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Tuesday 10 March 2026
EDABK's Edge AI Chip Battles the Silent Cardiac Kille
Today, an increasing number of scientific papers, media repoerts, and television health programs - highlighting the increasing incidence of heart attacks and strokes. What is often overlooked is that a large portion of these cases are linked to atrial fibrillation (AF). In fact, AF is associated with more than 80% of strokes and heart attacks, and it significantly increases both the risk of having a stroke and the risk of dying from it.Even more alarming is the fact that most people with AF are unaware they have it. Current statistics indicate that only around 30% of individuals with AF know about  their condition, meaning millions of people worldwide are living with an undiagnosed, potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder.That is the reality that EDABK from Vietnam set out to change. Rather than relying on bulky ECG monitors or expensive medical devices, the team developed a low-power edge AI chip that could be embedded into the smartwatches and other wearables devices already used in daily life.  Their innovation, which won a Silver Medal at Taiwan's 2025 Best AI Awards, is a signal of where healthcare is headed: real-time, always-on, and hyper-personalized. "We chose to focus on atrial fibrillation detection because we saw a real, unmet need - one that current solutions haven't adequately addressed," said Nguyen Duc Minh, representative of Team EDABK. "We wanted to make AF monitoring accessible, low-cost, and capable of running entirely on a chip, without relying on the cloud."AF is typically detected through electrocardiograms (ECGs), which requires hospital visits and professional equipment. EDABK's idea was to use photoplethysmography (PPG) - the same light-based technology found in off-the-shelf wearables. While PPG data is noisier than ECG, the team developed a processing pipeline that enables reliable AF detection.They began with preprocessing and quantization of the raw PPG signal, followed by a novel Pi-K Plot technique to extract irregularities in heart rhythm. These signal is transformed into spikes and fed into a Spiking Neural Network (SNN) - a brain-inspired AI architecture optimized for low power consumption and low latency.SNNs represent a fundamental shift in how AI operates. Instead of running continuous computations, they activate only "spike" when meaningful data appears, mimicking the behavipr of biological neurons.  This event-driven architecture allows AI to run in real-time on small chips, using a fraction of the energy required by traditional neural networks. "Our model reduces RAM usage by more than 80%, while still detecting early warning signs of AF in real time," Minh explained. "It's built for wearables - devices with tight constraints on battery life, processing power, and form factor."The improvement is enormous, with no reliance on cloud services, users receive faster feedback, enhance privacy, and a more seamless user experience. And because the chip behaves like standard memory, it can also be easily integrate into commercial hardware.While still based at a university, EDABK is actively working with local partners to collect clinical data and validate the model beyond the laboratory. The team is already planning a smart ring prototype, complete with PPG sensors and wireless connectivity to deliver alerts directly to a smartphone.Beyond AF, the system's architecture is modular and generalizable. The SNN core and its toolchain can be retrained to detect other heart rhythm disorders or physiological abnormalities - simply by introducing new datasets and adjusting design goals."Our roadmap includes expanding detection to multiple arrhythmias, not just AF," Minh said. "The goal is to build a scalable platform that enables proactive health monitoring in daily life."For Team EDABK, the Best AI Awards did more than validate their work - it opened a new chapter. "We were amazed by how advanced Taiwan is - not just in chip design, but in edge AI innovation at the silicon level," Minh noted. "Some of our members are now considering graduate studies in Taiwan to take our work even further."This experience has also sparked early discussions around potential commercialization in Taiwan, where the supply chain for AI chips and medical wearables is already world-class.As wearable adoption continues to accelerate globally - forecasted to exceed 1.2 billion devices in use by 2028 - solutions like EDAB's EADK's point to a future where AI does not simply reside in the cloud, but operated quietly in the background of everyday life, watching for the warning signs users may not feel."We're not just building a device," Minh said. "We're building a safety net - one that helps users become aware of silent health threats before they become emergencies." In a world where heart disease remains the leading cause of death, that safety net cannot arrive soon enough.EDABK won the Silver Medal in the International Group IC Design Category at the 2025 Best AI Awards. Now it's your chance to shine - bring your innovation to the world and apply for the 2026 Best AI Awards! With global tracks open for both AI Applications and IC Design, students and companies worldwide can compete for the grand prize of up to USD 30,000 (NTD1,000,000). The deadline is March 16, 5pm (GMT+8), follow offcial Linkedin for the latest updates. 
