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Thailand Approves Sunwoda to Invest More Than US$1 billion in EV Battery Cell Plants

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BANGKOK, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Thailand’s Commission on the National Competitiveness Enhancement for Targeted Industries, at a meeting today, approved an investment by a unit of China’s Sunwoda Electronic worth more than a billion dollars in the production of electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) batteries at the cell level, in a move that will strengthen the country’s supply chain and support EV manufacturing for both the domestic and export markets.

The Commission is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, who is also the Chairman of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). The Commission, whose secretariat is under the responsibility of the BOI, was established by law in 2017 to support new industries that add value to the economy and enhance the country’s competitiveness in a sustainable manner.

Sunwoda Automotive Energy Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. plans to build its manufacturing facilities in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor area. The first factory, located in Chonburi Province, will be producing lithium-ion battery cells for EV manufacturers.

“Today marks a milestone in the development of Thailand’s EV supply chain, as having EV battery cells produced locally will significantly reinforce our status as a manufacturing hub for EVs and hybrids, and increase the country’s competitiveness,” Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BOI, said after the meeting. “This project will also help widen the use of ESS and solar energy in our country, and, through the hiring of thousands of Thai engineers and workers, contribute to knowledge transfer in an industry which is of critical importance for the future.”

The construction of Sunwoda’s first Thai factory is progressing smoothly. The facility is expected to hire over 1,000 staff once production begins. The entire project, which will include manufacturing as well as research and product development, will employ a significantly greater staff, including a large number of Thai engineers and researchers.

Sunwoda Automotive Energy Technology (Thailand) is a subsidiary of Sunwoda Electronic Co.,Ltd, a company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, which is engaged in the production of batteries for a wide range of electronic devices, mobility, and storage equipment. In China, in 2023, Sunwoda’s SEVB brand ranked first in sales of batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and third in sales of batteries for high-end EV. Sunwoda’s battery cell manufacturing facilities in Thailand will be its first EV-related battery cell factory in the ASEAN region.

Thailand has long been a hub in the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) auto industry, ranking 10th in the world and number one in Southeast Asia as a manufacturer in 2023. Since it started promoting investment in the sector’s electrification, with government policies offering subsidies, tax breaks and other incentives to manufacturers and consumers, the country has attracted significant investments in the production of EV and hybrids.

Several major Chinese manufacturers of battery electric vehicles (BEV) have already started making cars in Thailand, including BYD, SAIC Motor (MG), Great Wall Motor, Hozon New Energy Automobile (Neta) and GAC Aion. Chongqing Changan Automobile is scheduled to open its Thai factory in the coming weeks, while Chery Automobile is currently building its local manufacturing facility. The Thai EV ecosystem also includes a fast-growing network of charging stations, the local manufacturing of chargers and significant car parts, and the assembly of battery packs and modules from imported cells.

In 2024, total applications for investment promotion in Thailand soared 35% in value to 1.14 trillion baht, its highest level since 2014, led by large foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in data centers, cloud services, as well as semiconductor and advanced electronics manufacturing. The automotive and parts sector ranked third in terms of the value of applications with 309 projects, worth a combined value of 102.4 billion baht.

For more information, please contact:
Thailand Board of Investment
Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111
Website: www.boi.go.th
YouTube: Think Asia, Invest Thailand

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2640897/BOI_SG.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/thailand-approves-sunwoda-to-invest-more-than-us1-billion-in-ev-battery-cell-plants-302400863.html

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Sunrate and Netstorming Partner to Expand Payment Options for Global Travel Businesses

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LONDON, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sunrate, the global payment and treasury management platform, today announced a strategic partnership with Netstorming, a leading travel technology and software development company, at World Travel Market London 2026. The partnership will make Sunrate Cards available through Netstorming’s network, giving travel businesses greater choice and flexibility in managing B2B travel payments.

“Sunrate has established a strong presence in global travel payments and continues to evolve alongside the industry. As future technologies reshape how travel businesses operate, we see opportunities to enable more intelligent and seamless payment experiences, with next-generation capabilities such as our recently launched Agentic Card reflecting this ambition,” said Paul Meng, Co-founder and CEO of Sunrate. “Our partnership with Netstorming brings payment innovation closer to the technology powering global travel, supporting our vision for the future of travel payments.”

Through the partnership, Sunrate Cards will be added to Netstorming’s portfolio of payment options, enabling eligible travel businesses to use Sunrate Cards for supplier and other business payments. Designed for businesses operating across borders, Sunrate Cards provide greater control over payment flows through configurable spending parameters, enhanced security controls and real-time transaction visibility.

