Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy technology, and AMD today announced a jointly developed and validated reference design for the AMD Helios rack solution, which offers a scalable architecture for faster deployment of high-density AI environments with fewer risks and less complexity. This reference design marks the first outcome of the collaboration between Schneider Electric and AMD and underscores the companies’ shared commitment to simplifying the deployment of AI Factories.
The new reference design is the first of its kind, developed to support high-density AI workloads on the Helios rack-mounted solution. The platform is powered by AMD Instinct™ MI455X GPUs, 6th-generation AMD EPYC™ processors, AMD Pensando™ Vulcano NICs, and the open ROCm™ software ecosystem. AMD Helios is designed to deliver breakthrough AI performance through advanced computing capabilities, high interconnect bandwidth, increased memory capacity, and system-level integration. This enables customers to run larger and more complex AI workloads faster, while optimizing power consumption and efficiency.
Since AI workloads place unprecedented demands on data center infrastructure, reference designs provide data center architects and operators with tested and scalable solutions capable of handling new levels of power density, cooling requirements, and operational complexity. By simulating the operation of physical data center infrastructure, these pre-validated architectural solutions shorten the design phase by determining the optimal configuration of power, cooling, and IT infrastructure to create a reliable, scalable, and AI-ready data center. The AMD Helios reference design covers four technical areas: facility power, facility cooling, IT space, and lifecycle management software.
“Today, organizations need comprehensive, AI-ready reference designs that enable them to move more quickly from the planning stage to deployment with fewer risks,” said Manish Kumar, Executive Vice President of Schneider Electric’s Secure Power & Data Centers division. “In collaboration with AMD, we have created an engineering-validated reference design that combines cutting-edge AI computing platforms, power technologies, and practical data center solutions, helping customers deploy scalable, high-density AI environments with greater confidence, efficiency, and speed.”
“AI infrastructure is rapidly evolving into full-fledged AI Factories, which requires that computing, networking, power, and cooling be designed as a single system from the very beginning,” said Forrest Norrod, executive vice president and general manager of AMD’s Data Center Solutions business group. “AMD Helios is an open rack-based architecture designed to deliver the performance, efficiency, and flexibility required for next-generation AI workloads. Together with Schneider Electric, we’ve developed a validated reference design that provides customers with a practical foundation to accelerate the deployment of high-density AI infrastructure, reduce integration risks, and scale more confidently and efficiently.”
Reference Design Accelerates AMD Helios Deployment
This new collaboration combines AMD’s AI platform innovations with Schneider Electric’s expertise in power, cooling, and digital infrastructure, creating a more integrated approach to deploying both new AI Factories and high-density retrofit infrastructures. The reference design supports:
The reference design has already been validated in accordance with ANSI standards for deployment in the United States. Future plans include expanding this architecture to support IEC standards for projects worldwide.
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy technologies that improves efficiency and promotes sustainable development through the electrification, automation, and digitalization of industry, business, and residential spaces. The company’s technologies enable buildings, data centers, factories, infrastructure, and power grids to function as open, interconnected ecosystems, enhancing productivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability.
The company’s portfolio includes smart devices, software-defined architectures, artificial intelligence-based systems, digital services, and professional consulting services. With 160,000 employees and 1 million partners in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric consistently ranks among the world’s most sustainable companies. Learn more at https://www.se.com/ua/uk/
A prolonged heat wave is expected in Ukraine in early August, which could significantly increase the strain on both people’s health and the country’s power grid.
According to the Ministry of Energy, rising temperatures as early as next week could increase electricity consumption by approximately 1 GW. The ministry is preparing to boost domestic power generation and electricity imports, has adjusted maintenance schedules at power plants, and is considering implementing power restrictions for industry and businesses. Consumers are asked to use electricity sparingly during peak hours from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
According to the latest forecast, the most intense heat is expected from August 1 through August 5. In Uzhhorod, temperatures may reach 36–38 degrees; in Lviv, 34–36 degrees; in Vinnytsia, around 36 degrees; and in Kyiv, up to 35 degrees.
In Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv, temperatures are forecast to be mostly 32–34 degrees during the first half of the week. In Odesa and the surrounding region, temperatures will rise gradually and may reach 32–34 degrees by August 4–5. Forecasts may still be adjusted, especially given the possibility of localized thunderstorms.
