DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Research Insight: Beijing auto show signals shift from vehicle launches to AI-driven supply chains

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:14:57 GMT

The 2026 Beijing Auto Show has emerged as a platform where the balance of competition is shifting from sheer vehicle counts to advanced self-driving systems, AI-powered cockpits, and integrated supply chain collaborations, DIGITIMES Research observed. The event showcased both domestic and foreign manufacturers alongside key automotive intelligence suppliers.

BenQ Materials unit Cenefom enters memory supply chain with CMP brush wheels

Sherri Wang — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:14:48 GMT

BenQ Materials is accelerating its expansion into semiconductor materials as its subsidiary Cenefom officially begins operations at its new Guangyuan plant. The facility's chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) brush wheels have entered the Taiwan supply chain of a major memory manufacturer.

MIT Technology Review outlines 10 key AI trends shaping the future

Willis Ke — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:14:29 GMT

In the fast-moving and often noisy world of AI, what truly merits attention? MIT Technology Review has long tracked the field's evolution to map its next directions. Their latest annual insight highlights 10 key themes that capture major AI trends, breakthroughs, and shifts in power dynamics driving innovation today and shaping tomorrow's possibilities.

ESMC confirmed to be on schedule — and sets its sights on AI

Kevin Wang — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:13:58 GMT

The European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC), a joint venture among TSMC, Bosch, Infineon Technologies, and NXP Semiconductors, is set to begin initial production in 2027. On April 29, the German Trade Office Taipei confirmed that construction is progressing as scheduled and expressed confidence in the timely delivery of the first batch of chips.

Holtek raises low-margin MCU prices, expands AI server cooling and optical comms

Charlene Chen — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:13:42 GMT

Microcontroller (MCU) maker Holtek announced it has raised prices on low-margin MCUs following wafer foundry and packaging cost hikes in China at the end of 2025. This price adjustment has since driven order inflows for touch MCUs and other products. Holtek expects strong growth momentum in the security and health segments in the first half of 2026, with some orders already visible up to six months ahead. The company is also advancing the development of brushless DC motor (BLDC) products and external laser optical communication modules targeting AI servers.

India roundup: India accelerates AI, semiconductor, and manufacturing push with major investments and startup bets

DIGITIMES — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:13:18 GMT

India's technology ecosystem is seeing rapid expansion across AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and electronics manufacturing. From startup bets on AI inference to multi-billion-dollar data center plans and OSAT capacity buildouts, global and domestic players are deepening commitments. The momentum underscores India's rising role in supply chains and compute-driven industries.

AI chip demand ignites embedded substrate race among Samsung, Ibiden, Unimicron

DIGITIMES — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:13:04 GMT

Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) has moved early to commercialize embedded semiconductor substrates, but the window is rapidly closing as Japan's Ibiden and Taiwan's Unimicron prepare to enter the field, setting up a new competitive front in advanced packaging.

AI data center demand boosts IDM growth in industrial market

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:12:40 GMT

Recovery in the industrial chip market, driven by AI data center demand, is poised to reshape manufacturers and supply chains worldwide, as Texas Instruments and NXP Semiconductors report stronger performance in their industrial segments. Improved demand visibility and projected growth through 2026 could influence component sourcing, pricing, and investment strategies for technology stakeholders.

Taiwan-Europe cooperation aims to accelerate counter-drone integration among democratic allies

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:12:20 GMT

Amid shifting geopolitics, collaboration between Europe's electronic warfare expertise and Taiwan's leading supply chain capabilities could materially change how democratic allies counter unmanned threats. Accelerated cooperation on counter-drone system integration promises shorter supply chains, faster deployment, and improved resilience, with implications for defense procurement, interoperability, and deterrence strategies worldwide.

China AI chip designer VeriSilicon books US$1.1bn orders, revenue doubles

DIGITIMES — Sun, 3 May 2026 20:14:00 GMT

China-based chip design service provider VeriSilicon Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. is seeing a sharp acceleration in AI-driven demand, with record orders and surging revenue in the first quarter of 2026 — even as heavy R&D spending continues to weigh on profitability.

Coretronic swings to loss in 1Q26, flags 2Q pressure before seasonal rebound

Levi Li — Sun, 3 May 2026 20:13:00 GMT

Taiwan backlight module maker Coretronic swung to a first-quarter loss and warned of continued pressure in the second quarter, with currency swings, geopolitical risks, raw material costs, and soft demand clouding visibility. A recovery is expected only in the second half, when peak season demand returns.

