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Keys Inc. Launches AI-Powered Nationwide Key Distribution Network for Locksmiths

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Keys Inc. connects locksmiths directly with participating key distributors – helping identify the correct key, compare nearby supply, order instantly and acquire inventory faster

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Keys Inc., the AI-powered operating system and marketplace serving the U.S. locksmith and roadside service industry, today announced the continued expansion of its Keys Distribution Network, a nationwide sourcing and commerce infrastructure designed to connect locksmiths directly with automotive key distributors through Keys.App.

The system is currently being implemented and represents a major expansion of the Keys ecosystem.

Rather than simply showing locksmiths where a product may be available, Keys® is being built to support the entire procurement event.

Identify the job.
Identify the correct key, fob, lock or hardware.
Let Keys AI match the exact product.
Find the nearest available distributors.
Compare price, availability and speed.
Order directly through Keys®
Ship it or pick it up locally.
Acquire it fast. Complete the job.

Keys Inc. is also implementing local pickup functionality, giving participating distributors the ability to make eligible inventory available for pickup when proximity and availability make that the fastest option.

“The goal is not to tell the locksmith where a key might be and then send them somewhere else to figure it out,” said Loay Jamal Alyousfi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Keys Inc. “We want the locksmith to find the correct key, see who has it, choose the best source and order it directly through Keys.App -One connected transaction.”

AI Identifies the Key the Locksmith Needs

Automotive key sourcing is highly vehicle-specific.

The correct key or fob can depend on vehicle year, make, model, VIN information, FCC ID, frequency, transponder type, blade configuration, programming requirements and other compatibility factors.

Choosing the wrong product can mean wasted time, returns and – most importantly – a lost customer.

Keys Inc. is applying AI to reduce that uncertainty.

A locksmith can begin with the vehicle information, and Keys technology can help identify the appropriate key or fob before matching that product against participating distributor inventory.

The system is designed to surface both OEM and aftermarket options where applicable.

“There should not be a guessing game,” Alyousfi said. “If our technology has the vehicle information, our AI will help identify the key the locksmith needs and connect that exact demand with distributors that can fulfill it.”

From Search to Purchase in a Click

The Keys Distribution Network is being developed as an integrated shopping experience inside Keys.App.

Locksmiths will be able to shop participating distributors without leaving the platform.

Instead of opening multiple distributor websites, calling suppliers or manually searching catalogs one by one, the locksmith can move from identifying the product to ordering it through the Keys ecosystem.

The experience is designed around speed:

AI-assisted key and fob identificationVehicle-specific compatibility matchingOEM and aftermarket optionsParticipating distributor inventoryNearby distributor discoveryPrice comparisonProduct availabilityDirect ordering through Keys.AppFast fulfillment optionsLocal pickup as the feature rolls out

“We’re building toward a future where a locksmith doesn’t have to think about where the key is coming from – they simply need to know that Keys can help get them to the right product, from the right source, at the right moment,” Alyousfi said. “The opportunity is bigger than ecommerce. It is about turning a fragmented industry into connected infrastructure.”

The Nearest Available Distributor

Location is one of the most important elements of the network.

A locksmith may routinely purchase inventory from a distributor hundreds or thousands of miles away without realizing another qualified distributor has the same product nearby.

In some cases, the needed inventory could already be available within the locksmith’s own city.

Keys Inc. intends to make that supply visible.

The platform is being designed to match the requested product with participating distributors based on factors including availability, location, price and fulfillment speed.

“Locksmiths may be surprised to discover that the key they need is sitting at a distributor five or ten miles away,” Alyousfi said. “That distributor may have always been there. What was missing was the technology connecting the locksmith to that inventory.”

Pickup Could Turn Days Into Minutes

Keys Inc. is also implementing a pickup feature within the Distribution Network.

Where supported by a participating distributor, a locksmith could identify the correct key, purchase it through Keys.App and select local pickup instead of waiting for shipment.

That capability becomes particularly important in automotive locksmithing, where the end customer may already be waiting for service.

A locksmith who can acquire a key locally may be able to preserve a job that otherwise would have been delayed or lost.

