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BENCHMARK REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2024 RESULTS

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2 years ago

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TEMPE, Ariz., July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024. Additionally, the company’s Board of Directors have authorized an increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.165 to $0.17 per share, effective immediately.

Second quarter 2024 results(1):

Revenue of $666 millionGenerated net cash provided by operations of $56 million and positive free cash flow of $47 millionGAAP and non-GAAP gross margin of 10.2%GAAP and non-GAAP operating margin of 4.1% and 5.1%, respectivelyGAAP and non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.43 and $0.57, respectively

Three Months Ended

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

2024

2024

2023

Sales

$

666

$

676

$

733

Net income

$

16

$

14

$

14

Income from operations

$

27

$

26

$

24

Net income – non-GAAP(1)

$

21

$

20

$

20

Income from operations – non-GAAP(1)

$

34

$

33

$

33

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.43

$

0.38

$

0.39

Diluted earnings per share – non-GAAP(1)

$

0.57

$

0.55

$

0.56

Operating margin

4.1

%

3.8

%

3.3

%

Operating margin – non-GAAP(1)

5.1

%

4.9

%

4.5

%

(1)

A reconciliation of non-GAAP results to the most directly comparable GAAP measures and a discussion of why management believes these non-GAAP results are useful are included below.

“Once again Benchmark delivered solid results, demonstrating consistent progress toward achieving our longer-term operational objectives,” said Jeff Benck, Benchmark’s President and CEO.

Benck continued, “While market uncertainty persists across a number of our sectors, we remain focused on executing for our customers while protecting margins, driving down inventories and delivering positive free cash flow, which we now expect to exceed $120 million in fiscal year 2024.”

Cash Conversion Cycle

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

2024

2024

2023

Accounts receivable days

51

56

59

Contract asset days

25

24

23

Inventory days

90

94

102

Accounts payable days

(52)

(52)

(56)

Advance payments from customers days

(24)

(28)

(25)

Cash conversion cycle days

90

94

103

Second Quarter 2024 Industry Sector Update

Revenue and percentage of sales by industry sector were as follows.

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

(In millions)

2024

2024

2023

Semi-Cap

$

172

26

%

$

166

25

%

$

164

22

%

Complex Industrials

142

21

%

141

21

%

167

23

%

Medical

111

17

%

115

17

%

145

20

%

A&D

109

16

%

106

16

%

80

11

%

AC&C

132

20

%

148

21

%

177

24

%

Total

$

666

100

%

$

676

100

%

$

733

100

%

Revenue decreased quarter over quarter primarily due to decreases in Medical and Advanced Computing and Communications (AC&C) sales, which were partially offset by an increase in Semi-Cap sales.  Revenue decreased year-over-year primarily due to decreases in Complex Industrials, Medical, and AC&C sales, which were partially offset by increases in Semi-Cap and A&D sales.

Third Quarter 2024 Guidance

Revenue between $630 million – $670 millionDiluted GAAP earnings per share between $0.36 – $0.42Diluted non-GAAP earnings per share between $0.52 – $0.58Non-GAAP earnings per share guidance excludes stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges and other costs, and amortization of intangible assets.

In the third quarter of 2024, restructuring charges are expected to be approximately $1.0 million, stock-based compensation expense is expected to be $4.5 million and the amortization of intangible assets is expected to be $1.2 million.

Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The live webcast of the call and accompanying reference materials will be accessible by logging on to the Company’s website at www.bench.com. A replay of the broadcast will also be available on the Company’s website.

About Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

Benchmark provides comprehensive solutions across the entire product life cycle by leading through its innovative technology and engineering design services, leveraging its optimized global supply chain and delivering world-class manufacturing services in the following industries: semiconductor capital equipment, complex industrials, medical, commercial aerospace, defense, and advanced computing and communications. Benchmark’s global operations include facilities in seven countries and its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “position,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “predict,” and similar expressions of the negative or other variations thereof. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning the Company’s outlook and guidance for third quarter and fiscal year 2024 results, future operating results or margins, the ability to generate sales and income or cash flow, expected revenue mix, the Company’s business strategy and strategic initiatives, the Company’s repurchases of shares of its common stock, the Company’s expectations regarding restructuring charges, stock-based compensation expense and amortization of intangibles, and the Company’s intentions concerning the payment of dividends, among others, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes these statements are based on and derived from reasonable assumptions, they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, relating to operations, markets and the business environment generally, including those discussed under Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in any of the Company’s subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Events relating to the possibility of customer demand fluctuations, supply chain constraints, continuing inflationary pressures, the effects of foreign currency fluctuations and high interest rates, geopolitical uncertainties including continuing hostilities and tensions, trade restrictions and sanctions, or the ability to utilize the Company’s manufacturing facilities at sufficient levels to cover its fixed operating costs, may have resulting impacts on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and the Company’s ability (or inability) to execute on its plans. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes, including the future results of the Company’s operations, may vary materially from those indicated. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this document, and the Company assumes no obligation to update.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management discloses certain non‐GAAP information to provide investors with additional information to analyze the Company’s performance and underlying trends. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude restructuring charges, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations, certain legal and other settlement losses (gains), customer insolvency losses (recoveries), asset impairments, other significant non-recurring costs and the related tax impacts of all of the above. A detailed reconciliation between GAAP results and results excluding certain items (“non-GAAP”) is included in the following tables attached to this document. In situations where a non-GAAP reconciliation has not been provided, the Company was unable to provide such a reconciliation without unreasonable effort due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty predicting the occurrence, the financial impact and the periods in which the non-GAAP adjustments may be recognized. Management uses non‐GAAP measures that exclude certain items in order to better assess operating performance and help investors compare results with our previous guidance. This document also references “free cash flow”, a non-GAAP measure, which the Company defines as cash flow from operations less additions to property, plant and equipment and purchased software. The Company’s non‐GAAP information is not necessarily comparable to the non‐GAAP information used by other companies. Non‐GAAP information should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, net income or other data prepared in accordance with GAAP as a measure of the Company’s profitability or liquidity. Readers should consider the types of events and transactions for which adjustments have been made.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Sales

$

665,896

$

733,232

$

1,341,471

$

1,427,927

Cost of sales

597,946

666,201

1,206,113

1,296,938

Gross profit

67,950

67,031

135,358

130,989

Selling, general and administrative expenses

38,022

37,672

75,354

75,870

Amortization of intangible assets

1,204

1,591

2,408

3,183

Restructuring charges and other costs

1,471

3,287

4,814

4,713

Income from operations

27,253

24,481

52,782

47,223

Interest expense

(6,933)

(8,258)

(14,178)

(14,708)

Interest income

2,526

1,622

4,518

2,880

Other (expense) income, net

(2,323)

61

(3,500)

(2,104)

Income before income taxes

20,523

17,906

39,622

33,291

Income tax expense

4,995

3,915

10,092

6,940

Net income

$

15,528

$

13,991

$

29,530

$

26,351

Earnings per share:

Basic

$

0.43

$

0.39

$

0.82

$

0.74

Diluted

$

0.43

$

0.39

$

0.81

$

0.74

Weighted-average number of shares used in
   calculating earnings per share:

 Basic

36,047

35,618

35,929

35,478

 Diluted

36,497

35,676

36,388

35,730

 

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands)

(UNAUDITED)

June 30,

December 31,

2024

2023

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

309,287

$

277,391

Restricted cash

578

5,822

Accounts receivable, net

376,568

449,404

Contract assets

182,090

174,979

Inventories

599,842

683,801

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

42,286

44,350

Total current assets

1,510,651

1,635,747

Property, plant and equipment, net

225,888

227,698

Operating lease right-of-use assets

125,082

130,830

Goodwill and other long-term assets

293,118

280,480

Total assets

$

2,154,739

$

2,274,755

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:

Current installments of long-term debt

$

5,928

$

4,283

Accounts payable

346,153

367,480

Advance payments from customers

157,156

204,883

Accrued liabilities

133,823

136,901

Total current liabilities

643,060

713,547

Long-term debt, net of current installments

283,559

326,674

Operating lease liabilities

116,637

123,385

Other long-term liabilities

16,379

32,064

Total liabilities

1,059,635

1,195,670

Shareholders’ equity

1,095,104

1,079,085

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

2,154,739

$

2,274,755

 

