DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Quanta raises 2026 capex to NT$40B as AI visibility runs to 2028

Joseph(C) Chen — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:25:55 GMT

Quanta Computer told investors at its August 13 earnings call that customer AI product roadmaps and order visibility now extend into 2028, prompting the company to accelerate capacity expansion and raise its full-year 2026 capital expenditure target to NT$40 billion (US$1.28 billion) from NT$30 billion. Quanta expects its overall margin for 2026 to hold steady at first-half levels.

Oracle's transformation from enterprise software to AI powerhouse

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:40:50 GMT

Oracle and quantum computing leader Quantinuum have entered a multi-year strategic partnership to bring Quantinuum's next-generation quantum computer, Helios, directly into Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). The collaboration aims to create a unified computing ecosystem where enterprise customers, AI research labs, and scientific institutions can access quantum processing units (QPUs) alongside existing GPU clusters and high-performance computing (HPC) hardware.

China AI chip market nears 90% domestic share in 2026—Huawei on course to eclipse Nvidia

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 08:20:43 GMT

China's high-end AI chip market could become almost entirely domestic in 2026, with local solutions expected to take nearly 90% of sales and leave Nvidia, AMD and other overseas suppliers with about 10%.

Taiwan's carbon fee era begins, science parks roll out measures

Kevin Wang — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 08:07:23 GMT

Taiwan began charging companies for carbon emissions in 2026 as part of its push toward net-zero by 2050, with the initial filing deadline closing June 1. A total of 461 regulated factories and 240 companies have paid in full, generating NT$4.97 billion (US$154 million) in carbon fees, with the semiconductor industry paying the most: 45%, or NT$2.2 billion. The Ministry of Environment (MOENV) is also advancing a pilot phase for the emissions trading scheme (ETS) as Taiwan works to align with international carbon markets.

Taiwan's packaging and integration ecosystem positions it as the backbone of CPO scaling, Ayar Labs says

Scarlett Yu — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:26:13 GMT

The technical feasibility of co-packaged optics (CPO) has been demonstrated repeatedly at major industry conferences in recent years. At the 2026 OCP APAC Summit, however, Ayar Labs CEO Mark Wade shifted the focus from whether CPO works to whether it can scale commercially.

Taiwan notebook industry, 2Q 2026

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:22:26 GMT

Taiwan notebook industry, 2Q 2026

Qisda eyes AI infrastructure as fastest-growing business opportunity

Lily Hess — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:15:00 GMT

Qisda Chairman Peter Chen said infrastructure is the foundation that must first be built as AI compute demand surges. He said Qisda will not be absent from the fast-growing race, as the company steps up work on AI servers, data centers, 1.6T switches, and silicon photonics (SiPh).

Pegatron stocks AI server parts early as shortages spread through supply chain

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:05:09 GMT

Pegatron Corp. said in its second-quarter 2026 results that its server business posted strong gains and that it had already begun preparing for demand in the second half of 2026 while building inventory for the first half of 2027. The Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer said AI server momentum remained strong, but shortages across the upstream supply chain were still creating uncertainty.

Pegatron profit surges on AI server shipments and stronger product mix

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:04:59 GMT

Pegatron reported its second-quarter 2026 results on the 12th, saying net profit attributable to the parent company rose more than 14-fold year-on-year as shipments of information products and consumer electronics strengthened. The Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer said AI server demand is expected to remain a key growth driver in the second half of 2026.

Samsung delays High-NA EUV adoption until 1nm production in 2030

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:04:51 GMT

Samsung Electronics plans to introduce high-numerical-aperture extreme ultraviolet (High-NA EUV) lithography into mass production at its 1nm node around 2030, according to South Korean media reports. The move signals that the foundry giant is continuing work to deploy the next-generation chipmaking technology at advanced nodes.

LandMark Optoelectronics posts surge in profit on silicon photonics demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:04:32 GMT

LandMark Optoelectronics Corp. reported a sharp jump in revenue, margins, and profit in the second quarter of 2026, driven by strong demand for silicon photonics products and higher shipment volumes. The optical communications epitaxial wafer maker also said third-quarter 2026 revenue is expected to rise more than 20% quarter-on-quarter as both the company and its downstream foundry partners expand capacity.