“When somebody is standing beside a vehicle and needs a key, two-day shipping may not solve the problem,” Alyousfi said. “If that product is available across town, the locksmith should know that. And if they can purchase it immediately and go pick it up, that changes the entire service event.”

Price Watch Meets Availability

Keys Inc. is also incorporating price-watch and comparison capabilities into the Distribution Network.

But the company believes price cannot be considered in isolation.

The least expensive product may not be the most valuable option if shipping delays cause the locksmith to lose the service call.

The platform is therefore being designed to give professionals visibility into the combination of:

Price. Availability. Distance. Speed.

A locksmith could compare an inexpensive product shipping from another state with a slightly different option available for immediate pickup nearby.

That gives the professional the information necessary to make the decision that makes sense for that particular customer and job.

“Sometimes the best price wins. Sometimes the fastest option wins,” Alyousfi said. “Keys should give the locksmith enough intelligence to make that decision instantly.”

Built From What Keys Learned Inside the Industry

Keys Inc. has previously worked with a major automotive key manufacturer and has learned firsthand how key manufacturers and distributors manage inventory availability.

One important lesson was that even major companies sometimes rely on one another when specific keys become difficult to source.

If one organization is running low on a particular product, inventory may be sourced through another participant in the industry.

That experience reinforced Keys Inc.’s belief that automotive key distribution is already a network—it simply lacks a unified technology layer connecting that network to locksmith demand.

“Something I learned from working around major manufacturers is that even they source from each other when inventory gets tight,” Alyousfi said. “That tells you something important. The industry is already interconnected. Keys is building the infrastructure to make those connections faster, smarter and accessible to the locksmith who actually needs the product.”

Not Another Key Warehouse

Keys Inc. does not intend for the Keys Distribution Network to operate as a single centralized warehouse competing against established distributors.

Its strategy is to work with them.

Participating distributors can make their products available through Keys.App and gain another direct channel into professional locksmith demand.

“We want to partner with the best distributors in this industry,” Alyousfi said. “They already have the inventory, expertise and relationships. Keys brings the technology, the locksmith network and the ability to connect demand with the right supply.”

The model is designed to allow inventory to remain distributed while making access to that inventory more intelligent.

The product does not have to be sitting in a Keys warehouse.

It needs to be sitting somewhere the locksmith can get it.

Keys technology is designed to find where that is.

Dedicated Distributor Portal

Keys Inc. has already developed a dedicated distributor login and portal for companies participating in the network.

Participating distributors will be able to connect with the Keys ecosystem and make products available to locksmiths using Keys.App.

Keys Inc. is actively working behind the scenes with industry participants and preparing to present the expanded network to additional leading automotive key manufacturers and distributors across the country.

Distributor Portal:
https://keys.app/LogIn?role=distributor

Distributor and Manufacturer Partnership Inquiries:
admin@keys.app

Connecting the Entire Transaction

The long-term power of the Keys Distribution Network comes from its connection to the larger Keys infrastructure.

A customer requests service.

A locksmith receives the opportunity.

The vehicle is identified.

Keys AI identifies the appropriate key.

Available distributors are matched.

Prices and proximity can be compared.

The locksmith orders the product.

The product can be shipped—or, where available, prepared for local pickup.

The locksmith acquires the key.

The service is completed.

Customer → Locksmith → Vehicle → AI → Key → Distributor → Order → Fulfillment.

All within one connected ecosystem.

“This is what excites me most,” Alyousfi said. “We’re connecting demand, intelligence, inventory and fulfillment in a way this industry has never had before. When the locksmith, the product and the distributor can move through one intelligent network, you are no longer just building an app – you are building infrastructure for how the industry operates.”

Keys® Positioned at the Center of the Locksmith Ecosystem

Keys Inc. has spent years building technology around professional locksmith operations.

The Keys Distribution Network adds another critical component: supply.

Customers create demand.

Locksmiths provide the service.

Manufacturers produce the products.

Distributors make those products available.

Keys.App can connect the transaction between them.

