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PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for July 20, 2026 – Full Text

PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for July 20, 2026 – Full Text

PM Edition: Here are the top 10 business articles on LiveNews.co.nz for July 20, 2026 – Full Text

Generated July 20, 2026 06:00 NZST · Included sources: 7

1. ACE ROBOTICS Unveils Kairos 3.1 and Expands Its Embodied AI Stack from Data to Deployment at WAIC 2026

July 20, 2026

Source: Media Outreach

ACE ROBOTICS Chairman Wang Xiaogang introduces Kairos 3.1 during WAIC 2026 in Shanghai

The announcements were made at a forum ACE ROBOTICS organized during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, convened around the theme of advancing physical AI from “understanding” to “execution.” The event brought together economists, technology executives and embodied AI researchers to examine how general-purpose world models can move from laboratory research to industrial deployment.

Source: Media Outreach

The launch combines a unified, action-oriented world model with Ambient Capture Engine 2.0, three commercial solutions and a new industry benchmark, connecting high-density data with real-world robotic operations.

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 July 2026 – ACE ROBOTICS today unveiled Kairos 3.1, its latest action-oriented world model, alongside Ambient Capture Engine 2.0 and three commercial solutions spanning instant retail, hospitality and outdoor service scenarios.

ACE ROBOTICS Chairman Wang Xiaogang introduces Kairos 3.1 during WAIC 2026 in Shanghai

The announcements were made at a forum ACE ROBOTICS organized during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, convened around the theme of advancing physical AI from “understanding” to “execution.” The event brought together economists, technology executives and embodied AI researchers to examine how general-purpose world models can move from laboratory research to industrial deployment.

The forum also marked the launch of PHYSICAL IQ, a unified benchmark for embodied physical intelligence. It was jointly initiated by the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Association, the Shenzhen Loop Area Institute and the East China branch of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, with participation from more than 20 universities and industry partners.

Thomas J. Sargent, Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences, discussed the limitations of current intelligent systems in rare and previously unseen situations.

A world model built for the physical world

“In the digital world, a model error may result in a flawed image or paragraph. In the physical world, an incorrect action can have real consequences,” said Wang Xiaogang, Chairman of ACE ROBOTICS. “Kairos 3.1 is built around a first-principles approach to embodied world models, helping robots act more reliably in complex and uncertain environments, and accelerating the arrival of physical AI’s Kairos moment.”

Kairos 3.1 is designed as a natively unified model that integrates generative, physical and cognitive intelligence within a single architecture, rather than combining separately developed capabilities.

Built on a hybrid Transformer architecture with a shared mixed-attention mechanism, it brings visual observations, language instructions, force and tactile signals, and policy trajectories into a unified latent space.

This supports an “understand, reason, execute and reflect” loop. The model can break down long-horizon tasks, simulate physical cause and effect across multiple scenarios, rank candidate actions, execute the selected strategy and evaluate the outcome for further adjustment.

At the core of its spatial understanding is ACE-BRAIN-0.5. ACE ROBOTICS said it has achieved state-of-the-art results across 12 public evaluations covering spatial understanding, navigation, manipulation and task-progress assessment, among publicly reported models as of July 2026.

In a household laundry scenario, for example, a robot can identify spatial relationships between objects, divide a task into more than a dozen steps and verify each stage in real time. If a failure occurs, it can identify the affected step and restart from that point rather than repeating the entire task.

For physical generation and reasoning, Kairos-HomeWorld supports whole-home scene generation and object interaction. It is built on 300,000 residential floor plans, 5,000 simulated home environments and 8,700 3D assets covering six categories of physical properties, designed to reflect common residential layouts in China.

The model can simulate multiple action trajectories in parallel and rank them based on predicted success and execution cost before sending instructions to a physical robot.

In internal testing, the Kairos 3.1 8B model achieved an inference latency of 125 milliseconds on the NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform at BF16 precision. Its in-house KairosRT computing engine supports real-time, on-device inference.