Asus raises server outlook as AI demand lifts record second quarter results

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:04:21 GMT

Asus reported record second-quarter 2026 results driven by servers and PCs, while management pointed to strong demand for AI computing and cloud infrastructure. The Taiwan-based PC and hardware vendor said server order visibility remained high and lifted its full-year server revenue growth target from 100% to at least 150%.

Asus projects up to 150% server growth as AI demand lifts results

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:04:08 GMT

Asustek Computer said growth in its AI server and PC businesses pushed revenue, operating profit, and net profit to record highs in the second quarter of 2026. The Taiwan-based hardware maker also projected continued third-quarter growth across its main business lines as it expands in AI servers and new AI PC form factors.

SK Hynix expands EUV roadmap with High-NA tools and PSM adoption

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:03:56 GMT

SK hynix said it is advancing its use of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography for the mass production of next-generation DRAM, with high-numerical-aperture (High-NA) EUV equipment introduced in the second half of 2025 and related research and development beginning in 2026. The memory maker is also adopting phase-shift mask (PSM) technology and other process materials to improve EUV performance as demand rises for higher-capacity, higher-performance chips.

South Korea plans new sovereign wealth fund to back AI, robots, supply chains

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:03:21 GMT

South Korea plans to establish a strategic investment account with at least 20 trillion won in assets within the Korea Investment Corporation in 2027 as it moves to strengthen its position in global advanced technology competition. According to Bloomberg, the fund will focus on artificial intelligence, robotics, and critical supply chains, while also extending to energy, batteries, power grid infrastructure, nuclear power, and quantum technology.

Zhen Ding targets 50% revenue share from AI servers, optical modules, IC substrates by 2030

Levi Li — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:03:00 GMT

Zhen Ding Tech (ZDT), a major PCB supplier, said at its second-quarter 2026 earnings conference on August 11 that rising investment in AI computing infrastructure is ushering in a new expansion cycle for high-end PCB demand. Chairman Charles Shen said the company expects strong revenue growth in 2026, while increasing contributions from AI-related products should narrow the traditional gap between peak and off-peak seasons. ZDT aims to raise the combined revenue share of servers, optical modules and IC substrates to 45–50% by 2030.

ChipMOS lifts capex for 2026-2027 on memory and AI ASIC growth

Charlene Chen — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:02:50 GMT

ChipMOS said strong demand for automotive panels and memory products drove revenue and profit to record highs in the second quarter of 2026. Chairman Shih-Jye Cheng said the company will raise capital expenditure (capex) for two consecutive years, in 2026 and 2027, to support memory, advanced logic, and new product demand. The company plans to boost capex to more than 25% of revenue as it begins a new expansion cycle.

Foxconn sees AI rack shipments grow multiple-fold in 2026 after 2Q operating profit rises 68%

Levi Li — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:02:21 GMT

Foxconn's AI server business powered stronger-than-expected second-quarter 2026 revenue and profit, with growth in its cloud network products segment helping operating profit rise far faster than sales. At its August 12 earnings conference, the company said stronger product mix and scale benefits lifted profitability, while continued AI infrastructure demand should sustain shipment growth through the second half.

Foxconn broadens beyond AI servers with EVs, robotics and Japan chip fab above 90% utilisation

Levi Li — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:02:11 GMT

Foxconn used its second-quarter 2026 earnings conference on August 12 to detail progress beyond its fast-growing AI server business, spanning cloud and data centre solutions, electric vehicles, robotics, semiconductors, satellite communications and AI platforms.

Pegatron sees 2026 server growth beat expectations

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:01:52 GMT

Pegatron said its server business had posted significant growth in shipments and revenue so far this year, giving it strong confidence that it will meet—and likely exceed—its original goal of raising 2026 server revenue to ten times its 2025 level.

LGES, Lopal sign three-year LFP supply deal worth up to CNY27 billion

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:01:40 GMT

LG Energy Solution (LGES) and China's Jiangsu Lopal Tech have signed a three-year framework agreement covering up to CNY27 billion (approx. US$3.8 billion) in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material sales as the South Korean battery maker rapidly expands its energy storage system (ESS) business.

Samsung SDI-GM battery reset shows how ESS is reshaping the US EV supply chain

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:01:32 GMT

Samsung SDI is ending its battery manufacturing partnership with General Motors (GM) in Indiana, terminating a major EV joint venture — and sending ripples across the supply chain.

