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CIB invests $337 million towards hydrogen production and refuelling network in Western Canada

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Partnership enables HTEC’s H2 Gateway program, an emerging hydrogen infrastructure ecosystem

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HTEC to build a by-product hydrogen liquefaction facility and three new hydrogen production facilities to expand Canada’s low carbon fuel supply capacity.Investment will bring up to 20 hydrogen refuelling stations online in British Columbia and Alberta, more than doubling the amount of refuelling stations in Canada.Supports the heavy-duty transportation sector in adopting hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.Estimated to generate more than 280 full-time jobs over the construction and operations phases.

VANCOUVER, BC, May 24, 2024 /CNW/ – The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and HTEC, a Vancouver-based designer, builder, owner and operator of hydrogen supply solutions, are partnering to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure. Joining the CIB and HTEC today at the announcement were representatives from the Government of British Columbia and Government of Canada.

The CIB’s $337 million loan will expedite and expand HTEC’s operations in British Columbia and Alberta. The investment will contribute to the implementation of HTEC’s full-service, sustainable fuel supply chain focused on reducing emissions in the transportation sector, called H2 Gateway.

HTEC plans to build and operate an interprovincial network of up to 20 hydrogen refuelling stations to support the deployment of fuel cell vehicles and advance greener transportation solutions. The refuelling stations will be supported by three new hydrogen production facilities located in Burnaby, Nanaimo and Prince George, and a facility that liquefies 15 tonnes per day of vented by-product hydrogen in North Vancouver. It is estimated that more than 280 full-time jobs will be created to build, operate and support the hydrogen infrastructure.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can travel long distances and have relatively short refuelling times, presenting a unique opportunity to decarbonize the commercial trucking sector. As part of this investment, 14 of the 20 new stations will enable the refuelling of up to 300 heavy duty vehicles per day.

Once fully operational, it is forecasted transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by approximately 133,000 tonnes annually.

H2 Gateway, an estimated $900 million program is focused on building hydrogen transportation ecosystems, driving which drives adoption of hydrogen as a transportation fuel in targeted regional hubs.

The CIB’s financing will help accelerate the implementation of hydrogen technology and help mitigate uncertainty in the rate and pace of hydrogen adoption, which have historically been barriers to private investment in sustainable fuel production and infrastructure. 

The partnership represents the third investment through the CIB’s Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure (CHRI) initiative, which is focused on expanding the private sector’s rollout of large-scale charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

The CIB’s investment builds on previous support HTEC has received from Canada to advance clean transportation, including $5 million from PacifiCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity funding and $3 million from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program for its 2-tonne-per-day low-carbon hydrogen production and liquid transfer facility in Burnaby, BC.

Endorsements

Our partnership creates the right conditions for HTEC to expand its operations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. By investing in hydrogen production, distribution, and refuelling infrastructure, we are accelerating the deployment of this sustainable fuel solution. New partnerships in this emerging sector will help increase domestic hydrogen production and ensure Canada is economically competitive in a decarbonizing world.
Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

Unlocking the potential of clean hydrogen is an essential step in decarbonizing and growing a prosperous, clean economy in Canada. It is also essential for Canada, as a country with over 100 years of experience in hydrogen innovation and proven global leadership in the energy space, to assist our democratic allies as they decarbonize and enhance their energy security. As outlined in our Hydrogen Progress Update, remarkable advancements have been made to the hydrogen landscape in Canada since the release of our Hydrogen Strategy in 2020. Today’s CIB announcement is a further testament to this federal government’s support for sustainable energy innovation in the race to net zero.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

The CIB’s Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure initiative focuses on transitioning Canada towards a sustainable fuel infrastructure ecosystem. HTEC, based right here in British Columbia, is developing innovative methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the heavy-duty transportation sector. This investment will support Canada in reaching its net-zero emissions target by 2050, generate jobs in Burnaby and across western Canada, and enhance how Canadians travel.
The Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services and Member of Parliament for Burnaby North-Seymour.

Producing clean fuels like hydrogen right here in B.C. to replace diesel use for transportation helps to reduce harmful pollution, while creating new jobs and opportunities in the clean economy. By supporting innovative projects like H2 Gateway, we can ensure that BC remains a world-leader and attracts new investment in the growing clean economy.
Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation for British Columbia

The H2 Gateway vision for HTEC is now being realized. With the CIB’s strategic investment, we are poised to establish highly sustainable hydrogen ecosystems that will drive the adoption of zero-emission transportation and support larger regional hydrogen hubs. An investment of this magnitude signals confidence in HTEC and the network of dedicated partners delivering safe, low-carbon energy solutions, putting Canada on the map.
Colin Armstrong, President and CEO, HTEC

HTEC
HTEC works across the clean hydrogen value chain, developing, integrating and operating clean hydrogen energy solutions in strategic North American markets to enable the transportation sector’s transition to a low-carbon future. The company designs, builds, owns and operates hydrogen fuel production, infrastructure and supply solutions to support the deployment of hydrogen electric light-medium- and heavy-duty transportation. For more information, visit htec.ca