Kairos 3.1 also incorporates self-reflective iteration. When an action fails, the robot can evaluate the result and adjust its strategy. In one test, for example, it changed from a three-finger to a four-finger grasp after an unsuccessful attempt and subsequently completed the task.

From high-density data to continuous learning

ACE ROBOTICS also introduced what it calls the “Information-Density Law” for embodied models: the value of data is determined not only by its volume, but by whether it contains information capable of changing the outcome of an agent’s actions.

ACE ROBOTICS classifies embodied data across five information-density levels, from L1 to L5. L1 and L2 data support foundational pre-training; L3 and L4 data remain focused on known tasks; and at L5, data incorporates three-dimensional force and tactile signals, failure-recovery trajectories and variables from open environments. The company says these higher-density forms of interaction data support stronger generalization, reflection and continuous learning.

Built on this principle, Ambient Capture Engine 2.0 is a human-centric system for capturing, processing and reusing high-density physical-interaction data.

ACE Ego Kit is a lightweight wireless wearable comprising head, hand and chest components. It includes the ACE Sense Glove, which offers sensitivity of 0.01 newtons and a joint-angle error of less than two degrees. The system can synchronize data from more than 20 heterogeneous sensors with a timing error of less than one millisecond.

ACE Data Engine is an automated data-production platform for continuous, high-precision annotation of long-horizon tasks. It incorporates ACE-ViDiHand, a generative 4D hand-motion-capture framework designed to track movements despite occlusion and rapid motion, which ACE ROBOTICS reports led across three public benchmarks (ARCTIC, HOT3D and HOI4D) as of July 2026. The company recorded a frame-level accuracy of 0.997 and up to a 4.8-fold improvement in motion smoothness.

ACE Ego Matrix standardizes embodied data across four dimensions: spatial coordinates, embodiment structure, action timing and data quality. It is designed to align data collected by different operators, devices and robot platforms for reuse across systems. ACE ROBOTICS has open-sourced the framework, which it says placed first on the RoboCase and RoboTwin leaderboards.

ACE ROBOTICS also announced the open release of ACE-Data-0, an L5 household-interaction dataset featuring complex physical tasks and high-precision annotations.

Three solutions moving into commercial operation

Building on its data infrastructure and Kairos world-model capabilities, ACE ROBOTICS introduced three standardized industry solutions designed for deployment within existing commercial workflows.

Xiaoman, its integrated fulfillment solution for instant retail, is paired with the new W1 fulfillment robot. The W1 has a robot-to-payload weight ratio of less than 2:1, force-control precision within one newton and a minimum required aisle width of 75 centimeters, making it suitable for high-density shelving environments. It is able to grasp both flexible packaging and rigid goods.

The solution connects robot hardware, world-model capabilities, motion control, product information, warehouse locations and order management. It supports lightweight deployment within days across flash-fulfillment warehouses, small-format stores and integrated warehouse-store setups. It has been deployed with customers including Sense MartGo, Kuaikeda and PetroChina convenience stores, using real order and shelf data to improve fulfillment performance. ACE ROBOTICS plans to deploy the solution across 1,000 retail locations over the next year and expand to approximately 10,000 stores within two years.

Xiaoxin addresses hotel-laundry operations, where ACE ROBOTICS estimates that approximately 80% of demand occurs at night.

The solution enables robots to handle collection, loading, unloading, washing, sorting and folding, with ironing capabilities planned for future versions. It is designed to reduce night-shift staffing pressure and improve operational consistency across non-standard hotel laundry environments.

Xiaotu is designed for autonomous operation in complex outdoor environments. Using a “one brain, many bodies” architecture, it applies a general-purpose intelligent brain (Agentic AI) across multiple quadruped robot platforms.

The system supports indoor and outdoor navigation, dynamic obstacle avoidance, autonomous charging, remote dispatch and multi-robot coordination. It has been deployed in visitor-guidance and interactive experience services at cultural-tourism events, including the Begonia Flower Festival in Tianjin.

Building an open embodied AI ecosystem

ACE ROBOTICS also announced a series of partnerships spanning infrastructure, computing and commercial deployment.

The company entered into a strategic collaboration with the Caohejing Development Zone to develop an embodied AI innovation platform.

