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Beijing E-Town Builds an Internationally Leading Demonstration City for Embodied Intelligent Robot Industry

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robot industry

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2024 – As a pioneer in high-quality development for the new era, Beijing E-Town (BDA) is seizing the opportunity to lead the development of the embodied intelligent robot industry. The plan is to build a domestically leading and internationally first-class demonstration city for the embodied intelligent robot industry in two steps.

“By the end of 2026, we aim to achieve full coverage of over ten interactive service application scenarios, attract more than 100 innovative enterprises, gather over 1,000 high-end talents, and reach a mass production capacity of 10,000 embodied intelligent robots. By 2030, we plan to create an embodied intelligent robot innovation ecosystem characterized by ‘full-chain layout, full-stack autonomy, and comprehensive empowerment,’ establishing Beijing as a strategic base, a technological origin, an application demonstration, and a main industrial hub for embodied intelligent robots in China,” stated Kong Lei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Administrative Committee of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), during the main forum on “Industrial Development” at the World Robot Conference 2024 (WRC 2024) on August 22.

To achieve the development goals of the demonstration city, Beijing E-Town will implement the “Five Priorities” plan. In terms of advancing key technologies, Beijing E-Town will focus on critical areas such as the “brain,” “cerebellum,” and “limbs” of embodied intelligent robots. It will support key enterprises in strengthening collaborative research on disruptive and leading technologies, accelerate the construction of an innovative industrial technology system, and seize the high ground in embodied intelligent robot technology.

To this end, Beijing E-Town will create an internationally competitive embodied intelligent “brain,” supporting robot companies in collaboration with AI enterprises to conduct research on key technologies of general-purpose large models in the field of embodied intelligent robots. It aims to develop an AI-based general-purpose model that integrates perception, decision-making, and control, achieving internationally advanced levels in task decomposition, execution task quantity, parameter quantity, and robot task capabilities.

Simultaneously, it will develop a globally leading motion control “cerebellum,” accelerate the development of full-body dynamics control algorithms for embodied intelligent robots, continuously improve the control accuracy of high-dynamic walking, and focus on breakthroughs in key technologies such as dynamic arm grasping, agile operations, and full-body coordinated motion control. Furthermore, it will expedite breakthroughs in integrated hardware-software visual technology.

Additionally, the initiative will deepen the systematic layout of critical “machine limbs,” engage in specialized R&D on high-strength, high-integration bodies, lightweight skeletons, high-precision sensors, and more to achieve internationally leading performance parameters. It will focus on critical components like high-performance dedicated chips, servo motors, and reducers to accelerate core technology breakthroughs, continuously improve the technical innovation system, build an efficient collaborative joint research mechanism, and encourage leading enterprises to form innovative consortia, leading upstream and downstream institutions in collaborative research.

Regarding core product advancements, Beijing E-Town will prioritize key products such as whole machines, core components, and software systems, accelerating the industrialization breakthrough of several essential foundational products, and constructing a three-dimensional product matrix of “whole-zero coordination” and “software-hardware integration.” In April this year, the general-purpose humanoid robot platform “Tiangong” was launched in Beijing E-Town, achieving the world’s first humanoid running with a full-sized pure electric humanoid robot.

Continuing to lead the industry, Beijing E-Town aims to develop high-performance whole machine products, establish the world’s first general-purpose embodied intelligent robot “hardware mother platform” and the first multi-capability embodied intelligent “software mother platform.” It will focus on typical fields such as 3C electronics manufacturing and new energy vehicle production, encouraging leading enterprises to develop low-cost interactive, high-precision, and high-reliability embodied intelligent robot whole machine products for extreme environments.

Moreover, it will guide enterprises in focusing on key components such as dedicated sensors, high power density actuators, controllers, and dedicated chips. Additionally, leveraging the leading role of the innovation highland in the information technology application innovation industry, it will develop a specialized operating system for embodied intelligent robots, and expedite the industrialization breakthrough of several essential foundational products.

From innovative achievements to practical implementation, application scenarios have always been a strong suit of Beijing E-Town. At the Xiaomi automobile factory, over 700 robots serve on the production line, and the country’s first certified AI catering robot has been deployed on the streets; the waterjet surgical robot won the 2024 World Intellectual Property Organization Global Award… “Robotics+” has become the norm here.

Moving forward, Beijing E-Town will advance the “first in application scenarios” strategy, leveraging its strong manufacturing base and diverse industrial application scenarios. It will explore the establishment of a composite layout for embodied intelligent robot applications in urban and industrial settings, take the lead in opening a batch of innovative application scenarios, continuously promote the matching of supply and demand in these scenarios, create a permanent robot exhibition hall, and build a city-level engineering test field. By increasing incentives for first-time applications and solutions, Beijing E-Town aims to provide strong support for the rapid deployment of “embodied intelligent robot+” application scenarios.

The area will precisely identify the needs of various fields such as manufacturing, livelihood, special equipment, and more, conducting application demonstrations in “embodied intelligent robots + industry,” “embodied intelligent robots + elderly care,” “embodied intelligent robots + emergency response,” “embodied intelligent robots + education and entertainment,” and “embodied intelligent robots + specialized fields.”

