DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

VLA models: The rise of a new intelligence engine for robots

Emily Kuo — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

For decades, robots have been exceptional at repetition and poor at reasoning. They thrive in rigidly structured environments — performing the same weld, the same pick, the same turn, thousands of times without error. Ask one to adapt, and it falls apart. The gap between a machine that moves and one that thinks has long been the central challenge of robotics.

CCL price hikes to extend through 2026 with rising glass fiber and copper foil costs

Sherri Wang — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:40:25 GMT

Surging demand for high-end PCBs driven by AI servers and switches is intensifying supply imbalances for upstream materials. Industry sources said the rising cost of copper-clad laminate (CCL) is accelerating down the supply chain, prompting PCB manufacturers to adjust quotes for customers.

Exein opens Taipei hub with unlimited Taiwan investment, aims to build chip-to-application cybersecurity ecosystem

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:13:33 GMT

Italian embedded cybersecurity firm Exein has opened an Asia-Pacific operations center in Taipei and pledged essentially unlimited investment in Taiwan, a move with implications for global supply chains and manufacturers facing stricter EU cybersecurity rules. The Taipei office will support local business and expand to a team of 10 by late 2026, positioning Taiwan as a regional hub for chip-to-application security.

Foxconn deepens EV vertical integration with CDMS model for streamlined production

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:52:12 GMT

Foxconn's expanded EV push signals potential cost and supply-chain shifts worldwide, as the Taiwanese contract manufacturer deepens vertical integration with in-house batteries, new vehicle models, and global production flexibility. The company aims to lower EV costs, support exports, and respond swiftly to geopolitical and fuel-price volatility affecting international markets broadly.

Taiwan's smart building industry sets sights on 2026 as a pivotal growth year

Rodney Chan — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:45:00 GMT

Taiwan has long been recognized as a global hardware powerhouse, but its building technology sector is now staking a claim in the smarter, software-driven frontier of urban infrastructure. Backed by updated government certification frameworks, a wave of cross-sector industry alliances, and technology giants demonstrating real-world AI and digital twin deployments, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for Taiwan's smart building and intelligent facility sector.

India's industrial ambitions face supply-chain constraints as China tightens technology access in batteries and EVs

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:38:19 GMT

India's push to build a domestic advanced manufacturing ecosystem is facing renewed pressure from China's tightening control over critical technologies, particularly in the battery and electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, according to Bloomberg.

Taiwan, Japan team up on advanced materials to power next-gen chips and clean energy

Willis Ke — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:35:00 GMT

Japan dominates the global market for semiconductor equipment and materials — a strategic chokepoint that its neighbors and partners have long sought to learn from, not just rely on. Taiwan, home to the world's most advanced chip fabrication ecosystem, has spent years building closer ties with Tokyo in materials science. Now, that partnership is entering a more ambitious phase.

China's carmakers push ahead in solid-state battery race

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Last month, China's Chery Automobile unveiled an all-solid-state battery it says can deliver a driving range exceeding 1,500 kilometers, positioning the technology as a central pillar of its next phase of electric vehicle development.

Cooling fan makers remain optimistic about 2026 operations

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:14:11 GMT

Record revenues and aggressive liquid-cooling rollouts at leading fan makers signal shifting global demand, with server and automotive needs underpinning growth while consumer-linked segments face supply-driven setbacks. The developments could reshape cooling supply chains worldwide, influence data center and EV thermal strategies, and affect component markets for PCs and gaming.

Nvidia unveils "Ising" AI models to accelerate quantum computing development

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:05:37 GMT

Nvidia has introduced a new open family of AI models called Ising, designed to address two of the most persistent engineering bottlenecks in quantum computing: processor calibration and error correction.

Taiwan cooling suppliers post record March revenue as AI demand lifts liquid cooling

Sherri Wang — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:57:49 GMT

Taiwan's leading thermal solution providers reported record revenue in March 2026, as AI-driven demand extended into general-purpose servers and network switches, lifting overall shipments across the sector.

Samsung tipped to lead global chip profits as AI elevates memory, veteran exec predicts

Kevin Wang — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:56:09 GMT

Yoon-woo Lee, a semiconductor expert and former vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, believes Samsung may become the world's most profitable company by 2027–2028, driven by structural changes in the semiconductor value chain brought on by the rapid expansion of AI.