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In Thousands)

(UNAUDITED)

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2024

2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

29,530

$

26,351

Depreciation and amortization

23,026

22,549

Stock-based compensation expense

6,361

8,657

Accounts receivable

71,346

6,359

Contract assets

(7,111)

(2,264)

Inventories

82,717

(28,096)

Accounts payable

(25,550)

9,499

Advance payments from customers

(47,727)

(12,260)

Other changes in working capital and other, net

(28,318)

(31,163)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

104,274

(368)

Cash flows from investing activities:

Additions to property, plant and equipment and software

(14,407)

(47,049)

Other investing activities, net

(1,405)

585

Net cash used in investing activities

(15,812)

(46,464)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Net debt activity

(41,731)

102,237

Other financing activities, net

(17,161)

(17,296)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(58,892)

84,941

Effect of exchange rate changes

(2,918)

(209)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

26,652

37,900

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year

283,213

207,430

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

309,865

$

245,330

 

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Results

(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

March 31,

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Income from operations (GAAP)

$

27,253

$

25,529

$

24,481

$

52,782

$

47,223

Restructuring charges and other costs

1,471

3,343

2,364

4,814

3,790

Stock-based compensation expense

4,185

2,176

3,867

6,361

8,657

Amortization of intangible assets

1,204

1,204

1,591

2,408

3,183

Asset impairment

—

—

923

—

923

Legal and other settlement loss (gain)

317

855

—

1,172

—

Customer insolvency (recovery)

(316)

—

—

(316)

—

Non-GAAP income from operations

$

34,114

$

33,107

$

33,226

$

67,221

$

63,776

GAAP operating margin

4.1

%

3.8

%

3.3

%

3.9

%

3.3

%

Non-GAAP operating margin

5.1

%

4.9

%

4.5

%

5.0

%

4.5

%

Gross profit (GAAP)

$

67,950

$

67,408

$

67,031

$

135,358

$

130,989

Stock-based compensation expense

326

426

423

752

819

Customer insolvency (recovery)

(316)

—

—

(316)

—

Non-GAAP gross profit

$

67,960

$

67,834

$

67,454

$

135,794

$

131,808

GAAP gross margin

10.2

%

10.0

%

9.1

%

10.1

%

9.2

%

Non-GAAP gross margin

10.2

%

10.0

%

9.2

%

10.1

%

9.2

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

$

38,022

$

37,332

$

37,672

$

75,354

$

75,870

Stock-based compensation expense

(3,858)

(1,750)

(3,444)

(5,608)

(7,838)

Legal and other settlement (loss) gain

(317)

(855)

—

(1,172)

—

Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses

$

33,847

$

34,727

$

34,228

$

68,574

$

68,032

Net income (GAAP)

$

15,528

$

14,002

$

13,991

$

29,530

$

26,351

Restructuring charges and other costs

1,471

3,343

2,364

4,814

3,790

Stock-based compensation expense

4,185

2,176

3,867

6,361

8,657

Amortization of intangible assets

1,204

1,204

1,591

2,408

3,183

Asset impairment

—

—

923

—

923

Legal and other settlement loss (gain)

317

855

(1,155)

1,172

(1,155)

Customer insolvency (recovery)

(316)

—

—

(316)

—

Income tax adjustments(1)

(1,437)

(1,393)

(1,484)

(2,830)

(3,007)

Non-GAAP net income

$

20,952

$

20,187

$

20,097

$

41,139

$

38,742

Diluted earnings per share:

Diluted (GAAP)

$

0.43

$

0.38

$

0.39

$

0.81

$

0.74

Diluted (Non-GAAP)

$

0.57

$

0.55

$

0.56

$

1.13

$

1.08

Weighted-average number of shares used in
   calculating diluted earnings per share:

Diluted (GAAP)

36,497

36,401

35,676

36,388

35,730

Diluted (Non-GAAP)

36,497

36,401

35,676

36,388

35,730

Net cash provided by (used in) operations

$

55,816

$

48,457

$

24,538

$

104,274

$

(368)

Additions to property, plant and
   equipment and software

(8,504)

(5,903)

(8,318)

(14,407)

(47,049)

Free cash flow (used)

$

47,312

$

42,554

$

16,220

$

89,867

$

(47,417)

(1)  This amount represents the tax impact of the non-GAAP adjustments using the applicable effective tax rates.

