Fukuoka City's population exceeded 1.63 million last year, making it one of the few cities that continues to grow in Japan, a society with a declining population. The city has a high ratio of young people and women and has a reputation for being a livable city, with 96.2% of citizens answering that it is "easy to live in" in the 2022 Citizen's Opinion Survey.Fukuoka City is also Japan's westernmost major city and the largest city in Kyushu, which is close to Taiwan. Because of its geographical and historical ties to the rest of Asia, the city is also focusing on accepting overseas businesses that wish to expand, particularly from Asia. In this issue, we will focus on Fukuoka's measures for business expansion from overseas among the many initiatives it has to offer.Support for Companies Expanding into Fukuoka CityFukuoka City is a compact city with a high quality of life. It is surrounded by rich nature, such as the ocean and mountains, yet the airport and the Shinkansen (bullet train) station are within 5 minutes of the city center, making it possible to achieve a high quality of life.The city attracts global attention as a business hub in Asia, and the number of companies with innovative technology, including asset management and Fintech, is increasing year by year. For foreign companies based in Tokyo, Fukuoka City is becoming a popular choice for BCP sites in the event of a major disaster.With TSMC's expansion into neighboring Kumamoto, Taiwanese semiconductor companies have established bases in Fukuoka, and E.Sun Bank has chosen Fukuoka for its second branch after Tokyo.The number of people moving to Fukuoka City is expected to increase in the coming years, while more companies, including semiconductor companies, will set up R&D and sales offices or move their headquarter functions to the city. In light of this, we are expanding our support services and further promoting business attraction activities. Our one-stop service offers such comprehensive support as office searches that make the most of the city's compactness, business matching, and other related services. The city also has a subsidy program for foreign companies that do B2B business and are first-time entrants to Japan.URL: https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/keizai/k-yuchi/business/kigyouritti.htmlSupport for StartupsFukuoka City began to focus on startup-support after declaring itself "Startup City Fukuoka" in 2012. The city has been designated by Japan's national government as a National strategic Special Zone for Global Startups and Job Creation, and by deregulating national measures, such as tax reduction for startup and startup visa, in combination with its own unique measures, the city supports talented startups from overseas who want to establish a business in Japan to expand into Fukuoka City.Fukuoka City also is home to the Global Startup Center (GSC) support organization. The GSC is a place where English-speakers can have full access to the resources and information they need; they do not simply just translate relevant documents into a language the founder understands, but they also provide comprehensive support, including startup visas and help to make the connections necessary to establish their businesses.After a business has been established, Fukuoka City also provides an environment for foreigners to start their businesses through a variety of support services, including providing of office spaces at the startup support facility Fukuoka Growth Next and the operation of incubation programs.URL: https://startupcafe.jp/support/global-startup-center/Fukuoka Smart East: the Smart City InitiativeFukuoka City is promoting Fukuoka Smart East, a project to create a model smart city to be proud of in the future. The project aims for sustainable development by using cutting-edge technologies and innovative ideas to solve various social issues, such as declining birthrates, aging societies, and climate change.The first step towards achieving the goals of Fukuoka Smart East is urban development in the Hakozaki area, where the former campus of Kyushu University was located. The area is a vast 500,000 m2 and only takes 10 minutes from the airport, making it an extremely convenient location.The participation of innovative companies with cutting-edge technology is essential to achieving this project; however, the former campus site is currently a vacant lot, and it will take several years to develop the town. We are now conducting PoC demonstration experiments in collaboration with innovative companies that have expressed interest in the urban development of Hakozaki. City and related organizations are providing various support for the implementation of the demonstrations, including management consultations, setting up the site, and recruiting monitors.URL: https://en.smartcity.fukuoka.jp/To all companies thinking of expanding into Japan, Fukuoka City is ready to encourage you to establish a new office, start a new business, or conduct a demonstration experiment! Feel free to contact us at the e-mail address below!E-mail: smart@city.fukuoka.lg.jp

Avalue Technology Inc. (TAIEX: 3479-TW), a Titanium member of the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance, endeavors to provide a complete range of smart retail, smart healthcare, smart manufacturing, smart transportation and embedded solutions.Lightweight, thin and compact, the rugged industrial PC NUC-EHL launched by Avalue Technology, a global industrial PC solution provider, is equipped with excellent performance and rapid response, making it suitable for use in factories, warehouses, public service, retail and finance. It is especially ideal for application devices, such as automated products, interactive multimedia kiosk and digital signage, which have flourished in the wake of the pandemic. Being thin and lightweight, highly expandable, Avalue industrial-grade NUC-EHL box PC has excellent performance and responsiveness, and fast and reliable transmission, making it the most sophisticated and comprehensive solution for deployment anytime, anywhere.Powered by 4-core Intel Elkhart Lake Celeron processor to ensure high performance computing and 4K display resolutions, Avalue NUC-EHL industrial-grade rugged system is equipped with up to 32GB 3200MHz DDR4, a wide variety of I/O ports, 2.5GbE Ethernet, USB3.2, and high-speed M.2 slot. Being only 3.6cm in thickness makes the NUC-EHL highly space-efficient, and its compact size and 10W power consumption allows it to disperse