How ECOPEACE uses autonomous robots and data to monitor and maintain urban water bodies.
Updated
January 8, 2026 6:27 PM
A school of fish swimming among debris and waste. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
South Korea–based water technology company ECOPEACE is working on a practical challenge many cities face today: keeping urban water bodies clean as pollution and algae growth become more frequent. Rather than relying on periodic cleanup drives, the company focuses on systems that can monitor and manage water conditions on an ongoing basis.
At the core of ECOPEACE’s work are autonomous water-cleanup robots known as ECOBOT. These machines operate directly on lakes, reservoirs and rivers, removing algae and surface waste while also collecting information about water quality. The idea is to combine cleaning with constant observation so changes in water conditions do not go unnoticed.
Alongside the robots, ECOPEACE uses a filtration and treatment system designed to process polluted water continuously. This system filters out contaminants using fine metal filters and treats the water using electrical processes. It also cleans itself automatically, which allows it to run for long periods without frequent manual maintenance.
The role of AI in this setup is largely about decision-making rather than direct control. Sensors placed across the water body collect data such as pollution levels and water quality indicators. The software then analyses this data to spot early signs of issues like algae growth. Based on these patterns, the system adjusts how the robots and filtration units operate, such as changing treatment intensity or water flow. In simple terms, the technology helps the system respond sooner instead of waiting for visible problems to appear.
ECOPEACE has already deployed these systems across several reservoirs, rivers and urban waterways in South Korea. Those projects have helped refine how the robots, sensors and software work together in real environments rather than controlled test sites.
Building on that experience, the company has begun expanding beyond Korea. It is currently running pilot and proof-of-concept projects in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. These deployments are testing how the technology performs in dense urban settings where waterways are closely linked to public health, infrastructure and daily city life.
Both regions have invested heavily in smart city initiatives and water management, making them suitable test beds for automated monitoring and cleanup systems. The pilots focus on algae control, surface cleaning and real-time tracking of water quality rather than large-scale rollout.
As cities continue to grow and climate-related pressures on water systems increase, managing waterways is becoming less about occasional intervention and more about continuous oversight. ECOPEACE’s approach reflects that shift by using automation and data to address problems early and reduce the need for reactive cleanup later.
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Tencent’s latest solution simplifies cross-border payments for Weixin users and merchants.
Updated
January 8, 2026 6:33 PM
Tencent's large penguin statue in front of a building. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
In a world where digital borders are fading faster than ever, Tencent is betting on familiarity. With the launch of TenPay Global Checkout, the company wants to make paying across countries feel as seamless as paying at home.
The new service, unveiled today, allows Weixin Mini Program merchants outside mainland China to accept a variety of local payment methods. That includes digital wallets, real-time payment networks and credit and debit cards, all through a single integration. The launch starts in Singapore and Macao SAR, where merchants can now take payments via PayNow, BOCPAY(MO), and major cards. Japan, Australia and New Zealand are next, with more regions to follow soon.
This rollout builds on the growing reach of Weixin Mini Programs, known internationally through WeChat. These small apps are built right into the platform, letting users' shop, book services and make payments without downloading separate apps. Today, there are over one million monthly active users in key overseas markets, with Mini Programs available across 92 countries and regions.
Yet, for many users abroad, paying within Mini Programs hasn’t always been simple. Foreign card restrictions, currency conversions and limited local options often made checkout a frustrating step. TenPay Global Checkout aims to change that.
“TenPay Global Checkout marks an important step in enhancing the local consumer experience. By enabling overseas Weixin Mini Program merchants to accept trusted and diversified local payment methods through one unified solution, users benefit from a more convenient and efficient payment experience. This helps merchants improve payment conversion rates, expand their user base and scale their businesses to serve a broader range of customers”, said Wenhui Yang, CEO of TenPay Global (Singapore).
What makes this move interesting isn’t just its technical simplicity—it’s the cultural bridge it builds. For users in Singapore or Japan, paying with PayNow or a local card inside Weixin feels less like an international transaction and more like an everyday purchase.
For merchants, it’s an invitation into a market that values convenience and trust. Payment familiarity, after all, often decides whether a user completes a purchase or abandons it at checkout.
The company remains focused on creating secure, connected and user-friendly payment experiences that help merchants grow and allow consumers to pay with confidence, wherever they are.
If successful, TenPay Global Checkout could quietly redefine how cross-border commerce feels—not like a transaction across regions, but a familiar tap, scan or click. In an increasingly global marketplace, that kind of familiarity might just be the next frontier in digital trust.