All posts by Neel Achary

The BOXER-8651AI-PLUS, BOXER-8652AI-PLUS, and BOXER-8653AI-PLUS offer distinct features to bring AI functionality to versatile vertical market segments.

Taipei, Taiwan – May 12: AAEON (Stock Code: 6579), a leading provider of edge AI platforms, today announced the release of the BOXER-8651AI-PLUS and BOXER-8652AI-PLUS, two embedded AI systems powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX module with Super Mode support. The two systems follow the release of the BOXER-8653AI-PLUS back in February 2026, and complete AAEON’s BOXER-865xAI-PLUS series. 

Designed to provide users across market segments with the enhanced software stack, greater power consumption flexibility and performance optimization offered by Super Mode with NVIDIA JetPack 6.2 SDK, BOXER-865xAI-PLUS series PCs offer up to 157 TOPS of AI performance. The primary differences between the three systems are their form factors and the functions they offer, which in turn influence the types of deployment scenarios AAEON has positioned them for.

The smallest of the three at 125mm x 90mm x 56mm, the BOXER-8651AI-PLUS is geared towards applications that require high-performance AI inference in space-constrained setups, such as AIoT nodes within the smart building management and retail sectors. As such, the system’s I/O is relatively streamlined, with four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and Gigabit Ethernet joining a DB-9 port for CANBus/ RS-232 and a 10-pin physical DIO header. Despite its compact size, the system maintains a -25°C to 55°C operating temperature range alongside a 12V to 24V power input tolerance.

Also relatively compact at 190mm x 136mm x 75mm, the BOXER-8652AI-PLUS is positioned as a platform for industrial AI applications such as AMR. To host the cameras and sensors required for such solutions, the BOXER-8652AI-PLUS provides two DB-9 ports for CANBus and RS-232/422/485, four USB, and dual RJ-45 LAN. Moreover, the BOXER-8652AI-PLUS includes a box header for out-of-band management support, making it suitable for scaling industrial AMR fleets across factories.

The most advanced of the three, the BOXER-8653AI-PLUS includes four independent PoE LAN ports. As such, AAEON has indicated it is primarily positioned for smart city installations like roadside units and public safety systems. Lending further credence to this is the BOXER-8653AI-PLUS’s out-of-band management and TPM 2.0 support, which AAEON states have been included to enable secure remote device rebooting, diagnostics, and monitoring on the system when it is deployed as part of broader smart infrastructure setups.

The full BOXER-865xAI-PLUS series is now in mass production, with detailed specifications available on the product’s respective pages on the AAEON website. Meanwhile, pricing and ordering information can be obtained via the AAEON eShop or via the contact form on the AAEON website.

Mumbai, May 11: Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit in Delhi,  Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu strongly backed PM Modi’s appeal to the nation to strengthen India’s foreign exchange reserves and asked everyone to follow it like a mission. 

He said the current geopolitical situation is a reminder for the country to focus on self-reliance and resource conservation. Referring to the national mission outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday in Hyderabad, CM Chandrababu Naidu highlighted several key measures suggested to tackle emerging global challenges. 

Resharing PM Modi’s appeal, he said the Prime Minister had called for postponing gold purchases, promoting energy conservation, encouraging the use of public transport, adopting a work-from-home culture, reducing fertiliser consumption, and moving towards natural farming. CM Naidu stressed that these measures are essential in the present global scenario marked by fuel and energy crises caused by international conflicts. 

Recalling his tenure as Chief Minister in the late 1990s, CM Naidu said he had introduced power sector reforms between 1998 and 1999 and achieved significant results in electricity generation and supply. However, he noted that the reforms were politically costly and contributed to his electoral defeat in 2004, as people at the time did not fully accept the changes. 

Emphasizing energy security, CM Naidu urged industries to generate their own power within factory premises. He said every household, agricultural pump set, factory, and commercial complex should focus on power generation to reduce dependence on external energy sources. 

He also pointed to rising problems related to LPG, petrol, and diesel prices, saying countries that are not directly involved in wars are still suffering the consequences. In this context, he said work-from-home has become a practical solution, as technology now allows people to work efficiently from anywhere. 

