DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Micron overhauls pay in Taiwan as unions push for profit sharing

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:59:37 GMT

Micron is overhauling how it pays employees, promising quarterly profit-sharing bonuses and better pay and benefits for its Taiwan staff. The changes follow a labor dispute with the company's unions in Taiwan.

PSMC raises mature-node prices again, targets 20% increase in 2027

Charlene Chen — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 10:28:24 GMT

Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing (PSMC) reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of NT$21.3 billion (US$654.3 million), up 23% quarter-over-quarter, as higher foundry prices, a stronger average selling price (ASP) and improved capacity utilization lifted gross margin from 28% to 48% and drove net profit to NT$6.5 billion. With AI servers fueling demand for memory, power-management ICs and advanced packaging, PSMC expects double-digit revenue growth in the fourth quarter and has indicated that foundry prices will rise another 10% to 20% in 2027.

Taiwan-France semiconductor alliance strengthens with CPU pact between SiPearl and Egis Group

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 10:26:35 GMT

Highlighting the deepening industrial synergies between Europe and Asia, the Egis Group TechDay Taiwan-France Strategic CPU Partnership Signing Ceremony hosted the official signing between Egis Group and SiPearl. The landmark ceremony unveiled a joint initiative to build a Mobius 100 CPU and UCIe chiplet-based marketplace, establishing a cooperative framework for sovereign AI and high-performance computing (HPC) data center infrastructure.

ADEPT Taiwan holds inaugural in-person meeting as PLP and substrate standardization efforts gain momentum

Scarlett Yu — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:36:11 GMT

The Advanced Electronic Packaging Technology (ADEPT) committee under the Global Electronics Association continues to expand its presence in Taiwan.

U-Power listing highlights Taiwan's growing need for high-speed EV charging

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:20:00 GMT

U-Power, Taiwan's ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging operator, has applied to list on the Taipei Exchange as the country's expanding EV population supports expectations for sustained charging demand. The company, which plans an emerging-stock listing in early November, reported higher first-half revenue but remained unprofitable as it continues investing in infrastructure.

MIPI expands beyond smartphones into AR glasses and humanoid robots

Lily Hess — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:39:08 GMT

The MIPI Alliance held this year's MIPI Demo Day Taipei at the Grand Hyatt Taipei this week, where 16 member companies demonstrated working products to more than 200 developers and engineers. Founded in 2003 to standardize camera and display interfaces for smartphones, the alliance now serves automotive, IoT, industrial, medical, and PC applications, with AI driving its next expansion into AR glasses and humanoid robots.

Infineon, Nvidia push gallium nitride power for 800-volt AI data centers

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:26:46 GMT

Infineon Technologies is expanding its work with Nvidia on 800-volt direct current power architectures for AI data centers, with a focus on gallium nitride (GaN) chips in the intermediate bus converter (IBC), the company said on October 21.

Chi Yi Hsin Technology's Arizona fab projects drive order backlog to NT$4.476B

Charlene Chen — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:19:07 GMT

As the global foundry leader accelerates construction of advanced-process and advanced-packaging facilities in the US, semiconductor facility engineering integrator Chi Yi Hsin Technology is expanding its role in Arizona, from core facility systems and equipment hook-up to materials supply. Chi Yi Hsin Technology said its backlog reached NT$4.476 billion (US$137.5 million) as of the end of September 2026, with projects scheduled for execution through around 2028 and overall order visibility extending to 2030.

Apex Science & Engineering expands automotive and medical display push

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:19:00 GMT

Apex Science & Engineering is expanding its optoelectronics business in automotive and medical markets, with booked but undelivered orders worth approximately NT$105.7 million (US$3.24 million). Exports have accounted for 73% of the division's sales since the start of 2026, highlighting its exposure to international demand as it develops display modules for industrial, consumer, and public-sector applications worldwide.

Analysis: Musk's thrusting Roadster takes off, but questions remain up in the air

Scarlett Yu — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:15:14 GMT

Tesla unveiled its new Roadster, equipped with rocket-style thrusters, on October 15 and announced plans to begin production in 2028, more than a decade after the second-generation prototype was first showcased.

Tesla's Megapack boom meets AI power crunch, but margin gains raise questions

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:20:54 GMT

While Tesla is expanding its ambitions in autonomous transportation and embodied AI, developments in its energy-storage business are drawing attention following a mixed set of financial results in the company's third-quarter 2026 earnings report.

