MooneyBird and HKUST Startup to Launch Cantonese “AI Voice Concierge,” Delivering a Barrier-Free Property Search Experience

March 6, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – MooneyBird, a real estate technology company focusing on property marketing and AI applications, has officially introduced Hong Kong’s first Cantonese-focused AI Voice Concierge tailored for the real estate industry. Developed in partnership with AIVOICE, a startup nurtured by the HKUST Entrepreneurship Center, this innovative solution combines Cantonese voice technology with AI agent features. By speaking Cantonese, users can instantly access up-to-date property listings, empowering real estate agents to deliver more seamless and human-centric digital interactions.

The AI Voice Concierge enables consumers to instantly access the latest real estate listings via Cantonese voice-based interaction.

Ensuring Digital Inclusion and a Barrier-Free Property Search Experience
As Hong Kong citizens fully embrace property search habits online, real estate agents often struggle to respond to a high volume of customer inquiries, risking potential buyer loss if they fail to respond promptly. Meanwhile, to fulfill social responsibilities, many agencies have begun integrating barrier-free elements into their websites, ensuring all user segments can access property information equally.

The AI Voice Concierge allows agents to interact with customers more naturally while instantly managing tasks such as property purchase inquiries, rental queries, and listings. It delivers personalized recommendations, mortgage calculations, analyses estate and neighborhood advantage, and information about nearby transportation or facility, all via voice-based interactions that transcend traditional text-based limitations.

Empowering Real Estate Agent for Professional Customer Support
The AI Voice Concierge leverages a multimodal AI model developed by AIVOICE. By integrating Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Text-To-Speech (TTS), and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), it seamlessly processes Cantonese or mixed Chinese-English queries. Additionally, the solution connects to MooneyBird’s industry-specific database and large language models to generate more specialized, human-like responses.

At its core, the system employs an Agentic AI infrastructure to support multi-turn, context-aware conversations. By learning user data and predictive analytics, it delivers highly precise property suggestions based on past interactions, helping agents effectively target potential buyers.

Accelerating Customer Interactions by 30% with Voice AI
Century 21 Property Agency (Pak Shek Kok) in Tai Po has implemented the AI Voice Concierge into its website to streamline its customer service. According to the branch manager, client engagement rates have increased by 30% within three months, enabling more precise outreach to potential buyers and boosting sales opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://c21psk.com.hk/

Furthermore, based on practical needs, the AI Voice Concierge can integrate seamlessly with CRM systems and can incorporate AI voice-cloning technology. Agents only need to record around one minute of audio to create a custom AI voice model that delivers personal responses, enhancing brand image and reinforcing customer relationships.

Pioneering Smart Property Technology, Redefining the User Experience
Eddie Lee, Founder of Synergy Marketing Technology and CEO of MooneyBird, shared, “The AI Voice Concierge helps agents quickly identify potential clients. Once customers obtain initial property insights, they can engage in deeper discussions with agents, fostering mutual trust. We’re excited to see the real estate sector advancing into a new era of smart solutions, and we believe this technology will empower agents to reach broader audiences while strengthening their brand equity.”

AIVOICE was founded by students from HKUST. Wilson Wong, Co-founder of AIVOICE, said, “As Cantonese voice-over tools are in short supply, we developed our own AI technology to capture nuances like tone, diction, and accent. After 20,000 hours of Cantonese voice-data training, our model achieves a 95% accuracy rate. Through the AI Voice Concierge, we aim to showcase the adaptability of Cantonese AI and expand its use across multiple industries.”

Looking ahead, Lee added, “We plan to roll out the AI Voice Concierge to more than 50 real estate agencies and are currently exploring additional collaborations with developers. We are also working on interactive virtual avatars and other innovations to continuously enhance the digital property experience.”

https://synergymar.tech/
https://mooneybird.com.hk/

Hashtag: #MooneyBird #Proptech #AI #CSR #Tech #Property

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

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

Wells Home Café launches the First 2-in-1 Solution for Coffee and Tea

MIL OSI

March 6, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – Wells Singapore is proud to introduce the Wells Home Café, the world’s first Tea X Coffee capsule machine designed to elevate the home beverage experience in Singapore. This innovative appliance seamlessly integrates with the Wells The One water dispenser, providing users with a convenient and premium solution for brewing both tea and coffee using purified water.