Andhra CM further advocated greater self-reliance in agriculture by reducing fertiliser usage and promoting natural farming, stating that it would benefit both foreign exchange reserves and public health.

Addressing industrialists, especially the giants of the business community present at the summit, CM Naidu appealed to them to treat these reforms and conservation measures as a national mission rather than solely the responsibility of the Prime Minister. 

He expressed confidence that every crisis creates new opportunities and asserted that after overcoming the current global challenges, India would emerge stronger and become “unstoppable” on the global stage.

Recognising ongoing commitment to sustainability and carbon management

 SYDNEY, May 12– Epson Australia has been recognised as a CitySwitch Champion for the third consecutive year, affirming the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability leadership, carbon management and practical climate action across its Australian operations.

 (l-r) Epson Australia’s environment and sustainability manager Fatida Un and North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker

The CitySwitch Awards celebrate businesses demonstrating genuine progress in areas such as emissions tracking, waste reduction, sustainable procurement and staff engagement.

Epson was formally honoured at the North Sydney Council Champion Lunch with the award presented by North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker.

This achievement reflects Epson’s sustained commitment to transparency, data-driven carbon reduction and continuous environmental improvement.

CitySwitch is Australia’s flagship decarbonisation program for businesses. Run by council partners and NABERS, the initiative supports office-based organisations to measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint on the path to net zero emissions.

Since joining CitySwitch as a signatory in 2023, Epson has reported annually on energy use, emissions and waste across its five Australian workplaces and built a robust foundation for long-term carbon management.

Key achievements to date include:

• Transitioning all Australia and New Zealand offices to 100% renewable electricity

• Reducing landfill waste at its primary warehouse facility by more than half compared with FY2023 levels

• Shifting inbound freight from road to rail, cutting logistics-related emissions

• Developing a full Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions framework, aligning local goals with Epson’s global science-based targets

• Enhancing energy efficiency at its Sydney head office, reducing overall electricity use

• Improving recycling processes across its Sydney offices and the recyclability of consumer product packaging 

While continued emissions reduction remains a priority, Epson is equally focused on building robust systems, data quality and organisational capability to support meaningful, long-term progress.

Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director, Epson Australia and New Zealand said, “Being recognised for a third time as a CitySwitch Champion is a valued acknowledgement of the commitment and hard work of our teams across Australia. It reinforces our approach of connecting sustainability to everyday decisions from how we source electricity and manage waste, to how we design systems and ship products. Every improvement brings us closer to a low-carbon future.”

The annual CitySwitch Champions Forum also brings together participants to share practical insights into carbon management. This year, Epson presented on building a practical approach to carbon tracking, drawing from its own journey of “progress over perfection”. This includes:

    • Starting with the data already available

    • Focusing on key emissions hotspots

    • Connecting reduction efforts directly to business priorities

    • Maintaining steady momentum through collaboration and knowledge sharing

By applying this pragmatic approach, Epson continues to strengthen its operational sustainability while supporting the company’s broader global target of achieving carbon negativity and underground resource-free status by 2050.

Epson’s recognition as a three-time CitySwitch Champion demonstrates its leadership as an innovation-driven manufacturer that embeds sustainability into products and operations alike.

Through collaborations like CitySwitch, the company continues its commitment to act decisively on its decarbonisation journey.

Learn more about sustainability at Epson Australia here: https://www.epson.com.au/about/sustainability/

 Founded in 2005, CitySwitch initially focused on office energy efficiency before expanding to help businesses integrate broader sustainability practices — including waste reduction, green procurement and Scope 3 emissions management.

London, May 11 : Despite rising inflation and the weakening value of the Indian Rupee, the demand for studying abroad continues to grow every year. Visa queues are getting longer, education loan enquiries are rising, and students are planning overseas education earlier than ever before.

What stands out, though, is this: students are still choosing some of the world’s most expensive destinations.

In 2026, the United States remains the top choice for study abroad, followed closely by the United Kingdom. Even though countries like Germany, Canada, and Australia are rising, the US and UK still continue to dominate student demand globally.