In terms of “leading” in the corporate hierarchy, Beijing E-Town will focus on nurturing leading enterprises in the embodied intelligent robot industry, supporting a group of companies that play a leading role in the embodied intelligent robot industry chain. It will gather leading enterprises with core technologies and independent intellectual property rights and cultivate innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promoting the integrated development of large, medium, and small enterprises and fostering the growth of embodied intelligent robot companies.

Beijing E-Town will also implement an “industry ecosystem pioneering” plan, closely aligning with the entire development needs of the industry chain, enhancing data, platforms, services, and capital resources, and continuously creating an environment that attracts talent from near and far. The goal is to build the largest and most information-dense open-source embodied intelligent dataset in the industry, a phased open-source sharing model, and a “rainforest-style” full-industry-chain ecosystem for embodied intelligent robots characterized by “resource coordination, element aggregation, and innovative collaboration.”

Kong Lei explained that, as the permanent venue for the World Robot Conference, Beijing E-Town has established the “Five Ones” working mechanism: “one park, a batch of platforms, one center, one fund, and a group of talents,” to accelerate the construction of a national hub for the robotics industry.

At last year’s World Robot Conference, Beijing E-Town released a three-year action plan for high-quality development of the robotics industry. Guided by this plan, Beijing E-Town has accelerated the aggregation of innovative elements, significantly improved innovation capabilities, fully released innovative vitality, and continuously strengthened innovation entities.

To date, it has more than 100 robot ecosystem enterprises, over half of which are specialized and innovative enterprises, with a total output value of nearly 10 billion yuan, accounting for 50% of the city’s robotics industry. It has achieved independent control over key components such as precision reducers and high-performance servo starters and made innovative breakthroughs in products like specialized intelligent drilling machines.

Particularly in the embodied intelligent robot industry, Beijing E-Town has focused on building high-energy innovation platforms represented by the Beijing Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center and has established leading companies such as UBTECH, along with key component companies like Chietcom, Tsino-Dynatron, and Lingzu Times, essentially forming a complete embodied intelligent robot industry chain that covers core components, main bodies, and applications.

Kong Lei stated that as the main hub for high-end industries in Beijing, Beijing E-Town has established the “44637” development framework, which includes four national strategies as its guidance (focused on building a national highland for the integrated circuit industry, continuously creating the world’s first high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone, constructing a high-quality national information technology application innovation base, and establishing the country’s first data infrastructure pilot zone at a high standard). It also consolidates and strengthens four leading industries (new-generation information technology, new energy and intelligent connected vehicles, biotechnology and big health, robotics and intelligent manufacturing), comprehensively deploys six future industries (future information, future health, future manufacturing, future energy, future materials, and future space), enhances three integration empowerments (digital-physical integration, industrial-financial integration, and cultural-scientific integration), and builds seven support systems (industrial organization, innovation cultivation, resource guarantee, talent services, open collaboration, urban vitality, and party leadership).

Moving forward, Beijing E-Town will consistently adhere to the principle that “what the country needs is what E-Town will do, what enterprises need is what E-Town will facilitate, and what talent needs is what E-Town will provide.” With a more open stance, more precise policies, more efficient services, higher-quality ecosystems, and a more sustainable environment, Beijing E-Town aims to provide comprehensive, full-process, and all-element support for talent investment, business development, and enterprise innovation.

Business

Aurionpro expands its multi-country transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB)

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Aurionpro

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers

MUMBAI, India, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –Aurionpro Solutions Limited (www.AurionPro.com) (BSE: 532668 | NSE: AURIONPRO)a global leader in banking technology, announced the expansion and upgrade of its transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), to modernize and enhance the bank’s corporate transaction banking capabilities across multiple countries.

Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/4edHUaC

This multi-country transaction banking upgrade covering Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania aligns with DTB’s intent to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and support growing transaction volumes as it expands its regional corporate banking footprint. DTB continues to focus on building a more agile, ‘digital-first’ banking experience, particularly around payments for its corporate customers across Africa, and is now well positioned to scale these capabilities. As part of its broader transformation agenda, the bank has been steadily investing in platforms that enhance scale, reliability, and service consistency across markets.

Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers. By enabling DTB to standardize and scale its transaction banking operations across countries, the platform ensures consistent service levels, stronger control, and improved efficiency. It also supports enhanced user experience, advanced security, and the flexibility to introduce new features as DTB expands its regional transaction banking footprint.

Murali Natarajan (https://apo-opa.co/48trPdk), Managing Director & CEO, DTB Kenya   commented: “We are delighted to strengthen and broaden our partnership with Aurionpro Solutions as part of DTB’s ongoing digital transformation journey across multiple markets. Our focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity continues to guide our technology investments. This upgrade strengthens our transaction banking capabilities, enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers through robust digital channels and seamlessly integrated experiences.”

