HONG KONG, May 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Elevoc Technology announced that its co-founder, Professor DeLiang Wang, has been recognized in the 2025 ScholarGPS "Highly Ranked Scholars" list, placing him in the top 0.05% of all scholars worldwide. The recognition capped off a remarkable year for Professor Wang, who was earlier awarded the 2025 Neural Networks Pioneer Award by the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society and named to the "2025 World's Top 2% Scientists" list, jointly published by Stanford University and Elsevier.
Dr. Wang is a Presidential Chair Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and a former University Distinguished Scholar at The Ohio State University. He is an elected Fellow of the IEEE, ISCA, and AAIA.
From the "Cocktail Party Problem" to Billion Devices
The Pioneer Award is the highest honor in the field of neural networks and deep learning, and among its past recipients are Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield who went on to receive the Nobel Prize, and Andrew Barto, Yoshua Bengio, and Yann LeCun who later won the Turing Award. The award recognizes Professor Wang's foundational contributions to oscillatory correlation theory and his groundbreaking work on speech separation, which revolutionized the way machines perceive human speech.
Professor Wang is widely credited as the first to introduce deep learning to the field of speech separation, offering a highly promising direction towards solving the "Cocktail Party Problem": the challenge of isolating a single voice amid a noisy acoustic environment. His landmark 2017 IEEE Spectrum cover story, "Deep Learning Reinvents the Hearing Aid - IEEE Spectrum," catalyzed a paradigm shift across the global hearing health industry, and inspired the adoption of deep neural networks in cutting-edge hearing aids by Oticon and Phonak, the two largest hearing aid companies in the world.
In 2017, Professor Wang co-founded Elevoc Technology. By 2018, Elevoc had achieved the industry's first commercial implementation of AI-based noise reduction. Today, Elevoc's speech separation solutions are embedded in over one billion consumer devices worldwide — spanning smartphones, earphones, PCs, and smart vehicles — serving global brands including Lenovo, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Li Auto.
Making the World Quieter by Building Hearing Intelligence
The transition from Professor Wang's academic research to large-scale industrial deployment marks a major milestone in the speech processing field. For decades, the field relied on traditional signal processing models that struggled in complex, real-world environments. By introducing deep learning to address the cocktail party problem, Professor Wang's work has brought machines significantly closer to human-level hearing capability.
In the current era of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI, voice has proven to be the most natural and essential interface for human-machine interaction. Whether for the rising wave of AI-native hardware, smart cockpits, or autonomous AI agents, the ability to "hear" in noisy, daily environments is a prerequisite for intelligence. Elevoc's AI speech enhancement technology serves as a critical "sensory filter" for these AI systems — ensuring a high-quality voice input that significantly improves the accuracy of model understanding and execution.
"Professor Wang's work didn't just advance a scientific field — it changed what machines are capable of hearing," said Dr. Xueliang Zhang, CEO of Elevoc. "At Elevoc, we carry forward that pioneering spirit by translating world-class neural network research to transformative engineering. Our mission is to close the gap between how humans communicate and how machines understand. In an increasingly noisy world, we remain committed to helping people and machines hear more clearly — by building hearing intelligence."
About Elevoc
Elevoc Technology Co., Ltd. (Elevoc), founded in 2017, is a global leader in AI-powered machine hearing technology. Driven by advanced deep learning algorithms and Computational Auditory Scene Analysis (CASA), Elevoc has successfully commercialized AI-based speech enhancement and voice interaction solutions across multiple sectors, including Smartphones and PCs, Wearables and IoT, VoIP/Cloud Communications, and Smart Automotive & Home, facilitating human-human and human-machine communication.
For more information, visit www.elevoc.com.
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Elevoc Co-Founder and 2025 IEEE Neural Networks Pioneer Award Winner DeLiang Wang Ranked in Top 0.05% of Scholars Worldwide
--Upgraded VSLAM 2.0 Technology, 10 TOPS computing, and Vision AI 2.0 deliver centimeter-level precision and minimal-effort all-terrain lawn care
NEW YORK, May 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunseeker Robotics, a leading global smart gardening brand, officially debuted its X Gen 2 robotic lawn mower series at Pepcom's Spring Spectacular at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York, alongside its acclaimed X4 and X9 product lines. The new lineup integrates advanced navigation, Vision AI and intelligent automation to deliver more precise, effortless and enjoyable garden care experiences for North American users.
A Dual-Brand Portfolio for Diverse Lawn Care Needs
Sunseeker Robotics adopts a dual-brand strategy to fully address the diverse needs of North American users. The Sunseeker Elite line serves as the brand's premium portfolio, covering lawns ranging from 0.3 to 6 acres with the new X Gen 2 Series positioned at the core of this high-performance segment. The mass-market Sunseeker line is tailored for everyday residential users. This accessible lineup includes the LiDAR-equipped S4, which has been named a CES Innovation Awards 2026 Honoree, marking the first time a lawn mower product has received this prestigious industry recognition in the past three years. To expand accessibility across the region, Sunseeker Robotics has also launched its products on major North American retail platforms including the online channels of LOWE'S, Walmart and The Home Depot.