 

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SOURCE BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS

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Toku launches Makimoto Flows, a visual builder for speech AI pipelines, taking its open-source initiative beyond transcription

Published

47 minutes ago

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October 21, 2026

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Developers can chain transcription, summarisation and call tagging on one canvas, test each step and export the pipeline as code, with every step processed in Singapore

SINGAPORE, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Toku Ltd. (SGX: TKU), a Singapore-headquartered AI-powered customer experience (CX) platform, has launched Makimoto Flows (“Flows”), a visual builder within its open-source conversational AI initiative where developers assemble speech AI pipelines block by block and test each stage on a recorded call. Flows is now live at makimoto.ai.

On the Flows canvas, developers connect blocks to build a speech AI pipeline and test each step individually. The Transcribe block converts audio into text using Kawa, the Summarise block generates a topic and short summary from the transcript, and the Tags block classifies each call across seven categories, including customer sentiment. Developers can see how audio moves from transcription to analysis, and control how each stage connects and runs. Every block runs in Singapore, so audio, transcripts and the resulting analysis stay in-country.

The Chained Analysis starter template puts these blocks together in one click, and developers can adjust any block and rerun it to compare results. Each block maps to a Makimoto API endpoint, and any flow can be exported as ready-to-run Python code, so developers can take the same capabilities into their own code for applications such as call recaps and call triage.

“Developers should have control over how their voice AI works, from the models they use to the way each stage connects. That is the principle behind Makimoto. Flows puts the orchestration layer in front of them: they can build a pipeline, run a recorded call through it and see what each step produces before anything reaches their customers. Models will keep changing. The ability to compose them, and to know where they run, is what lasts,” said Thomas Laboulle, Founder and CEO at Toku.

Flows builds on the composable architecture Toku set out when it introduced Makimoto in April 2026, and takes the initiative beyond transcription. Kawa, released on schedule on 1 July 2026, established the transcription layer through a Singapore-hosted API; summarisation and tagging endpoints followed in September; Flows now lets developers compose them visually. Next, Makimoto plans to add audio preparation blocks, starting with noise filtering, giving developers more control over how recordings are processed before transcription.

By pairing open-source development with enterprise-grade deployment, Makimoto complements Toku’s existing customer experience platform and supports long-term innovation opportunities across the Group’s AI roadmap.

Developers can create a free account at makimoto.ai, open the Chained Analysis template and run a sample recording, or one of their own call recordings, through it; each account includes 1,000 free minutes. Feedback reaches the Makimoto team directly from the portal.

About Toku

Headquartered in Singapore, Toku Ltd. (SGX Catalist: TKU) is a cloud-native, AI-powered customer experience platform purpose-built for enterprises operating in complex, multi-market environments. With deep roots in the APAC region and an expanding global footprint, Toku’s modular 360° CX Platform orchestrates customer interactions across voice, chat, email and digital channels while managing regulatory, linguistic and infrastructure complexity at scale.

Built on end-to-end ownership of its technology stack, from carrier-grade connectivity to AI applications, Toku delivers enterprise-grade security, reliability and deployment flexibility in commercial cloud, private data centres and hybrid environments. Its AI capabilities include transcription, summarisation, sentiment analysis, conversation analytics and governed virtual agents, designed to integrate seamlessly with enterprise systems and customer data.

Trusted by leading enterprises and public-sector organisations, Toku helps organisations streamline operations, scale customer engagement and deliver consistent experiences in fragmented markets worldwide.

For more information about Toku, visit toku.co.

