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Boutique Inns Are Beating Big Hotels at Their Own Game with AI-Powered Pricing Platform TakeUp

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Boutique Meets Big Tech: Devonfield Inn’s Secret to Higher Revenue

LEE, Mass., March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Boutique hotels and bed-and-breakfasts have long faced an uphill battle competing with large hotel chains, which have deep pockets and access to sophisticated revenue management tools. But that’s changing. Independent properties like the Devonfield Inn in Lee, Massachusetts, are now leveraging AI-powered pricing technology once reserved for global hotel brands to boost revenue, optimize pricing, and compete on a whole new level.

Devonfield Inn co-owner Doug Bagnasco had spent years managing pricing manually, relying on intuition and competitor comparisons to set room rates. But after realizing that he was often undervaluing his own property, he turned to TakeUp, an AI-driven revenue management platform designed for independent hospitality businesses. The results were undeniable: in less than a year, the inn saw average room rate increases of 15%—without sacrificing occupancy or guest satisfaction.

AI Levels the Playing Field for Independent Inns

For decades, revenue management tools were only available to large hotel chains that could afford dedicated teams of data scientists and analysts. TakeUp is changing that, providing boutique properties with an affordable, AI-powered pricing platform that reacts to real-time demand, market trends, and booking patterns.

“At first, I thought I had pricing figured out,” said Bagnasco. “I was relying on intuition and assumptions about what guests would pay. But when I started using AI-driven pricing, I saw that my rates had been lower than they should have been. The increase in revenue went straight to the bottom line.”

With TakeUp’s automated pricing recommendations, Bagnasco no longer spends hours manually adjusting rates or second-guessing pricing decisions. Instead, he works closely with a dedicated revenue strategist from TakeUp, who acts as an extension of his team, providing expert guidance and ensuring pricing aligns with the inn’s business goals.

“The ability to have a revenue strategist from TakeUp in my corner has been invaluable,” said Bagnasco. “They don’t just hand over an AI tool and walk away—they’re constantly monitoring performance, adjusting strategy as needed. It’s like having an in-house revenue expert without the overhead of hiring one.”

Breaking the Pricing Fear Factor

One of the biggest mental hurdles for independent innkeepers is the fear of overpricing and losing guests. Bagnasco shared that before using AI, he hesitated to push rates higher, assuming guests would resist paying more.

“The biggest detractor from pricing wasn’t the guest—it was me,” Bagnasco admitted. “I was more worried about their perception of price than they were. Once I let AI take over, I realized guests were still booking, even at higher rates. In fact, when they see strong reviews and high rankings, they often expect to pay more.”

Sustained Growth, Even in a Challenging Market

Like many boutique properties, Devonfield Inn experienced a post-pandemic revenue surge. However, while others saw their numbers flatten or decline in recent years, Devonfield’s revenue continued to climb after implementing AI-driven pricing.

“For three years, our revenue remained flat despite strong demand,” said Bagnasco. “Once TakeUp got involved, we saw an increase we hadn’t seen before. That was the clearest sign that AI-driven pricing was working.”

Balancing Profitability with Guest Trust

One of Bagnasco’s biggest concerns when adopting AI-driven pricing was ensuring guests never felt taken advantage of—even if demand allowed for much higher rates.

“With TakeUp, I can set boundaries on how high rates go,” he explained. “I never want guests to feel like they’re being overcharged just because we could get more. TakeUp allows us to optimize pricing while keeping it within a range that aligns with our values. It’s about fair pricing, not just maximizing revenue.”

The Future of Boutique Lodging is Smart, Not Big

Independent inns and boutique hotels are proving that success in the hospitality industry isn’t just about scale—it’s about strategy. AI-powered tools like TakeUp are allowing smaller properties to optimize revenue and stay competitive without the complexity and cost of traditional revenue management systems.

“For a long time, this kind of technology was out of reach for small properties,” said Bagnasco. “Now, boutique inns have the same capabilities as big brands. It’s a game-changer.”

About Devonfield Inn

Centrally located in the heart of the Berkshires, this historic 1800 bed and breakfast near Lenox, Massachusetts offers a luxurious retreat with unmatched service and countryside views for every season. Relax at the top-rated, romantic Devonfield Inn set on 32-acres in Lee, MA, just minutes to Tanglewood and all the cultural gems of the Berkshires.

About TakeUp

TakeUp is a leading revenue optimization platform designed for boutique hotels, inns, and alternative accommodations. Through AI-driven pricing and personalized revenue strategies, TakeUp empowers small hospitality businesses to maximize their earnings and save valuable time.

