
  5. Spain

Travel planning support: advisors and AI
Findings reveal travelers are relying on expert guidance from both human and digital sources.

  • 41% of respondents use a travel advisor or agent for at least some of their trips
  • 33% of respondents say they are likely to use AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, etc.) to help plan travel in 2026

Among those likely to use AI, travelers expect to rely on it for:

  • Recommendations – 75% of respondents
  • Itinerary planning – 70% of respondents
  • Discovery and ideas – 69% of respondents
  • Comparisons – 55% of respondents
  • Booking – 13% of respondents

“Our survey results show that AI is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in the discovery phase of travel, but as travelers move closer to booking, confidence in the technology shifts. Travelers still rely on dependable brands and firsthand guidance and research for the most important decisions, like booking their accommodations and choosing their travel protection plan,” said Justin Poehler, IMG Chief Commercial Officer.

Popular trips: urban and rural tourism
When asked about the types of trips travelers plan to take in 2026, the most popular responses were:

  1. Urban tourism (visiting a major city or country) – 49% of respondents
  2. Rural tourism (exploring the countryside, nature-based experiences) – 39% of respondents
  3. Beach vacation – 38% of respondents
  4. Visiting family in another country – 32% of respondents

Trending types of travel: cruises and multigenerational
Travelers are showing renewed enthusiasm for cruising in 2026, as 30% of respondents say they plan to take a cruise, an 11% increase from last year’s survey.

Multigenerational travel remains a popular way to travel in 2026. Results show that 33% of families have a domestic or international trip planned with multiple generations (children, parents, and grandparents, etc.).

Travel spending continues to grow
With many travelers planning multiple trips, 34% of respondents say they expect to spend more on travel in 2026 than they did in 2025, and 53% of respondents say they plan to spend roughly the same amount.

Top travel concerns
Consistent with previous years, travelers’ leading concerns for 2026 continue to focus on health and potential disruptions before or during their trips. Respondents ranked their top concerns for 2026 as:

  1. Getting sick or having an accident while at their destination
  2. Needing to cancel their trip before they depart
  3. Issues getting to or from their destination
  4. Needing to interrupt their trip while at their destination

“As the travel landscape evolves, travelers’ core concerns remain consistent, with health issues and potential trip disruptions continuing to top the list year after year,” said Poehler. “At IMG, we’re continually listening to our customers and using their feedback to ensure we’re offering best-in-class travel protection plans. And with more travelers relying on both travel advisors and AI tools to help plan their trips, it’s important to make sure that travel protection is a part of that planning process, no matter where their travels take them.”

About IMG® (International Medical Group®)
IMG® (International Medical Group®), a SiriusPoint company, is an award-winning global insurance benefits and assistance services company that has served millions of members worldwide since its founding in 1990. The preeminent provider of travel and health safety solutions, IMG offers a wide range of insurance programs, including international private medical insurance, travel medical insurance, and travel insurance, as well as enterprise services, including insurance administrative services and 24/7 emergency medical, security, and travel assistance. IMG’s world-class services, combined with an extensive product portfolio, provide Global Peace of Mind® for travelers, students, missionaries, marine crews, and other individuals or groups traveling, working, or living away from home. For more information, please visit www.imglobal.com.

Media Contact: Carly Kessler, IMG Communications Manager, carly.kessler@imglobal.com

 

Zocdoc Launches The AI-Informed Patient Report, Revealing How Patient Use of AI Is Reshaping the Patient-Provider Relationship

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Advertorial Desk
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New findings highlight rising—yet hidden—patient use of AI and surprisingly optimistic providers, pointing to an emerging “triangle of care”

NEW YORK, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zocdoc, the healthcare access infrastructure connecting patients to great care, today released The AI-Informed Patient, a report examining how patients are using AI for medical advice, and how that use is reshaping the patient-provider relationship.

The findings point to the emergence of a new “triangle of care,” where AI is becoming a regular part of how patients seek information and prepare for visits—often before they enter the exam room.

AI is a growing first stop for patients, but it often goes undisclosed
Zocdoc found that 26% of patients have used AI to ask a health-related question, and 85% of providers report seeing more AI-informed patients over the past year. Access is a key driver: with national wait times exceeding 31 days on average (source: AMN Healthcare), 65% of patients say they’ve used AI because it’s easier than seeing a doctor.

Yet many patients aren’t telling their doctors. More than 1 in 5 patients (23%) say they’ve hidden their AI use, and an additional 24% say they haven’t hidden it yet but would. The most common reason? Fear of judgment. Gen Z patients are the most likely to conceal their use, as 77% say they have or would hide it from their provider—2x more likely than other generations.

“The relationship between patients and providers is at the heart of healthcare. It’s the foundation everything else depends on. That relationship is starting to shift,” said Oliver Kharraz, MD, Founder & CEO of Zocdoc. “More patients are turning to AI for answers and guidance. But many aren’t telling their doctors, often for fear of judgment. In these early days of AI, we are at a fork in the road. Handled openly, AI can help patients feel more prepared and make visits more productive. Handled secretly, it can create friction, confusion, and erode trust.”

