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China’s wafer foundries are said to be ramping up capacity, and Taiwan’s Powerchip and Vanguard International are already feeling the heat. As China eyes producing all the semiconductors it uses domestically, how will Taiwan’s IC sector respond?
The just-concluded Nvidia GTC conference outstripped even Apple's product launches. The surge in demand for hardware driven by generative AI has put Nvidia in the winner's seat. But as computing power shifts from the cloud to the edge, will the landscape change?
Two TSMC technical wizzes, both faced with adversity. One stuck it out with the chip making giant, the other broke ties with the company, but both still have outsized impacts on the global chip industry. How are their fates different? Our veteran tech reporter observes.
In a visit to NVIDIA's headquarters in Silicon Valley, Jensen Huang explains why he believes NVIDIA is not just a chip company but an "AI platform enterprise."
The United States and China are battling for dominance in space, in part by feverishly deploying low-orbit satellites to bolster their communication networks and defense systems. Taiwan wants in on this space race, but can it develop these critical satellites on its own?
Socionext, a joint venture between time-honored Japanese electronics giants Fujitsu and Panasonic, is the largest designer of custom-designed integrated circuits in Japan. Banking on the advanced manufacturing technology of chip foundry Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the company has evolved into a new leader in the AI chip war. What’s the story behind this success?
TSMC recently opened a new wafer fab in Japan, igniting a new era of semiconductor cooperation between Japan and Taiwan. What motivated TSMC to expand into Japan, and how could this new “island chain” affect the global semiconductor market?
Taiwanese AI company AMAX, which just joined the Taiwan stock market last year, was established in Silicon Valley over 40 years ago. With half of its revenue from AI, it stands as one of NVIDIA's first GPU server partners. How did they achieve this?
In an exclusive interview, Tokyo Electron Ltd. (TEL), Japan's largest technology company, reveals how it boldly transformed after Japan's semiconductor downturn of three decades, surpassing Sony in market value and becoming the world's fourth-largest semiconductor equipment manufacturer.
Celebrated as the Japanese political figure with the deepest understanding of the semiconductor sector, Akira Amari, leader of the parliamentary association to promote semiconductor strategy, stresses that Japan will need the capability to manufacture its own high-end logic ICs if it is to maintain autonomy in the world of tech. What role can Taiwan play in this?
On February 20th, Foxconn held its 50th-anniversary gala dinner in Taipei. The congratulatory videos from Apple CEO Tim Cook and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang hinted at strengthened cooperation in areas like AI. What does this mean for Foxconn's future?
On February 24th, TSMC's JASM facility in Kumamoto had a grand opening. Backed by strong Japanese government support, it's ahead of schedule compared to the Arizona plant in the US. TSMC's founder, Morris Chang, openly admits Japan's advantageous semiconductor industry development. What impact will JASM have on Japan's semiconductor revival?
Since the emergence of ChatGPT and Chinese Internet giant Baidu’s announcement of its own Chinese language chat bot, Taiwan has felt the need to develop a generative AI solution that is leveraging Traditional Chinese data from Taiwan instead of China. Does it meet expectations?
The United States and China are battling for dominance in space, in part by feverishly deploying low-orbit satellites to bolster their communication networks and defense systems. Taiwan wants in on this space race, but can it develop these critical satellites on its own?
During TSMC's shareholders' meeting on January 18th, Mark Liu made his final appearance as chairman of the semiconductor giant. He shared his insights on TSMC's plans to expand overseas. How will TSMC navigate the challenges of the precarious geopolitical environment?
One unanticipated side effect of the U.S. chip export ban is that Chinese tech companies like Huawei have turned the crisis into an opportunity. But smartphones fitted with Taiwan's MediaTek chips are still the king of the market. What is MediaTek's secret?
Around 50% of small and medium-sized companies in Taiwan have been targeted by hackers demanding ransom payments, and generative AI is making it easier for cybercriminals. In light of the increasing number of cybersecurity incidents and a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, how does Trend Micro's new platform, Vision One, turn the tide?
MEAN WELL, in its continuous pursuit of excellence, has established the world's largest standard power supply production base at its Suzhou Smart Park. Moreover, it is actively expanding its presence in China with a goal of partnering with 100 ESG enterprises by 2030.
Drones have featured heavily in conflicts around the world, and Taiwan is hoping that locally made commercial-grade drones can gain traction domestically and internationally. CommonWealth Magazine looks at some of the key private players involved in the initiative.
Innovation is the essence of national strength. Taiwan must transition from an OEM-based economy to one focused on technological innovation to maintain its stance on the global stage. In 2016, the government launched the "5+2 Innovative Industries Plan," with the Internet of Things (IoT) being one of the key sectors. To connect with innovative technologies from the Silicon Valley and help Taiwanese industries seize new opportunities driven by IoT, the National Development Council (NDC) formulated the "Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan," which was approved by the Executive Yuan in September of the same year. The plan aims to drive Taiwan's new economic development with two main drivers: "stimulating economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship" and "promoting industrial transformation and upgrading through IoT."
Foxconn is investing US$1.6 billion to expand iPhone production in India, aiming to manufacture 25% of its iPhones there by 2025. Is this a pipe dream?
The artificial intelligence (AI) race is on, and oil-rich states have the financial means to invest in brainpower and computing resources. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is home to the world’s first graduate research university dedicated to AI and controls the world’s most advanced open-source large language model (LLM). Why are renowned computer scientists from Taiwan flocking to the emirate?
With low birth rates, an uncompetitive salary structure, and degrading college degrees, company owners in Taiwan feel both qualitative and quantitative changes in talent pools.
Last December US President Joe Biden attended a tool-in ceremony for a chip fab being built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in Phoenix, Arizona. Meanwhile TSMC does not only face a shortage of skilled workers in Taiwan but also needs to deal with labor union disputes that threaten to further delay the Arizona project.
