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Baidu’s Apollo Go and Freenow by Lyft Begin Road Testing in London

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Baidu’s Apollo Go and Freenow by Lyft have commenced the testing of Apollo Go’s sixth-gen autonomous vehicle (RT6) in London.Initial road testing with safety operators on board will take place in Brent, a borough in west and north-west London.Apollo Go and Freenow by Lyft plan to welcome public riders starting in 2027.

BEIJING and LONDON, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888) today announced that its autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, has begun road testing in London with Freenow by Lyft. Testing will begin in the borough of Brent with safety operators on board, covering a mix of urban and suburban driving environments. Apollo Go and Freenow by Lyft plan to welcome public riders starting in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

The deployment builds on the strategic partnership announced by Baidu and Lyft in 2025 for Lyft to deploy Apollo Go autonomous vehicles across key European markets through the Lyft platform. Under the partnership, Apollo Go provides the RT6 vehicles and autonomous driving technology, while Freenow by Lyft contributes its local operational expertise to ensure smooth testing and operation of the fleet.

The London program builds on Apollo Go’s testing experience in Hong Kong, its first right-hand-drive market. On July 23, 2026, Apollo Go received the first fully driverless trial permit from Hong Kong’s Transport Department, with testing beginning on Airport Island on July 27. This marks Hong Kong’s first Level 4 autonomous trial on public roads without an on-board safety operator, and the first fully driverless trial in any right-hand-drive market globally. These milestones demonstrate the adaptability of Apollo Go’s autonomous driving technology across diverse road environments.

“The arrival of Apollo Go vehicles in London marks a defining milestone in our global expansion,” said Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Overseas Business Unit, Intelligent Driving Group. “Testing our autonomous fleet in one of the world’s most iconic and complex urban environments validates our technology’s maturity and our commitment to this market. By combining our cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Freenow by Lyft’s local operational expertise, we are officially moving from vision to reality, together.”

Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said: “As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving. By integrating these purpose-built, autonomous vehicles from Baidu’s Apollo Go into the Freenow by Lyft ecosystem, we will give Londoners more sustainable choices to travel, encouraging them to choose shared mobility services over personally-owned vehicles.”

The RT6 vehicles will operate as part of a hybrid network alongside Freenow’s established taxi and private hire vehicles. For riders, this means faster pickup times as the number of vehicles on the platform increases. Research by Censuswide shows a strong appetite for autonomous vehicles among Londoners, with 58% saying they would be likely to try one, and nearly two-thirds of those under 35 are in favor*.

The London deployment adds to the rapidly expanding global footprint of Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service. As of April 2026, Apollo Go had provided more than 22 million cumulative rides to the public. In Q1 2026 alone, it completed 3.2 million fully driverless rides, a volume growing at over 120% year-over-year. As of May, Apollo Go’s global footprint spanned 27 cities, and its fleets had accumulated over 330 million autonomous kilometers globally, including more than 220 million fully driverless kilometers, all while maintaining a strong safety record.

*This research was commissioned by Freenow by Lyft in partnership with Censuswide in March 2026. The survey sampled 3,001 respondents.

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu’s mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under “BIDU” and HKEX under “9888.” One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

About Freenow by Lyft

Freenow by Lyft features broad multi-mobility options across 9 European markets and over 180 cities. Millions of passengers can access various mobility services within a single app, including taxis, private hire vehicles, carsharing, car rental, e-scooters, e-bikes, e-mopeds and public transport. With headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, Freenow is led by CEO Thomas Zimmermann.

In July 2025, Freenow was acquired by Lyft, a global mobility platform offering a mix of rideshare, taxis, private hire vehicles, executive chauffeur services, car sharing, bikes, and scooters across 6 continents and thousands of cities. Millions of drivers have chosen to earn on billions of rides. Together, Freenow and Lyft are helping to create a more connected world, with transportation options for everyone.

Media Contact: intlcomm@baidu.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidus-apollo-go-and-freenow-by-lyft-begin-road-testing-in-london-302836171.html

SOURCE Baidu, Inc.

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Lennox Earns Two 2026 HVAC All-Star Awards for Innovation and Industry Leadership

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July 28, 2026

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Strategos® rooftop units earn Commercial Product honors while Dave Chatmon is recognized with the HVAC Legend Award

DALLAS, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (ACHR) News has recognized Lennox for excellence in innovation and industry leadership with two 2026 HVAC All-Star Awards. Lennox Commercial HVAC Strategos® Rooftop Units earned top honors in the Commercial Product category, while Lennox Residential HVAC District Manager Dave Chatmon was named the recipient of the HVAC Legend award.

Strategos® Rooftop Units, recognized as the Commercial Product category winner, deliver ultra-high-efficiency heating and cooling with an electrification-ready design. Available in Heat Pump and Dual Fuel configurations, Strategos® integrates advanced variable-speed technology and intelligent controls with the Lennox® CORE Control System, to support easier installation, streamline retrofit applications, and provide technicians with real-time system visibility. The result is a flexible, high-performance solution that helps building owners advance sustainability goals while maintaining reliable operation.

