Numerous restaurants in American cities have already closed their doors as twilight descends. Typically, the only options available to you if you are currently famished are microwave meals or fast food. This life pain point led Andy Lin, founder of Yo-Kai Express, to start a business and design a smart vending machine capable of delivering high-quality hot cuisine at any time and from any location.Lin, who worked for a leading technology company during his early career and lived in Silicon Valley for an extended duration, frequently conducted meetings with Asia clients late at night in the US. He was so hungry that he searched the entire Internet one early morning, but he was unable to find a venue that served a steaming bowl of Asian cuisine. Yo-Kai was established as a result of this experience.Lin initially drew inspiration from Japan's pioneering ramen dispensing machines; however, he ultimately determined that the user experience was inadequate. He utilized his technological proficiency to reengineer the mechanism and process, resulting in the creation of a smart heated food vending machine that is "delectable, sanitary, and prepared for consumption."Expand product lines and explore instant food blue oceanYo-Kai's first product is a ramen machine that uses high-pressure heating and quick cooking technologies to deliver restaurant-quality dishes. All components, including the broth, noodles, and seasonings, are crafted from premium ingredients that are rapidly frozen and pre-prepared in a central kitchen to guarantee uniform quality.Lin recalled that in his pursuit of the ideal noodle flavor, he once produced 3,000kg of noodles in a single day, only to meticulously control the variance of a few seconds. Yo-Kai's product selection now includes Korean, Thai, xiaolongbao, chicken noodle soup, and several other items, and has collaborated with companies such as Ippudo, MoonMoonFood, Chimei, and Wowprime to deliver joint products.Yo-Kai's smart vending machines are capable of both cognitive processes and food preparation. Sophisticated tasks, such as image recognition, virtual assistance, and sensor monitoring, are facilitated by the industrial computer module, which was developed in partnership with Qualcomm and Pegatron. The device is equipped with more than 100 integrated sensors that accurately measure parameters such as pressure, temperature, and humidity, thereby guaranteeing consistent food preparation.What is even more remarkable is that Yo-Kai utilizes edge AI processors to virtualize customer service and operation tutorials, which are then managed in real time on the spot. Users can obtain assistance without the need to make a phone call or connect to the cloud, which will further enhance the security and convenience of their information.Yo-Kai was the first-place winner of the Qualcomm QITC AI competition in 2024 and was chosen by Nvidia to participate in the Inception Program in 2025. It intends to become the Amazon of the catering industry by integrating upstream and downstream using AI systems.Alongside hot meals, Yo-Kai has lately diversified into cold beverages with better gross profit margins and has adopted an innovative approach by introducing a smart pearl milk tea machine. This is the sole vending machine globally capable of autonomously boiling tapioca pearls. It addresses the challenge of cold chain logistics for conventional tea beverages. The items can be maintained at ambient temperature, facilitating the improvement of delivery networks.Lin forecast that the tea beverage market in Europe and the US will reach US$40 billion by 2030, with an annual compound growth rate of 13%. Although vending machines have the potential for significant future expansion, their current prevalence is negligible. He intends to employ this as a secondary growth generator for Yo-Kai revenue.Yo-Kai has acquired operational experience and data over the past eight years by employing a direct sales model. The global franchise plan will be officially promoted beginning in 2025. For instance, each machine in the US is priced at a mere US$2,000-2,500. In order to operate a smart restaurant, the franchisee is only required to be responsible for replenishing stocks and cleaning, rather than preparing and opening the store. Lin disclosed that the global franchise is making progress ahead of schedule. Nearly 500 smart pearl milk tea machines have been signed in the first four months, and the company has expanded to the US, Japan, the UK, Singapore, Thailand, the Netherlands, and France, among other countries.TTA facilitates international connections, enabling Yo-Kai to expand globallyThe first smart food vending machine is being deployed worldwide. During the business process, Lin regularly returned to Taiwan to interact with various Taiwanese companies. He noted that in recent years, Taiwan's start-ups have increasingly ventured beyond the local domain, significantly enhancing their international presence. Multiple teams have actively established facilities in Singapore, Japan, and other regions to expand their global outlook. Lin contends that TTA (Taiwan Tech Arena) has played a crucial part in this transformation. Yo-Kai demonstrates exceptional industry engagement by utilizing global resources through TTA, connecting Taiwan with foreign assets, and participating in CES exhibitions on many occasions.Beginning with the resolution of the minor issue of "lack of hot food during late hours," Yo-Kai has gradually developed an advanced vending machine system that combines food, technology, and supply chain logistics. Lin revolutionizes the catering sector with technology innovation and reimagines ready-to-eat meals with uniqueness and execution. In the future, we may be able to have a cup of hot ramen soup from Yo-Kai in a variety of locations throughout the world, including airports, hospitals, and campuses, while feeling the comforting flavor offered by technology.