TSMC's investment in Arizona is challenged by water shortages. Alfalfa farmers are worried that water shortages will get worse in the future. Chip manufacturing and climate change: Who will win?
Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) founder, Morris Chang, is the recipient of the first K.T. Li Award. During his acceptance speech, he recounted memorable encounters with Li in three acts.
In June, tech giant Meta publicly stated for the first time in a technical report that its AI accelerator MTIA was jointly developed with Andes Technology Corporation from Taiwan. How did Andes, often dubbed “Taiwan’s ARM,” break into the data center accelerator market?
Nvidia founder Jensen Huang was the special guest at Foxconn's 2023 Tech Day. He announced that the two tech giants were joining forces to build "AI factories". What does that mean?
OpenAI founder Sam Altman is more than an AI guy. During an exclusive interview, he reveals his bigger ambition: making nuclear fusion the answer to affordable clean energy.
Pat Gelsinger introduced an ambitious IDM 2.0 strategy when he took over as Intel’s CEO in early 2021 aimed at vaulting past Samsung to become the world’s second-largest contract chipmaker by 2030. Is the company on track to achieve that?
In an exclusive interview with CommonWealth Magazine, Walter Isaacson offers us an intimate glimpse into Elon Musk. Through a blend of personal encounters, interviews, and observation, Isaacson's biography on Musk seeks to decode the mind ceaselessly pushing humanity's boundaries.
Waste etchant poses a significant problem for TSMC. However, a small Taiwanese company transforms this hazardous liquid into artificial fluorite, which is then sold to China Steel and Formosa Plastics. This innovation marks a pioneering achievement in the progress of the circular economy.
A group of engineers immersed in microwave R&D were once key figures in Taiwan's autonomous development of missile technology. How did they leverage microwave oven technology to break into the semiconductor supply chain?
Sluggish shipments of smartphones in recent years have jolted companies in Apple’s supply chain in Taiwan into seeking new opportunities. Many of them are testing their mettle in the global AI arms race, hoping for a new source of growth.
Three years ago, Taiwan's "Godfather of DRAM", Charles Kau, ended his contract with China's Tsinghua Unigroup and became chairman of IEMC. This man single-handedly fostered Taiwan's DRAM industry. Why is he so deeply involved in a small specialty semiconductor gas company that makes less than a billion dollars a year?
In this episode of the Taiwanology podcast, the host Kwangyin Liu explores the dynamic landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in Taiwan. The buzz around generative AI, exemplified by OpenAI's ChatGPT, has surged over the past year.
"Service" has become a key differentiator in the competition! MEAN WELL, the global leading brand of standard power supplies with over 24 years of experience in deepening the North American market and establishing a US subsidiary in Fremont, San Francisco,(California) has recently expanded into the major central city of Kansas City. Not only has the company set up its largest logistics center in the US, but it has also established the group's first value-added service center. This move aims to provide more customized services that closely cater to customer needs, thereby unleashing higher brand value.
Facing global regulatory scrutiny on the cryptocurrency industry. While Binance has been sued by the SEC, the company's founder, Changpeng Zhao, maintains a strong stance. Meanwhile, a newcomer named Richard Teng emerges with a mission to help Binance expand globally.
With customers ranging from American defense and aerospace sectors to over 20,000 dental technicians worldwide, Phrozen's photopolymerization 3D printers dominate the Taiwanese dental market. Despite facing global competition, its revenue has more than doubled in the past three years. How did they achieve this success?
Lisa Su, Chairwoman and CEO of AMD (Advanced Micro Devices), just concluded her Taiwan visit. How does she challenge Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, for the leadership position in the AI chip market?
Gogolook, which started out with the caller ID app Whoscall, is the first software firm to list on the Taiwan Innovation Board (TIB) of the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Can the provider of fraud prevention services inspire other software startups in Taiwan?
It was only until the Covid-19 pandemic caused a global chip shortage that semiconductors started getting attention; they are in our iPhones, Nintendo Switches, and washing machines. More than 90% of the advanced chips are produced in Taiwan. To understand Taiwan's role in the chip war, Commonwealth Magazine talked with Miin Wu, the founder of Macronix International, a crucial chip company from Taiwan.
On August 1st, China will implement export controls on raw materials critical to chip production such as gallium and germanium. However, Taiwan's semiconductor industry remains unfazed. One key reason is because China's purification technology still lags behind. The move will potentially hurt its own industry.
Under the generative AI tide, NVIDIA holds the keys to the most critical GPU firepower. Yet, an upstart Taiwanese enterprise seeks to open up an even bigger market.
At Computex Taipei on 5/29, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's keynote speech was packed with 4,000 audience members. From a graphics card company focusing on the gaming industry to the largest graphics processor provider behind generative AI, how did Nvidia, whose stock price has soared, reach the top of AI?
Sent into a reform school, and worked as a waiter in a restaurant. Unveiling the lesser-known chapters of Jensen Huang's life, the visionary CEO of Nvidia.
Chicago University scholar Chang-tai Hsieh suggested that Foxconn's focus on producing standardized electric vehicle (EV) components, rather than manufacturing cars, could lead to long-term success in the EV industry. How will this approach secure Foxconn's position in the rapidly evolving EV market?
ChatGPT has entered hospital clinical consultations, helping physicians write up medical histories. How did the French developer of the AI assistant, Copilot, derive inspiration in Taiwan for developing an interactive robot?
On April 20th, all eyes were on TSMC as the semiconductor giant held an investor conference. The good news: Cutting back on capital expenditure is not in the cards. The bad: Demand for 5nm and 7nm products is falling. Forecast for revenue in 2023 is expected to be somewhat shy of the “slight growth” touted earlier. How will TSMC bounce back?
Why has TSMC's choice of how to spend money become a main weakness for the top management? The constant pursuit of Moore's Law breakthroughs has caused TSMC's capital expenditures to skyrocket and affected shareholders' wallets. Are these investments cost-effective?
