Author: sHq_LoGiNz

James Choate-Deeds and his wife Caryn held hands and braced themselves for the test results.

“It’s a gut-punch for sure to hear the words, ‘you have cancer^†,’” he said. “Caryn gripped my hand tighter and we cried our eyes out. But then you get completely focused on what to do about it.”

At 57, James was young to face prostate cancer (the average age of diagnosis is 66). He had always been active, athletic, and healthy, with no family history, so the news hit hard. But he soon realized he had a lot going for him.

“They found it early and it wasn’t an aggressive form of the cancer,” he said. “I had time to do my homework and make a decision on treatment. That’s how I learned about Hugo.”

Robotic-assisted surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is an advanced form of minimally invasive surgery. It’s gained acceptance over the last two decades as a preferred method for prostate removal (prostatectomy), because of the benefits to patients and surgeons compared to traditional approaches.

The Hugo™ RAS system is the first soft-tissue robot from Medtronic and was recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for urologic surgical procedures such as prostate removal. At the time of James’ prostatectomy, the Hugo™ RAS system was still in clinical trials.

“I’m an architect and I know the benefits of working with cutting-edge technology,” James said. “So when my surgeon told me Hugo represented the next generation of surgical technology and he considered it the best tool for the job, that’s all I needed to hear.”

How it works

The Hugo™ RAS system features four robotic arms that replicate the movements of human hands. Each arm can hold tiny instruments and a camera and be stationed anywhere around the operating table based on each patient’s unique needs. The surgeon wears 3D glasses, sits at an open workstation with a 33-inch visual display, and performs surgery by precisely manipulating the robotic arms with controls at the workstation.

“It’s definitely video-based, but it’s not a video game,” said Dr. James Porter, a urologic surgeon and Chief Medical Officer for Robotic Surgical Technologies and Digital Technologies within the Surgical business at Medtronic. “It’s a coordinated effort between your hands, feet and eyes. The robotic arms have joints that help mimic human movements but are obviously much steadier. It allows us to be incredibly precise with suturing, among other things during surgery.”

Dr. Porter performed James’ surgery—one of nearly 6,000 robotic-assisted surgeries he has performed in his career to-date. Dr. Porter advised Medtronic scientists, engineers, and researchers for five years during the development of the Hugo™ RAS system and sees several important benefits with the new robotic system:

• Better vision: 3D imaging improves the depth of vision during surgery.
• Better access: Modular robotic arms can be positioned anywhere to give surgeons more flexibility to reach target anatomy and potentially enable robotic approaches for more patients.
• Easier communication and better ergonomics: The surgeon operates Hugo™ RAS’s robotic arms from a seated, open workstation that is comfortable for the doctor and allows for easier communication with the rest of the surgical team.

“All of these things are designed to enable surgeons to deliver the best possible care,” said Dr. Porter. “Ultimately that’s why we do what we do. To make life better for patients.”

Future of Surgery

About 90% of the world’s surgeries are still done without robotics, and 60% of them are open surgeries,¹ meaning limited patient access to the benefits of minimally invasive surgery—fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.^2,3,4

The Hugo™ RAS system is currently FDA-cleared for urologic surgical procedures. Medtronic is planning to pursue additional indications in the U.S., including general surgery and gynecologic indications—consistent with indications that the Hugo™ RAS system has in more than 30 countries around the world.

“The benefit to patients is enormous because robotic-assisted procedures are so precise,” said Rajit Kamal, vice president and general manager of Robotic Surgical Technologies within the Surgical business at Medtronic. “Robotics and digital technologies are also shaping the future of surgery—a future where we believe surgery will be more precise, predictable and personalized.”

Dr. Porter believes the next big evolution in surgery combines robotic hardware like the Hugo™ RAS system with software, including artificial intelligence.

“For example, someday I’ll have real-time access during surgery to a 3D model of the organ I’m operating on,” he said. “And see a digital analysis of the optimal angle to use an instrument. Imagine how important that information could be to a surgeon during surgery—and how it will further enable patient access. That’s the kind of thing our digital team is working on.”

Dr. Porter joined Medtronic in large part to contribute to that future. In the meantime, he still sees patients like James.

Two-and-a-half years later, James hikes, snow-skis, plays hockey, and travels extensively. All while maintaining his career in architecture.

“I don’t sit down very often,” he laughed. “Thanks to my great surgical team and Hugo, the procedure and recovery felt easy. Life is fabulous. I’m incredibly grateful for the technology that helped make that possible.”

Learn more: How AI is changing the way your doctor performs surgery.

†The demonstration of safety and effectiveness for the urologic surgical procedures discussed in the labeling was based on evaluation of the device as a surgical tool that assists in the accurate control of robotically-controlled instruments to perform coordinated surgical tasks. The evaluation did not include assessment of outcomes related to the treatment of cancer (e.g., overall survival, disease-free survival, local recurrence) or any specific treatment of any underlying disease or condition.

Important Safety Information

The Medtronic Hugo™ RAS system is commercially available in certain geographies. Regulatory requirements of individual countries and regions will determine approval, or market availability. Indications for use may vary.

Indications, Safety & Warnings

Indications for Use

The Hugo™ Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) system is intended to assist in the accurate control of instruments and accessories including rigid endoscopes, blunt and sharp endoscopic dissectors, scissors, forceps/graspers, needle holders, electrosurgical tools and accessories for endoscopic manipulation of tissue, including grasping, cutting, blunt and sharp dissection, approximation, ligation, electrosurgery, and suturing during minimally invasive urologic surgical procedures. The system is indicated for adult use. It is intended to be used by trained physicians in an operating room environment in accordance with the representative surgical procedures set forth in the Hugo™ RAS System Indications Document.

