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PwC Canada launches Physical AI service offering (robotics and autonomous systems) to help organizations unlock a new wave of productivity

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PwC Canada marked the launch with a Toronto event featuring a live robotics demonstration, and two panels with leaders from some of the most established names in manufacturing, telecommunications, defence, science and AI research, including Magna International, Bell Business Markets, Defence Research and Development Canada, and the Vector Institute.

What it is: Physical AI is technology that lets robots and autonomous systems sense, reason, and act in the real world.

Why now: As Physical AI moves from the lab into real-world operations such as mining, manufacturing and logistics, it presents new opportunities to help tackle Canada’s productivity challenges. Some applications include inspecting hazardous areas in mines or monitoring critical equipment in nuclear power plants for improved safety.

The hard part: A successful demonstration is not the same as a sustainable enterprise-wide deployment. PwC Canada helps organizations close that gap.

The solution: PwC Canada’s new offering covers every stage of adoption, from assessing where Physical AI fits to deploying and scaling it across operations.

TORONTO, Sept. 3, 2026 /CNW/ — PwC Canada today launched a Physical AI offering to help organizations move robots and autonomous systems beyond the lab into everyday operations. The offering covers every stage of adoption, from assessing where Physical AI fits to deploying and scaling it across their operations. It builds on PwC’s recognition in the Gartner® 2026 report as a Specialist in the Emerging Market Quadrant for Physical AI Services.

“Physical AI is a generational opportunity to drive a step change in Canada’s productivity equation as global supply chains reshape,” said Subo Chatterjee, Partner and Physical AI and Emerging Technology Leader, PwC Canada.

Unlike earlier automation waves, which followed fixed, rule-based logic, Physical AI can respond and adapt to changing conditions. That adaptability creates new possibilities, but it also makes these systems harder to deploy. The robot is only part of the answer; what determines success is the software, data and integration that turn it into a dependable solution that operators can trust.

“For most organizations, the majority of their cost and risk sits in physical operations, and that is exactly where AI has been the hardest to apply,” added Chatterjee. “A demo proves the concept works; it does not prove that value can be captured. That comes only when the system works reliably and safely, at scale, day after day, in a real operating environment. That is the difference between an experiment and an advantage.”

A demonstration of what is real today:

PwC Canada marked the launch with a Toronto event, “Physical AI in the Real World: From Robots to Resilient Operations,” featuring live demonstrations and two panel discussions. The panels brought together senior leaders from Magna International, Bell Business Markets, Defence Research and Development Canada, the Vector Institute, Foundation Robotics, Mirsee Robotics, REVOBOTS and PwC US.

Drawing on perspectives from manufacturing, telecommunications, defence science, AI research and robotics, the discussion examined one of the defining questions shaping the future of Physical AI: how to deploy these systems reliably, safely and at scale.

“Organizations have always looked for ways to make physical work safer, more productive and more resilient. Mechanization, automation and robotics have each moved us forward,” said Annie Veillet, Partner and Chief Technology Officer, PwC Canada. “Physical AI is the next step in that progression, extending AI into the environments where organizations operate. Since it acts in the real world, alongside people and equipment, trust has to be demonstrated, not assumed. That’s why we connect it to strategy, operations, people and risk, using frameworks like ISO 42001, so it can be adopted responsibly.”

How PwC Canada can help:

PwC Canada meets clients wherever they are on their Physical AI journey: exploring where it fits, deploying a first solution, or scaling across sites. We combine deep operational experience with a vendor-neutral, partner-first approach that includes:

Choosing the right technology with vendor and platform assessment, form-factor guidance and ROI modelling.Tailored use-cases for asset intensive sectors including nuclear, mining, energy and manufacturing.Training and testing systems using simulation and digital twins to train and validate safely before they go live.Keeping operations running and improving through integration, governance, cybersecurity and ongoing support.

For more information, visit PwC Canada’s Physical AI page.