Providers are more supportive than patients expect
77% of providers feel positively about patients using AI, and 78% want patients to disclose it. Many say AI improves visit quality:

  • 77% report more thoughtful questions
  • 76% report more engaged patients
  • 60% prefer patients use AI over Google

AI risks: Overconfidence trap and exam room time tax
Patients believe AI can be helpful for healthcare. And while providers agree, they also acknowledge the tradeoffs. 74% say AI can create misinformation, and a time tax on the visit: 83% say they’ve had to correct AI-informed misinformation during visits and 63% report it adds time to appointments.

Patients are wary of risks: 33% say AI can be overly reassuring, and 62% think it can create a false sense of security. 41% are concerned it can make them feel overly confident. And yet, overconfidence persists: 88% of patients say they feel confident about next steps after using AI.

Providers and AI are becoming copilots in care
Even as AI use becomes more prevalent, 70% of patients say they still prefer to receive medical guidance from a doctor versus AI. But an emerging cohort of patients (23%) say they would prefer to consult both, signaling a desire for AI and providers to be copilots in care.

Each has a role to play, with patients and providers agreeing that AI is best used by patients for pre-visit preparation and post-visit translation. Even with this new third party in the exam room, the provider-patient relationship remains core to care. Patients who say they have a doctor they trust are 40% more likely to book an appointment after using AI and 17% less likely to hide their use.

“Even as AI use rises, the vast majority of patients say they still prefer to speak to a doctor versus AI. But a growing population wants to consult both. I believe this is the path forward,” said Kharraz. “AI delivers information. Doctors deliver care. The work now is to connect the two.”

Read the full report here: zocdoc.com/business/ai-report/

Methodology
Zocdoc commissioned Censuswide to survey 1,186 U.S. adults and 1,000 U.S. healthcare providers in February 2026.

About Zocdoc

Zocdoc is the healthcare access infrastructure that connects patients to great care. By powering seamless scheduling wherever patients are seeking care, Zocdoc helps them move from being stuck to being seen. Each month, millions of patients find and book appointments with providers, powered by Zocdoc—on the company’s website and app, and across online search, insurance directories, providers’ websites, practice phone lines, AI platforms, and more—with the typical appointment happening within 24 to 72 hours from booking.

With nearly two decades of experience unifying healthcare’s fragmentation, Zocdoc is uniquely positioned to power access across insurance plans, PMS and EHR systems, specialties, visit types, and provider organizations of every size. By fixing healthcare at the start, Zocdoc empowers patients to get the care they need, when they need it, while delivering scaled patient growth providers can count on.

Contact:
Sam Blumenthal
press@zocdoc.com 

Tineco Introduces Spring Cleaning Lineup Designed for Modern Living

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Advertorial Desk
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Smart floor care solutions simplify seasonal refresh with powerful, efficient cleaning

SEATTLE, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Spring is the perfect time to hit reset at home, especially when it comes to the floors. After months of winter mess from tracked-in dirt and salt to pet hair and allergens, a deep clean can help create a fresher, healthier space. With busy households looking for smarter ways to maintain their homes, Tineco is introducing its spring cleaning lineup of intelligent floor care solutions designed to simplify everyday cleaning and deliver professional-level results with less effort.

Built for modern living, Tineco products combine vacuuming and washing into one seamless step, helping homeowners save time while keeping floors spotless.

Leading the lineup are Tineco’s advanced smart floor washers, including the FLOOR ONE S7 Stretch Steam, FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam, and FLOOR ONE S9 Master. Instead of vacuuming first, then mopping, and waiting for floors to dry, these innovative cleaners vacuum and wash at the same time. The result is a faster, more efficient clean that leaves hard floors looking polished and refreshed.

Tineco Introduces Spring Cleaning Lineup Designed for Modern Living
Tineco Introduces Spring Cleaning Lineup Designed for Modern Living

From March 25–31, shoppers can take advantage of limited-time Amazon promotions across the lineup. The FLOOR ONE S7 Stretch Steam is available for $499 (regularly $699, 29% off), while the FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam is offered at $699 (regularly $949, 26% off). The FLOOR ONE S9 Master is available for $599 (regularly $749, 20% off).

Among them, the S9 Artist Steam has already earned recognition from the Good Housekeeping team for its thoughtful design and performance. Designed to address the realities of modern housekeeping, it delivers practical, efficient cleaning solutions that adapt seamlessly to a variety of home environments- from busy kitchens to high-traffic living areas – making it a standout choice for today’s multitasking households.

Spring also brings an increase in pollen, dust, and pet dander, often trapped deep within carpets and upholstery. The PURE ONE Station 5 Pro cordless vacuum helps tackle seasonal allergens with intelligent technology that automatically adjusts suction power based on the level of debris detected. Its lightweight cordless design makes it easy to move throughout the home, while a self-emptying station means less maintenance and more convenience for everyday cleaning. During the March 25–31 promotion, it will be available for $419 (regularly $599, 30% off).