X Gen 2 Series: A Full Upgrade in Precision, Intelligence and Terrain Adaptability
The all-new X Gen 2 Series features tailored models built for distinct yard sizes and performance needs. The X5 Gen 2 features an 8.7-inch single cutting disc, an exclusive edge-trimming micro-blade deck that cuts as close as 1.2 inches to boundaries, and a 60% (30°) climbing capacity for standard residential terrain. In contrast, the X7 Gen 2 and X7 Plus Gen 2, designed for larger yards, upgrade to a 14-inch dual cutting disc for doubled large-area mowing efficiency and a 70% (35°) maximum climbing capacity for complex sloped terrain. These two models also feature Target Height Management, with continuous cutting height adjustment from 0.8 to 4.0 inches, enabling efficient multi-pass mowing for taller grass.
Across the entire X Gen 2 Series, three core upgrades deliver meaningful performance advancements for autonomous lawn care in the North American market.
Upgraded VSLAM 2.0 : Fused with the RTK-powered AONavi™ navigation system and paired with a dedicated Antenna Station, the redesigned Binocular + iToF camera system delivers precise mapping and stable navigation even in dense, RTK-blocked areas. Critically, it sustains 1 full hour of operation in signal-denied environments – delivering 6x the runtime of VSLAM 1.0. The system eliminates the need for buried boundary wires, letting users freely reshape mowing zones, set no-go areas and customize schedules via the app.
10 TOPS High-Performance Chip: The upgraded chip doubles processing power, delivering 10 trillion operations per second for dramatically faster mowing and obstacle avoidance response. Intelligent algorithms auto-calculate the most efficient cutting path, eliminating redundant routes for consistent, efficient performance.
Next-Gen Vision AI 2.0: Upgraded from Vision AI 1.0 with the addition of an iToF camera, Vision AI 2.0 enables reliable day & night operation by combining sharp daytime binocular vision with iToF-enabled night-time perception. Enhanced depth computing supports precise obstacle detection, including floating objects such as trampolines and swings, while improved edge tracking allows for safer, more accurate mowing along boundaries.
In addition, the X Gen 2 Series is built for North America's diverse terrain. The series' proprietary ATC (All-Terrain Conquer) System integrates 3-wheel AWD, front suspension and rear active steering for superior traction on slopes and uneven ground, while remaining gentle on turf. It also features third-generation LORA technology, enabling stable radio communication between the mower and RTK base station without relying on 4G networks.
Justin Novosel, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sunseeker North America, Inc., commented: "With the debut of the X Gen 2 Series here in North America, we are redefining what intelligent, hassle-free lawn care means for both commercial properties and modern households. This new series is the culmination of our years of R&D in smart outdoor robotics, merging industry-leading precision engineering, cutting-edge AI technology and intuitive everyday usability, to deliver a truly next-generation lawn care solution built specifically for North American outdoor spaces."
X4: 360° 3D LiDAR for Accessible High-Performance Mowing
Alongside the X Gen 2 Series, the event also showcased the X4, which brings accessible, high-performance mowing to compact yards, with its core competitive edge lying in the industry-leading 360° 3D LiDAR system. This high-resolution LiDAR scans at 6,000 rpm, covers a 360° (horizontal) × 70° (vertical) field of view, and generates up to 210,000 point clouds per second for rich, real-time environmental perception. Complemented by a monocular camera to fill low-angle perception blind spots, the system delivers smarter, safer obstacle avoidance.
Strengthening North American Growth Through Local Partnerships and Leadership
To deepen its localized footprint and emotional connection with North American consumers, Sunseeker Robotics has announced a 3-year partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies. Established in 1883, the Phillies are one of the most historic and recognizable franchises in MLB, with a loyal and far-reaching fan base. The club's core market includes the Greater Philadelphia region, spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware—an important sales market for Sunseeker in North America.
As one of America's four major professional sports, baseball is deeply rooted in local family culture. Its relentless pursuit of precision aligns perfectly with Sunseeker's core strength: centimeter-level positioning accuracy. This capability is also fully embodied by Sunseeker's flagship commercial X9 robotic mower, the recent winner of the prestigious iF Design Award.
To support its aggressive growth strategy in North America, Sunseeker Robotics has also announced two key senior leadership appointments to strengthen its local team, underscoring the brand's deep commitment to the North American market. Dave Luczynski has joined the team as Vice President of Retail Sales and Marketing, while Douglas Suessegger has been appointed Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing. The two industry veterans will lead the brand's expansion across retail and commercial channels respectively, driving end-to-end growth in sales, marketing and partner collaboration across the North American region.
About Sunseeker Robotics
Founded in 2009, Sunseeker Robotics is a global leader in intelligent lawn care, seamlessly blending time-honored horticultural expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver efficient, user-friendly solutions for residential and commercial users worldwide. The brand earned widespread industry recognition for its pioneering first-generation wireless robotic mowers launched between 2019 and 2023, setting new global benchmarks for wire-free automated lawn maintenance.
Beyond product innovation, Sunseeker Robotics' core strategic focus is integrating smart technology with local culture, a commitment reflected in its wide-ranging partnerships across Europe and North America. The brand continues to strengthen its connection with local audiences while redefining the future of wire-free lawn care.
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Sunseeker Robotics Unveils X Gen 2 Series Robot Mower at Spring Spectacular, Advancing Wire-Free Lawn Care for North America
Sunseeker Robotics Unveils X Gen 2 Series Robot Mower at Spring Spectacular, Advancing Wire-Free Lawn Care for North America
