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Friday 20 June 2025
2025 AI with purpose global summit debuts in Taipei, gathering over 40 leaders from 10 countries to launch global dialogue on AI and sustainability
Co-hosted by the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA), the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), and Taiwan Mobile, the 2025 AI with Purpose Global Summit Taipei concluded successfully on May 28-29. Over the two-day summit, nearly a thousand experts participated in person and online, exploring three core themes: AI for Sustainable Development, Digital Infrastructure, and Building a Global Governance Platform. These discussions injected new momentum into Taiwan's industry and the global AI and ICT ecosystem. The second day focused on scaling digital infrastructure and building global governance platforms, delving into energy foundations required for AI scaling, international collaboration, and Asia's role and challenges in the global AI governance landscape
Wednesday 25 June 2025
How Tata Nexon delivers on safety with 5-star G-NCAP rating
One aspect of vehicle ownership that cannot be overlooked these days is safety. Whether you are driving through congested streets in the city or cruising on a highway with your family, peace of mind arises from knowing your car is designed to safeguard you and others.This is where the Tata Nexon really shines because it has managed to get a 5-star G-NCAP rating, which is a badge of honour in the automobile world. But what really makes the Nexon a fortress on wheels? Read on to find out how this ever-popular Tata compact SUV ticks all the right boxes in terms of safety.Safety Starts with StructureBuild quality is the starting point for creating a safe car. Tata Nexon has a strong steel body that protects people from the effects of a crash. The car's body meets safety requirements, and real-life crash tests by Global NCAP have validated it. Having a strong body protects you against major injuries if you suffer a car crash.The Power of Six AirbagsYou'll find airbags as standard in most cars now, but Nexon ensures that all of its variants come with six standard airbags. The front and side airbags, together with curtain airbags, are all designed to keep you safe in a crash.Whether it's a front impact, a side collision, or a rollover, the Nexon is prepared to cushion the blow, literally and figuratively.Braking Confidence with Advanced TechGood braking systems prevent accidents. The Tata Nexon includes ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) that helps prevent the vehicle from skidding when the brakes are used hard.When you are driving energetically, electronic brake pre-fill, electronic traction control, and corner stability control help you keep the car steady as you pass through sharp turns or make quick moves.Safety Beyond Brakes: Going the Extra MileIt's not just about avoiding accidents - it's also about making sure the vehicle behaves predictably under extreme conditions. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and roll-over mitigation are both standard on higher trims of the Nexon. ESP ensures the car doesn't spin out of control during slippery conditions, while roll-over mitigation steps in to prevent the vehicle from toppling over during sharp turns or evasive manoeuvres.Additionally, hill hold control and hill descent control make the Nexon particularly friendly for hilly terrain. The former prevents rollback on uphill starts, while the latter ensures safe and controlled descents on steep slopes.Safety for the Everyday DriverWhile some safety features are activated only during critical scenarios, others quietly work in the background to make everyday driving safe. The speed-dependent auto door locks secure the car once you're on the move, while the seat belt reminders for both front and rear passengers ensure everyone stays strapped in. The seatbelts themselves come with pretensioners and load limiters, which tighten the belt in a crash but also release slightly to reduce chest injuries.The day & night IRVM (Inside Rear View Mirror) helps cut down glare during night driving, and headlamp levelling ensures your headlights are always at the right angle to illuminate the road without blinding oncoming traffic.Parking Made SaferParking might not seem like a big safety concern - until you find yourself navigating a tight urban street or reversing in low visibility. The Tata Nexon has many features to make parking easier. It provides reverse park assist, which uses ultrasonic sensors, a reverse parking camera and front parking sensors on selected variants. Thanks to these devices, drivers can detect obstacles and keep minor accidents from happening.Child Safety ConsiderationsChild safety is paramount for families. Nexon's inclusion of ISOFIX anchor points makes it easier to fit child seats securely. This little detail allows your youngest passengers to stay safely harnessed in place, giving parents extra security.Emergency ReadinessIn the event of an unexpected breakdown or accident, the Nexon has you covered with emergency call and breakdown call functions that allow quick access to help. It also features a perimetric alarm system, immobiliser, and puncture repair kit - all features that ensure your vehicle and its occupants are looked after in every possible way.Final ThoughtsSafety is often said to be invisible, only truly noticed when it's needed most. The Tata Nexon helps you notice this difference in every trip. The structural design and the collection of modern systems Nexon uses are dedicated to ensuring occupants are protected every day. With its 5-Star G-NCAP score, it ensures your and your family's safety wherever you travel.