Zhen Ding expands NTHU partnership with new five-year research program

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 19:13:00 GMT

PCB maker Zhen Ding Technology has launched the second phase of its joint research center with National Tsing Hua University, aiming to deepen collaboration on advanced PCB and IC substrate technologies, smart manufacturing, and talent development.

Foxconn launches second-gen LEO satellites, tests inter-satellite links

DIGITIMES — Sun, 3 May 2026 09:54:08 GMT

Foxconn's two second-generation low-earth orbit satellites — PEARL-1A and PEARL-1B — launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on May 3, riding as part of a CAS500-2 rideshare mission. The satellites are designed for a five-year orbital mission.

Taiwan's Hsin-li Chemical to acquire up to 30% of golf equipment distributor Dacome in tender offer

Elaine Chen — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:34:41 GMT

Hsin-li Chemical, a subsidiary of Taiwan's Sun Yad Group, said it plans to launch an over-the-counter tender offer for shares of Dacome, a leading golf equipment distribution company, in a move aimed at expanding its diversified investment portfolio.

Profile: MIT physicist Yichen Shen leads photonics chipmaker to Hong Kong IPO

Levi Li — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:34:13 GMT

On the morning of April 28, 2026, 37-year-old Yichen Shen stood at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, striking the IPO gong with a wooden mallet.

Taiwanese makers chip in as LEO satellite launches reshape global supply chains

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:33:53 GMT

The rapid rise in low Earth orbit satellite launches is reshaping global supply chains, opening opportunities — and risks — for Taiwanese component makers in connectors, battery modules, and cables. Their early foothold could influence downstream costs, certification hurdles, and manufacturing footprints worldwide, affecting satellite program timelines, sourcing strategies, and investment decisions.

Samsung restructures home appliance business after 90% profit erosion

Charlene Chen — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:33:05 GMT

Samsung Electronics is reportedly initiating a large-scale restructuring of its home appliance division aimed at reversing declining profitability by increasing outsourced production and streamlining operations. According to South Korean media outlets including Maeil Business Newspaper and Hangyung, Samsung held a high-level meeting in early April 2026 to establish plans for bolstering competitiveness in the home appliance sector.

Silicon Motion posts record 1Q26 revenue driven by AI, new products to boost growth

Lily Hess — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:30:46 GMT

Silicon Motion Technology reported a record quarterly revenue of US$342 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 23% from the previous quarter and soaring 105% year-over-year. The company posted a gross margin of 47.2%, net income after tax of US$53.9 million, and diluted earnings per American depository share (ADS) of US$1.58. CEO Wallace Kou said that ongoing ramp-ups of new projects and market share gains will drive quarterly revenue growth throughout 2026.

CSP capex push toward US$700B as AI race intensifies, but ASIC demand timing remains uncertain

DIGITIMES — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:30:16 GMT

At their latest earnings calls, all four major US cloud service providers (CSPs) offered updated views on their 2026 capital expenditure (capex) plans. While Amazon's AWS maintained its already elevated capex levels, the other three — Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta — each raised their spending outlooks.

Taiwan supplier JPC takes No. 2 spot in Nvidia Vera Rubin power cable certification

Eifeh Strom — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:29:50 GMT

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to drive power demands, investment in power-related sectors has become a key focus for component suppliers. Connector and cable supplier JPC Connectivity announced a major breakthrough in its power cable business during its earnings call on April 28, confirming that its ORV3 series of products have completed validation by major cloud service providers (CSP) and Taiwanese ODMs, and have entered the mass production and shipment phases.

Lite-On's AI power ramp lifts 2Q26, but cautious PC outlook tempers 2H26 visibility

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:29:25 GMT

Lite-on Technology is forecasting essential second-quarter revenue growth as next-generation AI power management products enter mass production, president Anson Chiu said, while warning that PC demand momentum may moderate in the second half of the year.

Smart Eye expands AI in-cockpit sensing from driver monitoring to full cabin perception

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:29:06 GMT

Smart Eye's new contracts to add advanced in-cabin sensing to existing models signal a shift with global implications: automakers face looming EU and Euro NCAP rules that push cabin AI beyond driver monitoring toward full multi-passenger perception, affecting safety compliance, software strategies, and privacy for vehicle owners worldwide and regulators.

Taiwan quartz makers target LEO satellite boom by 2027

Charlene Chen — Sun, 3 May 2026 01:46:52 GMT

As wireless communication applications surge, demand for quartz components and filters is rising in tandem, with manufacturers actively expanding into the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite sector. An industry insider says ground receiving stations currently drive the strongest demand for filters and quartz parts, forecasting a market explosion by 2027 as satellite communication users grow.