Texas Instruments posts rising Q3 sales across data centers, cars, industry

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:59:17 GMT

Texas Instruments reported strong revenue growth in its third-quarter earnings call due to strong demand across its industrial, automotive, and data center businesses. The company said it is facing a tight supply environment for its chips, but brought up its ramping of production and testing capacity, including through its new Malaysia back-end facility.

Samsung reportedly overhauls DRAM, NAND R&D incentives to retain talent and accelerate next-gen memory chips

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:55:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics is reportedly restructuring its semiconductor research operations and performance-based compensation system to accelerate next-generation DRAM and NAND flash development, bringing researchers and production teams closer together while addressing concerns over incentives and talent retention.

Taiwan's Aero Win expands role in next-gen engine programs amid global aircraft backlog

Willis Ke — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:53:57 GMT

Taiwan's aerospace components maker Aero Win Technology is positioning itself for a new growth cycle, capitalizing on robust aircraft engine demand while expanding its role in next-generation development programs. With global aircraft production struggling to keep pace with orders, the company's gross margin reached a record 26% in the first half of 2026, up 8pp year-over-year.

China's L3 autonomous driving adoption tipped to top 35% by 2030, raising stakes for automakers

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:27:24 GMT

Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving penetration in China is forecast to exceed 35% by 2030, supported by falling sensor costs, advances in AI models, and tighter safety regulations. The forecast comes as the country expands autonomous driving trials and prepares for wider commercial deployment.

Samsung DX division postpones meeting amid bonus tensions

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:07:46 GMT

According to reports from Financial News, ETNews, News1 and Yonhap, Samsung Electronics' postponement of an event has intensified scrutiny of internal communications, bonus disparities, and preparations for 2027 wage talks as DX employees challenge compensation arrangements favoring the memory-focused DS division, while unions contest who should represent workers in negotiations expected to begin integrating demands in December.

Why Terafab approached South Korean suppliers first

Charlene Chen — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:06:20 GMT

Elon Musk is moving ahead with Terafab, as Tesla and SpaceX reportedly negotiate with about 10 South Korean semiconductor materials, components, and equipment suppliers. The discussions cover process materials, piping and valves, wastewater recycling equipment, and semiconductor testing components, raising questions about whether Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain will benefit from the massive expansion.

OpenAI acquires Orchestra Bio to advance AI drug development

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:03:01 GMT

OpenAI has acquired biotech startup Orchestra Bio and will integrate its team and technology into its life sciences research platform, Rosalind, expanding AI applications in drug development in an effort to accelerate the arrival of new therapies.

Unitree showcases H2-X as China's humanoid robot output tops 100,000

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:57:17 GMT

Unitree Robotics unveiled its new H2-X humanoid robot on October 21, showcasing martial arts combat, landings from height, and vehicle rescue as China's humanoid robot production accelerates. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said humanoid robot output exceeded 40,000 units in 1H26 and is expected to surpass 100,000 units for the full year, signaling the industry's shift toward large-scale production and broader applications.

Inside Nvidia DSX POD: How a factory-built AI data center could go live in 14 days

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:53:05 GMT

Nvidia used its first GTC conference in Berlin to present a factory-style approach to AI, framing AI production as an industrial process. CEO Jensen Huang introduced the DSX full-stack architecture and DSX POD, a modular computing container designed to speed data-center deployment and bring systems online faster across Europe.

Japan sets execution plan for 17 growth strategies

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:51:18 GMT

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will finalize a five-year plan by the end of 2026 outlining an investment blueprint for 17 strategic sectors. The plan will prioritize semiconductors and gaming for near-term investment, while physical AI and hydrogen are positioned as the next growth drivers.

BOS, LG, and HANA Micron team up on Korean automotive chiplets

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:50:00 GMT

BOS Semiconductors is partnering with LG Electronics and HANA Micron to develop and commercialize chiplet-based automotive semiconductors in South Korea, connecting domestic AI chip design with packaging and vehicle testing. ChosunBiz and ZDNet Korea reported the collaboration on October 20.

Racing Electric Instrument expands across drone systems

Rodney Chan — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:46:04 GMT

Motor manufacturer Racing Electric Instrument (REI) is expanding from propulsion systems into electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payloads and inertial navigation for drones, targeting gaps in Taiwan's unmanned systems supply chain and supporting the development of locally controlled drone technologies.

