Irvine, CA – Henkel recently announced that it has commercialized a semiconductor capillary underfill encapsulant to address the unique requirements of the market's most demanding advanced packages, like those used in artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) applications. Loctite Eccobond UF 9000AE protects large die within flip-chip BGA (FCBGA), high-density fan-out (HD-FO), and 2.5-D advanced packaging devices.HD-FO and 2.5-D wafer-level packaging techniques have seen significant progress in the last ten years, having achieved dramatic increases in I/O, efficiency, and performance, making them a key enabler of AI growth in the data center and at the edge. With high-density thin, large die (>40 mm x 40 mm) and substantial package body sizes (>100 mm x 100 mm), emerging AI and HPC devices for certain applications can contain more than 2,000 fine-pitch (~100 µm), low gap height (~50 µm) interconnects per die. Bump protection and warpage control are critical for device functionality and optimized package performance. However, achieving thorough bump encapsulation at flow rates that deliver coverage efficiency can be challenging, given the cutting-edge architectural complexity.Henkel has developed a brand-new capillary underfill formulation that meets the dimensional demands of highly integrated package designs. Loctite Eccobond UF 9000AE completely envelops fine-pitch, low gap height die interconnects for rigid protection against stress to deliver good electrical, moisture, and thermal reliability performance for high production yields. The material's low shrinkage and toughness provide die and underfill crack resistance, while its low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) protects against warpage. Loctite Eccobond UF 9000AE also has low resin bleed out (RBO) and forms narrow fillets, allowing the dense die integration inherent in advanced packaging techniques.Henkel Global Market Segment Head for Semiconductor Packaging Materials, Ramachandran (Ram) Trichur, acknowledges that while thorough, rugged bump protection against thermal cycling strain and mechanical damage is the highest underfill priority, processability is critical to achieving throughput and yield objectives."Loctite Eccobond UF 9000AE delivers no-voiding bump encapsulation of flip-chip BGA, Cu pillar, and other high-density interconnects, which is fundamental to preserving the value and function of these high-performance devices," Trichur says. "Notably, however, this material does so faster than our prior generation underfills, allowing for greater flow efficiency, which is an important feature for complete interconnect coverage and encapsulation across large surface areas."In internal testing versus previous generation capillary underfills, Loctite Eccobond UF 9000AE demonstrated 20% faster flow* on a 40 mm x 40 mm die, indicating that this material is compatible with even larger die sizes. Its edge-to-edge capillary flow efficiency ensures interconnect encapsulation before any material gelation, eliminating the risk of exposed bumps. So far, Loctite Eccobond UF 9000AE's performance has been validated on die as large as 50 mm x 50 mm and within packages up to 110 mm x 110 mm."The rise of AI underscores semiconductor packaging ingenuity and its ability to drive remarkable levels of computing power and cost-effective scaling alternatives to Moore's Law," Trichur says, citing the well-publicized growth of 2.5-D chip-on-wafer and 3-D advanced packages. "Henkel has been at the forefront of enabling these devices with novel semiconductor materials, and our new underfill further demonstrates our contributions to this dynamic market space."Learn more about Henkel's advanced semiconductor packaging materials at www.henkel-adheisves.com.LOCTITE® is a registered trademark of Henkel and/or its affiliates in the USA, Germany, and elsewhere.*Die size dependent. About HenkelWith its brands, innovations, and technologies, Henkel holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. The business unit Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the market for adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings. With Consumer Brands, the company holds leading positions especially in laundry & home care, and hair in many markets and categories around the world. The company's three strongest brands are Loctite, Persil, and Schwarzkopf. In fiscal 2023, Henkel reported sales of more than 21.5 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 2.6 billion euros. Henkel's preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. Sustainability has a long tradition at Henkel, and the company has a clear sustainability strategy with specific targets. Henkel was founded in 1876 and today employs a diverse team of about 48,000 people worldwide – united by a strong corporate culture, shared values, and a common purpose: "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations." More information at www.henkel.comPhoto material is available at www.henkel.com/pressContact Sebastian HinzPhone +49 211 797-85 94Email sebastian.hinz@henkel.comHenkel AG & Co. KGaA
ASUS VivoWatch is a series of smart wearable devices that serve as a comprehensive personal health management platform for users through precise physiological monitoring.In response to the needs of users, a new model in the series, the VivoWatch 6, was released in 2024, offering enhanced features. According to ASUS, the new VivoWatch continues the company's tradition of smart health watches equipped with two sets of medical-grade electrical and optical PPG sensors. The watch allows users to measure their blood pressure and ECG anytime and anywhere with just their fingertips.The device can integrate and analyze various physiological and lifestyle data and provide personalized suggestions to improve health based on AI algorithms. In addition, the watch's hardware and software functions have also been improved to meet users' long-term health management needs.Harnessing the power of technology to manage physical health has become a major trend for people and medical institutions around the world. A recent in-depth market study conducted by ASUS with nearly 1,300 users revealed that the group of people who are actively interested in their health is gradually expanding from the middle and upper age groups in the past to the lower age groups.Today, users expect wearable devices to consistently and accurately record