Wells Home Café

The Wells Home Café features a unique dual extraction system with separate channels and capsule drawers for tea and coffee, ensuring that flavours remain distinct and untainted. This design allows users to switch effortlessly between beverages without the risk of cross-contamination. By connecting directly to the Wells The One water purifier, the Home Café eliminates the need for a water container, supplying mineral-rich, purified water directly to the machine for every brew.

The Wells The One water dispenser plays a key role in this dual-unit system, providing purified water and added functionality. Consumers can also access six different temperatures, providing more convenience, whether they need hot water for tea, warm water for baby formula, or cold water for refreshing drinks.

With a 19-bar high-pressure extraction system, the Wells Home Café delivers rich, aromatic coffee with a golden crema, rivalling the quality found in cafés. For tea lovers, its rapid extraction system allows users to enjoy a perfectly brewed cup in just 60 seconds. The machine is designed with a user-friendly slide-touch interface and a sleek sliding capsule drawer, making it effortless to operate. Its slim and stylish design ensures that it enhances any kitchen interior while saving space.

The Wells Home Café has been recognised for its exceptional design, earning finalist positions at prestigious international competitions such as the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Design Award. As a leading provider of water dispensers in Singapore, Wells is committed to delivering products that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. Established in 2002, Wells is a Korean lifestyle brand known for its premium water purifiers and lifestyle appliances, all designed and manufactured in Korea to ensure top-quality standards. The company’s mission is to enhance daily living through innovative solutions that prioritise health, convenience, and sophisticated design.

The Wells Home Café is now available in Singapore, offering households the opportunity to enjoy café-quality beverages with the convenience of home brewing. By integrating this dual-function capsule machine with the Wells The One water dispenser, users can experience the perfect blend of taste and purity in every cup.

For more information, visit www.wellssingapore.com.

https://www.wellssingapore.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wellssingapore/
https://www.instagram.com/wellssingapore/

Media-Outreach.com.

Seafood stakeholders call for a level playing field for Sustainability

MIL OSI

March 6, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – A consortium of civil society organisations today called on the Hong Kong government to urgently address critical gaps in the city’s seafood import regulations. The coalition warns that Hong Kong’s current regulatory framework dates back to the 1940s and fails to ensure the safety, sustainability, and traceability of seafood products entering the city, posing risks to public health, marine ecosystems, and consumer trust.

Photograph credit: Paul Hilton / Earth Tree Images

“Our call for action responds to the findings of research released over decades by different academics and NGOs, that continue to point to the same systemic issues which remain unresolved today,” said Sophie le Clue, CEO of ADM Capital Foundation.

The most recent research released in December 2024 found that of all the data necessary to ensure sufficient traceability, the Hong Kong authorities are only requiring collection of 12% of such data, in stark contrast to other countries. The call for action comes at a time when many of Hong Kong’s trading partners (Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the EU and the USA) are making substantial efforts to develop and implement measures to facilitate traceability—benefiting both suppliers and buyers who wish to source responsibly and sustainably, as well as consumer health and well-being.

“To remain competitive, Hong Kong must align with international standards and best practices by strengthening import controls,” said Benjamin So, Founder of 178 Degrees, a seafood importer. “While certain leading businesses in the industry have been promoting sustainable seafood for years, and expending resources to ensure their seafood is sourced responsibly and sustainably, the issue is ignored by many in the sector–and without government intervention and support, there is no level playing field or motivation for the industry to change,” he added.

Both the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC) and WWF-Hong Kong’s Sustainable Seafood Business Membership Programme are at the forefront of driving changes in industry practices and promoting seafood sustainability. As HKSSC Secretariat Mandy Wong explains, “The HKSSC was established by industry leaders to advance sustainable seafood practices in Hong Kong and Macau. Our corporate members are deeply committed to responsible sourcing and are dedicated to mainstreaming sustainable seafood. However, without government policies and legislation to address unethical practices and encourage responsible procurement, there are limits to what we can achieve.”

Echoing these concerns Lydia Pang, Head of Oceans Conservation at WWF-Hong Kong explains that “whilst some businesses are proactive and engaged, without sufficient traceability requirements, we continue to risk consuming seafood that may be harmful to our health, sourced through illegal fishing practices, or contributing to the depletion of global fish stocks.”