SOURCE Canada Infrastructure Bank

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AI-Powered Earbuds Transforming North American Smart Offices: Exclusive Insights from viaim CPO at CES 2025

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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Liu Da, Chief Product Officer (CPO) of viaim, an AI technology hardware company deeply rooted in the smart office sector, gave an exclusive interview, sharing valuable insights into viaim’s exploration of the field of AI-powered earbuds, its innovative product concepts, and how the technology addresses common workplace challenges in North America. Mr. Liu also delved into the market potential of AI-powered earbuds and viaim’s strategic blueprint for shaping the future of smart offices, especially in the North American market.

North American business professionals have widely embraced remote and hybrid work models. The rise of multilingual communication has fostered a highly digitalized consumer landscape with diverse user needs, particularly for smart office solutions. In response, viaim is dedicated to developing practical AI solutions that alleviate repetitive and tiring office tasks. By addressing the evolving demands of North American professionals with its AI-driven innovations, viaim is advancing its global mission to transform work efficiency and productivity.

Unique advantages of AI-powered smart earbuds

In the interview, Mr. Liu said earbuds, being close to the user’s senses, are seamlessly integrated into daily life and serve as an ideal platform for AI technology. Unlike traditional office hardware, AI-powered earbuds are portable and versatile, fitting various scenarios such as remote meetings, commuting, and entertainment. He highlighted that viaim’s AI-powered smart office solutions position the Company to bridge the gap between people and devices, transforming earbuds from simple audio tools into smart office partners. 

viaim’s technology and design challenges during the R&D  phase

Mr. Liu detailed the challenges the Company faced during the R&D phase, including integrating AI computing power, storage, and sensors into earbuds with limited space while maintaining portability and battery life. He also highlighted the difficulty of balancing human auditory sensitivity with machine signal processing to ensure a natural user experience. To tackle these challenges, viaim employed multi-terminal collaboration, integrating earbuds, apps, and cloud services to ensure seamless voice processing and secure data management tailored to the needs of North American professionals.

Market potential, insights, and positioning in North America

A report from Upwork, the world’s largest work marketplace, projects 36.2 million Americans will work remotely in 2025, marking an 87% increase from pre-pandemic levels. AI-powered earbuds, with capabilities including meeting recording and follow-up task management, cater to the digitalized and multilingual North American market. As remote and hybrid work rises, AI earbuds are becoming vital for workplace efficiency and language learning. viaim stands out with a competitive strategy focused on technological innovation and market segmentation, offering unique value beyond traditional earbud brands.

Future strategy and product vision

Mr. Liu believes technology’s true value lies in solving real-world problems. “When users actively engage with our AI solutions, it demonstrates their true value,” he stated. AI earbuds remain the Company’s core focus, empowering professionals to shift their attention from routine tasks to meaningful creative endeavors. Looking ahead, viaim plans to expand its product lineup to include smart glasses and office accessories, creating a comprehensive AI office ecosystem. The Company aims to rapidly iterate based on user feedback, expanding AI earbuds from niche to mass markets and advancing industry development.

Media Contact: 

Qian Wang
+86-15321782927
wangqian@vision-intelligence.tech

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-powered-earbuds-transforming-north-american-smart-offices-exclusive-insights-from-viaim-cpo-at-ces-2025-302347888.html

SOURCE VIAIM

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Steller Unveils Group Trip Planning

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KIRKLAND, Wash., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Steller, a video-based, travel planning platform that allows travelers to discover, connect and book based on experiences shared by creators, introduced its most requested feature yet: group trip collaboration. The feature transforms how travelers plan group trips by consolidating everything—discovery, communication, organized planning, and booking—into one platform. 

Steller launches group trip planning, streamlining discovery, communication, and booking into one collaborative platform.

Traditional Trip planning involves multiple surfaces and when traveling with others, multiple communication channels. It is difficult to stay organized when communication is spread across text messages, social DMs, email, etc.  

Steller’s new collaboration feature eliminates communication chaos and streamlines trip planning by offering a central group hub for organizing every piece of the process. Travelers can invite others to join their Trip itinerary, keeping communication, discovery, and booking in one place. With Steller’s library of more than 30 million pieces of user generated travel content, groups can share videos of activities, dining spots, attractions, add notes, and co-create custom itineraries. Flexible itinerary views—list, map, and video—give everyone a complete picture of the plan to share and edit with their travel companions.

“Collaborative trip planning has been a top request from our community.  When we launched Trips by Steller   last January, we knew it would resonate, but the response has far exceeded expectations. In a short time, over 50,000 users have planned and booked trips by incorporating their favorite user-generated travel videos into personalized itineraries. For our destination clients,  Trips by Steller has seamlessly connected travel influencer marketing to planning and commerce. Steller clients see more than 18% of viewers who engage with their influencer campaigns planning trips to their destination—a result that sets a high bar in the travel industry. Adding collaboration to the mix amplifies that impact, inspiring more people to explore, engage and transact together!” said Pete Bryant, CEO of Steller. 

