Tech – Samsung Expands ‘AI for All’ Vision at CES 2025 to Bring AI Everyday, Everywhere

January 7, 2025

Source: Samsung

Company outlines refreshed strategy using Home AI to elevate user experiences at home and beyond

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Jan. 7, 2025 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled its new “AI for All” vision at CES® 2025 in Las Vegas, with the focus of making AI an “Everyday, Everywhere” experience. Building on a decade of connected home leadership, Samsung is leveraging the power of AI to bring intelligence to every day, enabling people to experience a more personal, impactful and empowering world.

Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division, opened Samsung’s CES 2025 press conference by introducing the company’s roadmap for Home AI, a plan for redefining the meaning of home by providing truly personalised services across all intelligent, connected devices. This strategy, alongside Samsung’s innovations in AI-powered devices across mobile, home appliances and visual display, is a testament to Samsung’s longstanding commitment to human-centric innovation and brings the power of AI to everyday experiences to make life better for all.

“I’m proud of how we have introduced new technologies and intelligence to the home, connected key devices and set the standard for the home of the future,” Vice Chairman Han said. “This year at CES, we are reinforcing our commitment to delivering personalised experiences through our widespread implementation of AI and we will continue this journey of AI leadership in the home and beyond, not just for the next decade, but for the next century.”

Elevating Everyday Experiences With Home AI

Later in the press conference, Jonathan Gabrio, Head of the Connected Experience Center at Samsung Electronics America, expanded on Samsung’s Home AI vision, underscoring the company’s commitment to integrating AI across the entire connected experience to cater to diverse lifestyles. From single person households to multi-generational families under one roof, Home AI learns from habits and adapts to individual routines for a hyper-personalised smart home experience.

Security and Privacy are at the heart of Samsung’s strategy for Home AI. Samsung recognises that as users introduce more connected devices into their homes and AI becomes more personal, it must also protect users’ privacy. To meet these evolving needs, the company has extended its security capabilities. Now, Samsung Knox Matrix protects home appliances along with mobile devices and TVs with its signature blockchain technology, ensuring that connected devices are working together to protect the user’s home, data and each other from digital threats. With Knox Matrix Dashboard, a transparent privacy control, Samsung offers simplified security management across the entire connected home. As information syncs across devices, Knox Matrix’s Credential Sync ensures that data can only be encrypted or decrypted from the user’s devices, and Samsung Knox Vault adds another layer of protection, keeping sensitive information like passwords or PINs isolated in a secure location.

Samsung’s One UI provides an integrated software experience across all connected Samsung devices, enhancing interoperability, empowering users with AI-based features and providing software updates for up to seven years.

Underpinning it all is SmartThings, Samsung’s smart home platform that brings intelligent connectivity to hundreds of millions of users around the world. With Samsung’s belief in open innovation and partnership as a foundation, SmartThings is being equipped with the latest AI technology to streamline and personalise the smart home experience for complete convenience. SmartThings Ambient Sensing intuitively understands the user’s environment and situational context by analysing even human movements and ambient sounds through connected devices within the home, thereby enabling those devices to intelligently and seamlessly respond and adapt to daily routines.

Bixby Voice, an enhanced AI voice assistant, will be integrated to increase usability. The assistant has been trained so that it can recognise individual voices and respond to commands in a way that works best for each user. These Home AI updates free up time previously spent on home management, allowing users to focus on what matters most and explore new passions.

With productivity comes proactivity, too. When AI and Samsung Health combine, users are empowered to take control of their health and wellness. With AI-driven health insights gathered on the Galaxy Watch, Samsung is helping users make sense of their data and arrive at more informed decisions about their well-being. These new capabilities will further improve the overall experience of Samsung Health, which stands apart as an end-to-end health solution that integrates the entire home seamlessly.

