DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Lens supplies 132 core components for Honor humanoid robot program, reinforcing role in embodied intelligence manufacturing

DIGITIMES — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:56:17 GMT

Lens Technology supplied 132 types of core metal structural components for Honor's humanoid robot program, underscoring its expanding role in embodied intelligence manufacturing and signaling increased global industrial capacity in robot production, supply-chain integration, and overseas facility expansion that could affect robotics availability and development worldwide.

Samsung tests domestic EUV masks to cut Japan reliance at 4nm

DIGITIMES — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:54:41 GMT

Samsung Electronics has begun testing domestic EUV blank masks in its 4nm foundry production line, a shift aimed at cutting reliance on Japanese suppliers and tightening control over critical chipmaking materials.

DeepSeek reportedly weighs first external fundraising as AI competition intensifies

DIGITIMES — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:42:06 GMT

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is considering raising external funding for the first time, a move that would mark a significant shift for a company that has so far relied on backing from its parent, hedge fund High-Flyer Capital Management, according to a report by The Information, citing five people familiar with the matter.

Cerebras revives IPO bid as AI boom fuels growth and high-profile partnerships

DIGITIMES — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:30:07 GMT

Cerebras Systems has renewed its push to go public, filing for an initial public offering (IPO) after shelving an earlier attempt amid regulatory scrutiny and shifting market conditions. The AI chipmaker and data center operator, headquartered in California, is seeking to capitalize on surging demand for AI infrastructure as hyperscalers ramp up spending.

China's humanoid robot half-marathon highlights rapid advances in autonomy and system integration

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:15:13 GMT

A humanoid robot half-marathon held in Beijing's Yizhuang development zone on April 19, 2026, has highlighted the rapid evolution of robotics technology, with autonomous machines demonstrating major gains in speed, stability, and decision-making compared with the previous year.

Weekly news roundup: Samsung launches voluntary retirement; Qualcomm moves into custom DRAM with CXMT

DIGITIMES — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:10:44 GMT

Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of April 13-19, 2026:

As 2D NAND fades, UMC faces steep hurdles to enter a shrinking market

Elaine Chen — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 01:45:16 GMT

The global retreat from 2D NAND flash production is no longer a possibility but an emerging certainty. As major memory makers exit the segment, tightening supply has driven a sharp surge in prices for low-capacity chips. Recent market chatter suggests that United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) could receive foundry orders for SLC and MLC flash, a move that, if realized, might disrupt what is shaping up to be an increasingly concentrated supply landscape.

Canary Islands push into semiconductors, build on space tech base

Levi Li — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 01:26:16 GMT

The Canary Islands, an Atlantic archipelago off northwest Africa, have long been defined by tourism rather than technology.

Qilimanjaro targets analog quantum computing for AI data center integration within 10 years

Lily Hess — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:46:46 GMT

The timeline for quantum computing to become commercially viable has shrunk from decades to potentially within 10 years, driven by surging AI demand. That is the view of Dr. Marta P. Estarellas, CEO of Spanish quantum firm Qilimanjaro, which is positioning analog quantum computing as a key technology for future data centers.

Open Cosmos wins Ka-band spectrum, targets sovereign LEO networks over mass connectivity

Levi Li — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:46:25 GMT

In the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite market, the spotlight has largely been on major operators such as SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper. In early 2026, UK-based space technology firm Open Cosmos began drawing industry attention following an intense spectrum licensing battle.

MSP+ eyes 2026 growth with new Yangmei plant, advances in Micro LED and CPO

Lily Hess — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:45:51 GMT

Micraft System Plus (MSP+), a supplier of mass transfer and laser technology equipment, will officially open its new Yangmei factory in northern Taiwan in May 2026, significantly boosting production capacity for large-scale G4.5 and above laser devices. The company expects to benefit from the ramp-up of Micro LED equipment shipments, driving full-year revenue and profit growth while strategically positioning itself within the AI supply chain.

Mirle, UAT form robotics venture for global expansion

Levi Li — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:45:35 GMT

Automation solutions provider Mirle announced plans to establish a joint venture with United Alloy-Tech Company (UAT), aiming to capture opportunities in the global automation and robotics market.

Samsung files injunction to prevent union from occupying chip facilities

Lily Hess — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:44:53 GMT

Samsung Electronics has taken legal action amid escalating labor disputes with its union, filing for an injunction at a South Korean court on April 16, 2026, to prevent the union from illegally occupying key semiconductor facilities. Halting chip production at the company's facilities could have ramifications for global semiconductor supplies.