Hong Kong ranks among the top importers of seafood by value and volume. The city serves as a major hub for seafood trade in Asia, with a substantial portion of its imports being re-exported to mainland China and other regional markets. Its seafood consumption is exceptionally high due to its dense population, affluent economy, and cultural preference for fresh seafood. This makes Hong Kong a critical player in the global seafood supply chain.

The city is also a hub for high-demand luxury products such as live reef food fish, shark fin, and fish maw, but traceability for these imports is insufficient. A study by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) iterated the finding of previous research on significant data gaps in the live reef food fish trade, valued at over USD 2 billion. “Such gaps lead to a multitude of issues – environmental harm through overfishing and ecosystem damage, economic losses, and illegal fishing. They also give rise to ethical concerns, such as labour exploitation, health risks, and present a slew of regulatory challenges.” Said Prof. Celia Schunter from HKU.

The consortium has submitted a formal letter to the Hong Kong government and is calling on it to consider their concerns and prioritise a review of Hong Kong’s existing legislation and policy developments in relation to the seafood trade. Recommendations include traceability, health and safety, port measures and stakeholder collaboration.

1. Traceability:
a. Add Key Data Elements (KDEs) like species’ scientific name, catch/farming method, and location.
b. Develop digital traceability standards and align with Global Dialogue for Seafood Traceability (GDST).
c. Amend the Fish Marketing Ordinance to include live fish, crustaceans, and molluscs.
d. Require all Class III fish carrier vessels to comply with Marine Department clearance.

2. Health & Safety:
a. Mandate health certificates and stricter import checks.
b. Land all seafood at designated ports for quarantine and monitoring.

3. Port Measures:
a. Require Hong Kong-registered vessels to report entry/exit.
b. Align with FAO’s Transshipment Guidelines.

4. Stakeholder Collaboration:
a. Promote best practices through coalition or business networks such as the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition.
b. Foster collaboration among government, industry, and NGOs.

Hashtag: #ADMCapitalFoundation

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

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

No frills Teaching Council needed

LiveNews Publisher

March 6, 2025

Source: Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA)

The Teaching Council has opened consultation this week on a proposal to increase practising certificate renewal fees from $464 to $501 for the next three years.

Chris Abercrombie said the proposal represented an 8% increase which the Council advise is the result of cost inflation as well as increased operating costs. One of those is the processing of thousands of overseas teaching applications.

Teaching Council explanations for the proposed fee increase include the fact the Government funding of additional staff to process overseas teachers’ applications would end in June. “The Government has deliberately chosen to hire overseas teachers to address teacher shortages, rather than ensuring an adequate supply of New Zealand teachers, so it should continue the funding of staff to process overseas applications for as long as it takes. There is no way the profession should be paying for this.”

Chris Abercrombie said it was National Party policy that teachers’ registration fees should be paid for by the government, and teachers supported this. “This will most likely be part of our claim in our collective agreement negotiations later this year.

“In the meantime, I would strongly encourage all teachers to have their say on the proposed fee increase.”

Last modified on Thursday, 6 March 2025 16:59

MIL OSI

Cyanobacteria health warning placed on Lake Rotokaeo

LiveNews Publisher

March 6, 2025

Source: Waikato District Health Board

A health warning has been issued today by National Public Health Service (NPHS), advising people to avoid recreational water activity at Lake Rotokaeo, due to a significant rise in the cyanobacteria (blue green algae) concentration.

Lakes Rotokauri, Waikare, Whangape and Hakanoa continue to have cyanobacterial health warnings in place, with an ‘extreme risk’ health warning at Lake Ngā Roto.

“People should avoid any activity in or near these lakes that could lead to skin contact with the affected water, or the water being swallowed,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Vipond.

“Toxins released by cyanobacteria can trigger asthma and hayfever symptoms, skin rashes, stomach upsets, and neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.”

The symptoms may not appear until sometime after contact with affected water.

“If you do come into contact with water at lakes with health warnings or where there were visible changes in water colour, shower and change your clothing as soon as possible afterwards, even if you do not have symptoms,” adds Dr Vipond.