How to Prepare Your Home
Before the hottest days begin, it is recommended to check that your air conditioner, refrigerator, ventilation system, and chargers are working properly. You should charge portable chargers, flashlights, and other backup power sources in advance, as localized emergency power outages are possible when the load on the grid increases.
During the day, it’s best to keep windows, curtains, and blinds closed, especially on the sunny side. It is more effective to ventilate rooms at night and early in the morning, when the outside air is cooler. The WHO recommends, whenever possible, keeping the temperature in living spaces below 32 degrees during the day and 24 degrees at night, especially if there are elderly people, young children, or people with chronic illnesses in the home.
Air conditioning should be used with windows and doors closed, without creating too great a difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. During the hottest hours of the day, it is best to stay in the coolest room; if air conditioning is not available, spend two to three hours in a shopping center, library, government building, or other accessible air-conditioned facility.
Residents of private homes are advised to fill containers with non-potable water in advance, check pumps and irrigation systems, but avoid stockpiling excessive amounts of drinking water. It is sufficient to have a reserve in case of short-term outages.
How to Reduce the Load on the Power Grid
The main peak in electricity consumption is expected between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. During this time, it is advisable not to run the air conditioner, washing machine, water heater, electric stove, dishwasher, and other high-power appliances simultaneously. It is better to postpone laundry, water heating, and charging electronic devices until the morning, daytime, or night.
You can turn on the air conditioner in advance, before the evening peak, and then maintain a moderate temperature.
Closed curtains, exterior blinds, and early-morning ventilation help reduce the heating of the room and shorten the operating time of cooling equipment.
Open the refrigerator less frequently and avoid placing hot food inside. In the event of a possible power outage, a closed refrigerator will maintain a safe temperature for longer.
How to Protect Your Health
The Ukrainian Ministry of Health recommends avoiding direct sunlight and strenuous physical activity during the hottest hours of the day—approximately from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is best to schedule walks, workouts, construction work, and gardening for early morning or evening.
You should drink water regularly in small amounts, without waiting until you feel very thirsty. It’s best to choose water and beverages without sugar or caffeine, and to limit your intake of alcohol, large amounts of coffee, energy drinks, and fatty or heavy foods. People with heart or kidney conditions who have restricted fluid intake should follow their doctor’s recommendations.
When outdoors, it is recommended to wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fabrics, a hat, and sunglasses, and to protect exposed skin with SPF sunscreen. Keep in mind that in direct sunlight, the perceived temperature can be 10–15 degrees higher than in the shade.
Special attention should be given to the elderly, infants, pregnant women, and people with cardiovascular, respiratory, or kidney diseases, as well as diabetes. The WHO notes that heat can worsen the course of chronic diseases and increase the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Relatives and neighbors are advised to check on elderly people living alone every day to ensure they have water, medication, a means of communication, and access to a cool room. Children and pets must not be left in a locked car, even for a few minutes.
How to Prepare Medications and Food
Medications must be stored according to the instructions. Medications that require refrigerated storage should be placed in the refrigerator in advance, or a cooler bag and ice packs should be prepared in case of a power outage. Do not adjust medication dosages on your own during a heat wave.
It’s best to buy perishable foods in small quantities. Meat, fish, dairy products, ready-to-eat meals, and cream-filled pastries require special attention. It’s not recommended to buy food at informal markets or to eat food that has been left unrefrigerated for a long time.
It’s best to prepare meals in the morning or evening to avoid further heating your apartment and increasing energy consumption during the evening peak hours.
When Urgent Help Is Needed
The first signs of heat exhaustion may include weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea, extreme thirst, rapid heartbeat, and muscle cramps.
Confusion, loss of consciousness, a very high body temperature, and hot skin may indicate heatstroke. In this case, you must immediately call emergency medical services, move the person to the shade or a cool room, remove any excess clothing, and begin gently cooling them with damp towels or cool water.
Prolonged heat poses no less of a danger than individual temperature records. Therefore, it is best to prepare your home, medications, a water supply, and energy-saving measures before the start of the hottest period, August 1–5.
The Veterans Cluster of Ukraine, in collaboration with the “Architecture of Resilience” Veterans Institute at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, continues to support veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their family members as part of the 2026 admissions campaign.
