DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

US ruling confirms Innoscience infringed Infineon's GaN patents, imposes import ban

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 09:23:32 GMT

The US International Trade Commission's final determination against Innoscience has been upheld following the conclusion of the Presidential Review Period, confirming that the Chinese GaN chipmaker infringed a patent held by Germany's Infineon Technologies.

Exec pleads no guilty in Singapore over alleged smuggling of Nvidia chips to China

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 09:14:05 GMT

Alan Wei Zhaolun, an executive at Aperia Group, pleaded not guilty in a fraud case alleging that he and three others illegally misrepresented themselves to obtain servers containing Nvidia chips before rerouting them to China. He has been accused by Singaporean prosecutors of money laundering and other charges, as Singapore emerges as a hub for illicit AI chip flows to China.

AI servers and MacBook demand push Quanta revenue to new record

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 08:42:23 GMT

Strong AI demand lifted Quanta's revenue to a record high in June 2026 and pushed second-quarter sales to a new peak, with servers serving as the main growth driver and notebook shipments also contributing. Quanta shipped 4.5 million notebooks in June, up 28.57% from the previous month, bringing second-quarter notebook shipments to 11.5 million units, compared with 10 million in the first quarter.

Zhen Ding 2H26 outlook brightens on server and optical demand

Sherri Wang — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 07:30:00 GMT

PCB maker Zhen Ding said June revenue climbed to a fresh 2026 high, extending strong year-over-year growth as demand for AI-related high-end applications continued to build.

China's sodium battery boom faces supply risk

Lily Hess — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 07:02:48 GMT

China's sodium-ion battery sector is drawing intense attention as surging lithium carbonate prices lift lithium battery production costs. But Chinese media say the market is already showing a split between "big-company heat and small-company chill," and that large-scale production could expose new material shortages.

Exclusive: Geckos bets on AI materials beyond nano copper powders and CPO waveguides

Charlene Chen — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 06:46:07 GMT

As generative AI drives rapid growth in high-performance computing (HPC) demand, the semiconductor industry is shifting from process-node competition to materials competition. Geckos chairman Raymond Shen said that once chip manufacturing advances to 2nm and beyond, improvements in AI computing power are no longer just a chip-design issue, but are increasingly constrained by materials' heat dissipation and high-frequency signal transmission capabilities.

Microsoft AI data center faces Wisconsin lawsuit over noise and light pollution

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 06:07:57 GMT

Microsoft's US$7.3 billion Fairwater AI data center in Wisconsin is facing a class-action lawsuit from nearby residents over alleged noise, light pollution, dust and heavy truck traffic. The complaint, filed on July 1, centers on the Sturtevant and Mount Pleasant areas and highlights growing community concerns around large-scale AI infrastructure.

Taiwan wireless specialist Climax Technology set for mainboard listing as US, Europe orders drive record 1H26 revenue

Willis Ke — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 04:39:48 GMT

Wireless communications specialist Climax Technology is preparing for a listing on the TWSE mainboard later this month after posting record first-half 2026 revenue, supported by broad-based demand across Europe and North America. With production running at full utilization, the company is investing NT$2.3 billion (approx. US$71.72 million) in a new manufacturing facility in northern Taiwan to support its next phase of growth.

Hyundai Rotem targets 2029 hydrogen rail launch as Foshan case raises cost concerns

Lily Hess — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 04:30:00 GMT

South Korea's hydrogen rail commercialization is entering the final stretch, with Hyundai Rotem, a unit of Hyundai Motor Group, building hydrogen trains equipped with Hyundai Motor's in-house fuel cell system. The first commercial service is expected as early as 2029, but a 2024 shutdown of hydrogen trains in Foshan, China has raised questions about economic viability.