Tuesday 24 June 2025
Cybersecurity certifications: Process and principles in hardware security
In today's increasingly interconnected world, cybersecurity has become a critical concern, especially for hardware and embedded systems. With cyber threats targeting firmware, supply chains, and physical components, ensuring robust security at the hardware level is essential. Cybersecurity certifications play a vital role in this landscape by providing standardized, verifiable assurance that products meet stringent security requirements. These certifications help protect systems from attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in hardware, firmware, and secure boot processes. Cybersecurity certifications are not just regulatory checkboxes; they are crucial for establishing trust in technology products. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, industries such as automotive, industrial IoT, and cloud computing are demanding certified security solutions to mitigate risks. Regulatory bodies like the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and NIST frameworks emphasize the need for compliance, making cybersecurity certifications essential for market access, customer confidence, and competitive differentiation.Importance of Cybersecurity CertificationsCybersecurity certifications are critical in safeguarding digital infrastructures against evolving threats. They address vulnerabilities in various domains, including embedded systems, cloud services, industrial automation, and more. Certifications ensure that:*Trustworthiness: Products and systems are vetted for their ability to protect data and maintain operational integrity.*Compliance: They align with national and international regulatory requirements, such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), NIST standards, and ISO/IEC 27001.*Market Access: Certifications enable products to enter markets with stringent security requirements, providing a competitive edge.*Consumer Confidence: They reassure users about the safety and reliability of the technology they use.The Certification ProcessThe certification process encompasses several stages, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of cybersecurity measures. It involves collaboration between developers, testing labs, and certification bodies.1. Preparation*Requirement Definition: Developers identify the applicable standards and define the security requirements their product must meet. For instance, a smart grid hub may follow the Common Criteria Smart Grid Profile, which provides a comprehensive framework for assessing the security measures and resilience of grid components. Additionally, SoC vendors must adhere to Protection Profile PP0117 for secure subsystem certification. This ensures features like secure boot, external NVM protection, and data integrity meet stringent cybersecurity benchmarks.*Documentation: Comprehensive technical documentation is prepared, detailing the product's design, security measures, and intended use. This includes lifecycle documentation to ensure security is maintained throughout the product's operational and end-of-life phases, providing insights into development, deployment, and decommissioning processes. Technical documentation is prepared, detailing the product's design, security measures, and intended use.2. Evaluation*Independent Testing: Accredited labs conduct rigorous testing, including vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and functional security assessments.*Risk Analysis: The product's potential vulnerabilities and threat vectors are evaluated against predefined criteria, such as those outlined in Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408).*Manufacturing Flow Audits: Site audits may be required to evaluate the production environment, ensuring adherence to cybersecurity and quality management practices. This includes verifying compliance with security protocols during manufacturing, storage, and logistics phases.3. Certification*Review and Approval: Certification bodies review the evaluation results and issue certificates if the product meets the required standards.*Labelling: Products often receive labels, such as the EU Cybersecurity Certification Framework or the US Cyber Trust Mark, signifying compliance.4. Maintenance*Ongoing Compliance: Certified products must undergo periodic audits and updates to address emerging threats and maintain certification validity.*Incident Response: Manufacturers are required to report vulnerabilities and provide timely updates to mitigate risks.Principles of Cybersecurity CertificationsCybersecurity certifications are grounded in principles that ensure their effectiveness and reliability. Key principles include:*Transparency: Certification criteria and processes are publicly available, ensuring clarity for stakeholders.*Independence: Testing and certification are conducted by third-party entities, ensuring unbiased results.*Relevance: Certifications are tailored to specific sectors, such as automotive, healthcare, and telecommunications, addressing unique security challenges.*Scalability: Certification frameworks accommodate varying levels of security, from basic to advanced, enabling broad applicability.Examples of Certification Frameworks1. Common Criteria (CC) (ISO/IEC 15408)*Widely recognized for evaluating IT products, CC provides a structured methodology for assessing security functionality and assurance levels.Example: Operating systems often leverage CC to validate their robustness, ensuring that critical security functionalities such as secure boot, memory isolation, and privilege management meet rigorous standards.2. IEC 62443*Focused on industrial automation and control systems, IEC 62443 addresses the cybersecurity requirements of operational technology environments.Example: A factory's programmable logic controller (PLC) may be certified under IEC 62443 to ensure resilience against cyberattacks.3. NIST Cybersecurity Framework*In the US, NIST provides guidelines for identifying, protecting, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyber threats.Example: Cloud service providers adhere to NIST standards to secure data storage and processing.Role of Industry and Regulation in EnforcementThe enforcement of cybersecurity certifications relies on a combination of regulatory mandates and industry initiatives.*Regulatory Frameworks: Governments enforce certifications through acts and regulations, such as the EU's RED (Radio Equipment Directive) and CRA. These regulations mandate cybersecurity compliance for products entering the market.*Industry Standards: Industry consortia like Eurosmart, GlobalPlatform, and the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) develop specifications that align with certification requirements. These organizations ensure that certifications address current and emerging threats effectively. Additionally, EMVCo exemplifies this role in the payment systems industry by providing standards and certifications for secure payment card transactions, demonstrating the importance of collaborative efforts in maintaining security.