physiological data and provide insights about their health that integrate information from their entire lives. The survey also showed that wearable devices are gaining popularity among all types of users. Even if they already own traditional devices such as blood pressure monitors, more than 80% of people are willing to opt for wearable devices that can collect physiological data at any time to get a comprehensive overview of their body condition.To meet the needs of users, the VivoWatch 6 has introduced a range of innovative functions. Firstly, body composition analysis has been added, which uses bioimpedance technology to accurately measure indicators such as body fat, water, and muscle percentage, providing more comprehensive data support for body health management.In terms of sports monitoring, the VivoWatch 6 is equipped with a high-precision dual-frequency GPS that allows outdoor sports enthusiasts to determine their position faster and more accurately, making sports records more complete and reliable. The dual-frequency GPS can also be used to track the elderly and ensure their safety.Family members can use the watch's GPS data to find out where the wearer is. In addition, the built-in fall detection function automatically sends alerts and location information to the predefined emergency contact as soon as it detects a fall so that medical assistance can be provided in the critical moments after the accident.In terms of hardware, the VivoWatch 6 has a high-resolution AMOLED display that offers an excellent viewing experience. A new physical shortcut button on the side of the watch allows users to set and access frequently used functions with a single press.At the same time, the VivoWatch 6 offers a battery life of up to 7 days with a variety of health monitoring functions turned on, which can be extended to up to 14 days in power-saving mode to ensure that users can keep an eye on the condition of their body. It is also worth mentioning that the blood pressure and ECG application software developed by ASUS has passed the TFDA medical software certification, earning users' confidence in their professional functionality.Powered by proprietary hardware and software, the VivoWatch 6 demonstrates strong potential for cloud integration. Not only can the watch support industry players in the fields of healthcare management, clinical drug research, and occupational health and safety, but the data it collects can also be seamlessly uploaded to cloud platforms, offering a wide range of applications for healthcare providers and academic research institutions.For example, medical teams can integrate the data from the VivoWatch 6 into their hospital's system to gain real-time insights into the health of their patients. In clinical pharmaceutical studies, the watch can be used to track long-term physical changes in test subjects before and after the administration of medication.In the field of occupational health and safety, the VivoWatch 6 can help management objectively assess employee fatigue and prevent occupational safety accidents. These applications fully demonstrate the potential of the VivoWatch series on the commercial market.Through intensive cooperation with various industries, the VivoWatch 6 is expected to become an important vehicle for innovative business models. For example, insurance companies can develop premium discount plans based on the personal health data provided by the watch, while health management service providers can use the device to deliver remote and customized health services, improving management efficiency and service quality.In addition, ASUS has announced that its AI Coaching Platform, which will be officially launched in October this year, will be able to integrate users' physiological data and daily life information collected by the VivoWatch 6 to build a comprehensive and in-depth database of health data. The platform will use AI algorithms to analyze users' health patterns and potential health risks and make recommendations to improve their health, taking care of users' health in every way.According to ASUS, the VivoWatch series has already shown promising results in overseas markets. In Southeast Asia, ASUS has joined hands with Thailand's renowned high-end health examination centers and elderly care providers to build an innovative model for digital healthcare services.The health examination centers use the VivoWatch to collect long-term health data of the elderly to develop personalized health management plans and use the data to promote remote care. In Spain, ASUS has partnered with local healthcare organizations to integrate the VivoWatch into a medical metaverse blueprint. Physicians can use VivoWatch's remote health monitoring capabilities to fully track changes in patients' daily physical condition and enable more accurate diagnosis and treatment.The VivoWatch 6 demonstrates ASUS' technological capabilities and innovative thinking in using technology for health management. In the future, ASUS will continue to work with partners in various fields to accelerate the implementation of the VivoWatch series into the smart healthcare ecosystem and bring more benefits to the health of the public.In terms of hardware, the VivoWatch 6 has a high-resolution AMOLED display that offers an excellent viewing experience. Credit: Asus
WebX2024 is a global Web3 conference organized and managed by CoinPost, Japan's largest cryptocurrency and Web3 media outlet.Two days opening the door to Web3 industry utilizationGiven the development of regulation, the Japanese government and major corporations attempting Web3 expansion will participate in large numbers. Centered on the theme of Web3's industrial expansion, drawing participants from around the world to gather.With approximately 180 exhibiting companies, about 250 speakers (50/50 ratio of Japanese to international sessions), and around 130 media partners, becoming the largest conference in Asia.Many major companies from globally renowned Japanese industries such as anime and gaming will be among the exhibitors, providing opportunities for interaction with global attendees.Well known DJ Steve Aoki will participate in the opening party to Kick-off WebX 2024.Well known DJ Steve Aoki will participate in the opening party to Kick-off WebX 2024Seeing the future of Web3 mass adoption in Japan- Date: August 28-29, 2024- Location: Tokyo, Japan - THE PRINCE PARK TOWER TOKYO- Organized by: CoinPost - Japan's largest Web3 and cryptocurrency mediaWith the focus on "Accelerating the Adoption and Social Implementation of Web3 Technologies," will offer opportunities for acquiring business ideas and forging connections, thereby contributing to the advancement of Web3 technologies.Why attend in person- Exclusive on-site speaker sessions: Prominent speakers from around the world, with recorded sessions available for ticket holders- Access to exhibition areas of over 180 companies outside the Web3 industry- Participation in IP and Gaming areas: Companies like Kodansha, Capcom, Toho, Square Enix, etc. will participate- Access to networking areas and events (available for Business ticket holders and above)- Participation in over 100 associated side events: complimentary taxi service to side event venues during WebXASIA TOUR and TOKYO blockchain weekASIA TOUR and TOKYO Blockchain Week1. DAO TOKYO2024 (TOKYO / JAPAN)August 21 (Wed.) - 22 (Thu.), 20242. Coinfest Asia 2024 (BALI / INDONESIA)August 22 (Thu.) - 23 (Fri.), 20243. ETHTokyo'24 (TOKYO / JAPAN)August 23 (Fri.) - 26 (Mon.), 20244. WebX2024 (TOKYO / JAPAN)August 28 (Wed.) - 29 (Thu.), 20245. Korea Blockchain Week 2024 (SEOUL / KOREA)September 1 (Sun.) - 7 (Sat.), 2024WebX featured speakers- Fumio Kishida (Japan / Prime Minister)- Masaaki TAIRA (Member of House of Representatives / Head, web3 Project Team, LDP)- Yuriko Koike (Tokyo Metropolitan Government / Governor of Tokyo)- Richard Teng (Binance / CEO)- Audrey Tang (Plurality / Taiwan's First Digital Minister, Co-founder)- Naohiko UENO (TOYOTA Blockchain Lab)- Ken Kanetomo (Konami Digital)- Kosuke Hamasaki (Sanrio - famously known for Hello Kitty)Status of the eventExclusive Discount CodeWe are offering a 20% discount code exclusively for those who have seen this release.20% Discount Link: https://events.bizzabo.com/570958/page/3518018/registration?promo=WebX_hfyrksu7[View WebX Homepage]
As the wave of smart technology sweeps across industries, leveraging digital platforms to enhance operational efficiency and innovate business models has become a key strategy for field operators to strengthen their competitiveness. DataVan, which has built a strong market reputation in the food, beverage, and retail sector through its comprehensive product line and service quality, has been actively transforming in recent years. In addition to continuing to deepen its presence in existing industries, the company is extending its product reach into the building sector. Chih-Cheng Yu, General Manager of DataVan, pointed out that DataVan is one of the few companies in Taiwan that boasts of dual expertise in technology and architecture. Moving forward, they will leverage this advantage to provide tailored smart solutions for areas such as building management planning and healthcare.Chih-Cheng Yu stated that while DataVan has long been established in the food, beverage, and retail sector with a solid foundation, the competition for products like POS and Kiosk is becoming increasingly fierce. Transforming is a key strategy for maintaining competitiveness and exploring new markets. DataVan sees great potential in the application of smart building systems and enterprise visitor systems for community management and commercial office spaces. They aim to drive hardware sales through software, thereby enhancing product value. He emphasized that in addition to technological expertise, the group also has a background in real estate development and marketing. Leveraging these two professional advantages, DataVan can closely integrate smart systems with real estate development, bringing new niches to real estate developers and achieving a synergistic effect greater than the sum of its parts. Using the example of urban renewal for aging buildings, he explained that smart building systems can help developers obtain additional floor area incentives and address issues such as high management fees and inadequate security in small communities. This demonstrates that DataVan's transformation strategy not only responds to market demands but also opens up new growth opportunities for the company.Regarding its dual expertise in technology and real estate development, as well as the integration of AI into real estate products, Chih-Cheng Yu mentioned that DataVan recognizes the significant impact AI has had on various industries. Therefore, AI is viewed as a key driver of their transformation, with a focus on enhancing product intelligence through AI to create more efficient and customized solutions. For example, in smart hotel management, AI can enable self-service operations and streamlined staffing, significantly improving management efficiency, reducing personnel costs, and enhancing guest experiences. In the smart building sector, AI will be pervasive, effectively improving operational efficiency and comfort through systems such as smart security, energy management, and automated controls.Chih-Cheng Yu further pointed out that urban smartification has become an established industry trend. DataVan will seize this opportunity, leveraging its technological advantages and market experience to actively expand its smart building business. Currently, a series of innovative applications are planned, encompassing environmental control and health protection, landscape and building management, as well as personalized services. In environmental control, DataVan will help operators implement smart temperature and humidity regulation, air purification, and smart lighting systems, while also improving accessibility features and fall prevention designs to ensure resident safety. This also includes landscape maintenance systems for building exteriors and public spaces, exterior wall lighting control, and climate monitoring and warning systems, all aimed at optimizing building management efficiency. For personalized resident needs, DataVan plans to offer services such as appointment-based cleaning and maintenance, as well as smart concierge systems, significantly enhancing daily convenience. He believes that these innovative applications will not only strengthen DataVan's competitive advantage in the market but also create more business opportunities and growth potential for the smart building industry.To achieve this vision, DataVan is significantly adjusting its product strategy, shifting from a traditional hardware supplier to a comprehensive smart solutions provider. Chih-Cheng Yu revealed that the company's