Amazon backs 960MW nuclear project for AI power

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:37:40 GMT

Amazon plans to invest in a proposed 960MW nuclear power plant in Indiana and become its first power purchaser, securing long-term electricity for its AI data centers as it expands its nuclear energy strategy.

Amazon spends US$220B on AI as power delays squeeze cash flow

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:28:53 GMT

Amazon plans about US$220 billion in capital expenditure in 2026, mainly for cloud and AI infrastructure, but delays in data center power and construction are causing server racks to arrive before they can be deployed. The bottleneck is leaving expensive equipment in warehouses, preventing it from immediately generating computing capacity and revenue.

Analysis: Why Tesla needs to manufacture Optimus robots before its humanoid AI is ready

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:26:02 GMT

Tesla's move into early production of its Optimus humanoid robot has exposed an unusual challenge in scaling embodied artificial intelligence (AI): the company may need to manufacture thousands of robots before it can generate enough training experience to make them commercially useful.

Amazon to invest over EUR160B in Germany for AI, cloud and logistics

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:25:00 GMT

Amazon will invest more than EUR160 billion (about US$17.9 billion) in Germany in 2027 to expand its cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite network, logistics and media-content businesses, while establishing its second robotics and AI research laboratory in Berlin.

Intel begins Arizona Fab 62 equipment installation, advances Ohio project as AI CPU demand surges

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:22:13 GMT

Intel is accelerating work on its long-delayed US semiconductor manufacturing projects, with equipment installation underway at its Fab 62 facility in Arizona and construction progressing at its Ohio site. The developments come as stronger demand for AI data center processors supports the chipmaker's efforts to expand capacity and strengthen its foundry business.

Apple, Google push PCB supply chain toward net zero amid challenges

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:11:00 GMT

PCB makers are expanding sustainability efforts as artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) drive demand for higher-performance boards. Still, the industry faces obstacles in securing affordable renewable power, validating low-carbon materials, and measuring emissions across its supply chain. Industry output is expected to exceed NT$1.13 trillion (US$34.63 billion) in 2026, putting pressure on the industry to balance growth with its sustainability goals.

Hyundai rethinks AAM strategy as Tesla Roadster sparks flying-car buzz

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:09:00 GMT

Tesla's unveiling of a redesigned Roadster with rocket-style thrusters has intensified interest in flying cars, while an internal report calls on Hyundai Motor Group to reconsider its aircraft development direction and advanced air mobility (AAM) strategy.

Meta says compute, not demand, now limits Muse; pushes shared standard for AI shopping agents

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:04:13 GMT

Meta Platforms is limiting the Muse personal AI agent to the US and Canada for now, saying that compute costs are the main reason it hasn't gone global.

SDC supplies over 70% of major laptop brands' OLED panels

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:58:34 GMT

Samsung Display (SDC) currently supplies more than 70% of the OLED panels used by major global laptop brands, intensifying concerns over supply and pricing risks tied to dependence on a single supplier. Laptop makers are therefore gradually adjusting their procurement strategies to build more diversified sources.

iPhone Duo preorders surge, but sales momentum remains uncertain

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:52:45 GMT

Apple Inc.'s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, has exceeded sales expectations since preorders opened on October 16, 2026. Supply constraints have extended delivery times to January 2027, but industry executives said the strength of demand will not become clear until after the first quarter of 2027.

Tesla's Robotaxi test enters harder phase: turning autonomous miles into transport business

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:51:48 GMT

Tesla's Robotaxi expansion is entering a new phase as the company increases unsupervised autonomous mileage, deploys its purpose-built Cybercab and works to expand fleet operations. The challenge now is translating those advances into a commercial transportation service capable of operating across more cities while managing vehicle production and operating costs.

Exclusive: Apple raises iPhone Duo shipment target 44% on strong preorders

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:51:22 GMT

Apple has raised its iPhone Duo shipment target by 44%, from 9.7 million to 14 million units over 12 months, as strong consumer demand for its first foldable iPhone prompts the company to increase orders. Supply chain sources say the move signals confidence in sales, while forecasts for other models remain mixed.

LG robot unit Bear Robotics expands China outsourcing

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:51:01 GMT

Bear Robotics, the robotics subsidiary of LG Electronics, is adopting a dual-track production strategy by expanding outsourcing from South Korean partners to manufacturers in China. The move is aimed at supporting rising shipments and lowering manufacturing costs, with some robots made in China already shipped to the US.

