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Monday 11 May 2026
Emtar: Building the 6G Satellite 'Brain' with Canadian Support
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.
Monday 11 May 2026
From Basement to Deep Space: How AON3D is Redefining High-Performance 3D Printing
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.
Monday 11 May 2026
AWL Electricity: Redefining Power with a 'Five-Foot Radius' of Wireless Charging
The dream of a world without charging cables - where phones, headsets, and even industrial robots never need to be plugged in - is moving from science fiction to reality. AWL Electricity, often referred to by partners as All Electricity, is at the forefront of this shift by leveraging advanced semiconductor breakthroughs to deliver power wirelessly over distance. As the company prepares for COMPUTEX 2026 in Taipei this June, it aims to solidify its position as the global leader in mid-power, mid-range wireless charging.The Breakthrough: GaN and the Five-Foot RadiusThe foundation of AWL Electricity's technology lies in a scientific leap made in 2017 by the invention of CEO Emmanuel Glenn. While the concept of wireless power dates back to Nikola Tesla, traditional low-frequency methods were often unsafe or impractical due to the extreme power required at low frequencies. By utilizing Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors, the company successfully increased operating frequencies while reducing electric field strength, making the technology safe and highly practical.Unlike standard charging pads that require direct contact, AWL-E's Resonant Capacitive Coupling technology focuses on a 1.5-meter (five-foot) radius. Francis Beauchamp-Verdon, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer, explains that human moves around within a five-foot bubble, whether at a desk, in a car, or at a café. While the company remains "planet-centric" and advises that high-power stationary devices like coffee machines or electric vehicles should remain wired for maximum efficiency, wireless power is reserved for mobility and devices where cables create significant friction.Transforming Industry 4.0Beyond consumer electronics, AWL-E is targeting the "New Age of Physical AI" and smart manufacturing. Modern factory lines can require between 40,000 to 50,000 sensors, with an automotive leader noting that every single wire adds significant connection costs. AWL-E's solution eliminates the need for traditional cable management and drag chains into robotic cells. By powering humanoids and autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) while they work, factories can eliminate 20% downtime typically lost when robots must sit next to a charging wall.Strategic Objectives for COMPUTEX 2026Taiwan holds a special place in the AWL-E story, as its semiconductor ecosystem enabled the company's initial breakthrough. During the COMPUTEX 2026 mission, the company seeks to collaborate with Taiwanese chip leaders to transition their technology into a dedicated Wireless Power Chip, which would make the solution smaller, cheaper, and more accessible. Additionally, the company hopes to help Taiwan improve its own chip-making tools, specifically in vacuum environments where wires are a "worst enemy," creating a symbiotic relationship where AWL-E powers the machines that build the chips.Beauchamp-Verdon will be carrying a portable demo unit to the event to prove that this innovation is ready for today's market. He believes that seeing technology in action is essential for the Taiwanese industry, where "seeing is believing" is a core mindset. AWL-E currently maintains flagship projects in consumer electronics, automotive, and factory automation across Asia and intends to use this visit to find the right partners for their next level of expansion.