LG Chem reportedly wins cathode supply deal for Hyundai-LG Energy Solution's US battery venture

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:59 GMT

LG Chem has been selected as a cathode material supplier for HL-GA Battery Company, the US battery manufacturing joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, according to The Elec, which cited industry sources. The material accounts for roughly 40% of the cost of a battery cell, and the win is expected to help accelerate LG Chem's shift from petrochemicals toward a business focused on advanced materials.

Tencent starts paying for AI in cash, core business is covering the bill

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:46 GMT

Tencent Holdings used its second quarter to show what an AI build-out costs a company that can afford one. Capex reached CNY52.8 billion (US$7.81 billion), up 176% from a year earlier, and free cash flow turned negative for the quarter after large prepayments for computing capacity.

Cisco's falling margin shows hyperscaler AI is now big enough to reshape the business

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:37 GMT

Cisco Systems closed fiscal 2026 with results that would normally have looked decisively positive. Revenue rose 18% to US$17.3 billion, networking orders posted double-digit growth for an eighth straight quarter, and AI infrastructure orders from hyperscalers reached 4.5 times the previous year's total. Yet the market's focus shifted to a less comfortable signal: Cisco expects non-GAAP gross margin to ease next quarter, suggesting the hyperscaler business is now large enough to move the company's overall economics.

Tencent steps up AI infrastructure spending as compute costs cut into near-term profit

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:23 GMT

Tencent Holdings reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of CNY204.8 billion (US$30.30 billion), up 11% year-on-year, as it sharply increased artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure spending. Management said on the company's August 12 earnings call that the spending is weighing on near-term earnings but is intended to build a "large and valuable AI-native new business."

Cisco leans further into AI networking as hyperscaler orders near US$9.3 billion for the year

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:15 GMT

Cisco Systems closed fiscal 2026 with record results and told investors that the AI-driven "networking supercycle" it has described is still in its early stages. The company backed that view with a fiscal 2027 revenue target for AI infrastructure from hyperscalers and a series of new design wins disclosed on its August 12 earnings call.

Honor's Robot Phone launch signals a bigger bet: turning smartphones into AI hardware

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:05 GMT

Honor unveiled the Robot Phone on August 12, 2026, calling it the world's first "robot phone" and positioning it as the clearest hardware expression yet of the company's push to become an AI device maker rather than just a smartphone brand. Preorders opened the same evening, with sales beginning August 18.

Column: Forecasting the planet, one foundation model at a time

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Typhoons and extreme heat have dominated headlines since the summer of 2026, while heavy rain and drought have alternated with increasing frequency in recent years. Amid this backdrop, weather forecasting has increasingly turned to AI. The shift is challenging numerical weather prediction (NWP), the supercomputer-driven approach that has underpinned the global meteorological industry for decades.

Alphabet's DeepMind shake-up caps months of AI stumbles

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:59:56 GMT

Alphabet's decision to shift day-to-day control of Google DeepMind from Demis Hassabis to his deputy, Koray Kavukcuoglu, was not sudden—it capped a difficult year in which Google lost ground to rivals in the AI race, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

AI inference surge lifts NAND market to record revenue: Counterpoint

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:59:38 GMT

The global NAND market tightened sharply in the second quarter of 2026 as AI workloads shifted from training to inference, driving demand for enterprise SSDs and squeezing consumer supply. The trend matters because it is reshaping storage prices, supplier rankings, and the availability of devices and servers worldwide.

Seetel tops NT$8.2B in first seven months amid US and Australia expansion

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:55:00 GMT

Seetel reported strong momentum in 2026 as large-scale energy storage projects and battery module shipments lifted revenue, while the Taiwan-based energy systems company moved to broaden its footprint in the US and Australia. The firm said its first seven months of revenue reached nearly NT$8.2 billion (US$254.4 million), supported by demand tied to AI data centers, virtual power plants and energy infrastructure.

ITTS reports first-half growth as ERP and AI projects gain traction

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:55:00 GMT

Information Technology Total Services (ITTS) said its business recovered in the first half of 2026 as enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation work advanced and data governance and other smart applications began going live at customer sites. The Taiwanese SAP consulting and managed-services provider said enterprise demand for AI is now tied to broader work on data integration, governance, and process redesign rather than single-tool deployments.

