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Wolfspeed Launches New York Semiconductor Registered Apprenticeship Program with Support from the National Institute of Innovation and Technology

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Wolfspeed signs first apprentice for Registered Apprenticeship Program to support workforce development for its Mohawk Valley Fab

HANOVER, Md., March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today the National Institute for Innovation and Technology and the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) applauded U.S. semiconductor manufacturing company Wolfspeed for the establishment of its New York Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). As the nation’s leader in semiconductor talent pipeline development, the Institute serves as the USDOL’s national Intermediary responsible for expanding Registered Apprenticeships (RAs) throughout the semiconductor and nanotechnology industry supply chains.

Facilitated by the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) through the Institute’s Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductor (GAINS) program, Wolfspeed’s program will provide opportunities for workers that are looking to expand their skills and build a career in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industry.

“We commend Wolfspeed for championing domestic semiconductor manufacturing with the establishment of its Registered Apprenticeship at their Mohawk Valley Fab,” stated Mike Russo, President and CEO of the Institute. “As the USDOL Intermediary dedicated to expanding Registered Apprenticeships throughout the semiconductor and nanotechnology-related supply chains, we’re thrilled to offer technical support and subject-matter expertise to Wolfspeed through our GAINS program. Registered Apprenticeships provide individuals from all backgrounds with the chance to obtain high-quality jobs and vital skills through a learn-and-earn framework, presenting a significant opportunity for Americans exploring career and educational pathways.”

The GAINS Program equips individuals in Wolfspeed’s RAP with crucial skills for career advancement. Employers and apprentices alike benefit from the Institute’s resources, including the National Talent Hub – an interactive online platform facilitating skills assessments, educational and career planning, professional development support, training progress tracking, and program administration assistance. These initiatives align curriculum, cultivate regional talent pipelines and foster a dynamic workforce.

“Our GAINS program is scalable and extends to all participating employers’ sites across the U.S. However, we work closely with regional partners to implement our program effectively. In New York specifically, I’d like to thank Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) for providing the Required Technical Instruction for the program and to MACNY for serving as a group sponsor,” stated Martha Ponge, National Apprenticeship Director at the Institute.

Earlier this month, Wolfspeed celebrated the official signing of Aaron Albright as the first apprentice in the Mohawk Valley program. Albright has been with Wolfspeed for the past 18 months, initially starting on the materials handling team before advancing to the manufacturing technician team. In January 2024, he transitioned into his current role as an Equipment Apprentice.

Albright and future Wolfspeed apprentices will complete a 16-month program for placement in the company’s Equipment Technician career pathway in an Industrial Manufacturing Technician role. The RAP involves 2,700 hours of on-the-job training and 216 hours of college instruction provided by MVCC.

“At Wolfspeed, we are committed to making the next generation aware of the incredible career opportunities in the semiconductor industry and broader STEM fields to help power a better and brighter future,” said Wolfspeed Chief Human Resources Officer, Margaret Chadwick. “Our New York RAP will simultaneously train up-and-coming industry professionals while helping us develop our workforce and reach capacity expansion goals at our Mohawk Valley Fab. We are excited to work with our apprentices, building out the semiconductor industry here in the U.S., and we’re grateful for collaborators like the Institute, MACNY, and MVCC who help to make these advancements possible.”

For more information about the Institute’s work, visit www.niit.org.

For more information about Wolfspeed, visit www.wolfspeed.com.

About the National Institute for Innovation and Technology

The Institute is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to identify roadblocks to innovation in strategic industry sectors, those important to the U.S. national security and global competitiveness, and ensure they are eliminated. The Institute is responsible for a national strategy to support the development of the talent pipeline required for the Semiconductor Industry, including Advanced Manufacturing and the tech sector. The Institute’s National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative represents a comprehensive, nationally integrated approach that enables broader participation by promoting skills-based learning and hiring, connecting the public education system, returning service members and their families and adults from other occupations to related technician and engineering careers. For more information about the Institute, visit www.niit.org.

About Wolfspeed, Inc.

Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) leads the market in the worldwide adoption of silicon carbide technologies. We provide industry-leading solutions for efficient energy consumption and a sustainable future. Wolfspeed’s product families include silicon carbide material and power devices targeted for various applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging, and renewable energy and storage. We unleash the power of possibilities through hard work, collaboration and a passion for innovation. Learn more at www.wolfspeed.com.

X (Formerly Twitter): @Wolfspeed 
LinkedIn: @Wolfspeed

Wolfspeed® is a registered trademark of Wolfspeed, Inc.

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SOURCE National Institute for Innovation and Technology

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Trimble Links SketchUp with Anthropic’s Claude, Bringing New Conversational AI-powered Capabilities to 3D Modeling

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54 minutes ago

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April 29, 2026

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Trusted, intuitive AI enhances design workflows, making it easier to move from creative concepts to 3D models

WESTMINSTER, Colo., April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB) today announced a specialized integration with Claude, the large language model and AI assistant from Anthropic, that makes it easier for Trimble® SketchUp® software users to create 3D models directly from conversational text or speech prompts.

The powerful new capabilities are enabled by a SketchUp Connector model context protocol (MCP) service that allows Claude to interact directly with SketchUp (.skp) files. The connectivity enhances existing design workflows and expands access to 3D modeling for people at any skill level.

Trimble SketchUp is a professional-grade 3D modeling software used widely in architecture, design, construction and other fields. This is the first Connector created by Trimble that connects the SketchUp design environment with other tools via the MCP framework.

Conversational 3D modeling
The SketchUp Connector integration with Claude lets users create 3D geometry, such as building massing models, landscapes or furniture by simply describing what they want. Plain-language inputs alongside reference images, sketches, photos, floor plans and dimensions that users upload can give Claude the context needed to understand the design goal. Claude builds the geometry in a cloud SketchUp session, verifying dimensions iteratively.

“The learning curve and time it takes for professionals to transfer a vision to a digital model has traditionally been the biggest barrier to 3D modeling,” said Chris Cronin, vice president and general manager of architecture and design solutions at Trimble. “Natural language prompts and the power of AI make it easy for anyone to get started and excel, including inexperienced and non-traditional 3D design users, bringing us closer to our ‘3D for everyone’ goal.”

The specialized Claude integration for SketchUp is consistent with Trimble-wide initiatives to democratize advanced technology and make them available and accessible to a wider range of users, according to Cronin.

Additional 3D modeling advantages
In addition to allowing natural language prompts, the SketchUp Claude Connector tracks version history within a single chat, enabling users to rapidly navigate, troubleshoot and refine their 3D models. If a design is not quite accurate, users can describe necessary changes or paste screenshots from SketchUp directly into the chat to point out specific angles, proportions or elements that need adjustment.

When a model is completed, the Connector creates a 2D preview thumbnail and provides a direct download link to the .skp file. Users can instantly download, open and edit the file in any SketchUp modeler.

Users can also design and train Claude on core skills and unique workflows to complete repetitive tasks more quickly and efficiently.

Availability
Users can get started today by enabling Trimble SketchUp in Claude’s MCP directory connector settings. Accessing the Connector requires a Claude account and a Trimble ID for authentication. Users receive a free SketchUp entitlement that allows them to save up to 30 SketchUp models; after that, a paid entitlement is required. Resulting files can be opened in SketchUp for Web, Desktop, iPad or iPhone.

About Trimble
Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it’s helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress. For more information about Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.

FTRMB

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SOURCE Trimble

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Topaz Labs announces its largest single release of AI models in company history with “Next-Gen” launch

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2 hours ago

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April 28, 2026

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DALLAS, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Topaz Labs, the AI image and video enhancement company, has announced four new image enhancement models and two video enhancement models across five applications. The collection of “Next-Gen” models offer powerful sharpening, denoising, and upscaling results to visual content. Image models included are Wonder 3, Denoise Max, Super Focus 3, and High Fidelity 3. For video, Starlight Precise 2.5 and Astra 2 were announced.

The collection of models offers powerful sharpening, denoising, and upscaling results to visual content.

