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ThayerMahan’s Outpost unmanned surveillance system highlighted in news story about submarine production delays

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GROTON, Conn., Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In the midst of White House and Pentagon negotiations regarding delays and cost overruns in submarine production, ThayerMahan, a global leader in undersea surveillance technology, recently responded to a media inquiry about its Outpost system. The core question was whether its unmanned, long-duration acoustic sensing systems are able to augment submarine surveillance missions.

ThayerMahan is a positive option for the Navy to ensure the undersea domain is covered. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-2nd)

“What we have is truly a ‘disruptive technology,'” Mike Connor, ThayerMahan Chairman and CEO told The Day of New London, CT, which covers nearby submarine manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat. “We’re proposing to do things for a lot less money.”

Connor is a retired Vice Admiral who commanded the U.S. Submarine Force during his time in the U.S. Navy. Connor told The Day that he and others foresaw labor shortages and supply chain challenges years ago when submarine production was at a post-WW II all-time low. That lull resulted in significant reductions in the manufacturing base that fed components to GD’s Electric Boat, and markedly diminished the skilled workforce necessary to build one of the nation’s most sophisticated defense assets.

Just days after Connor was interviewed to explain how Outpost can aid in filling known and anticipated undersea surveillance mission gaps, the White House asked Congress for $7.3 billion in emergency funding to keep sub production on pace.

Each submarine costs about $5 billion and construction takes six to seven years. In addition, subs require a crew of about 130 sailors to operate.

One Outpost system costs about $2 million and requires a few months of construction time. The 22-foot unmanned vessels are powered by solar, wind, and wave energy, can employ an array of sophisticated listening devices similar to those deployed by submarines, and deliver high-quality sensor data ashore in near-real time.

This scenario means a fleet of small, unmanned Outpost platforms can cover vast areas of ocean around the globe while providing submarine commanders with valuable and timely maritime awareness on and below the surface.

Former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson (USN Ret.) noted that “We need sensors, we need as many sensors as we can get out there. Sampling density is key. And so, autonomous, high-quality, connected, persistent sensors, at an affordable price are fundamental. Outpost provides all of those qualities. It is exactly the type of sensor we need.” 

After learning of the White House request for an emergency $7.3 billion in additional sub funding, Connor issued the following statement:

“Since there is no plan on the table that will solve the submarine shortfall in the next 20 years, some funding should shift to mitigating the impact of that shortfall. Outpost is one method for filling the gap in undersea warfare capacity. Taking 10% of the $7B proposed for long-term improvement in the submarine industrial base and using it to fill the near-term gap in undersea capacity would be a good place to start.

“We will always need submarines because they can fire missiles and deploy special forces, but we cannot build them fast enough to meet the increasing threats across the globe,” Connor said. “There is too much ocean and too many bad actors with advanced technology for our sub fleet to keep up with.”

Adding to the production challenge is the agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S., known as AUKUS, for the U.S. to provide three to five subs to Australia to keep China’s military in check.

U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney of Connecticut’s 2nd District and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces told The Day the Outpost system is a worthy option for the Navy.

“The bottom line is the (submarine) fleet needs to grow and AUKUS is a big commitment,” Courtney said. “ThayerMahan is a really positive option for the Navy to make sure the undersea domain is going to be covered. It’s always been Mike Connor’s view that ThayerMahan can extend the reach of submarines, allowing them to concentrate on other things (besides surveillance).

“It shows we have options to make sure undersea threats are deterred.”

Media Contact: Dr. Kevin Lopes
Vice President, Marketing
120B Leonard Drive
Groton, CT 06340
860-937-6499
www.thayermahan.com

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SOURCE ThayerMahan, Inc.

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LianLian Global and PayPal Power Cross-Border Payouts for Social Commerce, Marketplace, and eCommerce Customers

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Social commerce, marketplaces and eCommerce players served by LianLian Global can now pay creators, influencers, developers, and independent contractors directly to their PayPal and Venmo wallets.

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LianLian Global  today announced it has partnered with PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) to enable its social commerce, marketplace and e-commerce clients to send payouts directly to PayPal accounts globally and to Venmo accounts in the U.S.

The creator and gig economy runs on fast, low-friction payouts. Brands are expected to spend $32.6 billion on creators in 2026 and roughly 50 million people worldwide create content professionally or semi-professionally (Gigapay Global Creator Economy Report 2026). Many of these recipients already hold a PayPal or Venmo account: PayPal had over 400 million active accounts across approximately 200 markets at the end of Q2 2026, and Venmo reached 67 million monthly active accounts in Q4 2025.

Paypal Payouts is live in 96 global markets and 24 currencies. It allows merchants to send to any email address, mobile number, or Venmo user handle, with or without an existing PayPal or Venmo account.

To support enterprises expanding globally, LianLian Global provides digital payment services including pay-in, pay-out, acquiring, foreign exchange, virtual cards and payment aggregation. To date, its parent company Lianlian DigiTech has served more than 13.3 million clients. Its services reach more than 200 countries and regions, support transactions and settlement in more than 140 currencies, and connect with more than 180 global e-commerce platforms.

The partnership combines LianLian Global’s cross-border collection, FX and compliance infrastructure with PayPal’s global wallet network. Key offerings include:

Pay to PayPal: Payouts from LianLian Global clients to PayPal account holders in 96 markets, using only the recipient’s email or phone numberPay to Venmo: Domestic U.S. payouts to Venmo users, including creators, influencers and independent contractorsPayPal Payouts for Platforms: Mass disbursements for social commerce, marketplaces and affiliate platforms paying large numbers of sellers, creators and contractorsSpeed to settle: Save time and money by eliminating check runs and postage; no need for routing numbers and bank accounts.