focus this year will be on enhancing the intelligence of existing products and introducing self-service solutions that require minimal management. Regarding smart functionalities, DataVan has bolstered its investment in AI and IoT technologies to optimize product performance and user convenience. For instance, they have introduced a new generation of POS systems with advanced data processing capabilities that seamlessly integrate with various smart devices. This series also includes applications such as the smart hotel management solutions showcased by DataVan at Computex this year. These solutions encompass self-check-in systems, room service management, and energy management systems, which help hotel operators reduce operating costs and improve service quality.Additionally, DataVan is actively pursuing cross-domain collaborations with construction project supervision, managed hotel-style apartments, long-term care, and senior living residences. Recently, the company acquired a highly-rated Japanese hot spring hotel, renaming it "Hodakaso Sangetsu," as a strategic entry into the Japanese market. Chih-Cheng Yu mentioned that this historic hot spring hotel, renowned for its valuable interior decor and cultural significance, will be integrated with smart systems to serve as a unique demonstration site for smart hotels. This will provide a reference model for Japanese operators interested in adopting such systems and allow DataVan to gain deeper insights into the Japanese market through practical operations, ultimately optimizing its products and services and laying the foundation for global expansion.Chih-Cheng Yu concluded that integrating technology with architectural expertise and creating new business models is only the beginning of DataVan's transformation. In response to the trend towards smart solutions, DataVan will continue to deepen its presence in the food, beverage, and retail markets and, with its high level of innovation and market insight, actively pursue cross-domain collaborations and expand product applications to meet the diverse smart needs of different sectors, creating a win-win scenario for both clients and DataVan.Chih-Cheng Yu, General Manager of DataVan, noted that the company is one of the few in Taiwan with dual expertise in technology and architecture. Moving forward, they will leverage this advantage to provide smart solutions tailored to the real estate sector.Photo: DIGITIMES
Telemedicine, capable of transcending the boundaries of time and space, has become an essential part of medical institutions' efforts to improve the quality of healthcare. Taipei Medical University Hospital (hereinafter referred to as TMUH) has been actively engaged in this field, utilizing the power of technology to establish convenient, high-quality, and comprehensive healthcare services. In recent years, TMUH has made great achievements in telemedicine. The hospital not only used its full-featured remote treatment platform to provide outpatient services during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also extended its reach to ocean-going merchant ships, homes, and long-term care facilities, leveraging smart technologies to help the public maintain and predict their health.Liu Wen-Chi, director of Taipei Medical University Hospital Telemedicine Center, said that the original purpose of promoting telemedicine at TMUH was to strengthen the mechanisms of preventive medicine and provide health management services for people with hypertension, diabetes, and other groups with poor health. By monitoring patients' physiological data using remote equipment, medical teams can make predictions and intervene immediately to adjust medication, diet, and exercise habits to contain patients' existing conditions and minimize the risk of developing new diseases. This model of round-the-clock proactive health management also offers new ways of thinking and solutions for healthcare in an aging society.Liu pointed out that TMUH had already started to provide telemedicine services before the COVID-19 pandemic, with the platform going online on the eve of the pandemic outbreak. After the outbreak of the pandemic, TMUH was able to fully utilize its self-developed platform and provide outpatient video services, allowing the public to register and arrange medical consultations online. The platform also fully stores all medical data and manages all audio and video files recorded during medical sessions in the cloud. This minimizes the risk of patients' personal data being leaked. In the future, TMUH will cooperate with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and accept virtual NHI cards to provide telemedicine services. Moreover, Taipei Medical University Healthcare System will pool the medical resources of its four affiliated hospitals, namely TMUH, Wanfang Hospital, Shuang Ho Hospital, and Hsin Kuo Min Hospital, to realize the vision of "One Campus" and actively promote low-carbon and net-zero transformation to provide joint remote outpatient treatment services. This will allow the public to receive remote medical treatments from doctors in different hospitals via video conferencing, integrating and strengthening the capabilities of telemedicine services offered by Taipei Medical University Healthcare System.Currently, TMUH has developed a smart and automated home telemedicine system that integrates a variety of devices connected to the Internet The system integrates multidisciplinary professional care from doctors, nurses, and nutrition and rehabilitation specialists. With nurses on the front line as supervisors, the system provides round-the-clock telemedicine services to the public and analyzes physiological data using AI technology. If abnormalities are detected in a patient, the system immediately alerts nurses to initiate follow-up measures such as remote care and medical treatment.TMUH's range of services is not limited to patients with chronic illnesses or home and family care for the general public, but also focuses on specific groups with limited medical resources. The crews of ocean-going vessels are one of these groups. Liu mentioned that there is a lack of medical personnel on most ocean-going merchant ships. If a crew member is injured or falls ill, there is no choice but to wait for the ship to dock or to have the captain or first mate, who have basic medical training, provide emergency treatment. However, both of these approaches are