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Inaugural Smart Lighting Expo ignites future of lighting innovation

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Smart Lighting Expo

Over 1,300 exhibitors embrace rising opportunities in twin lighting fairs
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 March 2024 -Lighting today has transcended its traditional role of mere illumination, emerging as a catalyst for enhancing well-being and creating a better environment for quality living. To embrace this exciting evolution and capitalise on the rising opportunities, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will organise the first-ever Smart Lighting Expo, one of the partner events of the Business of Innovation & Technology Week (BITWeek), which will take place alongside the 15th HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) (Spring Lighting Fair) under the theme of “Bright Lighting * Smart Living” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 6-9 April 2024. Featuring more than 1,300 exhibitors from seven countries and regions, the twin lighting fairs will serve as ideal platforms for buyers to explore the latest technologies and discover a wide range of innovative lighting products for meeting the ever-changing needs in the market.

Inaugural Smart Lighting Expo ignites future of lighting innovation

According to Statista, the global smart lighting market is projected to surge to US$25.3 billion this year, a significant increase from US$8.1 billion in 2020. In line with this growth trajectory, an HKTDC survey of exhibitors and buyers at Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo 2023, found that 41% of respondents expect sales to increase in the lighting market this year, with 30% identifying smart lighting and solutions as the greatest driver for growth.

To empower businesses in fully capitalising on the growing opportunities across the entire smart lighting supply chain, the Smart Lighting Expo showcases a comprehensive array of products and solutions, ranging from connected lighting technologies such as chips, sensors, LED drivers, and IoT lighting platform, to smart lighting products and solutions like smart control systems and dimmers, smart luminaires, lighting applications and systems.

Industry players unveil cutting-edge smart lighting solutions

In collaboration with Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association, the Smart Ecosystem and IoT Supply Chain Area will feature various key players in the smart lighting industry, including Midea, Sunricher, Merrytek, and many more. Other featured brands include Helvar, Valta, SkyLighting and Up-Shine Lighting, etc. The Smart Lighting Expo welcomes the group pavilions from important lighting industry base in the Greater Bay Area, including Zhongshan, Foshan and Jiangmen. Highlighted products include:

Hong Kong exhibitor Mindstec Asia Limited (Booth no.: 1A-E02) will unveil the Helvar 950 DALI-2 multi-master application controller, Helvar’s flagship product that unlocks vast scalability for projects with four DALI-2 Multi-master networks. The solution also incorporates artificial intelligence-based technology which can self-learn continuously and adapt to the evolving needs of modern buildings. It is also compatible with 3rd party BMS building management systems and can be easily expanded and applied to large and complex projects. Helvar’s projects locate all over the world, like National Gallery UK, Istanbul Airport Turkey, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Abu Dhabi’s World Trade Centre – Trust Tower, etc.

Another Hong Kong, exhibitor Liricco Technologies Limited (Booth no.: 1A-E08) is known for its partnerships with many notable clients including the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong. It aims to cater to a wide range of businesses with its Wireless T8 LED tube. This innovative product can save up to 90% of energy and features built-in motion and lux sensors, making it ideal for carparks, staircases, warehouses and factories. It is compatible with Casambi, DALI 2 and Valta operating systems, providing seamless integration for efficient lighting management.

Hangzhou Sky-Lighting Co. Ltd. (Booth no.: 1B-A02) will showcase smart ceiling lights and bulbs equipped with remote control, colour change and timer functions. The remarkable aspect of these products is their universality, as they are compatible with a wide range of popular smart home platforms including Matter, Apple Homekit, Google, Alexa, Tuya, Zigbee and HUE Philips. This versatility allows users to effortlessly integrate the smart lighting solutions into their existing smart home ecosystems.

Yunfan Ruida Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd (Booth no.: 1A-C18) will present its Mmwave radar solution that is applied to smart homes, elderly and nursing homes. Through multi-person trajectory tracking and people counting solution, including trajectory tracking, regional perception and gesture recognition detection, it facilitates the purposes like lighting trajectory interlocking, senseless home interlocking and air gesture switch. It also provides energy management, intelligent lighting and home security via its human presence detecting solution.

