Under the neon glow of CES 2026, the global auto industry appeared to be undergoing a quiet but consequential shift. The focus was no longer confined to vehicle electronics or electrification. Instead, it had expanded into a neighboring — and potentially transformative — domain: artificial-intelligence-driven robotics.

U-Best Innovative, a subsidiary of Sun Yad Group, announced the development of a water-based resin developed in collaboration with major domestic manufacturers of automotive interior materials. The company is also expanding partnerships with local firms to enter sectors including electronics, medical devices, green energy, optical films, and flexible HC materials.

Benefiting from increased shipments of new and existing electric vehicle (EV) models, LED automotive lighting module maker Laster Tech reported consolidated revenue of NT$2.201 billion (approx. US$69.5 million) for the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a quarter-over-quarter growth of 8.83%. The company plans to adopt a selective order strategy in the Chinese market while enhancing its competitiveness within the North American supply chain.

Venturing into the artificial intelligence (AI) robotics sector may seem like a way for automakers to find an alternative path in the fiercely competitive automotive market. Yet, it could just as easily be a smokescreen designed to mask stagnation in core technologies and divert attention in the capital markets.

LED driver IC designer Macroblock stated that Micro LED applications based on PCB substrates have been rolled out one after another, while Micro LED applications using glass substrates are expected to enter the mass production stage starting in 2026. The company expects double-digit annual growth, with more than 10 new vehicle models set to adopt its automotive IC products in 2026. Macroblock is optimistic that the share of automotive products will increase from 14% to nearly 20% in 2026.

As 2026 begins, China has put into force the world's first mandatory national standard governing energy consumption for electric vehicles, drawing a sharp new line for an industry that has expanded at breakneck speed for more than a decade.

As the automotive sector advances towards software-defined vehicles, Garmin has introduced its Unified Cabin architecture, emphasizing integration of generative AI, spatial positioning, and cross-device connectivity within a single high-performance system-on-chip (SoC). This approach highlights a shift from mere feature stacking to deep convergence of hardware and software for enhanced in-car experiences.

At CES 2026, software-defined vehicles (SDV) transitioned from futuristic concepts to practical realities, signaling a significant evolution in automotive technology. Enhanced autonomous driving chips and integrated AI are enabling vehicles to become mobile AI platforms, fundamentally changing production and consumer relationships within the industry.

CES has increasingly become a key platform for the automotive industry, often dubbed an alternative auto show in recent years due to the rising presence of car-related technologies. From concept vehicles and autonomous driving to electrification, automakers' displays frequently outshine traditional consumer electronics.

As the world's largest market for electric vehicles, China is quietly rewriting the competitive logic of the global automotive industry. By redefining technical thresholds, Beijing is exerting a form of "soft power" that transcends its borders, forcing automakers from Detroit to Wolfsburg to rethink how they build cars for the world.

The surge in global artificial intelligence data centers (AIDCs) revealed at CES 2026 highlights a pivotal shift in energy consumption patterns. From autonomous vehicles to smart healthcare, these technologies increasingly depend on robust energy infrastructure, transforming traditional power supply dynamics. The growth of energy storage systems (ESS) now surpasses electric vehicle (EV) batteries, marking a new chapter in the energy transformation landscape.