Seamless Entertainment in the AI Era

Samsung’s latest screen experiences, powered by Samsung Vision AI, bring unexpected joy to users’ days through unparalleled personalisation and exciting new features. The AI Screen experience infuses intelligence into TVs, bringing Generative Wallpaper, Live Translate and Click to Search to users. At the forefront of this technology is the Neo QLED 8K, which provides the most advanced viewing experiences though AI features like 8K AI Upscaling Pro, Auto HDR Remastering Pro and Colour Booster Pro — all of which work behind the scenes to intelligently enhance picture quality. Plus, The Frame’s art experience is expanding, allowing all Samsung QLEDs to come with a digital collection of over 3,000 art pieces, making it so that they can turn any room into a personal gallery.

Samsung’s commitment to its Screens Everywhere strategy is reflected in new display options for its appliances, including its new refrigerators with 9″ AI Home displays and other devices with 7″ screens. Consumers will be able to enjoy heightened functionality — including various entertainment services and AI features such as AI Vision Inside — on a broader range of products.

Taking AI Everywhere

Beyond the home, Samsung’s AI innovations are set to transform new categories and industries with SmartThings Pro. Created to bring the same AI-powered digital solutions to business partners as SmartThings offers consumers, SmartThings Pro is a B2B solution spanning multi-residential homes to retail spaces, hotels, schools and more. Since its launch last June, SmartThings Pro provides businesses with integrations to better understand energy usage, proactively identify devices with maintenance needs and offer comprehensive control of connected solutions. Samsung is working with partners to create an innovative platform, Future Innovation Technology (FIT), for larger businesses and buildings to set automated climate controls that save energy and reduce electricity costs.

The company is also working with Samsung Heavy Industries on a new SmartThings collaboration that uses the Matter connectivity standard to connect with compatible ships. SmartThings for Ships offers a Pre-Sailing Mode, which allows captains and crews to automate when the engine starts and turn on settings for temperature and lights, saving time and energy. Meanwhile, Care Mode provides a complete view of a ship’s power, AC systems and smoke alarms, while Protection Mode constantly monitors for — and will alert captain and crew to — any abnormal activity.

Additionally, Samsung is expanding its SmartThings and automotive integrations in a new partnership with Hyundai Motor Group to bring SmartThings to Hyundai EVs. With the expanded ecosystem, users can now use SmartThings Find to easily locate their parked car, even in crowded parking lots. With the power of Home AI, SmartThings can make recommendations on when to recharge EVs based on schedules and rates. And if there is a neighborhood power outage, it will automatically activate Battery Backup Mode, which works alongside AI Energy Mode to extend the battery energy to power home essentials.

In the Automotive space, Samsung and its subsidiary Harman continue their promise to transform the in-car experience with new products that bring contextual awareness into the cabin. Leveraging Samsung’s expertise in UX and AI, Harman’s new in-vehicle avatar acts as an intelligent digital copilot that works with Harman products like Ready Care and Ready Vision to anticipate needs while drivers focus on the road.

Empowering the Next Generation

Finally, Inhee Chung, Vice President of the Corporate Sustainability Center, underscored how Samsung’s AI for All vision is rooted in the brand’s commitment to harness the power of advanced technology for a better, more inclusive world. Samsung is introducing diverse and enhanced accessibility features through its AI-powered devices and services, starting with the ability to automatically sync accessibility features across home appliances from a smartphone.

From the first half of this year, Bixby will automatically have connected devices display text in high contrast or provide a voice guide for family members with low vision, all by simply recognising their voice. For those with low vision, AI is improving Audio Subtitles by lowering foreign language audio and reading out the subtitles in the language of the user’s choosing.

Chung also discussed how initiatives like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung Innovation Campus and the company’s work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are enabling the next generation of innovators. Today, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow challenges more than 2.6 million students across 66 countries to use STEM to address challenges in their community. In particular, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last year, Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched a digital community “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People” and appointed top 10 teams from global Solve for Tomorrow as community ambassadors. Meanwhile, Samsung Innovation Campus has helped prepare nearly 180,000 young people across 33 countries for the workforce through training on emerging technologies like AI, IoT and big data.