LGES posts higher second-quarter sales, supported by US production credits

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 04:16:44 GMT

LG Energy Solution (LGES) reported stronger second-quarter sales and a swing back to operating profit, a result that could matter for global investors tracking how policy incentives are shaping vehicle manufacturing profits. The company said US production credits boosted its results, while underlying operating performance would have been weaker without those subsidies.

Japanese startup completes AI chip validation with Oppstar and UMC support, moves toward mass production

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 04:15:00 GMT

Tokyo Artisan Intelligence said it has finished validating its Sting Ray test chip, a step that could broaden access to lower-power edge AI hardware for industries worldwide. The milestone highlights how startups and foundries are pushing specialized chips that may ease energy pressure from AI, even as they support real-time applications in factories, transport, and infrastructure.

Unimicron prices US$1.355 billion overseas depositary receipt offering

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 04:05:00 GMT

Unimicron Technology has priced a large overseas depositary receipt sale that could affect global investors monitoring Taiwan's electronics supply chain and semiconductor-related financing trends. The deal, which will fund foreign-currency purchases, is expected to reduce interest costs and strengthen the company's balance sheet, with potential benefits for shareholders worldwide.

US grid strain from AI power demand extends order boom for Taiwan equipment makers

Willis Ke — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

A US emergency order to stabilize electricity supplies during an extreme heat wave has underscored a deepening structural imbalance in the country's power system. As aging grid infrastructure struggles to keep pace with rapidly rising AI-driven electricity demand, Taiwan's power equipment manufacturers are seeing stronger order momentum and extending backlog visibility in North America.

Exclusive: Soaring lithium prices and China's mass production ignite a global sodium battery race

Charlene Chen — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 03:55:19 GMT

A more than 3x rise in China's lithium carbonate price over the past year has pushed sodium-ion batteries back into the spotlight, with the technology increasingly seen as a potential mainstream alternative to lithium batteries. But US industry players say sodium batteries made in the US still cost more than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, and subsidies from federal and local governments have yet to create a viable market in the near term.

Adlink posts record 2Q revenue on rising edge AI demand

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 03:50:00 GMT

Adlink Technology reported record consolidated revenue for June and the second quarter of 2026, driven by stronger demand for edge AI applications and broader market expansion. The industrial computer maker said the gains lifted first-half performance sharply and reflected continued momentum in edge AI and physical AI deployments.

Sharp partners with SES on MEO satellites, expanding Foxconn's NTN ambitions

Scarlett Yu — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 03:45:00 GMT

Sharp has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with global satellite operator SES and expanded the agreement into a joint development partnership aimed at commercializing medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite communications and related applications in Japan.

LGES targets humanoid robot battery boom as Tesla Optimus supply looms

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 03:44:46 GMT

LG Energy Solution (LGES) is emerging as a key battery supplier for humanoid robots, as demand for high-performance batteries shifts from electric vehicles to physical AI systems with tighter space, weight and runtime requirements.

CATL's profit surge widens China's battery lead over global rivals

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 03:11:54 GMT

China's battery industry is widening its lead at home and abroad. Market leader CATL posted record profits while expanding its dominance in overseas electric vehicle (EV) markets. The results underscore the growing imbalance between battery suppliers and automakers.

World models can lift South Korea in self-driving tech

Rodney Chan — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 03:05:46 GMT

The global autonomous-driving industry is locked in fierce competition around end-to-end (E2E) self-driving technology, but a world model that can reason through unknown scenarios is the real key to physical AI autonomy, according to an automotive tech researcher in South Korea.

Solstice Advanced Materials to buy Element Solutions in US$14.5 billion deal

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 03:04:06 GMT

The planned acquisition of Element Solutions by Solstice Advanced Materials would create a larger supplier serving electronics, data center cooling, and other industrial markets closely watched by customers and investors worldwide. The deal may reshape competition in advanced materials, where demand is rising alongside artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, and energy-efficient technologies.

