DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Hyundai creates RX team to accelerate Atlas humanoid robot production

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:59:00 GMT

Hyundai Motor Group is accelerating plans to mass-produce and sell its Atlas humanoid robot while establishing an RX Business Strategy Team to oversee its global robotics strategy under the banner "Robotics Everything." The move signals a restructuring aimed at putting the group's robotics business on a more systematic growth path.

Memory squeeze leaves Brightek short on chips; Chinese automakers line up for Nantong plant

Levi Li — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:56:24 GMT

LED packaging manufacturer Brightek Optoelectronic expects its automotive revenue share to exceed 60%, up from around 50%, following the opening of its Nantong plant and higher shipments. Its third-quarter 2026 gross margin is projected to recover to 30%, although tight mature-node logic IC supplies, constrained by foundries prioritising higher-margin memory products, have complicated its efforts to meet growing automotive orders.

EU eyes AI defense as it tests China's open-weight models

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:50:22 GMT

The European Union is strengthening its response to cybersecurity risks posed by artificial intelligence, planning to use automated measures to accelerate incident response while testing Chinese open-weight AI models to assess the capabilities and limitations of different technologies.

Beyond displays: AUO eyes co-packaged optics, glass core substrates for AI-era growth

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:48:39 GMT

AUO is positioning its growth around artificial intelligence, diversification, and cooperation across the group as the display technology company marks its 30th anniversary. Chairman and CEO Paul Peng said the company will build on three established businesses while seeking fourth and fifth growth pillars through technologies and partnerships.

Chenming Hu urges universities to 'find the solutions', targets world-class Taiwan semiconductor sector

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:46:02 GMT

Academia Sinica academician Chenming Hu has published an autobiography titled Find the Solutions, taken from the words on a crystal plaque presented to him by then TSMC chairman Morris Chang. Hu, who has worked in both academia and industry, said universities' ability to conduct thorough testing could help the semiconductor industry overcome technological bottlenecks.

AI data-center expansion shifts focus to time-to-power

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:44:46 GMT

Artificial intelligence data-center expansion is intensifying a global race for electricity, as cloud providers increasingly prioritize how quickly power can be secured over cost and decarbonization. As grids struggle to keep pace with computing growth, companies are considering on-site generation, batteries, and direct-current systems to speed deployment while managing emissions and efficiency.

AI memory demand lifts Samsung, SK Hynix 2027 outlook

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:37:20 GMT

AI data center investment continues to expand, keeping the global memory market undersupplied in the fourth quarter of 2026. Rising DRAM and NAND Flash contract prices are boosting expectations for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in 2027, although weak consumer demand and long-term agreement (LTA) price caps will limit further increases.

Exclusive: Chinese energy storage giants reportedly exit US as two-way tech restrictions open door for non-Chinese suppliers

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:35:50 GMT

Major Chinese energy storage system suppliers that once dominated the US market have reportedly withdrawn almost entirely from US operations in 2026, amid mounting regulatory restrictions, overlapping tariffs, and stringent ownership scrutiny, according to US supply chain sources.

Amazon Leo tops 400Mbps in test, targets Starlink market

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:33:11 GMT

Amazon recently demonstrated its low Earth orbit communications satellite network, Amazon Leo, at a test site in Aberdeen, Maryland, testing high-speed connectivity in a tactical environment with the US Army. During the demonstration, a notebook transmitted data through a ground-based Leo Pro antenna, with peak download speeds exceeding 400Mbps as the satellite passed overhead, signaling Amazon’s push to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink in the satellite broadband market.

TECO's modular data center validation nears completion

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:28:35 GMT

TECO Electric and Machinery chairman Morris Li said the company has entered the final stage of testing its modular data center (MDC) solution. The company is targeting opportunities in the artificial intelligence (AI) data center market and seeks to help customers complete construction projects in nine months.

Weekly news roundup: From October 12 to October 18, 2026

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:23:32 GMT

This week’s coverage highlights semiconductor capacity, AI infrastructure, and the commercialization challenges behind ambitious technology strategies. Tata’s Dholera fab has early customer commitments but must convert them into qualified, recurring wafer production while facing shareholder scrutiny. Intel is rebuilding through process execution, partnerships, and advanced packaging. Micron and TSMC are expanding AI-related capacity in Taiwan and Japan, while companies including Murata, AWS, Hitachi, and XPeng advance physical AI, robotics, and engineering exports.

