Technology

NUS launches BLOCK71 Nagoya to strengthen Japan-Southeast Asia innovation exchange

Published

1 year ago

November 1, 2024

BLOCK71 Nagoya will also be the gateway for Japanese start-ups to Southeast AsiaNUS partners ENEOS Holdings, Inc. to facilitate bilateral cooperation in growing innovation and enterprise ecosystems in both countries

NAGOYA, Japan, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS) has launched BLOCK71 Nagoya today, marking its operational opening for start-ups. BLOCK71 Nagoya aims to create a technology-focused ecosystem connecting Japan and Southeast Asia, providing Southeast Asian start-ups with essential support to navigate Japan’s cultural and business nuances for successful expansion. At the same time, it will support Japanese start-ups to grow and scale effectively in Southeast Asia.

Nagoya is a key hub for technology start-ups looking to expand into Southeast Asia, backed by Aichi’s strength as Japan’s manufacturing powerhouse, which is home to leading companies in automotive, aviation, and robotics. These industries provide a strong foundation for technological growth and offer valuable collaboration opportunities with established corporations.

The opening of the centre was graced by His Excellency Hideaki Omura, the Governor of Aichi Prefecture, who was joined by Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President; Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, Vice President (Ecosystem Building), NUS Enterprise; Professor Naoshi Sugiyama, Nagoya University President; and Mr Hirotaka Sahashi, STATION Ai Corporation President and CEO.

BLOCK71 in Japan – a bridge between Southeast Asia and Japan

BLOCK71 is a technology-focused ecosystem builder and global connector that catalyses the start-up community. It has established itself as a leading force in global entrepreneurship, with offices spanning across Southeast Asia, the United States of America, China, and now Japan. As NUS’ first BLOCK71 location in Japan, the opening of the Nagoya office marks a significant addition to this network, representing a strategic move to promote market entry for Southeast Asian ventures (see Annexe A for background on BLOCK71).

Unlike other BLOCK71 global offices that focus on incubation, BLOCK71 in Japan prioritises market launch activities due to Japan’s mature and established start-up landscape. The Japanese offices will provide Japanese start-ups with the resources and networks to expand into Southeast Asia, while enabling Southeast Asian start-ups to establish a foothold in Japan.

Japan’s strong tradition of innovation presents immense opportunities for collaboration with Southeast Asia’s dynamic start-up ecosystems. BLOCK71 Nagoya will empower Japanese corporations and start-ups by connecting them to a broad network of Southeast Asian start-ups, investors, and industry leaders, fostering partnerships that drive innovative projects and facilitate market expansion. Similarly, Southeast Asian start-ups aiming to enter the Japanese market can benefit from BLOCK71 Nagoya to connect them with key stakeholders in the local innovation ecosystem.

“BLOCK71 Nagoya is not only a launchpad for Southeast Asian start-ups entering Japan, but also a gateway for Japanese start-ups looking to break into the diverse and rapidly growing Southeast Asian markets. By leveraging BLOCK71’s vast networks and experience, we aim to provide Japanese entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and partnerships needed to navigate these emerging economies successfully,” said Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President.

BLOCK71 Nagoya will prioritise establishing key business milestones, including developing the Proof of Concept (PoC), fundraising, forging contracts, and integrating within BLOCK71’s extensive global network and quality start-up pool. Additionally, BLOCK71 in Japan will not only provide physical office spaces within their partners’ coworking space in key cities, but also deploy dedicated staff across the country to identify growth opportunities for start-ups by capitalising on Japan’s multifaceted market landscape.

Collaboration with ENEOS to enhance innovation

As part of its commitment to driving innovation, NUS Enterprise has established a strategic partnership with ENEOS Holdings, Inc. (ENEOS), one of the largest energy companies in Japan, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 31 October 2024. The MOU was signed by Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President and Mr Toru Naganuma, General Manager, Emerging Business Development Department, ENEOS.

The collaboration aims to enhance venture-building activities for NUS start-ups by providing them with exposure to real-world industry challenges. Together, both organisations will identify promising Southeast Asian start-ups and innovative solutions that can address critical industry issues. Key focus areas include mobility, decarbonisation, the circular economy, and artificial intelligence.