Refreshing carpets is another essential step in the spring reset. A longtime favorite, the Carpet One Cruiser smart carpet cleaner helps restore high-traffic areas with powerful cleaning performance while accelerating drying time. Faster drying not only means quicker results but also helps prevent mold and mildew growth, keeping carpets fresh and ready for guests. The Carpet One Cruiser will also be included in the March 25–31 promotion, priced at $489 (regularly $699, 30% off).

With innovative features and a focus on real-life cleaning needs, Tineco’s spring lineup reflects the brand’s commitment to smarter home care solutions that support modern lifestyles – making it easier than ever for households to refresh their spaces for the new season and achieve cleaner, healthier floors without adding extra steps to the cleaning routine.

All U.S. media inquiries related to Tineco marketing and communications may be directed to
TinecoMedia@SwerveStrategic.com.

About Tineco

Tineco (“tin-co”) was founded in 1998 with its first product launch as a vacuum cleaner and, in 2019, pioneered the first-ever smart vacuum. Today, the brand has evolved into a global leader in intelligent appliances spanning floor care, kitchen, and personal care categories. With a growing user base of over 23 million households and availability in approximately 30 countries worldwide, Tineco remains committed to its brand vision of making life easier through smart technology and continuous innovation. For more information, visit https://us.tineco.com/.

Ping An Good Doctor Reports 2025 Annual Results: Corporate Health Management Business Posts Strong Growth; AI Healthcare Deployment Accelerates

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Advertorial Desk
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HONG KONG, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (“Ping An Good Doctor” or the “Company”; Stock Code: 1833.HK) announced its annual results for the year ended December 31, 2025. In 2025, the Company recorded total revenue of RMB5.47 billion, up 13.7% year on year; profit attributable to owners of the parent of RMB379.5 million, up 366.1% year on year; and adjusted net profit of RMB414.0 million, up 161.3% year on year. Meanwhile, the Company’s revenue mix continued to improve. Revenue from the commercial insurance enablement business (F-end) reached RMB3.3 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.0%. The corporate health management business (B-end) delivered particularly strong growth, with revenue surging 40.6% year on year to RMB1.3 billion, accounting for 23.9% of total revenue, up 4.6 percentage points year on year.

As the core flagship of Ping An Group’s health and senior care strategic business segment, the Company aims to build a managed care model with Chinese characteristics. It continued to upgrade its “online, in-hospital, in-home, and in-company” service network and empower full-scenario services through medical AI, providing users with one-stop medical, health, and senior care solutions that are worry-free, time-saving, and money-saving.

Core Businesses Unlock Profit Potential, Accelerating the Development of a China-style HMO Model

In the commercial insurance enablement business, Ping An Good Doctor provides Ping An Group’s retail customers with online and offline, one-stop, 24/7, proactive medical, health, and senior care services, helping Ping An Group’s integrated finance business enhance the differentiated competitiveness of its products, support customer acquisition and retention, and increase customer value. During the period, first-year premium per new policy of health care customers and home-based senior care customers increased by 1.5 times and 4.6 times, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Company continued to deepen innovation in the insurance + health care synergies, promoting the further integration of membership services and insurance products. For customers with protection products such as critical illness and medical insurance, the Company launched the “An You Hu”（安有護） and “An You Yi”（安有醫） health service plans. For customers with wealth-management insurance products, it established a multi-tiered membership system. For example, under the “Yu Xiang Guo Yi” program designed for high-value customers, the Company developed an integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine co-management solution featuring one-on-one consultations with Traditional Chinese Medicine masters, personalized conditioning plans, and full-process management and proactive follow-ups by TCM family doctors.

For pension insurance customers, the Company continued to upgrade its home-based senior care service system, introducing three service programs covering health care management, home safety assistance and professional care for seniors. As of the end of the reporting period, more than 240,000 customers were entitled to home-based senior care services.

On the corporate health management side, leveraging differentiated strengths such as professional experience in corporate health management, a global medical service network, global emergency assistance, professional in-company services, 24/7 family doctor consultations, and convenient in-home services, the Company continued to expand its corporate customer base and provide one-stop health management solutions for corporates. To date, Ping An Good Doctor has served more than 6,700 paying corporate clients, up 83.1% from a year earlier. At the same time, this business generated gross merchandise volume (GMV) of approximately RMB3.63 billion in 2025, further unlocking its commercial potential. During the reporting period, the Company provided each enterprise with tailored solutions, including Workplace Clinics, in-company activities, and digital health dashboards. Employees have access to full-scenario services such as health checkups, chronic disease management, medical visit assistance, consultations with renowned doctors, and convenient medication purchase. Meanwhile, its QR code payment service, “Ping An Health Pay” has been rolled out to more than 77,000 pharmacies, improving convenience and saving time for employees.

Strengthening “online, in-hospital, in-home, and in-company” Service Capabilities to Build a Full-scenario Closed Loop Value Chain

In 2025, the Company continued to improve its “online, in-hospital, in-home, and in-company” service system, further expanding its service network and enhancing service quality.

Online services, the Company leveraged traffic from Ping An Group’s health and senior care ecosystem and external corporate clients and has upgraded its multi-tiered family doctor service system to provide policyholders and corporate employees with full-cycle, proactive health management services, while offering differentiated solutions for customers with different health conditions. During the period, chronic disease management services were used 16.9 million times, with customer satisfaction reaching 99%.