Ningbo Xiaojiang IoT Technology Co., Ltd (Booth no.: 1A-C10) is set to exhibit a smart lighting control system and an intelligent lighting solution. The system supports a wide range of IoT modules, including WiFi, BLE, Dual Mode, Matter. With its universal interfaces, it offers seamless switching across multiple platforms, while the intelligent lighting solution caters to diverse scene needs by providing various modes, such as intelligent dimming, gradient light source, reading/writing mode, reading mode, etc.

Running concurrently with the Smart Lighting Expo, the Spring Lighting Fair will continue to serve as a one-stop business platform for diverse lighting products. The Fair welcomes group pavilion from Mainland China’s Xiamen and Jiangsu. The Hall of Aurora will gather renowned brands around the globe to showcase high-quality lighting fixtures, while other product zones will include Commercial Lighting, Decorative Lighting, Residential Lighting, Technical Lighting and Lighting accessories.

Market leaders share insights on lighting trends

In addition to showcasing products, the twin lighting fairs will feature informative forums where industry players will share their insights on the latest trends and developments in the lighting industry. These forums will provide a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and networking among industry professionals.

Asian Lighting Forum, co-organised with Hong Kong Electronics & Technologies Association (HKETA) and Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC), will take place on 6 April. Renowned speakers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Lutron Electronics and LANZ will share their insights on the impact and applications of human-centric lighting while award-winning lighting and green designers from HKGBC, Cundall and Baseline Lighting Design Studio will share remarkable cases across industries to illustrate the market trend of sustainable lighting design.

Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Home will be in focus at Smart Lighting Solution Forum, which will be co-organised with Asia-Pacific AI Business Alliance (AIBA) and Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association (SILA). To be held on 7 April, experts from Tuya, Amazon and Bluetooth as well as other industry leaders will shed light on the application of these technologies in smart lighting products.

Fair websites
Smart Lighting Expo: smartlightingexpo.hktdc.com
Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition): hklightingfairse.hktdc.com

Hong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

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Not Just a Sporting Event, but Also a Technological Test: Insights into the World’s First Human-Robot Co-Run Marathon

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15 hours ago

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April 10, 2025

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E-Town

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2025 – A scene even science fiction has yet to depict—humans and humanoid robots running side by side in a half-marathon — will become reality on ​April 13 in Beijing E-Town. Every spring, marathons sprout across China like bamboo shoots after rain. In Beijing, the world’s only “Dual Olympic City” and a global hub for science and innovation, the ​2025 Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon, scheduled for ​April 13, will pioneer a “sports + technology” format. For the first time, humanoid robots will register alongside human runners, start simultaneously, and share the 21.0975-kilometer course in an unprecedented fusion of innovation.

Li Quan, Member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Beijing E-Town, revealed that the event has already attracted over ​30,000 human applicants. On the robotics front, global humanoid robot companies, research institutes, robotics clubs, universities, and other innovators have shown immense enthusiasm, with registration numbers soaring.

Notably, to ensure safety, ​physical barriers will separate human and robot runners, with distinct race rules and completion time standards. Yet this groundbreaking human-robot collaboration undeniably signals a bold leap for “technology stepping into reality.”

During a visit to training facilities, reporters observed teams racing against time to upgrade robotic components and intelligence levels, tackling technical challenges to enhance mobility. Some competing robots now reach a ​top speed of 12 km/h. To mitigate the physical strain of road running, some models have added shock-absorbing mechanisms, while others wear customized running shoes.

Liang Liang, Deputy Director of the Beijing E-Town Administrative Committee, explained that as the event is a ​global first with no prior experience or data to reference, both logistics and participants face significant hurdles. To support the robots, organizers have deployed dedicated support vehicles and robotic aid stations. Additionally, they are working closely with each team to refine technology, troubleshoot functions, and achieve developmental goals through pre-race collaboration.

At the ​2024 Paris Olympics, artificial intelligence revolutionized real-time data monitoring, 3D motion capture, and referee decision-making—boosting athlete training efficiency and competitive fairness while showcasing how technology elevates life’s value.