heat fast, making it suitable for long hours of operation. NUC-EHL offers IP40 protection against dust and insects, passes 55G shock test and 5G vibration test, and is equipped with Kensington Lock and TPM2.0 to ensure security both the system hardware and data. There are three options available to install NUC-EHL box PC, including desktop stand, wall mount and DIN rail. Given its small size, easy installation, highly expandable I/O interfaces, flexible storage design and high-resolution display, as well as high speed and stable connectivity, it is perfect for IoT applications which need real-time feedback, and retail industry, self-service kiosk and digital signage, and smart access control and video surveillance for offices.NUC-EHL Features:l Intel Elkhart Lake Celeron Processor J6412l Single DRAM Socket, Max. Up to 32GB DDR4 3200MHzl Rich I/O, 2-COM, 2-HDMI, 2-LAN (2.5GbE), 6-USB3.0, Micro SD slot, Kensington Lockl Fanless operating from 0~60°Cl On Board TPM 2.0l Default Table Standl IP40, HDMI2.0b, CE/FCC Class B certificated.Visit www.avalue.com.tw for more information on Avalue products, or contact sales@avalue.com.tw to talk to our sales team.

DEKRA, a German certification body, issued ISO 26262 ASIL-B Functional Safety Process Certification to Lextar, a leading manufacturer of LED packages and modules under Ennostar. This certification strengthens the quality and accreditation of automotive interior and exterior automotive lighting, in-cabin and exterior displays, automotive backlight, sensing, and LED-related products. Lextar, a subsidiary of Ennostar, has been dedicated to providing automotive solutions in line with international automotive development processes and management systems.Terry Tang (left) Chairman and President of Lextar and Aaron Lee (right), Managing Director of DEKRA TaiwanISO 26262 is a globally recognized automotive functional safety standard that applies to the entire product life cycle of electrical and electronic components in the automotive industry, from initial safety concept, system development, software and hardware development to production, operation, maintenance, and scrapping. Its main purpose is to ensure driving safety in case of failures in electronic parts and components and systems, so it is regarded as one of the basic requirements for suppliers to enter the automotive supply chain. ASIL (Automotive Safety Integration Level) is a risk classification system defined by the ISO 26262 standard. There are four levels - A, B, C, and D - with ASIL D being the strictest level of development process.Lextar has established a strong foothold in the automotive market over the long term. With the flourishing development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving, and smart vehicles, the utilization of LEDs has experienced a significant upsurge. Leveraging their extensive research and development technologies to elevate product performance and quality, Lextar is actively expanding its presence in the automotive sector. By adhering to rigorous automotive standards and certification, the company is crafting standardized design and manufacturing processes, along with comprehensive services. This strategic approach is geared towards delivering automotive solutions that precisely cater to market demands, such as interior and exterior automotive lighting, in-cabin and exterior displays, automotive backlight, as well as automotive sensing components for Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS).Lextar holds safety as an indispensable prerequisite when producing automotive electronic components. Their focus lies in creating an integrated and secure as well as comfortable in-vehicle environment, with the paramount goal of protecting the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. The establishment of a functional safety process framework is a vital element of their strategy. The recent reception of the ISO 26262 Functional Safety ASIL-B certification from DEKRA signifies that Lextar is making multi-faceted contributions in the automotive sector that aligns with international automotive development processes and management systems. Through the incorporation of advanced technological development capabilities and the implementation of the functional safety system, the company guarantees meticulous quality control to ensure that their automotive products work to the certified safety risk standards. Consequently, they are able to offer highly reliable, safe automotive products and committed to creating better smart cockpit experience. Lextar also showcases their capability from the certification in collaborating with European and American automakers and Tier 1 suppliers.Mr. Aaron Lee, Managing Director of DEKRA Taiwan, expressed that in recent years, advanced smart automotive electronic products have emerged as the primary trend in the automotive industry. These products have pushed the needs for higher safety requirements, and this is where ISO 26262 comes into play to aid automotive electronics manufacturers in boosting their development in functional safety. We are honored to witness Lextar successfully obtaining this certification and receiving the ISO 26262:2018 Automotive Functional Safety ASIL B Product Certification from DEKRA. This achievement further highlights Lextar's competitiveness in the automotive market. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Lextar in various domains in the future, working jointly to bolster the development of safety in the automotive industry.The automotive industry is rapidly edging towards electrification, autonomous driving, and connectivity, and in turn drives the need for more advanced electronics and safety assistance systems mounted on future cars. Accordingly, safety is of critical priority when it comes to design and development. ISO 26262 Functional Safety has always been key to automakers and suppliers. To be certified by ISO 26262 standards means to secure the ticket to the market for the automotive players. As an internationally renowned testing, inspection, and certification service provider, DEKRA excels in providing a suite of integrated solutions for the automotive industry supply chain, in the implementation of ISO 26262, ISO 21434, Automotive SPICE, and Cyber-Security processes. Moreover, DEKRA offers an array of testing and international certification services encompassing areas such as EMC, RF, 5G, V2X, wireless technology, electrical safety, functional safety, reliability verification, and more.