Devonfield Inn Media Contact
Doug Bagnasco
Owner
392265@email4pr.com

TakeUp Media Contact
Kelly Campbell
Marketing & Communications
619.895.0029
392265@email4pr.com

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SOURCE TakeUp

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Agile Robots Launches Agile ONE SN Humanoid at NVIDIA GTC Berlin and Pilots Humanoids with Audi

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October 27, 2026

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BERLIN, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On 21 October, Agile Robots and NVIDIA launched the research humanoid Agile ONE SN at NVIDIA GTC Berlin. Agile Robots has released its new-generation Diana 7 and Diana 3 arms, both supporting the Franka Control Interface (FCI).

Agile ONE SN: humanoid reference platform

Agile ONE SN is built on the NVIDIA Isaac GR00T development platform. The 1.4-metre, 43-kilogram humanoid has dual WUJI tactile five-finger hands and 71 degrees of freedom in total, runs on NVIDIA Jetson Thor and ships with the GR00T 1.7 open VLA model. Skills developed on it can transfer to the full-size industrial Agile ONE. Availability is planned for early 2027.

Two days earlier, at the Invest in Germany Summit in Berlin, NVIDIA announced plans to invest in Agile Robots.

“Agile ONE SN gives R&D labs around the world a complete humanoid platform that is ready from day one,” said Dr. Zhaopeng Chen, founder and CEO of Agile Robots.

Application: humanoids in Audi’s logistics

Agile Robots, AUDI AG, Dassault Systèmes and NVIDIA also announced a joint project at Audi’s Ingolstadt plant. In the Audi Production Lab, mobile humanoids pick parts from containers and sequence them for final assembly, a task performed around one million times a day. The workcell is first tested in a DELMIA virtual twin accelerated by NVIDIA Omniverse libraries.

Diana 7 and Diana 3: one interface, from lab to industrial payloads

Diana 7 extends Franka Research 3 to higher payloads and reach, while Diana 3 brings the same force-control platform to entry-level research. Both share ±0.05 mm repeatability and 0.5 N relative force-control accuracy, and both support FCI, so Franka Research 3 code moves directly to Diana.

Diana 3 keeps seven degrees of freedom, joint torque sensing and compliant control for precision manipulation, lab automation and sample handling. Diana 7, shown at the 26th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai (12–16 October), offers 7 kg payload and 923 mm reach, and weighs 2 kg less than before.

About Agile Robots

Founded in Munich in 2018 by robotics researchers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Agile Robots provides AI-powered robotics solutions and employs more than 3,500 people worldwide. With its subsidiaries BÄR Automation, Franka Robotics, idealworks and Krause Automation, it covers all areas of AI-driven robotics.

For inquiries, please contact us via apac-sales@agile-robots.com and visit our official website at www.agile-robots.com 

CONTACT:
Agile Robots
apac-sales@agile-robots.com 

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SOURCE Agile Robots

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ECOVACS WINBOT W3 OMNI Named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026

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October 27, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2026 /CNW/ — ECOVACS ROBOTICS, a global leader in home service robotics, is honored to announce that its WINBOT W3 OMNI has been named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list[1]. This recognition underscores ECOVACS’ leadership in the robotic window cleaning, driven by relentless technological innovation, and highlights how these breakthroughs are reshaping everyday life in meaningful ways.

Acclaimed by TIME for turning the demanding task of cleaning floor-to-ceiling windows into a more effortless experience, WINBOT W3 OMNI builds on ECOVACS’ strong market position in the category, with the company shipping approximately 1.075 million robotic window cleaners in the first half of 2026 and capturing over 50%[2] of the global robotic window cleaner market in 2025. This market leadership is underpinned by ECOVACS’ pioneering role in defining and continuously advancing the robotic window cleaner category. Since introducing WINBOT, ECOVACS has continued to drive user-focused innovations that elevate cleaning performance, simplify the cleaning process, and bring greater autonomy to window care.

For more than two decades, TIME Best Inventions list recognizes groundbreaking innovations with the potential to change how we live, work, play, and think about what’s possible. Selected through a rigorous editorial process, ECOVACS WINBOT W3 OMNI earns its place on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list, recognized for its originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.

WINBOT’s recognition by TIME as one of the Best Inventions reflects more than a single product breakthrough. It is built on ECOVACS’ years of technological expertise, extensive patent portfolio and ability to leverage core technologies across robotics, sensing, algorithms and intelligent manufacturing. With more than 3,100 patents granted and over RMB 5.2 billion invested in R&D since 2018, ECOVACS has established a strong technological foundation for translating its broader robotics capabilities into innovations tailored to the unique challenges of window cleaning. This accumulated expertise enables the continuous evolution of WINBOT, helping advance the category and deliver increasingly intelligent, reliable and effective cleaning experiences.

Showcasing ECOVACS’ innovation prowess, WINBOT W3 OMNI features a revolutionary station equipped with Vortex Wash, the industry’s first contact-free wiping pad washing system that eliminates the hassle of hand-washing dirty pads. Combined with the TruEdge scrubber, which brings precise edge-to-edge cleaning with millimeter-level accuracy, WINBOT W3 OMNI delivers a more thorough, hands-off cleaning experience.

