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Aug 22 SEMICONDUCTORS

Nvidia CEO's third Taiwan trip in 2025: talk H20, US govt stake and visits TSMC

Aug 22 SEMICONDUCTORS

TSMC's gross margin nears 60% as equipment allies shine

Aug 22 SEMICONDUCTORS

Analysis: Is the US taking a page from China's 'Big Fund'?

Trump and Intel

As the US's largest semiconductor company, Intel has always been a focus for the US government in its attempts to reshore manufacturing.

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SEMICONDUCTORS

Aug 22

Jensen Huang's whirlwind Taiwan visit: 5 key priorities with TSMC before earnings call

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made a surprise visit to Taiwan on August 22, spending just 12 hours in the country. He said the trip was to meet TSMC executives and review six chips already in tape-out at the foundry, including those built on the 3nm Rubin microarchitecture.

Aug 22

TSMC keeps Japan in focus with 2nd Kumamoto fab set to break ground in 2025

TSMC board member Paul Liu confirmed the chipmaker will break ground on a second fab in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, in 2025 as scheduled, rejecting speculation that Japan's role in its global expansion is being diminished.

Aug 22

Equity-for-subsidies: Samsung and Seoul fear US govt overreach

The Trump administration is exploring acquiring equity stakes in major semiconductor companies, including Samsung Electronics, following its interest in Intel Corporation. This move, revealed by Reuters, signals a significant shift in US strategy—potentially resembling China's state-led model for semiconductor development.

ICT

Aug 22

Google's AI glasses rumored to be made in Taiwan; HTC emerges as potential manufacturer

HTC has reignited interest in AI eyewear with the recent launch of the Vive Eagle, the company's first AI glasses. Google is also rumored to have completed development of its own AI glasses, with Quanta in charge of prototype design. However, Google has yet to decide who will be its contract manufacturer. Although Quanta is a strong contender, market rumors suggest HTC may also produce Google's first AI glasses.

Aug 22

Meta bets big on Google Cloud in US$10 billion AI infrastructure pact

In a groundbreaking move signaling a new chapter in cloud infrastructure partnerships, Meta has reportedly signed a multi-billion-dollar, six-year agreement with Google Cloud, committing to spend over US$10 billion to accelerate its computing capabilities for AI development.

Aug 22

Tariff policy clarity boosts momentum in collaborative robot market

Techman Robot Inc., a player in the robotics and automation sector, remains optimistic about future prospects despite short-term uncertainties such as tariffs impacting factory investments. Chairman Shih-Chih Ho stated that robotics and automation represent a rigid demand and a key direction for industrial development. While some companies have delayed site selection and capital expenditures, Techman expects investment to normalize gradually, benefiting its business.

TRENDING

COMMUNICATIONS

Aug 22

Commentary: Pixel 10 marks Google's decade of hardware struggles

The launch of the Pixel 10 series marks the tenth anniversary of Google's Pixel brand. Over the past decade, the company's smartphone venture has highlighted persistent shortcomings in hardware sales and market execution.

Aug 22

India sees 30% tariffs fuel rise in smartphone exports to US in 1H25

India has overtaken China as the top smartphone exporter to the US, marking a major shift in global supply chains. According to Counterpoint Research and Canalys, Apple-led shipments drove a surge in India's exports in the first half of 2025, alongside strong growth in non-smartphone electronics.

Aug 22

Google switches to TSMC for Tensor G5 as Pixel 10 series launches

Google has officially launched its latest lineup of Pixel devices, all powered by the next-generation Tensor G5 chip, built using TSMC's cutting-edge 3nm process. In a rare move, Google's US headquarters publicly acknowledged its partnership with the Taiwanese chipmaker, underscoring the growing strategic importance of Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Aug 22

TSMC's AI5 chip paves the way for Samsung's AI6 as Tesla shifts FSD training to world models

Unlike the training-centric approach during the Dojo era, Tesla CEO Elon Musk's new strategy revolves around two chips, AI5 and AI6, building a distributed computing platform that integrates both inference and training, placing AI inference clusters at the center of FSD development. In the long run, success hinges on whether the AI5 chip, produced using TSMC's 3nm process slated for mass production in 2026, can enable Robotaxi performance beyond expectations. This would elevate overall industry standards for intelligent driving and create a demonstration effect, paving the way for Samsung Electronics' AI6 chip manufacturing contract in 2028.

Aug 22

Geely challenges BYD for the crown in China’s auto market

China's fiercely competitive auto market is entering a new phase of high-stakes rivalry, with two private-sector titans — Geely Automobile and BYD — locked in an increasingly intense battle for dominance.

Aug 22

China's New EV startups race ahead in First 1H25: sales comparison reveals market shakeup

In a fierce price war roiling China's electric vehicle (EV) industry, three of the country's emerging automakers—Leapmotor, Xiaomi, and Xpeng—have bucked the trend, posting strong first-half 2025 results marked by simultaneous growth in both sales and profit margins. Rather than chasing market share through deep discounts, these companies achieved the rare feat of boosting average gross profit per vehicle quarter after quarter.

SUSTAINABILITY

Aug 22

Hyundai's new hydrogen car gains traction, but global market stalls

Hyundai Motor has launched its second-generation hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), the All-New NEXO, to a warm reception at home. Early sales suggest a spike in consumer interest, but industry analysts warn that without broader industry participation and major infrastructure improvements, the global FCEV market remains deeply constrained.

Aug 22

Column: AI's growing role in transforming energy systems worldwide

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping energy systems by enhancing their resilience, efficiency, and sustainability. The relationship between AI and energy is reciprocal: AI relies on reliable and clean electricity, while energy infrastructure increasingly depends on AI for improved forecasting, maintenance, and operational control. This evolving synergy is providing competitive advantages to industries and governments globally.

Aug 22

AUO subsidiaries present smart manufacturing and carbon management tools

Two subsidiaries of AUO Corporation—AUO Digitech and AUO Envirotech—are set to showcase a suite of AI-powered sustainability technologies at Automation Taipei 2025. Under the theme of data empowering sustainability, the companies will present integrated solutions spanning AIoT, energy management, carbon monitoring, and smart manufacturing, aiming to offer end-to-end digital transformation and decarbonization for the industrial sector.

AEROSPACE

Aug 22

GUS Technology enters Vietnam drone market with high-performance battery system debuting in September

GUS Technology is targeting the rapidly growing drone market with its proprietary battery cell technology and system design capabilities, which will be officially showcased in September this year. As GUS Technology notes, the company has already secured a drone project in Vietnam and will continue its collaborative efforts in Taiwan's industrial ecosystem to further propel the visibility of Taiwan's drone industry.

Aug 22

As Microsoft doubles down on AI, Azure Space is relegated to the sidelines

As Microsoft intensifies its focus on artificial intelligence, several non-AI-related divisions have faced significant cuts — with the Azure Space satellite initiative reportedly among the latest casualties. While the tech giant confirmed that Azure Space has not been fully discontinued, several of its products have been retired or shifted in scope. The number of employees affected by these changes remains unclear.