In-hospital services, the Company further expanded its offline service network and built a team of approximately 50,000 in-house and contracted external doctors. It has signed up more than 3,500 expert doctors in total, including 10 academicians / TCM masters and over 800 hospital presidents, vice hospital presidents, department heads, and discipline leaders. The Company also partnered with more than 5,100 hospitals, over 240,000 pharmacies, and over 4,400 health checkup providers.

In-home services, the Company’s home-based senior care services have expanded to 100 cities nationwide. During the period, the average monthly active rate of home-based senior care services reached 84%, while the response rate of “Smart Guard” alarms reached 100%.

In-company services, the Company continued to build multiple Workplace Clinics with services such as health monitoring, consultation and physiotherapy, and health education. Through remote screens for health services, the Company provides employees with a face-to-face consultation experience, and connects resources across the “online, in-hospital, in-home, and in-company” service network, effectively addressing pain points such as uneven access to medical resources across regions.

In addition, the Company continued to advance service standardization. In family doctor services, it supported the release of China’s first group standard in online family doctor services, the Remote and Internet-Based Health Service Standards for Family Doctors. In home-based senior care, the Company has contributed to the development of six industry group standards, including the Service Management Standards for Home-based Rehabilitation and Nursing. Ping An’s home-based senior care service was also among the first to receive the five-star rating for “home-based eldercare steward” services from the China Quality Certification Centre (CQC). In chronic disease management, the Company participated in the development of the national group standard for Specifications for the Construction of Weight Management Centers, supporting the standardized development of the weight management industry.

Leading AI Adoption in Healthcare to Boost Gross Profit and Improve Efficiency

With continued policy support in China for the development of “AI + Healthcare” applications, AI healthcare has entered a stage of scaled deployment. Backed by its deep technological expertise, Ping An Good Doctor continued to improve its AI capabilities, strengthen its “data + model + scenario” closed-loop capabilities, and expand AI deployment across various healthcare service scenarios, with the benefits of AI empowerment becoming increasingly evident.

The Company continued to deepen its presence in serious medical scenarios, building a differentiated model that combines AI with human doctors. During the reporting period, it further upgraded its large multi-modal model Ping An Medical Master®, as well as five vertical AI models for key medical scenarios. It also launched an AI medical product suite including key products such as Renowned Doctor Digital Avatar, AI Family Doctor, and AI Senior Care Concierge, with over 11,300 diseases precisely diagnosed and an accuracy rate of 95.1% in AI Doctor-aided diagnosis/treatment. It also introduced the multidisciplinary team (“MDT”) platform for complex diseases, which has already been deployed in breast cancer and other disease areas. The accuracy of MDT treatment plans for complex diseases approached 90%, and the platform will be extended to more disease areas in the future.

During the reporting period, AI delivered notable empowerment in user reach, gross profit growth, and operating efficiency. Annual users of AI Doctor reached nearly 12 million, and the “AI + human doctor” model achieved 100% coverage among Ping An Group’s retail customers; AI contributed approximately 4.5% of the Company’s gross profit. Taking consultation services as an example, with AI’s support, the cost per consultation in the fourth quarter of 2025 decreased by approximately 45% year on year, reflecting AI’s role in improving efficiency and reducing service costs.

As public health awareness in China continues to rise and population aging accelerates, demand for high-quality medical resources is expected to keep growing, creating greater opportunities for the medical and health industry. Looking ahead, with continued support from various favorable policies, the Company will remain focused on providing inclusive, high-quality medical, health and senior care services that are worry-free, time-saving and money-saving, while delivering sustainable returns to shareholders.

About Ping An Healthcare And Technology Company Limited 

Incorporated in 2014, Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (“Ping An Good Doctor”, 1833.HK) is a flagship of Ping An Group’s health and senior care ecosystem. The Company was listed on the main board of HKEX on 4 May 2018.

The Company is dedicated to advancing Ping An Group’s “integrated finance + health and senior care” strategy. Leveraging its extensive payer resources of health and senior care services, broad service provider network, comprehensive service standards, and robust ecosystems, the Company has evolved into a leading provider of health and senior care management services.

The Company remains steadfast in its mission to bridge professional communication between doctors and patients and to provide health improvements for all. Guided by the vision of “providing every enterprise with a healthy workplace, every family with a dedicated doctor, and every user with a healthy, long life,” the Company will accelerate the development of a China-style HMO Model, providing users with a “worry-free, time saving, and money-saving” one-stop medical, health, and senior care solution.

HKeyBio Launches HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1: World’s First NHP In Vitro Model for Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases

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Advertorial Desk
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The integrated organ-on-chip platform offers 10–100x cost efficiency and 80% reduction in animal use, bridging the gap between preclinical NHP research and human clinical success.

SUZHOU, China, SAN FRANCISCO and BOSTON, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HKeyBio, a global leading CRO specializing in preclinical and translational research for autoimmune and allergic diseases, today officially announced the launch of its HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1 platform — the world’s first non-human primate (NHP) in vitro model system dedicated to autoimmune and allergic diseases.

HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1
HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1

The platform integrates non-human primate-derived organoids, organ-on-chip technologies, and immune–tissue co-culture systems, successfully enabling a strategic transition from traditional in vivo animal studies to high-throughput in vitro research.

According to data published in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (2024), the development of new drugs for autoimmune diseases typically takes 10–15 years, with an average cost of approximately $2.6 billion. Model selection during the preclinical stage plays a critical role in downstream translational success.

While maintaining the high translational value of NHP models, the HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1 platform reduces single-experiment costs by 10–100×, providing innovative biotech companies with a breakthrough solution that balances scientific rigor and capital efficiency.

Market Pain Point: Structural Gap in NHP In Vitro Models

Drug development for autoimmune and allergic diseases has long faced a structural bottleneck.

According to the PhRMA 2024 industry report, the global autoimmune disease drug market is projected to grow from $145 billion in 2024 to $218 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 7.1%. However, drug development success rates continue to decline:

  • Rodent models differ significantly from human disease mechanisms. FDA data indicate that approximately 90% of drug candidates fail during clinical trials, with insufficient predictive power of preclinical models being a major factor.
  • High cost of NHP in vivo models: the procurement cost of a single cynomolgus monkey exceeds RMB 100,000, and a typical pharmacology study requires 20–50 animals.
  • High inter-individual variability: coefficient of variation (CV) of traditional in vivo studies typically ranges from 30–50%, affecting data reliability.

“When we evaluated current market offerings, we identified a clear disconnect,” said the CSO of HKeyBio. “Generic organoid companies lack NHP resources and autoimmune/allergy disease expertise; traditional CROs lack organoid and organ-on-chip technologies; and organ-chip startups often lack deep disease biology understanding. HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1 was designed to bridge this gap — serving as both a natural extension of our existing NHP in vivo models and a bridge toward broader human disease applications.”

Core Platform Architecture: A Three-Dimensional Integrated Design

Dimension 1: NHP-Derived In Vitro Model System

Built on more than 10,000 in vivo experiments accumulated over the past decade, HKeyBio has established standardized NHP-derived in vitro models:

  • Cynomolgus monkey organoids, including intestinal organoids (>85% differentiation success rate), skin organoids (14–21 day culture cycle), airway organoids, and additional tissue models
  • NHP organ-on-chip systems simulating intestinal permeability, lung epithelial-immune interactions, and skin microenvironment
  • NHP co-culture systems integrating immune cells (T cells, B cells, mast cells, myeloid cells) with full tissue reconstruction of skin, lung, and intestinal environments

Dimension 2: Human Disease Modeling Platform

The platform simultaneously establishes human in vitro disease models in collaboration with leading hospitals including Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, enabling cross-species validation.

Dimension 3: In Vivo–In Vitro Data Mapping and Validation

The platform has established a unique cross-validation system covering 12 diseases including asthma, COPD, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, improving predictive reliability.

Coverage of Four Major Disease Areas: First 12 Disease Models Launched

According to Evaluate Pharma 2024, these disease areas represent core directions in autoimmune and allergic drug development. Targeted therapies such as IL-4Rα, IL-23/IL-17, and JAK inhibitors generated combined global sales exceeding $35 billion in 2023.

Scientific Value and Commercial Advantages

  • 10–100× cost reduction
  • 60–80% reduction in animal use
  • Variability reduced from 30–50% to 15–25%
  • Single-cell resolution mechanistic insights
  • 10–100× throughput increase
  • Predictive accuracy improved to 75–82%

“HKeyBio has accumulated deep disease biology insights and extensive in vivo data assets in NHP autoimmune and allergic disease models,” commented Professor Huili Lu. “The unique value of HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1 lies in its seamless integration with existing in vivo models. This dual-track strategy represents the optimal paradigm for next-generation CRO services.”

Technology Roadmap

Phase 1: Validation (Completed, 2024–2025)

  • Six disease models validated
  • Standardized SOP and ISO 9001 quality system established
  • Long-term agreements with 2–3 NHP suppliers
  • Three publications submitted and two patents filed

Phase 2: Expansion (2025–2026, Current Stage)

  • 12 disease models launched
  • Patient-derived organoid biobank (target: 500 samples)
  • Clinical collaborations with 5–8 hospitals
  • Initial commercial project delivery completed

Phase 3: Intelligent Upgrade (2026–2027)

  • Automated organoid culture systems
  • High-throughput liquid handling robotics
  • 100,000+ data point database
  • AI predictive models for efficacy and toxicity
  • Industry standards for NHP in vitro models

Business Model and Service Capabilities

Custom Model Development

  • Service timeline: 3–6 months
  • Deliverables: standardized model, full methodology report
  • Use cases: target validation, novel mechanism exploration

High-Throughput Drug Screening

  • Hundreds to thousands of compounds per week
  • SAR studies and lead optimization
  • Dose-response curves and IC50/EC50

Mechanism and Biomarker Discovery

  • Single-cell sequencing
  • Spatial transcriptomics
  • High-content imaging
  • Flow cytometry

Integrated In Vitro–In Vivo Service Package

  • In vitro screening → in vivo validation → translational strategy
  • Reduced development risk
  • Ideal for milestone and IPO projects

Strategic Vision

HKeyBio positions itself as a strategic preclinical partner for next-generation autoimmune and allergic therapies. The launch of HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1 marks HKeyBio’s transformation from an NHP in vivo model expert to an integrated in vivo–in vitro research platform.