Potential Adverse Events

The potential adverse events associated with the use of robotically assisted surgical devices include, but are not limited to: arrhythmia, bleeding, blunt trauma, bowel perforation, burns (varying degrees, bowel, thermal), crushing injury, delay of treatment (prolonged procedure), electric shock, foreign body in patient, infection, inflammation, tissue damage/trauma, vessel perforation.

Contraindications

There are no device specific contraindications for the Hugo™ RAS system.

The demonstration of safety and effectiveness for the urologic surgical procedures discussed in the labeling was based on evaluation of the device as a surgical tool that assists in the accurate control of robotically-controlled instruments to perform coordinated surgical tasks. The evaluation did not include assessment of outcomes related to the treatment of cancer (e.g., overall survival, disease-free survival, local recurrence) or any specific treatment of any underlying disease or condition.

Refer to Hugo™ RAS system user’s guide, indications supplement and other supplemental labeling for detailed information regarding the procedures, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and potential complications/adverse events. Contact Medtronic at rs.globalroboticsservicesupport@medtronic.com to request the latest version or visit Medtronic.com/manuals

©2025 Medtronic. Medtronic, Medtronic logo and Engineering the Extraordinary are trademarks of Medtronic. All other brands are trademarks of a Medtronic company. 12/2025 WF 20445123 US-RP-2500171

James Choate-Deeds and his wife Caryn held hands and braced themselves for the test results.

“It’s a gut-punch for sure to hear the words, ‘you have cancer^†,’” he said. “Caryn gripped my hand tighter and we cried our eyes out. But then you get completely focused on what to do about it.”

At 57, James was young to face prostate cancer (the average age of diagnosis is 66). He had always been active, athletic, and healthy, with no family history, so the news hit hard. But he soon realized he had a lot going for him.

“They found it early and it wasn’t an aggressive form of the cancer,” he said. “I had time to do my homework and make a decision on treatment. That’s how I learned about Hugo.”

Robotic-assisted surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is an advanced form of minimally invasive surgery. It’s gained acceptance over the last two decades as a preferred method for prostate removal (prostatectomy), because of the benefits to patients and surgeons compared to traditional approaches.

The Hugo™ RAS system is the first soft-tissue robot from Medtronic and was recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for urologic surgical procedures such as prostate removal. At the time of James’ prostatectomy, the Hugo™ RAS system was still in clinical trials.

“I’m an architect and I know the benefits of working with cutting-edge technology,” James said. “So when my surgeon told me Hugo represented the next generation of surgical technology and he considered it the best tool for the job, that’s all I needed to hear.”

How it works

The Hugo™ RAS system features four robotic arms that replicate the movements of human hands. Each arm can hold tiny instruments and a camera and be stationed anywhere around the operating table based on each patient’s unique needs. The surgeon wears 3D glasses, sits at an open workstation with a 33-inch visual display, and performs surgery by precisely manipulating the robotic arms with controls at the workstation.

“It’s definitely video-based, but it’s not a video game,” said Dr. James Porter, a urologic surgeon and Chief Medical Officer for Robotic Surgical Technologies and Digital Technologies within the Surgical business at Medtronic. “It’s a coordinated effort between your hands, feet and eyes. The robotic arms have joints that help mimic human movements but are obviously much steadier. It allows us to be incredibly precise with suturing, among other things during surgery.”

Dr. Porter performed James’ surgery—one of nearly 6,000 robotic-assisted surgeries he has performed in his career to-date. Dr. Porter advised Medtronic scientists, engineers, and researchers for five years during the development of the Hugo™ RAS system and sees several important benefits with the new robotic system:

• Better vision: 3D imaging improves the depth of vision during surgery.
• Better access: Modular robotic arms can be positioned anywhere to give surgeons more flexibility to reach target anatomy and potentially enable robotic approaches for more patients.
• Easier communication and better ergonomics: The surgeon operates Hugo™ RAS’s robotic arms from a seated, open workstation that is comfortable for the doctor and allows for easier communication with the rest of the surgical team.

“All of these things are designed to enable surgeons to deliver the best possible care,” said Dr. Porter. “Ultimately that’s why we do what we do. To make life better for patients.”

Future of Surgery

About 90% of the world’s surgeries are still done without robotics, and 60% of them are open surgeries,¹ meaning limited patient access to the benefits of minimally invasive surgery—fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.^2,3,4

The Hugo™ RAS system is currently FDA-cleared for urologic surgical procedures. Medtronic is planning to pursue additional indications in the U.S., including general surgery and gynecologic indications—consistent with indications that the Hugo™ RAS system has in more than 30 countries around the world.

“The benefit to patients is enormous because robotic-assisted procedures are so precise,” said Rajit Kamal, vice president and general manager of Robotic Surgical Technologies within the Surgical business at Medtronic. “Robotics and digital technologies are also shaping the future of surgery—a future where we believe surgery will be more precise, predictable and personalized.”

Dr. Porter believes the next big evolution in surgery combines robotic hardware like the Hugo™ RAS system with software, including artificial intelligence.

“For example, someday I’ll have real-time access during surgery to a 3D model of the organ I’m operating on,” he said. “And see a digital analysis of the optimal angle to use an instrument. Imagine how important that information could be to a surgeon during surgery—and how it will further enable patient access. That’s the kind of thing our digital team is working on.”

Dr. Porter joined Medtronic in large part to contribute to that future. In the meantime, he still sees patients like James.

Two-and-a-half years later, James hikes, snow-skis, plays hockey, and travels extensively. All while maintaining his career in architecture.

“I don’t sit down very often,” he laughed. “Thanks to my great surgical team and Hugo, the procedure and recovery felt easy. Life is fabulous. I’m incredibly grateful for the technology that helped make that possible.”