Ledlink swings to profit in 2Q26

Yunnie Cheng — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:55:00 GMT

Ledlink Optics Inc. posted consolidated revenue of NT$353 million (US$10.97 million) in the second quarter of 2026, up 16% quarter-over-quarter and 7% year-on-year, marking its second-highest result for the same period in 11 years. A ramp-up in shipments for new automotive projects, a higher mix of value-added products, and continued optimization of its product and customer order structure lifted operating profit to NT$4.24 million (US$132,000) and net profit attributable to the parent company to NT$5.65 million (US$175,000), with earnings per share (EPS) at NT$0.1, ending its five straight quarters of losses since the first quarter of 2025 and returning the company to profitability.

PC 2H26 pull-forward correction hits peripheral chip makers

Charlene Chen — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:55:00 GMT

As 2026 enters its second half, the PC market is facing pressure from both demand and supply. Rising memory and CPU prices are pushing up system prices and weighing on end-market demand, while AI data centers are crowding out memory capacity and reducing allocation for the consumer market; shortages are also appearing in CPUs and a range of peripheral chips.

Foxconn signals sharper push into AI as Sharp partnership enters new phase

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:45:00 GMT

Foxconn said its decade-long partnership with Sharp has entered a new growth phase, as the Taiwanese electronics group expands into AI servers, semiconductors, robotics, and next-generation communications. The comments, made at Foxconn's second quarter 2026 investor conference on August 12, came as the two companies marked 10 years since Foxconn completed its investment in Sharp.

LX Semicon starts mass producing automotive MCU for Hyundai Motor, Kia

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:40:00 GMT

LX Semicon has begun mass production of an automotive microcontroller unit (MCU) and started supplying the chip to Hyundai Motor and Kia, marking the first time the two automakers will use a South Korean-made MCU in vehicles. The move also marks LX Semicon's first mass-production achievement in automotive MCUs, expanding its business beyond the display driver ICs for which it is best known.

OCP APAC 2026: Ayar Labs CEO says copper is holding back open compute, sees optical interconnects as way forward

Scarlett Yu — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:00:44 GMT

Speaking at the OCP APAC Summit 2026, Ayar Labs CEO Mark Wade argued that copper interconnects have become one of the biggest obstacles to realizing the vision of open computing.

GaAs gains ground in short-reach AI optics as InP constraints mount

Sherri Wang — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:39:35 GMT

As AI workloads push data center interconnects from 800G toward 1.6T, indium phosphide (InP) has become a critical material for high-speed optical links, particularly for longer-distance transmission. But crystal growth challenges, supply constraints and high costs are prompting the industry to explore gallium arsenide (GaAs) as a partial alternative for shorter-reach connections, with the technology expected to become clearer by 2028.

Intel signals memory push after hiring former SK Hynix CEO

Sherri Wang — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:15:20 GMT

Intel is signaling a broader push into next-generation memory technologies, with CEO Lip-Bu Tan revealing that the company is exploring new memory architectures after hiring former SK Hynix CEO Lee Seok-Hee.

Hanmi pulls ahead of Hanwha as HBM4 orders rebound

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:51:21 GMT

South Korea's Hanmi Semiconductor is pulling ahead of rival Hanwha Semitech in thermal compression (TC) bonders for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), as HBM4 equipment orders rebound and Hanmi's growing business with Micron helps reduce its reliance on SK Hynix, according to Chosun Biz.

Univacco reports record 2Q profit and revenue as 3Q demand builds

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:45:00 GMT

Univacco Technology posted record second-quarter and first-half 2026 revenue and profit, driven by its expanding global distribution network, an improved product mix and stronger demand in North America. The vacuum metallized film and precision coating maker also said July revenue stayed at a historically high level, setting a solid tone for the third quarter, which it described as the industry's peak season.

India's state of Odisha sweetens chips, renewable energy incentives to court ISM projects

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:45:00 GMT

Odisha's state cabinet has approved a third amendment to its Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy, adding fresh capital support to attract projects backed by India's national chip-making push, according to state officials cited by regional outlets on August 12, 2026.

