DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

SuperAI Singapore: Physical AI accelerates as cheaper hardware and AI models drive robot data demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Robotics has progressed rapidly in the past few years, but major obstacles — including data collection and trust infrastructure — remain barriers to widespread deployment. This was the takeaway from a recent panel of robotics experts at SuperAI Singapore, where they discussed the present and future of the industry.

Taiwan chips in as drone makers ditch China supply chains

Charlene Chen — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:50:37 GMT

Taiwan's drone supply chain is notching fresh wins, with downstream players such as Thunder Tiger and Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) continuing to secure orders while upstream suppliers, especially chipmakers, are quietly expanding their deployments and market share. For military and commercial drones in particular, Taiwanese chip vendors are now working closely with local customers as well as customers in Europe and the US to integrate a range of on-board image-processing and AI recognition modules, plus applications such as flight control and ground control stations.

MSI sees CPU shortages easing as margins recover

Sherri Wang — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:34:19 GMT

Micro-Star International (MSI) said its gross margin recovered to 15% in the first quarter of 2026, after tariff costs, foreign exchange swings, and memory price surges weighed on profitability last year. Inventory clearing and more stable end-product pricing supported the rebound.

Amkor Korea weighs KRW1 trillion Gwangju expansion amid reported TSMC order growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:16:04 GMT

Amkor Technology Korea is considering investing about KRW1 trillion (approx. US$650 million) to expand its chip packaging and testing facilities in the South Korean city of Gwangju, according to Korean media reports and city officials. The company has not officially announced the plan.

Applied Materials CEO: AI reshapes semiconductor innovation

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:02:10 GMT

Applied Materials said artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global semiconductor industry and could drive years of heavy investment in chipmaking, packaging, and materials engineering. The shift matters far beyond one company, because AI demand is increasing worldwide and is expected to influence data centers, device costs, energy use, and the pace of technology development.

Applied Materials expands Singapore base as AI supply-chain bottlenecks loom

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:58:22 GMT

Applied Materials is expanding manufacturing and research in Singapore as artificial intelligence (AI) drives a wider shift in semiconductor planning, supply chains, and investment. The move highlights how AI demand is influencing chipmakers, equipment suppliers, and global customers, with implications for production capacity, regional innovation hubs, and technology markets worldwide.

Global smartphone industry, 1Q 2026

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:49:02 GMT

Estimated 2Q26 Chinese enterprise smartphone shipments to decrease by 17.8% YoY; Smartphone shipments in the Chinese market will decrease by 5.4% YoY

Commentary: TSMC's pricing power stays intact as AI demand keeps fabs full

Charlene Chen — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:28:47 GMT

Market chatter about TSMC has intensified, with reports that its advanced process and packaging prices will rise again in the second half of 2026 and 2027, while some Google TPU production could shift to Intel, and some AMD products could be made by Samsung Electronics. TSMC CFO Wendell Huang recently told the media that global inflation and overseas fab expansion have indeed pushed up operating costs, adding that TSMC does not rule out moderate price adjustments. Those comments have drawn close attention across the industry.

Sercomm posts 55% jump in January-May revenue and forecasts 2026 operating growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:52:24 GMT

Sercomm Corporation said its revenue for the first five months of 2026 hit a record NT$30 billion (US$950 million), up 55% from a year earlier, signaling continued momentum in telecom and networking markets that could matter for global broadband customers, suppliers, and investors. The company said growth is being driven by AI-enabled applications, new products, and expansion into additional markets.

Aleees reportedly wins long-term Tesla order as LFP supply chain shifts

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:49:25 GMT

A reported long-term order from Tesla could give Taiwan's Aleees a bigger role in global lithium-ion supply chains as electric vehicle and energy storage makers seek alternatives to China-linked materials. The deal may support new production capacity, reshape sourcing patterns, and influence future battery supply for global markets.

Niching Industrial sees heat spreader revenue hit record on AI server demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:46:56 GMT

AI servers and high-performance computing demand are driving stronger cooling needs worldwide, and Niching Industrial said the trend is sharply lifting its heat spreader business. The company reported record May revenue from the product line, while signaling that larger-format shipments and supply-chain changes could reshape its earnings mix.