Netherlands approves Tesla FSD, marking a key AI regulatory milestone in Europe

Charlene Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:54:51 GMT

According to multiple reports, the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) has officially approved Tesla's full self-driving (FSD) software for use on public roads. This marks the first such approval in Europe and is expected to serve as a critical milestone that could encourage other European countries to adopt the technology.

Nanya Technology predicts DRAM price surge in 2Q26 as private equity boosts growth

Lily Hess — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:53:13 GMT

Despite recent softening in the DRAM spot market, Nanya Technology president Pei-Ing Lee said DRAM prices will rise by the "tens of percentage points" in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter. He expects strong gross margins to continue through the end of the year amid robust demand that will remain unmet into 2027.

Taiwan races to shore up energy security as US shutters Strait of Hormuz

Charlene Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:52:48 GMT

Following the US decision to block Iranian ports after failed negotiations led by Vice President JD Vance in Pakistan, tensions in the Middle East have escalated. Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) Vice Minister Chien-Hsin Lai stated that, with 60% of Taiwan's crude oil imports coming from the US, diversifying import sources and adopting renewable energy options, advanced energy storage technologies, and deeper energy-saving measures are essential to bolstering Taiwan's energy resilience.

Nvidia's RISC-V push shapes cloud AI's three-way architecture race

Lily Hess — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:42:02 GMT

Nvidia recently joined the Series G funding round of SiFive, a leading RISC-V chip IP provider. Although Nvidia was one among many investors and the round raised about US$400 million, the move marks a significant endorsement for the RISC-V ecosystem, one that Nvidia has long supported through product development built on RISC-V architectures.

Morrison targets AI phone sensor upgrades, expands into 3 emerging markets

Charlene Chen — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:41:25 GMT

Morrison expects AI smartphone penetration to exceed 60% within five years, driving continuous upgrades in optical sensor specifications. Despite short-term headwinds from memory supply-demand imbalances impacting the global consumer electronics market, the company expects sustained benefits from product upgrades through 2026.

Europe's sovereign AI ambitions open doors for Korean NPU startup

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:41:11 GMT

South Korean artificial intelligence (AI) chip startups FuriosaAI and Rebellion are accelerating their expansion into Europe, aiming to capitalize on growing demand for sovereign AI infrastructure.

Global semiconductor equipment sales hit record US$135B in 2025 as AI-driven investment surges

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:40:56 GMT

Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales reached a record US$135.1 billion in 2025, rising 15% from US$117.1 billion in 2024, according to the latest data from SEMI. The growth reflects sustained industry investment in advanced logic, memory, and AI-driven capacity expansion, underscoring the accelerating buildout of semiconductor infrastructure worldwide.

Quantum-AI convergence shifts focus to long-term data security risks

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:34:26 GMT

The convergence of AI and quantum computing is drawing increasing attention from governments and enterprises, particularly around long-term data security, speakers said at a panel discussion during GITEX AI Asia.

AI shifts work from execution to judgment as agents move into production

DIGITIMES — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:34:03 GMT

Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are moving into real-world deployment across industries, automating routine workflows and pushing human roles toward oversight, judgment, and system design, speakers said at GITEX AI Asia.

Sovereign AI drives CSPs and telcos toward decentralized architectures for monetization

Lily Hess — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:52:31 GMT

At the recently concluded GITEX AI Asia conference, executives from Nokia, AI chip innovator Blaize, and Indonesian telecom provider Datacomm discussed the evolution of AI infrastructure. In an exclusive interview with DIGITIMES, they highlighted that while training remains centralized in low-cost remote locations, inference architectures are rapidly shifting toward edge decentralization to enhance response times and data sovereignty.

Vietnam-China talks target energy security, telecom, infrastructure deals

Levi Li — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:37:49 GMT

Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will pay a state visit to China from April 14-17, where he is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, both sides are expected to prioritise energy security and expand bilateral trade cooperation.

China's 2nm AI GPU hits prototype, production unclear

DIGITIMES — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:05:43 GMT

Shanghai Dishan Technology has advanced its 2nm-class AI GPU into the prototyping stage, marking a rare push by a China-based designer into cutting-edge AI silicon — though manufacturing access and software readiness remain major hurdles.

