DIGITIMES Biz Focus

As global electricity demand accelerates - driven by rapid AI computing growth, rising corporate decarbonization commitments, and increasing focus on grid stability - the power supply industry is evolving from standalone components into a foundational enabler of energy efficiency and intelligent system management. In response to this transformation, MEAN WELL, a leading global brand in standard power supplies, will present a comprehensive portfolio of solutions at COMPUTEX 2026. The showcase will extend beyond traditional power products to include smart lighting and integrated energy management systems, designed to help enterprises enhance energy efficiency, strengthen operational resilience, and advance intelligent and sustainable development

Mecademic Industrial Robotics, a Montreal-based robot manufacturer in Canada, is redefining the landscape of precision manufacturing through its pioneering work in micro-automation. At the heart of their innovation is the Meca500, a six-axis industrial robot designed with a footprint so compact that it matches the size of a standard sheet of letter paper when in its shipping pose. "Everything that has gone into this design has been aimed at achieving the highest possible precision," said Naveen Krishnan, Director of Application Engineering at Mecademic. "For us, five microns is the ultimate goal." While traditional industrial robots often rely on bulky external cabinets, Mecademic's architectural simplicity integrates the controller directly into the robot's base. This plug-and-work system eliminates the need for large external hardware, saving critical floor space in capital-intensive environments like clean rooms.Unmatched PrecisionMecademic specializes in micro-automation, addressing a market segment that requires extreme precision in a small footprint. Their flagship Meca500 achieves a repeatability of five microns - thinner than a red blood cell. According to Naveen Krishnan, this level of precision is the result of a "ground-up" design philosophy. Unlike systems built from commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) components, Mecademic vertically integrates its mechanical, electrical, and software designs, using specialized harmonic drives and high-precision encoder systems to ensure reliability and performance.An Open and Accessible ArchitectureAs noted above, one of the company's most significant innovations is the integration of the controller directly into the robot's base, eliminating the need for bulky external cabinets. This "plug-and-work" architecture allows system integrators to replace complex, fixed Cartesian systems with a single, more flexible manipulator.Furthermore, Mecademic has adopted an open, language-agnostic approach to programming. Instead of forcing users to learn proprietary languages, the robot can be operated via a TCP/IP interface using modern languages like Python or C#. This lowers the barrier to entry for New Product Introduction (NPI) teams and process engineers who may not be traditional automation experts. For industrial users with a requirement for industrial real-time fieldbus protocols, there is native support for Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, and Profinet built into the standard system.Targeted Applications and Market StrategyMecademic targets high-tech verticals where miniaturization is the dominant trend, specifically within the semiconductor, medical device, and optics sectors. The Meca500 is particularly effective for tasks that involve handling very small parts typically managed by human operators using tweezers under a microscope, such as assembling medical implants or characterizing sensors. To further address niche demands, the company introduced the Meca500-OB, which uses specialized finishes and light-absorbing materials to reduce reflectivity during sensitive measurement tasks involving lasers and interferometers.Key industries include: 1. Electronics & Semiconductors: Handling small parts for testing, assembly, characterization, and sensor validation. 2. Life Sciences & MedTech: Lab automation, sample handling (microplates/vials), and medical device assembly. 3. Optics & Photonics: Sensitive measurement tasks using the Meca500-OBto prevent reflectivity during laser interferometry.Looking Toward COMPUTEX 2026As Mecademic prepares for the InnoVEX, the company aims to educate the market on how micro-automation can bridge the gap between manual labor and full-scale industrial robotics. Philippe Beaulieu, CEO, and Ammon Liu, Sales Director ASEAN, are expected to represent the firm in Taipei.By replacing capital-intensive manual processes with repeatable, high-throughput robotic solutions, Mecademic provides the essential hardware platform necessary for the next generation of AI-driven, high-precision manufacturing.

As Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite competition intensifies, satellite communication has evolved from a terrestrial supplement into a core infrastructure for AI and cloud services. Emtar Technologies, a Canadian chip design startup founded by Taiwanese-Canadian entrepreneur Alvis Huang, is emerging as a critical player in this shift. Leveraging his background as a Marconi Young Scholar, Huang has led Emtar to develop groundbreaking 6G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) chips that have already garnered support from TSMC and the Canadian government.Breakthrough Performance: The "Private Library" ArchitectureAt the recent TSMC North America Technology Symposium, Emtar conducted a Live Demo of its 6G NTN solutions, demonstrating high strategic value to the semiconductor supply chain. Emtar's chipset - comprising high-performance RF Front-End ICs and Intelligent Beamforming chips - acts as the system's "sensory organs and brain."Unlike traditional architectures where transceivers must "queue" to access shared memory (SRAM), Emtar utilizes a disruptive fully embedded memory design paired with proprietary algorithms. This gives each transceiver a "private library" for instantaneous data scheduling, resulting in: 1. 10x faster tracking and position prediction. 2. 2x higher reception sensitivity. 3. Significant power savings (dozens of watts), solving critical heat dissipation issues for satellite equipment.National Recognition and Global ExpansionEmtar's strategic importance is backed by high-level Canadian endorsement. Emtar participated in a Canadian trade mission to South Korea led by Minister Maninder Sidhu, where the company engaged with potential satellite industry partners. Additionally, Emtar was named "Startup of the Year" by Canada's Semiconductor Council (CSC), an organization featuring industry titans like AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm.The Future: Data Centers in SpaceHuang anticipates the LEO market will reach 2 billion users within seven years, driven by "Data Centers in Space." Cloud providers are eyeing orbital AI deployments to mitigate terrestrial geopolitical risks. This shift demands high-efficiency satellite access for everything from autonomous drones to maritime vessels - these are Emtar's primary target market.With products entering mass production by year-end, Emtar is currently engaging with Taiwanese ODMs and space agencies during COMPUTEX Taipei. As products head toward mass production by the end of the year, Emtar plans to launch its Series A funding round. Huang emphasized that he is looking for investors with Silicon Valley experience who can provide top-down strategic resources to help Emtar connect with tier-one global satellite operators. From a Canadian startup to an industry star, Emtar is poised to leave its mark on the 6G space race, blending Taiwanese entrepreneurial resilience with North American technical innovation.

Montreal-based AON3D is setting a new standard through its mastery of high-performance materials and precision 3D printing technology.Co-founded in 2015 by Andrew Walker, Randeep Singh, and Kevin Han - who started the company in his family's basement - AON3D has evolved into a global leader in high-performance additive manufacturing.With an eye on the Taiwan market at COMPUTEX 2026, Han and his team are ready to bridge the gap between complex aerospace technology and the agile SME ecosystem.The Materials Engineer's VisionKevin Han's journey began at McGill University with a background in materials engineering. After operating as a service bureau, Han recognized a gap in the market for machines capable of handling specialized materials. Through multiple product iterations, AON3D today offers it's Hylo High-Temperature 3D Printer, along with Basis, it's advanced physics simulation software for additive manufacturing. Hylo and Basis: AI-Infused and Physics-BasedAON3D's product suite offers an AI-infused manufacturing solution that reduces the trial and error usually experienced in additive manufacturing processes. "What we do is actually model out at the physics level what's going to happen as you run the print job," says Han. "Our technology creates a digital twin of the print, meaning we can use simulation to identify process irregularities that lead to hidden defects, instead of in post-production."Within the Basis platform, simulated data and real data are also compared to offer automatic optimizations. The Power of "Open Materials"AON3D's primary competitive advantage is its "Open Materials" philosophy. Unlike competitors that "lock" users into proprietary, expensive filament spools - much like the cartridges on a paper-based printer - AON3D's platform is supply-agnostic. "We support the full gamut of industrial polymers, but many customers are most interested by high-performance varieties like PEEK, PEKK, and PEI (Ultem)," Han explains. "This includes their carbon and glass-fibre variants, where strength and lightweighting benefits most appeal to demanding industries like aerospace and defense." From NASA to the Factory FloorAON3D's credentials extend to outer space. The company has worked with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to print components for the International Space Station, and their parts were aboard the Artemis 1 mission.Closer to home, AON3D's solutions are used by customers like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, and more in aerospace, while also offering benefits to automotive, energy, and general manufacturing. One automotive customer saw full payback under 2 months for their first Hylo purchase, and is eagerly awaiting more. Leveraging Taiwan's EcosystemAt COMPUTEX 2026, AON3D aims to connect with Taiwan's semiconductor packaging and testing sectors. Beyond chips, they see massive potential in Taiwan's drone industry and medical prosthesis field. Hylo's ability to "light-weight" components makes it ideal for rapid drone iteration. "We want to bring capabilities to a group that didn't have them before," Han concludes. AON3D isn't just selling a printer; they are offering a gateway to the next generation of industrial manufacturing.