Artificial intelligence is changing the game. But there are some who are staying ahead of the curve: the Taiwanese startup MixerBox, singer Sandee Chan, and the language-teaching platform AmazingTalker. These exemplary thought leaders are discovering new opportunities.
ChatGPT has taken off, unleashing a fierce battle among different countries’ language models, including Ernie in China and Bloom in France. A Taiwanese version of ChatGPT is taking shape. Here’s a look at who’s behind it and its potential.
When the AI chatbot ChatGPT is asked a question, it needs to consume a great deal of power to come up with a reply. Power supply solutions from Taiwan’s Lite-On were chosen to support Microsoft’s artificial intelligence servers; in fact, Lite-On is the sole supplier. How was it able to win over the tech leaders?
The Semiconductor Forum took place March 16 in Taipei. Morris Chang, founder of TSMC, and Chris Miller, the author of “Chip War” talked about the past and future of the semiconductor industry. Here are the event highlights.
Taiwan is a worldwide center for cyber attacks, causing major tech manufacturers great consternation and fear. In the effort to save themselves, top high-tech industry companies have established Taiwan’s first information security alliance.
The founders of Henro, a digital hub for pilgrims around the world, discuss how technology can help solve the problems facing modern pilgrimages - and the potential for Taiwan.
In an exclusive interview about his book "Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology", American author Chris Miller gives first-hand analysis of why the core of contention among the world’s major powers is semiconductors, and what it could tell us about what the future holds.
On December 6, TSMC Fab 21 in Arizona became the star of the desert. President Biden flew in for the event, making it a benchmark case for Make in America. After the party, CommonWealth Magazine’s Elaine Huang made three observations on TSMC's new challenges.
The TSMC fab in Arizona held its first tool-in ceremony on December 6th. TSMC has announced that it is raising its investment to US$40 billion and will begin producing 3-nanometer chips by 2026. CommonWealth Magazine was on the spot to witness the dialogue between U.S. President Joe Biden, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and TSMC founder Morris Chang. We also spoke with some of the Taiwanese engineers who have moved to Phoenix, AZ.
When TSMC first invested in the United States 26 years ago, it was a disaster. Could history repeat itself with its new foundry in Arizona? And could TSMC have trouble keeping its most advanced technologies in Taiwan?
In an attempt to shelter its domestic industries, Taiwan followed the United States’ lead and introduced its own version of that nation’s CHIPS and Science Act. Critics say that, even though the criteria are so strict that even TSMC may not be eligible, this new piece of legislation may punch a hole in Taiwan’s treasury.
The Biden administration has directed extensive funding towards U.S.-based EV manufacturing. As Tesla’s major plants anxiously look for suppliers to manufacture locally, Delta Electronics is upping investment in Texas.
MEAN WELL's new plant in Suzhou, which features advanced intelligent applications and automated equipment, will be completed and opened in November 2022. The completion of the new plant not only demonstrates innovation and execution of the company, but also marks a key milestone for the development of the SDG Group.
In spite of a fluctuating global situation, MEAN WELL, the top standard power supply brand, is still making outstanding achievements. In addition to pursuing growth, the company, dedicated to the concepts of sharing and the common good, continues to devote itself to public welfare. The mantra of doing things “With Good Intentions” serves as a foundation for the company’s sustainable development.
Jim Collins, a world-renowned management guru and the author of Good to Great, once pointed out that corporate goals must be bold and ambitious in order to move towards the goal of sustainability. MEAN WELL, an international standard power supply champion, proposed a total transformation plan to inspire the team to leap forward in pursuit of excellence.
JPMorgan says the semiconductor industry is shrinking. Next year, the industry will not only experience "negative growth", but it is also feared that TSMC's earnings per share (EPS) might decrease. Why are analysts cutting down the semiconductor giant's target price?
Taiwan bans the use of Chinese products by public agencies, but CommonWealth Magazine has discovered that the surveillance systems recently procured by Taiwan’s biggest industrial park were actually made by Hangzhou-based Hikvision. How did they beat the ban?
Chinese brand DJI is the world’s leader in drones. Taiwan’s government has banned Chinese manufacturers from government purchases and established an R&D base. Consequently, despite lagging far behind, a national drone fleet is taking shape.
With more than 45,000 industry visitors, this year’s SEMICON Taiwan posted the highest attendance in 27 years. Mark Liu, chairman of global industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), voiced optimism in his keynote speech, emphasizing that innovation is the soul of the company.
Under pressure from Apple, TSMC has pledged to use more green energy, but it still trails Intel in this critical area of importance to the American consumer electronics giant. Why is TSMC lagging behind and what is it doing about it?
Semiconductor leader TSMC's annual Technology Symposium returned to an in-person format for the first time in three years. Although stock prices slipped that day, the event revealed TSMC's most important technological advantages.
Orders for consumer electronics goods and components have shrunk, leading to large inventories weighing on Taiwan companies throughout the supply chain. What is behind the fall in demand and will it lead to the bursting of another tech bubble?
Human mobility is on the verge of a total upheaval. This change will not only be seen in terms of electrification and driverless vehicles, but also in the further integration of 5G communications, the Internet of Vehicles, decentralized networks, sustainable development, and other fields that will develop smart transportation that differs completely from traditional transportation systems. In the midst of this revolution, Taiwan, through the strength of its software and hardware as built up throughout the years, will likely be a strong contender even among major global powers.
Internet of vehicles, also known as IoV, is integral infrastructure for smart cities. It is expected to have the fastest industrialization rate of any applied market. Indeed, this technology—whether applied in intersection collision warnings or life-saving emergency vehicle design— can be closely integrated into our daily lives.
As the brand expands into the global market and gradually spreads out its influences, MEAN WELL has not only strengthened the operating capabilities of its subsidiaries in America, Europe and Asia, but it has also made new investment in organizational development and transformation this year. While MEAN WELL maintains its low profile as a hidden champion, it's worth noting that the power supply leader is just "hidden" but not "hiding secrets to success." It is ready to call on more partners to transform together towards the goal of a sustainable development group (SDG).