Learn more: How AI is changing the way your doctor performs surgery.

†The demonstration of safety and effectiveness for the urologic surgical procedures discussed in the labeling was based on evaluation of the device as a surgical tool that assists in the accurate control of robotically-controlled instruments to perform coordinated surgical tasks. The evaluation did not include assessment of outcomes related to the treatment of cancer (e.g., overall survival, disease-free survival, local recurrence) or any specific treatment of any underlying disease or condition.

Important Safety Information

The Medtronic Hugo™ RAS system is commercially available in certain geographies. Regulatory requirements of individual countries and regions will determine approval, or market availability. Indications for use may vary.

Indications, Safety & Warnings

Indications for Use

The Hugo™ Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) system is intended to assist in the accurate control of instruments and accessories including rigid endoscopes, blunt and sharp endoscopic dissectors, scissors, forceps/graspers, needle holders, electrosurgical tools and accessories for endoscopic manipulation of tissue, including grasping, cutting, blunt and sharp dissection, approximation, ligation, electrosurgery, and suturing during minimally invasive urologic surgical procedures. The system is indicated for adult use. It is intended to be used by trained physicians in an operating room environment in accordance with the representative surgical procedures set forth in the Hugo™ RAS System Indications Document.

Potential Adverse Events

The potential adverse events associated with the use of robotically assisted surgical devices include, but are not limited to: arrhythmia, bleeding, blunt trauma, bowel perforation, burns (varying degrees, bowel, thermal), crushing injury, delay of treatment (prolonged procedure), electric shock, foreign body in patient, infection, inflammation, tissue damage/trauma, vessel perforation.

Contraindications

There are no device specific contraindications for the Hugo™ RAS system.

The demonstration of safety and effectiveness for the urologic surgical procedures discussed in the labeling was based on evaluation of the device as a surgical tool that assists in the accurate control of robotically-controlled instruments to perform coordinated surgical tasks. The evaluation did not include assessment of outcomes related to the treatment of cancer (e.g., overall survival, disease-free survival, local recurrence) or any specific treatment of any underlying disease or condition.

Refer to Hugo™ RAS system user’s guide, indications supplement and other supplemental labeling for detailed information regarding the procedures, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and potential complications/adverse events. Contact Medtronic at rs.globalroboticsservicesupport@medtronic.com to request the latest version or visit Medtronic.com/manuals

©2025 Medtronic. Medtronic, Medtronic logo and Engineering the Extraordinary are trademarks of Medtronic. All other brands are trademarks of a Medtronic company. 12/2025 WF 20445123 US-RP-2500171

Key Takeaways

• As the exclusive Spanish-language broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup 26™ tournament, Telemundo is deepening its commitment to communities across the U.S. through live events, immersive experiences, mentorship, and the unifying power of sport.
• Supported by Comcast NBCUniversal, this national campaign aims to create opportunities for youth, strengthen local sports programs, and support entrepreneurs.

MIAMI, December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – Telemundo announced Tu Momento. Tu Jugada. — known in English as Telemundo’s Next Play — a nationwide sport impact and community initiative that champions the transformative power of sports to character, teamwork and leadership. Supported by Comcast NBCUniversal, the grassroots initiative spans multiple sports and communities, combining mentorship, live events, and local partnerships to help young people develop confidence, connection, and the skills that shape future leaders.

Tu Momento. Tu Jugada. is built on the belief that the spirit of sport can elevate every community. The values learned on the field — resilience, discipline, collaboration, and fair play — are the same values that help families and neighborhoods progress. This movement will spotlight emerging leaders, strengthen local teams of all kinds, and help communities build a future shaped by the lessons sport teaches us.

The initiative will kick off on December 11 in the San Francisco Bay Area, marking six months until FIFA World Cup 26™ begins, and will travel to eight Telemundo and Comcast NBCUniversal markets including Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Through a mobile experience tour, youth clinics, fan experiences, and local partnerships, Tu Momento. Tu Jugada. will bring the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event directly into neighborhoods nationwide.

“Through Tu Momento. Tu Jugada. we are inspiring youth, creating leadership opportunities, and strengthening grassroots sports while inviting fans everywhere to share their passion for the game.” said Christina Kolbjornsen, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.

“As the exclusive Spanish-language home of FIFA World Cup 26™ and a trusted destination for Latino audiences, Telemundo is committed to ensuring the energy of the world’s biggest sporting event reaches far beyond the stadium.”

Christina Kolbjornsen
Senior Vice President,
Corporate Affairs
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

A National Movement for Communities

Engaging families, educators, small-business owners, youth leaders, and fans, Tu Momento. Tu Jugada. channels the love of sports into leadership, teamwork, and community empowerment. With the World Cup returning to North America for the first time in more than 30 years, the initiative will connect and uplift communities through live events, mentorship programs, and strategic partnerships, including:

• National Mobile Experience Tour: A Telemundo and Comcast NBCUniversal branded mobile hub will visit key markets — San Francisco Bay Area, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. —anchoring community festivals and fan activations featuring interactive experiences, appearances by Telemundo talent, and the unmistakable excitement of the network’s iconic “¡GOOOOL!” call.
• Digital Storytelling Series: Authentic stories of perseverance from grassroots heroes, rising athletes, and community leaders shaping Latino sports culture, shared across Telemundo’s digital, social, and El Poder En Ti platforms.
• Café Golazo Community Breakfasts: Convening civic leaders, youth organizations, and local stakeholders in World Cup host cities to discuss community legacy, investment, and opportunity.
• Large-Scale Watch Parties: Hosting inclusive, high-energy viewing experiences for the tournament’s biggest moments.
• YesCoach.com Partnership: Telemundo together with the U.S. Soccer Foundation will expand the Yes, Coach! ™ initiative —equipping 100,000 coaches to mentor three million young people — through a new bilingual platform and PSA campaign airing across Telemundo and Comcast NBCUniversal networks ahead of the tournament.