AI server demand tightens power device supply as lead times stretch to 270 days

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 02:55:51 GMT

AI server demand is lifting shipments of motor-related power devices at Cystech Electronics, helping the Taiwanese MOSFET and diode designer grow first-half 2026 revenue despite memory shortages weighing on networking products. Wafer foundry and packaging capacity remain tight, with rush orders pushing standard lead times from 180 days to 270 days, according to supply chain sources.

TeraWulf signs 20-year Anthropic AI infrastructure lease worth US$19B

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 02:53:25 GMT

TeraWulf has signed a 20-year lease agreement with AI startup Anthropic to develop a large-scale AI infrastructure campus in Kentucky. The deal is expected to generate approximately US$19 billion in contracted revenue and accelerate the company's transformation from bitcoin mining to AI-focused digital infrastructure.

Rumored Kyber delay seen to have limited impact on Nvidia's long-term rack upgrade; Nvidia denies rumor

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 02:23:00 GMT

A reported delay in Nvidia's Kyber rack production is stirring market debate, but Taiwan-based supply chain sources say the issue is unlikely to alter Nvidia's chip roadmap, market dominance, or global server supply chains. For readers worldwide, the bigger signal is how hard it remains to scale next-generation AI infrastructure.

Analog IC supply squeeze intensifies, ADI extends lead times

Scarlett Yu — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 02:18:43 GMT

Analog Devices (ADI) has reportedly notified customers of extended delivery lead times for certain products, with lead times now reaching six months. The company has advised customers to place orders at least six months in advance to help secure an adequate chip supply.

Memory prices defy cooling hopes as AI demand drives fresh 3Q26 hikes

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 02:13:15 GMT

Memory contract prices are poised for another sharp rise in the third quarter of 2026, even after several quarters of hikes have already begun to weaken consumer demand. Industry sources said hopes for a clear slowdown have faded, as upstream suppliers have signalled increases of around 30%, with enterprise SSD and server RDIMM prices likely to rise by more than 30%.

Micron, Ford sign long-term memory supply agreement

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 02:08:58 GMT

Micron Technology and Ford Motor Company have entered into a long-term supply agreement to strengthen access to automotive memory and storage products. The deal underscores how chip supply stability is becoming more important for vehicle makers and consumers worldwide as cars rely more heavily on advanced electronics and data systems.

Taiwam showcases quantum computing breakthrough at biennial academician gathering, govt urges interdisciplinary collab

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 02:07:15 GMT

Academia Sinica, Taiwan's premier national academic research institution, convened its 36th Convocation of Academicians from July 6 to 9 at the Academia Sinica Humanities and Social Sciences Building in Nangang, Taipei, drawing more than 200 academicians from Taiwan and overseas. Held once every two years, the convocation combines institutional reports, keynote speeches, and a panel discussion, and serves as a cornerstone event on Taiwan's academic calendar. Under Taiwan's system of laws, Academia Sinica's budget is approved by the Office of the President and does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan.

Samsung, SK Hynix reportedly seek China-free chip tool buffer against US controls

Levi Li — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 02:04:33 GMT

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are reportedly accelerating efforts to reduce China's role in their semiconductor supply chains in preparation for the possibility of tighter US export controls. The two companies are said to be restructuring their sourcing of materials, components, and manufacturing equipment that rely heavily on China, while gradually replacing some Chinese-made semiconductor tools with alternatives from South Korea, the US, and other countries.

Huawei's Mate 90 to debut Kirin 2026 processor built on Tau Law

Scarlett Yu — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 01:53:55 GMT

Huawei's next-generation flagship Mate 90 smartphone series has reportedly entered the chip packaging and testing stage, according to sources within China's supply chain. The lineup is expected to launch in September 2026 and will be the first to feature Huawei's new Kirin 2026 flagship processor, which is based on the company's Tau Scaling (τ) concept. The device is expected to be one of Huawei's flagship demonstrations of its post-Moore semiconductor strategy.