In addition, this partnership enables established corporations like ENEOS to maintain competitiveness through continuous innovation in an ever-evolving global economy. Start-ups, recognised for their agility and creativity, often experiment with cutting-edge technologies and business models that can drive corporate innovation. By partnering with start-ups, ENEOS can respond more swiftly to market changes, diversify its product offerings, and penetrate new markets and customer segments. For NUS start-ups, this partnership opens up opportunities to expand into the Japanese market by addressing real-world challenges posed by ENEOS. Additionally, participating start-ups will gain valuable insights into the operations of traditional Japanese companies, enhancing their understanding of this unique market.

“The partnership between NUS Enterprise and ENEOS Holdings will leverage the strengths of our extensive BLOCK71 ecosystem and network to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. This collaboration connects our start-ups with real-world industry challenges, enhancing their ability to develop solutions that meet the evolving needs of the energy sector. By integrating the capabilities of NUS Enterprise with ENEOS’ expertise, we aim to create a vibrant ecosystem where agility and creativity drive impactful advancements. Together, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of Southeast Asian start-ups that will shape the future of sustainable energy and technology,” added Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President.

“Collaborating with NUS Enterprise provides ENEOS with a unique opportunity to harness the dynamic energy of Southeast Asia’s start-up ecosystem. By engaging with innovative start-ups, we can gain fresh insights and co-create solutions that address the pressing challenges in our industry. This partnership will not only enhance our ability to adapt to market changes but also position us at the forefront of sustainable energy advancements. We are eager to work alongside these visionary entrepreneurs to drive meaningful progress in the energy sector,” said Mr Miyata Tomohide, Representative Director, CEO of ENEOS.

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SOURCE NUS Enterprise

Technology

Sunlighten Introduces PulseIQ™: The Intelligent Platform Redefining Infrared Wellness

Published

26 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

PulseIQ™ delivers four distinct wavelengths independently, adapting each session to support recovery, relaxation, and performance.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sunlighten, the global leader in infrared sauna innovation, today announced the launch of PulseIQ™, its proprietary intelligent wellness platform. This breakthrough sets a new standard for how infrared energy is delivered, absorbed, and translated into personalized wellness outcomes.

For decades, the sauna category has remained largely unchanged. Traditional saunas deliver heat. Most infrared saunas claim “full spectrum,” but in reality blend wavelengths together into a single, undifferentiated output.

The result is a one-dimensional experience. The sauna turns on, heat increases, and the body is exposed to inconsistent energy with no control over how it is delivered or absorbed.

PulseIQ™ changes that.

PulseIQ™ redefines how infrared works by delivering red light, near-, mid-, and far-infrared separately and intelligently. Instead of blending wavelengths and losing their effectiveness, PulseIQ™ isolates and controls each wavelength so your body receives the right type of infrared energy at the right time.

This is infrared intelligence. This is PulseIQ™.

A Category Built on Heat. Reimagined Around Outcomes.

Most saunas today operate with a simple on and off experience. As heat rises, there is no control over the wavelengths being delivered. The distinct benefits of each wavelength are lost, reducing the experience to heat rather than targeted infrared energy.

The difference is not just how many wavelengths are present. It is how they are delivered.

Your body responds to each wavelength differently. When they are blended together, your body cannot fully use them. You are not truly receiving distinct infrared light energy.

PulseIQ™ changes that by isolating each wavelength and delivering it with precision. This allows your body to absorb more usable energy, driving better outcomes based on what your body needs that day.

Because wellness is not static. Your body’s needs change daily. Your sauna should adapt with you.

From One-Dimensional Heat to Personalized Infrared Therapy

PulseIQ™ transforms the sauna experience from passive heat to an intelligent, outcome-driven wellness solution.

Four distinct wavelengths delivered independently so each can perform its specific role in the bodySix science-backed wellness programs designed around goals like recovery, detoxification, relaxation, and performancePrecision control of energy delivery and temperature to eliminate peaks and valleys and keep the body within optimal therapeutic ranges

Each wavelength is delivered at the intensity and depth your body can absorb, ensuring the energy is not just produced but used effectively.