“Our clients don’t lack data — they need clarity and actionable insight,” said the CSO of HKeyBio. “HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1 enables earlier-stage decision making, lower cost, and higher-throughput data generation to support rational Go/No-Go decisions.”

About HKeyBio

HKeyBio is a leading CRO focused on autoimmune and allergic diseases, headquartered in Suzhou, China, with business offices in San Francisco and Boston.

Core technology platforms include:

  • HKEY-NHP-MATRIX 2.0 — NHP disease model matrix covering 30+ diseases
  • HKEY-AIDMD 3.0 — autoimmune disease model database with 10,000+ studies
  • HKEY-AIRx™ 1.0 — translational preclinical strategy platform
  • HKEY-NHP-onChip™ 1.1 — NHP-derived in vitro organoid + organ-chip platform

HKeyBio provides end-to-end research services from target validation to IND submission for global biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

For more information, visit: www.hkeybio.com Email: tech@hkeybio.com 

All data cited in this press release are derived from publicly available academic literature and industry reports including Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, PhRMA, Evaluate Pharma, and FDA publications.

 

Green Xentro scales up taxi deployment to 2,500 fully electric vehicles (BEV) with Green GSM platform in the Philippines

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Advertorial Desk
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ANTIPOLO CITY, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 March 2026 – Green Xentro has launched the initial phase of a 2,500-unit fleet of fully electric (BEV) taxis in Rizal province, under a strategic partnership with the global mobility platform Green GSM. This marks one of the largest BEV taxi rollouts in the Philippines to date, as well as the first large-scale implementation of a partner-led expansion model designed to accelerate electric mobility adoption across emerging markets.

Green Xentro announced the deployment of a 2,500 fleet of fully electric taxis, now serving passengers in the Philippines through the Green GSM platform.
Green Xentro announced the deployment of a 2,500 fleet of fully electric taxis, now serving passengers in the Philippines through the Green GSM platform.

With its scale and structured implementation, the deployment is expected to serve as a model for expanding electric mobility through local partnerships across Southeast Asia.

The deployment builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2025 between Xentro Group and Green GSM. Initially planned at 2,000 vehicles, the fleet has since been expanded to 2,500, reflecting growing operational confidence and long-term commitment from both parties. The Rizal rollout marks the first phase of implementation, with further expansion expected across Metro Manila and adjacent areas.

At the center of this initiative is a partner-led operating model that combines local market leadership with a standardized global platform. Green Xentro leads on-the-ground execution, overseeing operations, driver management, and local market adaptation, while Green GSM provides a fully integrated electric mobility platform encompassing full electric vehicles, technology infrastructure, and standardized service protocols.

The platform is designed to ensure operational consistency at scale, offering real-time fleet monitoring, centralized safety management, and consistent service delivery standards. Each vehicle is equipped with GPS tracking, CCTV, and dashcams, as well as emergency features such as panic buttons, all connected to a 24/7 monitoring center. The entire fleet is also covered by comprehensive insurance policies, reinforcing safety and reliability.

Passengers can expect a more reliable and predictable travel experience, with standardized service quality and fully electric, air-conditioned vehicles. Services are offered with transparent, value-driven pricing and support multiple payment options, including cash and digital platforms. Rides can be accessed via street hailing or the Green GSM mobile app.

On the supply side, the model introduces a salaried driver system to enhance income stability and professional standards in the transport sector. Drivers earn a fixed monthly salary, performance-based incentives, and full statutory benefits, along with structured training programs focused on safety, service quality, and electric vehicle operations.

Beyond mobility, this rollout is expected to boost local economic activity through job creation and ecosystem development, supported by an expanding EV charging network across commercial hubs within the Xentro system. As a fully electric fleet, the deployment also helps national efforts to cut emissions and improve urban air quality, aligning with broader policy goals for energy transition and sustainable urban growth.

Mr. Noel M. Ignacio, CEO of Green Xentro, shared: “We see this as a long-term investment in building a transport system that is more reliable, more structured, and better aligned with the needs of Filipino communities. By combining electric vehicles with a professional driver model, we are creating a service ecosystem that elevates everyday journeys while also improving the quality of livelihoods for drivers. Over time, we believe this approach can help set a new standard for public transport one that balances efficiency, sustainability, and human-centered service.”

Mr. Dao Quy Phi, Managing Director of Green GSM Southeast Asia, said: “This is not just a fleet deployment. It represents the early stage of a scalable model where strong local partners lead market execution, while Green GSM enables growth through a unified electric mobility platform. We believe this approach can unlock a more practical pathway to green mobility—one that is not only scalable, but also adaptable to the realities of emerging markets. By combining global standards with local expertise, we aim to accelerate adoption in a way that is both commercially viable and operationally sustainable over the long term.”

