Connect with us

Technology

Achieve boosts HELOC loan limit to $700,000 with APRs as low as 5.5%

Published

on

Larger, fixed-rate HELOC gives qualified homeowners greater borrowing power and access to more home equity

SAN MATEO, Calif., June 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Achieve, the leader in digital personal finance, has increased the maximum loan amount available through its fixed-rate home equity line of credit (HELOC) to $700,000 and lowered its best available annual percentage rate (APR) to 5.5% for borrowers who meet certain qualifications, such as enrolling in autopay.

The updates took effect June 2 and are expected to improve homeowners’ access to home equity through expanded loan limits, a new maximum combined loan-to-value ratio of up to 90% and a new maximum debt-to-income ratio of up to 50%. Borrowers can continue to benefit from robust underwriting standards and consumer-centric features including flexible loan terms, fully amortizing payments and fixed rates.

The changes mark the second major expansion of Achieve’s HELOC offering in 2026. In April, Achieve increased loan limits to $500,000 and lowered interest rates in many credit tiers.

“Our previous loan limit increase has been well received by homeowners and investors alike and we feel confident this latest increase to $700,000 will give qualified borrowers greater flexibility to use their home equity in ways that align with their financial goals,” said Achieve President of Lending Kyle Enright.

Achieve’s fixed-rate HELOC combines the flexibility of accessing home equity with the certainty of fixed, monthly payments throughout the repayment term. Unlike traditional variable-rate HELOCs, Achieve’s fixed-rate HELOCs are fully amortizing for the entire life of the loan, helping borrowers avoid payment shock associated with variable rates, interest-only periods and balloon payments. The product can be used for a variety of purposes, including debt consolidation, home improvements and other major expenses.

Features and benefits of the Achieve HELOC include:

Fixed Rates and Fully Amortizing Payments: Transparent pricing and payment terms without the risky teaser rates, interest-only periods and bait-and-switch tactics that can trap homeowners in a debt spiralLow Credit Score Requirement: Minimum required credit score of 600Flexible Application Process: Borrowers can start their loan application online or over the phoneNo In-Person Appraisals: State-of-the-art automated valuation models ensure accurate home valuations while reducing time and expense during loan underwritingFast Underwriting: HELOCs close in as little as 7 business daysConvenient Closings: Borrowers can digitally sign most loan documents and a mobile notary is dispatched to borrowers to collect remaining ink-signed documentsExpanded Loan Limits: Borrow up to $700,000Greater Access to Home Equity: Qualified borrowers may be eligible to borrow up to 90% of their home’s value5-Year Draw Period: Borrowers can pay down and borrow from their HELOC for up to five yearsRepay on Your Timeline: 10, 15, 20 and 30-year terms available, with no prepayment penalty for the life of the HELOCDirect Creditor Pay: Borrowers using their HELOC to consolidate debt have the convenience of Achieve paying off their creditors directlyWidespread Availability: Achieve HELOCs are available in 31 states, encompassing nearly 80% of the U.S. population

The expanded HELOC terms are now available in Achieve’s direct-to-consumer experience, and will later be available through Achieve Pro, a new HELOC third-party origination channel that’s expected to launch in the second half of 2026.

“As we continue building our national TPO platform, enhancements like higher loan limits make our fixed-rate HELOC even more compelling for our lender partners and their clients,” said Managing Director of Achieve Home Loans Nectar Kalajian. “Homeowners are looking for flexible ways to access home equity, and mortgage professionals want products that can serve a wider range of borrower needs. Expanding our maximum loan amount strengthens our ability to support both.”

About Achieve

Achieve, THE digital personal finance company, helps everyday people get on, and stay on, the path to a better financial future. Achieve pairs proprietary data and analytics with personalized support to offer personal loans, home equity loans, debt relief and debt consolidation, along with financial tips and education and free mobile apps: Achieve MoLO® (Money Left Over) and Achieve GOOD™ (Get Out Of Debt). Achieve is frequently recognized for providing top-rated customer experience and satisfaction by both consumers and leading personal finance review platforms and has 2,200 dedicated teammates across the country, with hubs in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.

Achieve refers to the global organization and may denote one or more affiliates of Achieve Company, including Achieve.com, Equal Housing Opportunity (NMLS ID #138464); Achieve Home Loans, Equal Housing Opportunity (NMLS ID #1810501); Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS ID #227977); Freedom Debt Relief (NMLS ID # 1248929); and Freedom Financial Asset Management (CRD #170229).

Contacts

Austin Kilgore
akilgore@achieve.com
214-908-5097

Elina Tarkazikise
tarkazikis@achieve.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/achieve-boosts-heloc-loan-limit-to-700-000-with-aprs-as-low-as-5-5-302790805.html

SOURCE Achieve

Continue Reading

Technology

Agile Robots Launches Agile ONE SN Humanoid at NVIDIA GTC Berlin and Pilots Humanoids with Audi

Published

on

By

BERLIN, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On 21 October, Agile Robots and NVIDIA launched the research humanoid Agile ONE SN at NVIDIA GTC Berlin. Agile Robots has released its new-generation Diana 7 and Diana 3 arms, both supporting the Franka Control Interface (FCI).