In retail and fulfillment, ACE ROBOTICS announced collaborations with PetroChina, Kuaikeda and SenseTime Shanhui covering autonomous warehouse stores, front warehouses and unmanned retail environments.

To support the computing requirements of world-model development, ACE ROBOTICS launched the World Model Cloud Ecosystem initiative with Baidu AI Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Tencent Cloud and SenseCore AI Cloud.

By connecting high-density data, unified world models, robot platforms, commercial applications and shared evaluation standards, ACE ROBOTICS aims to support the transition of embodied AI from individual technical demonstrations to sustained operations in real-world environments.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/acerobotics/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true%EF%BD%9C
https://x.com/ace_robotics

Hashtag: #ACEROBOTICS

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

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2. “Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours” Thematic Exhibition Makes First Stop at Hong Kong Science Park

July 17, 2026

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2026 – To celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today held the “Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours” Thematic Exhibition Kick-off Ceremony cum Aerospace Experts Sharing Forum at Hong Kong Science Park, marking the opening of a seven-day roving exhibition.

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Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (middle); Mr Clement Woo, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs (1st from right); Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP (2nd from left); Ms Connie Wong Wai-ching, Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice President of the Friends of Hong Kong Association (2nd from right), and Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP (1st from left), together with other distinguished guests, officiate at the kick-off ceremony for the “Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours” Thematic Exhibition.

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2026 – To celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today held the “Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours” Thematic Exhibition Kick-off Ceremony cum Aerospace Experts Sharing Forum at Hong Kong Science Park, marking the opening of a seven-day roving exhibition.

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Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (middle); Mr Clement Woo, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs (1st from right); Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP (2nd from left); Ms Connie Wong Wai-ching, Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice President of the Friends of Hong Kong Association (2nd from right), and Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP (1st from left), together with other distinguished guests, officiate at the kick-off ceremony for the “Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours” Thematic Exhibition.

At the first stop of the roving exhibition, Hong Kong Science Park will host the exhibition at the Atrium Link from today until 22 July 2026, showcasing the nation’s major achievements in aerospace development, as well as the participation and contributions of Hong Kong’s research community in aerospace technology, space robotics and deep space exploration. It aims to enhance public understanding of the nation’s development and foster a stronger sense of pride, while inspiring young people to develop an interest in innovation and technology (I&T) and aerospace.

The ceremony was officiated by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, together with Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, and Ms Connie Wong Wai-ching, Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Vice President of the Friends of Hong Kong Association, alongside other distinguished guests, witnessing a new milestone in the nation’s aerospace achievements.

Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said in his remarks: “The inspiring story of Dr Lai Ka-ying becoming Hong Kong’s first astronaut is a vivid example of Hong Kong’s participation in the nation’s major scientific and technological missions, and a fruitful achievement of the great practice of ‘one country, two systems.’ Hong Kong’s R&D teams have long participated in and made active contributions to the nation’s deep-space exploration missions. For example, a team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology independently developed the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO), Hong Kong’s first scientific payload on the national space station to monitor greenhouse gas. Recently, Dr Lai and two other astronauts completed the in-cabin assembly and testing and extravehicular installation of MUSICO, which can accurately monitor greenhouse gases across the mid- and low-latitude regions on the Earth, providing critical data for the nation’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality strategies. As we embark on a new journey, we must leverage I&T to empower Hong Kong’s social development, enhance governance efficiency, and better integrate into and serve the nation’s development. We will also uphold the spirit of space exploration of perseverance in the face of challenges to accelerate the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre.”

Connecting Hong Kong’s Research Strength with National Aerospace Development

In recent years, the nation’s aerospace endeavours have continued to make breakthroughs in areas ranging from deep-space exploration and satellite technology to space science research, opening up new possibilities across multiple scientific disciplines.

Leveraging its world-class universities, outstanding research talent, internationalised innovation ecosystem, and the unique advantage of close ties with the Mainland, Hong Kong is actively contributing to the development of the nation’s aerospace technology.