only effective to a limited extent. In this context, TMUH has been working with shipping companies to promote the concept of remote sustainable green healthcare. TMUH installs telemedicine systems on ships and assists in the production of standardized medicines and medical equipment. To enable remote medical treatments via video and emergency care guidance, TMUH transmits all medical communication via medium or low orbit satellites. In this way, ship crews can be guided by doctors and treat patients immediately and correctly in the crucial moments following an injury or the outbreak of an illness. This significantly improves the accessibility and quality of medical care and effectively reduces the risk and severity of injury and illness for the ship's crew.In order to provide the telemedicine services described above, healthcare providers must work closely with device manufacturers. Only through extensive communication and interaction can telemedicine systems be adapted to the needs of both healthcare professionals and the people they care for. Liu therefore pointed out that cooperation with experienced device manufacturers generally runs more smoothly, as they are already familiar with the various requirements of the healthcare sector.The VivoWatch from ASUS, a smart health wearable, for example, has integrated physiological sensors that can measure various indicators such as blood pressure, blood oxygen, heart rate, ECG, sleep quality, and stress. The device allows wearers and healthcare professionals to access a wealth of physiological information at a glance. Healthcare professionals can use the data to assess the health of their patients and give advice in real time. The data can also be analyzed to predict individual disease risk and thus optimize the quality of telemedicine services.As the quality of telemedicine services improves, the range of possible telemedicine applications will continue to expand. Liu expects telemedicine to further open up the field of remote treatment. Especially after the introduction of new technologies such as the Internet of Things, 5G, and AR/VR, telemedicine will be more applicable and difficult procedures such as remote surgery or rehabilitation will be developed. In addition, remote technologies can also be combined with smart home care to create a more comprehensive and sophisticated solution for the long-term care of the elderly. There is also a chance that the whole paradigm of telemedicine will shift and the dream of patient-centered, holistic healthcare, where technology has warmth and wisdom, will become a reality.As for future planning, Liu said Taiwan's new telemedicine law took effect on July 1. Together with virtual NHI cards, the public will be able to enjoy more convenient and lifestyle-oriented telemedicine care services. In response, TMUH will pursue the aforementioned strategy of integrating hospital resources and professional telemedicine healthcare teams. As part of the new developments in telemedicine triggered by the new legislation, TMUH will provide the public with better and more accurate healthcare using physiological measurement devices.Liu Wen-chi pointed out that healthcare providers must work closely with equipment suppliers to provide real-time health assessments and recommendations through wearable devices, making the system meet the needs of both healthcare professionals and those receiving care. Credit: ASUSCurrently, TMUH has integrated various connected devices to develop a smart and automated home telecare system. Credit: ASUS
Not only does generative AI spark revolutionary changes with applications growingly spanning across all industries, but it has also become the first solution that companies choose to build up their competitiveness.Startups that drive global business transformation are increasingly utilizing generative AI to develop new products or services as a way to grab the attention of angel investors and enterprise users. To allow more enterprises to see what Taiwan-based startups have accomplished with generative AI, DIGITIMES and Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA), a flagship startup program funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), held Enterprise Connect - Generative AI Startup Pitch Day on July 23, 2024, with technical support from Amazon Web Services (AWS).The event gathered promising startups to present their generative AI solutions and attracted a great number of corporate venture capital and new business development specialists who hoped to connect with the startups through the one-to-one matchmaking activity and thereby build a solid foundation for their companies' long-term development.According to Yi-Bin Chen, Director, Integrated Marketing Department, DIGITIMES, startups are playing a growingly important role in the global marketplace. Because of this, CES has an exhibition area specially designed for startups to demonstrate their promising potential. TTA led 96 startup teams to participate at CES 2024 and organized the TTA Taiwan Pavilion, where the teams showcased their innovations and successfully grabbed the attention of venture capitalists from all over the world.Today everyone is talking about AI. AWS is among the few cloud computing pioneers that are capable of providing total AI solutions. AWS has been supporting and helping startups achieve great achievements over the long run.Andrea Hsu, Director General, Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), noted that by establishing TTA in 2018, NSTC aims to bridge Taiwan-based startups with the international community to thereby drive innovations and developments across many industries. As of today, TTA works with close to ten accelerators to bring resources and technologies to support startups' early-stage development.More than 900 startup teams have flourished thanks to TTA. Today, AI has become the engine that drives digital transformation for global industries. At CES 2024, AWS invited the teams for a visit to the Amazon fulfillment center to witness how AI was used to process shipments. That was very inspiring to the teams that use generative AI to develop innovative services. It is hoped that bridging startups with enterprises will build positive momentum for Taiwan's industry upgrade.Chester Hsieh, Head of Taiwan Sales, Head of Strategic Programs, Hong Kong and Taiwan, AWS, commented that AWS has been working with startups for years. AWS is adopted by more