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Grab, in partnership with WeRide, will launch Ai.R, its first autonomous vehicle service, in Singapore’s Punggol this month. A fleet of 11 vehicles wi…

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<a href="/company/grab">Grab</a>, in partnership with WeRide, will launch Ai.R, its first autonomous vehicle service, in Singapore’s Punggol this month. A fleet of 11 vehicles will run on two routes with trained Grab driver partners onboard as safety operators. Passenger services are slated to begin in early 2026 after trial runs.

A preliminary US-China agreement on TikTok would give <a href="/company/bytedance">ByteDance</a> one of seven board seats in a US entity controlled by US investors, a White House official said. President Donald Trump will extend the divestiture deadline to April under the 2024 law. Oracle will host US user data and retrain the algorithm domestically, outside ByteDance’s control.

Dreame, best known for its robotics products, will enter the smartphone market with its flagship Dreame Space. The device features advanced astrophotography functions powered by Dreame’s proprietary vision and imaging technology. The firm said it has already secured hundreds of millions of RMB in overseas orders and sees the phone as a hub for its broader smart ecosystem.

<a href="/company/pony-ai">Pony.ai</a> will launch autonomous mobility services in Singapore’s Punggol district in the coming months with partner ComfortDelGro, subject to regulatory approval. The rollout aligns with Singapore’s plan to deploy autonomous vehicles in public housing estates and follows a pilot program in Guangzhou earlier this year.

Nvsion, a Malaysia-based startup, has raised funding from Cambrian Fund, its first investor, to advance <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a>-powered optical inspection technology for semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. Founded in 2024 in Penang, Nvsion said the capital will support product rollout, hiring, and customer expansion. Cambrian called the deal its inaugural investment.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have reportedly approved a preliminary framework for US investors to take control of TikTok’s US operations through a new entity. <a href="/company/bytedance">ByteDance’s</a> stake would drop below 20%, with Oracle and Silver Lake among expected investors. Details, including algorithm licensing, remain under negotiation before a December deadline.

OECD data show global <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> policies now exceed 1,300, a 30% increase since 2022. While advanced economies like the US, EU, and China dominate both AI development and regulation, approaches vary widely. Cooperation has faltered amid disputes over legislation and standards, leaving the Global South increasingly dependent.

Elon Musk has denied reports that xAI is raising USD 10 billion at a USD 200 billion valuation, calling the claim “fake news” on X. The report followed a USD 10 billion raise weeks earlier and a USD 6 billion round last year.

Chinese <a href="/industry/ev">EV</a> maker <a href="/company/xpeng">Xpeng Motors</a> has partnered with Austrian contract assembler Magna Steyr to produce its G6 and G9 SUVs in Graz. It is the first time Magna has produced complete vehicles for a Chinese automaker. Xpeng said the deal will create a European production base to bring its smart cars closer to local customers.

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has opened an investigation into Chengdu Kuaigou Technology, a <a href="/company/kuaishou">Kuaishou</a> unit engaged in live commerce, for suspected rule violations. Regulators cited ongoing issues such as false marketing and counterfeit goods. The company said operations remain normal and that it will cooperate with the probe.

<a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> will recall about 110,000 SU7 cars built before August 30, after regulators flagged safety risks in the Level 2 highway navigation assist system. The recall, covering around 30% of all SU7 sales, will be addressed through over-the-air software updates. It is Xiaomi’s second recall and comes amid stricter oversight of driver assistance systems in China.

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The country aims to become the largest non-China hub for printed circuit boards as manufacturers race to diversify production.

Thailand carves out a less-glamorous AI niche: Printed circuit boards

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GreenTech unveils AI-driven water solutions at Global Water Expo 2025 in Saudi Arabia

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The plan outlines three steps for China to embed AI across science, industry, and society.

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Grab to launch autonomous shuttles in Singapore

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Thailand carves out a less-glamorous AI niche: Printed circuit boards

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