In a video message, Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, joined VP Chung to share an update on Samsung and UNDP’s partnership to harness the power of technology for good. Since its initiation five years ago, the Samsung Global Goals app has raised over $20 million thanks to nearly 300 million users who are using a Galaxy smartphone, tablet or watch. Plus, Samsung and UNDP’s joint work through the Generation17 initiative continues to inspire extraordinary young leaders around the world who are mobilising their communities to advance the Global Goals.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners.

MIL OSI

Fire Safety – Canterbury fire district moves to a restricted fire season

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is revoking the prohibited fire season put in place in the Canterbury fire district last month, which banned outdoor fires in the area.

From 8am, Wednesday 8 January, the whole district will be in a restricted fire season until further notice, from north of the Rakaia River to just south of the Clarence River.

A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an open-air fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which can be applied for at www.checkitsalright.nz.

Canterbury District Commander Dave Stackhouse says rain over the holiday period greatly reduced the chances of vegetation fires getting started or getting out of control.

“While we haven’t had any large wildfires in the last three weeks, we are aware that it is still the middle of summer, which means we have kept some restrictions in place,” he says.

“Even with the recent rain and cooler temperatures, this is still one of the drier parts of the country.

“Therefore, we are asking people to continue to be cautious about lighting fires, and follow the fire safety advice available at checkitsalright.nz.”

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Health – Foundation hails select committee support for prostate screening pilots

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation

A prostate cancer screening programme which could save hundreds of lives a year has won conditional backing from an influential Parliamentary committee.

In a report presented to Parliament, the petitions select committee said “we encourage the Government to consider a pilot prostate cancer screening programme in a region with appropriate MRI capacity”.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation applauds the report of the multi-party committee, which spent more than a year collating evidence and hearing submissions before reporting back on the 30,000-signature petition of Kristine Hayward, who lost her husband to prostate cancer.

“Gaining an endorsement from a select committee is a huge boost to launching a prostate cancer screening programme, which starts with a simple blood test and could halve the number of deaths from prostate cancer,” said Danny Bedingfield, President of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The Foundation has been encouraging successive Ministers of Health to establish two pilots that would guide an eventual national screening programme for at-risk men.

“Pilots are important for learning the lessons on how to optimally engage with and screen New Zealand men in the same way that women are successfully screened for cervical and breast cancer,” Bedingfield says.

The Foundation paid tribute to Kristine, whose husband Bruce died from prostate cancer about five years ago, aged 66.  He’s one of 700 New Zealanders who die each year from the disease.

Because his death could be prevented, Kristine launched a petition calling for an early detection programme. The petition was handed over on the steps of Parliament in July 2023.

Bruce, a registered nurse like Kristine, had regular medical check-ups with his GP which included prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. These showed that his levels were rising – a key warning sign – but by the time he was referred to a specialist his cancer had metastasised and could not be treated. 

More than 4000 men are diagnosed annually – a number which is expected to rise each year – but clinicians believe there are many more whose cancer goes undetected. 

Current testing is unfunded, disorganised and inequitable, allowing too many men to die, Bedingfield said. 

“There’s no centralised national screening programme and things need to change to provide better healthcare for New Zealand men,” he said.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is asking the Government to fund two PSA screening pilots which would test men based on age and familial and genetic risk. The estimated cost is relatively low $6.4 million, and learnings would inform an eventual national population-based screening programme.

“Pilots will help us develop a comprehensive, optimum clinical care pathway for prostate cancer, which if done properly will take care of any issues with diagnosis and overtreatment,” Bedingfield said. “We really need to move now on piloting so we learn the lessons we need to learn.”

“We note the the committee’s concerns about access to MRI equipment and a workforce to operate it, but there are regions that have capacity for extra scans. These should host a pilot.”

Due to an ageing population, the number of prostate cancer cases is likely to double by 2040. The clock is ticking. “We need to pay attention to that now and start piloting prostate cancer screening,” Bedingfield said.