About PwC Canada

At PwC Canada, we help clients build trust and reinvent so they can turn complexity into competitive advantage. We’re a tech-forward, people-empowered network with more than 6,500 partners and staff in offices across the country. Across audit and assurance, tax and legal, deals and consulting, we help build, accelerate and sustain momentum.

PwC refers to the Canadian member firm and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details. Find out more by visiting us at: www.pwc.com/ca

© 2026 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership. All rights reserved.

SOURCE PwC Management Services LP

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CHiQ at IFA 2026: From Global Expansion to Deeper Local Engagement

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September 4, 2026

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BERLIN, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At IFA Berlin on September 4, CHiQ unveiled its new AI-powered home appliance range, covering TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washer-dryer combos. Rather than emphasizing technical specifications in isolation, the brand demonstrated how AI integrates into real-life household routines, marking a shift from technological innovation to everyday experiences and reflecting parent company Changhong’s continued focus on localization across global markets.

To address diverse household needs, CHiQ is embedding AI into a growing number of everyday scenarios. Its RGB MiniLED AI TV lineup integrates an integrated AI Sports Platform, transforming the TV from a traditional display into an interactive hub for home fitness and shared activities. The air conditioner features AI Human Presence Radar, which detects users’ locations and habits to adjust airflow dynamically. Meanwhile, the AI-powered refrigerator and laundry care system employ intelligent sensing and monitoring to help users take a more proactive approach to managing food freshness and garment cleanliness.

On IFA’s opening day, Grundig, CHiQ’s strategic partner and a premium European home appliance brand, presented a new product lineup across TVs, refrigerators, washer-dryers, and air conditioners. This showcase represents a further extension of Grundig’s brand development and product strategy and points to a new direction for Grundig in European and global markets.

In recent years, CHiQ’s focus has centered on simplifying everyday household chores through smart innovation. The brand has introduced a virtual giant panda as an AI interactive assistant, adding warmth and personality to its smart TVs and other AI-enabled appliances while naturally incorporating distinctive elements of Chinese culture into the user experience.

Skiing has also become another bridge connecting CHiQ with European lifestyles. Over the same period, the brand has strengthened its European presence as an official data partner of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. These efforts have deepened CHiQ’s connections with consumers in Europe and around the world. At the same time, the brand incorporates the speed of skiing and the pristine character of winter sports into its products, bringing technology closer to users’ lifestyles.

Behind these initiatives lies a broader shift: CHiQ is advancing its localization efforts. From product experiences and brand messaging to sports, culture and other aspects of local life, the company is establishing more diverse touchpoints as it expands its presence in Europe. Moving beyond simply entering overseas markets toward becoming part of them, CHiQ is bringing its global expansion into closer alignment with the local markets it serves.

About CHiQ

CHiQ, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and household appliances, is redefining industry standards with innovative products, intelligent technologies, and a growing commitment to corporate social responsibility. Its influence continues to grow across global markets, especially in Europe.

SOURCE CHiQ

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New Poll: Parents Overwhelmingly Support the Agreement Between the States & Meta To Keep Young People Safe Online

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September 4, 2026

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More Than Four-in-Five Parents Want Other Platforms Such As TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat to Adopt Safeguards

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Coalition to Empower our Future (CEF) today released new research finding overwhelming support among parents nationwide for the recent agreement between states across the country and Meta to strengthen protections for young people online and give parents additional tools to support their children. The findings show that parents not only support the agreement, but also want other social media platforms to follow Meta’s lead and implement similar protections so young people have consistent safeguards across platforms.

“Parents want practical tools that help them keep their kids safe online, and they want those tools no matter what platform their kids are on,” said Glen Weiner, executive director of the Coalition to Empower our Future. “This agreement is an important step forward that will help protect young people using Instagram and Facebook, but kids don’t spend all their time on one platform. To continue making progress, other social media platforms need to join these efforts and adopt the same policies. There’s no single solution to the challenges young people are facing, but giving parents more tools and helping young people build healthier habits with technology are important pieces of a broader, comprehensive approach.”