Lightmatter white paper targets fragmented supply chain, barriers to photonic interconnect deployment

Scarlett Yu — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:38:07 GMT

Bijan Nowroozi, Head of Ecosystem Development at Lightmatter, announced at the OCP APAC Summit 2026 that the company has released an infrastructure white paper aimed at building a more unified, less fragmented supply chain for photonic interconnects.

Siemens EDA unveils AI-Native Design strategy in South Korea

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:32:16 GMT

Siemens EDA has introduced an AI-Native Design strategy in Seoul, aiming to help chipmakers and system designers manage rising complexity while reducing the risk of AI errors. The move could shape how semiconductor tools evolve worldwide, as companies seek faster, more reliable automation across increasingly global supply chains.

Commentary: Shut out of Nvidia and AMD, Compal charts a different path to AI servers

Charlene Chen — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:30:00 GMT

Compal chairman Ray Chen said the company was still a newcomer to AI servers two years ago but has now moved into the middle tier and wants to keep closing the gap with the leaders. However, opportunities to break into Nvidia and AMD's supply chains remain difficult to win, whereas enterprise OEM business offers a more promising opening for Compal to catch up with front-runners.

Synopsys pushes into system design as Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom move up the stack

Sherri Wang — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:23:41 GMT

Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom are moving beyond chip-level design into subsystems and complete systems, a shift that is increasing the need to account for thermal, electrical, mechanical and other physical effects earlier in the design process, according to Synopsys executives.

NXP expands Malaysia factory to bolster global chip supply resilience

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:20:00 GMT

NXP Semiconductors has begun expanding its Petaling Jaya assembly and test site in Malaysia, a move that could support semiconductor supply chains worldwide by adding capacity, automation, and geographic diversification. The project is part of a broader effort to improve manufacturing resilience as global demand and supply risks continue to shape the industry.

Nvidia's compute financing push signals a new phase for AI spending

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:18:07 GMT

Nvidia's plan to assemble more than US$500 billion in third-party capital for AI infrastructure could reshape how the industry pays for compute. By bringing major Wall Street firms into the deal, the chipmaker is effectively turning AI capacity into a financeable asset class, with implications for cloud providers, investors, and credit markets.

Foxconn buys new land for optical communications expansion

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:55:00 GMT

Foxconn approved the purchase of an industrial property in New Taipei City's Tucheng District for NT$1 billion (US$31.08 million), the company said on the 12th. The site will support future planning in optical communications, ultra-precision molds and precision molding.

Nvidia seeks to ease credit risk concerns over US$500B AI financing plan

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:45:05 GMT

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has sought to reassure investors over the chipmaker's exposure to a newly announced initiative designed to mobilize more than US$500 billion in third-party capital for artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Sodium batteries get 28-month tax window in China

Lily Hess — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:45:00 GMT

Chinese authorities have announced that sodium-ion batteries will be exempt from consumption tax from September 2026 through the end of 2028, while lithium batteries will once again gradually face a 2% to 4% consumption tax. The new policy creates a 28-month "lithium-sodium tax gap" of about 2% to 4%, accelerating commercialization of sodium-ion batteries and drawing previously cautious downstream buyers into the market.

Taiwan manufacturers call for faster nuclear restart to keep pace with AI, chip growth

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:25:00 GMT

The Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI), a major industrial and manufacturing association in Taiwan, called for the government to speed up the restart of nuclear power on the island and addressed three major industry concerns, amid the rapid expansion of the artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor sectors.

OCP APAC 2026: Intel sees agentic AI shifting bottlenecks toward CPUs, memory

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:14:26 GMT

Intel sees agentic AI changing the balance of AI servers, as CPU orchestration, memory capacity and data movement emerge as performance constraints even when more GPU capacity is available.

409.6T switches could push industry toward CPO, Arista says

Sherri Wang — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:01:33 GMT

Co-packaged optics (CPO) has become a major focus of the optical networking industry, but pluggable modules remain the mainstream choice for optical interconnects. At a silicon photonics forum during the 2026 OCP APAC Summit, panelists said vendors have little incentive to abandon a mature and proven pluggable ecosystem before technical or economic constraints make a shift necessary.