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Universities – Stanford interns to boost sustainability projects for local businesses – UoA

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

Thanks to Allbirds founder Tim Brown, the University of Auckland and seven businesses will host Stanford student interns keen to support sustainability projects.

Seven New Zealand businesses have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability by offering to provide internship opportunities for students from the prestigious Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

Professor Jacqueline Beggs, co-director of Ngā Ara Whetū, the Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society said, “We are delighted to host these Stanford University students in New Zealand – this opportunity fosters diverse ideas and innovative approaches to make a real difference to global challenges in sustainability.”

Professor Beggs acknowledged the vital contribution of Tim Brown, former professional footballer and co-founder of sustainable global footwear company Allbirds. Brown broached the idea when visiting the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, and then connected his business networks with the opportunity.

Dr Jennifer Saltzman, Assistant Dean for Professional Development and Community Building at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability said, “Our students are very excited about the opportunity to contribute to sustainability in a professional setting and to learn from their experiences in New Zealand. Tim Brown’s support made international internships possible this year. We are grateful for the collaboration with the University of Auckland and the seven companies involved.”

As a result, seven local businesses, ranging from Auckland FC, keen to incorporate sustainability into the new professional football club, to Ternary, an energy supply chain business, have agreed to host Stanford students in paid intern roles from June 2025.

Professor Beggs said, “When they are here, the students will also spend time with Ngā Ara Whetū to support their experience and knowledge of sustainability in Aotearoa and Te Ao Māori. Our aim is to foster an enduring relationship between the students, our university and Aotearoa.”

From his base in the United States, Tim Brown said he was pleased to help.

“There is enormous potential for the exchange of ideas between California and Aotearoa, so the agreement between the University of Auckland Ngā Ara Whetū – Centre for Climate, Biodiversity & Society & Stanford’s new Doerr School of Sustainability is a natural extension of that. This is the start of what I know can become a broader opportunity for partnership.”

Brown said Aotearoa had a unique opportunity to lead the global transition to a sustainable economy.

“The students will be exposed to some of this unique leadership potential while also understanding the power of our Māori culture and heritage to guide us towards more thoughtful environmental stewardship.”

The businesses hosting Stanford interns are:
Auckland FC
Tracksuit
Ternary
Halter
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Vector
Mushroom Material

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Attempted murder charge following Palmerston North shooting

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Joe Salisbury:

A man is due in court today on a charge of attempted murder in relation to a shooting in Palmerston North last month.

Police were called to an address in Tremaine Avenue on the evening of Friday 13 December to a report that a woman had been shot by someone known to her.

She went to hospital with critical injuries, and has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home.

Since then, Police have conducted several scene examinations and made a number of inquiries.

This led to an arrest warrant being executed yesterday with the assistance of the Armed Offenders Squad at a Kimbolton campground for a 21-year-old man.

He is due in Palmerston North District Court today on charges of attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.

A 23-year-old man was also arrested at the same location on unrelated firearms charges.

We know the Police activity yesterday would have concerned some members of the public who were in the area, and we want to reassure them that as a result, a man accused of violent offending will now be held to account for his actions.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Enabling works to begin on Westgate Bus Station

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Work is set to get underway on a new bus station at Westgate this week. A contract has been awarded to HEB Construction to start a package of enabling works to get the site ready in advance of main construction beginning in mid-2025, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

“A new Westgate station will provide better connections between local bus and Western Express (WXI) services to Auckland city and will form an important part of the Government’s wider plans to deliver a busway alongside State Highway 16 from Brigham Creek to Auckland City through the Northwest Rapid Transit project,” Mr Brown says.

“With more than 100,000 extra people expected to be living in the northwest of Auckland by 2051, we need to provide more reliable public transport choices that reduce travel times and congestion in Auckland.

“The enabling works getting underway for the new Westgate bus station include bulk earthworks to provide a level platform to build the new station on, debris removal, site compound establishment and fencing, and utility works, including storm water line construction and other connections.

