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Wednesday 13 August 2025
Advanced WLP and back-end solutions at SEMICON Taiwan 2025
Test Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading test and inspection systems provider for the electronics manufacturing industry, will join SEMICON Taiwan held at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1 - 1F from September 10-12, 2025. Visit TRI's Booth No. K3070 to learn more about the latest Advanced WLP/PLP and SEMI Back-End Package Inspection and metrology solutions.TRI's Inspection and Metrology Applications include: Chiplet & Chip-on-Wafer (CoW), System-in-Package (SiP), Advanced WLP, TSV Metrology, μBump, Cu Pillar, Surface Topology, Profiling, Thin Film Thickness, Patterned Wafer, Inner Crack/Chipping, After Sawing Defects, Die Underfill, Glue, Epoxy & Flux, Wafer Bumping and Die / Wire Bonding.TRI will showcase the Wafer Inspection and metrology Platform, TR7950Q SII, capable of wafer macroscopic 3D inspection and micro measurement metrology. The TR7950Q SII has applications in Advanced WLP, Wafer Frame, Patterned Wafer, Wafer Bumping, WLCSP, Through Silicon Via (TSV), thin film, and more.TRI will also exhibit the back-end inspection solutions, the TR7007Q SII-S for C4 bumps (~100 μm Ø), Mini-LED, and 008004 paste inspection applications, and the TR7900Q SII-R TRI's Reject Station with A-Powered 3D Inspection that can inspect die, wire diameters of up to 15 μm (0.6 mil), SiP, underfill, bumps, and more. The lineup will also include an X-ray Inspection Demo Station. TRI's SEMI AXI solutions can inspect C4 bumps and Cu pillars.
Wednesday 13 August 2025
Alif Semiconductor vying for market dominance in battery-powered generative AI applications and Edge AI
The trend of integrating generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) applications into edge AI (Edge AI) is gaining momentum. More Edge AI systems are providing intelligent applications with multi-layered user interaction, stimulating explosive growth opportunities in Edge AI. For example, at CES 2025, we saw the unveiling of new products such as AI toys, AI pets, AI robots, and AI robot dogs. Emerging applications using compact, energy-efficient smart devices coupled with AI inference and ample computing power are on the rise.Edge AI currently demands higher performance, privacy, response speed, and efficiency. However, due to the limitations of miniaturized devices in computing power, memory capacity, and battery size, the industry is actively addressing this demanding challenge. Thanks to the rapid iteration of cutting-edge semiconductor and AI technologies, a microcontroller (MCU) semiconductor solution supporting a neural processing unit (NPU) is rapidly emerging in the market. Aiming to quickly meet AI MCU products that combine security, energy saving, and computing power, it aims to meet these requirements.Alif Launches New Ensemble MCU Series E4, E6, and E8 ProductsAlif Semiconductor, a global leader in AI MCU technology, announced the latest additions to its New Generation Ensemble MCU family on August 12, 2025. The three new models, E4, E6, and E8, are designed to handle the workloads required for generative AI inference on Edge AI devices. Targeted for battery-powered use cases, these products enable rapid execution of generative AI applications on compact devices such as wearables. They feature core capabilities for ultra-low power consumption and information security. By eliminating the need for frequent charging and degrading the user experience, Alif's New Generation Ensemble E4/E6/E8 MCU solutions establish a leading position in the Edge AI market.In terms of product specifications, the E4, E6, and E8 products feature functional configurations ranging from dual-core, triple-core, to quad-core microprocessors. The E4 chip, for example, features two Cortex-M55 MCU cores, each paired with an Ethos-U55 NPU, and additionally there is an Ethos-U85 NPU that can be accessed by either Cortex-M55 for Generative AI tasks. This coupled with flexible built-in memory configurations, including up to 5.5MB of MRAM and a maximum of 9.75MB of SRAM, greatly facilitates the execution of diverse AI models.The E6 chip adds a Cortex-A32 core to create a tri-core microprocessor to address applications requiring higher computing power for AI model inference. The highest-performance E8 chip utilizes a quad-core microprocessor configuration, combining the a forementioned configuration with a Cortex-A32 core to meet the demands of highly complex generative AI inference. Through this new product combination, Alif is optimistic about new business opportunities for generative AI applications in subsequent consumer electronics products and is poised to capitalize on diverse Edge AI applications and the flourishing business opportunities.Ethos-U85 NPU is configured to run Transformer-based neural network systems with high efficiencyAlif's new Ensemble MCU is equipped with the Arm Ethos-U85 NPU, making it the industry's first MCU product to be launched with this NPU. It supports generative AI neural networks based on the Transformer architecture, providing ultra-low energy efficiency. Current customer test data shows that some AI toys capable of automatically generating and compiling story content tailored to children's age, emotions, and personalization use a small language AI model (SLM) to execute story generation scripts on Ensemble's E4 chip, consuming only 36mW of power. These AI toys also have voice control capabilities for interactive interactions with children, representing new applications that combine educational and entertainment value, creating optimistic expectations for the market for smart toys and a wider range of interactive smart devices.Accelerated image processing achieves object detection in 2 milliseconds and image classification in under 8 millisecondsIn terms of image processing performance, the new chips currently support up to two MIPI-CSI image sensors and include a fully hardware-accelerated image signal processor (ISP) channel. Thanks to the design of a high-performance memory subsystem, high-speed video image captures up to 60 frames per second (fps) at a 2-megapixel resolution is achieved. In particular, the chips are equipped with ultra-energy-efficient and highly flexible MRAM memory, which enables AI inference speeds to be reduced to under one millisecond.Given that generative AI is playing a vital role in optimizing intelligent robotics, it not only enhances the precision and adaptability of autonomous robots, but also the new E4/E6/E8 products in the New Generation Ensemble MCU series can enhance real-time data acquisition and analysis capabilities in applications such as health monitoring and wearable devices. This allows OEM/ODM electronic product development teams to launch a new generation of user experiences that create a good interactive experience with generative AI. This can then be expanded to include solutions in areas such as smart robots for medical care, smart healthcare or auxiliary diagnosis, smart transportation, smart toys, smart homes and smart cities, driving innovation in the next generation of AI products.For more information, please visit Alif Semiconductor website.Ensemble Family