Veeam Software, the leader in Data Protection and Ransomware Recovery, has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the Leaders quadrant of the 2023 Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Backup and Recovery Solutions. This is the seventh consecutive time Gartner has recognized Veeam as a Magic Quadrant Leader and the fourth consecutive year Veeam is positioned highest for ability to execute, which we believe is a testament to why enterprises choose Veeam.Veeam is the #1 provider worldwide in the Data Replication & Protection software market according to the IDC Semiannual Software Tracker 2H22.[i]"Veeam continues to deliver the highest product standards and trust to our 450,000 customers as we work together to ensure their business resilience and rapid recovery from ransomware and cyber-attacks," said Anand Eswaran, CEO at Veeam. "As part of the recent launch of Veeam Data Platform and our focus on data protection and ransomware recovery, Veeam has released close to 30 product updates in the past 12 months, with nearly 1,000 new product features and enhancements – a result of our collaboration with partners and customers and our relentless drive to deliver the technology solutions they need to keep their businesses running."The Veeam Data Platform delivers more advanced data security, recovery and hybrid cloud capabilities across the entire IT environment – Multi-Cloud, Virtual, Hybrid, Physical, SaaS (M365, Salesforce) and Kubernetes. Veeam Backup & Replication v12, the foundation for the Veeam Data Platform, provides best-in-class secure backup and fast reliable recovery from every cyber threat including ransomware, to keep businesses resilient and running. Through this platform approach, every environment, however complex, can be secured and recovered rapidly when it counts most, defeating ransomware attacks and ensuring maximum efficiency and reliability for businesses of all sizes.Magic Quadrant reports are a culmination of rigorous, fact-based research in specific markets, providing a wide-angle view of the relative positions of the providers in markets where growth is high and provider differentiation is distinct. Providers are positioned into four quadrants: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries and Niche Players. The report included analysis of 14 enterprise data backup and recovery solutions vendors. Access the full report here: https://www.veeam.com/gartner-magic-quadrant.html.Additional resources*Blog: https://www.veeam.com/blog/leader-gartner-magic-quadrant.html*https://www.veeam.com/gartner-magic-quadrant.html[i] IDC's Worldwide Semiannual Software Tracker, 2022H2 for Data Replication & Protection software

OMNIVISION, a leading global developer of semiconductor solutions, including advanced digital imaging, analog and touch & display technology, and iCatch Technology, a leading AI image processing IC design company, announced today a strategic collaboration to introduce a color pre-roll feature into the home security camera market. With pre-roll enabled users can save up to four seconds of video footage prior to the camera's motion detector triggering.The partnership involves integrating OMNIVISION's OA07600 ultra-low-power, always-on video co-processor with a pre-roll recording buffer and iCatch Technology's Vi57 artificial intelligence (AI) imaging system-on-chip (SoC) to enable continuous storage of pre-event color video footage. This integrated chipset delivers an innovative video doorbell solution that offers exceptional traceability and visibility during any triggering event.Pre-roll video doorbell scenarioPhoto: iCatch TechnologyiCatch Technology's Vi57 is an imaging SoC with ultra-fast capture and edge AI capability to improve the general usability of video doorbells. Taking the pre-roll footage from OMNIVISION's OA07600 co-processor, Vi57 SoC can seamlessly combine it with post-event footage into one video with minimal data loss. Moreover, with state-of-the-art image processing, the Vi57 SoC is capable of providing high-quality video in full color, even under extreme low-light conditions. With this innovation, color information can be utilized to provide users with a better understanding and enhanced traceability of the incident."We are thrilled to collaborate with OMNIVISION to integrate their advanced color pre-roll solution for the video doorbell market," said Weber Hsu, CEO of iCatch Technology. "By combining OMNIVISION's OA07600 video co-processor with our Vi57 AI imaging SoC, we are closing the gap of the user experience between wired and wireless home security cameras, offering both ease of installation and incident traceability at the same time."David Ho, Technical Director of Product Management at OMNIVISION, added, "The OA07600 is the industry's first ultra-low-power, always-on video co-processor with pre-roll. Our unique low-power design of the OA07600 makes it possible for the first time to bring high-quality pre-roll video into battery-powered systems. We are excited to partner with iCatch Technology to integrate the OA07600 with their Vi57 SoC and bring a new level of performance to wireless home security camera OEMs."The cooperation between iCatch Technology and OMNIVISION ensures that a battery-powered video doorbell with the color pre-roll feature delivers an enhanced user experience and elevates the security standard of the video doorbell to new heights. This color pre-roll video doorbell solution jointly developed by iCatch Technology and OMNIVISION is in mass production now and available for customer engagement. For more information, contact iCatch through their website.