Agile ONE SN: humanoid reference platform

Agile ONE SN is built on the NVIDIA Isaac GR00T development platform. The 1.4-metre, 43-kilogram humanoid has dual WUJI tactile five-finger hands and 71 degrees of freedom in total, runs on NVIDIA Jetson Thor and ships with the GR00T 1.7 open VLA model. Skills developed on it can transfer to the full-size industrial Agile ONE. Availability is planned for early 2027.

Two days earlier, at the Invest in Germany Summit in Berlin, NVIDIA announced plans to invest in Agile Robots.

“Agile ONE SN gives R&D labs around the world a complete humanoid platform that is ready from day one,” said Dr. Zhaopeng Chen, founder and CEO of Agile Robots.

Application: humanoids in Audi’s logistics

Agile Robots, AUDI AG, Dassault Systèmes and NVIDIA also announced a joint project at Audi’s Ingolstadt plant. In the Audi Production Lab, mobile humanoids pick parts from containers and sequence them for final assembly, a task performed around one million times a day. The workcell is first tested in a DELMIA virtual twin accelerated by NVIDIA Omniverse libraries.

Diana 7 and Diana 3: one interface, from lab to industrial payloads

Diana 7 extends Franka Research 3 to higher payloads and reach, while Diana 3 brings the same force-control platform to entry-level research. Both share ±0.05 mm repeatability and 0.5 N relative force-control accuracy, and both support FCI, so Franka Research 3 code moves directly to Diana.

Diana 3 keeps seven degrees of freedom, joint torque sensing and compliant control for precision manipulation, lab automation and sample handling. Diana 7, shown at the 26th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai (12–16 October), offers 7 kg payload and 923 mm reach, and weighs 2 kg less than before.

About Agile Robots

Founded in Munich in 2018 by robotics researchers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Agile Robots provides AI-powered robotics solutions and employs more than 3,500 people worldwide. With its subsidiaries BÄR Automation, Franka Robotics, idealworks and Krause Automation, it covers all areas of AI-driven robotics.

For inquiries, please contact us via apac-sales@agile-robots.com and visit our official website at www.agile-robots.com 

CONTACT:
Agile Robots
apac-sales@agile-robots.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/agile-robots-launches-agile-one-sn-humanoid-at-nvidia-gtc-berlin-and-pilots-humanoids-with-audi-302920325.html

SOURCE Agile Robots

Continue Reading

Technology

ECOVACS WINBOT W3 OMNI Named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026

Published

on

By

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2026 /CNW/ — ECOVACS ROBOTICS, a global leader in home service robotics, is honored to announce that its WINBOT W3 OMNI has been named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list[1]. This recognition underscores ECOVACS’ leadership in the robotic window cleaning, driven by relentless technological innovation, and highlights how these breakthroughs are reshaping everyday life in meaningful ways.

Acclaimed by TIME for turning the demanding task of cleaning floor-to-ceiling windows into a more effortless experience, WINBOT W3 OMNI builds on ECOVACS’ strong market position in the category, with the company shipping approximately 1.075 million robotic window cleaners in the first half of 2026 and capturing over 50%[2] of the global robotic window cleaner market in 2025. This market leadership is underpinned by ECOVACS’ pioneering role in defining and continuously advancing the robotic window cleaner category. Since introducing WINBOT, ECOVACS has continued to drive user-focused innovations that elevate cleaning performance, simplify the cleaning process, and bring greater autonomy to window care.

For more than two decades, TIME Best Inventions list recognizes groundbreaking innovations with the potential to change how we live, work, play, and think about what’s possible. Selected through a rigorous editorial process, ECOVACS WINBOT W3 OMNI earns its place on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list, recognized for its originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.

WINBOT’s recognition by TIME as one of the Best Inventions reflects more than a single product breakthrough. It is built on ECOVACS’ years of technological expertise, extensive patent portfolio and ability to leverage core technologies across robotics, sensing, algorithms and intelligent manufacturing. With more than 3,100 patents granted and over RMB 5.2 billion invested in R&D since 2018, ECOVACS has established a strong technological foundation for translating its broader robotics capabilities into innovations tailored to the unique challenges of window cleaning. This accumulated expertise enables the continuous evolution of WINBOT, helping advance the category and deliver increasingly intelligent, reliable and effective cleaning experiences.

Showcasing ECOVACS’ innovation prowess, WINBOT W3 OMNI features a revolutionary station equipped with Vortex Wash, the industry’s first contact-free wiping pad washing system that eliminates the hassle of hand-washing dirty pads. Combined with the TruEdge scrubber, which brings precise edge-to-edge cleaning with millimeter-level accuracy, WINBOT W3 OMNI delivers a more thorough, hands-off cleaning experience.