Ashish Rai, Group CEO, Aurionpro Solutions, commented: “We are pleased to deepen our multi-country engagement with Diamond Trust Bank and support the next phase of its transaction banking modernization. As DTB continues to scale across markets, platform resilience and consistency become paramount. Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility, deliver superior experiences to corporate customers, and create long-term value across geographies.”

He added, “Aurionpro’s iCashpro lays a strong digital foundation for transaction & wholesale banks across the globe to grow their corporate and SME client portfolio today, while creating a clear roadmap for next- generation capabilities in AI-driven insights, advanced automation and API-led connectivity for businesses in Kenya and across Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aurionpro Solutions Ltd.

 

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Minerals Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Mining Week (AMW) as South Africa Improves Sectorial Investment Climate

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Energy Capital

Minerals Council CEO to share insights on policy, infrastructure and investment trends shaping South Africa’s mining industry

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference will feature Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council of South Africa, as a speaker. Scheduled for October 14 – 16, 2026 in Cape Town, the event will bring together global investors, policymakers and industry leaders, with Mthenjane’s participation highlighting the council’s commitment to engaging international stakeholders and promoting investment across South Africa’s mining sector.

His participation comes at a critical moment as the Minerals Council works closely with government on finalizing the Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025, a policy framework aimed at strengthening the country’s mining investment climate and the sector’s contribution to GDP. According to the council, the revised legislation will support new investment across the value chain as South Africa seeks to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to unlock its critical minerals potential.

The policy reforms come amid shifting production trends in the sector. In 2025, South Africa recorded declines in gold and platinum group metals output of 1.9% and 4.1%, respectively. The new regulatory framework is expected to strengthen public-private partnerships and stimulate investment, enabling South Africa to increase production and capitalize on strong global commodity prices. Increased private sector investments is crucial with South Africa seeking targeting to unlock an estimated R40 trillion in untapped iron ore potential as well as maintain its position as the world’s leading producer of chrome and manganese.

At AMW 2026, Mthenjane is expected to outline these trends, providing insights into how the council is contributing to addressing challenges disrupting the sector. Infrastructure and energy costs remain key concerns for industry players. To support the energy-intensive sector, South Africa approved a 35% reduction in electricity tariffs for major ferrochrome producers, helping stabilize an industry that has faced significant cost pressures after electricity prices surged by roughly 900% since 2008.

Logistics constraints are also a priority area for reform. South Africa’s economy is losing an estimated R1 billion per day due to inefficiencies across rail and port infrastructure. As a result, the government is considering measures supported by the Minerals Council to increase private sector participation in logistics. Planned reforms include rail modernization initiatives targeting 250 million tons of freight capacity by 2029, alongside port upgrades and private operator participation aimed at strengthening mineral exports and improving supply chain efficiency.

Beyond infrastructure and policy reforms, the Minerals Council is advocating for stronger exploration investment to support long-term industry growth.

At AMW, Mthenjane is expected to highlight these developments and outline the steps required to reinforce South Africa’s position in the global minerals supply chain. His insights will offer investors and stakeholders a timely perspective on opportunities within the country’s mining sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Seychelles Targets Energy Investment Push as Minister Jérémie Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Speaker

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African Energy Chamber

Seychelles energy minister will speak at AEW 2026, positioning her to highlight reforms, renewable projects and investment opportunities as the island nation advances its transition toward a diversified energy system

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –Marie-May Jérémie, Minister of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources for Seychelles will participate as a speaker at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place from October 12–16 in Cape Town. Her participation underscores the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s small-island energy transition agenda.

Minister Jérémie’s presence at AEW 2026 comes at a critical time as Seychelles accelerates efforts to reduce its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels. The event provides a platform to attract investment, strengthen policy alignment and showcase bankable projects, positioning the country as a viable destination for private-sector participation in island energy systems.

Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments

In May last year, international finance institution the World Bank approved the Renewable Energy Acceleration Program, a seven-year initiative aimed at modernizing the grid and increasing renewable energy penetration to 15% by 2030. The program focuses on unlocking private capital while strengthening transmission infrastructure to accommodate variable renewable energy sources.

Project development is gaining traction in the country, particularly in innovative technologies suited to Seychelles’ land constraints. The 5.8 MW Seysun Lagoon floating solar PV project, developed by independent renewable power producer Qair, is under construction and expected online in 2026.

Alongside renewables, Seychelles continues to pursue upstream opportunities to diversify its economy. The government approved new exploration entrants in 2025 and extended exiting petroleum agreements, while securing an infrastructure partnership with China. Multilateral estimates suggest over $800 million in investment will be required over the next 25 years.

Regulatory reform is central to this transition, with Seychelles introducing an independent power producer framework to open the market to private developers. Standardized power purchase agreements, grid access reforms and strengthened public-private partnership structures are being implemented to improve transparency, reduce risk and accelerate project bankability across solar, storage and emerging wind opportunities.

“Minister Jérémie’s participation highlights the strategic importance of island nations in Africa’s broader energy transition,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments. Her insights will be critical to advancing dialogue on resilient, low-carbon energy systems across the continent.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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