Powered by Partnerships

As the official Spanish-language media partner for the U.S. Soccer Foundation for the eighth consecutive year, Tu Momento. Tu Jugada. continues to strengthen opportunities for Latino youth, expand grassroots programs, and encourage entrepreneurship across communities.

“We are proud to partner with Telemundo on Tu Momento. Tu Jugada. to inspire young people, engage families, and strengthen communities through soccer,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO, U.S. Soccer Foundation. “Our sport has the power to bring people together, spark joy, and open doors for the next generation—especially in under-resourced communities where opportunities can be limited. Together, we are creating pathways that connect fans, empower youth, and help the game grow for years to come.”

Tu Momento. Tu Jugada. is part of El Poder En Ti, Telemundo’s award-winning national community initiative dedicated to uplifting Latinos through inclusion, wellness, education, and civic participation. By expanding its mission through sport and community leadership, Telemundo — supported by Comcast NBCUniversal — continues to drive positive, lasting impact in the communities it serves.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

FedEx Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, recently announced the launch of the 2025 FedEx University Students Environmental Entrepreneurship Challenge, in collaboration with the All-China Environment Federation (ACEF). The challenge aligns with China’s innovation-driven development strategy and FedEx’s goal of achieving carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040. It aims to unleash university students’ innovation and practical capabilities in environmental protection across China, cultivate viable environmental business models, and integrate entrepreneurship with sustainability into China’s youth talent development. The challenge is now open for nationwide university student registration.

This year’s challenge centers on the main track, “Innovation in the Sustainable Express Packaging Supply Chain,” with four sub-tracks: “Ecological Protection,” “Climate and Energy,” “Pollution Prevention and Control,” and “Comprehensive Issues.” It is open to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at Chinese universities, including recent graduates within one year. Evaluations will consider five dimensions—environmental impact, innovation, business sustainability, team capability, and social value—with the goal of incubating projects that have practical applications and commercial potential. Winners will receive prizes and incubation support to help turn their ideas into viable commercial ventures.

“FedEx has long incorporated sustainability as an element of our corporate strategy and has a goal of achieving carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040,” said Poh-Yian Koh, president of FedEx China. “This challenge is not only a corporate social responsibility initiative, but also a strategic investment in China’s future talent. The program will engage universities in sustainable innovation and give students a platform to turn environmental ideas into practical solutions. Leveraging our experience in sustainable logistics, we will provide mentorship and resources to help teams develop scalable environmental solutions and advance the sustainable transformation of industry and society.”

“This challenge adheres to the principles of public welfare, practical orientation, and empowerment for growth. It has no entry fees and evaluates projects based on sustainability, implementation potential, and team collaboration. Outstanding projects will receive comprehensive support, including promotion, expert guidance, policy incubation, and connections to investment and financing,” said Xie Yuhong, vice chairman and secretary general of the All-China Environment Federation. “We extend special thanks to FedEx for its strong support. Its employee volunteers will actively provide professional guidance to participating students, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. We also invite more enterprises, universities, and research institutions to join in building an environmentally innovative ecosystem. This ecosystem is characterized by government guidance, corporate support, university contributions, and youth involvement, thereby injecting greater momentum into sustainable development and the dual goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.”

At the launch ceremony in Beijing, the representative from the Center for Environmental Education and Communications delivered a keynote speech on educational policies and case studies in ecological civilization. The event featured interactive sessions, including “Environmental Pain Point Brainstorming & Golden Ideas” and “Environmental Knowledge Quick Q&A,” inviting students to propose innovative solutions for campus and daily-life environmental issues with on-site expert commentary.

Dedicated mentors will guide semi-finalist teams through one-to-one or small-group capacity-building sessions to boost innovation, feasibility, and commercialization potential. A roundtable with representatives from government, academia, industry, and student groups discussed the “Trends and Future of University Student Environmental Entrepreneurship,” exploring perspectives on industry status, business models, and policy coordination to foster cross-sector consensus.

FedEx is a proactive advocate and facilitator of smarter supply chains, dedicated to advancing the sustainability of its operations and the communities it serves. In China, it has implemented multiple initiatives, including vehicle electrification and sustainable infrastructure. In June this year, FedEx launched the 2025 Protecting One Kilometer of a River Course in collaboration with ACEF, to support river ecosystem protection.

Registration for the FedEx University Students Environmental Entrepreneurship Challenge is now open. Participants may submit applications via the official competition website before 24:00 on November 30, 2025.

###

About All-China Environment Federation
All-China Environment Federation (ACEF) is a nationwide non-profitable civil society organization (CSO) in the field of the environment and is supported by the government. It is composed of CSOs and individuals who are enthusiastic about and support environmental protection and are willing to work for it. The objective of ACEF is to serve as a bridge between the government and the public in implementing the sustainable development strategy, achieving national objectives on environment and development, and protecting the environmental rights of the public. By fully utilizing its organizational advantage, ACEF aims to promote environmental protection and sustainable development in China and the world at large.

About Federal Express Corporation
Federal Express Corporation is one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. Federal Express Corporation uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments by a definite time and date.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

The Divya manual washing machine, developed by The Washing Machine Project which is supported by Whirlpool Foundation, was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025 in the social impact category.