Over its 25-year history, Prosemi has become a trusted source for testing electronic components among some of the world's largest CEMs and OEMs. As the largest test house in Southeast Asia, Prosemi is equipped to address the risks of counterfeit electronic and substandard components, which pose significant risks to the electronics industry, as they may compromise the functionality, reliability, and safety of devices. To go beyond baseline testing and assessment, Prosemi invests in the latest quality solutions and technology, as well as various certifications, to set the highest standards. This is where the C-mode scanning acoustic microscopy (C-SAM) tool is largely beneficial for customers concerned with defective, cloned, renewed, or recycled parts.Deploying the C-SAM ToolTo address the risks in the market, the industry has developed several standardized testing methods, which include destructive analysis. Destructive analysis is particularly effective in the recycled and remarked areas. One way to conduct an analysis is with C-SAM, a destructive testing tool where parts are submerged in deionized water.C-SAM ToolHow C-SAM WorksC-SAM utilizes high-frequency ultrasound waves to inspect and create images of the internal structures of samples, providing valuable insights into their properties. This technique is commonly used for quality control and failure analysis in numerous industries, including electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, and materials science. It is particularly valuable for counterfeit analysis due to its ability to identify anomalies and inconsistencies in the packaging and construction of semiconductor components.By using C-SAM, the internal structure of the packaged semiconductor can be visualized without physically opening them. The tool tests for internal voids or delamination between molding to die and molding to lead frames. By comparing these images with known authentic components, any deviations or irregularities can be identified, indicating potential counterfeiting.Delamination occurs when different layers within a semiconductor package separate. Through C-SAM, cracks, voids, or delamination between the die and die paddle can be detected, indicating potential repackaging or improper assembly, or handling or storage issues. These delamination problems are often found in counterfeit devices that have undergone improper handling or rework, particularly with recycled parts from printed circuit boards (PCBs).Prosemi's Commitment to Authentication and Quality AssuranceProsemi's acquisition of a high-end C-SAM machine and extensive expertise represents a significant advancement in authenticating electronic components and ensuring top-quality assurance. The company's commitment to unique value propositions and innovative approaches have been recognized with the prestigious Manufacturing Technology award that Prosemi recently received at the SBR (Singapore Business Review) National Business Awards, recognizing its exceptional in-house electrical testing solutions.Combining the C-SAM tool with the addition of IDEA-STD-1010, and leveraging other cutting-edge equipment like Scanning Electron Microscope, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, electrical functional, and JTAG boundary scanning test solutions, Prosemi confidently positions itself as a leader in driving advancements and shaping the future of testing methodologies and solidifies its prominent standing within the industry.Are you worried about the authenticity of electronic components? Get in touch with Prosemi today.Prosemi has built a reputation among the world's largest CMs and OEMs for testing electronic components and providing baking, tape and reel, and IC programming services. Prosemi's world-class services are driven by their commitment to quality, extensive industry experience and exceptional technical capabilities. Learn more about Prosemi's quality program and view current certifications here.

The 2023 AWS Summit Taiwan was held on August 2 at the Nangang Exhibition Center II. As a leading cloud computing platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS) invited renowned music DJ Dennis and approximately 2,000 people to witness AWS's prowess. They showcased on-the-spot improvisation of a rap single titled "Taiwan Way" using "KKLab Lyricist.ai," a generative AI tool powered by AWS. The lyrics were creatively written to include popular night market delicacies like stinky tofu, oyster omelet, fried chicken cutlet, and many more. They showcased a fun-filled and smooth flow of rhymes, including single- and double-syllable rhymes, which left the entire audience in awe!AI lyricist composes rap about night market snacks in five secondsDJ Dennis kicked off the event by jokingly proposing to submit AWS generative AI to compete for Best Lyricist in 2024 Golden Melody Awards. He then led over 2,000 audience members to list out keywords representing iconic Taiwanese snacks, including stinky tofu, oyster omelet, fried chicken cutlet, Taiwanese sausage with sticky rice, bubble tea, danzai noodles, popcorn chicken, sweet potato balls, and other beloved local delicacies. The most frequently mentioned snack names were then entered into KKLab Lyricist.ai, and in just three to five seconds, a rap song simulating man-made lyrics was generated. Infused with the snack names, situational references, and rhymes, such as "Crispily-fried, oh mine," "Taiwanese delicacies, very fine," "Stinky tofu, keep my love in line," these lyrics were robust and coherent.The event also invited two talented young singers, Jocelyn 9.4.0 and CED, to perform the freshly AI-generated rap song, "Taiwan Way." The stage was lit and it instantly became a new song release event, celebrating the Taiwanese hip-hop style and local gourmet.Empowered by AWS machine learning technology, AI generates "poetry, context, and ambience"Several guests of the event with technical backgrounds pointed out that the AI-generated rap lyrics sounded surprisingly man-made. The verbs and adjectives used to describe the food were accurate, and they could hardly be associated with a mere stacking of texts. To achieve such idiomatic and coherent