About Makimoto

Makimoto is Toku’s open-source initiative, operated through Makimoto Technology Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Toku Group, dedicated to building composable conversational AI infrastructure for Asia-Pacific. Its releases include Makimoto Kawa, a Singapore-hosted transcription API; summarisation and tagging endpoints; and Makimoto Flows, a visual builder for composing speech AI pipelines. For more information about Makimoto, visit makimoto.ai.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Toku’s expansion plans, business strategy and planned product releases. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Toku undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Sponsor’s Statement

Toku Ltd. (the “Company”) was listed on Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “Exchange”) on 22 January 2026. The initial public offering of the Company was sponsored by PrimePartners Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. (the “Sponsor”). This press release has been reviewed by the Sponsor. It has not been examined or approved by the Exchange and the Exchange assumes no responsibility for the contents of this press release, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this press release. The contact person for the Sponsor is Ms. Ng Shi Qing, 16 Collyer Quay, #10-00 Collyer Quay Centre, Singapore 049318, sponsorship@ppcf.com.sg.

Investor Relations Contact:
investor.relations@toku.co

Developers and Partners:
contact@makimoto.ai  

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SOURCE Toku Ltd.

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Conscious Spark LLC Launches Alphimiya® Neuro-Recalibration Framework Designed to Resolve C-Suite Revenue Plateaus

Published

47 minutes ago

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October 21, 2026

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New research-backed neuro-recalibration framework targets the autonomic nervous system’s threat response to managing high financial amounts, offering enterprise leaders a biological pathway to scaling.

ANTALYA, Turkey and ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Conscious Spark LLC, a research and advisory firm specializing in applied neuroscience for executive leadership, today announced the official launch of Alphimiya®, a proprietary C-suite neuro-recalibration framework designed to resolve corporate revenue plateaus by upgrading the biological capacity of enterprise decision-makers.

Developed to address the root causes of stalled enterprise growth, the Alphimiya® framework targets the human autonomic nervous system’s subconscious threat response to managing high financial amounts. When commercial leaders and CEOs attempt to scale past historical capital thresholds without recalibrating their stress response, the body’s natural survival mechanism triggers decision fatigue, strategic risk aversion, and systemic self-sabotage. Alphimiya® recalibrates this biological safety brake, enabling executive teams to hold, absorb, and scale larger financial volumes without physiological or operational friction.

“A corporate revenue plateau is rarely an operational or marketing failure; it is a biological safety brake embedded within executive leadership,” stated Dr. Ahmed Al-Nashi, Founder of Conscious Spark LLC. “When managing high financial amounts triggers an underlying physical stress response, the enterprise subconsciously contracts to remain in its perceived safe zone. Alphimiya® removes that biological friction, allowing C-level leaders to multiply revenue with calm, biological authority.”

The Alphimiya® framework restructures executive performance across three core operational pillars:

Sovereign Enterprise Scaling: Expands the nervous system’s tolerance for high-stakes capital, allowing leadership teams to scale revenue without experiencing executive burnout.

High-Value Deal Execution: Regulates autonomic stress responses during multi-million-dollar negotiations and volatile market entries, eliminating hesitation under pressure.

Restored Strategic Clarity: Removes chronic decision fatigue across C-suite teams, restoring mental focus and strategic presence inside and outside the boardroom.

By recalibrating the autonomic nervous system’s response to high capital exposure, Alphimiya® removes the subconscious biological brakes that lock corporate revenue at a standstill. Senior C-level executives and enterprise leadership teams seeking to evaluate their organization’s biological capacity can access the official executive briefing, case studies, and framework assessment directly at https://alphimiya.co/.

About Conscious Spark LLC

Conscious Spark LLC is a U.S.-registered firm specializing in executive education, training, and strategic performance consulting. Pioneering applied neuroscience for C-level leaders, founders, and commercial decision-makers, the firm utilizes its proprietary Alphimiya® methodology to enable leadership teams to recalibrate biological stress responses, resolve revenue ceilings, and build scalable corporations.

Media Relations Team
Conscious Spark LLC
Email: hello@consciousspark.online 
Website: https://alphimiya.co/

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SOURCE Conscious Spark LLC

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Daffodil Software Brings Multilingual Conversational AI to Aadhaar’s Udai Mascot

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47 minutes ago

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October 21, 2026

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GURUGRAM, India, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Daffodil Software showcased an AI-powered conversational experience featuring UIDAI’s Udai mascot at Aadhaar Samvaad 2026. Developed by Daffodil Software, the assistant is designed to help users access Aadhaar-related information through natural conversation, using official UIDAI as its reference knowledge base.