The exhibition presents the development and landmark achievements of the nation’s aerospace endeavours. It also demonstrates how Hong Kong research teams apply artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, space science and engineering research to support space exploration and related technology applications. Through this exhibition, industry stakeholders and members of the public can gain a deeper understanding of the city’s research capabilities and I&T talent.

Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, said, “This year marks the beginning of the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, with aerospace technology identified as a key area in building the nation into a leading science and technology power. Dr Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong’s first payload specialist, travelled into space aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, realising Hong Kong’s aerospace dream and demonstrating strong recognition of the city’s research capabilities and I&T talent. HKSTP is honoured to serve as the first stop of the ‘Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours’ roving exhibition. Looking ahead, we will continue to bring together talent and foster interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration. By supporting frontier R&D in areas such as aerospace technology, we aim to provide a broader platform for Hong Kong’s research talent and contribute Hong Kong’s strengths to the nation’s aerospace endeavours and pursuit of greater technological self-reliance.”

Ms Connie Wong, Standing Committee Member of the National Committee for the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Vice-President of Friends of Hong Kong Association, shared in her speech: “We believe that the cultivation of young talent is indispensable to technological innovation. Based on this philosophy, Friends of Hong Kong Association co-organised the Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours Thematic Exhibition, encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in science and innovation and to be contributors to the nation’s I&T endeavours.”

Three Experts Share Insights on Frontier Trends in Space Technology

An Aerospace Experts Sharing Forum was held alongside the kick-off ceremony. Moderated by The Honourable Mr Duncan Chiu, Legislative Council Member for the Technology & Innovation Functional Constituency, the forum brought together three aerospace and space technology experts from local universities and the InnoHK research and development platform:

  • Professor SU Hui: Chair Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Global STEM Professor, and Co-Director of the Institute for Space Science and Technology at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Founder of Stellerus Technology
  • Professor GAO Yang: Director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Space Sustainability, Co-Director of the Institute for Space Science and Technology at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Director of the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre under InnoHK
  • Professor WU Bo: Chang Xin Yu Professor of Space Science, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Associate Director of the InnoHK Hong Kong Centre for Space Robotics and Energy

Drawing on their respective areas of expertise, the three experts shared insights into the application of AI and robotics in space missions, key technologies involved in deep-space exploration, and the experience of Hong Kong research teams participating in national aerospace projects. They also explored space sustainability, the commercialisation of research outcomes and cross-regional collaboration, while encouraging young talent to pursue opportunities in aerospace technology.

HKSTP Leads Hong Kong Tech Firms to the World’s Largest AI Exhibition – WAIC 2026, Strengthening the AI Commercialisation Ecosystem

HKSTP has long supported the accelerated adoption of AI across industries to foster cross-sector collaboration and enhance productivity.

HKSTP, together with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Cyberport, and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP), will lead a delegation of 18 Hong Kong tech companies to the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance (WAIC 2026). Taking place from 17 to 20 July at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, the delegation will showcase Hong Kong’s growing role as a global AI innovation hub and support the nation’s AI strategy. Six HKSTP park companies among the delegation will present solutions spanning humanoid robots, smart mobility, climate technology, AI agents, and generative AI.

Stellerus Technology Limited, founded by Professor SU Hui, leading the “MUSICO” (Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory) project — Hong Kong’s first payload project deployed on the Tiangong Space Station — will present its latest AI-powered climate and meteorological solutions at WAIC 2026.

SUTPC Digital Technology (Hong Kong) Limited, a leading enterprise in the nation’s smart city and intelligent transport sectors, and NineRay Technology Limited, which specialises in the research, development and production of high-performance, productivity-oriented humanoid robotics, will also showcase their advanced solutions in the exhibition. By demonstrating how AI can empower business operations, urban governance and sustainable development, the Hong Kong delegation aims to promote human-AI collaboration and innovation.

“Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours” Thematic Exhibition
Date: 16–22 July 2026
Venue: Atrium Link, Hong Kong Science Park

2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance (WAIC)
Date: 17–20 July 2026
Venue: Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai, China
Hong Kong Pavilion: Booth E101, Hall 2

Appendix: WAIC 2026 – List of 6 HKSTP tech entities (in alphabetical order)

  1. JiHu GitLab Technology Limited
  2. KNQ Technology Limited
  3. NineRay Technology Limited
  4. Robocore Technology Limited
  5. Stellerus Technology Limited
  6. SUTPC Digital Technology (Hong Kong) Limited

Hashtag: #HKSTP

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

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3. University Research – Housing reform could improve access to good schools – UoA

July 16, 2026

Researchers at the University of Auckland are investigating whether zoning reform can advance educational equity, using Auckland as a case study.

New research from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland will examine whether zoning reforms can improve educational equity.

The study, funded by a Spencer Foundation Racial Equity Research Grant, will focus on migration patterns following 2016 upzoning changes, which saw Auckland rezone three-quarters of its residential land for medium- and high-density housing.

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

Researchers at the University of Auckland are investigating whether zoning reform can advance educational equity, using Auckland as a case study.

New research from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland will examine whether zoning reforms can improve educational equity.

The study, funded by a Spencer Foundation Racial Equity Research Grant, will focus on migration patterns following 2016 upzoning changes, which saw Auckland rezone three-quarters of its residential land for medium- and high-density housing.

The project will build on preliminary research indicating that the 2016 reforms enabled low-income households to move to higher socio-economic neighbourhoods.

Principal investigators Dr Sam Stemper and Associate Professor Ryan Greenaway-McGrevy say the grant will enable data-intensive research linking zoning to residential mobility and children’s access to educational opportunities.

“Auckland’s 2016 zoning reform created a rare large-scale experiment that allows us to study how housing markets shape access to neighbourhoods and schools,” says Stemper.

“While upzoning is often discussed as a tool to improve housing affordability, its potential impact on educational equity has received much less attention.”

Zoning regulations, says Greenaway-McGrevy, often reinforce disparities by limiting high-income neighbourhoods to expensive detached homes, effectively excluding lower-income families.

“Removing such barriers through upzoning to allow more affordable housing types like townhouses or apartments offers a potential tool to improve educational access.”

Until Auckland’s zoning reforms, no city had upzoned enough residential land to allow researchers to test whether large-scale zoning changes could meaningfully influence educational opportunities.

The research team, which also includes Business School doctoral candidate Jia Liu, will use comprehensive data and quantitative geospatial analysis to track family migration patterns and assess whether school-aged young people gained access to higher-performing schools.

MIL OSI

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4. Employment Disputes – ACC doctors to strike next week

July 17, 2026

Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

Senior doctors working at ACC will strike next week after their employer refused to offer personal grievance rights, protections for speaking up, and basic pay increases.
Following the passage of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill earlier this year, senior doctors would not have the rights to a fair dismissal process and be unable to file personal grievances for unjustified dismissal, unless otherwise agreed upon with the employer.
Equally, ACC has refused to include any specific rights to speak publicly on issues of patient safety – which is contrary to the recommendations of ACC’s own culture review.
Since 2018 the consumer price index increased more than 31 per cent but pay rates for senior doctors employed by ACC (medical advisors) have increased just 4.2 per cent.
In March ACC’s own board noted that comparisons show “ACC pay less compared to public sector organisations and crown entities”.
“Taken together, and in the context of ACCs ongoing problems with workplace culture and senior management turmoil, these refusals to staff show a disturbing lack of concern for their staff,” ASMS Industrial Officer Adam Craige says.
ASMS has been negotiating with ACC since 1 December 2025.
More than 50 ACC medical advisors will take part in three, half-day strikes:
  • Monday 20 July from 8am – Midday
  • Wednesday 29 July from 1pm – 5pm
  • Friday 7 August from 8am – Midday.

MIL OSI

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5. VinFast partners with Bespoke Logistics to strengthen electric motorcycle logistics capabilities in the Philippines

July 18, 2026

Source: Media Outreach

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 July 2026 – Global electric vehicle companyVinFast has officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Bespoke Logistics, a Philippine provider of end-to-end automotive logistics solutions, to establish an integrated mobility processing center and authorized service workshop for the inspection and preparation of VinFast electric motorcycles prior to delivery. The partnership will help ensure vehicle quality, shorten delivery lead times, and lay a solid foundation for VinFast’s expanding electric motorcycle ecosystem in the Philippines.

