Kingwaytek Technology, a provider of digital maps for car navigation, is testing autonomous driving using C-V2X wireless communication infrastructure at an open experimental field in northern Taiwan, according to company president San Huang.This is the first case of using C-V2X to test autonomous vehicles in Taiwan.C-V2X, currently based on 4G MEC (multi-access edge computing) architecture, is used to provide the real-time time length of traffic lights for autonomous vehicles to have enough lead time for making driving decisions, Huang said. Image recognition of traffic lights runs the risk of misrecognition due to reflections or weather conditions, and it cannot tell how long a traffic light will last, Huang noted.Sensing devices, including LiDARs, radars and automotive cameras, have physical limitations, but 5G's low latency and high data transfer speed will allow C-V2X, copuled with edge computing, to shorten the minimum distance allowable for making response or hike the maximum running speed, Huang noted.Kingwaytek president San Huang and an autonomous vehicle being testedPhoto: Yihan Li, Digitimes, July 2020

IT companies generally believe server demand will remain robust in second-half of 2020, thanks to the persistent coronavirus pandemic. For Wistron, it is set to increase server shipments to Fujitsu, which started shifting orders to the ODM from Quanta Computer in 2019. IT firms are mixed about the outlook of the notebook market in the second half, but Acer remains optimistic. The popularity of QLC NAND-based SSDs among servers and other data-intensive devices will be rising due to a fall in NAND flash prices later in the second half of 2020.Wistron enjoys ramp-up in orders from Fujitsu: Wistron obtained orders for servers from Fujitsu in 2019, and has since seen orders ramp up, with shipments set to expand in the second half of this year, according to industry sources.Acer optimistic about notebook demand in 2H20: Acer is optimistic about its notebook sales in the second half of 2020, with abundant orders in hand waiting to be fulfilled, according to company chairman and CEO Jason Chen. The visibility of orders has now extended to 2021.Demand for QLC NAND memory set to boom: The adoption of QLC (4bits/cell) NAND memory is set to grow rapidly starting the second half of 2020, thanks to rising demand for data-intensive applications demanding large-capacity, efficient and cost-effective storage, according to industry sources.

Since IC was invented, the semiconductor industry has undergone four stages of structural changes.In the 1950s-1970s firms such as IBM and Motorola had to handle product design, fabrication and packaging all on their own. In the 1970s-1990s, production for system products and semiconductors was separated. And since the 1990s, IC design, wafer foundry and backend segments have been operating separately. This is basically how the semiconductor industry works today. But starting in 2010, the line of division has been blurred again, with foundry also doing packaging work. TSMC has been able to beat Samsung to Apple's chip orders partly thanks to its packaging tenolohy.With the line blurred, competitiveness will hinge on one's capability of forming with core clients new ecosystems.

It is uncertain how strong the stay-at-home demand for notebook devices will remain in the second half of 2020, but sources from the supply chain have claimed that Apple is set to increase its new MacBook Pro orders in late third-quarter 2020. Taiwanese PCB suppliers also expect strong shipments to the notebook and server sectors in the third quarter. Memory maker Nanya Technology also expects a ramp-up in revenues generated from the server sector.Apple to see over 20% on-quarter growth in 3Q20 notebook shipments: Apple is set to significantly increase its new MacBook Pro orders in late third-quarter 2020 and will see its overall MacBook shipments rise over 20% sequentially in the third quarter, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.Notebook, server PCB shipments to stay robust in 3Q20: Taiwan's rigid PCB makers Tripod Technology, HannStar Board and Gold Circuit Electronics (GEC), after registering significant revenue increases in the second quarter of 2020 on strong shipments for notebook and server applications, are optimistic that their shipments for the third quarter will remain strong with abundant orders in hand waiting to be fulfilled, according to industry sources.Nanya steps up process technology transition: Taiwan-based Nanya Technology is looking to move its in-house developed first-generation 10nm process technology to risk production later this year, and is engaged in the development of its second-generation 10nm process that may be ready for production slightly ahead of schedule, according to the DRAM chipmaker.

ODMs generally expect notebook shipments to drop sequentially in third-quarter 2020 after a wave of robust demand in the previous quarter in the wake of surging pandemic-triggered stay-at-home needs. But Quanta Computer will be an exception, as its notebook shipments will continue to rise, driven by strong orders for Chromebooks. Beneficiaries of the stay-at-home needs also include Asustek and Gigabyte, the former recording a 30% rise in second-quarter 2020 sales thanks to strong sales for PC-related products, and the latter hitting records sales for the period due to strong demand from the server sector. Display panel makers have also been receiving a boost from robust orders for IT applications.Quanta to see shipment growth in 3Q20 thanks to Chromebooks: Quanta Computer expects its notebook shipments to grow sequentially in the third quarter and may be the only ODM to see increases with Chromebooks being the key growth driver.Asustek 2Q20 revenues surge nearly 30%, Gigabyte hits record: Asustek Computer saw its revenues increase nearly 30% on year in the second quarter of 2020, while fellow motherboard and graphics card vendor Gigabyte Technology's revenues climbed to a quarterly high.LCD panel makers poised for strong sales in 3Q20: Having experienced sequential revenue growth in the second quarter of 2020, most Taiwan's flat panel makers are poised to enjoy further growth in the third quarter, buoyed by strong demand for IT panels as well as rising TV panel prices, according to industry sources.

