When Masayoshi Son made a surprise appearance at Mar-a-Lago alongside Donald Trump last week, the founder of Japan's SoftBank Group vowed to invest a stunning US$100 billion in the US over the next four years. The president-elect joked that perhaps SoftBank would like to double that target to US$200 billion. Not to be outdone, Son replied with a wide smile, "I will really try."
TSMC chairman C.C. Wei highlighted Taiwan's strong potential in developing drones and multifunctional robots at the recent 12th National Science and Technology Conference. While acknowledging Taiwan's capacity to produce multifunctional robots, Wei emphasized that beyond AI functionality, successful development would require the integration of semiconductors, software, and precision machinery.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. agreed to form a joint venture for its South Korean operations with E-Mart Inc.'s e-commerce platform to better compete in the country's fast-paced online retail sector.
Supported by investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) along with an estimated 300 million iPhones exceeding four years of age, there are strong indicators that Apple may experience an upgrade "supercycle." According to MarketWatch, there are approximately 300 million iPhones in use worldwide that have surpassed four years of age, suggesting a potentially significant surge in replacement demand.
AI and high-performance computing (HPC) are pushing Qualcomm and AMD to escalate their challenge against Intel's decades-long dominance. Through technological innovation and focused channel strategies, both companies aim to reshape the competitive dynamics in the PC and server markets.
LG Display (LGD) has implemented a self-developed artificial intelligence (AI) system into its OLED manufacturing process. The AI system collects and analyzes OLED process data in real-time to identify optimal solutions, expected to save over KRW200 billion (approx. US$139 million) in operational costs annually.
The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has unveiled its "AI-Driven Next Generation Robotics Technology Project" for 2025, as robotics development continues to gain prominence. The initiative, driven by industrial needs, will harness academic research and development capabilities to advance key technologies for AI-equipped robots, with implementations planned for both industry and society.
As both Tesla and Nvidia step up their efforts in the robotics market, cobots have become a key topic of interest in this sector. Amid the growing attention on robotics, Techman Robot, the world's second-largest cobot maker, expects to maintain a growth trajectory despite uncertainties in the global economy in 2025, as the cobot market continues to expand.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) faces a projected budget cut of NT$29.7 billion (US$907.08 million) in 2025 following the Legislative Yuan's passage of amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures. According to Economics Minister Jyh-Huei Kuo, the reduction will impact subsidies promised to foreign companies like Nvidia, Micron, and AMD for their Taiwan investments.
With the backing of its major shareholder, Foxconn, Sharp is actively pursuing a transformation strategy. Following an earlier agreement to sell part of the land and facilities at Sakai, Osaka, to SoftBank, Sharp revealed on December 26, 2024, that it has reached an agreement with Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. for the transfer of its fixed assets, which include several buildings.
Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) has formed a partnership with UK-based Porotech to develop augmented reality (AR) glasses, combining Porotech's advanced gallium nitride (GaN) technology with Foxconn's vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities.
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