Samsung to expand 2026 TV LCD buys from BOE as TCL orders drop

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics is set to increase its TV LCD panel purchases in 2026, even as global shipments of TV LCDs are forecast to decline. The buying shift will favor BOE Technology Group and reduce Samsung's reliance on TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (TCL CSOT), according to ZDNet Korea, citing market research firm Omdia.

Exclusive: US makers accelerate sodium battery plans as shared lithium-ion lines draw investment

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:58:21 GMT

US battery makers are moving more quickly into sodium-ion technology to gain production flexibility, fresh capital, and reduced exposure to lithium supply shocks. Industry sources say the chemistry still trails lithium iron phosphate in scale and economics, but its long-term appeal is rising as material costs climb and policy support shifts.

Lenovo Capital backs Niobium Optoelectronics in Series B funding for TFLN chips

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:47:21 GMT

Jiangsu Niobium Optoelectronics Technology, a Chinese maker of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic chips, has closed a Series B funding round worth several hundred million yuan as demand for AI data center interconnects rises. Lenovo Capital joined the investor lineup through its Shanghai Lenovo Future Venture Capital Partnership, adding a technology-sector backer to the round.

TSMC-Sony image sensor venture pushes Japan chip investment to JPY6 trillion

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:46:00 GMT

TSMC said on August 11 that it will invest in CMOS image sensor development and mass production with Sony Group in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, adding to a wave of foreign chip spending backed by Japanese subsidies. According to Nikkei Asia, Japan's total foreign investment in semiconductor plants has now reached JPY6 trillion (US$380 billion).

Yangtze Memory-backed capital expands into FD-SOI specialty process investment

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:38:00 GMT

Changcun Capital, the investment arm backed by Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., has completed a strategic investment in RuiLiPingxin Microelectronics (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., according to the source material.

Can diamond rewrite the rules of AI chip cooling? Wiwynn is putting it to the test

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:29:35 GMT

As AI processors become more powerful, one of the industry's most stubborn constraints is becoming increasingly physical: there is only so much heat conventional materials can move away from an increasingly concentrated piece of silicon.

Naver backs Anthropic in broader AI push

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:10:45 GMT

Naver has reportedly invested in US artificial intelligence developer Anthropic, adding another global AI company to a widening network that now spans frontier models, AI agents and large-scale computing infrastructure.

India's L&T transfers data center and cloud business to Vyoma.AI for INR14 billion

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:10:20 GMT

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has agreed to transfer its data center and cloud services business to Vyoma.AI, a wholly owned subsidiary, for INR14 billion (approx. US$146.7 million) in a slump sale on a going-concern basis, according to Business Standard and the Economic Times. The consideration will be settled by issuing fully paid-up equity shares in Vyoma.AI rather than cash, thereby keeping the business under L&T's indirect ownership.

LSE Semiconductor wins strategic investment from TIS

Yunnie Cheng — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:10:05 GMT

Lithography Semiconductor Equipment Co. (LSE) officially announced on August 11 that TECO Image Systems Co. (TIS) had completed a strategic investment in the company. The two parties will deepen cooperation across precision manufacturing, optoelectronic technology, supply chain management, semiconductor equipment, and other areas to jointly build semiconductor equipment self-sufficiency and a China-free supply chain. TIS Chairman Eugene Huang will serve as a director at LSE to assist the company in entering its next stage of growth.

From lab bench to IPO: How Taiwan's top university aims to turn professors into founders, campus into a unicorn factory

Lily Hess — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:09:41 GMT

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), one of Taiwan's leading research universities, has spent more than a decade cultivating a campus culture of professor-led startups — a track record that has already produced companies such as eMemory Technology, Heron Neutron Medical, Advanced Ceramic X (ACX), Apex Biotechnology (ApexBio), and Finesse Technology. Building on that history, the university announced on August 10 that it will expand the scale of its "NTHU Accelerator."

Taiwanese makers see humanoid robot supply-chain gains as technical hurdles linger

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:09:22 GMT

The humanoid robot market is opening new AI supply-chain opportunities for Taiwanese manufacturers, while lifting broader robotics demand worldwide. Yet industry players say large-scale deployment remains distant, as companies focus on practical machines for specific jobs and wait for humanoid systems to become more reliable, affordable, and adaptable.