than 80% of the unicorns in the world including Netflix, Airbnb, and Uber as well as Taiwan-based KKBOX and 91APP. Among those that endeavor in AI, 96% have chosen AWS. Since 2000, Amazon has been utilizing AI technologies.AWS offers a wide range of high-performing foundation models (FM) from leading AI companies for startups to choose from based on their products and services. AWS was pleased to support TTA and DIGITIMES in holding the event connecting startups with enterprises.Moreover, in recent years, Amazon has been actively utilizing generative AI to enable new services. For example, it is used to collect and sort customer comments at Amazon's online bookstore to help consumers make purchase decisions. Furthermore, generative AI is also used for Alexa, the voice assistant that many people are familiar with, and for shipment schedule prediction and package arrival notices for orders placed on Amazon Pharmacy. All of the aforementioned innovative services rely on the robust computing power and advanced machine learning technologies provided by AWS.Eye-catching generative AI solutions from startupsNine startup teams supported by TTA and AWS Joint Innovation Center (JIC) participated in Enterprise Connect - Generative AI Startup Pitch Day. Based on their products or services, they were divided into different categories including audio tech, RPA software, energy, no-code AI, cyber security, martech, and law tech.In the cyber security category, Cymetrics, a subsidiary of OneDegree Global, provides a complete range of cyber security assessment and inspection products and services. For example, its LLM-based cyber security inspection service helps users improve the visibility of vulnerabilities and manage risks with more agility and flexibility.Authme is an authentication solution built on AI and machine learning to enable security, convenience, and regulatory compliance for corporations. Authme has developed authentication, face recognition, and biometric liveness detection systems that safeguard against identity frauds and Deepfake attacks while reducing inspection costs and enhancing user experience.Amid the rising popularity of robotic process automation (RPA) software, IsCoolLab with years of experience in professional software development introduced Robotiive. The patented AI-enabled solution integrates and modularizes a variety of automation capabilities to allow users with no coding experience to easily automate their process in any use scenario.In support of energy efficiency initiatives, PurismEV developed a proprietary AI-based solution that increases EV range by 40% and extends battery life 2.3 times to address EV owners' range anxiety. The solution is being used in delivery trucks, ride-sharing electric motorcycles, off-road electric bikes, and race cars.With user experience being a top priority, DeepWave, in the audio tech category, is committed to AI-enabled voice recognition solution development and application. It provides customers with an all-in-one digital audio processing solution for voiceprint recognition, active noise reduction, noise cancellation, and voiceprint comparison.Its solution has been used in smart manufacturing, digital content processing, music entertainment, and education. In the law tech category, Legal Tech, founded by a group of lawyers, presented a one-stop contract lifecycle management solution, LegalSign.ai, based on generative AI. Encompassing contract lifecycle management, electronic signing, and AI legal assistant, the solution improves efficiency and minimizes risks for corporate legal teams, allowing them to deliver greater business value.To help circumvent the current AI talent shortage, many companies have developed no-code AI solutions to lower the barrier to AI adoption. Chimes AI introduced Tukey, a solution that allows factory workers to extract data and build AI models using the automatic model packaging function and connect with enterprise information services in a snap.Tricuss presented an enterprise-level LLM-based solution to improve efficiency for operations such as document integration, automated sorting, and data entry as well as knowledge management and consolidation. Featuring a simple user interface and guaranteed accuracy, the solution boosts productivity for all kinds of corporate functions.BigGo, a star that shines brilliantly in the martech sector, operates the biggest e-commerce product search and price comparison website in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It debuted two new AI tools in 2024. One is BIRSE, an image search engine that searches for products based on images. The other is the BigGo Description Generator, which generates accurate product descriptions using AI.The final section of the event was a one-to-one matchmaking activity aimed at connecting startups with prospective partners who can help them with fundraising, market expansion, and technology development. The activity marked a perfect ending to the Enterprise Connect - Generative AI Startup Pitch Day.DIGITIMES, TTA, and AWS representatives at Enterprise Connect - Generative AI Startup Pitch Day. Credit: DIGITIMES
With the rise and widespread application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, apart from the popular autonomous driving systems in the automotive market, a significant number of software-defined automotive systems are also experiencing rapid growth. These software-managed systems create new passenger and driving experiences. Behind these cutting-edge smart solutions, primary concerns about AI revolve around "information security and cybersecurity" protection, thereby catalyzing the rapid adoption of the secure flash memory.Macronix faced an urgent need to meet memory security requirements for automotive and industrial control electronic data, to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability. To address this, they developed the ArmorFlash series of secure flash memory solutions. These solutions include key establishment, encryption, decryption, authentication, and anti-tamper functions. Additionally, a true random number generator is integrated into the memory chips for secure ID or key configurations. ArmorFlash supports various security functions such as identity authentication, crypto key, and secure-boot mechanisms. The ArmorFlash series has received recognition from international autonomous-driving and microcontroller unit (MCU) chip giants, and has earned