India roundup: China's supply-chain squeeze tests India's industrial rise

DIGITIMES — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:44:24 GMT

India's push to build a domestic advanced manufacturing ecosystem is facing renewed pressure as China tightens control over critical battery and EV technologies, while TCL considers restructuring its India TV unit and Taiwan's Rapidtek partners with India's HEX20 in satellite development, according to DIGITIMES reports. Separately, the UK has confirmed GBP380 million in support for Tata's Agratas battery plant in Somerset, underscoring intensifying global competition to secure EV and advanced manufacturing supply chains.

Taiyo Yuden raises MLCC prices, Murata takes the lead, Samsung to follow suit

Emily Kuo — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:44:04 GMT

Japanese electronic components maker Taiyo Yuden recently issued a price increase notice, announcing that it will raise prices on some products starting in May, specifically in the multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) market.

Toyota Corolla's standard ADAS raises global debate on subscriptions

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:43:48 GMT

A budget-friendly Toyota Corolla in the US offering standard, zero-cost advanced driver-assistance systems could reshape global expectations by undercutting automakers that rely on paid software subscriptions. The move intensifies pressure on manufacturers to include essential ADAS features at purchase and challenges the economics of subscription-based vehicle services and consumer attitudes worldwide.

Geely's AI-powered i-HEV challenges Toyota's hybrid dominance

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:43:04 GMT

Geely Auto Group's new intelligent hybrid electric vehicle platform promises to shake up the global hybrid market by consolidating smart driving, cockpit, and chassis functions into a single central controller, potentially lowering fuel consumption and challenging established hybrid leaders — while offering an alternative to full battery electric vehicles for consumers.

AI agents are slipping past enterprise defenses

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:42:49 GMT

Palo Alto Networks warns that the rise of AI agents — now operating with human-like identities and largely through browsers — is reshaping enterprise practices worldwide and creating new governance and security challenges. Organizations face risks from data leakage, autonomous agent interactions, and inadequate browser controls, requiring new approaches to traceability and operational limits.

CFIUS kills Sanan's bid for Lumileds, adding to Chinese LED giant's mounting troubles

Eifeh Strom — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:51:26 GMT

Chinese LED giant Sanan Optoelectronics has abandoned its US$239 million bid to acquire Lumileds, the Dutch high-end LED maker, after the deal was blocked on national-security grounds by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

Corning leads glass substrate race as South Korea's KCC and LX Glass face steep challenges

Lily Hess — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:47:14 GMT

Glass core substrates, valued for their low dielectric loss and warpage reduction, are key to next-generation advanced semiconductor packaging. In South Korea, traditional glass makers KCC Glass and LX Glass have entered R&D efforts to capture market opportunities.

Largan eyes FAU opportunity as smartphone downgrades loom

Lily Hess — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:46:19 GMT

Optical lens giant Largan held its first quarter of 2026 earnings call on April 16, hosted by chairman En-Ping Lin. The company posted 7% year-on-year revenue growth — but headwinds are building as smartphone makers look to downgrade specifications.

Wage protests in Northern India disrupt electronics output as Uttar Pradesh raises pay

DIGITIMES — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:45:57 GMT

Worker protests broke out in mid-April across the Noida–Greater Noida industrial belt, a major center for smartphone and electronics manufacturing, disrupting factory operations and prompting a government response. The demonstrations were concentrated in industrial zones such as Phase-2 and Sector 60, where thousands of workers gathered to demand higher wages and improved working conditions.

H3C expands in Southeast Asia as Singapore emerges as a hub for Chinese AI vendors

DIGITIMES — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:45:32 GMT

The second edition of GITEX AI Asia 2026 opened at Marina Bay Sands, bringing together participants from more than 110 countries, as industry focus shifts from artificial intelligence model development to large-scale deployment.

Kemflo strengthens water resilience for semiconductor fabs

Rodney Chan — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:45:19 GMT

As the global electronics and advanced semiconductor manufacturing sectors expand in 2026, the stability of semiconductor and electronics plant utilities systems has become critical to meeting new factory construction schedules. Kemflo Group CEO Eugene Lin pointed out that, leveraging its integrated strengths across water resources, industrial water treatment, and metal products, Kemflo is establishing itself as an indispensable high-end water treatment partner amid labor shortages in plant operations.