Red light supports skin health and surface-level repairNear-infrared supports cellular energy and recoveryMid-infrared supports circulation and muscle recoveryFar-infrared supports core temperature and detoxification

By controlling how this energy is delivered, PulseIQ™ helps your body achieve the specific wellness outcomes you are seeking, whether that is faster recovery, deeper relaxation, improved circulation, or daily restoration.

An Intelligent Sauna That Evolves With You

PulseIQ™ is designed not just for today, but for the future of personalized wellness.

“Infrared has never been about heat alone. It is about how the body responds to light,” said Connie Zack, Co-Founder of Sunlighten. “With PulseIQ™, we control the light your body is receiving so it can absorb more of what it needs. That leads to better outcomes, whether you are focused on recovery, relaxation, or long-term wellness.”

PulseIQ™ introduces an intelligent platform that evolves with you, helping you get more personalized results from every session.

“We are building the next generation of sauna technology,” said Aaron Zack, CEO of Sunlighten. “Our bodies are complex and constantly changing, yet most saunas offer a one-dimensional on and off experience. With PulseIQ™, we’re measuring data every day and using it to advance our technology. In the future, your sauna will be able to guide you. If your body needs recovery or support, it will recommend the right program for you. The sauna you buy today should grow with you, adapting to your needs and helping you achieve better wellness outcomes over time.”

Engineering the Future of Infrared Wellness

For more than 25 years, Sunlighten has led the industry through science, innovation, and a deep understanding of how the body responds to infrared energy.

PulseIQ™ builds on that foundation with a clear focus on what matters most to consumers.

Not just heat.
Not just presence of wavelengths.
But how effectively that energy is delivered and absorbed by the body.

PulseIQ™ delivers the most usable infrared energy at precise wavelengths your body can absorb, giving you greater confidence that every session is working toward your wellness goals.

Redefining What Infrared Should Deliver

PulseIQ™ reframes the conversation around infrared saunas.

This is not about turning heat on and off.
This is about controlling the energy your body receives.

With PulseIQ™, Sunlighten introduces:

1 intelligent sauna platform4 precisely controlled, distinct wavelengths6 guided, science-backed wellness programsA system designed to evolve and personalize over time

Better delivery leads to greater absorption.
Greater absorption leads to better wellness outcomes.

This is infrared intelligence. This is PulseIQ™.

About Sunlighten

Sunlighten is the global leader in infrared sauna and light-based wellness innovation. With more than 25 years of expertise, patented technologies, and a commitment to science-backed performance, Sunlighten designs products that help the body perform, recover, and thrive.

Contact:

Maria Dolgetta

mdolgetta@sunlighten.com

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SOURCE Sunlighten

Technology

Novita AI Ranked as the Best Performing & Reliable Inference Layer

Published

26 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

120+ LLMs through a single API, with day-0 model availability, OpenAI and Anthropic compatibility, and top-ranked performance validated by Artificial Analysis.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As demand for open-source AI infrastructure grows, Novita AI is establishing itself as the inference provider for developers and engineering teams that need fast and affordable inference for production AI. The platform covers more than 120 large language models through a single OpenAI-compatible and Anthropic-compatible API, makes every new model available on release day, and ranked #1 for scientific reasoning accuracy across all major inference providers, according to independent benchmarking by Artificial Analysis.

Novita AI is trusted by leading teams across the AI ecosystem, including Hugging Face, Quora, OpenRouter, Vercel, Kilo Code, and Genspark.

“Open-source AI moves at a pace that most infrastructure hasn’t kept up with,” said Junyu Huang, COO of Novita AI. “We built Novita to close that gap. When a new model ships, developers can be in production with it the same day, on infrastructure they can actually rely on.”

Artificial Analysis provides comparison and analysis of AI models and API hosting providers, with independent benchmarks across key performance metrics including quality, price, and output speed. In its GPT-OSS 120B assessment covering all major inference providers, Novita AI ranked as follows (April 2026):

GPQA Diamond (scientific reasoning): #1 among all providers, scoring 79.0% across 16 runs

AIME 2025 (advanced mathematics): 93.3% across 32 runs, at the level of the top providers

IFBench (instruction following): #5, scoring 68.9%, within 0.8 points of the top provider

Source: Artificial Analysis GPT-OSS-120B Provider Benchmarks, April 2026.