Beyond WINBOT, ECOVACS is bringing robotics to more corners of everyday life through its expanding multi-category portfolio, from indoor floor care to outdoor pool cleaning and lawn maintenance, to make daily life easier and give people more time for what matters most.

About ECOVACS ROBOTICS:

Founded in 2006, ECOVACS ROBOTICS is a global leader in home service robotics with a diverse portfolio of products encompassing robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic window cleaners. With its expansion into robotic lawn mowers, commercial cleaning robots, robotic pool cleaners and robotic pet companions, ECOVACS solidified its position as a multi-category leader in home service robotics.

Guided by the vision “Robotics for All”, ECOVACS continues to advance technology and enhance the user experience to make life smarter and more stylish for consumers worldwide. With sales subsidiaries in Germany, the United States, Japan, and Singapore, ECOVACS products reach nearly 180 major markets and serve over 38 million households globally.

A testament to this market leadership, ECOVACS ROBOTICS has ranked first in China’s robotic vacuum cleaner market by share for ten consecutive years (2015-2024).

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SOURCE ECOVACS ROBOTICS

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Compal and ARC Cloud Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Large-Scale AI Infrastructure

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October 27, 2026

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The MOU outlines a global strategic collaboration spanning advanced AI computing systems, high-performance GPU clusters and next-generation data center infrastructure.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Compal Electronics, Inc. (TWSE: 2324) (“Compal”) and ARC Cloud today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance their strategic collaboration in large-scale AI computing infrastructure.

Signed during the 2026 OCP Global Summit, the MOU establishes a framework for collaboration across multiple projects. As part of their broader collaboration, the companies will explore opportunities related to a data center development roadmap of up to 100 MW. The partnership also aligns with ARC Cloud’s plans for continued expansion through significant capital investments in AI infrastructure and data center development across the United States, including California, Nevada, Texas and Georgia.

The collaboration brings together Compal’s advanced AI server technologies and manufacturing expertise with ARC Cloud’s end-to-end capabilities in AI infrastructure investment and the design, deployment and operation of large-scale GPU clusters.

The partnership extends beyond AI server supply to encompass system engineering, technical validation, deployment coordination and ongoing support. By aligning advanced computing technologies with infrastructure requirements, the companies aim to accelerate the delivery of computing capacity for AI model training, fine-tuning and inference.

“AI computing is moving toward increasingly integrated, high-density systems that require closer coordination between technology manufacturers and infrastructure providers,” said Alan Chang, Vice President of Infrastructure Systems Business Group (ISBU) at Compal. “Our partnership with ARC Cloud allows us to build on our engineering strengths and explore new opportunities to support the growing NeoCloud market.”

How the Companies Will Work Together

Under the MOU, Compal will contribute its expertise in AI server manufacturing, rack-scale integration and liquid-cooling technologies. ARC Cloud will bring its capabilities in infrastructure investment, strategic technology partnerships, and the engineering and operation of high-performance GPU clusters.

The companies will work to align system configurations, production schedules and data center deployment requirements, while exploring cooperation in joint engineering, system validation and lifecycle technical support. These efforts are intended to improve deployment efficiency and operational readiness as AI computing environments grow in scale and complexity.

“AI customers need more than access to GPUs. They need computing environments that can deliver consistent performance for demanding workloads,” said William Tiah, Co-Founder of ARC Cloud. “Working with Compal allows us to bring system engineering and infrastructure planning closer together, helping us build and operate reliable GPU clusters as demand for AI computing continues to grow.”

About Compal

Founded in 1984, Compal is a leading global manufacturer of computers and smart devices and a Forbes Global 2000 company, partnering with top-tier brands worldwide. The company has expanded into cloud servers, automotive electronics, smart medical and healthcare, and advanced communication solutions. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, Compal operates globally across the U.S., Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, and Poland. Website: https://www.compal.com

About ARC Cloud

ARC Cloud (Accelerated Research Computing) is a U.S.-based, full-stack NeoCloud company specializing in the investment, development and operation of large-scale AI computing infrastructure. With end-to-end capabilities spanning data center development, GPU cluster design and deployment, infrastructure orchestration and operations, and cloud-based AI services, ARC Cloud provides dedicated GPU compute, managed infrastructure, model deployment and production inference for AI developers, enterprises and cloud service providers. Website: https://arccloudai.com

Forward-Looking Statements

The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation and does not constitute a binding investment or purchase commitment. The potential 100 MW data center development roadmap referenced in this announcement is exploratory and does not represent a confirmed project, capacity commitment, purchase commitment or revenue forecast. Specific projects, capacity, commercial terms and timelines remain subject to further agreements and applicable conditions. Actual outcomes may differ from current expectations.

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SOURCE Compal Electronics, Inc.

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