Samsung begins P4 equipment orders as 1c DRAM investment enters execution

DIGITIMES — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:02:58 GMT

Samsung Electronics has begun procuring semiconductor equipment for its P4 facility in Pyeongtaek, marking the transition of its planned 1c nanometer DRAM investment into the execution phase, according to South Korean media reports.

Exclusive: Edge AI inference set for 10x growth; Nokia, Blaize advance hybrid AI compute

Levi Li — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:58:00 GMT

As generative AI demand shifts from centralized cloud training to edge inference, Nokia and AI chip startup Blaize have expanded their partnership in Singapore, unveiling a full-stack solution for hybrid heterogeneous computing at GITEX AI Asia.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics reportedly to expand AI packaging with MLCC embedded substrate line in Vietnam

Charlene Chen — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:52:20 GMT

As AI chips demand higher performance and denser integration, advanced packaging and substrate technologies have become critical in the semiconductor race. Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) is reportedly establishing a new production line for multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) embedded semiconductor substrates at its Vietnam facility to strengthen its position in the AI semiconductor supply chain.

Search engines enter AI agent era as daydream raises US$15M, iKala expands GEO platform

Charlene Chen — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:54:31 GMT

Google has transformed its search engine by adding an AI mode feature on the search page that semantically understands user queries to provide AI-generated summaries. This shift has disrupted traditional search and its associated business models and rules. Meanwhile, the parallel evolution of SEO and GEO has created vast new business opportunities, attracting multiple companies to invest in related developments.

Microsoft plans Copilot overhaul with OpenClaw-like agentic features to win over enterprise clients

DIGITIMES — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:40:46 GMT

Microsoft is developing new OpenClaw-like features for its AI assistant Copilot, according to The Information. The updated tool would be targeted at enterprise customers as a safer version of the popular – but famously risky – OpenClaw agent that has shaken the AI industry in recent months.

Taiwan's auto suppliers pivot to AI and system integration in EV transition, says DIGITIMES Research

Elaine Chen — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:31:27 GMT

The annual "360°MOBILITY Mega Shows," a major gathering for the auto parts and mobility industry, opens on the 14th, drawing heightened attention to the growing role of Taiwan's suppliers in next-generation automotive technology. As software-defined vehicles (SDVs) emerge as a central industry direction, the share of automotive semiconductors and software in vehicle development is rising rapidly, according to a DIGITIMES Research report.

AI infrastructure boom triggers NAND shortage, memory profits seen rising 2–3x, Silicon Motion says

Charlene Chen — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:19:31 GMT

Silicon Motion's president, Wallace Kou, said the memory industry is undergoing an irreversible structural shift driven by AI infrastructure growth. Since August 2025, NAND flash prices have surged 4–10x, and module makers' profits are expected to grow 2–3x in 2026 as this becomes the new normal.

Panel makers lift 1Q26 sales on early orders; demand outlook turns cautious

DIGITIMES — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:15:24 GMT

Front-loaded orders, fewer February working days, and a low base lifted Taiwanese panel makers' March revenue. In the first quarter of 2026, Innolux, GiantPlus, and Hannstar Display all posted year-over-year growth, while AUO lagged.

Qualcomm broadens automotive push with Bosch ADAS deal

Elaine Chen — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:59:14 GMT

Qualcomm said it was expanding its partnership with Bosch in automotive electronics, broadening a collaboration that had previously focused on in-vehicle cockpit systems to now include advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

Samsung 2nm yields reportedly remain below mass production threshold

DIGITIMES — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:42:40 GMT

Samsung Electronics is nearing a technical milestone for its 2nm process, but yields are reportedly still below the level required for stable mass production, raising questions about its ability to secure major foundry customers for the next-generation node.

JCET CEO sees robotics extending automotive semiconductor growth

Levi Li — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:32:17 GMT

China's leading OSAT provider JCET has sustained steady growth in automotive electronics, driven by the rapid expansion of new energy vehicles and vehicle intelligence. As cars become more software-defined, semiconductor content and system complexity are rising, while electronic architectures shift from distributed systems toward centralized, platform-based designs.