The application period for master’s programs begins on August 7. By that time, applicants must create an online account, register for any applicable benefits, complete a foreign language interview, and pass subject-specific entrance exams.
Program participants can receive tuition-free education in over 50 fields of study and more than 100 academic programs. Funding is available through state compensation programs, grants, scholarships, and employer support programs.
The program also provides opportunities for retraining, professional development, earning a second higher education degree, and admission to master’s or doctoral programs. Veterans are offered full-time, part-time, online, and distance learning options, allowing them to combine their education with work, medical treatment, rehabilitation, or military service.
Throughout their studies, participants can receive psychological support, get involved in projects to rebuild Ukraine, and interact with employers. Program partners include Axor, Barks, and other businesses.
The network of partner universities includes KNUBA, the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine, the Western Ukrainian National University, the Yuriy Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic National University, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Drohobych State Pedagogical University, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ivan Pul’uj Ternopil National Technical University, and the University of Educational Management.
The National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine operates a training and rehabilitation center for veterans.
One of the program’s students is veteran Vadym Honcharenko, who is studying at KNUBA to become a coach in adaptive sports. According to him, his choice of major was influenced by his own experience with rehabilitation through sports.
“I want to show people who, due to injuries or disabilities, think that an active life is over for them that this is not the case. A lot depends on us,” Goncharenko noted.
He also advises prospective students to focus on their own needs and choose a major that will be practically useful after graduation.
The Veterans’ Cluster emphasizes that there is not much time left to make a decision, but applicants can still prepare their documents and complete the necessary procedures before the application period begins.
Detailed information is available on the website Veterano.info.
Contact information for consultations:
+38 073 94 96 179
+38 050 22 35 182
+38 067 49 81 098
Artem Goncharenko, Director of the Veterans Institute: +38 073 177 72 73.
Antonina Savchenko, Coordinator of Higher Education and Admissions Programs: +380 63 245 34 05.
admissions, EDUCATION, GONCHARENKO, KNUBA, master’s program, UNIVERSITY, ветеран
According to Interfax-Ukraine, the National Bank of Ukraine has completed a significant portion of its negotiations and discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and will soon adopt and announce a new, substantial package of foreign exchange liberalization measures. As NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyy stated during a press briefing on Thursday, the upcoming liberalization measures will apply to both individuals and businesses.
“We have completed a significant portion of the negotiations and discussions with our colleagues at the International Monetary Fund. Accordingly, a significant package of foreign exchange liberalization measures will be announced, affecting individuals, including businesses. The National Bank has always prioritized the interests of Ukrainian businesses regarding foreign exchange liberalization,” the regulator’s head noted.
Pyshnyy emphasized that stimulatory foreign exchange liberalization has remained one of the National Bank’s key priorities since 2023. According to him, the regulator supports measures that have a positive effect and stimulate the country’s economic recovery and development.
As previously reported, in the materials for the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, published on its website, the IMF notes that currency liberalization should depend on the fulfillment of key preconditions—including deeper foreign exchange markets, well-anchored inflation expectations, and sustained financial stability—while ensuring that these are balanced with economic needs.
According to Experts.news, global production of humanoid robots has moved from isolated prototypes to the first mass-produced batches; however, the industry remains highly concentrated: Chinese companies accounted for about 85% of shipments in 2025.
According to estimates by the Chinese research center CCID, in 2025, Chinese manufacturers shipped approximately 14,400 humanoid robots, accounting for 84.7% of the global market. Thus, the global total was approximately 17,000 units. Other studies estimate global shipments at approximately 18,000 units.
According to IDC, the number of humanoid robots shipped worldwide in 2025 increased more than sixfold—by approximately 508%. However, statistics from various research organizations differ significantly, as some count only bipedal robots, while others also include wheeled humanoid platforms and general-purpose robots with artificial intelligence.
China remains the only country where humanoid robots are already being produced by the thousands by several manufacturers simultaneously. There are over 140 companies in the country working on humanoid robots, and the number of models available exceeds 330. AGIBOT, Unitree, and UBTECH have become the largest manufacturers.