China red-chip crackdown forces IPO hopefuls to rethink offshore listings

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:45:45 GMT

China's tighter scrutiny of foreign capital is forcing more companies to unwind red-chip structures, the offshore ownership model that powered a decade of overseas listings by Chinese technology groups.

Transsion turns from Africa phones to energy storage, but the harder fight is just starting

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:15:00 GMT

Transsion Holdings, Africa's long-time "king of mobile phones," is turning to energy storage as smartphone profits weaken. The question is whether its African channel empire can become a real energy business, or whether it will become just another low-margin hardware extension.

China unveils Long March 12B, a key step toward reusable space launches

Elaine Chen — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:05:00 GMT

China has successfully launched a new commercial heavy-lift rocket designed to support the country's rapidly expanding satellite-constellation ambitions, marking another step in Beijing's effort to build a lower-cost alternative to Western space-launch providers.

Nvidia takes PCB material competition upstream as HVLP4 copper foil gap widens

Levi Li — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:47:02 GMT

AI infrastructure demand is lifting high-end PCB orders, but fresh bottlenecks are emerging in the upstream copper-clad laminate (CCL) supply chain. T-glass glass fiber cloth remains tight after disrupting the high-end ABF substrate market. HVLP4 copper foil is set to become the next constraint in the second half of 2026.

GM bets on sodium-ion batteries to power the AI boom

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:45:00 GMT

For years, Detroit's automakers viewed batteries primarily as the key to an electric-vehicle future. Now, as artificial intelligence drives an unprecedented buildout of data centers and strains power grids worldwide, batteries are becoming something else entirely: an energy infrastructure business.

AI boom drives capital inflows, but Taiwan sees low systemic risk

Rodney Chan — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:19:10 GMT

Taiwan's export growth has accelerated to its strongest pace in nearly 16 years on the back of AI and higher prices for electronic components, drawing large amounts of capital into the stock market and other asset markets. Central bank governor Chin-Long Yang said on June 10 that Taiwan remains far from systemic risk despite concerns over surging market activity.

Commentary: At WWDC 2026, Apple's AI platform eclipses the OS

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:06:00 GMT

Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote pointed to a major shift in the company's platform strategy, as Apple Intelligence, Siri, and Safari moved to the center while the operating system played a far smaller role. For observers used to Apple's annual software showcase, the event looked less like an OS update and more like a preview of a cross-device AI ecosystem.

Taiwan rugged PC suppliers gain multi-year order visibility as Europe accelerates rearmament

Willis Ke — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:02:38 GMT

Europe's push to strengthen defense self-sufficiency is beginning to translate into tangible opportunities for military technology suppliers, with Taiwan-based rugged PC makers expecting a meaningful pickup in orders starting from 2026 as procurement programs move from planning to execution.

BizLink to buy Interplex Datacom in up to US$900 million deal

Sherri Wang — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:02:14 GMT

BizLink Holding has agreed to acquire Interplex Datacom, the data communications business of Interplex Group, in a deal that will expand its presence in the data center interconnect and infrastructure market.

Apple's AI strategy gains scale as rivals race ahead

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:01:54 GMT

Apple remains behind the leaders in large language model development, but its vast iPhone installed base and growing tablet and smartphone sales are creating favorable conditions for its AI push. For global users, the company's next moves could shape how everyday devices handle privacy, context, and cross-app tasks across major software ecosystems.

US lawmakers push ITC to enforce patent case involving TSMC

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:57:00 GMT

Congressional Republicans are urging stronger exclusion orders in the ongoing Section 337 investigation tied to TSMC's advanced-node chips, while the company reiterates compliance with local laws and highlights ongoing legal uncertainty in its quarterly filing.

Taiwan auto parts makers see openings as China's car market resets

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:52:52 GMT

Taiwanese auto parts makers are finding new opportunities as China's auto market undergoes a sharp reset, with stronger sales from emerging brands and a seasonal pickup expected to support orders. The shift could matter beyond China, influencing supply chains, pricing, and parts demand across major vehicle markets worldwide.

