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SoftBank Corp. and TOPPAN Holdings Develop Lightweight, Durable Skin for Solar HAPS Aircraft Wings

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Skin’s compatibility with stratospheric conditions such as extreme UV rays and ultra-low temperatures makes longer HAPS operations possible

TOKYO, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SoftBank Corp. (TYO: 9434) (President & CEO: Junichi Miyakawa, “SoftBank”) and TOPPAN Holdings Inc. (TYO: 7911) (President & COO: Satoshi Oya, “TOPPAN Holdings”) jointly developed a lightweight, durable skin for use on solar High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) aircraft wings and devised a testing method that replicates the stratosphere’s environment. Test production will go forward, and the aircraft wing skin is planned for use with HTA-type[1] HAPS, which SoftBank plans to deploy for commercial services from 2029 onwards.     

This jointly developed HAPS aircraft wing skin and test method that reproduces stratospheric conditions were made possible by combining SoftBank’s HAPS expertise and TOPPAN Holdings’ know-how accrued over years of creating advanced multi-layered film technology designed for packaging and construction materials. TOPPAN Holdings also leveraged its proprietary technology that evaluates weather resistance. This joint development mitigates film damage (degradation) caused by strong ultraviolet (UV) rays and ultra-low temperatures of almost -100°C. As a result, the aircraft can stay in the stratosphere for longer periods. 

Development Background
HAPS, also referred to as “base stations in the sky,” provide communication services from uncrewed aircraft that remain airborne in the stratosphere. Being able to keep an aircraft with a communications payload airborne for extended periods of time would make it possible to provide an alternative means of communications in the aftermath of large-scale natural disasters, as well as provide communication services to under-connected areas, such as mountainous regions and remote islands. As these platforms operate from the stratosphere at an altitude of approximately 20 km above, they offer wider-area coverage than base stations on the ground, while also providing high-quality, high-volume, low-latency communications superior to satellite-based communications. However, at this altitude in the stratosphere, UV ray and ozone exposure is far greater than at ground level, and with exposure to extremely cold temperatures that sometimes drop to almost -100℃, impaired efficacy due to these environmental factors had been a serious issue with conventional all-purpose skins. Responding to this challenge, SoftBank and TOPPAN Holdings jointly developed a new ultra-lightweight, high-durability skin for aircraft wings capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of the stratosphere, along with a specialized methodology for its evaluation.     

Wing Skin & Evaluation Method Characteristics
1. Use of impact-resistant advanced resin and proprietary structure to achieve both lightweighting and safety
Leveraging converting technology[2] developed for packaging by TOPPAN Holdings, an optimized skin structure was achieved by precisely layering original materials and impact-resistant advanced resin suitable for use at extremely low temperature conditions. The resulting skin weighs the same as or less than average conventional all-purpose skin, and even if damage to the skin were to occur, the break-resistant design keeps damage from spreading, allowing for both a safe and lighter HAPS airframe.    

2. Advanced durability to address harsh stratospheric conditions
SoftBank has contributed real-world data from its stratospheric HAPS flights, including actual temperature measurements and deep ultraviolet (UV-C) ray exposure conditions, and has also defined requirements such as weight reduction and other performance criteria. This has enabled TOPPAN Holdings to design a skin that addresses exposure to the harsh environmental conditions of the stratosphere by applying technology developed for construction materials. These conditions particular to the stratosphere include everything from extremely low temperatures (approximately -50℃ to -95℃) to extreme heat (approximately 100℃) from direct sunlight. The skin is also resistant to short wave UV-C and high-concentration ozone (10-20 ppm, parts per million) exposure that are far stronger than at ground level. This durability will allow for extended HAPS operation periods.      

3. Establishing a testing method that simulates stratospheric conditions to ensure reliability
TOPPAN Holdings leveraged its knowledge of packaging film testing and accelerated durability testing of construction materials, to construct a new test environment that assesses the skin under a simulation of the ultralow temperatures of the stratosphere, while also facilitating the testing of simultaneous exposure from short wave UV rays and the ozone. By using this test environment, it is possible to understand the detailed mechanisms of deterioration particular to the stratosphere and to use that knowledge for improved product design. This understanding and design adjustment makes it possible to carry out a more precise and more reliable evaluation compared to former testing methods.     

