Hiwin assesses prospects for mass production of humanoid robots

Hiwin Technologies, a prominent Taiwanese manufacturer of precision components, is intensifying its presence in the fast-growing fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. The company, known for its production of harmonic reducers and ball screws, has broadened its operations to include fully integrated robotic systems. Hiwin has already secured a role as a key supplier to major robotics firms and is also developing AI-powered robots tailored to the needs of the logistics sector. The firm indicated that visiting clients in May were pleased with its progress, with small-scale orders expected to begin by the end of the year.

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ASE to acquire AMPI in strategic bid to restructure 6-inch foundry ops, tap AI chip demand

ASE Holdings, a global leader in semiconductor packaging and testing, announced that its subsidiary ASE Test Limited will initiate a tender offer to acquire Advanced Microelectronic Products, Inc. (AMPI), a 6-inch wafer foundry based in Taiwan. The acquisition aims to restructure AMPI’s operations and support the company’s broader business overhaul.

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Getac unveils rugged AI PC meeting Microsoft Azure standards, to launch in 3Q25

Getac Technology, a subsidiary of Getac Holdings, has unveiled the world’s first rugged AI PC that meets Microsoft Azure’s AI PC standards. The flagship model, B360 Plus, features a dedicated Copilot key and a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of up to 48 TOPS (trillion operations per second), delivering enhanced AI performance for use in demanding environments. The device is scheduled for commercial launch in the third quarter of 2025.

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China’s fallen chip czar and the bullet Taiwan dodged

Zhao Weiguo, the former chairman of China’s Tsinghua Unigroup and once a high-profile figure in China’s semiconductor ambitions, was sentenced on May 14, 2025, to death with a two-year reprieve by the Jilin Intermediate People’s Court for embezzlement and abuse of power. The court also imposed a lifelong revocation of his political rights and the confiscation of all personal assets.

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Foxconn expects AI servers to drive over half of 2025 server revenue amid surging demand and Middle East opportunities

AI servers are emerging as a dominant revenue driver for leading ODM vendors in 2025, with Foxconn at the forefront of this trend. Despite lingering concerns about potential supply chain disruptions, Foxconn chairman Young Liu emphasized during an April 14 investor conference that AI servers are now in the mass delivery stage and are expected to generate over 50% of the company’s total server revenue this year.

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China surges in OLED push after LCD triumph, as Samsung, LG escalate tech rivalry

China, having solidified its dominance in the LCD panel market, is now intensifying its push into organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. A government-driven “trade-in” program has sparked a surge in the domestic smartphone market, with Chinese manufacturers rapidly expanding into the foldable device sector. This strategic focus has significantly accelerated OLED panel production.

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TSMC to accelerate expansion in 2025 with eight new fabs and one advanced packaging plant

At the TSMC Technology Symposium 2025 on May 15 in Hsinchu, Taiwan, T.S. Chang, VP of Advanced Technology and Mask Engineering at TSMC, announced the company’s accelerated fab expansion plans. Previously, TSMC built an average of three fabs annually from 2017 to 2020, which increased to five each year from 2021 to 2024. In 2025, TSMC aims to construct nine new facilities, consisting of eight wafer fabs and one advanced packaging plant.

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US-China tariff talks pause triggers currency volatility, pressuring Taiwan’s PCB sector

Taiwan’s PCB manufacturers are finding temporary relief as the US dollar strengthens following the suspension of US-China tariff negotiations, partially offsetting pressure from the New Taiwan dollar’s recent appreciation. However, industry players remain cautious as uncertainty around President Trump’s tariff policies continues to cloud the outlook for the second half of 2025.

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