Whirlpool Foundation
Since 1952, the Whirlpool Foundation has been making real, positive differences in local communities where Whirlpool Corporation families live and work. This is accomplished through two central pillars: House+Home. “House” supports a decent and affordable place to live and plan for the future, and “Home” focuses on creating thriving, resilient communities with the essential services, quality education, and job training needed to help people dream bigger and do better. The Foundation has an absolute commitment to equality and fairness and takes an innovative approach to social investing that prioritizes impact with measurable results.

Click here to learn more.

NEW YORK, December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) today announced that WELL for residential, the only global certification program for healthier homes, has achieved phenomenal uptake and adoption while in pilot. Nearly 20 million square feet of real estate encompassing more than 40,000 residential units across 22 countries are now participating in the first-of-its-kind pilot program. Of these, more than 3,000 units encompassing more than 7 million square feet are already certified or precertified WELL Residences through the program’s evidence-based, third-party verified framework to create healthier, more resilient homes.

“We are immensely proud that the industry has so quickly and widely recognized WELL for residential as a market-leading solution – one that helps people elevate their well-being and thrive where they live,” said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. “This has been a global, collaborative effort to address the urgent need for homes that actively support the health and well-being of their residents while delivering tangible financial benefits for developers and investors alike.” Already, WELL for residential achievements span nearly 10 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, New Zealand, Japan, Italy, Spain, Malaysia and India.

IWBI, the global authority for driving market transformation through healthy buildings, organizations and communities, introduced the WELL for residential program to transform the way homes are designed, built and maintained to support resident health and well-being. With the help of more than 100 strategies, WELL for residential evaluates how health-focused design, operations and behaviors within the home can enhance human well-being. It covers critical aspects like indoor air and water quality, natural lighting, access to fitness and green spaces, and overall strategies promoting physical and mental well-being.

“As the residential real estate market continues to evolve, homebuyers and renters are calling for homes that prioritize their well-being,” said Liz Miles, Vice President of Residential at IWBI. “Healthy, resilient homes are better positioned to respond to climate impacts and improve residents’ well-being, and the WELL for residential program provides an actionable framework to design and build such communities.”

WELL for residential is the world’s first and only holistic, third-party verified certification program to exclusively address health and well-being in all residence types, including single-family homes and units in multifamily buildings. At the time of its launch in early 2024, WELL for residential garnered 25 global pilot participants that enrolled nearly 30,000 homes and residences.

What pilot participants are saying about WELL for residential:

• “Receiving WELL for residential precertification is a proud moment for us,” said B K Malagi, Vice Chairman, Experion Developers. “This recognition under the global WELL program reinforces our commitment to building homes that go beyond aesthetics and luxury to truly support the well-being of our residents. It reflects our belief that homes should be places of comfort, health, and vitality.” Three of Experion’s flagship residential complexes comprising nearly 1,000 residences have achieved the precertified WELL Residence designation.
• Chris Botten, the Head of Sustainability (Investments and Development) for Lendlease in the UK, said of its WELL for residential achievement: “Our goal is to create homes that go beyond beautiful design — we want to support healthier, happier lives. Achieving Europe’s first WELL Residence certification at Parkside reflects our commitment to putting resident wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.”
• Corvias CEO, Chris Wilson, said of its participation, “This is a foundational moment for creating and measuring standards for military housing. By joining the WELL for residential program, Corvias affirms our commitment to service members and their families and embodies our promise of Solutions Through Partnerships® to the U.S. Army.” He added, “Joining this program also demonstrates our spirit of evolution. Corvias is excited about what we will learn to further support the well-being and resilience of military families, through the science of this third-party, evidence-based program.”
• Alex Uregian, Managing Director of City Sanctuary, also an early adopter, said: “As a B Corp developer, balancing purpose with profit is in our DNA, and we do so by delivering homes designed to elevate the well-being of our residents. Albion Court, our Grade II listed retrofit, served as a deliberate test case, allowing us to explore this proposition in the mid-market rental sector and within a historic building with significant technical constraints. Flat 2 also provided an ideal environment to benchmark WELL for residential performance against similar sized non-WELL apartments in the building. Early results, including reports of calmer evenings, better sleep and a healthier indoor environment, demonstrate that wellbeing-led design is no longer confined to the luxury market. With an ongoing post-completion research study now underway, the data is informing a model that can be replicated at scale to raise standards across the sector.”
• “By integrating evidence-based WELL for residential standard into our already health and wellness focused strategies at Continuum 115 Apartments, we give residents an elevated sense of confidence that their inspiring and WELLIFIZE-technology-enabled homes are made even more healthy and resilient for them to enjoy,” said Jaykant Patel, ARCHETYPE founder and managing principal.
• Dr. Ted Caplow, an environmental engineer and co-founder of Caplow Manzano, which achieved the world’s first WELL Residence for its CM1 project in Miami, Florida, USA said, “We pursued WELL because healthy residential design is a vast but largely uncharted frontier—and pioneers need a shared compass. WELL gives us that. When we put the WELL Residence mark next to our work, we’re signaling to homebuyers and brokers that this home meets the requirements of a clear and credible healthy homes standard.”
• Nick Deacon, Development Manager at Johnson Development, whose community of Jubilee was the first Texas community to become an early adopter, said, “WELL for residential gives us a framework to communicate value across builders, residents and stakeholders. It allows us to provide something to our builders they could follow — not subjective, but evidence-based. Residents can see that it’s not marketing; it’s real.”

To create WELL for residential, IWBI convened more than 100 advisors – alongside 20 builder and developer groups – to design a program that would meet the needs of the residential real estate industry. Over the course of two years, the program was informed by extensive input, market insight and expert recommendations from IWBI’s WELL for residential Advisory, a multidisciplinary working group of renowned subject matter experts, including leading builders and developers, architects and engineers, public health and building scientists, government officials and academics, as well as other real estate professionals.