Tuesday 12 August 2025
Wearables transform into medical aides: FEMH, ASUS team up for enhanced health assessments
The proliferation of smart healthcare is transforming the global landscape, with wearable devices progressively integrating into clinical and health management sectors. The health management center at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (FEMH) has partnered with ASUS to conduct a strategic experiment, incorporating the ASUS VivoWatch into the advanced health check-up procedure to establish an innovative model of "post-check care." This illustrates the potential of wearable technology in healthcare while providing essential practical experience for the sector.Lee Ai-Hsien, Director of FEMH Health Management Center, stated that FEMH has consistently prioritized personalized care and preventive medicine. The ASUS VivoWatch wearable device is designed to enhance the utility of health check-up services by transitioning from a "single-point check-up" to a " monitoring".Lee also stated that the ASUS VivoWatch smartwatch has the potential to serve as a critical link in the long-term health management relationship between the health check-up center and its customers by providing more immediate and continuous health information for high-risk groups.Users agree that wearable devices are beneficial in therapyThe trial participants primarily consisted of affluent health check-up clients requiring cardiovascular assessments or vascular examinations. The demographic primarily comprised individuals between the ages of 40 and 59, a critical age range for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.The participants have conveyed substantial approval of the ASUS VivoWatch, with various satisfaction metrics exceeding 84%, following more than four months of testing. Lee outlined four primary advantages after conducting a thorough evaluation and analysis of user feedback.The clinical monitoring feature is exceptional and effectively meets the needs of high-risk populations. The ASUS VivoWatch health tracker is equipped with critical physiological monitoring capabilities, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure (BP), and pulse wave (PPG) sensing modules, which facilitate the comprehensive monitoring of the user's critical physiological metrics. The Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) of Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare has granted medical device certification to this device App, which enables it to be legally utilized in medical settings. This certification significantly enhances the credibility and professionalism of health assessment services. With clear clinical application scenarios, including post-operative tracking, daily monitoring of individuals with the "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol), preventive health care for suboptimal health status (SHS), and remote monitoring, it has the potential to generate significant value in the field of health management.The second aspect is the exceptional user experience, characterized by remarkable performance across multiple satisfaction metrics. User feedback surveys indicate that the ASUS VivoWatch has achieved over 80% high satisfaction across five key metrics, mostly attributable to its straightforward working interface and comfort, making it user-friendly for individuals over 60 years old. This device effectively converts "one-time health check" into a "continuous health management process," establishing a comprehensive service cycle that encompasses wearing, data feedback, and professional advice. This enables the examinee to experience ongoing care and concern, thereby generating added value beyond its fundamental function.Brand trust and medical certification are mutually reinforcing. ASUS, a domestic technology brand in Taiwan, merges corporate research and development capabilities with medical-grade certification to offer users more assurance, while efficiently integrating local medical procedures in the Taiwanese market and securing prompt professional technical assistance.The final aspect is that integrated health management improves the differentiation of medical services. The ASUS VivoWatch is effectively incorporated into the health checkup process, creating a comprehensive health management cycle that offers personalized tracking recommendations and fosters a sustained trust relationship between physicians and patients. This transformation turns a singular health checkup into an ongoing health collaboration, thereby enhancing customer retention and willingness to recommend.Enhance preventive medicine, optimize the relationship between physicians and their patients, and create a new value chain for ubiquitous medical careLee emphasized that the successful implementation of the ASUS VivoWatch by FEMH Health Management Center demonstrates that wearable devices have transcended their role as mere technological products, evolving into a crucial strategic asset for medical institutions to bolster preventive medicine, improve service differentiation, and cultivate enduring health relationships. Its fundamental value is not solely derived from its advanced technological specifications; it is also rooted in its ability to seamlessly integrate into the medical environment, facilitate health monitoring, and secure patients' acceptance and trust. Consequently, it has established a new paradigm for Taiwan's healthcare model.The ASUS VivoWatch, offered by Far Eastern Memorial Hospital's health management center, can continually track physiological information after the examination, transforming health examinations from "single-point examinations" to "whole day monitoring" services.