Have you ever heard of the brand MEAN WELL? It is in fact the world champion of standard power supply from Taiwan. While company used to maintain a low profile in the market, its achievement today is undoubtedly self-evident. Not only does its business spread all over the world, but as the hidden champion celebrates its 40th anniversary, it is making every effort to transform into an enterprise dedicates to SDGs to create yet another brilliant success.
The global electronics sector is poised for a fall as companies struggle with bloated inventories. Yet TSMC’s president was downright bullish about the future at a recent investor conference. What gave him such cause for optimism?
Founded in 1981, DFI Inc. (2397) is a global leading provider of high-performance industrial computing technology. DFI has been established for 41 years and continuely devoting a significant amount of time and effort to designing ultra-small industrial computing solutions to minimize the number of components required and the overall weight to reduce the carbon footprint during trasnportation. DFI also works closely with its subsidiaries to assist enterprise for energy transition and bring applications of energy savings to the next level.
TSMC stocks are plummeting. In early July, they reached the lowest point in nearly two years. Goldman Sachs has adjusted its forecast for TSMC’s revenue growth, and profit growth for 2023. Foreign investment firms are sounding the alarm: The semiconductor powerhouse won’t be out of the woods for another six months.
The crypto market is imploding all over again. Trillions of dollars have fled the space in mere months. Yet despite regulatory pressure and a conservative customer base, many crypto businesses in Taiwan see no reason to panic. What keeps them bullish while facing the bear?
RE:DREAMER, a Taiwanese blockchain startup, is neither a platform nor a service. Rather, their core product is a protocol, acting as a set of standards that will enable the “phygital” economy to flourish. What are the opportunities and challenges RE:DREAMER faces?
A recent case of a Chinese company illegally poaching Taiwanese talent in the semiconductor sector has set off alarms. How worried should Taiwan companies be about this company’s low-profile boss?
A stronger U.S.-Taiwan tech supply chain partnership would benefit both the United States and Taiwan as well as allies with shared democratic values. Former Taiwan lawmaker Jason Hsu shares his insight.
In March, the first fatal car accident involving a Tesla crashing into a work truck took place on a Taiwanese highway. Last year saw 36 similar accidents across the country. As we face the dawning of the era of the self-driving car, how should Taiwan face the challenges ahead?
Despite being a small island nation, Taiwan has proven itself to be an information and communication technology powerhouse in the world economy. In recent years, businesses and government have taken advantages of the ICT industry to proactively build smart cities that integrate intelligent transportation into people’s daily lives. As the ICT industry develops alongside innovations in related technology, urban mobility has become safer, faster, and more convenient.
Transportation is a part of urban life. It plays a key role in enabling an efficient governance and comfortable living environment. With help from the information and communication industries, Taiwan has been developing intelligent transportation. For the 2022 Smart City Summit & Expo, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications worked with 30 groups, including county/city governments, NGOs, and businesses, to create the Taiwan ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) Vision Pavilion. The pavilion exhibited the success of applications of innovative technology to transportation solutions as well as tying into ecological implications, demonstrating intelligent transportation’s potential as a future mainstay of Taiwan’s industry.
The Web3 craze is sweeping the world, bringing new opportunities to Taiwan and spawning its own class of very wealthy young upstarts. CommonWealth looks at why Taiwan is well-positioned on Web3 and what obstacles remain.
When a bid by Taiwan-based GlobalWafers to acquire a German wafer maker fell through, foreign investors remained bullish on the company because it had a Plan B in place. Why did the deal not succeed and how did that contingency plan take shape?
During the second half of 2021, there was a trend among Taiwan’s unlisted companies to file for IPO on the Nasdaq in the form of a SPAC. How did the shell company MCA become the first Taiwanese SPAC to go public on the Nasdaq? Who makes up this mysterious team?
Barry Lam, the founder and chairman of Quanta Computer, has never stopped learning, from desktop computers to notebooks, from cloud computing to smart technologies. How can Quanta continue to innovate? At the CommonWealth Economic Forum (CWEF) 2022, Lam let the audience in on his secret to ceaseless innovation.
Ambitions to manufacture in the United States have led TSMC to set up shop in America. This supply chain relocation poses various challenges, from cost to talent to management. Apart from satisfying U.S. demand, how can TSMC seek new opportunities?
In this era of e-commerce where the big only get bigger, how did Anthony K. Chow rely on his formidable Taiwanese allies to lead venerable e-commerce company Newegg back to high growth?
In the role of computing brains, chip making is the basis for the Six Core Strategic Industries initiative. How will the semiconductors continue to change Taiwan’s industry?
Morris Chang, founder of TSMC, reflected upon the wisdom he’s gained in the past 60 years during a speech. He also disclosed—for the first time—the roadmap he personally devised for TSMC back in 1998.
In an exclusive interview with CommonWealth Magazine, Horace Luke, the CEO of Taiwan’s battery swapping company Gogoro, is joined by one of its board directors Michael R. Splinter, chairman of Nasdaq’s Board. They explain why they are bullish on the upcoming SPAC deal and why they believe Gogoro’s future is bright.
At 51 to 48, for the first time, China has surpassed Taiwan on Apple’s latest list of suppliers. After over 10 years as the sole lens supplier, Largan Precision has yielded ground to a PRC vendor for the first time. How was Chinese lens manufacturer Sunny Optical Technology able to gain orders? With China’s Red Troupe coming on strong, what is Taiwan’s “invisible champion” to do?
As the first-year anniversary of the MIH Alliance brought together by Hon Hai approaches, how can Foxconn Chairman Young Liu consolidate nearly 2,000 enterprises to lead the transformation of the company’s five-trillion empire and forge the most potent automobile platform of the future?