The self-funded medical beauty market has gradually integrated into consumers' daily life, combining the pursuit of outer aesthetics with inner self-confidence, resulting in significant growth in the worldwide medical beauty business.According to a June 2024 survey conducted by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), plastic surgeons worldwide conducted over 15.8 million surgical procedures in 2023, in addition to the 19.1 million non-surgical procedures. Among them, non-surgical skin tightening treatments were ranked fourth in market demand.To capitalize on the substantial business potential within this sector, A-TOP Health Biotech, possessing robust R&D capabilities, introduced its proprietary product "JOUVENCE" to address the shortcomings of current thread materials. The product will soon be submitted for review by the U.S. FDA, with certification expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.As emphasized by Olivia Tseng, founder and chairperson of A-TOP Health Biotech, ongoing advancements in medical aesthetics technology have made major surgical procedures unnecessary for achieving skin firmness. Instead, lifting threads can now be inserted into targeted areas to achieve the desired results. Conventional lifting threads feature a "sharp barb" or "hooked" design that pierces the skin tissue, granting anchorage to facilitate skin lifting; however, this design often causes discomfort, and in some cases, patients may experience excessive inflammation requiring additional surgery.JOUVENCE lifting threads adopt a unique bionic cross-sectional design to avoid the discomfort caused by conventional barbed threads, thereby offering consumers a more comfortable and effective treatment experience.Tseng stated, "JOUVENCE will challenge the traditional paradigm of round thread materials, redefine the technical concept of thread lifting, seamlessly integrate technology and aesthetics to usher in a new era of innovation, and establish itself as a pivotal and trusted brand in the global medical beauty sector."3D Beauty-AI software enables innovation in lifting threadsA-TOP Health Biotech, founded in 2021, is driven by the mission of "Technology and Beauty, Touching the World". The company focuses on developing medical aesthetic and reconstructive surgical materials that are both clinically proven and highly safe, aiming to solve clinical challenges and enhance the quality and efficiency of aesthetic medicine.Its flagship product, JOUVENCE, is a world-first innovation developed using patented non-cutting molding and twisting technology, overcoming the limitations of traditional PDO lifting threads and offering four major advantages. First, its continuous structure provides stable support, reducing the risk of thread slippage and displacement. Second, it eliminates the breakage issues caused by stress concentration in cut threads, resulting in smoother surgical procedures. Third, the absence of sharp structures minimizes the sensation of foreign objects and reduces tissue irritation, significantly lowering inflammation and fibrosis. Fourth, it complies with standardized certification protocols, demonstrating rigorous biocompatibility and excellent product performance.In addition to product innovation, A-TOP Health Biotech addresses clinical pain points by introducing its "3D Beauty-AI Software" to assist physicians. By processing just 15 facial images, the software completes a 3D visual reconstruction, helping non-specialist doctors quickly grasp the key techniques for thread lifting and shortening the learning curve. The AI-generated 3D images also facilitate doctor-patient communication, enhancing transparency and trust in treatment, and further improving the overall medical aesthetic experience.Enhancing worldwide patent deployment: Focus on Taiwan, Thailand, and the USDespite Tseng's extensive practical experience in the medical devices and biotechnology sectors, A-TOP Health Biotech may continue to face multifaceted challenges in areas such as R&D, marketing, and fundraising as the company expands.By joining the Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA), the company gained valuable resources and received comprehensive support from the FlyingVest Accelerator, gradually overcoming key early-stage startup obstacles. The company also successfully secured a spot in the MEDICA Taiwan team organized by Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in 2024, demonstrating both its technological strength and market potential.In the context of global strategy, Tseng stated that A-TOP Health Biotech will prioritize Thailand, Taiwan, and the US as target markets, combining its JOUVENCE lifting threat technology with 3D Beauty-AI software to provide medical beauty clinics with comprehensive non-surgical skin tightening solutions.A-TOP Health Biotech aspires to establish itself as a globally influential medical aesthetics brand through innovative R&D and international patent strategy, realizing the brand vision of "Technology and Beauty, Touching the World."