“The NZ Transport Agency expects a construction contract for the station to be awarded by mid-2025, with works beginning soon after and completed in mid-2026. When complete the new Westgate station will replace the temporary bus stop on Kedgley Road.

“This Government is committed to delivering a rapid transit system that will support urban development and housing growth in the northwest of Auckland – it’s great to see work on this important project starting to get underway.”

The Westgate Bus Station project is funded by the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) to enable advance delivery of the local portion of the Westgate Bus Station.

MIL OSI

DOC seeks sightings of entangled dolphin near Auckland

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: Department of Conservation

Date: 07 January 2025

The juvenile/subadult dolphin, which is travelling with a fully grown dolphin, was first reported to DOC’s hotline on 29 December. It was observed entangled in a fishing net in the Western Waitemata Harbour.

DOC staff have been monitoring the dolphins in the Riverhead Herald Island area, and although they have appeared calm, the positioning of the net may limit the entangled dolphin’s movement and ability to dive.

DOC’s specialist marine mammal disentanglement team is assembling and preparing to intervene. There is added difficulty due to the dolphin’s companion animal, and careful planning is required to ensure a safe outcome for both animals.

What you can do if you spot the dolphin

Call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 36 24 68) immediately with the dolphin’s location and behaviour.
Stay at a safe distance to monitor the dolphin without causing distress.
Boaties should avoid approaching the dolphin or attempting to remove the entanglement, as it can endanger both the dolphin and those involved.

“It’s vital to locate this dolphin as soon as possible,” says Kirsty Prior, DOC Operations Manager. “The safety of both the animal and people responding to its distress is our top priority. Entangled marine mammals face significant risks, and careful planning is needed to ensure the best outcome.”

Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris is a growing threat to marine life. DOC urges fishers and boaties to minimise floating slack lines when setting fishing gear and to dispose of waste and old gear responsibly to prevent marine debris.

DOC has a specialist marine mammal disentanglement team trained to safely free entangled animals using internationally recognised best practices. “Entanglements like this happen one to two times a year around New Zealand,” says Kirsty. “We have the skills, equipment, and experience to respond, when necessary, but locating the animal is the first crucial step.”

While disentanglement procedures are primarily designed for larger marine mammals like whales, DOC will assess and adapt its approach for this entangled dolphin. DOC teams are equipped with specialist tools and follow strict protocols to ensure safety for both the marine mammal and rescuers.

The last reported sighting was yesterday afternoon by the Huapai Golf Course at the edge of Waitemata Harbour. Anyone spotting the dolphins should call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 36 24 68) immediately with the location and dolphin’s behaviour.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

NZ-AU: NOVONIX Announces Intended Location for New Synthetic Graphite Manufacturing Plant in the Enterprise South Industrial Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee

MIL OSI

January 7, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

BRISBANE, Australia, Jan. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NOVONIX Limited (NASDAQ: NVX, ASX: NVX) (“NOVONIX” or “the Company”), a leading battery materials and technology company, announced today the intention to enter a purchase and sale agreement with the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Hamilton County, Tennessee for the land to be used for NOVONIX’s second mass production plant, NOVONIX Enterprise South. The execution of the purchase and sale agreement is subject to approvals of the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County, and the closing of the transaction will be subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions to be specified in the purchase and sale agreement.

Dr. Chris Burns, CEO of NOVONIX, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing this next step in our further expansion in Chattanooga. We have worked closely with the city, county and state over the past seven years of operations in Chattanooga and they have been great partners in supporting our growth plans. Securing this new site for our expansion is a continued example of that partnership. We have signed binding offtake agreements to supply synthetic graphite to Panasonic Energy,¹ Stellantis,² and PowerCo,³ which has our Riverside facility at capacity, and we’re looking forward to opening our doors at Enterprise South.”

