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VTT to increase Finland’s expertise in developing clean energy solutions

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ESPOO, Finland, May 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With European Union funding, VTT launches research openings and a postdoc programme supporting sustainable growth in Finland and invests in clean energy infrastructure.

The EU aims to reduce its dependency on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to clean energy. To take concrete actions, the EU has launched the REPowerEU plan, which is part of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). VTT has just launched three strategic research openings and a postdoc programme as part of the implementation of the REPowerEU chapter of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan.

One of the objectives of Finland is to support research and development activities focusing on clean energy solutions. VTT’s first research opening focuses on electricity storage and accelerating clean energy production, the second on improving industrial energy efficiency and the third on renewable hydrogen economy solutions. VTT has been granted EUR 22.8 million to develop clean energy solutions.

“The research projects of EUR 17.8 million just launched will not only aim at significant reductions of emissions and improvements in energy efficiency, but also create opportunities for new types of business and business models. The aim is to develop solutions for both domestic use and export,” says Jussi Manninen, Executive Vice President of VTT’s Carbon Neutral Solutions business area.

Increasing in production of clean energy goes hand in hand with a fundamental change in heavy industry. Improvements are required in both energy and material efficiency and decarbonisation of processes as such. This is why the research themes are cross-cutting and cover value chains.

“For example, carbon capture and industrial reuse are linked to the hydrogen economy, which in turn is linked to energy storages. The production of raw materials for renewable plastics or fuels requires hydrogen with carbon. Hydrogen, on the other hand, can be produced by electricity when there’s an excess of renewable energy production,” says Tua Huomo, Executive Vice President of VTT’s Sustainable Products and Services business area.

Postdoc programme recruits top experts in energy sector

VTT has already carried out pioneering research and development to promote renewable energy solutions. The aim is now to increase expertise and develop solutions to address bottlenecks related to the green transition, such as the adequacy of electricity storage capacity, availability of critical materials and safety challenges in the use of hydrogen. This requires new expertise, which is why the research openings include an extensive postdoc programme. The programme is used to hire top experts from both Finland and abroad, and EUR 3.4 million has been reserved for this purpose.

“With REPowerEU funding, we deepen our cutting-edge energy research and develop solutions that accelerate the commercial adoption of key clean energy technologies in Finland. The postdoc programme also helps us to attract top foreign researchers to Finland,” Jussi Manninen says.

VTT invests in clean energy pilot infrastructure and builds process development facilities in Bioruukki as well as research and product development services. The EUR 5 million granted from the REPowerEU envelope to extend the pilot infrastructure is part of VTT’s total investment (EUR 21.3 million) in Bioruukki. The REPowerEU funding covers part of the hydrogen and emission-free transport infrastructure and research equipment. The clean energy testing and piloting infrastructure will be used for research and development projects important to industry, such as hydrogen technologies, reducing industrial carbon footprint, transport and energy storage.

The three strategic research openings launched: Electricity storage and accelerating clean energy, industrial energy efficiency and low-carbonisation, as well as renewable hydrogen economy, the postdoc programme and the development of the Bioruukki piloting infrastructure are part of the additional chapter of the REPowerEU investment and reform programme for sustainable growth in Finland prepared by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, for which Finland has reserved EUR 127 million in total. From the RePowerEU funding allocated to research institutes, a total of EUR 22.8 million has been allocated to VTT’s research openings. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment acts as the ministry responsible for the project towards the European Commission.

Inquiries
Jussi Manninen, Executive Vice President of Carbon Neutral Solutions business area, VTT, jussi.manninen@vtt.fi, +358405355947
Tua Huomo, Executive Vice President of Sustainable Products and Services business area, VTT, tua.huomo@vtt.fi, +358405644146
Siina Lepola-Lång, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland, siina.lepola-lang@gov.fi, +358 50 596 6560

Further information on VTT:
Pepita Wakkola
Manager, Communications
+358 50 360 7242, pepita.wakkola@vtt.fi
www.vtt.fi

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/vtt-info/r/vtt-to-increase-finland-s-expertise-in-developing-clean-energy-solutions,c3986692

 

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Pudu Robotics Showcases Full Product Portfolio at WAIC 2026, Winning the “Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise” Award

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SHANGHAI, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, is showcasing its full portfolio of intelligent robotics solutions at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), held from July 17–20 in Shanghai. A key highlight of this year’s exhibition is the offline global debut of the PUDU D7, Pudu’s next-generation semi-humanoid robot. In tandem with its exhibition highlights, Pudu Robotics was also honored with the 36Kr “Most Investor-Attractive AI & Embodied Intelligence Enterprise” Award, recognizing the company’s growing influence in the embodied AI sector and continued confidence from the investment community.

Full Product Matrix on Display: Demonstrating Multi-Scenario Capabilities

Pudu’s comprehensive presentation at WAIC 2026 showcased its complete technical and product layout, spanning service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied intelligence.

