Following its acquisition of US-based GaN pioneer Transphorm, Renesas Electronics is ramping up its ambitions in the wide-bandgap power semiconductor space. With a bold pivot away from the crowded fast-charging market for consumer electronics, Renesas is positioning its new generation of GaN products for higher-power applications, including electric vehicles, industrial automation, infrastructure, networking, and even AI servers.
Many South Korean companies are turning to 3D printing to cut production costs, using the technology to manufacture products in critical sectors such as aerospace and defense, areas classified as national core technologies. However, some cases involve the use of Chinese-made 3D printers or subcontractors leaking proprietary technologies to China. Critics argue that South Korea's current registration-based system for operating 3D printing businesses lacks sufficient oversight, leaving the industry vulnerable to security breaches and intellectual property theft.
US President Donald Trump has unveiled a trade agreement with Vietnam that reduces tariffs on Vietnamese exports to the US from 46% to 20%, while imposing a 40% levy on transshipped goods. Although the full policy details have yet to be released, connector and cable suppliers say the Vietnam deal provides a provisional reference point amid broader uncertainty over regional tariff policies.
US President Donald Trump recently announced a new trade deal with Vietnam, which reduces a planned 45% reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese imports to 20%, while imposing a 40% tariff on transshipped goods, signaling shifts in US trade policy with significant implications for technology supply chains.
Japan-based Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) have jointly developed a medical robot based on Kawasaki's Nyokkey service robot that is currently undergoing trials in Taiwanese hospitals. The robot is set for official sales in fiscal 2026 (April 2026 to March 2027).
Amid speculation about its chip strategy, OpenAI has denied plans for large-scale use of Google's TPUs, saying it is only experimenting. The company aims to develop its own chips, though industry insiders believe a clear path will take time as it evaluates long-term AI service and computing needs.
Universal Scientific Industrial Shanghai (USI), a China-based electronics design and manufacturing company, has completed delivery of a Level 10 (L10) full-system joint design manufacturing (JDM) project. The lightweight edge AI server, co-developed with a major international client, targets deployment in healthcare, retail, and industrial applications across Europe and North America.
As the global race to build "sovereign AI" gains momentum, Southeast Asia is carving out a strategic role in the next wave of digital infrastructure, and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is emerging as a focal point. High-profile moves, like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's recent visit to the Middle East, have spotlighted the growing link between AI innovation and national policy. In Southeast Asia, JS SEZ is becoming a real-world testbed for how governments can work together to support AI-powered industries.
Acer Cyber Security Inc. announced plans to broaden its localized cybersecurity services across Southeast Asia in the second half of 2025, prioritizing Thailand as its key market. The company seeks to leverage its technology expertise and improve its sales partner network amid increasing regional demand.
Acer Medical, a smart healthcare subsidiary of Acer Group, has secured market approval from Singapore's Health Science Authority (HSA) for its AI-assisted diagnostic software, VeriOsteo OP, designed to detect abnormal bone mineral density. This marks the software's official entry into the Singaporean medical market.
On June 2, US President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement imposing a 20% tariff on imports from Vietnam and a 40% tariff on transshipped products. The new tariffs have garnered significant attention within the network communication industry, particularly in Taiwan, where many manufacturers have relocated production to Vietnam, targeting the US market.
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