Taiwan ramps up small satellite development after successful launch

Following the November 29, 2025, launch of the Formosat-8 satellite and several accompanying CubeSats, all spacecraft have successfully established contact with ground stations—marking the completion of their first mission phase. Taiwanese researchers say CubeSats offer a cost-efficient platform for building satellite constellations suited for communications, Earth observation, and space science. With mature technologies now in place, they argue that academia, industry, and government can pursue increasingly meaningful missions. Since rocket launches remain the largest expense, broader deployment will depend on falling launch costs.

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Hotel robots work best for delivery, not bartending, Taiwan operator finds

As AI technology matures, robotic applications are flourishing across industries, with many seeking new business opportunities. However, challenges vary when it comes to actual implementation. Kevin Chiang, COO of Dunqian, Taiwan’s largest hotel operator, recently stated that current hotel robots should focus on repetitive, high-frequency tasks requiring minimal communication. He noted that the hospitality industry highly values emotional interaction, and only as AI and sensing technologies advance will robots be able to handle more complex scenarios.

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Taiwan urged to shift from open-source user to global contributor in AI era

As artificial intelligence (AI) advances at breakneck speed and global competition over foundation models intensifies, open-source software has emerged as a strategic pillar for national digital resilience. The US, Europe, and China have all turned to open-source development to accelerate innovation, attract talent, and strengthen domestic software ecosystems.

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Taiwan’s Elan reports lower November sales as global uncertainty weighs on demand

Elan Microelectronics, a leading Taiwanese maker of touch-controller chips, posted NT$946 million (approx. US$30 million) in revenue for November 2025, a decline of 3.5% from a year earlier and 5.1% from October. The company attributed the slowdown to the fourth quarter’s traditional weak season for consumer electronics and to rising global uncertainty driven by trade-policy shifts and geopolitical tensions, which have made brand customers more cautious in both marketing and procurement.

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UMC expands US supply chain with 8-inch wafer MOU with Polar Semiconductor

UMC has finalized plans to invest in the US semiconductor manufacturing sector by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with American foundry Polar Semiconductor on December 4, 2025. The two companies will explore collaboration opportunities for 8-inch wafer production within the US, targeting growing demand from automotive, data center, consumer electronics, aerospace, and defense industries.

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