The PUDU D5 quadruped robot demonstrates advanced terrain adaptability and autonomous navigation across an on-site obstacle course mimicking sand, gravel, steps, and slopes, simulating autonomous inspections in complex environments such as power substations and industrial parks. Additionally, the D5 performed high-speed “drifting” demonstrations at the booth, reaching peak speeds of up to 5 m/s and showcasing industry-leading mobility and responsiveness.

Making its global offline public debut, the PUDU D7 engaged visitors with several immersive and interactive live experiences. Attendees posed for photos with the D7, instantly receiving unique snapshots taken directly from a “robotics perspective.” The robot also demonstrated advanced multi-robot coordination by autonomously walking and guiding the PUDU D5 quadruped around the booth while seamlessly avoiding pedestrian traffic, vividly illustrating collaborative workflows between different robotic form factors.

Pudu is also exhibiting its mature commercial robotics portfolio, including the BellaBot service delivery robot, the PUDU T300 industrial delivery robot, and the PUDU MT1 Max and PUDU CC1 Pro commercial cleaning robots. Together, these products highlight Pudu’s proven deployments across hospitality, retail, F&B, manufacturing, warehousing, and other industries.

Winning the “Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise” Award Amid Sustained Capital Traction

The “Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise” award from 36Kr arrives alongside sustained backing from major global institutional investors. In April 2026, Pudu Robotics completed a new financing round of nearly USD 150 million, bringing its valuation to more than USD 1.5 billion. This brings Pudu’s cumulative funding to more than USD 300 million.

This strong capital interest is supported by concrete commercial performance. According to the “2025 Global Embodied Intelligence and Commercial Service Robotics Independent Market Research Report” released by Frost & Sullivan, Pudu Robotics accounts for 25% and 23% of the global commercial service robotics market in terms of revenue and shipments respectively, ranking No. 1 worldwide in both categories. Furthermore, Pudu Robotics has maintained a year-over-year revenue growth rate exceeding 100%, with international markets accounting for more than 80% of total revenue for consecutive years. While the broader Embodied AI industry remains in early exploratory phases, Pudu has approached a positive EBITDA, achieving large-scale commercial viability ahead of the market.

From Product Export to Ecosystem Integration: A Blueprint for Global Expansion

According to the Research Report on Chinese Enterprises’ Overseas Expansion from 2025 to 2026 published by the 36Kr Research Institute, Pudu Robotics was featured as a primary benchmark case study for Embodied AI. The report attributes Pudu’s international success to its systematic combination of technological innovation, product capabilities, and localized global operation. Analysts noted that Pudu has successfully transitioned from exporting products to exporting global brand equity and integrated robotics ecosystems, establishing a core reference blueprint for hard-tech global expansion.

By deploying versatile product forms that span specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid forms, Pudu Robotics continues to focus on integrating Embodied AI directly into real-world environments—transforming Physical AI from a technical concept into a practical productivity partner.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the commercial service robotics sector, is dedicated to empowering easier work and better lives through AI and robotics, with a vision of building a global intelligent robotics infrastructure that serves 10 billion people worldwide.

Pudu Robotics has developed key core technologies and components, including robotic joint modules and motion controllers, and has filed more than 1,900 patent applications worldwide. Built on three core technologies—Embodied Navigation, Embodied Manipulation, and Embodied Interaction—Pudu Robotics has pioneered a “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” architecture, establishing a comprehensive product portfolio that includes specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots.

Currently, Pudu offers four major product lines: service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery and general embodied AI. Its solutions are widely deployed across industries such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate and property services, healthcare, entertainment and sport, education, and public services.

To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 units globally, with a presence in more than 85 countries and regions.

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SOURCE Pudu Robotics

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Best AI Productivity Tools for Creators (2026): CapCut Recognized for Faster Video and Image Workflows by Software Experts

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NEW YORK, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Artificial intelligence continues to reshape how digital content is produced, with creators relying on AI tools like CapCut to handle editing, asset generation, and repetitive production tasks that once required several separate applications. As these tools mature, software reviews are placing more weight on workflow efficiency alongside creative output.

Best AI Productivity Tools for Creators

Seedance 2.0 – an AI video generation model that creates videos from text prompts and image inputsPhoto to 3D – an AI tool that transforms 2D photos into images with realistic three-dimensional depth and effects

The use of AI has expanded across independent creators, marketing teams, educators, and small businesses producing content for websites, social media, online stores, and digital campaigns. Rather than using AI for a single task, many creative professionals now incorporate it throughout the production process, from generating concepts and visuals to refining finished content. This has encouraged software reviewers to test how well platforms support complete creative workflows instead of evaluating individual features in isolation.

Software Experts has included CapCut among its 2026 selections for AI productivity tools for creators, citing the platform’s collection of AI-powered features that support faster video and image production. The review examined how integrated AI tools can simplify common creative tasks across video editing, image generation, music creation, and visual enhancement.