lyric generation, the credit should undoubtedly go to AWS' generative AI technology.To create natural language processing (NLP) applications, it is necessary to tokenize vast amounts of training data. Tokenization involves breaking down massive amounts of words in texts into smaller units known as tokens, and transforming unstructured data into sequential data that can be interpreted by machine learning models. By leveraging deep learning techniques in neural networks, the model can track the relationships within the sequential data, learn the context and meaning between words, and generate relevant textual content rapidly based on the provided prompts.KKLab trains its AI model with millions of heterogeneous text data, which include popular song lyrics, classical poems, and articles from various genres in the Chinese language. As a result, KKLab Lyricist.ai can generate texts in diverse styles, with a focus on "poetry, context, and ambience," as well as good choices of words, word combinations, and phrases. The complexity of this process demands immensely powerful GPU hardware capabilities, and a data pipeline that offers stability, flexibility, and efficient execution. To meet such stringent requirements, KKLab has chosen to leverage AWS machine learning services.AWS generative AI technology: top ally of content creatorsThrough AWS generative AI technology, the text quality and quantity of generative AIs currently available in the market can be significantly improved, thereby assisting content creators in producing better works. KKLab's Lyricist.ai is a well-trained AI that is able to empower music creators by generating sentences with much contextual variation based on specified themes. It allows lyricists to find more inspiration. It can also aid copywriters of social media or e-commerce platforms to effortlessly produce well-rhymed works. Once a mere product of imagination, this awe-inspiring generative AI tool has turned imagination into real applications. As a reliable partner for AI startups, AWS is proud to be an ally of content creators.

With ESG now in full force, governments and enterprises are looking to increase their use of green energy so as to achieve true net-zero carbon emissions. Apart from developing better ways to generate renewable energy, storage is also crucial. This has spurred discussion of developmental possibilities for verification and testing of energy storage systems (ESS). On that point, Chroma ATE recently held a seminar on "Mastering EV/Energy Storage Testing Technology: Moving Towards Energy Sustainability," to discuss this issue from multiple perspectives, i.e. industry trends, test and measurement technology, and energy sustainability.@Energy storage systems and the renewable energy grid: undeniably interdependent and importantChroma ATE especially invited Joe Lin, general manager of AnTek Certification Inc. (ATC) to share his thoughts on the topic of "energy storage system standards and trends." Lin cited research data stating that Taiwan's energy storage market is expected to exceed NT$20 billion in 2023 and NT$250 billion by 2030, showing the astounding business opportunities in this market. Lin also brought up what happened in Australia in 2016 as an example, as tornadoes caused major blackouts leaving thousands of homes without power. Thanks to its rapid establishment of ESS in 2017, Australia saved itself from subsequent blackouts. It is easy to see how the existence of the ESS contributes to the resilience of the renewable energy grid. And to take the concept a step further, we see how it can achieve other functions for the grid, such as frequency regulation, peak load shifting, or dealing with short-term supply and demand imbalances.Jason Lin, Chroma ATE's deputy product manager, reinforced Joe Lin's remarks by further analyzing the composition of energy storage systems. Generally, these systems can be divided into three subsystems: the controller (control box), rack controller (string BMS) and battery module (including module BMS). Chroma ATE also observed that although energy storage systems show a fairly clear growth trend, the battery management systems (BMS) for energy storage are not as good as those for electric vehicles (EV). EV manufacturers have turned out to be quite dominant in this segment. Still, there is currently no obvious leader in energy storage BMS products, and competition is fierce.@As energy storage BMS voltage moves towards 1500V, adjustments must be made to meet verification standardsCurrent energy storage systems mostly operate at 1000V, but in recent years, the market has seen the voltage limit raised to 1500V. This increased voltage has further driven the overall power density in the same 40-foot container up to 35%, bringing with it some reductions in system costs and even improved control over land costs. Jason Lin observes that at the recent China International Battery Fair (CIBF), they actually saw many industry operators exceeding 1000V.While it is true that a 1500V energy storage system offers effective overall cost control, it also presents its own challenges. One such challenge is that the insulation design of the battery system must be improved to withstand harsh use environments. With the increased number of battery cells in the 1500V system, now totaling over 400 from the previous 300, maintaining cell consistency becomes all the more crucial. In addition, most systems in the market have been based on 1000V, so the experience of most operators is also limited to 1000V. After the systems are upgraded to 1500V, the entire BMS system and control system must be re-adjusted and operational experience must be accumulated anew. Only when the 1500V system is safe can it contribute to the sustainable development of the energy storage industry. According to Jason Lin's analysis, as early as 2020, the revised IEC 63056 had already specified safety requirements and tests for lithium secondary cells and batteries used in energy storage with a maximum DC voltage of 1500V. Such specifications give the industry a basic direction to follow. In addition, for lithium secondary cells and batteries used in industrial applications, IEC 62619 addresses safety requirements, while IEC 62620 specifies a series of tests for performance and durability. Other specifications include UL 9540 and UL 1973, which provide tests for a series of items such as environmental and physical conditions.