Green Xentro is among the first international partners to adopt the Green GSM operating model. Developed and refined in Vietnam through extensive collaboration with multiple stakeholders, the model has played a key role in shaping a highly integrated and scalable electric mobility ecosystem. Its rollout in the Philippines marks a significant milestone in the model’s global expansion, thoughtfully localized to suit market conditions while upholding consistent standards of safety, service excellence, and user experience.
Hashtag: #GreenGSM #GreenXentro

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

About Green Xentro

Green Xentro is an electric mobility company committed to transforming public transportation in the Philippines through innovative, safe, and sustainable EV taxi services. A subsidiary of Xentro Group of Companies owned by their visionary Chairman, Mr. Alexander M. Cruz.

About GSM & Green GSM

GSM (Green and Smart Mobility) is the world’s first company to operate an all-electric ride-hailing service across multiple platforms. As a pioneer in sustainable transportation, GSM has laid the foundation for a cleaner, more responsible, and future-ready mobility model, while inspiring greener lifestyles in countries rapidly embracing sustainability.

Green GSM is GSM’s official brand in the Philippines, operating under the global Green SM brand, alongside Xanh SM in Vietnam and Laos, and Green SM in Indonesia. Across all markets, the brand offers a refined travel experience with VinFast electric cars, professional drivers, and a service culture centered on safety and care.

X Square Robot and Global Partners Launch ManipArena at CVPR 2026

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Advertorial Desk
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The launch sets a new global benchmark for evaluating real-world embodied intelligence

SHENZHEN, China, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — X Square Robot, a pioneer in general purpose embodied intelligence, announced today its pivotal role as a founding partner in”ManipArena”, the official competition sponsored by the CVPR 2026 Embodied AI Workshop. The partnership was jointly initiated by Sun Yat Sen University in China and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi, representing a major milestone in establishing a unified, high-standard benchmarking system for embodied intelligence through large-scale, real-world robotic evaluations.

The IEEE/CVF Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Conference (CVPR) is the world’s largest annual event in computer vision, artificial intelligence and pattern recognition. The conference draws leading researchers, engineers and technology companies to present breakthroughs shaping the next generation of visual intelligence systems and AI-driven applications.

As embodied intelligence transitions from research and development to large-scale deployment, the lack of unified, high-fidelity real-robot evaluation systems has become a key bottleneck to progress. Addressing this need, ManipArena provides a comprehensive, scientifically grounded benchmarking platform that enables quantitative, repeatable, and high-credibility evaluation across a diverse range of physical tasks and environments.

Transforming the evaluation of real-world AI systems

Building on deep technical expertise and extensive industry experience, X Square Robot has played a central role in developing ManipArena’s foundational evaluation framework. The competition introduces a series of 20 real-world robotic manipulation tasks, encompassing execution reasoning, semantic reasoning, and mobile operation. Each task is supported by over 10,000 high-quality teleoperation trajectories and executed under a unified, controlled environment to guarantee fairness and comparability of results.

Unlike traditional simulation-based or simplified testing methods, ManipArena evaluates a model’s true physical reasoning, generalization, and decision-making capabilities. All evaluations are conducted under consistent conditions, ensuring that performance differentials accurately reflect model capability rather than environmental variability.

“ManipArena establishes a credible, data-driven foundation for embodied intelligence assessment,” said WANG Qian, founder and CEO of X Square Robot. “By grounding evaluation in reproducible real-world conditions, we enable the global AI community to measure genuine progress toward general-purpose embodied intelligence.”

Founded in December 2023, X Square Robot is a trailblazer in developing general-purpose end-to-end embodied AI foundation models in China. The company’s in-house developed VLA model, WALL-A, pioneered a system paradigm that deeply integrates VLA with World Models, ranking among the world’s most advanced systems.

A new framework for scientific and industrial evaluation

ManipArena is distinguished through five key innovations that collectively redefine real-world AI benchmarking:

1. Unified model structure: Participating teams must deploy a single model to complete all tasks, emphasizing general reasoning over single-task optimization.

2. Layered out-of-distribution (OOD) evaluation: Each task incorporates controlled variations in material, layout, and semantics, allowing researchers to precisely chart a model’s generalization curve—from minor visual shifts to unseen object categories.

3. End-to-End manipulation coverage: In addition to 15 tabletop tasks, ManipArena includes 5 full-body mobile manipulation challenges such as organizing garments and hanging pictures, addressing both precision and spatial intelligence.

4. Comprehensive multimodal dataset: A 56-dimensional dataset incorporating end-effector poses, joint positions, current feedback, joint velocities, and gripper dynamics advances the study of contact-aware control and fine manipulation.

5. Cloud-based remote testing: By leveraging X Square Robot’s proprietary Quanta XI dual-arm robotic platform, ManipArena eliminates hardware barriers, enabling worldwide participation through cloud-based, real-robot testing.

Lowering Barriers, Enhancing Impact

More than a competition, ManipArena serves as an open international research and development platform. Its structured scoring design, layered variation system, and interpretable results framework make it ideally suited for both academic exploration and industry benchmarking. 

