If China is the primary battleground for smart glasses, the China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE) is the front line. Leading manufacturers such as GoerTek, Sunny Optical, and Luxshare Precision were joined by a growing number of mid- and low-tier competitors, signaling a rapidly intensifying race in both hardware and optics, especially in the critical field of optical waveguide technology.
China's BOE Technology is moving to diversify Apple's iPhone display driver IC (DDI) supply chain, a shift that threatens South Korea's LX Semicon, once a dominant and long-standing supplier in the market.
Samsung Display (SDC) is executing a sweeping organizational overhaul across both its IT and small-to-medium panel businesses, aiming to solidify its leadership in OLED displays while countering growing competition from China.
As the global auto industry shifts toward electrification, autonomy, and digitalization, the collection and processing of data have become central to innovation, particularly in autonomous driving. Automotive cameras, despite their compact size, are now mission-critical components. For Taiwan's optical manufacturers, the sector presents a tempting opportunity. Yet two formidable obstacles remain: China's early dominance in the market, and automakers' prioritization of cost over quality.