Nvidia's custom HBM pulls Samsung onto TSMC's 3nm process, report says

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:04:27 GMT

Nvidia's custom memory design is shifting control of how high-bandwidth memory (HBM) is built from memory makers to its largest customer, and steering a key part of that work to TSMC. Samsung Electronics, which has made every part of its HBM stacks in-house, has agreed after an internal review to use TSMC's 3nm process for the base die of NVHBM, Nvidia's next-generation custom HBM, the Seoul Economic Daily reported on October 18, citing industry sources. The newspaper said it would be the first time the two companies have worked together at the HBM manufacturing stage.

India roundup: Tata chip bets face execution test as India semiconductor ecosystem expands

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:15:19 GMT

Tata's Dholera fab faces customer and shareholder tests as India's semiconductor push broadens, with packaging, chip services, AI hardware and infrastructure investments accelerating across the country's domestic technology ecosystem rapidly.

Semiconductor equipment demand rises as risks curb AI bubble

Lily Hess — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:14:55 GMT

SEMI's latest 12-inch fab outlook projects double-digit annual growth in equipment spending from 2026 through 2029, with forecasts revised upward from its previous edition. However, Clark Tseng, senior director of market intelligence at SEMI, said external constraints involving funding, electricity, and politics are emerging as potential downside risks. He added that this could prevent the AI-driven expansion from overheating.

Lite-On showcases 800VDC power technology at Nvidia MGX event

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:14:20 GMT

Lite-On Technology was invited to participate in the Nvidia MGX Ecosystem Ceremony at the 2026 Open Compute Project (OCP) Global Summit, joining Nvidia and global ecosystem partners to highlight advances in AI infrastructure. During the OCP exhibition, Lite-On showcased its 800VDC Power Rack and 800V-to-50V Power Brick, underscoring its capabilities in next-generation AI power infrastructure.

EU bet on minimum import prices risks repeating solar mistakes in EV battle

Yunnie Cheng — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:13:55 GMT

From historic trade barriers targeting solar photovoltaics to current import restrictions on new energy vehicles, the minimum import price mechanism has once again surfaced as a core policy instrument. Western governments are using it to shield domestic markets from low-priced Chinese competition.

ByteDance Seed launches AI safety team, global recruitment drive

DIGITIMES — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:13:02 GMT

ByteDance's AI research unit Seed has established an Alignment & Preparedness department and is recruiting 10 researchers in Beijing, Shanghai, and San Jose, California, to focus on advanced-model safety, AI alignment, and emerging risks. The move underscores the growing importance of AI safety as competition expands beyond model capabilities, computing power, and product applications to governance and reliable large-scale deployment.

Space solar outsourcing heats up as Taiwan targets non-SpaceX players

Lily Hess — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:12:39 GMT

As advances in aerospace technology lower the barriers to launching and building low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, emerging satellite operators worldwide are driving demand for outsourced space solar cells and modules. Supply-chain sources say the trend is creating new opportunities for Taiwan's solar industry beyond SpaceX, which is led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

South Korea's TelePIX wins global satellite contracts, targets 2027 launch of AI-powered optical payload

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:12:24 GMT

South Korean space AI solutions provider TelePIX is accelerating the development of high-resolution optical payloads and onboard AI technologies, with plans to launch its next-generation system into space for validation in 2027.

Taiwan seeks international quantum collaboration in critical 5-year push

Rodney Chan — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:11:58 GMT

Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has opened applications for the country's second five-year quantum technology program lasting from 2027 to 2031, with international collaboration being a main focus.

Exclusive: EnterpriseSG positions Singapore's semiconductor SMEs for bigger roles in global chip supply chains

Levi Li — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 18:39:00 GMT

Singapore is targeting high-value semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, and silicon photonics, building on its strengths in engineering, precision manufacturing, and reliability, according to Zeng Yi Wong, assistant managing director for manufacturing at Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG).

TSMC’s 3nm Kumamoto plan wins Japan’s approval, qualifying for up to $4.1 billion in aid

DIGITIMES — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 09:59:55 GMT

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on Oct. 16 approved a revised plan from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to build 3-nanometer logic chips at its second fab in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the southern island of Kyushu. 3nm is one of the most advanced chip processes in commercial production. The plan replaces the 6nm and 12nm production approved in February 2024.

E Ink Kaleido 4 doubles color gamut, boosts contrast 50%

Yunnie Cheng — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:09:44 GMT

E-paper giant E Ink Holdings has officially launched its next-generation color e-paper technology, E Ink Kaleido 4. Chinese e-reader brand Hanvon Technology is the first to adopt the display, integrating it into its second-generation M10C smart e-paper notebook, making it the world's first commercial device powered by Kaleido 4.