Off the back of this rapid adoption, IWBI also announced that the IWBI Governance Council has formally recognized WELL for residential’s progress through a unanimous vote that ratifies the program. WELL for residential will be graduated as part of the One WELL launch in 2026. The IWBI Governance Council, formally constituted in 2020 and composed of key global thought leaders, public health professionals and business executives, helps uphold the integrity of the development process for IWBI’s certification frameworks and accelerates the broader movement driving WELL’s adoption.

WELL for residential is part of IWBI’s WELL ecosystem, which provides an evidence-based roadmap for thousands of organizations globally to implement health-focused strategies. WELL programs, which include WELL Certification, the WELL Health-Safety Rating, the WELL Performance Rating, the WELL Equity Rating, the WELL Coworking Rating, the WELL Community Standard, as well as WELL for residential, have been embraced by organizations seeking to prioritize human health and well-being, driving market transformation by creating spaces that advance physical and mental health. IWBI’s WELL at scale program extends the benefits of WELL across entire organizations or real estate portfolios while supporting business performance and reporting. As a result, WELL strategies have been adopted in nearly 100,000 commercial and residential locations totalling more than 6 billion square feet of space in more than 140 countries. More than 180 Global and Fortune 500 companies are among the thousands of organizations that use WELL to benefit more than 30 million people worldwide.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

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• Many existing data center designs are failing to meet IT decision makers’ sustainability goals
• Data sovereignty and low latency are top priorities for IT leaders across EMEA, driven by real-time and edge computing demands
• 90% expect AI to significantly increase data usage – but just two fifths (41%) are ready to integrate it efficiently

December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – Data center design must evolve to future-proof businesses across EMEA, new research commissioned by Lenovo reveals. From powering AI workloads efficiently to meeting urgent sustainability and compliance demands, traditional data center designs are falling short, with nearly half (45%) of IT leaders admitting their current infrastructure does not support energy or carbon-reduction goals.

At the same time, an overwhelming 99% of IT and C-level decision makers in the region say data sovereignty will be important to how data is collected, stored and processed in the years ahead. And while AI continues to accelerate data usage across industries, many organizations are still struggling to implement the technology effectively or power it sustainably, highlighting the growing gap between digital ambition and infrastructure reality.

Lenovo undertook the Data Center of the Future study, in partnership with Opinium, to provide a blueprint for the key factors influencing the future design, technology and location of data centers. It comes as the data center market grows, and energy usage, sustainability and costs become critical considerations for IT decision makers in EMEA.

Sustainability readiness gap requires new approach

92% of IT decision-makers prioritize technology partners who reduce energy use and carbon footprint, yet only 46% say their current data center design supports sustainability goals. This gap underscores the growing environmental pressures of AI, automation and exponential data growth, with traditional cooling systems (such as air cooling) struggling to balance efficiency, cost and carbon reduction.

Data sovereignty important for 99%

With 88% of IT decision-makers already viewing data sovereignty as a priority and nearly 99% expecting it to remain important over the next five years, it’s clear that compliance and control over where data resides will define future data center design. At the same time, 94% highlight low latency as a key requirement today and in the years ahead, driven by the growth of real-time applications and edge computing.

Powering AI at scale to define data center future

90% of IT decision-makers believe AI will significantly increase organizational data usage in the next decade, and 62% expect AI and automation to have the greatest impact on IT strategy. Yet despite the promise, 41% admit their organization is not prepared to integrate AI efficiently.

“The data center of the future will be defined by how effectively it can scale for AI, deliver on sustainability targets, and operate with maximum energy efficiency,” said Simone Larsson, Head of Enterprise AI, EMEA at Lenovo. “As demand for compute accelerates, customers will increasingly look to infrastructure partners who can deliver performance without compromise, and who take responsibility for reducing environmental impact.

“In EMEA, data sovereignty stands out as a particularly urgent priority, shaped by complex regional regulations and heightened scrutiny from CIOs and C-suites alike. Businesses must act now to align their infrastructure with these rising expectations, because preparing for the future starts with the choices they make today.”

Designing the Data Center of 2055 

Lenovo has worked with engineering firm AKT II and architects Mamou-Mani to consider how data centers could look in 30 years, as their importance to our personal and working lives continues to grow and energy demand increases. The concepts take the rack server data center model and leverage water cooling technology to boost their sustainability, while also making use of natural resources, disused spaces and unexpected locations to solve the challenges and meet needs of their users. The designs include:

• The Floating Cloud: A novel concept involving the suspension of the data center in the air, at an altitude of 20-30KM (safely away from commercial aircraft), with 24/7 energy from solar power and using pressurized closed liquid cooling loops to prevent air pollution. Smaller modules make the design feasible for floating in the air.
• The Data Village: Located close to water sources such as rivers or canals, the Data Village involves a modular, stackable brick or pod system of data centers linked to city needs. This location benefits from enhanced liquid cooling and the ability to transfer waste heat to power or heat local amenities like schools, or homes, as well as reducing latency thanks to its proximity to key locations. This model also extends into a Data Spa. Powered by geothermal energy, this concept blends into natural landscapes (such as a valley, lagoon, or geothermal pools), creating a low-visual-impact and biophilic data center.
• The Data Center Bunker: Utilizing disused tunnels, bunkers, or transport systems, the Data Center Bunker places the technology underground to minimize the need for new spaces to increase capacity. This reduces land use while allowing for facilities to be setup in central locations with lower impact. Benefitting from enhanced security resilience, the subterranean location creates a naturally efficient heat management system.

Importantly, all of the concepts would require and have been designed to incorporate liquid cooling technology to address the issue of heat in data centers and the limitations of traditional air cooling. Liquid cooling uses less energy than air cooling, increasing the efficiency and sustainability of the concepts.