Daffodil Software has developed Udai, an AI-powered virtual mascot that helps users get clear, reliable answers about Aadhaar simply by talking to it. The assistant was showcased at Aadhaar Samvaad 2026, held in Kolkata on 29 September, coinciding with the 17th Aadhaar Day, where visitors watched it listen, respond, and gesture in real time in their own language.

For most people, questions about Aadhaar come up in daily life, and they usually need answers fast. Which documents do I need for an address change? How much does an update cost? How do I link Aadhaar to my bank account or mobile number? The answers exist, but finding them usually means working through long help pages and documents.

 Udai is designed to answer exactly these questions in a natural conversation, without anyone having to search through long help pages.

A conversation in the user’s own language

Udai speaks and understands 11 languages: Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Odia, and English. A user simply asks a question. Udai listens, works out the answer, and replies in the same language, with natural speech, matching lip movements and expressive hand gestures.

What sets Udai apart is how it is built. AI avatars rely on expensive, specialised graphics hardware to bring a face to life. Udai takes a simpler route. The character is created from pre-filmed footage, and its lip movements are matched to its speech in real time using lightweight processing that runs in a web browser.

The result is a smooth experience at 24 frames per second on ordinary servers, at a fraction of the usual cost per user. For a programme that serves hundreds of millions of people, that efficiency is what turns a nationwide rollout from an ambition into a practical plan.

“Our focus with Udai was to make Aadhaar-related information easier to access through natural conversation. Combining multilingual voice interaction with official reference content allowed our team to build an experience that is practical, approachable, and useful to users,” said Yogesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO, Daffodil Software.

Answers drawn only from official sources

The assistant uses official UIDAI material as its reference knowledge base: frequently asked questions, provisions of the Aadhaar Act, and government policy documents on Aadhaar services. It covers the topics users ask about most:

Enrolment and registrationAddress and demographic updatesFees, required documents and eligibilityeKYC and Virtual IDLinking Aadhaar with bank accounts, PAN and mobile numbersmAadhaar servicesGrievance redressal

Users don’t need to phrase their questions in any particular way. Udai understands everyday language, whether a question is spoken in English, Hindi, or asked in a mix of both, and finds the most relevant official information to answer it.

Built to be accurate, respectful, and secure

When a public service speaks directly to users, trust matters as much as convenience. Udai is protected by three layers of safeguards.

Accuracy first. Udai answers only from its verified knowledge base. Responses are grounded in a curated knowledge base of official UIDAI material. If a question falls outside Aadhaar, it guides the user back rather than offering an answer it cannot stand behind.

Respectful conversations. A screening layer catches abusive or offensive language in English, Hindi, and Hinglish before it reaches the assistant. Screening is designed to identify abusive language while supporting legitimate queries

Protection against misuse. Udai cannot be talked into abandoning its role, pretending to be someone else, revealing its internal setup, or answering beyond its approved scope. These checks work almost instantly, so users experience no delay.

What comes next?

Udai is planned to roll out in two phases.

In the first phase, the mascot will be placed in Aadhaar Centres. Visitors will be able to check information and understand processes on their own, such as which documents they need for an address change. This frees centre staff to focus on their core work instead of answering the same questions again and again.

In the second phase, Udai will come to the Aadhaar website and mobile app, taking the place of the current text-based chatbot, which was also built by Daffodil.

About Daffodil Software

Daffodil Software is a software engineering and AI solutions company serving businesses across industries. Its services span software consulting, product engineering, UI/UX design, AI/ML development, quality assurance, cloud and DevOps, and maintenance. The company serves sectors including healthcare, fintech, banking, technology, and digital commerce. Its client portfolio includes organizations such as the Reserve Bank of India, Mount Sinai Hospital, Maruti, Samsung, Pramerica Insurance, and Dangote Group. Daffodil Software has also been featured in industry research and recognition by Gartner, Everest Group, Zinnov, and Frost & Sullivan. For more information, visit https://www.daffodilsw.com

Media contact

Kunwar Pal Singh
media-relations@daffodilsw.com

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