How It Works  

Whether it’s a getaway for two or a large group adventure, collaboration makes organizing travel plans easy with an all-in-one solution. 

Build Your Itinerary Together: Group members can contribute by adding things to do, activities, and notes.Stay Organized: Add notes and structure by day, activity, or group to eliminate confusion.Flexible Views: View your itinerary as a detailed list, on a map, or through video for a fully customizable planning experience.Real-Time Updates: Keep track of changes, additions, and edits made by group members.On-the-Go Access: Everyone can access the itinerary on their phone.

Steller continues to lead the charge in innovative travel planning, ensuring that its platform evolves based on user feedback. Collaborative trip planning is the latest step in its mission to evolve travel. 

About Steller 

Steller, headquartered in Kirkland, Wash., is the market leading travel planning platform that guides travelers from inspiration to planning and booking through authentic experiences of their favorite creators. Steller’s patent pending platform distributes millions of pieces of bespoke, worldwide video content that can be found and booked on the Steller app. Learn more at www.steller.co  and  stellerforbusiness.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/steller-unveils-group-trip-planning-302347630.html

SOURCE Steller

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RAAPID Raises Series A from M12, Microsoft’s Venture Fund to Scale Next-Generation Healthcare Risk Adjustment

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Company reports 300% revenue growth in 2024 and advances partnerships with nation’s leading health systems

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — RAAPID, the industry-leading healthcare AI company, announced today a significant Series A investment from M12, Microsoft’s venture fund. This strategic funding positions RAAPID to expand its groundbreaking Neuro-symbolic AI platform that is reshaping healthcare risk adjustment.

RAAPID’s explosive growth – marked by a 300% revenue increase in 2024 – demonstrates the market’s strong validation of its advanced technology platform. The company has quickly established itself as a trusted partner for major health plans and provider., At the core of RAAPID’s success is its pioneering VisionAI technology, which tackles one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges: making sense of unstructured medical data. While over 70% of medical records exist as unstructured data when shared outside EHRs, RAAPID’s AI engine transforms this complex information into actionable insights, enabling unprecedented accuracy in risk capture and care gap identification.

“Our vision extends beyond traditional risk adjustment,” states Chetan Parikh, Founder and CEO of RAAPID. “We’re creating a future where AI augments healthcare professionals’ capabilities, leading to better patient outcomes and more accurate appropriate reimbursements. This investment from M12 accelerates our mission to transform healthcare through advanced AI.”

RAAPID’s purpose-built Risk Adjustment platform has achieved remarkable results:

Slashing chart review time by 60-80%Surpassing industry standards with 95%+ coding accuracyGenerating additional appropriate and compliant revenue per memberImproving risk capture accuracy by 25%

The HITRUST-certified platform stands out for its unique Neuro-symbolic AI approach, combining neural networks with an extensive medical knowledge graph containing over 4 million clinical entities and 50 million relationships. This sophisticated technology enables both retrospective analysis and prospective risk adjustment, helping organizations identify and address care gaps to positively impact patient health.

“Healthcare organizations are increasingly seeking innovative solutions to manage risk and improve care delivery in value-based arrangements,” said Todd Graham, Managing Partner at M12. “RAAPID’s AI-driven risk adjustment platform aligns perfectly with our investment strategy. Through M12, we are committed to providing our portfolio companies with access to Microsoft’s resources and expertise to drive significant impact in the healthcare sector.

Led by a team with over 25 years of healthcare technology expertise, RAAPID has collaborated with experts from the top 4 tech giants in developing its clinical AI solutions. RAAPID continues to push the safe boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare AI. The company’s selection as an M12 portfolio company validates its position as a leader in healthcare technology innovation.

As value-based care becomes increasingly important, RAAPID’s AI-powered solutions are becoming essential tools for healthcare organizations striving to improve timeliness and quality of care all patients expect. With this new funding, RAAPID is poised to further advance its technology and expand its positive impact on patients, providers and payers.

About RAAPID
RAAPID develops AI-powered solutions for healthcare payers, providers, and supporting organizations. The company’s cloud-based risk adjustment platform uses neuro-symbolic AI to identify chronic conditions, determine HCC codes, calculate risk scores, and analyze population health trends. RAAPID serves organizations that participate in Medicare Advantage, ACA, Medicare ACO, and Medicaid programs.

For more information about RAAPID’s AI-powered risk adjustment solutions, visit www.raapidinc.com

CONTACT:
Mayur Vyas
(502) 699-3044
388583@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raapid-raises-series-a-from-m12-microsofts-venture-fund-to-scale-next-generation-healthcare-risk-adjustment-302348014.html

SOURCE RAAPID

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