“This is both the largest and most technically advanced set of models we’ve released in the company’s history,” says Eric Yang, CEO, Topaz Labs. “We launched Topaz NeuroStream earlier this year with the goal of enabling local rendering of complex models for more users. Without such technology, the complex, heavyweight AI models in today’s release would have been limited to cloud-only rendering, forcing users to pay per use and be reliant on internet connection. We believe local use is crucial to the future of AI in both professional and consumer use cases, and today’s release is a huge step.” 

Topaz NeuroStream is proprietary technology that reduces VRAM usage by up to 95% and allows exponentially more users on consumer-grade hardware to use AI models locally. A total of six Topaz models are now powered by NeuroStream.

Next-Gen Release Image Models 

Wonder 3: A magical, one-click sharpen, upscale, and denoise model for images.
Denoise Max: New standard for removing noise and grain in images.
Super Focus 3: Next-level sharpening model that brings subjects back from the blur.
High Fidelity 3: The newest model for upscaling high-res inputs like smartphone photos and RAW images.

All image models in this release are available in Topaz Photo desktop application and via API. Wonder 3 and Denoise Max are also available in Express, a web-based tool.

Next-Gen Release Video Models

Starlight Precise 2.5 (Local): Groundbreaking video model that brings out natural visual details with stunning results, with local availability in Topaz Video

Astra 2: The next generation of creative video upscaling that enhances clarity, richness, and visual complexity of videos by adding new detail.

Both highlighted video models are available via cloud rendering in Astra and API. Starlight Precise 2.5 (Local) can be found in the Topaz Video desktop application.

About Topaz Labs
Founded in 2005, Topaz Labs is a leader in AI-powered image and video enhancement. Its technology is used by 1.5 million customers, including 20 of the world’s top 50 companies. Known for industry-leading products like Topaz Photo, Topaz Video, Topaz Gigapixel, Astra and Bloom, the company continues to invest heavily in research and development, advancing the frontiers of imaging technology in collaboration with academic and industry partners.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/topaz-labs-announces-its-largest-single-release-of-ai-models-in-company-history-with-next-gen-launch-302756375.html

SOURCE Topaz Labs

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Dreame Technology Launches the L60 Series, Led by the Flagship L60 Pro Ultra

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2 hours ago

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April 28, 2026

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New lineup brings industry-leading intelligence and full-home automation to a new generation of robot vacuums

SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dreame Technology, a leader in smart home innovation, today announced the L60 Series, a new lineup of four robot vacuums engineered for the full range of modern home environments. Built on a shared foundation of premium cleaning performance, intelligent navigation, and hands-free automation, the L60 Series is designed to meet the needs of every kind of household, from compact apartments to multi-story homes, and from single-surface layouts to complex mixed-flooring environments.

“The L60 Series represents exactly what Dreame stands for: powerful, intelligent cleaning that adapts to how people actually live,” said Ana Wang, CEO of Dreame Technology North America. “Whether you have a multi-story home, pets, mixed flooring, or low furniture, there’s an L60 built for your needs. Every model in the lineup delivers the core cleaning experience our customers expect from Dreame.”

Meet the L60 Series

The L60 Series is built around four distinct models, each tailored to a different home profile and cleaning priority:

L60 Pro Ultra — The Ultimate All-in-One. The flagship vacuum is purpose-built for large floor plans, multi-surface transitions, and complex terrain. Features the 3.46-inch ProLeap™ System, 35,000Pa Vormax™ Suction, Dual Omni-Scrub Mopping with Hot Water, and an industry-leading 6,400mAh PowerCore™ Battery.L60 Ultra — Precision Whole-Home Coverage. A balanced high-performer built around Dreame’s latest 2026 sensor technology and a 3.23in (82mm) ultra-thin design for precise navigation in low-light spaces and flawless cleaning under low-profile furniture. Includes AI-Enhanced 3D ToF Vision, 35,000Pa Vormax™ Suction, HyperStream™ Detangling DuoBrush 2.0, SmartDirt™ Detection, Pet-Friendly Care 5.0, and Matter, Apple Watch, and Home Screen Shortcut support.L60 Ultra PE (Performance Edition) — The Intelligent Step-Up. An upgraded everyday performer for homes that need an extra boost on hair pickup, with 30,000Pa Vormax™ Suction, the HyperStream™ Detangling DuoBrush, 3DAdapt™ Obstacle Avoidance, and Smart Pathfinder Technology with 220 object type recognition.L60 Ultra FE (Fine Edition) — The Essential Automated Choice. An entry-level powerhouse delivering the core promise of maintenance-free floor care, with 30,000Pa Vormax™ Suction, TriCut Brush 3.0, Dual Flex Arm Technology, and the full PowerDock™ automation experience.