Sunrate Cards support settlement in more than 16 currencies, helping travel companies manage payments across different markets and currency zones while reducing the operational complexity associated with traditional payment methods.

“Travel is one of the world’s most interconnected industries, and its payment infrastructure must keep pace. Our partnership with Netstorming combines its deep travel technology expertise and network with Sunrate’s global payment capabilities, giving travel businesses another efficient way to manage supplier payments,” said Paul Batchelor, Head of Business Development, Europe at Sunrate. “We look forward to making B2B travel payments simpler, more flexible and more scalable.”

“Our network is the heart of our business. We believe that Sunrate’s solutions will provide our customers with greater flexibility expanding distribution opportunities. Together, our technology at Netstorming and Sunrate’s payment infrastructure will help drive stronger B2B connectivity and create new opportunities across the global tourism market,” said Nicola Rizzardini, CEO and Co-founder at Netstorming.

The partnership further strengthens Sunrate’s presence across the global travel technology ecosystem. Sunrate works with leading travel technology and payment platforms, enabling travel businesses to access capabilities spanning card issuance, international payments, global collection, global acquiring and treasury solutions.

About Sunrate

Sunrate is a leading global payment and treasury management platform for businesses worldwide. Founded in 2016, Sunrate has enabled companies to operate and scale both locally and globally in 190+ countries and regions with its cutting-edge infrastructure, global network, and unified solutions.

Sunrate operates through offices across key markets, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London. The company partners with the top global financial institutions, such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, J.P. Morgan. Sunrate is also the principal member of Mastercard and Visa. To learn more about Sunrate, visit https://www.sunrate.com/.

About Netstorming

Netstorming is an Italian tech company specializing in the development of software solutions for the tourism industry. Founded in 2004, the company works with international tour operators, travel agencies and DMCs. Over the years, strong partnerships with major Italian and international operators, combined with a highly skilled team constantly updated on travel market trends and IT innovation, have positioned the company as a reference in travel technology.

Netstorming offers its core products and a wide range of technology services to the global tourism market. The company believes continuous innovation is key to delivering high performance tools that meet clients’ needs, working closely with partners to develop customized solutions that streamline operations and boost productivity.

Main products:

TOWeRS — B2B online booking systemBRIDGE — Centralized API/XML hotel integration solutionMIDA — Online accounting management system

More information: https://www.netstorming.net/

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sunrate-and-netstorming-partner-to-expand-payment-options-for-global-travel-businesses-302919266.html

SOURCE Sunrate

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New AI transformation company raises funding to advance AI adoption in Europe

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LONDON, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hg, the leading investor in European and transatlantic technology and services businesses, today announced an agreement to invest, with participation from Anthropic and angel investors, in a new AI transformation company to help European companies advance responsible AI adoption and product innovation.

The new company, which will formally launch later this year, will be an independent entity that works with organizations to advance AI adoption and AI-native product build, moving beyond pilots to measurable operational impact. The company will build on Claude, with forward deployed engineers, helping businesses move beyond simply adopting AI to building real, defensible advantage from it.

Built for Europe, the company will shape the organizations that will define Europe’s AI era – supporting businesses with distinctive IP, deep domain expertise and long-standing customer relationships that operate across a uniquely complex landscape of languages and regulatory regimes.

Steve Batchelor and JB Brian, Co-CEOs of Hg, commented: “This builds on Hg’s early conviction in the transformational power of AI. We’re delighted to announce our investment in this new company and look forward to further advancing Europe’s position within the global AI ecosystem.”

Steve Corfield, Head of Global Business Development and Partnerships at Anthropic, commented: “Businesses are looking for experienced teams to help them put Claude to work. We’re proud to invest in companies like this as they grow to meet that need.”

About Hg

Hg is an investor in European and transatlantic technology and services businesses. We are an AI leader in private equity, helping to build sector-leading enterprises that supply critical applications or workflow services to deliver intelligent automation for their customers.

We take an active approach to value creation, combining deep end-market knowledge with world class operational resources to support entrepreneurial leaders looking to scale and drive AI transformation.

With a vast European network and strong presence across North America, Hg currently has over $110 billion in assets under management and more than 400 employees. Our portfolio spans around 60 businesses worth over $195 billion in aggregate enterprise value, employing more than 140,000 people and consistently growing revenues at more than 16% annually.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-ai-transformation-company-raises-funding-to-advance-ai-adoption-in-europe-302927628.html

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Pudu Robotics Unveils PUDU TOMO S Series: Extending Lawn Care Automation to Blade Sharpening

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Bringing commercial robotics expertise home, PUDU combines automated blade care, precise edge cutting and intelligent navigation for easier lawn maintenance.