New models ship constantly. Novita AI makes each one available through its API on release day, without exception. For engineering teams running evaluation pipelines or production systems that depend on current models, access is never the bottleneck.

Novita AI hosts more than 120 LLMs across every major model family, including Qwen, DeepSeek, LLaMA, Mistral, Gemma, GLM, Phi, and more. All models share the same API format, authentication, and SDK. Teams on the OpenAI or Anthropic SDK can switch to Novita by changing the base URL.

Novita’s API works out of the box with Claude Code, OpenClaw, Codex CLI, and OpenCode.

Novita AI delivers fast inference with the full feature set production AI teams depend on, with no tiered restrictions or add-ons.

Tool calling: compliant with OpenAI and Anthropic function-calling specifications, supporting multi-turn agent workflows

Structured outputs: JSON responses that conform to a specified schema, no parsing wrappers needed

Prompt caching: lower latency and token costs for RAG pipelines and agent sessions with repeated context

Novita AI is an AI and agent cloud platform helping developers and startups build, deploy, and scale models and agentic applications with high performance, reliability, and cost efficiency. The platform delivers fast inference across 120+ LLMs and multimodal models through a single API, alongside GPU Instances, Bare Metal, and Agent Sandbox infrastructure built for production AI.

For more information, visit novita.ai.

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SOURCE Novita AI

Technology

Arasan acheives the Industrys First ASIL-D Certification for its CAN XL IP Core

Published

26 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

Arasan announces the industry’s first ASIL-D Certification for its CAN XL IP. The certification also covers Arasan’s CAN FD IP and CAN 2.0 IP.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Apr. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Arasan Chip Systems, the industry’s leading provider of IP for Mobile and Automobile SoC’s, announced today that its CAN XL IP has achieved the ASIL-D Certification. The CAN XL IP has been independently certified by SGS-TÜV Saar as ASIL-D, the highest safety level of functional safety defined in ISO 26262, the international standard for functional safety in road vehicles.

The CAN XL IP is backward compatible with the CAN FD and CAN 2.0 standards. The ASIL-D certification also covers Arasan’s CAN FD IP and CAN 2.0 IP which will continue to be sold as ASIL-D certified independent products.

Arasan is offering a free upgrade to its CAN XL IP for customers interested in licensing CAN FD until June 30, 2026. The gate count increase from CAN FD to CAN XL is minimal and customers are encouraged to leverage this promotion to adopt the latest version of the CAN Specification, CAN XL.

“Arasan’s IP have been used extensively in mission critical and life endangering applications in defense, nuclear, aerospace, medical and automotive ADAS SoC’s ” said Ron Mabry, VP of Sales at Arasan. “The ASIL-D Certification attests to our fail safe design philosophy”.

Arasan’s has an extensive portfolio of ASIL-B, ASIL-C and ASIL-D certified products including the MIPI DSI-2 IP for Display, MIPI CSI-2 IP for Camera both of which are seamlessly integrated with the MIPI D-PHY IP or the MIPI C-PHY IP, JEDEC eMMC IP for storage and UNH Certified automotive grade Ethernet IP when high speed automotive connectivity is required.

For more information, please visit: https://www.arasan.com/product/can-bus-controller-ip/

Availability

ASIL-D certified CAN IP products, including the CAN XL IP, CAN FD IP and CAN 2.0 IP, are available to license immediately from Arasan. Please contact sales@arasan.com to license our CAN IP.

Arasan Chip Systems, founded in 1995 is a provider of IP solutions for mobile storage and connectivity interfaces. Arasan’s focus lies in mobile SoCs, which have evolved to encompass a wide range of applications, from PDAs in the mid-’90s to today’s automobiles, drones, and IoT devices. Arasan remains at the forefront of this “Mobile” evolution, providing standards-based IP that forms the foundation of Mobile SoCs. Over a billion chips have been shipped with Arasan’s IP.

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SOURCE Arasan Chip Systems, Inc.