“We have spent years putting these pieces together, and it is amazing to see the power of what is now being built,” Alyousfi said. “The locksmith, the correct key, the distributor and the customer can all become part of the same transaction. I believe Keys Inc. and Keys.App are positioned for greatness.”

Join the Keys Distribution Network

Keys Inc. is inviting established automotive key distributors and manufacturers to participate in the expanding Keys Distribution Network.

Distributor Portal:
https://keys.app/LogIn?role=distributor

Distributor & Manufacturer Inquiries:
admin@keys.app

Keys.App

About Keys Inc.

Keys Inc. is an AI-powered operating system, marketplace and technology platform serving the U.S. locksmith and roadside service industry.

Keys.App connects consumers, businesses and automotive organizations with a nationwide network of vetted locksmith professionals while providing locksmiths with technology for dispatching, service management, invoicing, payments, inventory, customer communication, procurement and business growth.

Keys Inc. supports more than 1,000 locksmith professionals across all 50 states and has received consecutive ALOA Best New Product Awards in 2022 and 2023.

Through the Keys Distribution Network, Keys Inc. is expanding its infrastructure to connect locksmith professionals directly with the distributors, products and manufacturers required to complete their work.

Learn more at Keys.App.

Media Contact

Keys Inc. Media Relations
press@keys.app
Keys.App

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SOURCE Keys Inc.

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RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Canada signs four-year PW127M maintenance agreement with AirBorneo Airways

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7 minutes ago

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September 24, 2026

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Work will be performed at the company’s newly expanded Singapore facility

SINGAPORE, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pratt & Whitney Canada signed a four-year agreement with AirBorneo Airways to provide comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for the PW127M engines powering its ATR 72-500 regional turboprops through 2030. AirBorneo operates its fleet of ATR 72-500 aircraft on the Rural Air Services network, a vital public service that connects remote and underserved communities across East Malaysia. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.

“We worked closely with AirBorneo to develop a maintenance solution that manages engine costs and supports high dispatch availability for these critical flights,” said Anthony Rossi, vice president, Customer Service, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “This agreement reinforces our commitment to advancing our MRO services and meeting customers’ evolving needs.”

AirBorneo’s engines will be primarily maintained at Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Singapore facility, a key hub for customer support across Asia-Pacific. Recent investments have expanded the site’s turboprop MRO capabilities, strengthening the company’s ability to provide more localized support to operators across the region.

“We value our relationship with Pratt & Whitney Canada and the proven quality and reliability behind its products and services,” said Megat Ardian Aminuddin, CEO of AirBorneo. “Having this support based in Singapore puts our engine maintenance and repairs close to home and our aircraft back in service faster. That confidence gives us the operational certainty we need to consistently serve our customers on our intra-Borneo routes where reliable air transport is a vital link for remote communities.”

The PW127M is part of Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW100 engine family, which has provided regional turboprop operations for more than 40 years. PW100 engines have accumulated more than 200 million flight hours and power aircraft serving communities around the world.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for military, commercial and civil aviation customers. Since 1925, our engineers have pioneered the development of revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies, and today we support more than 90,000 in-service engines through our global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

About RTX
With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

About AirBorneo Airways
AirBorneo Airways is Sarawak’s state-owned airline, committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable air connectivity across Malaysia and the region. Established in January 2026 following the transition from MASWings, the airline has expanded beyond Rural Air Services (RAS) with the introduction of jet operations to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in July 2026.

Guided by its mission of “Connecting Communities, Empowering Growth,” AirBorneo remains committed to strengthening connectivity and supporting Sarawak’s economic growth. The airline operates ATR 72-500 turboprops powered by PW127M engines and Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otters powered by PT6A-34 engines, and has eight ATR-600 aircraft powered by PW127XT Series engines on order.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtxs-pratt–whitney-canada-signs-four-year-pw127m-maintenance-agreement-with-airborneo-airways-302887700.html

SOURCE RTX

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Quarterhill Introduces TOPAS-Registered Intersection Solution in United Kingdom

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7 minutes ago

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September 24, 2026

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Company expanding into the UK traffic signal market with the new TOPAS 2505B-registered version of its TMB-13X product

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quarterhill Inc. (“Quarterhill” or the “Company”) (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF) – a leading technology innovator providing next-generation, AI-driven Intelligent Transportation System (“ITS”) solutions – today announced its proprietary, multilane intersection radar “TMB-13X” has achieved TOPAS 2505B registration, a requirement for any traffic signal detection technology deployed in the UK. This accomplishment enables Quarterhill to provide UK transport authorities with a reliable, easy-to-use and cost-efficient product; enabling safer and more efficient roads with industry-leading deployment times.