Located in the Enterprise South Industrial Park, NOVONIX Enterprise South is expected to reach full production capacity of 31,500 tonnes per annum (“tpa”) by the end of 2028 and is anticipated to create 500 full-time jobs. The facility, together with NOVONIX’s existing 20,000 tpa facility at Riverside in Chattanooga, is planned to bring the Company’s total production capacity to over 50,000 tpa by 2028.

Tim Kelly, Mayor of Chattanooga, said: “This investment by NOVONIX shows that Chattanooga has the talent and the business environment to lead in the green economy. The city and our partners are committed to working with the company as they bring this new site online.”

Weston Wamp, Mayor of Hamilton County, said: “NOVONIX is wise to again bet on Hamilton County and our people as they forge the future of battery technology. From our earliest discussions with the leadership of NOVONIX, they were supportive of our vision to create career opportunities for Hamilton County students, which will be made possible through this investment.”

On 16 December 2024, the Company announced a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) through the Loan Programs Office (“LPO”) for a direct loan of up to US$754.8 million ($692 million in principal and $62.8 million in capitalized interest).⁴ The loan is to be applied towards partially financing the proposed Enterprise South facility and is being offered under the DOE LPO’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program.

NOVONIX’s Riverside facility, also located in Chattanooga, is poised to become the first large-scale production site dedicated to high-performance synthetic graphite for the battery sector in North America. It is slated to begin commercial production later this year, with plans to grow output to 20,000 tpa to meet current customer commitments. Previously, the Company announced that the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (“MESC”) awarded the Company a US$100 million grant⁵ and that it was selected for a US$103 million investment tax credit⁶ towards the funding of the Riverside facility.

Adam Myers, VP Economic Development for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, said: “NOVONIX is a forward-thinking company. Their choice of location underscores that fact, proving that Chattanooga is an ideal location for future-focused businesses. We are excited to take this next step with Novonix and thank all of our partners who have been involved in bringing this opportunity to Chattanooga.”

This announcement has been authorised for release by Admiral Robert J Natter, USN Ret., Chairman.

About NOVONIX
NOVONIX is a leading battery technology company revolutionizing the global lithium-ion battery industry with innovative, sustainable technologies, high-performance materials, and more efficient production methods. The Company manufactures industry-leading battery cell testing equipment, is growing its high-performance synthetic graphite material manufacturing operations, and has developed a patented all-dry, zero-waste cathode synthesis process. Through advanced R&D capabilities, proprietary technology, and strategic partnerships, NOVONIX has gained a prominent position in the electric vehicle and energy storage systems battery industry and is powering a cleaner energy future.

To learn more, visit us at www.novonixgroup.com or on LinkedIn and X.

For NOVONIX Limited
Scott Espenshade, ir@novonixgroup.com (investors)
Stephanie Reid, media@novonixgroup.com (media)

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements about the Company and the industry in which we operate. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would,” or other similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements in this communication include, among others, statements we make regarding our anticipated production capacity and commencement of commercial production at our Riverside facility and the planned Enterprise South facility, our plans to purchase property for and build the new production facility, and our efforts to finance this new production facility with a loan from the LPO.

We have based such statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Such forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the timely deployment and scaling of our furnace technology, our ability to meet the technical specifications and demand of our existing and future customers, the accuracy of our estimates regarding market size, expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, needs and access for additional financing, the availability and impact and our compliance with the applicable terms of government support, including the DOE MESC grant and, if a definitive agreement is executed and the loan is funded, the LPO loan, our ability to satisfy the conditions precedent to our entering into definitive loan documents and to the DOE’s funding the LPO loan and, if the loan is obtained, our ability to comply with the restrictions and obligations under the loan documents, our ability to obtain patent rights effective to protect our technologies and processes and successfully defend any challenges to such rights and prevent others from commercializing such technologies and processes, and regulatory developments in the United States, Australia and other jurisdictions. These and other factors that could affect our business and results are included in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at www.novonixgroup.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes, and actual performance and outcomes may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement in this communication is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