The upcoming human-robot “half-marathon” collaboration represents a ​new frontier where the humanoid robotics industry intersects with humanity, sports, and endurance challenges. Industry experts note that half-marathons strike an ideal balance between “challenge and accessibility”: the event’s low entry barrier contrasts with its rigorous test of physical stamina and mental resilience, culminating in profound personal achievement. By completing the same course, humanoid robots aim to validate industrial progress and refine human-centric technologies.

“This isn’t just a sports competition—it’s a ​stress test for technological breakthroughs and industrial growth,” asserted Xiong Youjun, CEO of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center.

A participating robotics executive stated that “marathon-running robots” could accelerate technical maturity, spur industry standards, and drive innovation. On one front, the effort pushes upgrades in high-torque motors, flexible joints, and wear-resistant materials. On another, running’s demand for full-body coordination forces tighter integration of hardware-software systems and deeper partnerships between manufacturers and AI algorithm firms.

These advances promise to unlock ​transformative applications: deploying humanoid robots in disaster relief, long-range inspections, hazardous operations, smart manufacturing, and even elderly home care. As capabilities grow, such robots could also serve as AI training partners for elite athletes, “giving back” to sports development.

Industry experts emphasize that humanoid robots—comprising thousands of components—still face significant hurdles in maintaining stable, prolonged running.

Xiong Youjun explained, “Real-world road conditions differ vastly from lab environments.” To complete the race, robots require ​high-density integrated joints and bodies capable of enduring long distances with efficient heat dissipation. Second, precise coordination of all joints is critical for running, positioning, and dynamic obstacle avoidance—a test of core algorithm development and adaptability. Third, the marathon’s demands on stability, reliability, and battery life are immense, with slopes, turns, and uneven terrain pushing machine performance to its limits.

Given ​persistent technical challenges requiring breakthroughs in industrial development, alongside the disruptive impact of complex outdoor environments on robotic operations, current capabilities allow robots to run alongside humans but not truly compete with them. Thus, this event functions more as an ​industry dialogue and a ​robotic stress test than a traditional race.

For human participants and spectators, sharing the track with robots offers sensory thrills and intellectual expansion. These benefits are concrete: the “constructive interplay” between technology and society clarifies the boundaries of human-robot collaboration, reinforces the principle of “technology for humanity,” and accelerates the shift from ​coexistence to ​co-prosperity.

“As the essence of this event, humanoid robots ‘running marathons’ symbolize humanity’s imagination and dreams in motion—that’s the ultimate highlight,” said Li Quan. “Regardless of rankings or speed, the footprints left by these robots at the finish line hold greater value than any medal. The 21-kilometer course will end, but our quest for human-robot synergy never will.”

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Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to Speak at Mining in Motion Conference

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1 day ago

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April 9, 2025

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Critical Minerals Africa

Mining in Motion will feature Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in high-level panel discussions on trends and opportunities within the gold mining sector

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 9, 2025/APO Group/ —

The Mining in Motion 2025 Summit is pleased to announce the participation of Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana as a keynote speaker.

Held under the theme Sustainable Mining & Local Growth – Leveraging Resources for Global Impact, the summit brings together Ghana’s policymakers, gold mining stakeholders and international investors to explore strategies for unlocking Ghana’s full mining potential.

Minister Buah’s participation will be instrumental in highlighting opportunities across Ghana’s gold mining value chain, discussing regulatory reforms designed to attract new investments and promoting local content development. The event will showcase Ghana’s initiatives to formalize and strengthen the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector.

Under the leadership of Hon. Bauh, Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has driven the growth of the ASGM sector and its contribution to economic growth and community development. The sector employs over one million people and has generated $5 billion in gold export revenue in 2024, strengthening the mining sector’s contribution to revenue generation.

In partnership with the World Bank, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is implementing the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project to empower District Mining Committees and formalize the ASGM sector. Additionally, Ghana is establishing a Gold Board to improve access to finance and markets for small-scale miners. The Cooperative Mining Policy of 2024 further strengthens the sector by fostering community mining cooperatives and enhancing their technical and financial capacity.