The initiative offers global participants: (1) zero hardware entry costs, with full remote testing support;  (2) Access to 188 hours of verified real-robot operational data for model training and validation; (3) transparent and interpretable evaluation metrics that move beyond traditional leaderboard approaches; and (4) endorsement by CVPR 2026, providing winning teams with an opportunity to present results at one of the world’s most prestigious AI conferences.

The ManipArena program officially opened for registration and data access on March 18, inviting global research teams to prepare models for evaluation across the five preliminary tasks. The submission window will remain open until April 30, after which selected teams will advance to the final round of testing between May 6 and May 27. The initiative will culminate in an awards ceremony and technical presentations at the CVPR 2026 Embodied AI Workshop in Seattle, United States, from June 3 to June 7, where the top‑performing teams will be officially recognized.

By merging academic rigor with industrial precision, X Square Robot and its partners are establishing ManipArena as the definitive global benchmark for embodied intelligence evaluation. The initiative underscores the company’s commitment to transparency, reproducibility, and cross‑sector collaboration in advancing intelligent robotic systems for real‑world adoption.

About X Square Robot

X Square Robot is a global innovator in embodied artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems. The company develops integrated software and hardware platforms that enable robots to perceive, reason, and act safely in complex environments. Partnering with leading universities and technology institutions, X Square Robot delivers scalable AI infrastructure and establishes open benchmarks to drive worldwide progress in intelligent robotics.

Erayak Power Solution Strategic Update: Accelerating High-Capacity UPS-Integrated Platforms to Support AI-Driven Energy Demand

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Advertorial Desk
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Prototype preview expected at the 2026 National Hardware Show as Ruike Electronics facility advances

WENZHOU, China, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Erayak Power Solution Group Inc. (Nasdaq: RAYA) (“Erayak” or the “Company”), a developer and manufacturer of portable power equipment, today announced a strategic business update centered on its transition toward high-capacity, mission-critical power solutions. The Company is pivoting to address the growing energy gap created by the North American AI infrastructure boom through integrated UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) functionality and expanded manufacturing capabilities.

The update reflects Erayak’s continued investment in product innovation and manufacturing capabilities as backup power, energy resilience, and grid reliability have become increasingly discussed topics across North America, particularly in connection with extreme weather events and residential preparedness planning.

Addressing the AI Power Gap with High-Capacity Inverter Platforms

As AI-driven edge computing and residential technology demands stress the North American grid, Erayak is accelerating the development of next-generation inverter generator platforms that function as more than just backup power.

Key developments include:

  • Expansion into >13 kW Platforms: While current offerings lead in the 1 kW to 13 kW range, Erayak is now integrating diesel manufacturing resources and R&D to push into higher power tiers designed for industrial-grade resilience and decentralized power support.
  • Integrated UPS Capabilities: Leveraging its expertise in sine wave inverters and battery storage , the Company is optimizing its new 9 kW and 13 kW tri-fuel platforms to include seamless UPS functionality. This ensures “zero-latency” power transitions for sensitive hardware, positioning Erayak as a specialized player in the AI-adjacent power sector.
  • Tri-Fuel Engineering Testing: New 4 kW to 13 kW platforms have entered the engineering testing phase. These units maintain the stability and fuel efficiency of inverter systems while offering the high output required for modern energy-intensive environments.

Expansion of Camping and Outdoor Portable Power Solutions

In addition to higher-capacity generator platforms, Erayak is also continuing to upgrade its lineup of 1 kW to 4 kW portable quiet inverter generators for RV and camping-oriented applications. The Company is evaluating the introduction of additional battery-based portable power stations designed to complement traditional generators in outdoor environments, which may become available during the upcoming camping season.

Manufacturing Milestone: Ruike Electronics

Erayak provided an update on the construction progress of the industrial facility for its subsidiary Ruike Electronics. More than half of the main structural framework of the facility has been completed, marking a key milestone. The facility is progressing ahead of schedule and is expected to reach completion and delivery in the second half of 2026. Once operational, this site will serve as the production hub for Erayak’s high-capacity platforms and next-gen UPS-integrated power stations, supporting the Company’s strategic pivot toward mission-critical infrastructure.

Management Commentary

“The conversation in North America has shifted from simple backup power to total energy resilience,” said Lingyi Kong, Chairman and CEO of Erayak. “We are evolving Erayak to be a critical link in the AI power chain. By integrating diesel resources and advancing our UPS-capable inverter technology, we are filling a unique niche: providing the reliable, high-output, and stable electricity that high-performance computing and smart infrastructure demand. We are no longer just a generator company; we are an essential component of the distributed power grid.”

About Erayak Power Solution Group Inc.

Erayak specializes in the manufacturing, research and development, and wholesale and retail of power solution products. Erayak’s product portfolio includes sine wave and off-grid inverters, inverter and gasoline generators, battery and smart chargers, and custom-designed products. Our products are used principally in agricultural and industrial vehicles, recreational vehicles, electrical appliances, and outdoor living products. Our goal is to be the premier power solutions brand and a solution for mobile life and outdoor living. For more information, visit www.erayakpower.com. 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and in its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Relations
Erayak Power Solution Group Inc.
Email: investor@erayakpower.com
Website: www.erayakpower.com

 

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