¹Panasonic Energy and NOVONIX Sign Binding Off-Take Agreement – NOVONIX
²NOVONIX and Stellantis Sign Binding Offtake Agreement – NOVONIX
³NOVONIX and PowerCo SE Sign Binding Offtake Agreement – NOVONIX
⁴NOVONIX Offered Conditional Commitment for US$754 Million Loan from the U.S. Department of Energy for New Synthetic Graphite Manufacturing Plant in Tennessee – NOVONIX
⁵NOVONIX Finalizes US$100 Million Grant Award from U.S. Department of Energy – NOVONIX
⁶U.S. Government Selects NOVONIX to Receive US$103 Million in Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credits – NOVONIX

– Published by The MIL Network

There and back again – a Northern Buller’s albatross’ tale | Conservation blog

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: Department of Conservation

By Katrina Edwards

If you’re after epic adventures, you can’t look past the story of Carlos Zavalaga, who followed Northern Buller’s albatross all the way from Peru to the tiny island of Motuhara in the Chathams and back again!

Northern royal albatross colony. Image: Carlos Zavalaga

Dr Carlos Zavalaga, a researcher at Universidad Científica del Sur in Lima, Peru, knows the migratory Northern Buller’s albatross fly several thousands of kilometres from their breeding grounds in Aotearoa New Zealand to feed in Peruvian waters where artisanal long-line fishing vessels operate.

What he doesn’t know and wants to find out – just like our DOC seabird teams here in Aotearoa – is if the interactions between the birds and the fishing boats are posing a risk to the birds. So, as a secondee to DOC, he crossed the Pacific as albatrosses do, to help find out.

Black-browed albatross, white-chinned petrel, and Northern Buller’s albatross competing for shark guts, southern Peru. Image: Javier Quiñones

Seabird capital of the world

You would’ve heard this already, but it’s worth repeating. Aotearoa is the seabird capital of the world. We host over 30% of the world’s seabirds.

“Looking after them on behalf of the world is our responsibility, but they’re not doing so well,” says Johannes Fischer, Marine Science Advisor.

“Despite our huge efforts to rid predators from a lot of our important seabird breeding islands, our seabirds are generally declining. In fact, 90% of our seabirds are in trouble.”

Our seabirds go beyond our jurisdiction

A lot of these seabird population declines are due to causes beyond our jurisdiction.

Igor Debski, Principal Science Advisor Marine, says, “These birds use entire ocean basins where they face threats we can’t control. So, we address those threats by working with foreign nations.”

This work falls under New Zealand’s International Seabird Strategy. Mandy Leathers from the International Team, who led the development of the Strategy, says, “Fortunately, there are simple, effective and inexpensive ways to make fishing seabird safe. The Strategy sets a clear roadmap towards seabird-safe fisheries across the oceans where our seabirds forage and live.”

Johannes explains why we’re working with Peru: “Many of our seabirds cross the Pacific and spend a lot of their time in the highly productive Humboldt Current System off the coast of Peru. The Northern Buller’s albatross is a good example of that. So, Peru is an important country for us to work with to make sure our seabirds are safe when they breed here and feed over there.”

Northern Bullers albatross in Peru. Image: Javier Quiñones

A helping hand from 10,000 kilometres away

Peru has a large number of small artisanal fishing fleets. Together with Carlos and his colleague in Peru, Javier Quiñones, we have been trying to identify more precisely which of their fisheries pose the most risk to seabirds such as Northern Buller’s, and then work with those fisheries to help reduce seabird deaths.

We also don’t know much about seabird distributions in their non-breeding range. Carlos had already tried to get some answers by satellite tagging Northern Buller’s in Peru’s waters three years ago. Unfortunately, this project didn’t have much luck with getting data, as all the transmitters were lost – likely due to moulting. Although what he did get showed that Northern Buller’s were following the paths of fishing vessels.

The tail to this tale. Carlos tagged 10 Northern Buller’s albatross with satellite transmitters. Image: Carlos Zavalaga

Colony life

Motuhara (or Motchuhar in Moriori) is home to the world’s biggest colonies of Northern Buller’s albatross and Northern royal albatross. There are also colonies of Northern giant petrels and cape petrels.