CPO delays may shift AI networking demand, not derail it

Elaine Chen — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:49:31 GMT

Concerns have emerged in recent weeks that the commercialization of co-packaged optics (CPO), a technology widely viewed as the future of AI networking, could face further delays as manufacturing yields remain inconsistent.

Xpeng CEO takes direct control of robotics unit ahead of humanoid robot launch

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:31:17 GMT

Xpeng Chairman and Chief Executive He Xiaopeng said he will personally take charge of the company's robotics division as the Chinese electric-vehicle maker accelerates its push into humanoid robots, a sector it views as a cornerstone of its future growth strategy.

Singapore launches new supercomputer to expand AI and research capabilities

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:20:31 GMT

Singapore launched ASPIRE 2B on June 8, its latest national supercomputer, as part of efforts to strengthen the country's artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing capabilities.

Montage Tech samples 9200 MT/s DDR5 RCD06 chip for AI server memory upgrade

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:13:28 GMT

Montage Technology has begun sampling its sixth-generation DDR5 registering clock driver chip (RCD06) to customers, marking a step forward in the performance upgrade of next-generation server memory platforms.

Taiwan Mask sells Zhunan plant to Siliconware Precision Industries for NT$2.8 billion

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:06:50 GMT

Taiwan Mask (TMC), a Taiwanese photomask manufacturing process company, has approved the sale of its Plant 6 in Zhunan, Taiwan. The company said the move is primarily a strategic measure aimed at activating assets and focusing on its core business. It is also intended to improve the group's capital allocation efficiency, optimize its balance sheet, and boost earnings per share (EPS).

Meta and Reliance expand India partnership with AI data center plan

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:44:45 GMT

Meta and Reliance Industries are expanding their partnership with plans for an AI-enabled data center in India. The move could strengthen digital infrastructure for one of the world's fastest-growing internet markets. The agreement also includes major clean energy contracts, highlighting how global tech investment is increasingly tied to power, water, and sustainability.

AIDC books NT$12.8 billion in new orders as long-term MRO work offsets trainer production peak

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:36:53 GMT

Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. said on June 10 that it had secured NT$12.8 billion (approx. US$400 million) in new orders in the first half of 2026, driven by demand for aircraft engines, including both renewals and new projects under long-term contracts. The firm reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of about NT$7.59 billion, roughly flat year-over-year, and said its Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer program remains on track to deliver all 66 aircraft by year-end despite ongoing supply-chain disruptions.

MicroIP's new Kaohsiung R&D base points to broader AI push in southern Taiwan

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:32:54 GMT

MicroIP has opened a nearly 300-ping southern R&D center at Kaohsiung's PIER F, with plans to expand smart manufacturing and smart transportation applications. The move signals a deeper push to link AI development with local logistics, industry, and public infrastructure.

OpenAI reportedly eyes IPO within a year as it readies new AI model and massive infrastructure push

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:28:19 GMT

OpenAI is targeting a public listing within the next year, according to an internal message from CEO Sam Altman obtained by The Information, even as the company prepares to launch a new flagship AI model and ramps up spending on infrastructure needed to support increasingly powerful systems.

Pegatron May revenue hits 2026 high as server business gains momentum

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:24:20 GMT

Pegatron announced on June 10 that its May 2026 revenue reached NT$95.96 billion (approx. US$3.04 billion), up 10.06% from April and 11.99% from a year earlier, as growth across the company's three major product lines of information technology, consumer electronics, and communications helped drive operating momentum.

Anduril boosts Taiwan sourcing 15-fold, eyes local production

Sherri Wang — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:20:12 GMT

Anduril Industries has sharply expanded its Taiwan supply chain, increasing direct purchases from local suppliers 15-fold in 2025 as the US defense technology company deepens cooperation with Taiwanese partners on drones and other autonomous defense systems.

TDK bets on AI data center cooling with US$400 million Fabric8Labs acquisition

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:15:30 GMT

Japanese electronics manufacturer TDK is acquiring US-based metal 3D-printing startup Fabric8Labs for up to US$400 million, marking its latest push into the fast-growing AI infrastructure market. According to TDK, the deal consists of an upfront cash payment and a multi-year earnout tied to performance targets. Once regulatory approvals are secured, Fabric8Labs will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese company.