DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Intel and SambaNova deepen alliance to capture AI infrastructure demand

DIGITIMES — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:28:30 GMT

As artificial intelligence moves from experimentation to full-scale production, companies are confronting the limits of GPU-only inference architectures. In response, Intel and SambaNova Systems on Monday unveiled a jointly engineered blueprint designed to address the next generation of AI workloads, while announcing a broader multi-year strategic collaboration.

Robotaxis enter a new phase: Regulation over innovation

Elaine Chen — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:28:11 GMT

As companies like Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Waymo begin rolling out autonomous vehicles across Europe and the US, the bottleneck facing robotaxis has shifted. No longer defined primarily by technological breakthroughs, the industry is now constrained by regulatory approval and the ability to operate reliably in complex, real-world conditions.

BYD expands driver tech, but software gaps come into focus

Elaine Chen — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:27:39 GMT

The choice of sensing architecture and the efficiency of data iteration have emerged as decisive factors in the competitiveness of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and higher-level autonomous driving. Increasingly, they shape not only technological leadership but also brand perception and sales performance.

India roundup: Domestic chip firms anchor India's semiconductor ambitions

DIGITIMES — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:27:25 GMT

India is advancing its semiconductor ecosystem via design alliances and acquisitions, while recalibrating its China ties. IndieSemiC and Kaynes target local chip gaps despite uncertain demand, and Cyient's Kinetic deal boosts power IC capabilities. Meanwhile, security-driven supplier shifts and new export opportunities highlight India's evolving strategic and industrial positioning.

DIGITIMES Insight: US MATCH Act tightens export noose while Intel swaps debt for control and Nvidia co-opts rivals

DIGITIMES — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:27:15 GMT

The semiconductor industry is undergoing coordinated shifts that could reshape equipment flows, corporate financing, and supplier relationships in the AI era, according to DIGITIMES analyst Luke Lin.

Energy shock renews EV momentum

DIGITIMES — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:27:05 GMT

Energy crises have long nudged consumers toward more efficient cars. The latest shock, triggered by conflict in the Middle East, is proving no exception. But this time, the shift comes with a crucial difference: electric vehicles have matured.

SAS Group's green and AI pivot gains traction

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:26:50 GMT

SAS Group's strategic shift into renewable energy, AI-related semiconductor materials, and automotive components signals growing resilience for global energy and tech supply chains, offering long-term recurring revenue through integrated hardware and service platforms and enhanced worldwide positioning for geopolitical robustness.

Nan Pao posts record March and 1Q26 revenue driven by semiconductors and new products

Lily Hess — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:25:05 GMT

Nan Pao Resins Chemical Group reported a historic revenue high for March, reaching NT$2.4 billion (approx. US$75.3 million), up 17.4% year-over-year, fueled by raw material price fluctuations and customers' proactive stockpiling ahead of expected product price hikes. The company also achieved a record first-quarter revenue of NT$5.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026, supported by ongoing new product development and successful expansion into new customer segments.

Taiwan's chip program covers 200+ high-end devices to boost advanced IC design talent

Kevin Wang — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:24:26 GMT

The Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program (Taiwan CBI), a decade-long, NT$300 billion (US$9.4 billion) initiative launched by the Executive Yuan to support academic and research institutions in acquiring costly semiconductor equipment, has begun to achieve initial results. According to a report from the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), over 200 key semiconductor-related devices are now available to provide regular fabrication and implementation services, becoming a major boost for training advanced IC design talent.

Delta Electronics hits record revenue on AI server, liquid cooling surge

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:24:00 GMT

Delta Electronics' record March revenue signals a global shift as cloud providers ramp up AI infrastructure spending, boosting demand for AI server power supplies and liquid cooling. Worldwide operators face pressure to adopt liquid cooling and higher-voltage DC power, affecting data center design, supplier strategies, and procurement across regions and markets.

Murata produces seven automotive MLCCs for autonomous driving and power supply markets

DIGITIMES — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:51:24 GMT

Murata Manufacturing, a leading Japanese passive component manufacturer, announced that it has begun mass production of seven types of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for automotive applications, achieving the world's largest capacitance across various rated voltages and sizes.

US expands tech curbs on China with MATCH Act and FCC testing ban proposal

DIGITIMES — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:51:12 GMT

US lawmakers from both parties have recently introduced a new bill aimed at further restricting China's access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The move seeks to strengthen efforts to curb China's ambitions in semiconductor development and to achieve closer alignment with allies such as the Netherlands and Japan on export controls.