Lam Research builds India supplier base to capitalize on Semicon 2.0 localization push

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:45:00 GMT

Lam Research is grooming Indian companies to become its suppliers rather than relying only on its global vendor base, a senior executive said, as the US chip equipment maker deepens its presence in a market where the government now ties incentives to local sourcing.

Nvidia becomes AI's central bank as cloud startups face mounting pressure

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:41:18 GMT

As Nvidia expands its chip business beyond technology giants into emerging AI markets such as new cloud providers, it has become a "central bank" helping these companies expand by backing customers and demand. But as Nvidia-backed AI cloud companies come under pressure, concerns are growing over how long Nvidia can sustain this role.

Charts: China's smartphone market bounces back from summer lows on new launches

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:35:00 GMT

China's smartphone market rebounded in September 2026 after weak July and August shipments, as brands rolled out more new models. Shipments reached 21.86 million units, down nearly 22% from a year earlier but up from a monthly average of about 17 million units over the previous two months, according to China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) data cited by industry channel sources.

Sibelco to build quartz plant in North Carolina, extending US chip onshoring to raw materials

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:30:00 GMT

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has announced a new investment by industrial minerals company Sibelco to expand semiconductor-related manufacturing in North Carolina, as the Trump administration pushes to bring more of the chip supply chain onto US soil.

Samsung patent boosts AI server memory efficiency without adding GPUs

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:27:37 GMT

Samsung Electronics has disclosed a patent application targeting GPU memory shortages when multiple users simultaneously submit requests to AI servers. By calculating data-transfer costs between GPUs and CPUs and minimizing unnecessary transfers, the technology is designed to enable AI servers to process more user requests quickly within limited memory capacity, without adding GPUs.

Unimicron warns of double-booking risks as AI PCB capacity race strains supply chains

Levi Li — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:27:13 GMT

Rapid growth in AI-driven demand is placing new pressure on the printed circuit board (PCB) supply chain, with equipment constraints, shorter product development cycles and overlapping capacity commitments emerging as key challenges, according to Unimicron executive president Timothy Lan.

Charts: Nvidia's China AI chip lead shrinks 80% as Huawei closes in

Levi Li — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:15:00 GMT

Nvidia's lead over Huawei in China's AI accelerator market has narrowed by 80% in a year, bringing CEO Jensen Huang's warnings about losing the country's US$50 billion AI chip market closer to reality. According to IDC, Huawei shipped 572,000 Ascend chips in the first half of 2026, securing a 28% market share, just 6pp behind Nvidia, compared with a 31pp gap a year earlier.

Walrus Pump sees slower demand for higher-capacity AI cooling pumps

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:06:44 GMT

Liquid cooling is becoming mainstream in AI servers, prompting data-center customers to assess pumps that can move 100 metric tons of water per hour as chip heat rises. Taiwan pump maker Walrus Pump expects slower ordering momentum to limit technology-pump revenue growth, while broader adoption could improve its earnings mix.

Nvidia's AI factory strategy points to a broader shift in computing, industry

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:01:02 GMT

Nvidia is positioning the expansion of artificial intelligence as an infrastructure and industrial shift, not simply a software trend. At GTC Berlin, CEO Jensen Huang described an economy spanning energy, computing, AI factories, models, and applications, while urging Europe and telecom operators to build capacity to produce, host, and deploy autonomous AI systems.

Nvidia lines up six suppliers to expand substrate, packaging, and testing capacity

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:59:00 GMT

Nvidia said on October 21 that it is working with six supply chain partners to expand manufacturing capacity for substrates, advanced packaging, testing, and optical engines to meet growing demand for its accelerated computing and AI factory platforms.

Memory surge drives phone makers from LTPO to LTPS

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:55:05 GMT

Soaring memory prices are intensifying cost pressure across the display industry, prompting some smartphone manufacturers to downgrade panel specifications. Market estimates indicate that memory's share of flagship smartphones' bill of materials (BOM) cost is nearly six times that of displays, raising concerns that smartphone display technology could regress by about five years.

Micron skips 4F² for 3D DRAM as CXMT pushes ahead

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:49:31 GMT

Micron does not plan to commercialize 4F² DRAM even as Chinese rival ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) advances the technology, saying the architecture offers limited benefits while adding cost and complexity.