“If you feel unwell after coming in contact with the lake you should seek health advice from your doctor or by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116. Please also report it to the NPHS Waikato office on (07) 838 2569.”

Scums formed by algal blooms are a particular risk because they contain a high level of toxins. If contact with scum does occur, skin should be rinsed clean and clothing changed as soon as possible.

“It’s particularly important for parents to keep an eye on children if you’re down at the water as these scums can form at the edge of the lake and children will sometimes play with them.”

Dog owners should prevent their dogs from drinking or swimming in the water, or eating algal bloom scum as dogs are particularly sensitive to cyanobacteria and could become seriously ill.

To check if recreational water spots near you are safe for swimming and playing in visit https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/waikato-region/. Information is also available from Waikato Regional Council at https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/environment/water/algal-blooms/

MIL OSI

Pūtiki pedestrians get safer SH4 crossing

LiveNews Publisher

March 6, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Safer road crossing for residents at Pūtiki in Whanganui is now a reality.

Work has now been completed on State Highway 4 at Pūtiki, with a new pedestrian refuge island installed and a new flush median, kerb extension and pram crossing points (where the footpath dips down to meet the road).

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Project Manager Kendra Ludeke says the road is now safer to cross as there is a place for people to stop halfway to check for traffic.

“We’ve worked closely with the Pūtiki Emergency Response Group (PERG) to finalise this design and work. One of the key recommendations from the group was to make it safer for pedestrians to cross SH4 Pūtiki Drive where the Kaumātua flats and bus stops are.

“Safe and appropriate crossings are key elements in providing a connected network for pedestrians and we are happy to be working in collaboration with the project partners to achieve this in Pūtiki.

“This crossing will make it easier for people to cross this at-times busy stretch of highway. It’s important people using the area to cross the road still look both ways and be careful before crossing.

PERG member Kanui Cooper says these additions help to improve traffic management during a flood event and evacuation of the Kaumatua flats and form part of a range of initiatives driven by the local community that aim to improve safety for everyone – in particular Kaumātua and tamariki.

“The initiative not only improves safety, but it also strengthens connectedness to the community and to Whanganui as a whole.”

NZTA Project Manager Kendra Ludeke (3rd from right) is joined by Kaumātua, residents and local community members, trying out the new crossing. NB: since this photo, yellow tactile indicators have also been installed.

MIL OSI

Arrest made following investigation into injured baby, Dargaville

LiveNews Publisher

March 6, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, Whangārei CIB:

Police investigating an incident involving an injured five-month-old baby in Dargaville have today made an arrest.

A 22-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear in Whangārei District Court tomorrow.

The arrest come after the baby was presented at Dargaville Hospital with serious head injuries on 28 December.

The baby was flown to Whangārei Hospital and later transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland.

The baby is now recovering well.

As this matter is now before the Courts, Police don’t have any further comment.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

MIL OSI

Warrant to arrest – Rawiri Cave

LiveNews Publisher

March 6, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are seeking Rawiri Cave, 25, who has a warrant for his arrest.

He is wanted in relation to a number of incidents in Counties Manukau, including aggravated robbery and escapes custody.

Cave has long hair, usually worn in a top knot style, and has two Tā moko style tattoos on the back of his right calf and on his right forearm.

He is known to frequent Counties Manukau, Point Chevalier and Waterview areas.

Anyone with information about Cave is urged to contact Police via 105 online or the 105 phone reporting line, referencing file number 250107/1230.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

MIL OSI

Release: Labour calls for end to police referrals to Destiny programmes

LiveNews Publisher

March 6, 2025

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Police have referred 20 offenders to Destiny Church-affiliated programmes Man Up and Legacy as ‘wellness providers’ in the last year, raising concerns that those seeking help are being recruited into a harmful organisation.

“Referrals to Man Up and Legacy need to stop. Members of these groups violently disrupted a Pride Week event at the Te Atatū Peninsula library and are now at the centre of a Police investigation,” Labour MP for Te Atatū Phil Twyford said.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell has confirmed Police referred 20 offenders to Man Up and Legacy since the two groups were approved as “wellness providers” in April last year, in answers to Twyford’s written parliamentary questions.

“How does the Minister justify referring offenders to an organisation that openly preaches hate against the Rainbow community and has a track record of violence?”