Taiwan networking firms post strong 1Q26 results on data center, Wi-Fi 7 demand

Sherri Wang — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:44:55 GMT

Taiwan's networking equipment makers reported stronger-than-seasonal performance in the first quarter of 2026, supported by demand from AI data centers and upgrades to Wi-Fi 7. Accton Technology, Sercomm and WNC each posted record revenue for the period. However, rising memory prices are beginning to pressure cost structures across the sector.

ASE's CoPos advanced packaging accelerates as Skytech and CMIt boost equipment deliveries

Lily Hess — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:44:16 GMT

AI and high-performance computing (HPC) are driving increasingly stringent chip performance demands, marking a pivotal shift in advanced packaging technology from traditional wafers to large-size panels. Semiconductor equipment leader Skytech's CEO George Yi announced that its self-developed 310x310mm panel-level packaging physical vapor deposition (PLP PVD) system, a world first, has completed delivery and been successfully integrated into production lines at major OSAT firms including ASE Technology Holding.

At 360° Mobility Show, Taiwan pushes integrated automotive future

Elaine Chen — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:42:34 GMT

To more fully showcase Taiwan's role in the global mobility industry, three of its flagship trade shows—Taipei AMPA, E-Mobility Taiwan, and Autotronics Taipei—were combined in 2026 into a single platform, the 360° Mobility Mega Shows. Taiwan External Trade Development Council Chairman James C. F. Huang said Taiwan's automotive components exports have reached NT$214.6 billion, while total automotive output stands at roughly NT$500 billion (approx. US$15 billion). Only by integrating these strengths into a comprehensive ecosystem, he argued, can Taiwan expand its presence in global markets.

Taiwan's MiTAC shifts from hardware to integrated mobility solutions

Elaine Chen — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:42:21 GMT

Despite a challenging auto market in 2026, MiTAC remains confident it can sustain double-digit growth. President Steve Chang says the company's next phase will be defined by the integration of hardware and software in the age of AI, with fleet management emerging as a central growth engine.

Amazon acquisition highlights growing race in satellite communications

Elaine Chen — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:42:00 GMT

Amazon's move to acquire satellite communications operator Globalstar for approximately US$11.57 billion is widely seen as a step toward deeper consolidation in the satellite industry, while signaling a broader structural shift—from traditional broadband services toward direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity.

TSMC's Q1 2026 earnings call: five signals hidden in plain sight

DIGITIMES — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:28:24 GMT

TSMC's first-quarter 2026 earnings call delivered the expected headline numbers — $35.9 billion in revenue, a 66.2% gross margin, and full-year revenue growth guidance raised to above 30% in US dollar terms. The financial story was strong and largely anticipated.

Taiwan's E-Lead expands beyond head-up displays into full smart cockpit systems

Elaine Chen — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:10:15 GMT

Taiwanese automotive electronics leader E-Lead Electronic is reshaping the future of smart cockpits through a combination of deep technological reinvention and production restructuring, as it positions itself as a full-spectrum systems supplier in an increasingly fragmented global supply chain.

Commentary: Humanoid robot marathon highlights four industry benchmarks

Levi Li — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:09:53 GMT

Embodied AI is moving out of the lab and into real-world environments at increasing speed. The humanoid robot half-marathon scheduled for April 19 in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (E-Town) is framed as a public race, but functions more as an industry stress test, compressing a full stack of technologies into a 21-kilometer trial.

Defense and trade tensions fuel growth for Taiwan's Parpro

Elaine Chen — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:09:34 GMT

Amid surging demand from low-Earth orbit satellites, aerospace, and defense, Parpro Corporation expects a sharp acceleration in core business growth in 2026, supported by a maturing North American manufacturing footprint. The company forecasts that full-year profits could rise from prior years, with gross margins holding near 20%.

Taiwan's satellite edge computing tech moves toward global market

Elaine Chen — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:09:17 GMT

Taiwan is pushing deeper into the global space supply chain, as a government-backed effort to develop advanced satellite payloads yields another milestone: the commercialization of an in-orbit computing module designed for real-time data processing.

Memory price surge hits Xiaomi shipments, forces strategy shift

Levi Li — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:08:42 GMT

Rising memory prices are reshaping the global smartphone market. The shift is triggering a broad slowdown and accelerating structural shifts across China's handset industry. Data from Omdia and IDC point to weakening shipments in the first quarter of 2026, with cost pressure and product strategy adjustments weighing heavily on Chinese brands, particularly Xiaomi.