China’s first diamond semiconductor supply chain project lands in Zhengzhou

China is accelerating its push into fourth-generation semiconductors, with the country’s first fully integrated industrial project for ultra-wide-bandgap semiconductor materials set to be built in Zhengzhou. The project aims to strengthen domestic capabilities in diamond-based semiconductor materials for AI chips, advanced communications and electric vehicles, while expanding China’s presence beyond silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN).

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Taiwan smartphone shipments rose in May despite higher component costs

Taiwan’s smartphone market saw shipments expand in May as Mother’s Day buying and demand for AI-enabled premium models offset rising upstream component costs, industry participants said. Total shipments reached nearly 430,000 units in May 2026, up about 7% from 402,000 in April, while cumulative shipments for January through May hit 2.12 million units, a 2.7% increase year over year, according to handset channel players.

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Taiwan optics makers eye humanoid robot vision market as deployments accelerate

As physical AI enters a pivotal growth phase in 2026, deployment of robotic systems is rapidly accelerating across the industry. Beyond established applications such as inspection, healthcare, and service robots, humanoid robots are emerging as a major demand driver. As AI moves toward practical deployment, demand for robot vision modules is expected to rise sharply, with volume production set to accelerate.

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