Roles of Both Companies
SoftBank
Provide expertise required to evaluate the suitability of the skin as well as expertise on HAPS operations
Supervision of advancing use with HAPS aircraft and transferring advances to practical application

TOPPAN Holdings
Develop and provide skin material suitable for HAPS aircraft
Proposal for evaluation method in stratospheric environment

Future Developments
SoftBank and TOPPAN Holdings will proceed with research to make the skin material developed within the scope of this project even lighter and stronger by fiscal 2027 (the year ending March 31, 2028). Additionally, while evaluating durability in the stratosphere, both companies will also attempt to establish mass production technology capable of ensuring sufficient supply and reliable quality by fiscal 2028. Also, based on testing outcomes, additional functions will be added, and the skin is expected to be used by SoftBank on HTA-type HAPS aircraft that provide commercial services, planned for launch from 2029 onwards. Both companies also plan to apply this skin to other fields that require a high level of durability.

[1] HTA (Heavier-Than-Air) refers to HAPS that remain airborne by generating aerodynamic lift, similar to conventional aircraft.

[2] Converting technology is the process of transforming materials like film into high-function final products through specialized processing such as printing and lamination. 

For more information:
https://www.holdings.toppan.com/en/news/04/newsrelease260427_1.html 

About SoftBank Corp.
Guided by the SoftBank Group’s corporate philosophy, “Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone,” SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) operates telecommunications and IT businesses in Japan and globally. Building on its strong business foundation, SoftBank Corp. is expanding into non-telecom fields in line with its “Beyond Carrier” growth strategy while further growing its telecom business by harnessing the power of 5G/6G, IoT, Digital Twin and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions, including High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)-based stratospheric telecommunications. While constructing AI data centers and developing homegrown LLMs specialized for the Japanese language, SoftBank is integrating AI with radio access networks (AI-RAN), with the aim of becoming a provider of next-generation social infrastructure.
https://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/

About the TOPPAN Group
Established in Tokyo in 1900, the TOPPAN Group is a leading and diversified global provider committed to delivering sustainable, integrated solutions in fields including printing, communications, security, packaging, décor materials, electronics, and digital transformation. The TOPPAN Group’s global team of more than 50,000 employees offers optimal solutions enabled by industry-leading expertise and technologies to address the diverse challenges of every business sector and society and contribute to the achievement of shared sustainability goals.
https://www.holdings.toppan.com/en/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/toppan/

 

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ObjectWin India Rebrands as FornaxTech; Focuses on AI-Led Transformation and GCC-Driven Global Delivery

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BANGALORE, India, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ObjectWin India has rebranded as FornaxTech, reflecting its evolution into a capability-led organization aligned with the Fornax Group and focused on supporting AI-native enterprises, Global Capability Centers (GCCs), and global delivery models.

The move comes as enterprises accelerate investments in AI and expand GCCs as hubs for innovation, product development, and digital transformation.

FornaxTech will continue to build on ObjectWin India’s established strengths in technology talent and solutions, while expanding its role in enabling capability development, execution alignment, and transformation outcomes.

“This transition reflects where we already are and where we are heading,” said Saurav Lenka, CEO of FornaxTech. “We are building on a strong foundation while expanding how we create value through deeper capability, global delivery alignment, and more integrated engagement in an AI-driven world.”

As part of Fornax Group, the company will leverage broader capabilities, geographic reach, and enterprise relationships to support multi-market engagements and more complex transformation needs.

“This is an important step in strengthening a unified direction across the group,” said Subrata Nag, Founder & Group CEO, Fornax Corporate Services. “It allows us to bring together talent, technology, and execution in a more cohesive way to support evolving enterprise needs in an AI-led, globally distributed landscape.”

FornaxTech said it will focus on:

Capability-led engagement across global teams and GCCsIntegration of talent, platforms, and processesAI-native approaches to delivery and execution

The company’s delivery framework is supported by ObjectWin India’s CMMI Level 3 certification for Services, reflecting established process maturity, execution consistency, and scalability for enterprise engagements.