AMSTERDAM, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial robotics, today officially unveiled the PUDU TOMO S Series at its product launch event, bringing its robotics expertise into the home. Built around the SharpLoop™ Self-Sharpening System, the robotic mower series combines automated blade care with precise lawn maintenance to help homeowners achieve consistently clean cuts with less routine upkeep.

PUDU’s move into home robotics builds on years of serving demanding commercial environments. Working with globally renowned companies including Walmart, Toyota, Marriott and Pizza Hut has strengthened its experience in product reliability, adaptability, efficient deployment and ongoing support. Enterprise requirements for operational stability have helped PUDU develop and deploy robotics at scale, providing a foundation for its expansion into everyday home life.

Underpinning this expansion is PUDU’s “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” architecture, which brings together embodied navigation, manipulation and interaction, alongside motion control and multi-robot coordination. This scalable foundation supports different robot forms and applications, enabling PUDU to bring its capabilities into the home.

“Bringing robotics home means giving people more time to enjoy everyday life,” said Felix Zhang, CEO of PUDU. “With PUDU TOMO, we are applying years of commercial robotics experience to lawn care, combining reliable performance with automation that extends from mowing to blade maintenance. By reducing the routine work behind a well-kept lawn, we are bringing our mission of making work easier and life better into people’s homes.”

PUDU TOMO S Series: Self-Sharpening System for Consistently Clean Cuts

Automated mowing saves time, but keeping blades sharp remains a recurring task for homeowners. The PUDU TOMO S Series brings blade care into the mowing cycle, combining automatic sharpening with powerful cutting to maintain lawn quality with less routine intervention.

At its core, the SharpLoop™ Self-Sharpening System automatically sharpens the rotary blades at the charging station when needed. This tool-free mow-return-sharpen-repeat cycle helps preserve blade sharpness and cutting performance over time. By reducing routine blade maintenance and replacement, it means less hands-on work with sharp blades and more time for homeowners to relax and enjoy their gardens.

The Lift-Cut-Discharge System tackles tall, dense and wet grass with dual 636 W high-torque motors driving the blades at up to 6,000 RPM. Aerodynamic high-lift blades raise flattened grass into the cutting path, while a dedicated rear discharge channel guides clippings away to help prevent buildup and blockages—delivering cleaner cuts with less clogging and manual rework.

Attention to detail extends to the lawn’s finish. PUDU TOMO’s Zero Edge Cutting combines an offset cutting deck with intelligent side sensing and a responsive side bumper. The deck positions the cutting path close to the boundary, while sensing and bumper feedback help guide movement along walls, trees, flower beds and open lawn edges, reducing uncut strips and manual trimming. Meanwhile, 180° rear-wheel zero-turn steering enables smooth, tight turns with less turf disruption. Alternating mowing directions and perimeter return routes further support an even appearance with fewer visible tracks.

All-wheel drive helps PUDU TOMO tackle challenging lawns with confidence. Four independent high-torque hub motors provide traction on slopes up to 45°. A floating cutting deck follows ground contours, while independent suspension supports obstacle crossing up to 6 cm.

Triple-Sense Navigation combines 360° LiDAR, AI Vision and network RTK for centimeter-level positioning without a local RTK reference station. One-Tap Auto Mapping identifies lawn boundaries and plans routes from the first run, eliminating boundary wires and manual mapping.

The PUDU TOMO S Series comes in three versions for lawns from 1,500 m² (0.37 acres) to 5,000 m² (1.24 acres), with sales expected in early spring 2027. For pricing and regional availability, visit PUDU HOME and subscribe for product news and launch updates.

About PUDU TOMO

TOMO is Pudu Robotics’ consumer robotic lawn care product line, redefining the standard of robot mowing through innovative cutting technologies that make lawn care simpler than ever. Featuring the world’s first self-sharpening rotary-blade robotic mower, the TOMO lineup frees homeowners from blade maintenance and replacement, delivering consistently precise, high-quality cuts—season after season.

Backed by Pudu Robotics, ranked No. 1 globally in commercial service robotics by both revenue and shipment volume, with over 130,000 robots shipped across more than 85 countries and regions and more than 1,900 patent applications worldwide, PUDU TOMO brings this proven technological foundation into the home, making effortless, worry-free lawn care accessible to households around the world.

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SOURCE Pudu Robotics

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