CATL targets 70GWh in sodium-ion ESS orders with European push

Yunnie Cheng — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:09:25 GMT

Chinese battery giant CATL is deploying sodium-ion technology to expand into Europe's energy storage system (ESS) market. The company recently signed a strategic agreement with German system integrator Intilion to deploy up to 3GWh of energy storage projects over the next five years, drawing renewed market focus to the commercialization potential of sodium-ion batteries.

Taiwan Mask targets Japan's Kyushu chip expansion with US$4.75 million TCK acquisition

Levi Li — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:08:50 GMT

Taiwan Mask Corporation (TMC) is expanding its presence in Japan through the acquisition of semiconductor equipment services provider TCK, extending its business beyond precision photomask manufacturing to equipment assembly and engineering support in Japan's growing Kyushu semiconductor market.

XPeng's Paris push turns China's full-stack EV know-how into exportable AI engineering business

DIGITIMES — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:07:46 GMT

Chinese EV giant and AI mobility manufacturer XPeng has made a major appearance at the Paris Automotive Summit by bringing not just its automotive expertise into the European collaborative space, but a broader technology stack built on the automaker's existing strengths in EV manufacturing and humanoid robotics.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics' US$5.1 billion expansion faces equipment supply constraints

DIGITIMES — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:07:22 GMT

Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) faces potential equipment procurement bottlenecks in its KRW6.78 trillion (approx. US$5.1 billion) expansion of semiconductor substrate production for AI servers, as machinery manufacturers struggle with component shortages and longer delivery times. The South Korean company maintains that its investment is proceeding as planned. No production delay has been confirmed.

Tesla Roadster turns SpaceX rocket tech into halo product for Musk's physical-AI empire

DIGITIMES — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:06:52 GMT

The engineering fusion of SpaceX and Tesla's flagship technologies is making a dramatic showcase through Tesla's next-generation Roadster reveal, held at SpaceX's McGregor, Texas test site on October 15.

TECO targets AI data center growth with energy storage, transformers

Eifeh Strom — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:06:33 GMT

TECO Electric and Machinery participated in Energy Taiwan on October 14, showcasing its smart microgrid solutions and outlining the future development of its power and energy business group.

Singapore's AI bet shifts from model race to deployment, resilience and trusted adoption

DIGITIMES — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:38:00 GMT

Singapore is moving its AI strategy beyond pilot-heavy experimentation toward a more deployment-focused model centered on enterprise adoption, sector transformation and resilient access to compute.

Interview: SEMI CEO sees US$3 trillion chip industry by 2035, as trusted partners reshape supply chain

Yunnie Cheng — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:53:00 GMT

The semiconductor industry reached the US$1 trillion revenue milestone several years earlier than originally forecast, and with growth driven by AI and quantum computing, reaching US$2 trillion by 2035 is entirely achievable, SEMI President and CEO Ajit Manocha told DIGITIMES in an exclusive interview at SEMICON West 2026.

Gemtek partners with Starman to make optical transceivers in US

Yunnie Cheng — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:10:00 GMT

On October 15, network equipment maker Gemtek Technology announced a strategic partnership with Starman New Photonics, a subsidiary of Starman Holdings, to form a joint venture in the US. The new entity will manufacture advanced optical transceivers to capture demand for optical interconnects driven by hyperscale AI data centers.

Taiwan to build industrial parks in US; Texas site already found

DIGITIMES — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:08:00 GMT

Taiwan plans to set up industrial parks in the US to help its supplier ecosystem reach customers like Nvidia and other local hardware manufacturers. It is starting with a complex in Texas, which has become a hotspot of expansion plans among Taiwanese tech companies.

Project Bromo tests Europe's new industrial policy as Brussels weighs fast track for space champion

DIGITIMES — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:05:00 GMT

The global space market has become increasingly dominated by SpaceX, while China continues to press forward with state-backed launch and satellite projects. That shift has sharpened Europe's concerns over strategic dependence and its relatively fragmented industrial base.

South Korea's September ICT Exports Surge Past US$75B on AI Demand

Yunnie Cheng — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:39:04 GMT

Driven by expanding global investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, South Korea's ICT exports shattered previous records in September 2026. Shipments surged past the US$75 billion mark in a single month, anchored by semiconductor exports that topped US$60 billion, accounting for more than 80% of total ICT shipments.