“This recognition reflects the innovation, expertise, and customer focus that went into developing Strategos®,” said Joe Nassab, Executive Vice President and President, Building Climate Solutions at Lennox. “Our team set out to create a solution that helps customers navigate the transition to electrification without compromising performance or serviceability. We are honored to see that vision recognized by ACHR News and the broader HVAC community.”

District Manager Dave Chatmon, winner of the Legend award, was recognized for more than 40 years of contributions to the residential HVAC industry, including 18 years with Lennox. Throughout his career, Chatmon has been a champion for mentorship, innovation, and community engagement, helping shape the careers of countless HVAC professionals while advancing industry education and charitable outreach initiatives.

Among his many accomplishments, Chatmon founded the Lennox Vision Tech training event, creating new opportunities for technician development and professional growth. He also helped launch the Lennox Feel the Love™ program, which has provided residential heating and cooling systems to deserving families and community organizations across North America. His commitment to serving others and strengthening the HVAC industry has earned him widespread respect throughout the profession.

“Dave’s impact on our industry extends far beyond his professional achievements,” said Sarah Martin, Executive Vice President and President of Home Comfort Solutions at Lennox. “For decades, he has invested in people, championed education, and created opportunities that have strengthened the HVAC community. This recognition as an HVAC All-Star Legend is a well-deserved honor, and we are proud to celebrate his contributions.”

To learn more about these recognitions and other innovations from Lennox, visit Lennox.com.

About Lennox
Lennox (NYSE: LII) is a leader in energy-efficient building solutions and is committed to creating healthier and more comfortable environments. Serving residential and commercial customers, the company delivers innovative heating, cooling, indoor air quality, refrigeration, and water heating systems. Through trusted products, parts, and services, and advanced technology, Lennox delivers connected solutions that support the full lifecycle of customer needs. Additional information is available at www.lennox.com.

For media inquiries, contact PR@lennox.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lennox-earns-two-2026-hvac-all-star-awards-for-innovation-and-industry-leadership-302835852.html

SOURCE Lennox International Inc.

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The Op Games Unleashes Flip 7™: Liquid Death

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32 minutes ago

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July 28, 2026

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As a Killer New Twist on the Award-Winning Card Game, the Murderous Makeover is Complete with Exclusive New Action Cards Inspired by Liquid Death

CARLSBAD, Calif., July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Op Games, the board game and puzzle publisher behind iconic licensed games and best-selling party games Telestrations®, Blank Slate™, Hues and Cues™, The Original Tapple®, and Flip 7™, today announced a partnership with Liquid Death to release Flip 7™: Liquid Death Edition, a new version of its viral card game that combines the addictive gameplay fans know and love with the beverage brand’s unmistakable sense of humor.

Flip 7: Liquid Death takes the original game’s ultimate blend of pressing your luck and strategy up a notch with two new actions, “Kill a Card” and “Murder the Modifiers,” adding a bit of grim to game night in the best way possible. Players score points based on the total number value of the cards in front of them, taking turns flipping over cards one by one. The catch? There’s only one 1, two 2s, three 3s, etc., and if you draw a second card with the same number as one already in your line, you’re dead in the water. Command death by being the first to successfully flip 7 different number cards into your line, automatically ending the round for everyone, and scoring 15 bonus points. The first to score 200 points wins!

“Flip 7 has become one of our biggest success stories at The Op, and we have so much fun creating custom, branded editions with partners like Liquid Death,” said Dane Chapin, CEO of The Op. “This edition perfectly captures the chaotic fun that ensues each time Flip 7 is played, and that mayhem is exactly what has made it a game night staple across generations.”

“Flip 7 fans are in for a fun new twist to their favorite game,” said Misha Brunelli, VP of Merch and Apparel at Liquid Death. “The team at The Op Games did a great job bringing Liquid Death into the game.”

Flip 7: Liquid Death (MSRP: $9.95) is available now on Amazon. Designed for up to 18 players, ages 8+, and featuring new artwork inspired by Liquid Death’s unmistakable aesthetic, Flip 7: Liquid Death delivers the same easy-to-learn, addictive gameplay with a bold new look – perfect for longtime fans to add to their collection.

To learn more about the game and The Op, visit www.TheOp.Games, and follow along on social (@TheOpGames) for more on the latest game announcements and launches. For official images and other game assets, contact TheOp@ResoundMarketing.com.

About The Op Games

The Op Games is a family entertainment company and leading publisher and manufacturer of board games and puzzles for over 30 years! Our diverse portfolio includes award-winning and best-selling titles such as FLIP 7™, TELESTRATIONS™, BLANK SLATE™, HUES & CUES™, TAPPLE™, and more. The Op Games continues to partner with marquee brands and licensors such as Hasbro, Disney, Marvel, Nintendo, and Warner Bros. The Op Games is passionate about bringing family, friends, and fans together to create memorable experiences through play! Learn more at www.TheOp.games.