TrendForce expects Chinese production of humanoid robots to grow by another 94% in 2026. Unitree and AGIBOT are expected to maintain their leading positions thanks to their well-developed supply chains, access to low-cost actuators, batteries, and sensors, and their capacity for mass assembly.
China’s advantage lies not only in artificial intelligence but also in its ability to rapidly reduce the cost of hardware. Some of Unitree’s entry-level models are already priced below $6,000, while most American and European systems are geared toward more expensive industrial pilot projects.
The U.S. lags significantly behind China in terms of the actual number of robots produced, but it has the largest announced manufacturing projects outside of China.
Figure has launched BotQ, a facility whose first production line is designed to produce up to 12,000 humanoid robots per year. In April 2026, the company announced its transition from prototypes to the production phase and that it had reached an assembly rate of one robot per hour.
Agility Robotics operates the RoboFab plant in Oregon with a potential capacity of over 10,000 Digit robots per year. Actual output is currently significantly lower than the stated maximum capacity.
The U.S.-Norwegian company 1X has begun full-scale production of its NEO home robot at a factory in California. Tesla is setting up its first production lines for Optimus but has not yet disclosed confirmed data regarding mass production.
South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group plans to build a facility in the U.S. with a capacity of up to 30,000 robots per year by 2028. The facility is expected to produce, among other things, the Atlas humanoid robots developed by Boston Dynamics. The first Atlas robots are scheduled to arrive at Hyundai’s U.S. facilities in 2028.
One of the most advanced European projects is Germany’s NEURA Robotics, which has developed the 4NE1 humanoid robot.
The company calls it the first European humanoid robot ready for industrial production. NEURA is collaborating with Bosch and Schaeffler, planning to scale up production of robots for industry, logistics, and service tasks.
In 2026, NEURA announced that it had raised up to $1.4 billion to expand mass production and develop a network of centers where robots will be trained to perform real-world tasks.
In Serbia, AGIBOT and Minth Group are preparing to launch a facility in Šabac. The initial production volume is stated at 1,000–2,000 humanoid robots per year. The facility is expected to open in August 2026, although the timeline has already been revised several times. Therefore, Serbia should for now be classified among countries with announced but not yet confirmed mass production.
If the project is implemented, Serbia could become one of the first countries in Europe where Chinese humanoid robots will be mass-produced and adapted for regional markets.
Japan has many years of experience in developing humanoid robots, but so far has focused primarily on research, components, medicine, and elder care. Kawasaki continues to develop the Kaleido platform but has not announced mass production on a scale comparable to that of Chinese companies. TrendForce believes that Japan’s competitive advantage could lie in actuators, sensors, control systems, and solutions for elderly care.
In South Korea, Samsung has acquired control of Rainbow Robotics and intends to integrate its robotics developments with its own artificial intelligence and software technologies. Hyundai is simultaneously developing Atlas through its subsidiary Boston Dynamics, though the group plans to build a large factory in the U.S.
There is no comprehensive international registry of humanoid robot production. Companies disclose the potential capacity of their factories much more frequently than actual production volumes, and the term “humanoid robot” is applied to various types of devices.
The only reliably confirmed fact is China’s leadership, with a share of approximately 85% of global shipments in 2025. The remaining roughly 15% is accounted for primarily by the U.S. and small batches, prototypes, and pilot series from Europe, Japan, and South Korea.
In 2026–2028, the distribution may change following the launch of plants by Figure, Agility Robotics, Tesla, Hyundai, NEURA, and the Serbian AGIBOT project. However, for now, China retains a significant advantage in terms of actual production volume, component costs, and supply chain readiness.
According to experts.news, a new heat wave is sweeping across the Balkans and a significant portion of the Danube basin. From July 31 to August 6, temperatures in several countries in the region will reach 35–40 degrees, which will exacerbate the drought and worsen conditions on the Danube, where water levels have already dropped to long-term lows and, in some places, record lows.
The highest temperatures are forecast for Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Hungary. In Belgrade, Novi Sad, Zagreb, Podgorica, Tirana, Skopje, and Budapest, temperatures are expected to reach 37–40 degrees. In Sarajevo, temperatures will reach 35–37 degrees.
In Bulgaria and Romania, the heat will initially be less intense, but by August 4–5, temperatures in Bucharest are expected to reach 36–37 degrees. In Moldova, temperatures will rise from 30 degrees on July 30 to 37 degrees on August 4–5. In the Odesa region and the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta, temperatures are expected to range from 27–32 degrees, but nighttime temperatures in early August may reach 24 degrees.