For many Indian students, studying in the US is more than just education; it’s a dream tied to better opportunities, global exposure, and long-term career growth. And, for many who plan carefully, choose the right university, and align their studies with long-term career goals, it can absolutely lead to incredible opportunities and successful careers.

But there’s another side to the story that people don’t talk about enough. A growing number of students are choosing universities simply for the sake of getting an “international degree”, without properly researching the university, job outcomes, or long-term value. Some start planning immediately after school because of pressure, trends, or social perception, not because they fully understand the roadmap ahead. 

Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, says this is where students often make costly mistakes.“Today, we’re seeing students as early as Class 11 enquiring about education loans and overseas education pathways. Ambition is good, but without proper planning, studying abroad can quickly become financially and emotionally stressful.” 

Sonal adds that one of the biggest issues is the “late realisation problem”. “We’ve seen students join universities without fully understanding career opportunities or post-study outcomes, only to realise midway through the course that the university or programme isn’t helping them move forward. In many cases, students later try to switch universities or reapply elsewhere once they understand the gap. That transition often comes with a major financial and emotional cost.”

She further added, “This is especially common among Indian students who prioritise destination over long-term fit. Sonal says, “One wrong decision in studying abroad can impact much more than finances. We’ve interacted with students who struggled mentally and emotionally because they rushed the process or followed trends instead of asking the right questions early.” 

At the same time, there is a positive shift happening. Master’s programs and more senior students, along with their parents, are becoming far more aware of the return on investment. They are asking questions not only about employability, visa pathways, post-study work opportunities, and salary outcomes.

Sonal added, “That is why we at Prodigy Finance always encourage students to ask questions, connect with alumni, and use open forums to understand the reality of studying abroad before making a decision. Platforms like NovaGrad can also help students explore scholarships, guidance, and university options early in the process. The more informed a student is before applying, the better their overall experience tends to be. Unplanned decisions usually only create more pressure later.”

The boutique marketing firm is recognized for its trademarked approach to interpreting marketing and communications impact through human-centered analysis

ORLANDO, FL (May 12) – Kafka Media Group, an integrated marketing firm, has been named a winner in the 32nd Annual Communicator Awards for its proprietary Soft-Analytics® methodology, recognizing the agency’s innovation in modern communications strategy and marketing intelligence.

Presented by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, the Communicator Awards honor excellence and innovation across the communications industry, with thousands of entries submitted annually by agencies, organizations, and brands worldwide.

Soft-Analytics® is Kafka Media Group’s trademarked methodology that combines traditional performance metrics with human insight, strategic interpretation, and contextual analysis to help clients better understand the true impact of their marketing and communications efforts.

“Soft-Analytics® was built around a simple idea: data alone cannot tell the full story,” said Pierce Kafka, CEO & Creative Director of Kafka Media Group. “In a communications landscape increasingly shaped by automation and AI-generated content, interpretation, strategy, and context matter more than ever. This recognition validates the importance of understanding not just what happened in a campaign, but why it mattered.”

Unlike traditional reporting that focuses solely on impressions or mentions, Soft-Analytics® evaluates the context, sentiment, momentum, and strategic value behind media coverage and audience engagement.

Kafka Media Group officially trademarked Soft-Analytics® in 2025 as part of its broader effort to redefine how communications impact is evaluated and interpreted. The methodology has been applied across its integrated marketing and publicity campaigns, helping clients translate visibility into actionable strategic growth.

“This recognition reinforces what we believe the industry is moving toward: smarter measurement, stronger storytelling, and more strategic interpretation of what drives real influence,” Kafka added.

New Delhi, May 12 (BNP): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to announce the Class 12 Board Examination Results 2026 today, creating huge anticipation among lakhs of students and parents across the country. Although the board has not officially confirmed the exact date and time, a recent post by DigiLocker indicating “CBSE Class XII Results 2026 Coming Soon on DigiLocker” has strengthened speculation about today’s declaration.

As per reports, CBSE will not hold any press conference for the result announcement this year. Instead, students will be able to access their results online through multiple official platforms including cbse.gov.in, results.cbse.nic.in, cbseresults.nic.in, DigiLocker, UMANG app, and SMS services.

