Advanced process technology and new device architectures are reshaping the semiconductor supply chain — and the pressure is shifting from the fab to the materials that feed it.

Xiaomi unveiled its second-generation humanoid robot at the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing, where the machine made its first public appearance and performed gestures for attendees. The demonstration highlighted the company’s latest push into humanoid robotics, with the robot able to follow live commands and recognize scenes through a large model.

Humanoid robots have entered a clear new phase since agentic AI emerged in 2025, with DIGITIMES analyst Zouhao Shen saying the category is now moving toward a three-tier hardware architecture of the brain, cerebellum, and peripheral nerves. He said the shift is reshaping the market and setting the stage for rapid growth through 2030.