According to the survey, more than four-in-five parents across the country support the agreement between the states and Meta, including 82 percent of Democratic parents and 84 percent of Republican parents. Other key findings include:

Parents believe the new safety measures will have a positive impact on youth mental health, including expanded parental controls (82 percent), daily screen-time limits (80 percent), and muting notifications during school hours (77 percent) and overnight (76 percent).Overwhelming majorities of parents on both sides of the aisle want other platforms to adopt the same policies. More than four-in-five say other platforms should implement the same online safety measures, including 85 percent of Democratic parents and 86 percent of Republican parents.

Support is similarly strong when parents are asked about individual platforms, including:TikTok (85 percent);YouTube (84 percent); andSnapchat (82 percent).Parents want policymakers to take action. Four-in-five parents (80 percent) would support their state legislature putting these online safety measures into law, and more than two-thirds of parents (67 percent) would be more likely to vote for an elected official who advances these measures.

The new findings build on previous research from CEF showing that parents and voters want a comprehensive approach to youth mental health that gives families practical tools and teaches young people how to navigate technology safely and responsibly.

The full research findings can be found HERE.

The research, conducted between August 28 and August 31, 2026, in partnership with Mercury Analytics, included an online survey of 1,000 parents nationwide.

About the Coalition to Empower our Future

Coalition to Empower our Future is an organization bringing together a range of voices to fully inform solutions that empower youth, parents, communities, and society. The Coalition to Empower our Future supports solutions that are inclusive of the full spectrum of factors impacting youth mental health. Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo, and Dr. Caroline Carney, a board-certified psychiatrist and internist, serve on the board of directors of the Coalition to Empower our Future.

To learn more, visit empowerourfuturecoalition.com or follow Coalition to Empower our Future on Facebook, X and YouTube.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-poll-parents-overwhelmingly-support-the-agreement-between-the-states–meta-to-keep-young-people-safe-online-302870113.html

SOURCE Coalition to Empower our Future

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Bybit On-Chain Earn Raises BTC Staking Yield by 50% to 1.2% APR

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September 4, 2026

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DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 4, 2026 /CNW/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is pleased to announce Bybit On-Chain Earn has partnered with Function (FBTC) to upgrade its BTC staking Vault product, raising the guaranteed annualized return from 0.8% to as much as 1.2%, a 50% increase of the evergreen offering.  With Bybit, BTC holders no longer need to sit on their idle asset as they navigate a range-bound BTC.

In early September 2026, BTC has been consolidating around the $80,000 level after rebounding from roughly $62,600 in August and briefly climbing above $81,000 in late August. The cryptocurrency continues to hold above its key moving averages, encouraging many long-term holders to maintain their position.

Bybit On-Chain Earn‘s new BTC staking solution comes with a guaranteed minimum return, distinguishing it from variable-rate products where yield fluctuates with market conditions. Eligible users may subscribe to a fixed 45-day term with no option for early redemption. A subscription cap of 200 BTC applies. Upon maturity, participants can opt into automatic renewal, allowing both principal and accrued returns to roll seamlessly into the next staking cycle without requiring manual reinvestment. This structure is designed to give BTC holders a straightforward way to generate yield on idle holdings while maintaining predictable, fixed-term commitments.

The partnership with Function, the protocol behind FBTC, extends Bybit’s collaboration with the DeFi and TradFi convergence space, diversifying user access to potential yield opportunities across the digital asset landscape.

The upgraded exclusive BTC vault is now live on Bybit. Terms and conditions apply. Users may visit Bybit On-Chain Earn for details on eligibility requirements and potential restrictions.

#Bybit  / #NewFinancialPlatform

About Bybit

Bybit is The New Financial Platform.

We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.

Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.

Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.

Learn more at Bybit.com

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bybit-on-chain-earn-raises-btc-staking-yield-by-50-to-1-2-apr-302870204.html

SOURCE Bybit

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