TSMC's fourth-quarter profits jumped 57% to $11.4 billion, and while most analysts credit AI chip demand, there's another force quietly reshaping semiconductor markets. Blockchain infrastructure is creating demand patterns that extend far beyond cryptocurrency mining - we're seeing measurable pressure across multiple chip categories that most observers haven't connected yet.The applications driving this demand aren't limited to financial networks. Everything from supply chain verification systems to new bitcoin casinos requires specialized hardware that traditional computing applications never needed. Gartner projects this intersection will generate a $1.5 billion market opportunity by 2028, while Deloitte's research shows 70% of semiconductor executives expect blockchain to significantly impact their operations within five years. That's not speculation - it's capital allocation planning based on technical requirements they're already seeing.When Cryptography Meets SiliconHere's what makes blockchain different from typical computing workloads: the cryptographic operations require hardware that can handle intensive hashing calculations efficiently. GPUs, originally designed for graphics rendering, happen to excel at these mathematical operations. This creates competition for the same chips that AI applications demand, compounding supply pressures we're already experiencing.Hardware Security Modules represent another specialized requirement. These devices store and protect cryptographic keys, requiring semiconductors built to strict security standards. Unlike general-purpose processors, HSMs must meet specific compliance requirements while handling cryptographic operations at scale. Every blockchain network that processes sensitive transactions needs this type of hardware infrastructure.Infineon Technologies offers a practical example with their NFC cryptochips that combine blockchain verification with physical products. You can attach these chips to items and scan them to authenticate origins, creating a bridge between digital blockchain records and physical supply chains. This isn't theoretical; it's addressing real counterfeiting problems with measurable hardware requirements.The technical demands go deeper than most realize. Blockchain networks require nodes that can process and verify transactions continuously, demanding consistent computational power rather than the burst processing typical of many applications. This sustained load creates different thermal and reliability requirements for the underlying semiconductors.The Foundry ResponseMajor manufacturers aren't waiting to see how this plays out. TSMC has implemented blockchain technology within its own supply chain operations, tracking components from raw materials through finished products. When the world's largest semiconductor foundry adopts blockchain for internal operations, that tells you something about both the technology's maturity and the hardware demands it creates.IBM and Samsung's collaboration on blockchain-based component tracking represents another significant development. They're building platforms that require substantial processing power to handle supply chain verification across multiple manufacturing partners. Each verification operation demands computational resources, multiplying hardware requirements as adoption scales.The industry has committed $185 billion in capital expenditures for 2025, expanding manufacturing capacity by 7%. While AI applications capture headlines, blockchain infrastructure contributes to demand pressures driving these investments. TSMC expects its AI server processor revenue to triple in 2024, reflecting how blockchain and AI applications often converge on similar hardware requirements.Manufacturing processes themselves are adapting to include blockchain verification layers. This creates additional computational overhead during production, requiring more processing power throughout the manufacturing workflow. It's a feedback loop where blockchain adoption drives chip demand while simultaneously being integrated into chip production processes.Securing the Chain That Builds the ChipsThe semiconductor industry faces a $75 billion problem with substandard components entering global markets. Blockchain applications are addressing this directly by tracking manufacturing equipment and components throughout production cycles. Manufacturing machines get registered on blockchain networks with unique identities, creating tamper-evident records of their performance and maintenance history.This approach reduces the manual burden of identifying counterfeit or substandard components. Instead of relying on post-production testing and documentation review, blockchain verification can flag issues during manufacturing. The computational requirements for maintaining these verification networks add another layer to semiconductor demand.Supply chain security applications demonstrate blockchain's practical value beyond financial transactions. When you can track a chip from raw silicon through final assembly with cryptographic certainty, you're solving real problems that cost the industry billions annually. This creates sustainable demand for blockchain infrastructure rather than speculative applications.Beyond the Hype CurveIndustry projections show semiconductor sales reaching $697 billion in 2025 - an 11% year-over-year increase - with expectations of hitting $1 trillion by 2030. Blockchain infrastructure represents a meaningful portion of this growth, though it's often overshadowed by AI applications in market analysis.The sustainability of blockchain's semiconductor demand depends on practical applications rather than speculative projects. Supply chain verification, secure authentication systems, and infrastructure applications that solve measurable problems will drive continued hardware requirements. Gaming platforms, financial networks, and enterprise verification systems all represent sustained demand sources.Manufacturing capacity constraints affect blockchain infrastructure deployment just like other applications. The 7% capacity expansion planned for 2025 addresses multiple growth drivers simultaneously, with blockchain contributing to demand pressures alongside AI, automotive electronics, and traditional computing applications.Current capital expenditure commitments total $185 billion across the industry, but this may not adequately address combined demand from AI and blockchain applications. Lead times for advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment often exceed two years, meaning today's capacity decisions determine 2027's supply capabilities.The Semiconductor StakesWhile AI dominates technology headlines, blockchain infrastructure creates parallel demand streams that compound manufacturing pressure. 70% of executives expecting a significant blockchain impact aren't responding to speculation - they're planning for technical requirements they can measure and quantify.We're approaching an inflection point where blockchain applications prove their practical value while requiring substantial hardware infrastructure. Supply chain security, authentication systems, and verification networks all demand specialized semiconductors that didn't exist five years ago. The industry faces a dual challenge: scaling production capacity while implementing the very blockchain technologies that help secure that scaling process.The 2028 market projections provide a concrete checkpoint for these predictions. Whether blockchain infrastructure delivers on its $1.5 billion semiconductor market potential depends on the continued adoption of practical applications that solve real problems rather than speculative use cases.