TSMC has pledged to reduce its emissions to zero by 2050, a goal TSMC Chairman Mark Liu recently spoke about with CommonWealth Magazine for the first time since taking the helm three years ago. How does the company plan to achieve this difficult goal?
A bad rep is hard to shake: “Kaohsiung is old and broke.” But what is the truth? Nanzih now features a smart tech park. Tech investments are booming in Kaohsiung, nurturing a new breed of up-and-comers.
Kaohsiung is known as a heavy industry hub. CommonWealth Magazine has obtained a report indicating that an idle plot of polluted land here will be turned into new TSMC wafer factories in two years. What is driving this rebirth?
GeneReach Biotechnology has become Taiwan’s savior in the fight against the pandemic, from PCR testing instruments to detection reagents. How has this small company that has specialized in zoological diseases for 30 years successfully transformed?
Hon Hai has acquired a 6-inch wafer fab from Macronix. Hon Hai Chairman Young Liu reveals there are plans for third-generation semiconductor products. As the saying goes, “You need to keep a cow to have a glass of milk.” How does this adage apply to the electric vehicle industry in which Hon Hai is investing?
Taiwan’s first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp. (MVC), will be used in mass vaccinations for the first time in late August. What is the background of MVC CEO Charles Chen, who pushed the vaccine project amid huge controversy? Why did his gamble succeed where established vaccine makers have failed?
TSMC has disclosed that in addition to investing in China, the US, and Japan, Germany is also on the table for the semiconductor giant. From Nanjing to Japan, TSMC is expanding their 28nm manufacturing capacity. Wha’s driving its massive overseas expansion?
Former Google Taiwan managing director Chien Lee-feng has devoted himself in retirement to supporting startups, hoping to create “unicorns.” Taiwan’s lack of these booming upstarts has him worried, as he explains in this article.
Taiwan’s two biggest laptop brands, Acer and Asus, both posted record revenues in June. However, security firms have downgraded the ratings of both companies. Were forecasts too optimistic at the start of the year?
One year ago, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) developed a hyperbaric quarantine pavilion. Now, as Taiwan experiences a major COVID-19 outbreak, the team sought out collaboration with Taiwan’s “hidden champions”, producing 30 units in two weeks. How has Taiwan used its sophisticated dust-free clean room technology in the battle against the virus?
Shortly after TSMC Chairman Mark Liu outlined an oversupply in mature process chips and double booking issues, last week the company suddenly announced plans to invest US$3 billion to expand the production capacity of 28nm process wafers at its Nanjing fab. Behind the unexpected move is the urgent demand of a “big fish” client.
Air Liquide Far Eastern (ALFE) recently commissioned the world’s largest ultra-high purity, low-carbon hydrogen production facility in Tainan, where hydrogen will be obtained by water electrolysis using renewable energy. At the plant’s inauguration ceremony, customer representatives from TSMC and a US chipmaker filled the front-row seats.Why is hydrogen, invisible and intangible as it is, so important to the future of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry?
TSMC adjusted its capital expenditure for this year to US$30 billion, or more than the total (local Taiwanese) government investment for this year. The company has earmarked expenditures of US$100 billion over the next three years. What does TSMC see that others do not? What is the current progress report for the U.S. facility, and how can Intel and TSMC develop a relationship that is both cooperative and competitive?
TSMC is planning a 2nm wafer foundry complex that could substantially increase the demand for water in a part of Taiwan that frequently goes dry. Can enough water be found for the project, or will it be derailed by an environmental impact assessment?
At the end of March, the AI startup company Appier received the green light to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), becoming Taiwan’s first digital unicorn startup. CommonWealth Magazine reveals the content of the “preliminary offering circular” being circulated among investor representatives, which offers a rare insight into the inner workings of this magnificent creature.
Component shortages are plaguing the high tech supply chain around the world. From chips and related peripherals high up on the chain to key parts like silicon substrates and LED displays further down the line, everyone is scraping the bottom of the barrel. What have Intel and Quanta done to come out on top, becoming unexpected winners during the drought?
With the rise of women in the tech industry, companies are building a corporate culture that understands, appreciates, and respects each employee to support women in the workplace. To mark International Women’s Day 2021, Amazon Web Services (AWS) joins hands with its business partners to propose their tagline - “Champion. Challenge. Change.” and advocate the ID&E culture. In particular, Eva Chen, the CEO of Trend Micro, was invited to share her experience, leadership, and strategies to empower women in tech.
Since its founding in 2005, Andes Technology Corporation has been pursuing the nation’s dream of building Taiwan’s CPU cores while remaining a microprocessor IP company no one ever heard of. Yet as its share price more than doubled over the past six months, Andes is not only taking on Intel’s x86 microprocessors but also challenging the ARM business ecosystem.
TSMC got its start 30 years ago with the help of Intel. Now its technology is ahead of Intel’s by 1.5 generations, and its 3nm technology could help the world’s biggest contract chipmaker double sales by 2023. How has TSMC become so successful?
The equipment and facilities used by the famous podcasts Bailingguo, Gooaye, and Commute For Me, and the big movie hits “Cape No. 7” all come from the Cheng Seng Group. How can a company that was established 61 years ago and been passed down for four generations acquire such forward-looking insights and hold 80% of the market share?
Why is TSMC taking the unprecedented step of outsourcing production processes to an LED manufacturer? The answer lies in gallium nitride rapid charging, poised to explode next year.
GlobalWafers’ acquisition of Siltronic AG of Germany for 3.75 billion euros (NT$130 billion) will be the biggest-ever overseas tech takeover by a Taiwanese company. How did GlobalWafers Chairwoman Doris Hsu convince the venerable German enterprise to accept Taiwanese ownership?
Despite taking a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of e-commerce, brick-and-mortar retailers may soon see a rebound as AI and smart retail solutions allow them to integrate online and offline capabilities.
2020 is the driest year in more than half a century. How did Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) make irrigation possible amidst a drought?