Transcend posts record revenue in 2Q26 on strong demand

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 01:42:31 GMT

Memory module maker Transcend Information reported consolidated revenue of NT$5.07 billion (approx. US$138.66 million) for June 2026. Revenue declined 19.5% from the previous month due to customer inventory adjustments at the end of the quarter, but it still surged 381.6% compared with June 2025.

AI's bottleneck has shifted from chips to infrastructure — China plans it centrally, US fights it out locally

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 01:37:31 GMT

The cancellation of Blackstone-owned QTS' planned Digital Gateway data center project in Virginia underscores a new challenge for the artificial intelligence industry: securing enough land, power, and community support may now matter as much as securing enough AI chips.

TSMC's AI bottleneck spills demand across the semiconductor supply chain

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 01:36:32 GMT

Nvidia and other artificial intelligence chipmakers are still facing shortages as TSMC's advanced-node and CoWoS packaging capacity remains tight, pushing demand into foundries, back-end assembly, testing, and overseas fabs. The strain is creating spillover opportunities across the broader semiconductor supply chain, while also exposing how dependent the market has become on limited high-end capacity.

Broadcom and Apple extend custom chip deal through 2031

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 01:28:01 GMT

Broadcom has extended its custom chip supply agreement with Apple through 2031, strengthening a key supplier tie that could shape wireless connectivity, AI infrastructure, and device design for years. The move offers investors greater visibility, while global consumers may ultimately see faster, more integrated Apple hardware and network performance.

Samsung's Q2 operating profit rockets 1,810% YoY, overtakes NVIDIA as tech's most profitable company for the quarter

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 01:11:16 GMT

Samsung Electronics' preliminary second-quarter results show operating profit of KRW89.4 trillion (about US$58.4 billion) — a record high that not only dwarfs the company's own year-ago performance but appears to surpass the most recent quarterly profit figures reported by NVIDIA and Apple, making Samsung the world's most profitable technology company for the period.

AI phones could exceed half of smartphone shipments by 2027 as costs rise

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 01:02:48 GMT

The smartphone market is facing cost pressure in 2026 as rising prices for memory and other upstream components lift handset costs. Brands are responding by increasing phone prices and expanding AI features into more models, including mid-range devices, to support replacement demand.

SYM sees Taiwan motorcycle market rising up to 10% in 2026

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 01:00:28 GMT

Sanyang Motor (SYM) said Taiwan's motorcycle market could grow as much as 10% in 2026, with the company aiming to keep market share above 40%. The outlook came as SYM introduced its All New JET SL/SL+ model on July 6 and outlined plans for new and refreshed motorcycles in Taiwan and overseas markets.

Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs and resets Xbox as AI-era economics reshape its priorities

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 01:00:09 GMT

Microsoft said on July 6 that it is eliminating about 4,800 roles, or 2.1% of its global workforce, in a restructuring that falls most heavily on its commercial sales organization and its Xbox gaming division. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman, a 27-year company veteran, told employees the cuts reflect an industry "transforming faster than at any point in my time here," and stressed that "AI is not replacing the roles eliminated today" — even as she acknowledged that "AI is changing how work gets done."

Taiwan electric scooter market heads into 2026 facing shortages and weak demand

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 00:59:32 GMT

Taiwan's electric scooter market entered 2026 under pressure from shortages in charging infrastructure, new models and buyers, while the island's motorcycle market remained dominated by gasoline-powered bikes. Industry sources said limited battery-swapping and charging coverage, along with slow product momentum, had cooled demand across the sector.

Officials warn of transshipment risks as strategic tech reaches Russia

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 00:57:30 GMT

Ukraine has found that about 90% of the cruise missiles and drones Russia used in attacks contained Japanese-made electronic components, most of them civilian parts routed through third countries. The disclosures have renewed scrutiny of illegal transshipment, as strategic high-tech goods and dual-use items continue to reach Russia's military supply chain despite tighter sanctions.

