Mr. Spencer Huh reports

NEO BATTERY & ZIO ROBOT ENTER TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE AI LOGISTICS ROBOTICS PERFORMANCE

Neo Battery Materials Ltd. has entered into a strategic technology partnership (STP) with South Korean-based Zio Robot Co. Ltd., an AI (artificial intelligence) logistics robotics company, to commercially integrate high-energy lithium-ion battery cells optimized for Zio's mobile worker (MW) series of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for payload logistics.

The partnership focuses on improving energy density and high-rate discharge capability compared with the Chinese-manufactured batteries currently used in the MW platforms. Expected system-level outcomes are increased payload capacity and extended operational runtime. Both Neo and Zio will prototype and deliver integrated battery solutions to Zio's anchor collaborators, including Samsung Electronics, where MW systems are deployed for industrial and manufacturing logistics.

Zio's MW platform handles payloads of up to 6,000 kilograms, placing significant demands on battery capacity, discharge/power rates and cycle life. Differentiating from incumbent technologies, Zio's modular architecture enables multiple MW units to link and unlink based on site requirements, reducing initial deployment costs while supporting flexible customization across targeted industries. The platform combines AMR systems with intelligent control algorithms and an omnidirectional driving system to further widen mission capabilities and enhance human-robot interaction (HRI).

Dr. Tae Hun Kang, chief executive officer of Zio, expressed: "Zio is pleased to initiate this battery development and optimization project. We anticipate that Neo's high-performance batteries will provide MW robots with a competitive edge in logistics. This partnership also presents an opportunity for Zio to develop higher-load MW models that exceed our current maximum payload capabilities. By diversifying battery procurement away from Chinese suppliers to Neo, we expect to expand beyond our current serviceable markets and applications."

Spencer Huh, president and chief executive officer of Neo, commented: "Zio's logistics robots face the same battery constraints as drone platforms: Runtime and payload capacity are directly limited by cell-level performance. Following the successful live field demonstration of our NBM drone cell, this partnership extends Neo's proven approach into another high-growth vertical in physical AI. Western and Western-allied robotics and industrial automation sectors are actively seeking non-Chinese, application-specific battery solutions, and Neo is well positioned to fulfill and deliver this demand."

About Neo Battery Materials Ltd .

Neo Battery Materials is a Canadian battery technology company focused on developing and producing silicon-enhanced lithium-ion batteries in drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robotics, unmanned systems, electronics, electric vehicles and energy storage systems for AI data centres. With a patent-protected, low-cost manufacturing process, Neo Battery enables longer-running and ultrafast-charging batteries and provides end-to-end battery solutions from materials selection, cell architecture and process optimization. The company aims to be a globally leading producer of high-performance lithium-ion battery components and materials, building a secure, robust battery supply chain in North America.

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