Tesla's new Roadster opens two paths for Taiwanese suppliers, from EV components to aerospace

Scarlett Yu — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:45:00 GMT

Tesla recently unveiled its new Roadster, equipped with SpaceX cold-gas thruster technology, and demonstrated the vehicle hanging upside down, lifting off the ground, and performing aerial flips. The company also announced plans to begin mass production in 2028, drawing global attention to the concept of a "flying car."

Apple eyes high-end HomeView with robotic arm by 2027

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:44:20 GMT

After unveiling its first smart home display, the US$299 HomeView, Apple is reportedly developing a more powerful high-end model as it expands its smart home ecosystem. The device could arrive as early as 2027 with a motorized robotic arm and a larger display.

China's IC designers expand into AI server memory interconnects beyond DDR5

Levi Li — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:36:53 GMT

China's IC designers are expanding into high-speed interconnect technologies as AI inference and agent applications fuel demand for server CPUs, memory modules and connectivity chips. Montage Technology expects third-quarter 2026 profit to more than double on stronger DDR5 shipments, while Shenzhen-based Techwinsemi is developing Compute Express Link (CXL) memory expansion controllers. Together, these efforts highlight China's growing interest in AI server connectivity.

Jio's record IPO tests global appetite for India's homegrown telecom stack

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:28:24 GMT

Jio Platforms' initial public offering, the largest in India's history, asks investors to back more than a mobile network. In its prospectus, the operator that built its business on cheap data pitches a home-grown 5G stack and an AI engine it plans to sell to operators abroad, even though telecom still generates almost 90% of its revenue, according to Reuters.

Humanoid robot maker PAL says wheels could handle 80% of the market

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:14:28 GMT

Wheeled robots could address as much as 80% of the market, according to PAL Robotics CEO Francesco Ferro, a notable assessment from a company that also develops bipedal humanoids.

Elon Musk expands South Korean supplier network for Terafab

Charlene Chen — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:10:05 GMT

Elon Musk's Terafab semiconductor production initiative is expanding its supplier outreach in South Korea, with Tesla and SpaceX approaching materials, components, and equipment suppliers across nearly every segment of the planned supply chain, from basic piping components and process materials to testing components.

Texas Instruments' analog recovery broadens as 12-inch investment turns into margin

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:00:01 GMT

Texas Instruments' third quarter suggested the analog chip upturn has moved beyond restocking into a broad-based recovery, and that the company's multi-year build-out of 12-inch wafer capacity is now lifting margins rather than absorbing cash. Revenue rose 28% year on year and 11% sequentially to US$6.06 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2026.

IBM's growth rebounds after a summer stumble, led by software and servers

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:58:28 GMT

IBM's third quarter went some way towards answering whether the deal slippage that hit its second quarter reflected weaker demand or delayed timing. Revenue rose 5% year on year, or 6% at constant currency, to US$17.1 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, an acceleration after a second quarter that led the company to cut its full-year outlook in July.

Meta's advertising engine keeps pace with its AI build-out as legal costs cut into profit

DIGITIMES — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:57:39 GMT

Meta Platforms' third quarter showed that its core advertising business is still growing fast enough to carry one of the largest infrastructure programs in the technology industry. Still, it also showed legal liabilities becoming a material cost line. Revenue rose 26% year on year to US$64.6 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, while the operating margin fell to 20% from 40% a year earlier.

Nvidia pitches factory-built AI data centers and hardware-enforced agent controls at GTC Berlin

DIGITIMES — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:58:36 GMT

Nvidia used its GTC Berlin keynote on October 21 to argue that AI's bottlenecks now lie in deployment speed, power, and security rather than silicon, unveiling reference designs and software that extend its reach from GPUs to how entire AI factories are built and run.

Tesla's car margins recover, but spending on AI and robotics absorbs the gain

DIGITIMES — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:56:23 GMT

Tesla's third quarter showed its vehicle business regaining some per-car profitability even as total sales stalled, while the company's push into AI, robotaxis, and humanoid robots consumed most of the improvement. Revenue was roughly flat year on year at US$28.05 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, and operating income fell 56% to US$718 million, leaving an operating margin of 2.6% against 5.8% a year earlier.