Beyond WINBOT, ECOVACS is bringing robotics to more corners of everyday life through its expanding multi-category portfolio, from indoor floor care to outdoor pool cleaning and lawn maintenance, to make daily life easier and give people more time for what matters most.

About ECOVACS ROBOTICS:

Founded in 2006, ECOVACS ROBOTICS is a global leader in home service robotics with a diverse portfolio of products encompassing robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic window cleaners. With its expansion into robotic lawn mowers, commercial cleaning robots, robotic pool cleaners and robotic pet companions, ECOVACS solidified its position as a multi-category leader in home service robotics.

Guided by the vision “Robotics for All”, ECOVACS continues to advance technology and enhance the user experience to make life smarter and more stylish for consumers worldwide. With sales subsidiaries in Germany, the United States, Japan, and Singapore, ECOVACS products reach nearly 180 major markets and serve over 38 million households globally.

A testament to this market leadership, ECOVACS ROBOTICS has ranked first in China’s robotic vacuum cleaner market by share for ten consecutive years (2015-2024).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ecovacs-winbot-w3-omni-named-to-times-best-inventions-of-2026-302920327.html

SOURCE ECOVACS ROBOTICS

Continue Reading

Technology

Compal and ARC Cloud Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Large-Scale AI Infrastructure

Published

on

By

The MOU outlines a global strategic collaboration spanning advanced AI computing systems, high-performance GPU clusters and next-generation data center infrastructure.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Compal Electronics, Inc. (TWSE: 2324) (“Compal”) and ARC Cloud today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance their strategic collaboration in large-scale AI computing infrastructure.

Signed during the 2026 OCP Global Summit, the MOU establishes a framework for collaboration across multiple projects. As part of their broader collaboration, the companies will explore opportunities related to a data center development roadmap of up to 100 MW. The partnership also aligns with ARC Cloud’s plans for continued expansion through significant capital investments in AI infrastructure and data center development across the United States, including California, Nevada, Texas and Georgia.

The collaboration brings together Compal’s advanced AI server technologies and manufacturing expertise with ARC Cloud’s end-to-end capabilities in AI infrastructure investment and the design, deployment and operation of large-scale GPU clusters.

The partnership extends beyond AI server supply to encompass system engineering, technical validation, deployment coordination and ongoing support. By aligning advanced computing technologies with infrastructure requirements, the companies aim to accelerate the delivery of computing capacity for AI model training, fine-tuning and inference.

“AI computing is moving toward increasingly integrated, high-density systems that require closer coordination between technology manufacturers and infrastructure providers,” said Alan Chang, Vice President of Infrastructure Systems Business Group (ISBU) at Compal. “Our partnership with ARC Cloud allows us to build on our engineering strengths and explore new opportunities to support the growing NeoCloud market.”

How the Companies Will Work Together

Under the MOU, Compal will contribute its expertise in AI server manufacturing, rack-scale integration and liquid-cooling technologies. ARC Cloud will bring its capabilities in infrastructure investment, strategic technology partnerships, and the engineering and operation of high-performance GPU clusters.

The companies will work to align system configurations, production schedules and data center deployment requirements, while exploring cooperation in joint engineering, system validation and lifecycle technical support. These efforts are intended to improve deployment efficiency and operational readiness as AI computing environments grow in scale and complexity.

“AI customers need more than access to GPUs. They need computing environments that can deliver consistent performance for demanding workloads,” said William Tiah, Co-Founder of ARC Cloud. “Working with Compal allows us to bring system engineering and infrastructure planning closer together, helping us build and operate reliable GPU clusters as demand for AI computing continues to grow.”

About Compal

Founded in 1984, Compal is a leading global manufacturer of computers and smart devices and a Forbes Global 2000 company, partnering with top-tier brands worldwide. The company has expanded into cloud servers, automotive electronics, smart medical and healthcare, and advanced communication solutions. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, Compal operates globally across the U.S., Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, and Poland. Website: https://www.compal.com

About ARC Cloud

ARC Cloud (Accelerated Research Computing) is a U.S.-based, full-stack NeoCloud company specializing in the investment, development and operation of large-scale AI computing infrastructure. With end-to-end capabilities spanning data center development, GPU cluster design and deployment, infrastructure orchestration and operations, and cloud-based AI services, ARC Cloud provides dedicated GPU compute, managed infrastructure, model deployment and production inference for AI developers, enterprises and cloud service providers. Website: https://arccloudai.com

Forward-Looking Statements

The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation and does not constitute a binding investment or purchase commitment. The potential 100 MW data center development roadmap referenced in this announcement is exploratory and does not represent a confirmed project, capacity commitment, purchase commitment or revenue forecast. Specific projects, capacity, commercial terms and timelines remain subject to further agreements and applicable conditions. Actual outcomes may differ from current expectations.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/compal-and-arc-cloud-forge-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-large-scale-ai-infrastructure-302920332.html

SOURCE Compal Electronics, Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending