DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain's Journal

Ayar Labs raises another US$25 million in latest funding round

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230526VL205.html

Ayar Labs has completed Series C1 funding, raising an additional US$25 million to bring its total Series C funding to US$155 million, according to the US-based silicon photonics chip startup.

India roundup: Tata reported to set up another facility for EMS business

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529VL200/india-roundup-india.html

Tata is reportedly looking to expand its electronics manufacturing investments. Tesla is interested in making EVs in India but has not made any firm commitment.

Apple's MR headset receives attention; rapid growth of AR/VR expected to come two years later

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230526PD204/apple-ar_vr-headset-mixed-reality-wwdc.html

Apple's 2023 WWDC is set to begin on June 5 PT. It's rumored that the long-awaited mixed reality (MR) headset device will be revealed. The MR function can integrate virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) functions. Despite the launch, the expectation is that the VR/AR market will only see significant growth around two years later.

Taiwan IC design houses deepening deployments for ePaper market boom

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230526PD200/ic-design-distribution-ic-design-mediatek.html

Taiwan's IC designers including MediaTek and many other peers are all keen to develop diverse chips solutions for ePaper technology applications that are poised to regain fast growth momentum starting in 2024, according to industry sources.

Apple's MR device will determine Cook's place in company history

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230526PD203/apple-metaverse-mixed-reality.html

Apple is expected to unveil its mixed reality (MR) device at the WWDC in June, the company's first brand-new product since the launch of the Apple Watch back in 2015. Sources believe this may be Tim Cook's last major move for his tenure as Apple CEO, and its success will determine Cook's place in company history.

Canada's pH7 Technologies utilizes SolvoMetallurgy technology to build platforms for metal extractio

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230525VL200/canadian-trade-office-in-taipei-interview-ph7-technologies-recycling-startup.html?chid=12

Canada-based startup pH7 Technologies has developed a new chemical process solution that can extract precious and critical metals, mainly platinum-group metals (PGM) from both primary and secondary sources. By utilizing an emerging branch of close-loop metallurgy called SolvoMetallurgy, pH7 provides an environmentally sustainable alternative to smelters and acid-based extraction methods.

Indonesia phone shipments face slight headwind; mid-to-high tier models are slacking while entry mod

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230525PD204/indonesia-mobile-phone-southeast-asia.html

According to Counterpoint's monthly Indonesia smartphone tracker, Indonesia's smartphone shipment for the first quarter of 2023 saw a 7.6% YoY decrease. The reason is a 25.8% YoY decrease for mid-to-high-end models. Meanwhile, entry-level models experienced a 2.7% YoY increase.

US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to strengthen supply chain resilience

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230528VL200/supply-chain.html

The 14 participating countries of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) reached an agreement on goods and technologies in Detroit on May 28 to strengthen supply chain resilience for critical products such as medicines and semiconductors.

Computex returns to Taipei in 2023: a celebration of technological innovation

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230525VL206/2023-computex-ic-manufacturing-taipei.html

After a four-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, Computex, the renowned international trade show for the information and communication technology industry, is set to make a triumphant return to Taipei in 2023. Running from May 30 to June 2, 2023 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, this highly anticipated event will once again bring together tech enthusiasts, industry professionals, and organizations from around the globe to showcase their latest innovations, exchange ideas, and shape the future of technology.

Taiwan continuously expands semiconductor clustering momentum

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230524PD201.html

Taiwan is continuing to expand its semiconductor clustering scale by developing more dedicated science parks, defying doubts about whether the US Chips & Science Act – aimed at encouraging companies to reshore their manufacturing operations – will undermine the semiconductor clustering momentum in Taiwan, according to industry observers.

AI becomes the not-so-secret weapon behind new rounds of chip competition

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230523VL204/ai-commentary-and-analysis-ic-design-distribution-ic-manufacturing.html

News about significant improvements in yields and capacity on Samsung's 4nm process and the subsequent win in getting orders from AMD and Google raised some eyebrows among its competitors. How did Samsung make such a huge leap in such a short time? One cannot rule out the possibility that artificial intelligence (AI) may be the answer.

Korea reportedly won't encourage memory suppliers to gain market share in China amid ban on Micron

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529VL202/china-korea-memory-chips-micron-south-korea.html

Despite a ban on Micron by the Chinese government seen as benefiting Micron's competitors based in South Korea, it is reported that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix may decide not to fill the void and walk a fine line between China and the US.

Joint battery plant will benefit Hyundai, LGES in the US

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529VL203/hyundai-lges-battery-plant-us.html?chid=13

Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution have embarked on a joint effort to scale up in the US. The pair announced on May 26 that they will build an EV battery cell plant together in Georgia. Production is expected to begin at the end of 2025.

Nvidia AI GPU dominance to bolster key supply partners TSMC, Foxconn

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529PD200/nvidia-ai-gpu-foxconn-tsmc-gpu-supply-chain.html

Nvidia has almost monopolized the hottest AI GPU market as the largest beneficiary of the ongoing global generative boom sparked by ChatGPT, which will significantly benefit its manufacturing partners in Taiwan, including TSMC, landing all foundry orders for the chips and Foxconn Technology securing 90% of assembly orders for H100 AI system devices, according to industry sources.

Chinese vendors made over one-third of top supercomputers in US

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529VL201/supercomputer-us-china-server-ipc-cloud-computing-iot.html

According to the latest ranking of global supercomputers, the US and China topped the list, accounting for more than half of the fastest supercomputers worldwide, while China-based vendors took the lead in the supercomputer manufacturing industry.

