Xiaodu AI Hotel Globalization Strategy Takes Another Major Step with the Official Launch of Its First AI Smart Speaker with Screen for Overseas Markets, X8 Plus

BEIJING, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Xiaodu Technology, an AI hardware subsidiary of Baidu that serves over 55 million households in China, has officially launched its first AI Smart Speaker with Screen for overseas hotels, the Xiaodu AI Smart Speaker with Screen X8 Plus ("X8 Plus"). The product will first enter Southeast Asia, targeting international mid-to-high-end hotels and Chinese hotel brands expanding overseas. 

In April 2026, Xiaodu AI Hotel launched its globalization strategy, bringing its "AI + Hotel" solution to Southeast Asia. X8 Plus is the first hardware product deployed in overseas markets under this strategy, marking a new stage in Xiaodu Hotel's global expansion, with a focus on product deployment and ecosystem development.
X8 Plus has been comprehensively upgraded in three areas to meet the network environments, interaction habits, and deployment needs of overseas hotels: 

Hardware Upgrade: It features built-in infrared transmission/reception and temperature and humidity sensing, with adaptive dual-band support for 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi, improving sensing responsiveness and operational stability.

Intelligent Upgrade: Supported by regionally localized servers, it offers enhanced large language model (LLM) semantic understanding and multilingual capabilities, with smooth English voice interaction already available and Thai and other additional languages will be supported in the future. The product also features a customized English wake word, "Hey Dumo", optimized for overseas hotel settings to deliver more natural and accurate voice interactions.

Ecosystem Integration: It is deeply integrated with hotel RCU (Room Control Unit) systems, enabling coordinated control of in-room devices and remote debugging for streamlined deployment. 

Locally, Xiaodu has formed a strategic partnership with Malaysian operator redONE to deploy AI hardware and digital solutions in hotel real estate, smart home, and other sectors, expanding from exporting products to building overseas application ecosystems. Building on its experience in the Chinese market, Xiaodu's AI Hotel solution now covers more than 90,000 hotels and 3 million rooms in China, with a market share exceeding 90%. The launch of X8 Plus marks a key step in Xiaodu Smart Hotel's globalization, moving from solution delivery to standardized product deployment. It expands Xiaodu's overseas product portfolio while laying the groundwork for integration with more hotel systems, devices, and local ecosystems.

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Xiaodu AI Hotel Globalization Strategy Takes Another Major Step with the Official Launch of Its First AI Smart Speaker with Screen for Overseas Markets, X8 Plus

LONDON, Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 50 Best Vineyards reveals the vineyards ranked No.51 to No.100 this year, ahead of the official awards ceremony in Santiago, Chile on 18 November. The extended list showcases leading wine tourism destinations across six continents and 20 destinations, voted for by The 50 Best Vineyards Academy, a global panel of more than 700 wine and travel experts.

• The 51-100 list includes vineyards from 36 wine regions across the world
• 34 of the vineyards are in Europe, followed by five in South America, five in North America, four in Oceania, and one each in Africa and Asia
• There are 17 new entries from 15 different wine regions
• 12 vineyards return to the ranking as re-entries

For the full 51-100 list, please see here.

Europe dominates the 51-100 list with 34 vineyards, including 13 new entries. France leads with 14 vineyards featured, eight of them new to the ranking. Among them is Château & Domaine de Briante in Beaujolais (No.51), the highest new entry.

Vineyards in Portugal and Italy each secure four places, including new entry G.D. Vajra in Barolo (No.58). England records three entries from Sussex, while Georgia's Château Mukhrani in Kartli (No.55) achieves the highest rise among returning vineyards, climbing 20 places. New entries also include Sauska in Tokaj (No.74) and Santo Wines in Santorini (No.100).

South America welcomes two new entries with Susana Balbo Wines in Mendoza (No.80) and Haras de Pirque in Chile's Maipo Valley (No.84). The United States records its strongest ever showing, with four vineyards featured. Canada is represented by Mission Hill Family Estate in Okanagan Valley (No.69).

Oceania features four vineyards across Australia and New Zealand. Vineyards in Africa and Asia each secure one place in this year's list: Babylonstoren in Franschhoek (No.89) and Silver Heights in Helan (No.94).

Rikki Tidball, Managing Director of Awards & Rankings for The 50 Best Vineyards, says: "The vineyards featured in this year's 51-100 list show that world-class wine tourism can be found in every corner of the globe. From historic houses in Champagne and Bordeaux to pioneering vineyards in China and Georgia, these destinations offer visitors a compelling sense of place alongside outstanding hospitality."

The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 announcement can be followed via The 50 Best Vineyards social media channels on 18 November.

Media centre:
https://mediacentre.the50.com/

 

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THE 50 BEST VINEYARDS REVEALS THE 51-100 LIST FOR 2026