Taiwan pushes care robots as eldercare shortages expose legal gaps

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 00:38:09 GMT

Taiwan is accelerating efforts to bring care robots into eldercare as labor shortages deepen, while lawmakers and regulators continue to debate how the devices should be classified and supervised. The National Science and Technology Council is advancing related programs, and TSMC chairman C.C. Wei said he would do his best to help make elderly care robots a reality as soon as possible.

Samsung SDI secures AI data center battery supply deal with Simplo

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 00:36:04 GMT

Samsung SDI has started supplying battery cells for AI data centers to Taiwan-based Simplo Technology, according to The Elec. The deal connects a South Korean cell maker with a module assembler that ships battery backup units and other products to major North American technology companies, including Amazon and Meta.

US Army depot ramps up drone parts production to cut foreign dependence

DIGITIMES — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 00:35:08 GMT

The US Army is expanding drone component production at Tobyhanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania, shifting the site from a maintenance center into a manufacturing hub for brushless motors and circuit boards. The effort is designed to strengthen US supply chains and reduce reliance on China and other overseas suppliers, according to Defense Daily and Breaking Defense.

BBU demand lifts Taiwanese battery module makers as AI server adoption expands

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:39:24 GMT

Battery backup (BBU) module demand from AI servers continued to rise in June, supporting revenue growth at Taiwanese suppliers AES-KY, Simplo Technology and STL. These companies have also been expanding capacity to meet customer orders, with additional output expected to support further business growth.

Sysgration says drone and IPC sales will drive 2H26 growth

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:39:05 GMT

Sysgration said June 2026 revenue remained relatively high even after a slight decline from May, supported by shipments of industrial PCs and drone flight-control products. The company said expanding drone applications, along with ramp-ups in new products including ground control stations and battery backup units, should help sustain operating momentum in the second half of 2026.

Lenovo confirms YMTC SSDs in notebooks sold outside China

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:38:34 GMT

Lenovo confirmed that some notebooks sold outside China now use solid-state drives from Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC), marking the first known appearance of the Chinese memory maker's SSDs in an overseas Lenovo model. The move comes as global PC makers face tighter NAND flash supply and higher prices.

Fulltech's Thailand plant targets AI and satellite demand

Charlene Chen — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:38:11 GMT

Fulltech held the groundbreaking ceremony for phase one of its new Thailand plant on July 5, 2026, with chairman Yuan-Pin Chang saying the project will require about NT$3.1 billion (approx. US$96.8 million) in total investment and that production capacity has already been fully booked by customers. The plant is scheduled to begin mass production in the third quarter of 2027.

Chicony Electronics reports June revenue gain as AI PC demand builds

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:37:57 GMT

Chicony Electronics said June 2026 revenue rose on quarter-end pull-in demand, with power supply products leading the increase. The Taiwanese electronics supplier said the mix of higher-end PC shipments and stronger customer demand helped lift results even as the broader PC market remained under pressure.

JLC revenue climbs 40% as Taiwan's circular economy law takes effect

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:37:41 GMT

JLC reported a sharp rise in June revenue after Taiwan's Resource Circularity Promotion Act took effect, while the lead-acid battery recycler also benefited from early investment in process technology, tax incentives and ESG-linked positioning. The company said stronger downstream demand helped lift revenue more than 40% from May.

Sercomm posts record second-quarter revenue as AI boosts broadband demand

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:37:23 GMT

Sercomm reported record June 2026 revenue of NT$7.27 billion, up 12.2% from May and 70.8% from a year earlier, as AI-related network traffic and broadband infrastructure upgrades lifted demand. The telecom broadband equipment maker said the strong performance also pushed second-quarter and first-half revenue to all-time highs.

SK data center bet sets sights on intelligence exports

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:37:04 GMT

South Korea is moving to position itself as an exporter of "intelligence" rather than just the chips and equipment that go into building it, with SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won outlining an AI data center plan expected to involve more than KRW1,000 trillion (approx. US$652.7 billion) in investment, according to Hankyung.