Arm unveils TCS23, driving immersive experiences and new-generation AI applications

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529PD207/arm-computex-2023-ic-design-distribution.html

Arm held a new product launch event at COMPUTEX 2023, unveiling the "2023 Total Compute Solution" (TCS23). Chris Bergey, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Arm's Client Line of Business, stated that TCS23 includes the new Arm Immortalis GPU based on the Arm fifth-generation GPU architecture, claiming to provide the best visual experience and performance leadership for next-generation artificial intelligence (AI).

VinFast recalls all 999 of its first SUVs shipped to the US

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230526VL210/us-vehicle-news-vietnam-vinfast.html?chid=13

Vietnam's electric-car maker VinFast recalled all 999 of its initial sport utility vehicles shipped to the US over malfunctioning software that can lead the main screen to go blank.

Wiwynn strives to bring AI server sales to 50% of revenue in 2024

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529PD209/ict-manufacturing-wiwynn.html

Emily Hong, the Vice Chairwoman and CEO of server original design manufacturer (ODM) Wiwynn Corp., stated that they currently have AI-related projects with major clients in progress. They anticipate significant growth in shipments starting from November to December 2023 and continuing into 2024. As for whether AI server sales will reach 50% of Wiwynn revenue in 2024, Hong expressed that it is their expected target.

Blumind utilizes analog semiconductor architecture to facilitate AI inferencing

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529VL204/interview-ai-adas-semiconductor-software-big-data.html

(CTA interview, please don't lock the story) Artificial intelligence development and adoption have encountered serious energy efficiency hurdles with current computer architectures. To solve this challenge, Canadian startup Blumind has invented an analog architecture for semiconductors that will process neural networks efficiently with extremely low power consumption.

Joint venture between Toyota and Denso to participate in diamond power semiconductor R&D

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529PD203/ic-manufacturing-japan-mirise-technologies-orbray.html

Japanese precision component manufacturer Orbray announced that it has signed a contract with automotive semiconductor R&D corporation Mirise Technologies to conduct R&D on diamond power semiconductors. In addition, Orbay also stated that it is investing JPY10 billion (US$72 million) to build a diamond substrate factory for automotive semiconductors.

Why Taiwan is essential to the global supply chain

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529VL206/editorial-ict-manufacturing-supply-chain-taiwan.html

I've been monitoring the industry since 1985. An industry leader has said that AI is eating software, and software is replacing hardware. But everyone understands that following the rise of ChatGPT, those in AI research or startup businesses are entering an age of "extinction," as the software sector is characterized by the reality that the winner takes all. The leader in the race will run away with almost all profits, with the rest subsisting on leftovers and most of the startups drowning. But the hardware industry is still strong because their customers are keen to diversify their sources of supplies, and individual companies can seldom take all the profits. And the hardware industry creates huge demand for technical workers. In terms of international coopetition and social justice, the value of hardware manufacturing is being reestablished. The US government's bid to rebuild meaningful control of the supply chain is recasting Taiwan into a more important role.

Taiwan keeps Chinese students from participating in semiconductor research for information security

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529PD206/taiwan-china-semiconductor-research-law.html

It is an indisputable fact that China is lagging far behind Taiwan in chip manufacturing. In order to protect the competitiveness of its high-tech industries and its economic interests, as well as to prevent the outflow of business secrets of core technologies, Taiwan has amended Articles 9 and 91 of the Cross-Straits Regulations. According to academic sources, corporations are not the only onces taking precautionary measures; mainland Chinese students studying or doing research in Taiwan are not allowed to have access to sensitive semiconductor technology.

MediaTek, Nvidia team up for connected cars

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529VL207/computex-2023-mediatek-nvidia.html

MediaTek has announced a partnership with Nvidia to deliver a complete range of in-vehicle AI cabin solutions for the next generation of software-defined vehicles.

New Nvidia generative AI chip employs TSMC CoWoS

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529PD208/nvidia-ai-supercomputer-tsmc-cowos.html

Nvidia has announced the launch of a new class of large-memory AI supercomputer, the Nvidia DGX, powered by Nvidia's GH200 Grace Hopper superchips and the Nvidia NVLink Switch System, to enable the development of massive, next-generation models for generative AI language applications, recommender systems, and data analytics workloads.

What future industry ecosystems will be like

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529VL205/editorial-india-southeast-asia.html?chid=10

Judging from India, Vietnam, and Thailand's present import-export structures for semiconductors and electronics, we can imagine what the future ecosystem will be like. Major ASEAN countries import semiconductors mostly through the logistics services providers in China and Hong Kong. But neither China nor Hong Kong has its home-grown distributors who can handle international sales. It's Taiwanese companies that are playing the key role behind the scene.

Kenmec liquid cooling solutions penetrate EV battery supply chain

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529PD202/kenmec-ev-battery-liquid-cooling.html

Taiwan-based Kenmec Mechanical Engineering reportedly has cut into the power battery supply chain for electrical vehicle production with its liquid cooling solutions in cooperation with major domestic electronics ODMs after clearing Intel validation for server applications.

Australia sees 'enormous market' for its battery metals in US

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20230529VL208/australia-us-battery-green-energy.html?chid=13

President Joe Biden's signature climate policy is helping drive a "golden age of mineral exploration" in Australia, as the US rushes to catch up with China on clean energy technologies, the Australian trade minister said.