Designed for complex, multilane intersections, the TMB-13X provides traffic authorities with an above-ground alternative to traditional inductive loop detection, helping reduce the roadwork, installation costs and traffic disruption associated with in-road sensors. The product can monitor vehicles and cyclists across multiple lanes; and uses up to nine configurable virtual detection loops based on speed, direction of travel, movement and presence. It also features a compact four-meter blind zone and an intuitive browser-based configuration interface accessible via Wi-Fi to enable faster deployment and simpler ongoing maintenance.

The United Kingdom is one of the most significant markets for traffic signal detection technologies in Europe. Transport for London alone operates approximately 6,400 traffic signal sites, including approximately 4,000 signalized junctions and 1,500 pedestrian crossings, supported by more than 16,000 traffic detectors.1 This registration builds on Quarterhill’s existing presence in the UK market, extending the Company’s ITS technologies into intersection detection alongside its established UK operations. With TOPAS approval now secured, Quarterhill can now offer the TMB-13X product to UK traffic signal controller manufacturers, system integrators and transport authorities across the country.

“Bringing together more than 30 years of radar-based product development in a solution designed to address the complexities of modern intersections, the TMB-13X reflects our continued focus on technologies that make transportation infrastructure safer and more efficient,” said Donna Bergan, Vice President of Intelligent Transportation Systems at Quarterhill. “Securing TOPAS registration means we can extend these capabilities to customers across the UK, providing traffic engineers with a flexible solution that can simplify installation and ongoing maintenance, while minimizing disruption to road users.”

The TOPAS registration reflects Quarterhill’s broader approach to international growth: adapting its ITS technologies to meet the specific regulatory and technical standards of each market it enters. Quarterhill’s Smart Transportation and Enforcement solutions are currently deployed across North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

This milestone adds to continued momentum across Quarterhill’s ITS business. In August 2026, the Company reported its strongest quarter of profitability in more than three years. Quarterhill is also progressing toward the expected fourth-quarter 2026 closing of its previously announced acquisition of Conduent’s tolling solutions business, which is expected to significantly expand the Company’s scale and further advance its strategy to build a larger, more focused ITS platform.

The TOPAS-registered TMB-13X is now available for order.

About Quarterhill

Quarterhill is a global leader in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industry, advancing mobility through smart infrastructure solutions that reduce congestion, improve roadway safety, and create more sustainable travel. Each year, Quarterhill’s platforms process billions of transactions; perform compliance and safety inspections on millions of commercial vehicles; and enable transportation agencies worldwide to optimize thousands of lanes of traffic to improve travel for everyone. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies, Quarterhill’s platform delivers automation and predictive insight to help agencies manage transportation networks more efficiently. By working in close partnership with governments, communities, and industry leaders, Quarterhill is building today’s connected roadways, while shaping the next generation of intelligent, resilient mobility. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information, please visit: www.quarterhill.com.

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Such forward-looking statements relate to future events, conditions or future financial performance of ‎Quarterhill based on future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements other ‎than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements ‎are often, but not always, identified by the use of any words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “budget”, ‎”plan”, “goal”, “expect” and similar expressions. This news release contains forward looking statements relating to, among other things, the adoption of TMB-13X in the UK market, the impact and results from the use of the TMB-13X, and the closing and impact of the Conduent acquisition.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, assumptions, ‎uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those ‎anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Material risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release include, among others, TMB-13X not being adopted by the UK market, the failure to complete the Conduent acquisition as planned or realize the expectations on the Company’s results, demand for Quarterhill’s products and services; general economic and market conditions; competition; risks relating to technological advances and cyber-security; and other risks set forth in the Company’s most recent annual information form available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company believes the expectations reflected in ‎the forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations ‎will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be ‎unduly relied upon.‎ Material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements contained in this news release include, among others: Quarterhill’s ability to execute on its business plan; demand for Quarterhill’s products and services; operating assumptions; and financial projections and cost estimates. Quarterhill has no intention, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

1 Source: Transport for London.

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SOURCE Quarterhill Inc.