@PCS and AFC technologies are key, and their test specifications should not be overlookedEvan Tsai, Chroma ATE's product director, gave a detailed classification of energy storage systems on the market. One example is the ESS used in campers, which have power of about 2kW or less and operate at voltages below 100V. Generally, residential systems are below 30kW, with voltage ranging between 300 and 800V. In industrial and commercial use, power is below 500kW and voltage is 1000V. The 1500V systems described earlier make up the level used in the power grid. Tsai also highlighted many of Chroma ATE's solutions, such as Chroma's Bidirectional DC Power Supply Model 62000D Series, capable of providing a maximum output voltage of 1800V with power ratings up to 540kW. It also supports automotive testing standards LV 148 and LV 123.In addition, when discussing energy storage, one is bound to mention inverter systems, or what are known as power conversion systems (PCS). Tsai says that relevant test items can be divided into three categories: grid-tied performance, input and output characteristics, and protection characteristics, totaling 23 test items. Chroma ATE offers a complete testing guide for industry reference and provides the equipment customers need for testing.Jason Lin added that automatic frequency control (AFC) is an issue often encountered in Taiwan's energy storage market. AFC capitalizes on the advantages of fast charge-discharge of energy storage systems, allowing the ESS to actively adjust charging and discharging in response to the fluctuating load of the power system. This helps maintain a stable power system frequency, and is suitable for power systems that use a high proportion of renewable energy. Lin emphasized, however, that the key behind the performance of such technology in terms of service performance measure (SPM) and average service performance measure (ASPM), is still determined by battery performance. For this also, an array of test items and equipment is available.Overall, under the impetus of renewable energy and ESG, there is marked development in the power grid system and low-power ESS markets. This has created a growing demand for measurement and verification, while also requiring a balance between safety and performance. Specifications are already in place and available for industry reference. As test and measurement equipment plays an indispensable role in all this, Chroma ATE will be right at home at the forefront of this market.Visit Chroma for more information: https://www.chromaate.com/Chroma ATE recently held a seminar on "Mastering EV/Energy Storage Testing Technology: Moving Towards Energy Sustainability," to discuss this issue from multiple perspectives, i.e. industry trends, test and measurement technology, and energy sustainabilityPhoto: Chroma

Chroma ATE Inc. (Chroma) recently held a seminar on electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage testing technologies. Reflecting on industry trends and measurement techniques, Leo Huang, Chairman of Chroma, said, "Chroma has been established for nearly 40 years. Throughout this time, power electronics testing has always been the most important and successful field for Chroma's development. From power testing for information and communications technology (ICT) products to aviation-related products, Chroma's instruments are capable of testing a wide spectrum of devices. About 15 years ago, our collaboration with a well-known American EV manufacturer opened the gateway for Chroma to enter the EV industry." With the increasing importance of net-zero carbon emissions, and driven by proactive efforts from governments worldwide, EVs have become an important application field that will continue to grow this year. As with traditional fuel vehicles, protecting the safety of EV passengers and drivers is a paramount concern. This need for safety in turn heightens the importance of EV testing, which has prompted Chroma to develop a comprehensive range of EV test solutions.To Meet Changing Demands for Charging, Chroma and ITRI Provide a Comprehensive Test SolutionJason Chen, Senior Manager at Chroma, continued by noting that the most widely known standard in the market is the functional safety standard ISO 26262, which has been in place for quite some time now. The standard is also applicable to fuel vehicles, and as the world embarks into the age of electric cars, it will grow even more important. In this regard, Chen specifically mentioned the concept of PHIL (power hardware-in-the-loop). PHIL is essentially a semi-simulation system that is quite suitable for testing the electronic control unit (ECU) of EVs. Even though in the past there was hardly any demand for high-power system testing for fuel vehicles, this has changed with the advent of EVs. This is why Chroma utilizes test equipment to simulate high-power output/input behavior related to the entire vehicle, so as to run practical tests with high voltages and currents. Besides battery module testing, Chroma provides test systems for a wide range of applications, from AC/DC charging stations, motor drivers, OBC/DC-DC converters, to even the battery pack itself. These systems can all be adjusted to accommodate different testing conditions based on specific requirements.Echoing Chen's remarks, Steve Cheng, Deputy Product Manager at Chroma, shared more insight into EV charging specifications. Based on Cheng's observations, the design of on-board chargers (OBCs) will evolve towards bidirectional charging/discharging capabilities. Furthermore, due to future demands, the alternating current (AC) charging power will also be upgraded from the mainstream 11kW to 22kW, with voltages exceeding 600V. As for the direct current (DC) power range, it will be divided into different levels, namely 240kW, 360kW and 480kW.Dr. Kao-Hone Chu from the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) explained the importance of