Taiwan's FTC blocks Grab's Foodpanda acquisition over competition concerns

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:55:27 GMT

Grab Holdings' proposed acquisition of Delivery Hero's Foodpanda operations in Taiwan has been rejected by Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC). The commission made the announcement on October 21, blocking the deal on the grounds that it would restrict market competition. Grab issued a statement saying while it was disappointed with the decision, it will continue developing its core businesses in its existing Southeast Asian markets.

GoldKey Technology posts record 3Q26 profit as industrial share rises

Charlene Chen — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:53:48 GMT

Memory module maker GoldKey Technology posted record third-quarter 2026 profit, with net income topping NT$1 billion (approx. US$30.9 million) for the first time at NT$1.03 billion, up 6.2% quarter-over-quarter. However, the conversion of convertible bonds increased its share capital, pushing earnings per share down to NT$9.14 from NT$10.17 in the second quarter.

Chief Telecom's CTSP AI data center bookings exceed 50%

Charlene Chen — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:53:33 GMT

Chief Telecom has begun construction of its new AI data center in the Huwei section of the Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP), with an investment of NT$3.3 billion (US$101.8 million). Chairman Jerry Shao said the facility's reservation and contract rate has exceeded 50%, with international cloud service providers (CSPs) and fintech companies making up most of the customers.

TASA satellites reach orbit to test coordinated LEO broadband links

DIGITIMES — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:53:18 GMT

The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) said two 8U CubeSats developed by Tron Future Tech successfully reached orbit on October 20 aboard SpaceX's Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission, advancing Taiwan's low Earth orbit (LEO) communications technology program. T.MicroSat-3 and T.MicroSat-4 launched at 7:04 p.m. Taiwan time to a mid-inclination orbit and established initial contact with ground stations in Chile and Azerbaijan before 3 a.m. Taiwan time on October 21, with their systems operating normally and sufficient power available.

Unimicron, STATS ChipPAC, Wistron address advanced packaging bottlenecks in AI system integration

Yunnie Cheng — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:52:37 GMT

The Global Electronics Association hosted a panel titled "Component to System Integration Advances" during the IMPACT 2026 symposium, bringing together industry leaders from Unimicron, STATS ChipPAC, Wistron, and market research firm TechSearch. Covering crucial supply chain segments—including PCBs, IC substrates, OSATs, and EMS providers—the forum addressed pressing technical bottlenecks in AI-driven high-performance computing (HPC).

Taiwan tech supply chain eyes Texas for first US industrial cluster

Yunnie Cheng — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:52:03 GMT

As Taiwan and the US deepen supply chain localization efforts, concrete plans for Taiwan's electrical and electronics industries to establish US industrial parks are rapidly taking shape. Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Hsin Kung recently revealed in an interview with foreign media that Taiwan plans to collaborate with the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA) to construct multiple US industrial parks. Texas has been selected as the inaugural location to help Taiwanese AI and semiconductor suppliers build a local manufacturing footprint.

Samsung's Nvidia HBM bid raises four strategic concerns

Lily Hess — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:51:37 GMT

Samsung Electronics is reportedly turning to TSMC's 3nm process to produce base dies for Nvidia's custom high-bandwidth memory (NVHBM), abandoning its long-standing turnkey integration model to win a place in Nvidia's supply chain. The move could meet customer requirements, but it is raising concerns in South Korea over Samsung Foundry's competitiveness, HBM design control, and the long-term benefits of internal collaboration.

ESMT sees memory price momentum extending through 4Q26, 2027

Charlene Chen — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:51:08 GMT

Persistent supply shortages have kept the niche memory market hot, with Elite Semiconductor Microelectronics Technology (ESMT) estimating that the structural supply gap exceeds 30%. The company expects tight supply and demand to continue through 2028 or longer, while price increases are set to continue in the fourth quarter of 2026 and support stronger operating performance than in the third quarter.

Syscom, Japan's CIJ sign AI partnership for overseas expansion

Kevin Wang — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:50:21 GMT

Syscom Computer Engineering is expanding its portfolio in edge AI and its broader enablement ecosystem, with the company showcasing its latest products at the 2026 AIoT Taiwan exhibition, under the theme "Edge Intelligence Now."

Khgears targets humanoid robot joints, eyes 2027 mass production

DIGITIMES — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:49:58 GMT

Precision gearmaker Khgears International is expanding into humanoid robot joint components and expects its newly developed differential reducer to enter mass production in 2027. The company said shipments for new projects should remain strong through the fourth quarter of 2026, after reporting September revenue of NT$336 million (US$10.3 million), up 27.61% year on year.