Sandra Lam, Deputy CEO of US at LianLian Global: “Social commerce is creating a new economy, where creators, influencers and independent sellers drive discovery and sales alongside the platforms they sell on. Paying these participants fast, across borders and in small amount is what powers the network effect of social commerce. We see our work with Paypal as a key step in building the payout rails for the global gig economy.”

The collaboration expands LianLian Global’s payout coverage and supports its growth in the U.S. and global markets as cross-border platforms scale their creator and contractor programs.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lianlian-global-and-paypal-power-cross-border-payouts-for-social-commerce-marketplace-and-ecommerce-customers-302917635.html

SOURCE LianLian Global

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Crab2B Debuts as Hong Kong’s First Dedicated B2B Platform for Mobile Electronics

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HONG KONG, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the global population surpassing 8 billion, mobile electronics have become essential to modern life, with smartphones now used by billions of people. Across approximately 13,861 cities worldwide, electronics wholesalers play a vital role in the supply chain. Among the world’s three major wholesale hubs for digital electronics, Dubai serves the Middle East and Africa, Miami connects markets across Latin America, and Hong Kong draws strength from its unique position linking mainland China with global markets. According to Hong Kong Customs data, re-exports of used mobile phones from Hong Kong reached 51.5 million units in 2025, while the total value of electronics exports hit HK$3.9216 trillion. Yet despite its value running into the trillions of Hong Kong dollars, it has long lacked a dedicated online platform.

Crab2B was created to fill this gap as Hong Kong’s first B2B platform dedicated to mobile electronics. Inspired by Alibaba’s online B2B marketplace model, the platform focuses on consumer electronics, bringing together hundreds of thousands of buyers and sellers worldwide and enabling them to connect directly.

Crab2B covers a broad range of products, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and other smart devices. Listings span brand-new and used devices, as well as certified pre-owned (CPO) and as-is products. The platform also connects buyers and suppliers with service providers offering product inspection, international logistics and repair services. Users can search for products by brand and model, while all merchants undergo rigorous verification before joining the platform. With these safeguards in place, Crab2B is designed to meet the needs of businesses across the value chain, protect the interests of both buyers and sellers, and facilitate mutually beneficial transactions.

Building on Hong Kong’s established trading network, Crab2B made its debut at the HKICEC Global Mobile Exchange Pavilion during the Global Sources Hong Kong Shows, held at AsiaWorld-Expo from October 18 to 21, 2026, where it also launched the Crab2B app. Looking ahead, Crab2B will remain firmly rooted in Hong Kong while expanding its global reach, continuing to refine the platform to deliver a smarter, more comprehensive digital marketplace for mobile electronics. By helping international buyers identify suitable suppliers, simplifying cross-border sourcing and reducing transaction costs, Crab2B aims to support the continued growth of Hong Kong’s digital trade sector and contribute to the city’s long-term prosperity and stability.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/crab2b-debuts-as-hong-kongs-first-dedicated-b2b-platform-for-mobile-electronics-302917652.html

SOURCE CRAB 2B TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED

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AiMOGA Launches Global Robot Innovation: Mobo Debuts from Wuhu, Empowering Homes and Businesses

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AiMOGA Robotics has officially launched Mobo, its first consumer-grade humanoid family companion robot, marking a new chapter in intelligent living for Malaysian households and enterprises. Unveiled globally from AiMOGA’s headquarters in Wuhu, China, during a joint international users summit with its sister brands, this groundbreaking product reflects the company’s commitment to worldwide innovation and technological excellence.

Standing 0.9 meters tall with 22 degrees of freedom, Mobo supports over 20 languages—including Bahasa Malaysia—and delivers rich, personalized interactions. Designed for family life, it offers children interactive learning, storytelling, and object recognition, while providing elders with conversational companionship and customizable reminders. Powered by MoAgent, AiMOGA’s embodied intelligence system, Mobo features a dual-brain architecture enabling real-time responses, multi-tasking capabilities, and adaptive learning through facial recognition and secure MogaCloud integration.

Peng Xia, AiMOGA Robotics Executive Vice President, said Mobo’s spatial perception, interaction, execution, decision-making, and cognition layers form a perception-decision-execution-feedback loop. Spatial memory enables object retrieval, while social navigation recognizes pedestrian paths and interaction zones. Multimodal technologies coordinate language, facial expressions, and movement for natural interaction.

Beyond home use, Mobo shows strong potential in professional settings—from customer service to logistics—supporting AiMOGA’s vision of integrating robotics into everyday workflows.

Since its debut in August 2026, Mobo has attracted over 10,000 prospective users. Thirty-five were selected as Global User Experience Officers, receiving one year of complimentary use to help shape future improvements.

At the event, Guibin Zhang, AiMOGA Robotics General Manager, outlined strategies in R&D, cost optimization, sales and leasing. The “Platform Institute + Scenario Institute” model drives validation for bipedal, quadruped, and wheeled robots. Plans include 300 global experience centers and “Jia Tian Xia”, a robot leasing brand launching in Wuhu. Leveraging Chery’s manufacturing and platform resources enhances cost efficiency and scalability.

Notably, AiMOGA’s impact in Malaysia is amplified through strategic collaboration with sister brands Chery, OMODA & JAECOO, iCAUR, and LEPAS. Their partnership extends far beyond vehicle showrooms and daily operations—jointly developing integrated smart ecosystems that span mobility, retail, smart offices, and connected living.

As part of a global rollout with over 3,000 units deployed across 60+ markets, this initiative aims to bring intelligent, accessible robotics to more Malaysian families and businesses—enhancing productivity, convenience, and quality of life.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/aimoga-launches-global-robot-innovation-mobo-debuts-from-wuhu-empowering-homes-and-businesses-302917658.html

SOURCE AiMOGA Robotics

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