About FornaxTech

FornaxTech is a technology and talent solutions company focused on enabling enterprise transformation in an AI-native and globally distributed environment. As part of the Fornax Group, the company supports organizations with integrated capabilities across talent, technology, and execution.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2966208/FornaxTech_Logo.jpg

 

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Certis and Ensign InfoSecurity Partner to Strengthen Cybersecurity and Governance in AI-Driven Robotics

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Collaboration strengthens governance and cyber resilience as autonomous AI
becomes increasingly embedded in physical and operational environments

SINGAPORE, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Certis Group, Singapore’s leading provider of integrated security and operations solutions, and Ensign InfoSecurity, Asia Pacific’s largest pure-play cybersecurity services provider, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Milipol TechX (MTX) 2026, a regional platform for security and technology innovation, to strengthen cybersecurity, safety and governance in robotic systems powered by artificial intelligence.

The partnership addresses a growing challenge as AI systems evolve from assisting humans to acting autonomously. Beyond conventional cybersecurity threats which typically result in data breaches or system outages, vulnerabilities in AI robotic systems carry an additional category of risk: manipulated sensor inputs, loss of supervisory control, or autonomous systems executing unintended physical actions with real-world consequences.

This collaboration comes as Singapore increases the deployment of autonomous systems to aid in security, logistics and transport operations, highlighting the urgent need to translate governance principles into practical, operational safeguards, particularly in real-world environments where there is little room for error.

Under the MOU, both organisations will work together to strengthen cybersecurity, safety and ethical governance in AI-driven robotics. Certis will lead the development and implementation of safety and ethics fail-safes, as well as Human-in-the-Loop interfaces within the AI robotic platform. In parallel, Ensign will oversee the development of cybersecurity requirements governing the platform’s communication interfaces, as well as the AI’s core reasoning and decision-making processes, including the design of cybersecurity controls, standards and frameworks.

Together, the partnership will embed guardrails across the full system lifecycle, from design and development to testing, deployment and eventual decommissioning, while advancing cybersecurity capabilities, cross-domain knowledge-sharing, and practical frameworks to support the secure and responsible use of autonomous systems.

“As Certis accelerates the development and deployment of our robotics and AI across our operations, we are cognisant that the power of these technologies is only as strong as the security that protects them,” Mr Alex Ooi, Chief Information Security Officer of Certis, said.

“In this new era of industrialised AI, cybersecurity is no longer a peripheral function, but a critical enabler of our future. For Certis, securing our autonomous systems means more than just protecting data; it means ensuring the operational integrity and safety of the physical environments we are trusted to guard. By embedding rigorous cyber-resilience into every tech, robot and algorithm we deploy, we are building a future where innovation and absolute trust coexist seamlessly in this partnership,’ Mr Ooi added.

Key areas of focus in the MOU include

Developing ethical, safety-first approaches for AI-driven robotics, supported by shared standards across data handling, model training and real-world operationsEmbedding security and risk management by design across the system lifecycle, including threat identification, risk assessment and safeguards against unauthorised access and tamperingImplementing human-centric safety protocols and robust human-in-the-loop controls to ensure effective oversight and interventionStrengthening cyber-physical resilience through testing and operations, including adversarial testing of AI-driven robotic behaviours, continuous monitoring and specialised capabilities such as threat analysis, incident response and penetration testing

A joint Safety and Security Review Board will be established to oversee implementation and ensure alignment with evolving safety and ethical expectations.

“The rise of AI is raising the stakes for enterprise security. It goes beyond protecting systems to ensuring that autonomous decisions remain bounded, explainable and secure,” said Paul Tan, Executive Vice President of Government and Singapore Enterprises, Ensign InfoSecurity. “Having operationalised AI in security environments, we see firsthand how quickly autonomy can scale. The challenge is ensuring that control, governance and resilience scale with it, especially when these systems affect real-world operations and outcomes. This collaboration focuses on embedding cybersecurity into the way these systems are designed and deployed from the outset.”

The MOU signals a shift in how organisations deploying autonomous systems must think about risk, not as an IT concern to be managed downstream, but as a foundational design requirement woven into every layer of the system.

About Certis Group

Certis is an integrated operations service provider, built on decades of experience in security and critical frontline operations. We design and run security, facilities and workforce management as a single operating model, orchestrating people, systems and processes in complex, real-world environments to drive results.

Our approach is grounded in structured operational design, where processes, workflows and resources are engineered around defined outcomes. Further powered by our adoption of advanced technologies including AI and Robotics, Certis drives coordination, visibility and day-to-day execution across operations for its clients.