“As architects and engineers, we have a responsibility to make data centers better, not just bigger. The Data Center of the Future project combines the evolving needs of businesses with practical pathways, from reusing mines and bunkers to high-altitude cloud modules, urban data villages, and data spas that pair server heat with public amenities”, said James Cheung, Partner at Mamou-Mani. “Based on Lenovo’s liquid cooling technology, we show how natural resources and existing locations can reduce overheads and return energy to communities. While we don’t have a crystal ball to show exactly what the future holds for data centers, this playbook provides a glimpse of concepts that could move from ideas to pilots, faster and with less risk.”

To meet the dual challenges of increasing compute demand and stricter sustainability requirements, organizations must begin optimizing their infrastructure today. Liquid cooling technology offers a tangible and effective solution and with Lenovo Neptune liquid cooling, 98% of system heat can be removed directly at the source. Neptune also significantly reduces energy consumption and reliance on traditional air-based cooling methods. As businesses scale their use of AI and advanced analytics, Neptune solutions offer a future-ready platform that aligns with both performance objectives and environmental commitments.

“Lenovo is committed to enabling smarter, more sustainable infrastructure at scale,” Larsson added. “With Neptune liquid cooling technology, we’re already helping customers address the rising energy demands of AI by integrating liquid cooling solutions that are both highly efficient and immediately deployable. Future-ready data centers require a shift in mindset, one where sustainability is not retrofitted, but engineered into the system from the very beginning.”

——

The Data Center of the Future study features research from Opinium, commissioned by Lenovo, which surveyed 250 IT decision makers in companies of 250 employees or more in Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, the UK and UAE. Fieldwork was conducted in August 2025.

AI Transparency Statement: Some of the visual representations included in this work were created or enhanced using artificial intelligence tools, such as Midjourney, to support conceptual exploration and visual communication. These AI-generated images are intended to illustrate design intent and atmosphere; all underlying architectural ideas, spatial compositions, and design decisions were conceived and developed by the author.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

AKT II – Engineering the Future

AKT II is an award-winning engineering design practice based in London, working internationally across architecture, infrastructure, and the built environment. Our approach unites creativity and technical excellence, integrating advanced analysis, digital design, and material innovation to deliver elegant, efficient, and sustainable solutions. We collaborate closely with architects, clients, and partners to create structures that are responsive to context, resource-conscious, and inspiring for people and communities while pioneering the future of engineering through computational design, emerging materials, and adaptive systems.

Mamou-Mani: Designing the Future of Architecture
Mamou-Mani helps people and companies envision and create inspiring spaces, products, and experiences that anticipate the future. We are an award-winning RIBA-chartered practice based in London, UK, with our own fabrication facility (Fab.Pub) and deep expertise in computational design. Our work is grounded in foresight: we explore how architecture can respond to shifting cultural, technological, and environmental forces. By harnessing parametric and generative design tools, we evolve projects based on rules and parameters that mirror natural systems making architecture more adaptive, predictive, and resilient.

Unlike traditional practices, we link design directly to fabrication through custom software and digital craft, allowing ideas to move seamlessly from concept to built reality. This integrated “design-to-fabrication” pipeline helps clients test future scenarios, prototype solutions, and deliver innovative outcomes with minimal waste. From visioning and computational design to fabrication, assembly, and even digital and graphic storytelling, we provide a holistic service for every stage of a project. This allows us not only to meet today’s challenges but also to anticipate tomorrow’s opportunities.

• Many existing data center designs are failing to meet IT decision makers’ sustainability goals
• Data sovereignty and low latency are top priorities for IT leaders across EMEA, driven by real-time and edge computing demands
• 90% expect AI to significantly increase data usage – but just two fifths (41%) are ready to integrate it efficiently

December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – Data center design must evolve to future-proof businesses across EMEA, new research commissioned by Lenovo reveals. From powering AI workloads efficiently to meeting urgent sustainability and compliance demands, traditional data center designs are falling short, with nearly half (45%) of IT leaders admitting their current infrastructure does not support energy or carbon-reduction goals.

At the same time, an overwhelming 99% of IT and C-level decision makers in the region say data sovereignty will be important to how data is collected, stored and processed in the years ahead. And while AI continues to accelerate data usage across industries, many organizations are still struggling to implement the technology effectively or power it sustainably, highlighting the growing gap between digital ambition and infrastructure reality.

Lenovo undertook the Data Center of the Future study, in partnership with Opinium, to provide a blueprint for the key factors influencing the future design, technology and location of data centers. It comes as the data center market grows, and energy usage, sustainability and costs become critical considerations for IT decision makers in EMEA.

Sustainability readiness gap requires new approach

92% of IT decision-makers prioritize technology partners who reduce energy use and carbon footprint, yet only 46% say their current data center design supports sustainability goals. This gap underscores the growing environmental pressures of AI, automation and exponential data growth, with traditional cooling systems (such as air cooling) struggling to balance efficiency, cost and carbon reduction.

Data sovereignty important for 99%

With 88% of IT decision-makers already viewing data sovereignty as a priority and nearly 99% expecting it to remain important over the next five years, it’s clear that compliance and control over where data resides will define future data center design. At the same time, 94% highlight low latency as a key requirement today and in the years ahead, driven by the growth of real-time applications and edge computing.

Powering AI at scale to define data center future

90% of IT decision-makers believe AI will significantly increase organizational data usage in the next decade, and 62% expect AI and automation to have the greatest impact on IT strategy. Yet despite the promise, 41% admit their organization is not prepared to integrate AI efficiently.