accolades such as the Taiwan Excellence Award.The ArmorFlash MX78 series fully complies with ISO/SAE 21434 Information Security Standard CertificationThe ISO/SAE 21434 Standard was officially released at the end of August 2021, covering the entire vehicle lifecycle and emphasizing the requirements for cybersecurity risk management. Macronix promptly formed a project team to intensively prepare for the ArmorFlash MX78 series' standard certification, first passing TARA verification activities to assess various scenarios in which threats occur and determine solutions when encountering information security attacks. They also obtained the ISO/SAE 21434 threat analysis and risk assessments (TARA) verification report on June 2022, subsequently achieving full ISO/SAE 21434 Information Security Standard Product Certification in 2024, which marked a significant milestone in cybersecurity design.The enhanced data access performance of ArmorFlash enhances brand customer user experienceDr. Donald Huang, director of product marketing at Macronix, emphasized in an interview that advancements in AI applications, such as AI, edge computing, 5G and autonomous driving, are leading to exponential growth in data volume, thus driving the demand for memory. With AI applications increasingly capable of operating independently on multiple terminal devices and personal electronics, secure flash memory plays a crucial role in enhancing system security.To enhance user experience, the third-generation ArmorFlash MX78 series has been redesigned with a renewed focus on the speed of accessing data. It currently operates more than one hundred times faster than the previous generation of ArmorFlash. This enhancement significantly aids electronic devices in smoothly executing critical security functions during startup, thereby improving overall user operational experience. In an era where speed is paramount across various applications, the access speed of secure memory undoubtedly plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal brand reputation and product quality.Additionally, ArmorFlash's integrated design consolidates all security functions into a single memory chip, meeting critical security certification standards. This contrasts with typical practices whereby chip manufacturers require additional security chips for specific certifications. Furthermore, ArmorFlash uses a standard Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) that is pin-to-pin compatible with standard NOR Flash SPI or OctaBus interfaces, unlike products using proprietary interfaces. By integrating the standard SPI interface into a single-chip design, ArmorFlash significantly reduces design complexity for engineering teams. This approach not only enhances product performance but also accelerates volume production and time-to-market, providing a competitive edge in seizing valuable market opportunities.ArmorFlash earns favor from leading global automotive OEMs, automotive electronics manufacturers, and industrial control giantsSince 2019, Macronix's first-generation ArmorFlash has been integrated within NVIDIA's Level 2+ to Level 5 autonomous driving systems, including the DRIVE AGX Xavier and AGX Pegasus autonomous vehicle computing platforms. By leveraging robust secure memory capabilities, ArmorFlash has strengthened data security in autonomous systems and enhanced driver safety.The second and third generations of the ArmorFlash MX78 series have now achieved ISO/SAE 21434 standards, putting focus on "cybersecurity" design. This accomplishment has facilitated Macronix's memory products to secure significant partnerships with major international autonomous driving solution providers and automotive MCU chip manufacturers, as well as adoption by leading automotive and automotive electronics manufacturers.Beyond the automotive sector, ArmorFlash chips are also employed in industrial control and embedded application systems, such as Japan's Renesas Electronics RA series of MCUs. By utilizing ArmorFlash chips featuring integrated hardware encryption accelerators, cybersecurity is bolstered, and more secure and dependable network connections across various embedded applications are ensured.In addition to the aforementioned technologies, ArmorFlash also offers a physical unclonable function (PUF), which functions similarly to chip biometrics with a fundamental encoding method. This equips the chip with a chip fingerprint capability, providing memory chips with unique, unpredictable physical characteristics and non-replicable key features. These properties offer high-level encryption and are applied in various information security and confidentiality applications.Huang emphasized that the identification and prevention of potential information security and cybersecurity threats is an ongoing pursuit. Macronix has already obtained automotive information security standard certifications but continues to reinforce efforts at every stage, from product design and development to volume production and market launch. This ongoing effort aims to identify potential threats and security vulnerabilities, establishing a common foundation for cybersecurity risk management. The newly launched ArmorFlash MX78 series of flash memory solutions significantly shortens the time to market for customers' products, meeting the urgent needs for the automotive, industrial control, and embedded application markets. Through ArmorFlash technology, Macronix is in a strong position to expand its international market presence and continue collaborating with global customers to sustain its success.Macronix ArmorFlash MX78 Serie Achieves ISO/SAE 21434 Information Security Standard Product Certification