With the US-China tech decoupling accelerating, a Taiwan tech company boss predicts that China will experience an avalanche of supply chain departures, and that an exodus of hardware manufacturers to India will happen in 3 years. Why did he say that?
As the former CEO of Global Foundries, the world’s third-largest semiconductor manufacturer, how does Ajit Manocha interpret the impact of the U.S. election and the Sino-American trade impasse on the semiconductor industry?
Taiwan’s semiconductor strength has helped protect the country against China and made it a desirable partner for the United States in its technology cold war against Beijing. Can that strength continue to be leveraged as America prepares to swear in a new president?
CommonWealth Magazine listened in to the sentencing of United Microelectronics Corp. in California after it pleaded guilty to stealing trade secrets. UMC’s lawyer said the company received a lighter-than-expected penalty – a US$60 million fine – because it has agreed to be a “snitch” for U.S. prosecutors.
The Korean biotech giant Celltrion is proof that from humble beginnings, big things may one day come. Its founder deserves a chunk of the credit, but the Korean government also did much to accelerate its success. Taiwan and Korea started out at around the same time; how has Korea left Taiwan in the dust? Here are some of the things that Korea did right, as well as Taiwan’s missed opportunities.
Among the top performing American technology companies known by the acronym FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google), none has invested more in Taiwan than Google. Where does the Internet giant see Taiwan’s strengths and weaknesses?
Taiwan’s economic growth may have edged Korea’s in recent years, but a substantial gap remains in per capita income. Its worrying lack of powerhouses in emerging industries will make it harder for Taiwan to make up ground.
Seven of Korea’s ten most valuable companies are newcomers; in Taiwan, the number is zero out of ten. Taiwan’s economy and technology may seem to be in the lead, but is it really winning? A look at the respective lists of the ten most valuable companies reveals innovation in Korea, but only old faces in Taiwan. To beat Korea, Taiwan needs more than just TSMC.
Founded just five years ago, this startup IC design house has taken on Intel with the successful introduction of an AI chip. Early this year, the company received US$40 million in funding from Horizon Ventures. Could Kneron become the unicorn of Taiwanese IC design?
Many have installed a PDF reader in their smartphone, but few people know that one of the most popular of these apps comes from a Taiwanese company based in Tainan. Why has it thrived when many others have failed?
A century-old Hakka village is set to be the surprising setting for the construction of the world’s most advanced 2nm process wafers. Before existing residents are relocated, the gods must be supplicated and arrangements made for resettling villagers. With Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) returning to the Hsinchu Science Park more than a decade later, how much land does Taiwan have left for TSMC expansion?
Taiwan‘s Digital Minister Audrey Tang is internationally known as a genius “made in Taiwan”. A child prodigy, although Tang early on discovered the Internet as an autodidactic learning tool, her formal school career was anything but smooth sailing. How did she go through school boycotting and rebellion before things took a turn for the better.
It is difficult for people living in the metropolitans to imagine how mothers living in the tribes in the mountains far away take 3 children on the scooter to school every morning. For the kids, the longest journey may be yet to arrive home after a day of activities and staying up in school.
Why did MediaTek, which normally takes a quiet stance, break with precedent and hire a high-level Washington lobbyist? Two recent industry news items have shown that Qualcomm, hamstrung by Washington’s export restrictions, is fighting back. One former MediaTek executive says, “The more desperate Trump’s election situation gets, the more perilous MediaTek’s plight becomes.”
Self-driving smart technology has created a fad, sweeping the world with the development of self-driving vehicles. German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) suggests that solving metropolitan transportation issues by combining zero-carbon emission, green electric vehicle, and self-driving technology will eventually change the look of transportation.
With the increasing awareness in oral health around the world, it is estimated that, by 2026, the market for dental implants alone will reach approximately $6 billion USD. Dental clinics and dental supply venders around the world are all gearing up and preparing to welcome the industry’s golden age, the epicenter of which may very well be the fastest growing East Asian dental market. Despite the promising outlook, however, East Asia’s dental industry faces many challenges. As a member of East Asia, Taiwan has put forth years of cultivating and developing digital technology, and may just become a key player in the dental supply chain.
You can decide how to move forward from wherever you stand. You can get to any destination with a scooter or bicycle, after getting off the THSR, train, MRT or bus. The increasing awareness for traffic safety in Taiwan has drawn increasing attention to the air pollution and carbon emission produced from various transportation means. Consequently, green transportation and more efficient mobility are appealing to the emerging mobility culture. Electric scooters are becoming more readily available while shared electric scooter and public bicycles also access the corners of cities, providing a new choice of commute for people today.
Through Taiwan’s targeted plans on promoting economy and sectors, Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung declared at the Transportation Technology and Industry Committee that the over trillions of investments in the future not only can implement the convenience of transportation and the rise of industries, but also create the best connections with the people for better tomorrow.
Many commuters may have this idea before sleeping- “I have a morning presentation at 9 A.M., and I need to get to the office 30 minutes earlier to get prepared. Adding the time for finding a parking space, maybe I should leave home at 7A.M. Wait, what if there is traffic jam? I think I’d better leave home another half hour earlier.” The high living costs in downtown has driven many people to live in the suburbs, sacrificing their commuting time for wider space. Hence, commuting has become the daily routine that could not be avoided.
You, drowsy and sleepy, walk out from the alley and hop on the bus in the early morning sunlight. On the MRT platform, the MRT trains arrive on time to take people of all ages to begin their day. Some people rush to work and some to school. Some are buying grocery and running errands. The busy crowds of people, bicycles, and scooters running back and forth on roads, altogether orderly form the beautiful scenery of daily life.
Apple is notorious for dictating terms to its suppliers, but Largan’s ability to provide the advanced lenses needed for today’s highly sophisticated smartphone cameras has helped it resist Apple’s pressure. Why has Largan been so successful?