The CBSE Class 12 examinations were conducted from February 17 to April 10, 2026, in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM across India and at overseas examination centres.

Students are advised to keep their admit cards ready to avoid last-minute inconvenience while checking scores. Candidates can log in using their roll number, school number, admit card ID, and date of birth.

Students who have not yet activated their DigiLocker accounts can do so by visiting the DigiLocker portal, selecting “Get Started,” entering the access code provided by their respective schools, and verifying their mobile number through OTP authentication.

With no official result tab activated yet on cbseresults.nic.in, students continue to refresh official websites eagerly as the expected announcement window approaches.

Authors propose that rebuilding community, routine, and social roles is essential for long-term recovery after disasters

As disasters increasingly disrupt lives through displacement, conflict, and climate-related emergencies, addressing long-term mental health recovery remains a major challenge. A correspondence from Juntendo University discusses that, while acute symptom assessment remains important, disaster psychiatry may benefit from a community-led approach to care. The authors discuss the importance of ibasho (community spaces of belonging and social purpose) and suggest that rebuilding routines, roles, and neighborhood connections may support long-term recovery and resilience. 

Natural disasters drastically affect human lives—destroying homes, separating families, leading to disruption of daily routines, which affects their stability. While emergency mental health responses are crucial in the beginning of the crisis, new correspondence discusses that psychological recovery may rely on a more meaningful approach to help restore a sense of place and belonging.

Ibasho: A Community-led Place for Belonging and Meaning

In this context, authors from Juntendo University, Japan, led by Associate Professor Hidetaka Tamune from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, along with Dr. Yutaka Igarashi from Nippon Medical School, Japan, and Dr. Yuzuru Kawashima from the Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Team, Japan, discussed the approach of ibasho (a community-building concept in Japan) for people affected by disasters. The details were made available online on April 3, 2026, and published in Volume 407, Issue 10537 of The Lancet journal on April 11, 2026.

Dr. Tamune says, “Disaster recovery is not only about reducing acute psychiatric symptoms. It is also about restoring the social environments that give people stability, dignity, and a sense of purpose. In Japanese, the places that make this possible are called ibasho.”

Ibasho means a place of belonging where people are engaged in social networks, routines, and meaningful roles. The authors suggested that restoring this sense of connection among people affected by disasters may be just as important as detecting early symptoms, as it plays a vital role in supporting community recovery. Supporting this, the correspondence places ibasho within the internationally recognized Sphere humanitarian framework, which focuses on survival with dignity, continuity with care, and coordinated support systems during crises. It also suggests that ibasho aligns closely with those principles by offering social infrastructure for displaced and affected communities.

Ibasho in Japan: Community-Led Recovery in Practice 

Compared to conventional interventions, ibasho refers to safe, community-led spaces where individuals can reconnect with others and resume daily routines. This may include neighborhood gathering spaces, shared community programs, and locally led recovery hubs. To support this perspective, the authors cited the evidence from disaster-affected regions in Japan. These include examples from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear accident. Notably, there was an increase in the dementia consultations and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among older adults near the evacuation zones of the affected areas. In contrast, the communities where older residents were helped by leading ibasho-style programs reported stronger recovery and more stable routines with improved social and family relationships. This suggests that recovery improved when people were able to regain meaningful roles in community life. The older adults not only receive support but are also actively contributing to the recovery efforts and rebuilding community life.

“What appears to be most important is not simply access to services, but whether people can reclaim their place within the community and continue to feel valued, useful, and connected.　In Japan, a disaster-prone and super-aged society, we have both the experience and the responsibility to share what we have learned about caring for older adults with dementia, especially those who develop BPSD and delirium,” explains Dr. Tamune.

Redefining Recovery Through Connection, Culture, and Dignity

Although particularly relevant to natural disasters, the correspondence suggests that preparedness and recovery both depend not only on services but also on whether people can remain connected to local networks, routines, and meaningful social roles. The authors further note that trauma-informed support should remain culturally congruent; in some communities, restoring routines, roles, and communal life through ibasho may be the most acceptable first step.

Overall, the correspondence highlights the importance of ibasho in post-disaster mental health. It suggests that, although acute symptom detection matters, recovery also depends on whether people can continue to live safely, sustain relationships, and regain meaningful roles after displacement. In this sense, ibasho may function as a culturally congruent local social infrastructure through which dignity, continuity, and safety are restored in everyday life.

WILMINGTON, Del. —May 11, 2026 — Ualett, the leading financial technology platform serving gig workers, announced the launch of Ualett Rewards, a new loyalty program designed to recognize and reward clients for their engagement and financial activity.

With Ualett Rewards, clients can turn everyday interactions into real financial benefits through GigPoints, redeemable for remittance savings and digital rewards. The program deepens Ualett’s commitment to helping independent workers build more flexible, resilient financial lives while making the in-app experience more engaging and valuable over time.

“Gig workers are constantly balancing tight schedules, rising costs, and unpredictable income,” said Ricky Michel Presbot, Co-Founder and CEO of Ualett. “Ualett Rewards is our way of saying thank you to the workers who trust us every day. By turning routine actions into meaningful rewards, we’re helping clients get more value from every interaction with Ualett.”

Ualett Rewards will officially launch today, and all eligible clients can access the program directly through the Ualett app.

How Ualett Rewards Works

Through Ualett Rewards, clients earn GigPoints for simple, everyday actions in the app, including:

• Client referrals: Points are awarded when a referred user successfully enrolls.

• In-app gaming experiences: Points can be earned by participating in interactive features and experiences within the Ualett app.

Accumulated GigPoints are tracked over time and can be redeemed for tangible benefits, such as:

• Savings on remittances, helping clients keep more of what they earn on eligible transactions.

• Eligible digital rewards, including select gift cards and other digital benefits.

As Ualett scales its platform, the company is focused on ensuring that its most engaged clients share directly in the value they help create. Ualett Rewards is designed to feel intuitive and fair: clients earn points for the actions they’re already taking and can clearly see how those points convert into real, usable financial benefits over time.

By integrating rewards into everyday app interactions, Ualett is strengthening its role as a long-term financial ally for gig workers—providing not just access to fast, flexible capital, but also ongoing incentives that support smarter financial decisions and deeper engagement.

Turin, Italy and Pleasanton, California, USA – May 11, 2026 – COMAU and OMRON Robotics (Omron) have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement to accelerate the global adoption of advanced industrial automation solutions. The partnership will focus on fast-growing industries including electronics, semiconductors, medical manufacturing, and light industrial intralogistics, where demand continues to rise for flexible and easily deployable automation technologies.

The collaboration is designed to address increasing customer demand for scalable, adaptable automation systems that integrate efficiently with both existing production lines and next-generation manufacturing environments. By combining their complementary technologies, product portfolios, and industry expertise, COMAU and Omron aim to expand access to advanced automation solutions for manufacturers worldwide.

The companies also see the agreement as a foundation for future joint initiatives. By integrating robotics hardware, intelligent control systems, and software-driven automation, the partnership aims to help manufacturers improve operational efficiency, increase flexibility, and enhance overall production performance across a wide range of industrial applications.

“This initiative reflects our strategy to strengthen Comau’s solution portfolio through high-value partnerships,” said Pietro Gorlier, CEO of COMAU. “Omron is a strong strategic fit because we share a common vision centered on innovation and customer value. By combining Comau’s robotics expertise with Omron’s advanced technologies and software capabilities, we can deliver automation solutions that are easier to implement, highly adaptable, and ready to support future manufacturing needs. This collaboration also reinforces our position in high-growth industries and emerging markets, helping customers manage increasing industrial complexity with safe, reliable, and scalable automation.”

“By bringing together two highly complementary portfolios, this collaboration creates new opportunities for manufacturers seeking greater agility and efficiency,” said Olivier Welker, CEO of OMRON Robotics. “Combining our strengths in robotics, intelligent automation, advanced control, and application expertise will help customers respond more quickly to evolving market requirements. Together, we aim to deliver flexible, connected, and sustainable production systems that support long-term growth.”