charging communication by elaborating on the DC charging process of EVs and the corresponding protocol, the Combined Charging System (CCS). Dr. Chu analyzed the reasons why charging communication is so important. Firstly, it is essential for the power supply system to confirm that the recipient is an EV. Hence, communication is necessary for mutual verification. Secondly, the charging systems currently in the market are very diversified, which requires each system to possess significant operational flexibility. Through communication, parameters of both the charging infrastructure and the electric vehicle can be adjusted accordingly to achieve efficient charging functionality. Last but not least, charging communication helps prevent unnecessary accidents from occurring.As for testing, compatibility testing with multiple brands and manufacturers is quite a challenge. In the early stages of EV market development, less time was spent on compatibility testing due to fewer available models and brands. Due to the increase in the number of vehicles and brands, even with the use of communication compatibility testing, the process remains time-consuming. Therefore, adopting automated testing is a more efficient approach. That's why ITRI has sought assistance from Chroma to develop an automated test system. This solution eliminates the need for physical vehicle testing. Additionally, it allows the adoption of various abnormal conditions when performing validation, which is currently a common scenario in the collaboration between ITRI and Chroma.@To Accelerate the Development of Battery Management Systems, Test Automation is InevitableJason Lin, Deputy Product Manager at Chroma, explained that testing the battery pack in electric vehicles can be divided by the components under test: the battery pack itself, the battery management unit (BMU), battery modules and cells, battery disconnect unit (BDU), and thermal management system. Based on Chroma's observations, the development of the battery management system (BMS) in electric vehicles is primarily led by EV manufacturers, as battery manufacturers and BMS suppliers generally need to cater to requirements defined by EV manufacturers.Lin further mentioned that the market has seen the adoption of unified diagnostic services (UDS), not only in EVs, but also in other products like electric scooters. This allows EV manufacturers to provide more convenient aftersales services. In terms of battery pack design, traditional approaches focus mainly on preventive measures, like managing parameters such as voltage and temperature, or enhancing heat dissipation capabilities. However, in recent years, flame-retardant and damage mitigation designs have been implemented to ensure that a battery pack will not combust. Flame-retardant materials have been installed in between battery cells so that if one cell experiences thermal runaway, other cells are not affected. As for damage mitigation mechanisms, fire suppression devices are installed that can directly extinguish fires in the event of cell failure. Meanwhile, passengers are also alerted to promptly evacuate the vehicle.Analyzing developing trends in testing practices, Sharman Chang, Senior Product Specialist at Chroma, noted that EVs are projected to undergo an annual growth of approximately 20% from 2020 to 2030. This signifies the increasing market demand for more batteries, which in turn leads to the emergence of automation and intelligent solutions in manufacturing and testing processes. The benefits of automation include maintaining consistent quality and optimizing throughput of the entire assembly line according to production goals of different factories. By standardizing and digitizing the testing process, automation reduces the need for manual labor and increases labor efficiency. After automated testing is performed, the data can be integrated with the manufacturing execution systems (MES) and uploaded onto the cloud to provide feedback to the product development team. Such integration will facilitate product corrections and accelerate the development process.In terms of electrical safety, Kenny Ni, Product Director of Chroma, pointed out that to prevent harm to the human body, the general electrical safety test mainly includes 4 items, which are Hi-pot/withstand voltage test, insulation resistance test, ground bond test, and leakage current test. The electrical safety standards, that are related to electric vehicles, include GB18384, UL 2580, IEC 61982, IEC 62133, IEC 62660, UL2251, IEC62196, UL2202, UL2594, IEC61851-1, and UL9540. The main testing points include: (1) between the hazardous voltage circuits and the enclosure of DUT, (2) between the hazardous voltage circuits and the accessible non-current carrying conductive parts or low-voltage circuits of the DUT, (3) between the hazardous voltage charging circuit and the charging connections, (4) between the hazardous voltage circuits and all accessible parts, (5) between the live part and the metal foil in contact with the accessible parts , and (6) between the positive/negative terminal and the accessible non-current carrying conductive parts, etc. Chroma offers a test instrument called Chroma 19032-P that can fulfill all aforementioned electrical safety test items. Different test cards are available to accommodate varying test requirements. For more testing points or complex system testing needs, Chroma 19032-P can also be integrated with automated test systems to deliver an even more comprehensive solution.All in all, Chroma has developed comprehensive test solutions for EV batteries and charging that can cater to market demand worldwide. These solutions assist customers in conducting automated testing according to various regulations, saving them time and costs. In doing so, Chroma is well-positioned to seize the immense business opportunities in the EV industry.Visit Chroma for more information: https://www.chromaate.com/Leo Huang, Chairman of Chroma, said, "Chroma has been established for nearly 40 years. Throughout this time, power electronics testing has always been the most important and successful field for Chroma's developmentPhoto: Chroma