Mr. Irineo Niño Fabros, CEO of VinFast Electric Motorcycles Philippines (left), and Mr. Allan A. Mina, President and CEO of Bespoke Logistics, at the signing ceremony.

Source: Media Outreach

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 July 2026 – Global electric vehicle companyVinFast has officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Bespoke Logistics, a Philippine provider of end-to-end automotive logistics solutions, to establish an integrated mobility processing center and authorized service workshop for the inspection and preparation of VinFast electric motorcycles prior to delivery. The partnership will help ensure vehicle quality, shorten delivery lead times, and lay a solid foundation for VinFast’s expanding electric motorcycle ecosystem in the Philippines.

Mr. Irineo Niño Fabros, CEO of VinFast Electric Motorcycles Philippines (left), and Mr. Allan A. Mina, President and CEO of Bespoke Logistics, at the signing ceremony.

Under the agreement, Bespoke Logistics will operate an integrated mobility processing center and VinFast-authorized service workshop, responsible for warehousing, vehicle inspection, technical preparation of electric motorcycles prior to delivery, vehicle yard management, and transportation. Located in Carmona City, Cavite Province, the 20,000-square-meter facility has a storage capacity of up to 30,000 vehicles, helping streamline vehicle preparation, improve operational efficiency, and ensure product quality before delivery to customers.

As part of the partnership, VinFast will work closely with Bespoke Logistics to implement technician training and certification programs, transfer standardized operating procedures and quality control processes, and establish a parts supply system to support aftersales operations.

Bespoke Logistics specializes in automotive logistics, offering an end-to-end service portfolio that includes pre-delivery inspection (PDI), warehousing, vehicle yard management, transportation, and vehicle delivery. The company also has extensive experience in warehouse-based technical operations and modern vehicle and inventory management systems, serving as a trusted logistics partner for multiple automotive brands in the Philippines.

Partnering with experienced local companies such as Bespoke Logistics will not only strengthen VinFast’s logistics and service capabilities in the Philippines but also provide a strong operational foundation for the delivery of its first electric motorcycles to customers.

The agreement forms part of VinFast’s long-term strategy to develop a comprehensive, international-standard electric motorcycle ecosystem in the Philippines. Alongside the launch of its diverse lineup of battery-swapping electric motorcycles, VinFast is steadily expanding its distribution network, aftersales services, and battery swapping infrastructure to deliver a seamless, convenient, and reliable ownership experience for customers.

Mr. Bui Viet Hung, VinFast Deputy CEO of Global Aftersales Service, said: “At VinFast, world-class products must be supported by robust infrastructure and exceptional aftersales services. Our partnership with Bespoke Logistics is a key milestone in strengthening our distribution and aftersales capabilities in line with global standards, ensuring that customers in the Philippines enjoy high quality products and services from day one of ownership.”

Mr. Allan A. Mina, President and CEO of Bespoke Logistics said: “We are proud to partner with VinFast as it develops its electric motorcycle ecosystem in the Philippines. We are committed to operating the facility in accordance with VinFast’s international standards while continuously enhancing our team’s capabilities and operational processes to support the brand’s long-term growth in the market.”

Over the past few years, VinFast has steadily built a green mobility ecosystem across the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and other international markets through strategic partnerships with local companies and ecosystem partners such as Green GSM and V-Green. In addition to electric motorcycles, VinFast is expanding its product portfolio to include electric cars, electric bicycles, and electric buses, providing consumers with more sustainable mobility options while accelerating the global transition to greener transportation.

Hashtag: #VinFast

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

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6. Schlumberger Foundation Honors Nine Women Scientists and Engineers with the 2026 Faculty for the Future Impact Prize

July 16, 2026

Source: Media Outreach

Download Document:https://apo-opa.co/457IRvc

For more than two decades, the Schlumberger Foundation’s Faculty for the Future program has supported women scientists and engineers from emerging and developing economies in pursuing advanced STEM research and developing their leadership.