“The data center of the future will be defined by how effectively it can scale for AI, deliver on sustainability targets, and operate with maximum energy efficiency,” said Simone Larsson, Head of Enterprise AI, EMEA at Lenovo. “As demand for compute accelerates, customers will increasingly look to infrastructure partners who can deliver performance without compromise, and who take responsibility for reducing environmental impact.

“In EMEA, data sovereignty stands out as a particularly urgent priority, shaped by complex regional regulations and heightened scrutiny from CIOs and C-suites alike. Businesses must act now to align their infrastructure with these rising expectations, because preparing for the future starts with the choices they make today.”

Designing the Data Center of 2055 

Lenovo has worked with engineering firm AKT II and architects Mamou-Mani to consider how data centers could look in 30 years, as their importance to our personal and working lives continues to grow and energy demand increases. The concepts take the rack server data center model and leverage water cooling technology to boost their sustainability, while also making use of natural resources, disused spaces and unexpected locations to solve the challenges and meet needs of their users. The designs include:

• The Floating Cloud: A novel concept involving the suspension of the data center in the air, at an altitude of 20-30KM (safely away from commercial aircraft), with 24/7 energy from solar power and using pressurized closed liquid cooling loops to prevent air pollution. Smaller modules make the design feasible for floating in the air.
• The Data Village: Located close to water sources such as rivers or canals, the Data Village involves a modular, stackable brick or pod system of data centers linked to city needs. This location benefits from enhanced liquid cooling and the ability to transfer waste heat to power or heat local amenities like schools, or homes, as well as reducing latency thanks to its proximity to key locations. This model also extends into a Data Spa. Powered by geothermal energy, this concept blends into natural landscapes (such as a valley, lagoon, or geothermal pools), creating a low-visual-impact and biophilic data center.
• The Data Center Bunker: Utilizing disused tunnels, bunkers, or transport systems, the Data Center Bunker places the technology underground to minimize the need for new spaces to increase capacity. This reduces land use while allowing for facilities to be setup in central locations with lower impact. Benefitting from enhanced security resilience, the subterranean location creates a naturally efficient heat management system.

Importantly, all of the concepts would require and have been designed to incorporate liquid cooling technology to address the issue of heat in data centers and the limitations of traditional air cooling. Liquid cooling uses less energy than air cooling, increasing the efficiency and sustainability of the concepts.

“As architects and engineers, we have a responsibility to make data centers better, not just bigger. The Data Center of the Future project combines the evolving needs of businesses with practical pathways, from reusing mines and bunkers to high-altitude cloud modules, urban data villages, and data spas that pair server heat with public amenities”, said James Cheung, Partner at Mamou-Mani. “Based on Lenovo’s liquid cooling technology, we show how natural resources and existing locations can reduce overheads and return energy to communities. While we don’t have a crystal ball to show exactly what the future holds for data centers, this playbook provides a glimpse of concepts that could move from ideas to pilots, faster and with less risk.”

To meet the dual challenges of increasing compute demand and stricter sustainability requirements, organizations must begin optimizing their infrastructure today. Liquid cooling technology offers a tangible and effective solution and with Lenovo Neptune liquid cooling, 98% of system heat can be removed directly at the source. Neptune also significantly reduces energy consumption and reliance on traditional air-based cooling methods. As businesses scale their use of AI and advanced analytics, Neptune solutions offer a future-ready platform that aligns with both performance objectives and environmental commitments.

“Lenovo is committed to enabling smarter, more sustainable infrastructure at scale,” Larsson added. “With Neptune liquid cooling technology, we’re already helping customers address the rising energy demands of AI by integrating liquid cooling solutions that are both highly efficient and immediately deployable. Future-ready data centers require a shift in mindset, one where sustainability is not retrofitted, but engineered into the system from the very beginning.”

——

The Data Center of the Future study features research from Opinium, commissioned by Lenovo, which surveyed 250 IT decision makers in companies of 250 employees or more in Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, the UK and UAE. Fieldwork was conducted in August 2025.

AI Transparency Statement: Some of the visual representations included in this work were created or enhanced using artificial intelligence tools, such as Midjourney, to support conceptual exploration and visual communication. These AI-generated images are intended to illustrate design intent and atmosphere; all underlying architectural ideas, spatial compositions, and design decisions were conceived and developed by the author.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

AKT II – Engineering the Future

AKT II is an award-winning engineering design practice based in London, working internationally across architecture, infrastructure, and the built environment. Our approach unites creativity and technical excellence, integrating advanced analysis, digital design, and material innovation to deliver elegant, efficient, and sustainable solutions. We collaborate closely with architects, clients, and partners to create structures that are responsive to context, resource-conscious, and inspiring for people and communities while pioneering the future of engineering through computational design, emerging materials, and adaptive systems.

Mamou-Mani: Designing the Future of Architecture
Mamou-Mani helps people and companies envision and create inspiring spaces, products, and experiences that anticipate the future. We are an award-winning RIBA-chartered practice based in London, UK, with our own fabrication facility (Fab.Pub) and deep expertise in computational design. Our work is grounded in foresight: we explore how architecture can respond to shifting cultural, technological, and environmental forces. By harnessing parametric and generative design tools, we evolve projects based on rules and parameters that mirror natural systems making architecture more adaptive, predictive, and resilient.

Unlike traditional practices, we link design directly to fabrication through custom software and digital craft, allowing ideas to move seamlessly from concept to built reality. This integrated “design-to-fabrication” pipeline helps clients test future scenarios, prototype solutions, and deliver innovative outcomes with minimal waste. From visioning and computational design to fabrication, assembly, and even digital and graphic storytelling, we provide a holistic service for every stage of a project. This allows us not only to meet today’s challenges but also to anticipate tomorrow’s opportunities.