Japan's H3 rocket launches Michibiki 7 into orbit

Lily Hess — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:08:47 GMT

Japan's H3 rocket No. 9 lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at around 4:23 a.m. on August 11, successfully placing Michibiki 7, part of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), into orbit. QZSS is often called Japan's GPS. The mission marked H3's first successful launch of a major operational satellite since its failed launch in late 2025.

Vietnam opens Haiphong free trade zone to court semiconductor investment

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:08:02 GMT

Vietnam has launched the Haiphong Free Trade Zone to draw high-value investment into northern port city of Haiphong, with semiconductors, precision manufacturing, and other strategic industries at the center of the plan. Officials said the new zone is part of a broader effort to make the port city a globally competitive coastal hub for logistics and the marine economy.

South Korea widens chip strategy beyond Samsung and SK Hynix with KRW5 trillion ecosystem fund

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:07:44 GMT

As market momentum spirals into an intensifying race over AI infrastructure buildouts, the global landscape has entered a more aggressive round of AI-centered investment, with national-scale projects taking shape across many of the world's major technology economies.

Longsys profit soars 715-fold on AI memory boom, enterprise storage, 5nm chips

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:07:17 GMT

Chinese memory supplier Longsys reported a dramatic earnings rebound for the first half of 2026, benefiting from rising memory prices, stronger AI data center demand, and a shift toward higher-value storage products.

AgiBot overtakes Unitree as China expands its lead in humanoid robots

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:06:59 GMT

Global humanoid robot shipments nearly quadrupled in the first half of 2026, with Chinese suppliers accounting for more than 97% of the market and AgiBot moving ahead of Unitree Robotics, according to Bloomberg, citing data from market researcher Smart Analytics Global. China also remained the largest demand market, responsible for more than 85% of global demand.

Hengs revenue surges 178% as solar EPC projects reach recognition peak

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:06:37 GMT

Solar and energy storage systems provider Hengs Technology reported a strong rebound in the first half of 2026, with revenue rising as large engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects entered their peak revenue-recognition period. The company said the momentum that began in the second quarter was driven by progress on major solar and storage contracts in Taiwan and overseas.

Taoyuan plans AI manufacturing park in Guanyin to support server supply chain

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:06:16 GMT

Taoyuan is moving to develop Guanyin into an AI computing park as demand for AI servers drives heavier power requirements and a new round of factory expansion. The city said it had coordinated with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taiwan Power Company to make full use of the Datan Power Plant and CPC's Third liquefied natural gas receiving terminal to support AI industry development.

Progate posts record profit on TSMC, Synopsys ecosystem gains

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:05:42 GMT

Progate Group Corporation posted record second-quarter and first-half 2026 revenue and profit, as stronger operations and deeper ties with the TSMC, Synopsys, and ASE ecosystems boosted results. The Taiwan-based design services provider said demand from U.S. customers and advanced-process projects also supported its performance.

Anli-KY lifts July revenue on AI server and drone product shipments

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:05:16 GMT

Anli International reported its first-half results on August 11 after announcing the previous day that increased shipments of AI server and drone-related products had pushed July consolidated revenue to NT$199 million, its highest level of 2026 and up 15.38% from a year earlier. The Taiwanese precision metal parts maker said new-product momentum was building and that second-half operations were expected to outperform the first half.

Inventec posts record second-quarter profit as notebook margins narrow

DIGITIMES — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:04:53 GMT

Inventec reported record net profit and earnings per share in 2Q26, even as gross margin declined and supply constraints intensified. The Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer said server products accounted for more than half of revenue in the quarter, while a higher proportion of rack-level shipments pressured profitability.

Apogee turns profitable in 2Q26 on AI data center demand

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:04:29 GMT

Optical communications filter manufacturer Apogee Optocom turned a profit in the second quarter of 2026, reporting net income of NT$86 million for the quarter, up 207% from the previous quarter, and reversing a loss from the same period in 2025. Earnings per share (EPS) came to NT$2.22. The company said continued expansion in artificial intelligence (AI) data center construction has kept its book-to-bill ratio healthy, while market supply and demand remain relatively tight.

Foxconn's profit growth outpaces capex; no equity raise planned for 2027 buildout

Joseph(C) Chen — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:03:03 GMT

Foxconn told investors on August 12 that its earnings are now growing faster than the spending required to expand AI server capacity — and that it can fund a bigger 2027 buildout without issuing new shares.

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