A Shared Foundation of Premium Performance

Every model in the L60 Series shares a core set of capabilities that set a new baseline for modern robot vacuums, including:

212°F (100°C) ThermoHub™ Mop Self-Cleaning for hygienically clean mop pads after every cycle30,000–35,000Pa Vormax™ Suction across the lineup for powerful pickup on every surfaceDual Flex Arm Technology for adaptive side-brush and mop coverage in corners and along edgesMop Lifting for seamless transitions between hard floors and carpetAutomatic Solution Dispensing for consistent cleaning chemistry without manual refillsThe 8-in-1 PowerDock™ base station, which handles auto-empty, mop washing, hot-air drying, and solution management for truly hands-free operation

L60 Pro Ultra: The Flagship Experience, Redefined for Complex Homes

Leading the lineup is the L60 Pro Ultra, featuring select top-tier specifications optimized for large-scale layouts and complex terrains. It pairs the series’ most capable hardware with Dreame’s most advanced intelligence to deliver a seamless, one-stop cleaning experience that effortlessly tackles stubborn stains across expansive and complex home layouts.

At the heart of the Pro Ultra’s navigation advantage is the 3.46-inch ProLeap™ System, the lineup’s most capable obstacle-crossing system, paired with VersaLift Navigation for cleaning under low-clearance furniture. It is equipped with dual-laser 3D structured light, an AI RGB camera, and LED illumination, enabling it to recognize over 280 types of obstacles — for precise, real-time avoidance in any lighting condition.

The Pro Ultra delivers 35,000Pa Vormax™ Suction alongside the HyperStream™ Detangling DuoBrush, together extracting embedded debris, pet hair, and fine particles from every floor type without tangles or jams. Its Dual Omni-Scrub Mopping with Hot Water system pairs rotating mop pads with a Thermal Mop Pad and ThermoHub™ 212°F (100°C) Mop Self-Cleaning, while the AceClean™ DryBoard minimizes residue — eliminating grease, bacteria, and moisture that cold-water systems simply can’t address. An industry-leading 6,400mAh PowerCore™ Battery provides whole-home coverage on a single charge.

The Pro Ultra’s OmniDirt™ Detection Technology identifies high-soil areas and automatically triggers Mop Rewashing and Floor Remopping for a truly thorough result. Pet-Friendly Care 4.0 adds pet-aware detection and navigation, while Upgraded Intelligent Carpet Cleaning optimizes suction and mop behavior for mixed-flooring homes. Direct Voice Control and app control round out the experience for effortless day-to-day use.

Pricing and Availability

The Dreame L60 Series is available now through the Dreame website and Amazon (L60 Pro Ultra, L60 Ultra, L60 Ultra PE, L60 Ultra FE), with launch-offer pricing through the official website. Customers who purchase on dreametech.com receive a free accessory kit with their order.

L60 Pro Ultra — MSRP $1,399.99 | Launch Offer $1,259.99L60 Ultra — MSRP $1,299.99 | Launch Offer $1,169.99L60 Ultra PE — MSRP $1,099.99 | Launch Offer $879.99L60 Ultra FE — MSRP $999.99 | Launch Offer $749.99

For more information about the L60 Series, visit dreametech.com/pages/l60-series-robot-vacuum.

About Dreame Technology

Established in 2017, Dreame Technology is an innovative consumer product company focused on smart home cleaning appliances with the vision to empower lives through technology. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. For more information, please visit https://www.dreametech.com/.

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SOURCE Dreame Technology

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