What Is Driving Interest in AI Productivity Tools?

Content creators are producing more material than ever across short-form video platforms, social media, online stores, blogs, newsletters, and marketing campaigns. A single project may require multiple image formats, several video versions, captions, background edits, and audio, all within a short production window.

Many creators also repurpose one piece of content into several formats. A long-form video may be edited into short clips for social platforms, paired with custom graphics, accompanied by AI-generated music, and published alongside promotional images. Completing these tasks manually often requires switching between multiple editing applications.

This has encouraged software developers to introduce AI features that reduce manual editing while keeping creators in control of the finished product. Instead of switching between several applications, many creators now prefer platforms that support multiple stages of production within the same workspace.

How Does CapCut Support Video and Image Workflows?

CapCut offers AI tools that assist throughout the creative process, from generating visual assets to preparing finished content for publishing.

Among the tools included are:

Seedance 2.0 for generating AI videos from text promptsGPT Image 2 for creating images from written descriptionsSeedream for AI-generated artwork and creative visualsSeedmusic for producing original music from text promptsAI Image Extender for expanding images while preserving visual consistencyPhoto to 3D for adding depth effects to imagesAI Background Removal for separating subjects from image backgrounds with minimal editing

Together, these features support projects ranging from social media posts and marketing materials to promotional videos, educational content, presentations, and visual concepts, allowing creators to complete more production tasks within a single platform.

Why Are Integrated AI Platforms Receiving More Coverage?

Earlier AI tools often specialized in a single task, such as image generation or video editing. Newer platforms are bringing these functions together to let creators complete more of their work without transferring files between multiple services.

This type of workflow can shorten production time while helping maintain visual consistency across different content formats. It can also reduce the amount of time spent exporting files, reformatting assets, or rebuilding projects in separate applications.

As a result, software evaluations are increasingly examining how efficiently creators can complete everyday production work. Instead of concentrating solely on the number of AI features available, reviewers are also looking at how those tools function together during real-world creative projects.

What Did Software Experts Evaluate?

The review looked at AI tools that support practical creative work across multiple production stages rather than concentrating on a single feature.

Areas included in the evaluation included:

AI-assisted video generationText-to-image creationAI-generated musicBackground removalImage expansionThree-dimensional visual effectsEditing tools that support faster creative workflows

The review also examined how these features work together during typical content production rather than evaluating each tool separately. This reflects the way many creators now build content using interconnected AI tools instead of isolated editing software.

What Does This Mean for Creators?

Creative software continues to incorporate AI across more stages of content production, giving creators additional ways to streamline editing while maintaining creative control. As publishing schedules become more demanding, workflow efficiency has entered software evaluations alongside editing quality and creative flexibility.

Software Experts’ 2026 review places CapCut among AI productivity tools supporting faster video and image workflows through its collection of AI-powered creative features. As AI continues to influence digital content production, reviews are placing emphasis on how effectively platforms help creators complete everyday projects from concept through final publication.

To read the full review, please visit the Software experts website.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

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SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org

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Penetron Strengthens Global Research Collaboration at ICSHM 2026

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PHILADELPHIA, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Penetron participated in the 10th International Conference on Self-Healing Materials (ICSHM 2026), held July 8–10, 2026, at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The international event brought together leading researchers, engineers, and industry representatives to present and discuss the latest advances in self-healing materials and related technologies.

A global delegation of Penetron executives attended the conference, representing the United States, Greece, Italy, Brazil, India, Chile, the United Arab Emirates, Belgium, and Singapore.

“For over 50 years, Penetron has provided self-healing concrete solutions to the industry that optimize concrete durability by sealing cracks and reducing concrete permeability to limit maintenance requirements, extend structural service life, and help protect infrastructure exposed to groundwater, chemicals, chlorides, and other aggressive conditions,” says Christopher Chen, Director of The Penetron Group. “Our participation at the ICSHM reinforces Penetron’s long-standing commitment to international research collaboration and allows us to better understand emerging research and develop leading-edge solutions for real-world construction challenges.”

Hosted at Drexel University’s Bossone Research Enterprise Center, ICSHM 2026 welcomed specialists from more than 18 countries across six continents and featured over 70 technical presentations, including keynote addresses, plenary sessions, research presentations, and an interactive poster program. The conference opened with remarks from Drexel University President Antonio Merlo and ICSHM Chair Dr. Nele De Belie. Finally, the conference provided valuable opportunities for researchers and industry specialists to strengthen cooperation between academia and the construction sector to further develop self-healing technologies.

“Extending the service life of concrete infrastructure requires cooperation between universities, materials specialists, engineers, and industry,” said Jozef Van Beeck, Director of International Sales and Marketing for The Penetron Group. “ICSHM 2026 provided an important forum for connecting scientific research with the practical requirements of the global construction industry.”

The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs, and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives, and distribution channels.

For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com or contact the Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700.

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SOURCE The Penetron Group

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