Anker goes solo after splitting with Directed Electronics. David Richards | 04 Jun 2026 Chinese technology powerhouse Anker Innovations who stripped Australian distributor Directed Electronics of its sales rights to the Anker and Eufy brands, shifting its multi-million dollar business to a directly managed local model, only to discover that weeks later their distributor had picked up the rights to arch rival security camera Company EZIVIZ is set to introduce a new Chinese AI platform that links all their products. The strategy overhaul leaves Directed Electronics - the firm credited with transforming Eufy into an Australian household name being able to use the information gleaned from selling Eufy to now selling a competitive product. The commercial split marks the second time in five years that Directed Electronics has built up a massive consumer tech brand only to be cut out. In 2021, Sony abruptly severed its $30 million annual distribution agreement with the company. Anker's transition to its own dedicated subsidiary in Australia coincides with a broader push to protect global profit margins ahead of a potential Hong Kong IPO. By establishing direct-to-consumer and direct-to-retail channels, the tech manufacturer cuts out intermediary distribution margins with a move to selling more products directly and via Amazon. Signs of the impending transition grew apparent following the opening of Anker's flagship retail store at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre, marking a departure from traditional reliance on third-party distributors. The first operational rollout of Anker's independent entity begins with the launch of its flagship Eufy S2 robot vacuum cleaner, a launch entirely managed by Anker's local operation. Today Anker is actively pivoting away from its legacy image as a simple smartphone accessory manufacturer, leveraging proprietary hardware to expand into advanced home automation and sustainable energy markets. The company's core technological pillars now focus on e xpanding its Eufy smart home ecosystem, which includes AI-powered object-tracking security cameras and advanced robotic vacuums. The "Anker Thus" AI Chip: Powering premium consumer electronics like the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds to handle real-time computational audio and noise-masking. Home Energy Infrastructure: Utilizing its "Anker SOLIX" division to deploy residential solar power storage stations. Anker has secured partnerships with major infrastructure players, including Amber Electric and Origin Energy, to integrate its storage technology directly into the domestic energy grid. The transition comes as Anker faces dual challenges related to severe product liabilities and geopolitical supply chain risks. In mid-2025, Anker was forced to issue a massive global voluntary recall of over 1.1 million PowerCore and Zolo lithium-ion power banks due to a manufacturing defect from a single component vendor. The defect caused units to overheat, resulting in 19 reported instances of fires and explosions. To combat future safety liabilities, Anker implemented sweeping quality assurance protocols, including component-level audits and expanded vendor testing. While Directed Electronics confirmed that Australian inventory was unaffected by the specific 2025 battery cells, the risk underscored the vulnerability of relying on an intermediary's localized QC verification. Furthermore, the consumer security market has faced tightening pressure regarding foreign manufacturing origins. In the past Anker has aggressively distanced itself from Chinese state-linked hardware frameworks and is now launching their own AI platform concept. Moving its Australian corporate infrastructure entirely in-house allows Anker to maintain strict, uncompromised control over data privacy compliance and hardware security protocols directly.

Amber scores $13.6 million for vehicle-to-grid residential energy plan. Turn your EV into a money-making power station with Amber's V2G roll out. The federal government-backed Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has given $13.6 million in funding to renewable energy retailer Amber to expand its vehicle-to-grid (V2G) program in 1,000 homes. Amber's initial 50-charger trial with BYD allows EV owners to turn their cars into "batteries on wheels" to power their homes, as well as selling its stored energy back into the grid. The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer agreed to warrant EVs taking part in the trial, removing one of the last major barriers to local V2G adoption. Amber co-CEO Chris Thompson said nearly 6,000 Australians already on the V2G waitlist and the ARENA backing will turn that demand into reality - and their cars into an income source. "Our initial rollout proved it works. 1,000 homes proves it scales. We've already seen a South Australian customer earn $500 in a single afternoon during a heatwave, customers can now save thousands annually through V2G," he said. "This expansion positions Australia as a world leader in V2G, and we see a future where millions of Australians buying EVs in the next few years can do the same." Get the best of Startup Daily straight to your inbox. * indicates required Selling your car's power. The roll out sees Amber instal V2G-capable chargers into customer homes. Software integrated with Amber then provides access to wholesale prices to maximise energy sales value. "Unlike other V2G plans that require minimum plug-in time and offer fixed price tariffs, Amber combines wholesale energy with smart automation so customers can earn the full value from their exports, power their homes through vehicle-to-home technology, and retain complete control," Thompson said. ARENA CEO Darren Miller said to unlock V2G at scale, they need to bring together customers, car makers, networks and technology providers. "A big part of that is giving manufacturers the confidence their vehicles will perform as expected, including through validated approaches to battery use and warranties," he said. "This project brings those pieces together to demonstrate how EVs can become an active part of the energy system. That means savings for owners and better utilisation of the grid, which can bring down the cost of the network for everyone." Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio said an EV can stores 5.5-times more energy than a typical home battery. "It's not just the people plugged in who benefit - it's the whole system. When thousands of EVs feed power back at peak times, it puts downward pressure on costs for everyone, whether you're in the trial or not," she said. Amber will launch a commercial V2G product later this year.