18
Jan
South Korea’s Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on intellectual property cooperation with China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) during a China-South Korea leaders’ meeting in Beijing in January 2026. It was the third such agreement, following earlier MOUs in 2013 and 2021.
18
Jan
SK Hynix reportedly completes 1a DRAM upgrade at Wuxi plant in China
SK Hynix has reportedly finished converting its key DRAM production facility in Wuxi, China, to the fourth-generation 1a process. The company reached the manufacturing milestone despite US export controls that limit exports of advanced semiconductor equipment to China.
18
Jan
SK Hynix accelerates advanced packaging from Korea to Indiana
SK Hynix plans to invest KRW19 trillion, about US$12.9 billion, to build an advanced semiconductor packaging plant in Cheongju, South Korea, as it moves to secure capacity for AI-driven memory demand. The investment would add to existing packaging operations in Icheon and a planned facility in Indiana, creating a network spanning South Korea and the US.
18
Jan
AgiBot faces dexterous hand tech challenges
Humanoid robots and embodied intelligence were huge at CES 2026. Dexterous hands are a key component that determines the upper limits of a robot’s manipulation capabilities. Despite significant progress in recent years in terms of degrees of freedom and control performance, several challenges remain to be addressed.
18
Jan
Taiwan’s HCMF Group and Kinpo Electronics team up to navigate an AI-driven auto industry
The automotive electronics industry is undergoing a structural transformation unlike any it has seen before. As artificial intelligence moves from the margins to the core of vehicle design, two of Taiwan’s lesser-known industrial champions—HCMF Group and Kinpo Electronics—are deepening a cross-industry partnership aimed at navigating the upheaval. Their strategy rests on two pillars: system integration and a “global-local” manufacturing footprint, designed to withstand volatility in an increasingly fragmented market.
18
Jan
Apple and Google partnership on Gemini AI model signals major shift in Siri’s personalization and privacy approach
Apple has officially confirmed a strategic collaboration with Google to use the Gemini AI model to enhance Siri and other Apple Intelligence features. The two tech giants have revealed limited details about the arrangement, with internal sources shedding light on key aspects of the cooperation that carry broad implications for Apple’s AI development and competitive positioning.
18
Jan
Research Insight: Qualcomm’s Ventana deal signals push to reduce Arm reliance and deepen RISC-V bets
On December 10, 2025, Qualcomm Inc. disclosed its acquisition of Ventana Micro Systems in the US without revealing the deal’s financial terms or completion date. The company highlighted that the move would reinforce its global leadership in the RISC-V ecosystem and improve its CPU development capabilities, complementing its existing Oryon custom CPU team.
18
Jan
MGC expands into AI liquid cooling market
Meta Green Cooling (MGC) is making a comprehensive push into the AI liquid cooling sector, leveraging its unique full-spectrum capabilities. MGC chairman James Chen noted that, unlike competitors, MGC integrates mechanical design, electromechanical systems, thermal management, monitoring, data center design, and maintenance services under one roof. The company posted a remarkable 215% revenue growth in 2025 and expects similar expansion in 2026 as it capitalizes on rising liquid cooling demand.
18
Jan
Internal memo reveals Micron has locked in PSMC HBM capacity through prepayment
Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) has provided new details on its planned sale of the Tongluo P5 fabrication plant to Micron Technology, confirming that the transaction is paired with a broader cooperation framework that includes prepaid reservations for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) back-end wafer manufacturing capacity.
18
Jan
TSMC speeds up US expansion while keeping FX strategy simple
TSMC is speeding up its multibillion-dollar expansion in Arizona after posting strong earnings, signaling confidence in long-term artificial intelligence demand and the US push to rebuild domestic chip manufacturing.