China's Hwatsing ships 1,000th CMP system, targets advanced chip manufacturing growth

DIGITIMES — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:50:51 GMT

Hwatsing Technology has emerged as one of China's most prominent domestic suppliers of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) equipment, a critical process step in advanced chip manufacturing.

Tesla and SpaceX deepen vertical integration push for supply chain control

Elaine Chen — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:50:24 GMT

Under the leadership of Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX have stretched their ambitions across a widening array of industries — from robotaxis and the humanoid robot Optimus to low-Earth-orbit satellites and even the prospect of space-based data centers. What may appear to be a disparate set of ventures is, at its core, a coordinated strategy built on "Made in America" manufacturing and deep vertical integration.

Ennostar shifts to profit focus, ramps Micro LED and optical communications

Levi Li — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:50:09 GMT

Ennostar Inc. chairman Paul Peng said the company has emerged from a multi-year restructuring phase and is now entering a period of acceleration, with a net cash, debt-free balance sheet that leaves it "light and agile." As higher-end products gain share, revenue composition is shifting from volume-driven growth to value-driven expansion. Its three core strategic segments are moving into execution, with operations expected to improve gradually in 2026 and a long-term focus on stable, sustainable profitability.

TSMC's Kumamoto impact drives Autopass one-stop mobile payment launch in Japan

Charlene Chen — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:49:45 GMT

As TSMC's entry into Kumamoto accelerates local industry, population, and tourism growth, Taiwanese smart mobility integrator Autopass announced on April 9, 2026, its plan to export integrated mobile and payment services to the Japanese market, starting with Kumamoto. The company aims to further expand across the entire Kyushu region.

From modules to market: Chinese storage going global

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:34:00 GMT

As concerns over energy security converge with the push for low-carbon transition, energy storage has emerged as a central arena in the global energy shift—and China's companies are moving quickly to claim a larger role.

Pan-International bets on AI servers as automotive demand growth slows in 2Q26

Lily Hess — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:34:00 GMT

Pan-International, a Foxconn subsidiary specializing in connectors, reported a year-over-year revenue decline in the first quarter of 2026 due to cautious customer sentiment and stagnant shipments of automotive products. However, the company expects revenues to rise monthly starting in the second quarter, driven by increased orders for AI servers, while maintaining its goal of double-digit growth for the full year.

How long can the AI server ODM boom last as growth begins to slow

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:33:00 GMT

Taiwan's AI server ODM and EMS sector continues to deliver exceptional revenue growth in the first quarter of 2026, driven by sustained hyperscaler investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. However, while the expansion remains robust, monthly data suggest a gradual moderation in growth momentum compared with the explosive acceleration seen in 2024 and early 2025.

Why some ASIC design service firms are missing out on the AI boom?

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:32:00 GMT

Taiwan's ASIC design service providers delivered sharply divergent results in the first quarter of 2026, underscoring how exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) demand does not translate uniformly into financial performance.

Europe becomes the next testing ground for driverless taxis

Elaine Chen — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:14:24 GMT

The competition in robotaxis is expanding beyond the US and China into Europe, where 2026 is widely seen as the first year of commercial deployment. As domestic automakers and global players enter the market in tandem, a new contest is taking shape, one defined not just by algorithms, but by operating models and the path to profitability.

AdaniConneX CEO outlines gigawatt-scale India data center push amid AI infrastructure surge

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:13:57 GMT

At GITEX AI Asia, AdaniConneX CEO Jeyakumar Janakaraj said the company is building toward gigawatt-scale data center capacity in India, as demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure accelerates across the region.

Sharp launches edge AI companion device with private cloud memory in Taiwan

Jingyue Hsiao — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:13:35 GMT

Sharp's Poketomo launch in Taiwan illustrates how edge computing, combined with private cloud storage, is reshaping consumer AI devices, promising lower latency, enhanced privacy, and personalized, long-term interactions that could influence device strategies and regulatory expectations across markets and inform developer deployment choices worldwide.

Taiwan partners with French drone leader to boost key tech, global supply chain

Eifeh Strom — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:55:09 GMT

Taiwan has partnered with a major French drone manufacturer to build a secure and trusted supply chain network. Taiwan's Metal Industries Research and Development Center (MIRDC) announced it will collaborate with the French drone company on supply chains, key technology deployment, and market expansion — and a preliminary consensus has already been reached.