Monday 9 March 2026
AI at the edge Trust starts with ArbaLabs
From drones surveying disaster zones to satellites monitoring fragile ecosystems, today's edge systems operate in environments where connectivity is limited, interference is high, and the consequences of misinformation can be severe.Yet these intelligent machines still rely heavily on centralized infrastructure to process and validate the data they collect - an architecture increasingly misaligned with the needs of real-time, mission-critical decision-making.That's where ArbaLabs steps in. By embedding cryptographically verifiable AI directly into the edge hardware, ArbaLabs is rebuilding trust where it's needed most - in the field, in the sky, and in orbit.  This groundbreaking approach to edge integrity that earned ArbaEdge the Gold Medal of The Best AI Awards in the IC Design, organized by Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs."Unlike traditional systems that send data back to Earth for analysis, we push the decision-making directly onto the spacecraft," says Ashley Reeves, founder and CEO of ArbaLabs. "But we don't stop at inference,  we verify every model and every result at the hardware level."At the core of ArbaEdge is a modular IC stack that fuses lightweight AI acceleration with cryptographic data validation. It integrates aerospace-grade microcontrollers, flight-optimized TinyML models, and a secure enclave that continuously verifies both the integrity of AI models and their outputs.While the aerospace-grade form factor is compelling, what sets ArbaLabs apart is  approach to trust at the architectural level. "AI is evolving fast, but public trust is eroding even faster," Reeves explains. "With ArbaEdge, we're applying blockchain not as a buzzword, but as a critical validation layer. Just like cryptocurrency secures financial transactions, we're using decentralized consensus to validate AI outputs in space."The result is a fundamental shift: instead of relying on a central server or mission control to verify image or sensor data, the device itself proves the authenticity of what it observes and reports. Whether it's satellite imagery, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, or encrypted communications, the cryptographic hashes generated by ArbaEdge makes each output traceable and tamper-evident. In a world increasingly threatened by deepfakes and synthetic intelligence, this capability is no longer a niche feature - it's a necessity.While aerospace remains ArbaLabs' primary commercial focus, the company sees broad potential  across industries. "Any application that requires low-power, secure decision-making at the edge will benefit," Reeves notes.  This includes autonomous vehicles, industrial IoT, and even medical devices.ArbaLabs is also exploring the educational impact of its technology. The company is in discussions  with a major embedded systems provider to integrate ArbaEdge into STEM education programs, aiming to equip the next generation of engineers not only with AI skills, but with a strong understanding of its ethical boundaries and trust infrastructure.Although globally structured, ArbaLabs is deeply rooted in Taiwan's technology ecosystem. Reeves, a long-term resident and Gold Card holder, emphasizes that ArbaEdge would not exist without Taiwan's unique hardware advantages. "I first came to Taiwan in 2013 and never looked back," he says. "Taiwan is the best place in the world to build hardware. The supply chain is deep, IP is protected, and the talent is exceptional."ArbaLabs maintains R&D and SoC integration in Taiwan, while leveraging Reeves' network across London, Estonia, and Taipei. That positioning enables  the company to bridge Asia-Pacific and European markets - a strategic advantage as it expands partnerships  with aerospace manufacturers across the EU and UK."We've already signed multiple agreements with European satellite manufacturers," Reeves says. "And what excites them most Is our access to Taiwan's hardware supply chain."ArbaLabs entered the Best AI Awards with modest expectations - but emerged new momentum. The company received the Gold Medal in the IC Design category, earning recognition across both hardware and software dimensions."Winning the award gave us visibility, credibility, and an immediate uptick in engagement," Reeves reflects. He adds, "This is more than an edge device, it's Taiwan's opportunity to set the global standard for verifiable AI."ArbaLabs is now focused on scaling production from early deployments to export-ready systems, ArbaLabs ispositioning Taiwan not only as a hardware hub, but as a launchpad for secure, accountable AI - built to operate from the edge of Earth to the edges of space.ArbaLabs won the Gold Award and NT$1,000,000 in the International Group IC Design Category at the 2025 Best AI Awards. If you have an innovation you would like to unveil, 2026 Best AI Awards with global tracks open for both AI Applications and IC Design, students and companies worldwide can compete for the grand prize of up to USD 30,000 (NTD 1,000,000). The deadline is March 16, 5:00pm (GMT+8). For more details, please follow official Linkedin for the lastest updates. Credit: ArbaLabs
Friday 6 March 2026
ITRI, NCU advance Taiwan-Japan space collaboration through study program
The rapid advancement of space technology has led to a growing range of applications, including satellites and launch vehicles, attracting significant cross-sector investment worldwide. As space becomes an increasingly strategic industry, governments are accelerating deployment efforts to secure technological leadership and industrial competitiveness.Against this backdrop, Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), through its Commercialization and Industry Service Center, partnered with the Department of Space Science and Engineering (DSSE) and the Center for Astronautical Physics and Engineering (CAPE) at National Central University (NCU) to organize the "Taiwan-Japan Space Education Exchange Delegation." The initiative targets students and early-career professionals interested in space technology, offering structured coursework and site visits to provide first-hand insight into global space industry developments and cultivate internationally minded talent for Taiwan's emerging space sector.The program centers on international industry-academia collaboration. ITRI provided industry trend analysis and facilitated R&D resource connections, while NCU designed and delivered academic training. The itinerary included visits to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), space technology enterprises, and major research facilities in Japan, enabling participants to bridge theoretical learning with real-world industrial operations and international cooperation models.Pre-departure workshop builds foundation for overseas engagementA