The situation in the upper part of the basin also remains challenging. In Vienna, temperatures are forecast to reach up to 39 degrees on July 31, and up to 38–39 degrees on August 3–4. In Budapest, temperatures from July 31 through August 5 will mostly range from 38–40 degrees. Isolated thunderstorms in Austria may cause a temporary rise in water levels, but the prolonged heat wave will prevent the accumulated precipitation deficit from being quickly offset.
On the Danube, Sava, and Tisa rivers in Serbia, water levels are below the low navigational marks. In Croatia and Serbia, shallowing has already led to the formation of large sandbars, small vessels running aground, and old sunken ships resurfacing, posing an additional danger to navigation.
Due to insufficient depth, barges and tankers are utilizing only 30–40% of their carrying capacity in certain sections. In July, Serbia received only about 25% of its planned volume of imported fuel via the Danube. Production at Serbia’s largest hydroelectric power plant, “Džerdap-1,” has fallen to about one-third of its usual level.
In Romania, the inflow of water into the Danube has dropped to approximately 1,650 cubic meters per second, compared to an average July figure of about 4,750 cubic meters. Low water levels have led to the shutdown of both power units at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, which uses water from the Danube for cooling. In Hungary, restrictions have affected the Paks Nuclear Power Plant.
In the Bulgarian-Romanian section, navigation has been restricted near the islands of Belene, Vardim, and Batyn. Vessels are forced to wait for passage clearance and reduce their cargo loads. At the end of July, a passenger motor ship also ran aground on the Danube, despite the restrictions on draft that were in effect.
Analysis of the Impacts on the Ten Danube Countries
In Germany and Austria, low outflow from the upper reaches means a reduction in the volume of water flowing downstream. Short-term downpours may cause localized rises in water levels, but sustained rainfall throughout the upper and middle basins is necessary for a stable recovery.
For Slovakia and Hungary, the main risks are related to restrictions on barge loading, a decline in river tourism, disruptions in the supply of fuel and raw materials, and strain on energy infrastructure. In Budapest, the Danube’s water level fell below previous lows, and tourist cruises on certain routes were suspended.
Croatia and Serbia are already feeling the direct impact of low water levels on the transport of fuel, industrial raw materials, and agricultural cargo, as well as on port operations. Sandbars and sunken vessels that have risen closer to the surface pose an additional hazard.
For Bulgaria and Romania, low water levels mean reduced vessel draft, queues at narrow sections, suspended ferry crossings, rising grain transportation costs, and risks to the energy sector. Romania is a key link in the route between Ukrainian Danube ports and Constanța, so delays are spreading throughout the entire Lower Danube corridor.
Moldova has a short outlet to the Danube via the port of Giurgiulești. It is located on the river’s maritime section and has greater depth than many inland ports, making it less directly vulnerable to the shallowing of the middle Danube. However, Moldovan cargo depends on the stable operation of the lower reaches of the river, the Romanian canals, and access to the Black Sea. Delays and rising freight rates on this route could increase the cost of the country’s imports and exports.
For Ukraine, the lower Danube is particularly important due to the operations of the ports of Reni, Izmail, and Ust-Dunaysk. Critically low water levels are already limiting the normal loading of barges and delaying the fulfillment of contracts. As of July 20, the cost of transportation from Reni and Izmail to Constanta has risen to approximately $28 per metric ton, and some vessels are losing 30–60% of their cargo capacity.
The continued heat through August 6 will intensify evaporation and maintain pressure on the Danube’s water regime. Even with local rains, any improvement will most likely be temporary, as the water shortage is affecting the entire basin—from Germany and Austria to Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine.
For shippers, the most likely consequences will be a further reduction in barge loading capacity, the use of more vessels to transport the same volume, rising freight rates, delays in the delivery of fuel, grain, and industrial raw materials, as well as the partial rerouting of cargo to rail and road transport.
A significant improvement in the situation is possible only after a prolonged period of rainfall in the Alps, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and other parts of the basin.
GERMANY, HEAT, low water levels in the Danube, TRANSPORTATION, UKRAINE