VR device developer XRSpace and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) have jointly develop a virtual exhibition platform based on 5G and XR technologies in a bid to help vendors tap international markets.The platform includes 3D scenarios, exhibited objects, virtual exhibition staff members, meetings and tools for remote communications, said XRSpace founder Peter Chou, who was HTC's CEO.TAITRA chairman James Huang said his council will help Taiwan makers in digital transformation and aims to become a leader in digital international marketing.XRSpace uses XR, AI, cloud computing, computer vision and gaming technologies to create animations and VR social scenarios.XRSpace has recently introduced XRSpace Manova, a 5G-based mobile VR device equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. The device is driven by gestures without control devices.TAITRA chairman James Huang (left) and XRSpace founder Peter ChouPhoto: XRSpace5G XR virtual exhibition platformPhoto: XRSpace

Jorjin Technologies has unveiled J-Reality AR smat glasses featuring 5G connectivity to enable hands-free remote collaboration, according to company chairman Tom Liang.Based on a modular design, J-Reality comes in various models separately for smart manufacturing, medical care, exhibition and online gaming, and Jorjin has cooperated with corresponding partners, including Chunghwa Telecom, Yuan Rung Hospital, Information Technology Total Services, Far East Machinery and Fun2 Studio.J-Reality can enhance audio/video entertainment experience, letting users feel like seeing a 120-inch 3D screen four meters ahead, Liang said.Jorjin's June consolidated revenues reached NT$23.5 million (US$792,000), shrinking 2.92% sequentially and 30.62% on year. Consolidated sales of NT$81.6 million for second-quarter 2020 grew 43.01% sequentially but dropped 33.64% on year, and those of NT$138.6 million for January-June declined 48.15% annually.Jorjin's J-Reality AR smart glasses Photo: Vincent Mao, Digitimes, July 2020

The outlook for the handset market in second-half 2020 remains highly uncertain and messages coming from the supply chain have been rather mixed. Samsung's upstream partners have disclosed that Samsung is rather cautious about placing components orders for its soon-to-be released Galaxy Note 20 5G devices. Handset mainboard and CCL suppliers still expect seasonal demand to pick up, with good order visibility from Apple for 5G iPhones, though Chinese clients have yet to provide them with shipment estimates for the second half.Samsung cautious about placing component orders for Note 20 5G lineup: Samsung Electronics appears to have become cautious about placing component orders for its upcoming Galaxy Note 20 5G lineup, showing concerns about the prospects of the global smartphone market amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to sources from Taiwan's handset supply chain.Handset mainboard makers still expect seasonal demand to pick up in 2H20: Handset mainboard makers such as Compeq Manufacturing and CCL suppliers including Elite Material (EMC) still expect a pick up in seasonal demand in the second half of 2020 with better visibility for shipments to Apple, though Chinese vendors have yet to provide clear estimates for their demand, according to industry sources.FPCB makers building new capacity in 2H20 for 5G iPhones: Taiwan's flexible PCB makers Zhen Ding Technology and Flexium Interconnect, and flexible CCL supplier Taiflex Scientific are all gearing up to ready new capacity in the second half of 2020 to support shipments for new iPhones, according to industry sources.

The penetration of mmWave in the 5G market will be slower than expected. MediaTek reportedly has decided to push back its launch of mmWave 5G SoC lineup to 2021, with Chinese handset vendors now mainly focusing on sub-6GHz. It remains to be seen how strong the demand for 5G smartphones will be in second-half 2020, and memory chip prices may fall if smartphone sales disappoint. But the notebook market remains robust thanks to the stay-at-home economy. Notebook battery makers have clear order visibility for the third quarter.MediaTek to push back launch of mmWave 5G chips: MediaTek has decided to push back the launch of its mmWave 5G SoC lineup to 2021, with mass production unlikely to take place until the second half of next year, according to industry sources.Memory prices may fall if smartphone sales disappoint in 2H20: DRAM and NAND flash memory prices will turn weak and start falling over the next two to three quarters, if smartphone sales buck seasonal trends and disappoint in the second half of 2020, according to industry sources.Notebook battery demand remains robust: Taiwan-based notebook battery module makers Simplo Technology, Dynapack International Technology and Celxpert Energy continue to enjoy better-than-expected orders from their notebook clients, according to industry sources.

Though there is still uncertainty lying ahead because of the coronavirus pandemic, fabless IC designers are still anticipating a seasonal pick-up in demand from end market segments includign 5G phones. The IC designers are requesting more capacity support from their foundry service suppliers. And 5G infastructure construction in China is boosting shipments of optical components from Taiwanese makers. For passive components maker Yageo, sales in second-quarter 2020 rose thanks to improved utilization rates at its China plants.Major Taiwan fabless firms strive for more foundry support: Taiwan's first-tier IC design houses, such as MediaTek, have demanded more capacity support from their foundry partners recently, according to industry sources.Optical component makers see increased shipments for 5G: Taiwan-based optical component suppliers have seen shipments for 5G base station and other applications start gaining momentum thanks to an acceleration of 5G infrastructure construction in China, according to industry sources.Yageo posts over 30% revenue increase in 2Q20: Passive components maker Yageo saw its second-quarter revenues climb 34.4% sequentially to NT$13.47 billion (US$457.7 million), thanks mainly to improvement in factory utilization rates in China.