pre-departure workshop was held at NCU on January 17 to equip participants with essential technical knowledge and industry context prior to departure. The curriculum covered space science fundamentals, satellite systems engineering, industry trends, and applied operations, providing a concentrated introduction to core space-sector competencies.The session highlighted NCU's research capabilities and emphasized the interdisciplinary integration of physics, mathematics, electronics, data analytics, and engineering practice. In the "Introduction to Space Environment and Satellite Systems Engineering" course, participants examined satellite design under extreme space conditions, as well as mission planning, testing, and operational workflows, laying the groundwork for subsequent field visits.Hands-on satellite training was also conducted. Led by SIGHT Space, participants assembled satellite structures, integrated sensors, and collected real-time data using the SMEK Educational Satellite Platform, translating theoretical engineering concepts into practical experience.ITRI and NCU host a pre-departure workshop featuring hands-on satellite training by SIGHT Space. Credit: ITRIVisit to JAXA Tsukuba Space Center integrates theory and practiceThe program began in Tsukuba, Japan, with an astronaut workshop led by experts "Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation(JAMSS)" experienced in human spaceflight missions. The curriculum incorporated NASA's Artemis Program, outlining the architecture and technical challenges of renewed lunar exploration and offering a mission-level perspective on current space strategies.In addition to lectures, the workshop featured a lunar exploration simulation exercise replicating mission execution scenarios. Participants made decisions under resource constraints and time pressure, gaining insight into task allocation, risk management, and team coordination. The module was adapted from elements of Japan's astronaut selection process, emphasizing analytical thinking and adaptability.Through exchanges with instructors and industry professionals, participants explored diverse career paths spanning engineering development, mission planning, and international collaboration. The workshop translated space exploration from an abstract concept into structured industrial processes.On the second day, participants toured the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center, a key hub of Japan's space activities. Established in 1972, the center oversees satellite development, mission control, astronaut training, and foundational research.The visit included major testing infrastructure such as a 13-meter-diameter environmental chamber, vibration and radio-frequency testing systems, and vacuum simulation facilities, providing direct insight into pre-launch verification procedures.Participants also observed operations at the mission control center for the Kibo module of the International Space Station, where they learned how ground teams coordinate with astronauts in real time and conduct remote microgravity experiments. The visit underscored the scale of system integration required for national-level space missions.Participants visit the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center during the Japan study program. Credit: ITRIIndustry visits to ArkEdge Space and ispace provide market insightJapan's private sector has become an increasingly influential force in space development. As part of the program, participants visited ArkEdge Space, a company specializing in small satellite development. ArkEdge is building an integrated ecosystem covering satellite design, production, ground station operations, and key component development, aiming to lower entry barriers through commercialization.Its 6U CubeSats support missions ranging from Earth observation and communications to navigation and lunar applications. During the visit, ArkEdge shared insights into modular design and shortened development cycles, illustrating operational approaches adopted by emerging space enterprises.ArkEdge has collaborated with the University of Tokyo, Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), and NCU on the ONGLAISAT mission, contributing to the technological foundation of Taiwan's ultra-high-resolution optical remote sensing capabilities. The project represents a concrete example of Taiwan-Japan industry-academia cooperation.Participants also visited ispace, a company focused on commercial lunar development with the goal of extending human presence beyond Earth. ispace invests in lunar transportation, exploration, and resource utilization technologies, reflecting broader commercialization trends in deep-space missions.The company's core technology centers on its independently developed lunar lander. The team outlined mission architecture and technical challenges spanning launch, transit, and lunar orbit insertion. Hakuto-R Mission 2 carried a Deep Space Radiation Probe developed by NCU, marking the first time a Taiwanese research payload traveled beyond low Earth orbit and representing a milestone in bilateral cooperation.Participants said the visit reshaped their perception of the Moon as not only an exploration objective but also a potential pillar of the future space economy. Discussions highlighted pathways for translating academic research into commercial missions, reinforcing the role of sustained industry-academia collaboration.The program also included a visit to Space Travelium TeNQ, a space-themed experiential facility integrating technology, art, and education. Through interactive exhibits and virtual reality, participants explored spaceflight concepts from a different perspective. In the VR experience "SORAVEL LINE," they simulated a lunar journey from Earth departure to lunar surface landing, deepening their understanding of microgravity environments.Participants affirm value of structured international engagementThe program received strong feedback from participants. Engagement levels across online briefings, pre-departure training, and on-site visits averaged 4.4 out of 5, reflecting sustained participation throughout the program.Survey results indicated that the astronaut workshop, satellite hands-on training, and company visits were the most impactful components. Participants reported broader technical perspectives and clearer direction in academic planning and career development, with several expressing increased interest in space engineering and related interdisciplinary fields.As competition in the global space sector intensifies, talent development and international collaboration remain central to long-term industrial positioning. The Taiwan-Japan Space Education Exchange Delegation represents a structured effort to strengthen Taiwan's space capabilities through deeper bilateral engagement and practical exposure.