As the world waits for the vaccine for COVID-19 virus, we gradually recover from effects of the pandemic. For many, life seems to be returning to normal, but much has changed under the hood. In fact, radical changes have already begun appearing for patients in dental clinics, which are ripe with proximity problems and aerosol contamination.
When a novel coronavirus outbreak took place on Taiwan’s Goodwill Fleet, 210,000 citizens received bulletins via text message. But just how close are people getting to confirmed COVID-19 cases? An app developed by a private Taiwanese team will be able to tell you the answer in a jiffy.
Taiwan’s Sercomm Corporation is one of the world’s top three manufacturers of small cell technology, which has emerged as one of the leading solutions for the 5G era. How did Sercomm know to put their eggs in this particular basket? As 5G continues to spread across Taiwan, what sort of opportunities will present themselves, and how will Taiwan’s foremost expert in small cell technology demonstrate its prowess?
Doctors in Wuhan were at a serious disadvantage in combating the new coronavirus, unable to get near their patients to listen to their lungs with a stethoscope without risking their health. An “AI stethoscope” system developed in Taiwan changed that.
In the face of a growing pandemic and worldwide pessimism, how does Evans Tu, President of Synnex Technology, the second-largest high-tech channel group on the planet, see a light at the end of the tunnel?
The technologies Taiwan is using to track and battle COVID-19 have earned global acclaim. CommonWealth Magazine unveils the “national team”, led by Chunghwa Telecom and HTC, that is deploying these technologies in relative anonymity.
As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to spread worldwide, major tech companies such as Apple have lowered their financial forecasts, and Huawei has begun slashing 5G smartphone order forecasts. In spite of the continuing bearish outlook, why has Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) stock held above NT$300 (US$10) per share? And how do global investors see TSMC’s prospects going forward?
SHL Group recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and the opening of its state-of-the-art building in Taoyuan, SHL’s 9th and largest facility to date. Since it was established in Taiwan 30 years ago, SHL has grown into a world-leading designer, developer, and manufacturer of autoinjectors. How did this inconspicuous company led by a Swedish entrepreneur grow so rapidly? SHL Taiwan Managing Director Martin Turvill discusses the importance of R&D, in-house capabilities, talent cultivation, and other key factors in driving success.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas has long been a bellwether of technology trends. In CES 2020, Mindtronic AI (MAI), a Taiwan-based start-up, is honored once again by the CES Innovation Awards for its AI-driven automotive solutions. The achievements from this start-up are especially remarkable in the ultra-competitive sector of smart vehicles. Their success lies in a team of professionals, who are motivated by a pragmatic attitude and passion for innovation.
There had been concerns that TSMC could fall behind its closest rivals after founder Morris Chang retired in 2018. But that has not happened, and CommonWealth looks at the reasons why.
The “Taoyuan Airport Forum 2019” was held in Taipei in mid-October. Representatives from Airports Council International (ACI) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) were in attendance, as well as over 260 delegates representing world-class airports from seventeen countries. They congregated to share their experience about building a smart, modern airport. The Forum was hosted by the Taoyuan International Airport Corporation (TIAC). TIAC CEO Lin Hsiang-sheng (林祥生), who took over the position from his predecessor earlier this year, gave an inspiring speech about Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s preparation for the fifth generation of cellular network technology, colloquially known as 5G. He drew attention to the fact that long before today, Taoyuan Airport had already begun the critical process of digital transformation.
Adorable dolphins and beautiful coral are on display at the Anyo Museum, creating a lovely interactive experience with visitors through the wonders of augmented reality (AR). The application of innovative technology helps this tourism factory to not only combine marine culture with food safety education, but also provide local fishers and farmers with modern services such as food processing, cold chain logistics, and sales. The entire surrounding region benefits as a result.
Around the world, business is booming in the field of applied robotics. But the market is intensely competitive. Is there a chance for Taiwanese companies to lead the pack in this rat race? No one can say for sure. But building a local industry cluster and stimulating local creativity is an important first step toward achieving this dream.
Diabetes is the most common chronic disease in Taiwan. But Taiwan’s National Health Insurance only covers the cost of a single checkup plus a session of patient education every three months. The rest of the time, patients need to monitor and control their own blood sugar level. Now a hospital in Changhua has introduced technology that will enable it to provide telehealth services to diabetics. They’ve pooled their online and offline healthcare resources to help patients manage their blood sugar at home so more serious complications may be avoided.
Riding on the monumental wave of digital transformation, smart technology has revolutionized agricultural production in Taiwan. But there’s much more to be done with state-of-the-art innovation. For example, setting up a decision support system (DSS) can help farmers achieve intelligent planning. This creates more practical and effective applications capable of meeting the needs of local farming communities.
Traditional aquaculture is a labor-intensive, time-consuming business that comes with high economic risk. Within the industry, the transfer of professional experience occurs in a piecemeal manner, and the younger generation generally has little interest in returning to their hometowns to take over the family business. However, smart monitoring technology greatly improves the prospects for the survival of family-run aquaculture farms into the second and third generation.
Which of today’s technologies will shape tomorrow’s world? A new report compiled by the World Economic Forum reveals some of the breakthrough innovations that are expected to radically impact the global social and economic order.
Getting an algorithm to create a cutting-edge fashion collection may seem like a big ask. But two design students have done just that by starting the world’s first AI-designed fashion brand.
Taiwan began banning plastic straws in July, but Starbucks in the United States was already shipping in biodegradable plastic straws from Taichung last year. Why have Starbucks, Apple and Formosa Plastics all gravitated to this under-the-radar Taichung supplier?
The convergence of a trade war and a tech cold war has elevated Taiwan to the crest of the biggest wave of foreign investment in recent history. Not only are Taiwanese firms returning from overseas, foreign tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and ASML are also placing their bets on Taiwan.
Global recognition is no mean feat. But in Alex Ma’s steely, determined eyes, the secret to success always seemed so simple. It was never anything more than unwavering focus coupled with the motivational mindset that there was “nothing to lose.” These two factors were the reason he always came out on top, no matter the obstacle, no matter the complication.