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TIER IV releases a reference design for autonomous racing kart systems, used by Autonomous Driving AI Challenge participants

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7 minutes ago

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September 24, 2026

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TOKYO, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TIER IV, the pioneering force behind open-source software for autonomous driving, has developed a reference design for autonomous racing kart systems and released its software and design information in a public GitHub repository. Built on Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving, the reference design is provided alongside an environment that supports development and evaluation from simulation to real-world vehicle testing. The Autonomous Driving AI Challenge, organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE), was held from July to September 2026, and a total of 240 teams comprising approximately 600 participants used the reference design as a common development platform throughout the qualifying and final rounds. Through this initiative, TIER IV supports open technology development and the cultivation of the next generation of engineers.

Developing autonomous driving systems requires integrating a range of components, including vehicles, sensors, onboard computers, and software, into a system capable of operating in the real world. Evaluating the resulting technologies also requires simulation and real-world vehicle testing environments. Building these development and evaluation environments from scratch can place a significant burden on developers entering the field of autonomous driving, creating barriers to technology development and talent cultivation.

The Autonomous Driving AI Challenge provides students and working professionals with varying levels of technical experience an opportunity to develop autonomous driving technologies. By enabling participants to gain hands-on experience in autonomous driving software development and put their technical skills to the test, the competition aims to foster talent and encourage broader participation in the field. The final rounds held on September 19-20, 2026, featured racing karts and included both simulation-based and real-world vehicle challenges.

TIER IV developed the reference design for autonomous racing kart systems to give developers a common starting point that they can modify and extend to suit their objectives. Built on Autoware, the reference design includes autonomous driving software, a simulator, and other design information released on GitHub. By combining these publicly available resources with real vehicles and development and evaluation environments, TIER IV enabled participants to focus on developing and improving autonomous driving algorithms and AI models without having to build an entire system from scratch.

The reference design and its associated development and evaluation environments comprise the following main components:

Vehicle and hardware configuration: TOM’S EV racing kart, global navigation satellite system (GNSS), inertial measurement unit (IMU), and onboard computerAutonomous driving software: Open-source software for racing karts built on AutowareSimulation environment: A publicly available simulator that reproduces racing kart driving, together with an online environment for evaluating developed software during the competitionDevelopment and evaluation tools: A web platform supporting software setup and execution, as well as the review of driving results

The autonomous driving software, simulator, and design information are available through the public GitHub repository. Real vehicles and the competition’s online evaluation environment were provided in combination with these publicly available resources.

At the competition, 240 teams comprising approximately 600 participants used the reference design as a common technical foundation, developing and improving autonomous driving systems through their own ideas and expertise. Their exploration of different technical approaches from a shared foundation provided a practical example of how an open development platform can support technology development and talent cultivation.

TIER IV is working to realize the democratization of autonomous driving by expanding the open-source ecosystem centered on Autoware worldwide. Going forward, TIER IV will continue to expand its reference design offerings and enhance development and evaluation environments through open source. By collaborating with partners across industry, research, and education, the company aims to grow an ecosystem that supports the real-world deployment of autonomous driving.

About TIER IV

TIER IV stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving. With a comprehensive suite of platforms and services built around Autoware, TIER IV provides everything from software development and vehicle procurement to operational support. Through the Autoware ecosystem, TIER IV works with partners worldwide to shape the future of intelligent vehicles with open-source software, aiming to create mobility that is safer, more sustainable, and accessible to all.

Media Contact
pr@tier4.jp

The word marks and logos of TIER IV are trademarks or registered trademarks of TIER IV, Inc. in Japan and other countries. All other company names, product names, service names, and logos referenced herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation.

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SOURCE TIER IV, Inc.

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