Russia considers reinstating parallel imports of Samsung, SK Hynix products amid memory shortages

Scarlett Yu — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:49:14 GMT

Russia is reportedly considering reinstating parallel imports of products from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to ease shortages of memory and storage devices used in data centers. However, US export controls on Russia and tight global memory supplies are expected to make it difficult for either company to resume direct shipments to the Russian market or significantly expand local sales.

3M calls Largan partnership key step for US$2 billion EBO market

Charlene Chen — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:48:43 GMT

3M Chairman and CEO Bill Brown outlined the latest progress in the company's expanded beam optics (EBO) technology during its third-quarter earnings call, highlighting a contract manufacturing agreement with Taiwan's Largan Precision and the technology's potential US$2 billion market opportunity.

2nm and CoWoS expansion lifts Chi Yi Hsin Technology backlog to NT$4.5B

Charlene Chen — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:48:10 GMT

The expansion of advanced semiconductor processes and packaging is driving demand for facility engineering, with Chi Yi Hsin Technology securing NT$4.5 billion (US$138.9 million) in orders as it joins the supply chains supporting leading foundry construction projects in Taiwan and the US. Founded in 2014, the facility engineering integrator is preparing to list on the Taipei Exchange to accelerate its entry into the capital markets.

High-end ASIC demand drives TGV adoption as TPK weighs further Taiwan expansion

Yunnie Cheng — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:47:40 GMT

As advanced packaging technology evolves, traditional copper-clad laminates (CCL) are increasingly running up against signal transmission and thickness limitations. Through-glass via (TGV) technology has emerged as a major focal point for the semiconductor industry due to its ability to enable high-density vertical interconnects and mitigate large-area warpage. TPK Holding is collaborating with a Taiwanese semiconductor packaging giant to co-develop TGV solutions; its pilot line has already begun process of record (POR) adjustments for specific customer specifications, with plans to consider expanding factory investments in Taiwan by 2027.

Analysis: Tesla's flying Roadster promises thrills, but can technology outrun the law?

Scarlett Yu — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:46:50 GMT

Technology appears capable of almost anything. Tesla's next-generation Roadster electric sports car has brought capabilities once confined to science fiction films into the realm of real-world electric vehicles.

Holy Stone targets 50% South Korea revenue growth by 2027

Lily Hess — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:45:44 GMT

Taiwanese passive-component maker Holy Stone has entered the supply chain of a major South Korean automaker after about two years of market expansion, prompting the company to raise its 2027 South Korea revenue-growth target to more than 50%. The company is targeting automotive, safety-certified, and high-end multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) while expanding Taiwan production to meet AI-driven demand and pursuing semiconductor and timing-component opportunities.

Analysis: Musk combines rocket technology with Roadster 2, leveraging synergies across his business empire

Scarlett Yu — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:45:19 GMT

Tesla has unveiled its Roadster 2 rocket-powered sports car, but the significance extends beyond the performance specifications of a single vehicle. The unveiling highlights how CEO Elon Musk is building an interconnected ecosystem across his businesses, enabling technologies to be combined, shared, and reinforced across different industries.

Hyundai revamps lineup as Taiwan's hybrid car market enters two-year battle over powertrain systems

Scarlett Yu — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:44:22 GMT

Hybrid vehicles now account for more than 60% of Taiwan's auto market, shifting the focus of competition from whether a vehicle offers hybrid technology to which hybrid system it uses.

TECO targets AI data center cooling as commercial aircon share nears 60%

Lily Hess — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:43:43 GMT

TECO Electric and Machinery showcased its transformation from an air-conditioning equipment maker to a systems integrator at the 2026 RHVAC Taiwan on October 20, focusing on AI data center thermal management and refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP). The company expects commercial air conditioning and AI data center cooling solutions to account for more than 60% of its air conditioning technology business group's revenue in 2027.

Micron reaches deal with Taiwan union to introduce quarterly profit bonuses in FY27

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:24:45 GMT

Micron Technology's labor dispute in Taiwan appears set for resolution after its Taichung union signed a labor-management agreement with the company and withdrew from the mediation session scheduled for October 22. According to an internal email circulated by employees, Micron will introduce quarterly profit-sharing bonuses based on employee level in fiscal year 2027. The plan will cover employees at the director level and below.