Source: Media Outreach

KAMPALA, UGANDA – EQS Newswire – 16 July 2026 – The Schlumberger Foundation (https://SchlumbergerFoundation.com/) is proud to announce the nine recipients of the 2026 Faculty for the Future Impact Prize, a merit-based award that recognizes Fellows who are translating their scientific and engineering expertise into initiatives with demonstrated potential for wider impact.

Download Document:https://apo-opa.co/457IRvc

For more than two decades, the Schlumberger Foundation’s Faculty for the Future program has supported women scientists and engineers from emerging and developing economies in pursuing advanced STEM research and developing their leadership.

Today, their achievements demonstrate that the program’s influence extends far beyond individual academic journeys. Across countries, disciplines and generations, Faculty for the Future Fellows are turning advanced scientific and engineering expertise into breakthrough solutions that open new pathways, strengthen communities and generate wider change across people and systems.

The Faculty for the Future Impact Prize recognizes proven initiatives and accelerates their next stage of development. Through funding, visibility and connection to the wider fellowship, the scientific and business community it helps recipients extend their reach and deepen their impact.

The 2026 Impact Prize recognizes outstanding initiatives in three areas:

  • Educational Outreach
  • Technology Innovation
  • Social Impact

“Faculty for the Future began by investing in the education and potential of exceptional women scientists and engineers. What we now see is how that investment continues to multiply as Fellows open pathways for others, build institutions and apply their expertise to urgent challenges in their communities. The Impact Prize allows us to recognize this leadership, connect it across the fellowship and help it travel further,”said Capella Festa, President of the Schlumberger Foundation.

2026 Faculty for the Future Impact Prize Recipients

The Schlumberger Foundation is delighted to announce the nine recipients of the 2026 Faculty for the Future Impact Prize:

  • Dr. Darshana Joshi
    VigyanShaala: STEM Access for Women and Rural Communities in India
  • Dr. Angela Tabiri
    The Mathsqueen National STEAM Circuit
  • Dr. Novalia Pishesha
    Future Southeast Asian Scientist (FSAS)
  • Dr. Chao Mbogo
    Mentorship Infrastructure for Holistic Technologists
  • Dr. Hifza Rasheed
    Empowering Women and Communities with Climate-Resilient Water
  • Dr. Edu Inam
    Scaling a Research Equipment Database for Equitable Access in Nigeria
  • Professor Bridget Bannerman
    Empowering African Women to Eliminate Cervical Cancer
  • Dr. Tonthoza Uganja
    Profitable Agroforestry for Smallholder Farmers in Malawi
  • Dr. Zita Nodjikouambaye
    Community-Based Screening for Cervical and Breast Cancer in Chad

Selected from 156 applications from 61 countries, the nine winning initiatives reveal the breadth of what Faculty for the Future Fellows are building through science and engineering. They create pathways into STEM, strengthen access to research and healthcare, and develop practical responses to challenges in water, agriculture and climate resilience.

The Impact Prize marks a new chapter for Faculty for the Future. Building on more than two decades of support for advanced STEM education, it strengthens a global fellowship in which the scientific and engineering leadership of Fellows is recognized, connected and amplified.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Schlumberger Foundation.

Download Image: https://apo-opa.co/4pqtJT1

Faculty for the Future Impact Prize Global Press Kit https://apo-opa.co/457IRvc.

Media Contact:
Joan Busingye
SFCommunications@slb.com

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

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7. Vinhomes’ Comprehensive Execution and Long-Term Operation Drive Interest from Global Institutional Investors

July 16, 2026

Source: Media Outreach

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2026 – Through the successful development and operation of an internationally recognized integrated urban ecosystem on a significant nationwide scale, Vinhomes (ticker: VHM) has established itself as one of Vietnam’s largest and most established long-term real estate development platforms, attracting growing interest from international institutional investors.

Vinhomes Green Paradise.