Carlos and DOC staff, Mike Bell and Dave Bell, spent 12 days working with all these species – counting nests, checking bands, banding fledglings, recovering geolocators, and most importantly, tagging Northern Buller’s albatrosses with satellite transmitters to get the all-important data for when these birds return to Peru and where they spend their time.

Nest checks for banded Northern royal albatross. The orange paint is to indicate this nest has already been counted. Image: Carlos Zavalaga

A little project making huge gains

Carlos tagged Northern Buller’s albatrosses whose nests had already failed this season in the hopes they would soon leave the colony and fly back to the feeding grounds in Peru. He hoped this would mean he could get enough data before the tail feathers, where the tags are attached, moulted off.

It’s working.

“Five birds are now on their way to Peru – to Carlos – as we speak. It’s all coming together,” Igor says.

It’s also been a win for relationship building with the owners of the island. Being allowed to work on the island was no small deal. It’s privately owned by a conglomerate of over 200 different Māori owners and getting permission is not straightforward.

Carlos met with two of the owners before leaving on the boat for Motuhara. They were really interested in his work and what’s happening in Peru to protect Northern Buller’s albatross.

Motuhara. Image: Carlos Zavalaga

“This international collaboration is bringing a lot to our general knowledge of the birds, implementing the international seabird strategy, and building important relationships,” says Johannes. “This little project is actually making huge gains in everything.”

To find out more, go to our website and watch the northern royal albatross at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on Royal Cam: Royal Cam: Royal albatross/toroa (doc.govt.nz)

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A nationwide shift towards acting together to stop family and sexual violence

LiveNews Publisher

January 7, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour is encouraging people to use the resources available to them to get help, and to report instances of family and sexual violence amongst their friends, families, and loved ones who are in need.

“The death of a child is utterly heartbreaking. My heart aches for all children that are taken too early and the future they will never get to experience.

“It has been extremely saddening and disappointing to see this already happening so early into this new year. It joins the many other instances of family and sexual violence around the country that often go unseen or unspoken about, and it shows that as a country we still have work to do.

“The Government is currently doing work to improve this, and I am asking this year, and heading into the future, that people work together – with each other and with relevant agencies, to take action so that we can help protect each other.

“Our shift as a country to taking active steps will help to protect Kiwis and save lives.

“Work is currently underway on the family and sexual violence action plan. It focuses on prevention, rehabilitation, protecting children and young people, and enabling a larger workforce and better action to be taken to help and protect people. It is focused on breaking inter-generational cycles of violence in families.

“I am urging people to use the resources available to them so that they can get help to stop family and sexual violence. In many cases we know something is happening but do not act, and that is a something I am advocating for change in.

“I want that this year, people will take action, and reach out to get help. Resources are there for people in danger, and resources are there for people who need help to rehabilitate. Help is there for victims, help is there for perpetrators.

“There are many reasons why we may be reluctant to take action. I am encouraging people to take the step. I know that we can do more for ourselves and our loved ones, and while it is not easy, help is there, and it is waiting.”

Media contact: Michael van der Kwast +64 21 875 347

Notes to editor:

Where to go for help or more information:

If someone hurts you, you can report it to Police and reach out to the family violence or sexual violence helpline.
Women’s Refuge: Free national crisisline operates 24/7 – 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day – 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
It’s Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz
Safe to Talk, the sexual harm helpline, is available 24/7: www.safetotalk.nz
Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisisline 24/7 0800 742 584
Ministry of Justice: www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence
National Network of Stopping Violence: www.nnsvs.org.nz
White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men’s violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz
Help is also available to people who are worried that their behaviour is hurting or scaring others. Call 0800 456 450 or visit www.changeispossible.org.nz to get advice, support and find what help is available for you.

More information on the second Te Aorerekura Action Plan for the prevention of family violence and sexual violence is available here:

National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence – Te Puna Aonui website

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