For more than three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought an unprecedented impact on the global economy. But also, it has led to more consumers realizing that health care starts from day-to-day care. This realization has also driven rapid development of the healthcare industry. And it has led to substantial growth in health supplement and nutritional supplement. According to research by Euromonitor, the global health and nutrition supplement market will amount to US$869.7 billion in 2022, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. It also expects that by 2026, market size will exceed US$1 trillion. Growth in the Asia-Pacific market looks the most impressive. It is estimated that the Asia-Pacific market share in 2026 will exceed 30% of the global market.This massive market has attracted many manufacturers and companies. It has even created a wave of personalized nutrition supplement. "Personalized nutrition supplement services" refers to the industry providing supplement personalized according to the needs and conditions of individual consumers, which means less hassle for consumers purchasing the supplements on their own. For example, consumers not knowing which products to choose, or having trouble with bottles and containers. In recent years, companies in the United States and Taiwan have launched smart personalized health supplement services. These services let consumers use the smart evaluation system to conduct their own analyses and then order the health supplements they need based on the analysis results.Ray Ku, CEO and co-founder of Kamee, who is also a certified pharmacist, said that consumers usually face two problems when purchasing health supplement on their own. First: not knowing which health supplements are suitable for them and what nutrients they need to supplement. Each person's physical condition and lifestyle are different, and experiences of relatives and friends can really only be used as a rough reference. Second: traditional health supplement is packaged in traditional packaging. It is not just a hassle to eat, but also easy to forget to eat altogether. Products are purchased through separate channels, and packages of different sizes need to be purchased at different times. Often, they are out of date and thrown away. The popularity of personalized health supplement services among modern people is due to personalized content and the health supplement needed for a single day being pre-packaged conveniently, so buying, storing, and eating health supplement is easier. This has driven the growth of global sales of personalized health supplements by more than 20% every year, which is several times higher than the industry overall.Creates a KIHAS evaluation system; Complete personalized services in just three stepsPeople's bodies and lifestyles are all different. Kamee, which employs pharmacists, physicians, nutritionists, and software engineers, is committed to promoting technology combined with health professions. Through algorithms, data analysis, and medical experts, Kamee focuses on creating unique health solutions for each person. In addition to investing heavily in the R&D of the KIHAS assessment system, the company offers it to the public for free. Consumers can conduct assessments on the official website without registering, out of the hope that the public will better understand their own health conditions and needs.Ku pointed out that Kamee's personalized health supplement service mainly requires only three steps: assessment, recommendation, and personalization. First, body and health needs are analyzed through the KIHAS smart assessment system. Second, the system recommends a unique health supplement combination based on the smart analysis results. Third, via an all-in-one small pack, the personalized health supplement is automatically delivered every month, with 30 Kamee packs per delivery (month) and each daily pack supplying the nutrients that individual needs for the day. The combination of products and delivery cycle can also be adjusted according to current needs at any time.It is worth mentioning that Kamee's startup team has experienced pharmacists and nutritionists on its roster. In addition to that strong base in professional knowledge, it also has solid medical industry and supply chain resources. Altogether, it has a considerable competitive advantage in terms of cost and can provide top-quality products on the market at a more affordable price.Taiwan's active startup environment offers more venture capital and acceleratorsSince inception, Kamee has continuously expanded its overall business model through cooperation with the startup accelerator and VC fund SparkLabs Taiwan, located in Silicon Valley, and it has won many awards. For example, it was selected as a partner of the 2022 Google Project Hatcher and for the FINDIT 2022 Taiwan early-stage investments of the MOEA, all proving that Kamee's smart personalized health supplement service possesses great development potential.Ku said that early venture capital companies in Taiwan were less involved in the investment activities of early-stage startups, and did not become more involved until the mid or late stage. However, a lot has changed in recent years. Not only are there more venture capital companies, they are now more willing to be involved in early-stage investment. Along with strong guidance from the government, it has gained massive energy into Taiwan's start-up. In addition, the rapid development and increase from startup accelerators also assists startup teams in fundraising, management, productization, and other areas, which helps shorten time to market. The overall environment is much more active now than in the past, so they are more optimistic about Taiwan's new companies.Seeing such great results in Taiwan, Kamee continued to work on the Taiwan market in 2023. It also plans to enter overseas markets, such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the United States, and looks to capitalize on the unlimited business opportunities in the personalized health supplement service market.Kamee Box and smart personalized health supplement subscription servicePhoto: Company