Apple foldable to lift OLED TDDI demand

Charlene Chen — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:36:26 GMT

While the overall mobile market outlook for the second half of 2026 is not especially strong, foldable phones are drawing attention because Apple's first foldable phone is finally expected to arrive. Industry watchers broadly believe the move will inject fresh momentum into the foldable phone market, with Samsung Electronics, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, and other Android brands also expected to join the broader discussion around the segment.

Texas emerges as frontrunner for Taiwan firms racing to pick an overseas science park

Kevin Wang — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:36:08 GMT

Amid ever-shifting geopolitical concerns and a US$50 billion injection from the CHIPS and Science Act to revitalize domestic semiconductor production, a new round of competition has arisen across the US to attract investment. For Taiwan's electronics sector, the question is no longer whether to invest in the US, but which state to choose.

AI lifts high-voltage prices as bubble fears return

Charlene Chen — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:35:47 GMT

AI demand and capacity crowd-out effects are driving higher prices and volumes for high-voltage products, according to IC distributors, who say early pull-ins and price negotiations have become the market norm. But as concerns over an AI bubble resurface, some industry players warn that if a profitable AI business model does not emerge soon, the sector may not even make it to the ninth inning.

Ingenic says DRAM foundry capacity strain won't ease until 2H27

Charlene Chen — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:35:24 GMT

China memory makers are diverging in their outlook as AI demand keeps the global memory market tight. After GigaDevice recently issued an unusual risk warning, Beijing-based special memory and embedded processor maker Ingenic said global DRAM foundry capacity remains broadly constrained and is unlikely to improve before the second half of 2027.

6G base stations to become AI computing nodes, boosting advanced packaging demand

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:35:07 GMT

While there are still years to go for the commercialization of 6G adoption, the next-generation mobile network architecture is increasingly poised to take shape.

Schaeffler seeks new growth from defense and aerospace as Tier 1 transformation accelerates

Rodney Chan — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:34:03 GMT

Global automotive Tier 1 suppliers are speeding up cross-industry transformation as the car sector's shift puts pressure on long-term growth, and Schaeffler is expanding beyond auto parts into humanoid robots, defense, and aerospace to find fresh momentum.

Interview: Corning's GlassBridge points to longer-term packaging shifts, not an immediate FAU replacement

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:33:39 GMT

Corning has unveiled an early-stage fiber-to-chip connector concept that could reshape optical packaging if it matures, though the company says the technology is still far from commercial use. GlassBridge is aimed at passive alignment in advanced systems, underscoring the convergence of AI infrastructure, photonics, and packaging.

Memory prices rebound as supply tightens, with global buyers facing higher costs

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:33:07 GMT

Global markets are likely to feel the effects of a renewed rise in memory prices, as tighter supply and early inventory buying lift DRAM and NAND prices again in mid-June 2026. The trend could ripple through smartphones, PCs, and servers, while Apple's possible sourcing shifts may influence pricing across the wider semiconductor industry.

AI and robots force an auto industry reckoning: gradual gains, or all-out disruption

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 23:32:28 GMT

AI and robotics are moving from pilot projects to factory floors worldwide, but adoption remains uneven. Humanoid robots draw the headlines, yet most manufacturers still favor task-specific tools, digital twins, and collaborative machines that promise steadier gains in efficiency, safety, and precision across global supply chains.

UMC posts record first-half revenue and plans selective price hikes in second half

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 10:05:10 GMT

United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) reported its strongest quarterly run in years as mature-process demand and factory utilization improved. June consolidated revenue reached NT$23.12 billion, up 0.8% from May and 22.85% year-on-year — a 44-month high. Second-quarter revenue climbed to NT$68.73 billion, up 12.61% sequentially and 16.98% year-on-year, the highest level in 15 quarters.