Headquartered in Singapore, Certis operates across key regional markets including Australia and Qatar, supported by a global team of over 25,000 employees. We are trusted by local governments and enterprises to deliver operational performance to make our world safer, smarter, and better.

For more information, please visit www.certisgroup.com.

About Ensign InfoSecurity 

Ensign InfoSecurity is Asia Pacific’s largest pure-play cybersecurity services provider and a trusted global partner, delivering end-to-end security solutions across the cyber lifecycle. Headquartered in Singapore, Ensign is recognised for deep capabilities spanning advisory and assurance, secure architecture and systems integration, threat intelligence, managed security operations, and incident response. Ensign also drives its own innovation through Ensign Labs, developing advanced proprietary solutions to address complex customer challenges. With over two decades of experience, Ensign provides resilient, intelligence-led security tailored to real business risks.

For more information, visit www.ensigninfosecurity.com 

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Agoda Unveils Top 5 Labor Day Destinations for 2026

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SINGAPORE, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has identified the top five holiday destinations for Labor Day 2026, based on accommodation search data. This year’s list features Tokyo, Pattaya, Seoul, Osaka, and Busan, offering a mix of cultural experiences, vibrant cityscapes, and relaxing getaways for travelers to explore new destinations and unwind from their daily routines.

Tokyo, Japan, offers a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. Visitors can explore the capital city’s historic sites such as the Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace, while also experiencing the futuristic allure of districts like Shibuya and Akihabara. The city’s culinary scene is a highlight, with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to bustling street food markets. Tokyo’s vibrant neighborhoods, cultural festivals, and cutting-edge technology make it a dynamic destination for travelers seeking both excitement and cultural enrichment.

Pattaya, Thailand, known for its lively beaches and vibrant nightlife, provides a tropical escape on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast. The city offers a mix of relaxation and adventure, with opportunities for water sports, island hopping, and exploring nearby attractions like the Sanctuary of Truth. Pattaya’s Walking Street is famous for its energetic nightlife, while quieter spots like Jomtien Beach provide a more laid-back atmosphere. With its diverse range of activities and stunning coastal views, Pattaya is an ideal destination for those looking to unwind and enjoy the sun.

Seoul, South Korea, is a city where history and innovation coexist harmoniously. Visitors can explore ancient palaces such as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, while also enjoying the modern attractions of districts like Gangnam and Myeongdong. Seoul’s vibrant street markets, diverse culinary offerings, and thriving arts scene provide endless opportunities for exploration. The city’s efficient public transportation system makes it easy to navigate, allowing travelers to experience everything from traditional tea houses to cutting-edge technology hubs.

Osaka, Japan, known for its street food and entertainment districts, delights the senses with its unique offerings. Visitors can indulge in local specialties like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, while exploring bustling areas such as Dotonbori and Namba. Osaka Castle offers a glimpse into the city’s historical past, while Universal Studios Japan provides family-friendly entertainment. With its friendly locals and lively atmosphere, Osaka is a welcoming destination that offers a unique blend of culture, cuisine, and fun.

Busan, South Korea, offers stunning coastal views and a rich cultural landscape. The country’s second-largest city is home to a range of beaches, such as Haeundae and Gwangalli, which are perfect for relaxation and water activities. Visitors can explore cultural landmarks like the Beomeosa Temple and the Gamcheon Culture Village, known for its colorful houses and artistic installations. Busan’s seafood markets and local cuisine provide a taste of the region’s culinary heritage. With its mix of natural beauty and cultural attractions, Busan is a serene yet engaging destination for travelers.

Jay Lee, Regional Director, North Asia at Agoda shared, “Labor Day offers a great opportunity to explore new destinations. Whether you’re drawn to the bustling energy of Tokyo or the serene landscapes of Busan, Agoda’s comprehensive selection of accommodations, flights, and activities provides the flexibility to plan a trip that suits your preferences. Our platform is designed to make travel planning straightforward and enjoyable, ensuring a memorable Labor Day experience for all travelers.”

With over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda offers travelers the flexibility to create their ideal Labor Day getaway. For the best deals, travelers can visit Agoda’s website or download the Agoda mobile app.

 

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