About Liquid Death

As one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic beverage brands, Liquid Death uses comedy and entertainment to make health and sustainability 50 times more fun. We take low-calorie beverages and package them into infinitely recyclable cans that compete with the fun marketing of unhealthy brands across beer and junk food. Our product lines include mountain water, soda-flavored sparkling water, iced tea, and energy. We donate a portion of our proceeds to help kill plastic pollution. For more information on Liquid Death please visit liquiddeath.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-op-games-unleashes-flip-7-liquid-death-302836056.html

SOURCE The Op Games

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Introducing Futuri Content Automation: Newsrooms Cut Production Time 80% and Cost 15%+ Annually

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July 28, 2026

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Futuri Content Automation is a new production platform that helps broadcast newsrooms cover more stories, publish to every platform, and triple digital output without adding headcount.

AUSTIN, Texas, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Futuri, the leader in AI-powered media technology, has announced Futuri Content Automation, a production platform built to help broadcasters and digital publishers cover more stories and publish more content every hour without adding headcount.

Stations in the early access program have cut production time by 80%, increased digital content output by 300%, and are saving more than 15% on news and digital content production costs.

Futuri Content Automation takes raw inputs, including press conferences, briefings, press releases, and live event footage, and produces publish-ready articles, video clips, social posts, and branded graphics in minutes.

“Newsrooms are being asked to produce more content than ever with fewer people,” said Chris Huneke, Vice President of Product at Futuri. “Futuri Content Automation gives them a way to meet that demand responsibly, freeing journalists from repetitive production work so they can focus on reporting. That same problem: more content, more platforms, flat resources, is one every content producer faces today, from sports organizations to creators to corporate and marketing teams. We built Content Automation to solve it for all of them.”

To see a live demo or book a strategy session, visit Futurimedia.com/Contact.

Early Access Program Results

Metric

Result

Production Time Reduction

80 %

Digital Content Output Increase

300 %

Annual Savings per Station

15%+

Press Conference to Published Clip

6 minutes

Supported Video Formats

3 (16:9, 9:16, 1:1)

How Does Futuri Content Automation Work?

Futuri Content Automation handles the production steps that consume the most staff time, transforming raw inputs into multi-platform-ready content in minutes.

What types of content can it process?

Press conferences and live event footageAired newscasts and long-form videoPress releasesVideo news packagesRaw field footage and reporter interviewsLive video streams

What outputs does it generate?

First drafts of produced news packagesReversioned videos for every resolution and platform, including OTTAuto-edited Video clips with burned-in captions and branded overlaysPublish-ready web articles with SEO metadata and AI imagesSocial posts formatted and sized for each platformPodcast episodes auto-generated from newscast segmentsBroadcast-ready teases and metadata for every story

How long does processing take?

Six-minute turnarounds from press conference to publishable clip. A 45-minute press conference that traditionally takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to process has the most viral and information-focused clips ready in 6 minutes.

How does it handle different platforms?

Every video asset is automatically reversioned for horizontal (16:9), vertical (9:16), and square (1:1) outputs, with captions, branded overlays, and metadata included. No manual resizing required. One 30-minute newscast becomes 15 YouTube clips, 15 TikTok videos, and 15 Instagram posts, all generated automatically.

Enterprise Integration

Futuri Content Automation plugs directly into existing newsroom infrastructure, including ENPS, iNews, WordPress VIP, and other major CMS platforms. Stations in the early access program report extraordinary time savings from automatic integration with CMS, requiring little-to-no training for newsroom team members.

Role-based review and approval workflows give editors and news directors control over what goes live, ensuring editorial standards stay intact.

A New Opportunity for Partners Who Support Content Producers

Content Automation is also available as a reseller offering. Agencies, platforms, integrators, and any company that already supports content producers can add Content Automation to their suite, giving clients a turnkey way to scale output while opening a new, recurring revenue line for the partner.

“Every company that serves content producers is looking for ways to deliver more value,” added Huneke. “Content Automation lets our partners offer their clients a production capability that used to require a full team, and make it part of what they already sell.”

Partners interested in reselling Content Automation can learn more at https://futurimedia.com/contact.

More Impressions, More Stories in Less Time

There is more pressure than ever to cover large news markets more efficiently. In newsrooms, where every story requires reformatting, captioning, metadata tagging, and multi-platform distribution, that burden is higher.

Ready to see what your newsroom could do with 80% of its production time back? Request a live demo at Futurimedia.com/Contact.

About Futuri
Automate the Grind. Elevate the Genius.

About Futuri

Futuri is a global leader in AI technology for sales enablement, data enablement, and content automation. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Futuri is trusted by 7,000+ companies across 22 countries. Key solutions include TopLine sales intelligence for B2B enterprise sales teams, TopicPulse real-time content trends, Content Automation, AudioAI, SpotOn for commercial production, and POST podcast automation. More at FuturiMedia.com.

Media Contact: [Fulani Clarke] [marketing@futurimedia.com] [(877) 221-7979]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-futuri-content-automation-newsrooms-cut-production-time-80-and-cost-15-annually-302836135.html

SOURCE Futuri Media

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