Budget Direct Insurance Launches Commercial Vehicle Insurance in Singapore

SINGAPORE, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Budget Direct Insurance, a leading direct-to-consumer digital insurer, has announced the launch of its Commercial Vehicle Insurance product, designed to meet the needs of businesses in Singapore. This latest offering reaffirms the company's commitment to delivering value-driven insurance solutions while leveraging its direct-to-consumer model to offer competitive premiums and exceptional customer service.

Since its launch in Singapore in 2016, Budget Direct Insurance has provided a range of tailored insurance products, including car, motorcycle, and travel insurance. Later, the company expanded its offerings to include higher-risk car insurance, further addressing the diverse needs of its customers.

By bypassing traditional intermediaries, the insurer eliminates unnecessary costs, enabling customers to enjoy significant savings without compromising on the quality of coverage. This approach has garnered widespread customer trust, reflected in the insurer's Exceptional rating of 4.7 out of 5, based on more than 10,000 verified reviews on the independent review platform Feefo.

Simon Birch, CEO of Budget Direct Insurance, highlighted the importance of this new offering:
"We are thrilled to expand our range of products with the introduction of Commercial Vehicle Insurance. Businesses rely on their vehicles as critical assets, and our goal is to provide them with affordable, reliable protection while maintaining the high standards our customers have come to expect. This launch is a testament to our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of businesses in Singapore."

The new Commercial Vehicle Insurance product provides comprehensive and third-party plans for a range of light goods vehicles, including vans, lorries and trucks. It is designed for small business owners, contractors, or those managing a fleet of commercial vehicles, ensuring coverage that fits diverse operational needs. Tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians, and other professionals who rely on their vehicles for daily work are also catered to under the new policy.

The policy protects against risks such as accidents, theft, and third-party liabilities, ensuring businesses can maintain continuity and safeguard their critical assets. Customers can further customise their coverage to align with their specific operational requirements, paying only for what they need. This flexibility is made possible through features such as optional add-ons, including 24-Hour Roadside Assistance, which provides support in case of breakdowns, and the No Claim Discount (NCD) Protector, allowing policyholders to preserve their 20% NCD. Customers can also opt for the Any Workshop benefit, offering the convenience of having their vehicle repaired at a workshop of their choice. This tailored approach ensures peace of mind and protection that fits their unique needs.

The launch of the Commercial Vehicle Insurance product aligns with Budget Direct Insurance's overarching mission to simplify the insurance process using technology and a customer-first approach.

 The company is part of an international insurance group that provides solutions to millions of policyholders worldwide. With operations across four continents, the group includes one of the largest direct personal lines' insurers in South Africa and a leading personal lines insurance intermediary in the United Kingdom. The group's brands include Compare the Market in the UK, Budget Direct in Australia, and Telesure in South Africa.

Budget Direct Insurance's policies are underwritten by Auto & General Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Limited and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The company adheres to all MAS regulations, ensuring transparency, compliance, and reliability.

For more information about Budget Direct Insurance's Commercial Vehicle Insurance, visit www.budgetdirect.com.sg/commercial-vehicle-insurance.

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Budget Direct Insurance Launches Commercial Vehicle Insurance in Singapore

SHANGHAI, April 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DFRobot, a global leader in open-source hardware, recently participated in the Robot Hokoten @ Akihabara event in Tokyo, appearing at the DigiKey booth. The company presented two AI-driven projects based on open-source hardware—an "Electronic Nose" gas recognition system and an AI-powered cell recognition teaching system—demonstrating how AI and open hardware can be effectively applied in STEAM education and maker scenarios.

Electronic Nose: Integrating TinyML with On-Device AI

The "Electronic Nose" project combines edge AI with embedded hardware. It uses four MEMS gas sensors connected to an ESP32 running a TinyML model for real-time odor analysis. 

During the demonstration, the sensor probe was placed above a glass of beer. Within 20 to 30 seconds, the system completed odor sampling and analysis. The results were then transmitted to the LattePanda Sigma, a compact x86 computing module, which generated descriptive content or tasting notes using a locally deployed language model. The entire process was executed on-device, without relying on network connectivity.

Xia Qing, Senior Engineer at DFRobot, commented: "This demonstration shows how makers can combine TinyML-based sensing with local AI models to transform sensor data into intuitive insights. Potential applications include coffee flavor analysis, fermentation monitoring, and food freshness detection."

AI Cell Recognition: Bringing AI into the STEAM Classroom

Another featured project focused on educational applications. DFRobot presented an AI-powered cell recognition teaching system designed to integrate artificial intelligence into middle school biology education. The system is built using the HUSKYLENS 2 AI vision sensor and the UNIHIKER K10 development board.

Powered by the K230 processor with up to 6 TOPS of AI computing performance, HUSKYLENS 2 can efficiently run both pre-trained and user-trained models with low latency. In the demonstration, the system performed real-time identification and classification of cells under a microscope, making abstract AI and machine learning concepts tangible through hands-on interaction.

The project showcases the complete AI workflow—from data collection and model training to edge inference—highlighting its practical applicability in educational settings.

Partnering with DigiKey to Expand the Open-Source Hardware Ecosystem

DFRobot and DigiKey jointly showcased at Robot Hokoten to promote open-source hardware and AI education. The two parties will continue collaborating on technical content, global marketing, and educational solutions, lowering the barrier to AI and open hardware adoption, and accelerating the transition from maker projects to real STEAM classroom applications.

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DFRobot Showcases AI Maker Projects at Robot Hokoten in Akihabara