Minister Buah will use the summit as a platform to position Ghana as a model for ASGM formalization and sustainable sector growth. Beyond panel discussions, he will also participate in exclusive networking sessions and high-level meetings with global investors, exploration and production firms, government representatives and key mining stakeholders. These engagements will facilitate deal signings and partnerships aimed at accelerating the expansion of Ghana’s mining sector.

Stay informed about the latest advancements, network with industry leaders, and engage in critical discussions on key issues impacting ASGM and medium to large scale mining in Ghana. Secure your spot at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit by visiting www.MiningInMotionSummit.com. For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact Sales@ashantigreeninitiative.org.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power

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South Africa Approves Renewable Energy Masterplan, Targeting Enhanced Energy Security

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April 9, 2025

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African Energy Week

African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 will examine the impact the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan will have on the country’s power generation landscape

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 9, 2025/APO Group/ –The South African Cabinet has approved the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) for implementation, targeting energy security and broader industrial growth. The plan seeks to address challenges associated with local capacity, infrastructure and investment by providing a roadmap for developing renewable energy and battery storage technologies. For investors, the plan identifies a clear pathway to advancing power projects as South African electricity demand is expected to rise two-fold by 2040.

The upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 – taking place September 29 to October 3 – will examine the impact the SAREM will have on the country’s energy mix. Uniting African government and policymakers with energy operators and investors, the event seeks to drive investment in African energy, in alignment with broader goals of making energy poverty history.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

South Africa targets ambitious growth across its renewable energy market, striving to strengthen grid resilience through large-scale investments in generation and transmission infrastructure. Led by policies such as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) – revised in 2023 – the country envisages 29.5 GW of new capacity by 2030. Of this, 14.4 GW will be derived from wind while 6 GW comes from solar. The latest procurement round of the IRP targets 6.8 GW of renewable energy, 3 GW of natural gas and 1.5 GW of coal.

To realize these goals, the SAREM aims to leverage rising demand for renewable energy and storage technologies, with a focus on solar, wind, lithium-ion battery and vanadium-based battery technologies to drive industrial development in South Africa. The masterplan is anchored on four primary areas: supporting local demand for renewable energy and storage by unlocking system readiness; driving industrial development by building renewable energy and battery storage value chains; fostering inclusive development by driving transformation of the industry; and building local capabilities in terms of skills and technological innovation.

The SAREM is expected to fuel the already-growing South African renewable energy market. According to the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2025 Outlook, South Africa – alongside Egypt – is expected to continue leading Africa’s power generation in 2025. The continent has over 500 GW of renewable energy capacity in concept phase, 80% of which are in the North African region and South Africa. South Africa is also one of several countries leading in nuclear-based power generation. The SAREM will support growth by facilitating partnerships across the value chain, implementing targeted training programs while addressing challenges associated with regulatory barriers. While the SAREM provides significant benefits to the renewable energy landscape, Cabinet has directed that additional work be done on the masterplan to incentivize investors to fund projects. This includes the development of green hydrogen to meet international obligations of 5% blended fuel in aviation and maritime sectors by 2030.

During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, a multi-track program will explore how policies such as the SAREM will shape Africa’s energy landscape. A dedicated Energy Transition stage will investigate Africa’s strategic approach to driving a just transition, tackling key topics including Energy Security in Africa; Driving Local Value; Scaling-up Renewable Energy; and many more. A Powering Africa stage will address fundamental challenges and opportunities surrounding Africa’s electricity market. For South Africa, panel discussions on Bridging the Electricity Gap; Energy Efficiency; Strengthening Public and Private Sector Collaboration; Energy Diversification, and more, will identify opportunities for investors and project developers. Meanwhile, an Invest in African Energies: Country Spotlight on South Africa will examine the country’s energy landscape, including the advancement of oil and gas projects and the implementation of utility-scale renewable energy projects. From green hydrogen adoption to battery storage solutions to solar, wind and natural gas, the spotlight will explore the role an integrated energy mix will have on the country’s energy future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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