Source: Media Outreach

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2026 – Through the successful development and operation of an internationally recognized integrated urban ecosystem on a significant nationwide scale, Vinhomes (ticker: VHM) has established itself as one of Vietnam’s largest and most established long-term real estate development platforms, attracting growing interest from international institutional investors.

Vinhomes Green Paradise.

As of December 31, 2025, Vinhomes manages and operates 32 urban developments across eight provinces and cities in Vietnam, serving more than 650,000 residents across over 168,000 apartments, villas, and townhouses, with synchronized management standards and operational quality.

A global shift in investment capital from speculative projects toward developers with proven long-term execution capabilities is imposing stricter standards on the real estate sector. In this context, Vinhomes has emerged as a notable player, distinguished by its ability to deliver large-scale projects and sustain vibrant, long-lasting communities through three core pillars: the capability to deliver large-scale integrated townships; the ability to standardize and replicate successful models nationwide; and a commitment to creating sustainable, internationally benchmarked living environments.

Delivering Large-Scale Integrated Townships Through a Synchronized Operational Ecosystem

Strong project delivery capability, supported by the broader Vingroup ecosystem, helps Vinhomes mitigate long-term operational risks for investors.

Since 2018, Vinhomes has concentrated on developing internationally benchmarked integrated townships, typically exceeding 300 hectares in strategic locations. The key differentiator of these projects is the integration of residential spaces with comprehensive infrastructure, including commercial, educational, healthcare, transportation, and public facilities.

The success of this model is reinforced by the multi-industry ecosystem of parent company Vingroup. Residents of Vinhomes have access to services from Vincom shopping malls, Vinmec international hospitals, Vinschool campuses, VinUniversity, the VinBus electric bus network, V-GREEN charging infrastructure, Vinpearl resorts, golf courses, convention centers, VinWonders entertainment complexes, and the Green SM (GSM) mobility network.

In addition, professional 24/7 property management services, robust security systems, meticulous landscaping maintenance, and hospitality-style residential services help Vinhomes assets maintain their value and operate smoothly over the long term.

Standardizing and Replicating Urban Development Models on a Nationwide Scale

Vinhomes has developed strong organizational capabilities that enable it to institutionalize complex urban development processes and maintain consistent quality across different regions.

While many real estate companies maintain strengths only in specific local markets, Vinhomes has demonstrated the ability to establish a strong presence across most major cities and strategic provinces from the north to the south of Vietnam. Capital allocation, construction management, infrastructure integration, and community management have been standardized into scalable, repeatable processes.

Marc Townsend, Senior Advisor at Arcadia Consulting Vietnam Co., Ltd., observed:

“If one were to name the most instantly recognizable real estate brand in Vietnam, it would undoubtedly be Vingroup, and more specifically, Vinhomes, whose position clearly stands above the rest of the market. The reason is straightforward. Vingroup and Vinhomes are organizations that consistently deliver on what they commit to… They possess the ability to execute projects at a truly national scale, from north to south, something very few developers can claim.”

This geographic diversification not only helps Vinhomes mitigate market cycle risks but also positions the company to capture Vietnam’s strong urbanization wave, a key factor providing resilience for foreign capital seeking long-term investment assets.

Creating Internationally Benchmarked Urban Platforms to Meet Long-Term Investment Demand

Vinhomes’ focus on creating sustainable living environments distinguishes the company as a developer of urban platforms with international potential.

Whether serving the social housing segment or premium mixed-use developments, Vinhomes maintains a consistent objective: creating high-quality living environments where infrastructure development goes hand-in-hand with civilized residential communities.

Rather than merely selling individual properties, the company focuses on building complete urban ecosystems and committing to long-term community management. This structured approach aligns with the rigorous criteria of global financial institutions, which prioritize three factors: demonstrated execution capability, extensive operational experience, and the ability to integrate complex mixed-use developments with modern transportation infrastructure.

With a solid foundation established through a series of large-scale projects, Vinhomes not only maintains its leading position in the domestic market but also serves as a trusted strategic partner, offering global investors access to Vietnam’s strong economic growth potential.

https://vinhomes.vn/en

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– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

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