MediaTek taps retiring TSMC packaging veteran to strengthen foundry ties, not to bridge to Intel

Joseph(C) Chen — Sat, 2 May 2026 11:43:41 GMT

Chen-Hua Douglas Yu, one of the six R&D leaders known inside TSMC as the "six knights," and a central figure in the foundry's advanced packaging development, has joined MediaTek following his 2025 retirement from TSMC. MediaTek confirmed the move, saying it is "honored to have Mr. Yu serve as an informal adviser."

OpenAI reworks Stargate data center strategy as site plans change

DIGITIMES — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:43:22 GMT

OpenAI is reworking its US$500 billion Stargate initiative, shifting from a fixed data center joint venture toward a more flexible strategy for securing computing capacity as demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure accelerates.

NSTC forms task force to lead Taiwan's multimodal AI foundation model development

Rodney Chan — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:42:53 GMT

Amid the flourishing commercial generative AI landscape dominated by large-parameter language models, Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has reversed earlier doubts about its Trustworthy AI Dialogue Engine (TAIDE) project. NSTC minister Cheng-Wen Wu has instructed the formation of a TAIDE task force led by Mark Liao, director of Academia Sinica's Institute of Information Science, to develop a multimodal foundational AI model supporting diverse industries across Taiwan.

After buying Ansys, Synopsys starts merging the two stacks

DIGITIMES — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:41:25 GMT

Hardware design is entering a system-level reset, with Synopsys moving simulation to the core of product development. With Ansys 2026 R1, simulation and analysis (S&A) shifts from post-design verification to a front-end decision engine, shaping architecture from system to silicon.

Yageo AI revenue reaches 15% as chair says sector remains early in cycle

Sherri Wang — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:41:09 GMT

Yageo chairman Pierre Chen said the company has undergone a major transformation over the past eight years, driven in part by the rise of AI applications.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics tops US$2 billion quarterly sales, flags ABF substrate shortage

Levi Li — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:40:50 GMT

Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) reported its first-ever quarterly revenue exceeding KRW3 trillion (approx. US$2.2 billion), driven by expanding AI infrastructure investment and rising demand for automotive electronics, marking a new scale milestone for the company.

Qualcomm says Samsung chip share remains above 70% despite Exynos push

DIGITIMES — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:38:16 GMT

Qualcomm said its relationship with Samsung Electronics remains stable and that its share of Samsung smartphone silicon has risen to more than 70%, even as Samsung expands the use of its in-house Exynos application processors in selected premium models.

Lite-On profit rises on surge in AI-driven cloud demand

Elaine Chen — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:37:55 GMT

Lite-On Technology reported first-quarter revenue of NT$43.4 billion (approx. US$1.35 billion), up 19% from a year earlier, as surging demand for AI infrastructure fueled rapid growth in its cloud-related business.

Foxconn Industrial Internet posts 102% net profit growth in 1Q26 on AI GPU, ASIC demand

Eifeh Strom — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:37:44 GMT

Benefiting from the continued expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) computing power demand, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), a subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), reported first-quarter 2026 revenue that far exceeded market expectations. Revenue reached CNY251.08 billion (approx. US$36.74 billion), up 56.52% year over year, while net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached CNY10.60 billion, soaring 102.55%, with profit growth significantly outpacing revenue.

Onsemi expands collaboration with NIO to support 900V EV platforms

DIGITIMES — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:37:34 GMT

Onsemi's expanded collaboration with NIO to support the automaker's move to 900V electric vehicle platforms could accelerate global EV adoption by improving range, charging speed, and drivetrain efficiency, influencing vehicle performance and manufacturing scalability for new models introduced worldwide, including those scheduled to debut at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.

MediaTek lifts 2026 ASIC target to $2 billion despite smartphone market deterioration

Eifeh Strom — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:37:21 GMT

MediaTek held its earnings call on April 30, expressing a cautious outlook for the 2026 smartphone market. Despite this, growth in other applications is expected to effectively offset the decline.

Goertek boosts Vietnam camera output with US$20 million Bac Ninh expansion

DIGITIMES — Fri, 1 May 2026 23:35:23 GMT

China-based electronics manufacturer Goertek is deepening its manufacturing push in Vietnam, committing an additional US$20 million to expand its Bac Ninh operations, reinforcing the country's role as a key production base for global consumer electronics supply chains.