“Anti-violence groups have criticised Destiny Church groups’ involvement in offender rehabilitation, saying their approach creates a greater risk of violence against women and children.

“Does the Minister have any evidence these Destiny programmes have a positive effect on offenders? Has he looked into whether Man Up and Legacy are using the Police referrals to recruit new members?

“The West Auckland Police are investigating the conduct of Destiny Church at Te Atatū Peninsula Library last month. Charities Services have confirmed to me they are investigating my call for Destiny charities to be deregistered for serious wrongdoing. It is time the Government now rules out the Police or any other government agency referring people to Destiny Church or their subsidiaries,” Phil Twyford said.

Labour rainbow community spokesperson Shanan Halbert said, “Mark Mitchell promised that New Zealanders would feel safer under this government, but the Rainbow community has felt under attack. More than 100 incidents of hate against the community are reported monthly under his watch, but he he has declined to declare how many are related to Destiny Church. It’s time for him to take action.”

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MIL OSI

Special Minds Launches 1-to-1 Special Needs Platform to Empower Families with Five Key Pillars

MIL OSI

March 6, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – Special Minds is redefining special needs education in Singapore with the launch of its groundbreaking 1:1 matching platform. As a new and innovative solution, the platform is designed to connect families with highly skilled professionals, offering tailored services to meet each child’s unique needs. Built around five key pillars—tuition, early childhood education, early intervention, therapy and counselling, and enrichment—this platform offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to special needs education. By combining these core services, Special Minds ensures that every child receives personalised, expert support in the comfort of their own home, making quality care and education more accessible than ever before.

Navigating special needs services can be overwhelming, with accessibility and affordability being major challenges for many families. Special Minds simplifies this process by offering a streamlined, home-based matching system that helps parents find the right professionals across these five essential areas—making specialised care more convenient, flexible, and effective.

The 5 Key Pillars of Special Minds’ Matching Platform

1. Special Needs Tuition

Many children with learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and ASD, require specialised academic support. Special Minds matches families with experienced educators who provide personalised special needs tuition to help children excel in their studies at their own pace.

2. Early Childhood Education

Laying a strong foundation is crucial for children with special needs. Special Minds connects parents with qualified early childhood educators who specialise in working with young learners, fostering essential skills in language, numeracy, communication, and cognitive development.

3. Early Intervention Programs

An early intervention program in Singapore can make a life-changing difference for children with developmental delays or conditions such as Global developmental delay (GDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and sensory processing difficulties. Special Minds helps parents access certified early intervention specialists who provide customised strategies to support each child’s growth.

4. Therapy and Counselling

Many children require speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, or counselling to develop key life skills and manage emotions. Special Minds allows parents to match with qualified therapists, making therapy more convenient and effective.

5. Enrichment Activities

Learning isn’t just about academics—it’s also about exploration and engagement. The platform provides access to specialists who offer enrichment programs such as phonics, yoga, music, art, and swimming for children with special needs, helping them develop confidence and social skills in a fun and supportive environment.

The five key pillars of Special Minds’ matching platform work together to create a comprehensive support system that addresses the diverse needs of children with special needs. From tuition to early childhood education, each pillar is designed to offer specialised care that promotes holistic development. Whether it’s through early intervention programs that help children reach developmental milestones, therapy and counselling that provide emotional and behavioural support, or enrichment activities that nurture creativity, Special Minds ensures that children receive well-rounded care that is both accessible and effective.

By focusing on these five areas, Special Minds not only provides tailored support to children but also empowers parents and caregivers to navigate the complexities of special needs care with ease and confidence. This comprehensive approach helps children build the skills they need to thrive in all areas of life, from academics to emotional well-being and beyond.

Founder of Special Minds, Ms. Azanea Quek, shared, “We built this platform so that parents can easily connect with skilled special needs professionals based on their child’s needs, location, and budget. It’s a game-changer for families who have been struggling to access quality, personalised support.”

Special Minds is committed to empowering families and children by making high-quality special needs education and support more accessible, affordable, and flexible. With a growing network of over 500 professionals, the platform is transforming the special needs landscape in Singapore—ensuring that every child, regardless of their challenges, has the opportunity to thrive.

For more information, please visit https://specialminds.com.sg/.

Hashtag: #SpecialMinds

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

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

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