Every year, up to nine million tons of plastic waste ends up in the oceans, where it endangers marine life. However, a new green technology makes it possible to turn trash recovered from the sea into footwear material for another product life cycle. The secret behind this upcycling can be found in Taoyuan City’s Guanyin District.
Quanta Computer subsidiary Techman Robot Inc. has emerged as the world’s second biggest maker of collaborative robots. How has this Made in Taiwan robot company hit it big globally and what are some of the new opportunities coming its way?
The Trump Administration has placed Huawei on a blacklist that blocks companies using American technology from supplying the Chinese telecom giant. Taiwan’s TSMC does not think it will be affected, but is that really the case?
Worldwide mobile handset shipments have declined for the fifth straight quarter. And the net after-tax profits of Hon Hai Precision Co., the leading “Apple concept stock,” have declined two years in a row. With the arrival of the post-mobile phone era looming, who will be able to seize the next wave of growth and a new direction for profitability?
Last year, convenience store chains in Taiwan were entirely focused on unmanned stores. But this March, 7-Eleven surprisingly shelved plans for an expanding network of unmanned stores as the industry opens another battle front earlier than expected: smart vending machines. Do such machines constitute a successful solution, or are they only a temporary substitute until truly fully automated, unmanned shops become reality?
It’s the moment the global sustainable energy market has been waiting for. Battery technology, the essential element in ensuring continuity of supply from weather-dependent sources such as wind and solar, has suddenly become cost competitive.
Buskers, street performers and homeless people taking contactless payments. Shops, cafes and restaurants no longer accepting cash. Parishioners making digital donations to their churches instead of dropping notes or coins on to a collection plate.
Blockchain developers are working in 669 startups in the Asia-Pacific, with successful examples of smart contracts being implemented in fruit supply chains, logistics, renting free disk space. Why are Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries among the global leaders in dApp development?
Taiwan’s fertility medicine has long enjoyed international acclaim, with many anxious parents from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia coming to Taiwan in hopes of fulfilling their dream of having children. However, as the market has become saturated, fertility clinics have begun to actively seek ways to sustain their businesses, adopting the electronics industry’s division of labor model via new modes of international cooperation.
TIMTOS, the Taipei International Machine Tool Show, was held in Taipei on March 4th to 9th. An interesting development is India is now the overseas market with the most potential for Taiwanese machine tools.
Canada, where one-quarter of the population has no mobile phone, is a notable exception among advanced countries. And Japan – perhaps surprisingly, given the country’s obsession with high-tech gadgets – also has a relatively low rate of smartphone ownership at 66%.
Led by tech giants Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent, China’s tech cities are growing fast. In the third edition of the index, five Chinese cities make the ranking for the first time – and the six Chinese cities ranked account for a higher share of VC investment that their US counterparts.
TSMC has revealed its smart manufacturing weapons for the first time. In an exclusive interview with CommonWealth, a top TSMC executive explains how the semiconductor powerhouse has used AI and machine learning to make chips faster than anybody else and achieve consistency across its 13 fabs.
As entrepreneurs weigh their options for relocating production lines and local supply chains, Vietnam seems quite attractive. “In the eyes of many entrepreneurs the trade war has turned Vietnam into the new China.”
How did a long-established Taiwanese corporation use AI to rescue one of the top Australian supermarket chains? Coming off six years in the red, AOpen, which built its business on computer peripherals like optical drives and motherboards, made the difficult transition into the AI realm. Following Acer’s 2018 acquisition of a majority stake, AOpen moved quickly into the digital signage and visual recognition fields, taking on orders from major US- and Europe-based chains to become Acer’s potential-rich ace in the hole.
Millions of people in the developed world already live in a de facto cashless society. From the smart watch on your wrist to the contactless card in your wallet, being able to pay for small, everyday items without recourse to cash is fast, easy, and increasingly ubiquitous.
In the midst of the U.S.-China trade war, Taiwan’s electronic industry has seen the largest wave of repatriation in its history. The server industry has re-established its base in the Greater Taoyuan-Hsinchu region, and Taiwan’s data security and technological knowhow have become critical in this “new technology Cold War.” What sort of impact will this mass relocation of the computer industry have on Taiwan’s economy? And does it signal Made in Taiwan’s return to glory?
A pop-up restaurant in Tokyo has run a trial employing disabled people to work as waiting staff. But this is no ordinary trial. Instead of taking orders or clearing tables themselves, the staff of the Dawn ver.β cafe were piloting a team of robots from the comfort of their homes.
The Taiwanese bicycle industry has been in a slump for the past two years, but now there is a ray of hope. By adding a motor and a computer, your bike is now smarter, better, faster, stronger—and many times more expensive, with price tags going above 3,000 US dollars. They are rolling off the racks like hot cakes, and the winds of change are breathing life into the Taiwanese bicycle supply chain.
The computer virus attack at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in early August was the largest information security breach in Taiwanese history. It fully exposed the information security weaknesses at production plants as the manufacturing industry embraces the fourth industrial revolution, or industry 4.0, with increasing automation and data exchange.
The Taichung World Flora Exposition opened on Nov. 3, and its centerpiece is a 15-meter tall mechanical flower. The creation of innovative artists and nine suppliers, it symbolizes Taiwan’s soft power and a sea change in its manufacturing sector.
Mobile multimedia surpassed half the entire world’s mobile data traffic in 2012, and is expected to increase to 78 percent by 2021. But does your video cut out when you’re on your mobile phone? A group of 100 professionals based in Taipei, working to resolve Internet congestion since 2012, finally won orders this year from the likes of Alibaba, iQiyi, and NHK to help make video live streaming supersonic.
The US' aggressive trade policies could be accelerating China's efforts to digitalize its currency - a move that would likely have far-reaching consequences for the world.