DJI tops US$11bn, targets imaging leadership within 10 years

Levi Li — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:16:20 GMT

SZ DJI Technology founder Frank Wang gave his first interview to Chinese online media in a decade, outlining a shift behind the company's global leadership—from a product-driven model toward a dual focus on products and management.

Samsung Exynos 2700 benchmark leak offers early look at 2nm SF2P performance

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:16:10 GMT

Samsung's next-generation mobile processor, the Exynos 2700, has appeared in early benchmark tests, offering one of the first real-world signals of how its second-generation 2nm process may perform ahead of mass production.

ASE leads US$3.4B advanced testing push in Renwu

Charlene Chen — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:15:58 GMT

Global OSAT leader ASE continued its expansion into advanced processes as its subsidiary ASE Test held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 10, 2026, at the Renwu Industrial Park. ASE collaborated with WinWay and Horng Terng Automation (HTA) to jointly invest in building a high-end semiconductor testing service industrial park that will provide wafer and chip testing services.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics reportedly strengthens role in Nvidia's Groq 3 LPU supply chain with FC-BGA substrate push

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:15:15 GMT

Samsung Electro-Mechanics has reportedly secured a leading position in the supply chain for advanced substrates used in the Groq 3 language processing unit (LPU), a next-generation inference chip integrated into Nvidia's upcoming Vera Rubin AI platform.

Novatek hits 1Q26 revenue target on SoC, edge AI growth

Eifeh Strom — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:15:03 GMT

Taiwanese display driver IC (DDI) leader Novatek Microelectronics reported March 2026 revenue of NT$8.47 billion (approx. US$266.32 million), up 19.9% from February but down 9.6% from the same period a year earlier. The company's total revenue for the first quarter of 2026 reached NT$23.15 billion, rising 1.4% sequentially and falling 14.6% year over year.

Intel unveils ultra-thin GaN chiplet as it advances AI-era systems foundry strategy

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:14:52 GMT

Intel Foundry has announced a breakthrough in gallium nitride (GaN) chiplet technology, unveiling what it describes as the world's thinnest GaN chiplet as part of its broader push to position itself as a "systems foundry" for the artificial intelligence era.

Beyond AI: Energy, capital and sovereignty will define Asia's next factories

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:14:40 GMT

Artificial intelligence is entering a capital-intensive phase, with industry executives warning that Asia's next generation of factories will be defined less by breakthroughs in algorithms than by constraints in energy, infrastructure, and capital allocation.

Innolux, AUO say geopolitical and raw-material shocks are supporting short-term panel demand while clouding 2026 outlook

Jingyue Hsiao — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:14:25 GMT

Rising geopolitical risks and surging raw-material prices are prompting panel makers to accelerate purchasing and adjust their strategies, supporting short-term demand but creating uncertainty for the second half of 2026. Taiwan's Innolux and AUO told attendees that pre-orders, inflation expectations, and energy risks are reshaping supply chains and product focus across markets.

OpenAI pauses Stargate UK, energy costs and regulation stall AI data centre plans

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:14:11 GMT

OpenAI has put its Stargate UK project on hold, citing high energy costs and regulatory uncertainty, in a setback for the UK's ambitions to position itself as a global artificial intelligence hub.

Analysis: Taiwan's March supply chain data makes the AI acceleration case better than any earnings call

DIGITIMES — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:11:34 GMT

Taiwan's listed AI hardware companies collectively generated $69.7 billion in March 2026 revenue across 13 supply-chain segments — up 63% year-over-year — offering the most comprehensive single-month snapshot yet of where global AI infrastructure spending is actually flowing. The table below covers 49 companies from TSMC's silicon foundry all the way down to the rail kits that slide servers into racks. Read together, the numbers tell a story that goes well beyond any single company's earnings call.

Analysis: Taiwan's AI supply chain posts strong March revenues, signaling the buildout is still accelerating

DIGITIMES — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:05:00 GMT

Taiwan's listed companies powering the global AI server supply chain delivered exceptional March 2026 revenues across virtually every segment, with TSMC posting its strongest single-month revenue on record and server ODMs surging on the back of relentless hyperscaler demand for AI infrastructure. The results, amplified by a seasonal rebound from February's Lunar New Year-compressed working days, confirm that the AI hardware buildout is accelerating rather than plateauing.