FuriosaAI Inc. is pleased to announce its collaboration with GUC (Global Unichip Corporation) as a key partner on the secondgen AI accelerator, RNGD (pronounced "Renegade"), the most efficient data center accelerator for high-performance large language and multimodal models.GUC has been crucial in helping FuriosaAI to achieve an aggressive timeline for RNGD. Developing a new AI accelerator – especially one like RNGD, which utilizes advanced technology like HBM3 and a large-scale 653mm2 SoC with 40 billion transistors – is only possible with excellent partners like GUC, which brings deep expertise in designing system-on-chip (SoC) solutions."RNGD offers the unprecedented combination of performance, power efficiency, and programmability for running large language models and multimodal models. GUC's expertise in areas such as SoC design, backend implementation, and silicon interposer (CoWoS) packaging has ensured that the RNGD project stayed on schedule to launch this year," said June Paik, FuriosaAI CEO.Complementing FuriosaAI's cutting-edge technology is GUC's expertise in turnkey semiconductor design services. As a trusted partner, GUC meticulously executed the project starting from spec-in, seamlessly integrating complex HBM memory subsystems, implementing the physical design, designing the package utilizing TSMC's industry leading CoWoS technology, followed by comprehensive testing services and manufacturing logistics management, successfully enabling FuriosaAI RNGD's 1st time success. GUC played a pivotal role in enabling FuriosaAI RNGD's flawless execution, significantly accelerating its time-to-market."We are excited to partner with FuriosaAI to bring their revolutionary AI accelerator to market," said Dr. Sean Tai, president of GUC. "GUC is highly experienced with large-scale chip design. Our turnkey design services provide end-to-end support, enabling FuriosaAI to rapidly scale their innovation and meet the growing demand for AI acceleration solutions. We look forward to further supporting FuriosaAI as they continue to design innovative products for the AI market."Together, FuriosaAI and GUC are poised to drive AI innovation to new heights, empowering organizations worldwide to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence.For more information about FuriosaAI and the RNGD AI accelerator, visit https://furiosa.ai.For inquiries about GUC's turnkey design services, visit https://www.guc-asic.com
SK hynix Inc. (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) announced today that it introduced the industry's best-performing GDDR7, a next-generation graphics memory product.The development of GDDR7 in March comes amid growing interest by global customers in the AI space in the DRAM product that meets both specialized performance for graphics processing and fast speed. The company said that it will start volume production in the third quarter.The new product comes with an operating speed of 32Gbps, a 60% improvement from the previous generation, and the speed can grow up to 40Gbps depending on the circumstances. When adopted for the high-end graphics cards, the product can also process data of more than 1.5TB per second, equivalent to 300 Full-HD movies(5GB each), in a second.SK hynix also improved power efficiency by more than 50% compared with the previous generation by adopting the new packaging technology that addresses the heat issue as a result of the ultra-fast processing of data.The company increased the layer number of the heat-dissipating substrates from four to six, while applying the EMC for the packaging material in a bid to reduce thermal resistance by 74%, compared with the previous generation, while maintaining the size of the product unchanged.Sangkwon Lee, Head of DRAM Product Planning & Enablement at SK hynix, said that GDDR7 is expected to be adopted by a wider range of applications such as high-specification 3D graphics, AI, high-performance computing, and autonomous driving."We will continue to work towards enhancing our position as the most trusted AI memory solution provider by strengthening the premium memory lineup further," Lee said.About SK hynix Inc.SK hynix Inc., headquartered in South Korea, is the world's top-tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAM"), flash memory chips ("NAND flash"), and CMOS Image Sensors ("CIS") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company's shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.
SK Hynix Inc. announced today that it has decided to invest about KRW 9.4 trillion in building the first fab and business facilities of the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster after the board resolution on July 26.SK Hynix (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) designs to start construction of the 1st fab to be built in the Yongin cluster in March next year and complete it in May 2027 and has received investment approval from the board of directors before it. The company will make every effort to build the fab to lay the foundation for the company's future growth and respond to the rapidly increasing demand for AI memory semiconductors.The Yongin Cluster, which will be built on a 4.15 million square meter site in Wonsam-myeon, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, is currently under site preparation and infrastructure construction. SK Hynix has decided to build four state-of-the-art fabs that will produce next-generation semiconductors, and a semiconductor cooperation complex with more than 50 small local companies.After the construction of the 1st fab, the company aims to complete the remaining three fabs sequentially to grow the Yongin Cluster into a "Global AI semiconductor production base."The amount of investment approved this time included various construction costs necessary for the initial operation of the cluster, including auxiliary facilities, business support buildings, and welfare facilities along with the 1st fab. The investment period was planned to be from August 2024 to the end of 2028, considering the design period to prepare for fab construction and the business support building scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2028.The company will produce next-generation DRAMs, including HBM, a representative AI memory, at the 1st fab and prepare for the production of other products in line with market demand at the time of completion.In addition, SK Hynix plans to build a "Mini-fab" within the first phase to help small businesses develop, demonstrate and evaluate technologies. Through the Mini-fab, the company will provide small business partners with an environment similar to the actual production site so that they can improve technological perfection as much as possible."The Yongin Cluster will be the foundation for SK Hynix's mid-to long-term growth and a place for innovation and co-prosperity that we are creating with our partners," said Vice President Kim Young-sik, Head of Manufacturing Technology at SK Hynix. "We want to contribute to revitalizing the national economy by successfully completing the large-scale industrial complex and dramatically enhancing Korea's semiconductor technology and ecosystem competitiveness."