*Consumer Advocacy: Educated consumers demand certified products, driving manufacturers to prioritize compliance. Public awareness campaigns about the importance of cybersecurity certifications enhance their impact.Challenges in CertificationDespite their benefits, cybersecurity certifications face challenges:*Rapid Technological Advancements: Keeping pace with emerging technologies, such as quantum computing and AI, requires continuous updates to certification frameworks.*Global Harmonization: Variations in certification requirements across regions complicate global compliance.*Cost and Time: The certification process can be resource-intensive, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Future DirectionsAs the digital landscape evolves, cybersecurity certifications must adapt to address new challenges. Key areas of focus include:*Integration of Emerging Technologies: Certifications will need to encompass advancements in areas like blockchain and edge computing.*Dynamic Certification Models: Continuous certification approaches, leveraging real-time monitoring and AI-driven assessments, could replace static models.*Global Collaboration: Enhanced cooperation between international standards bodies will streamline certification processes and promote harmonization.Winbond's Secure Flash Memory SolutionsWinbond, a global leader in semiconductor memory solutions, offers secure flash memory products designed to meet stringent cybersecurity certification requirements. Our high-performance, resilient flash memory supports secure boot, authenticated firmware updates, and platform integrity verification, aligning with global security standards such as NIST 800-193, NIST 800-208, EN18031, and is qualified by Common Criteria and SESIP certifications.Winbond's secure flash solutions help system manufacturers achieve compliance with industry regulations, improve platform security, and protect against cyber threats targeting hardware vulnerabilities. Learn more about Winbond's secure flash products by visiting our website: Winbond Secure Solutions.ConclusionCybersecurity certifications are indispensable in securing the digital ecosystem. Adhering to established processes and principles provides a robust framework for mitigating risks and fostering trust. As technology continues to evolve, certifications will remain a critical tool in ensuring the safety, reliability, and resilience of digital products and services worldwide.For more information on how Winbond can support your security and compliance needs, visit Winbond's website or contact Winbond directly, or download the latest Hardware Security White Paper.
Thursday 19 June 2025
Low-level light therapy innovations are shaping the horizons of electronic healthcare
Low-powered, low-level light therapy with light-emitting diodes (LED) at some specific wavelengths has attracted attention in wound healing indications to accelerate wound healing and ameliorate pain for enhancing quality of life. For example, based on the development in the NASA Space Medicine Laboratory, the wavelength of 830 nm offers deep penetration into living biological tissue, including bone. A growing body of clinical evidence is showing the healing outcomes with effective results. There are also startups aiming to provide new healthcare devices that use clinically useful irradiance.Light Photons Co., as a Taiwan-based startup, develops a range of healthcare products based on AVS (Audio-visual Stimulation) and LLLT (Low-Level Light Therapy) technologies to seek the potential of skin conditions, alleviating joint pain, or improving relaxation function. These solutions are becoming a fast-growing technology to treat many situations that require healing stimulation, relief of pain or inflammation, and restoration of function, leveraging photons at a non-thermal irradiance to alter biological activities. Yen Lin (known as Wilson Lin) founded Light Photons in 2024. In this interview, he talked about his product ideas, which initially came from his previous work in the semiconductor and personal computer (PC) industries. His Lab background in high-frequency serial bus and optical played a crucial role in identifying and developing the company's core technology. With years of experience as a PC system architect and gaining valuable skills in Firmware / Software design, system engineering, and technical problem-solving, the primary challenges came from understanding and integrating knowledge from various fields, such as optics, electronics, and biology. Looking at his background, he started developing Firmware. He began the journey of deepening knowledge of high-speed serial bus communication protocols, including PCIe, USB interfacing technologies, and more hardware-software integration after joining AMD, HPE, and ODM companies. He explained his work scope at HPE LAB since 2010 for research, development, and verification of related digital signaling systems by incorporating high-frequency bands protocols and other related fiber optic technology in laboratory work.Credit: CompanyThe Brain Computer Interface capabilities in indirect effectThrough many years of R&D work, he enrolled in an extensive practical R&D management academic training program (EMRD) at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST). He joined the study at Taiwan's National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) for introductory neuroscience courses. In these study courses and extended studies, he was motivated by his desire to find that the treatment's capabilities and the human body's effectiveness can make biological data networks, just like a PC system. During these courses, multiple continuous international studies have provided a more reliable possibility of the human body's cognitive pathway to transmit messages through a smaller and closed network, which could be analyzed through different methods. He started to develop and make prototyping LED-based electronics devices, focusing on light-related solutions that harness light's benefits to impact skin and bone health positively. So, Lin's basic product concept explores human body networks and communication behavior with light wavelengths and wave frequencies influence. Light Photons' product strategy is focused on the healthcare market for rehabilitation and relaxation. The company is targeting the initial market expansion to the Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets.Improve cognitive functionLight therapy has been used to treat some mental and sleep disorders for years. Lin set his research topic to identify the capability of these technologies through his collaborative research projects. Based on the conference paper in 2024 titled ??Adequate LED-based light with EEG alpha wave discussed in the Relaxation?? in the IEEE 6th Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability Conference. In this paper, Lin and the team in this project conducted a research study that involved a group of 30 participants aged between 20 and 40 years old. Measuring alpha brain wave percentage in individuals and referencing the General Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7) check routine during the experiment. This design can reveal patterns associated with comparison. In this study, each individual will be exposed to the light generated by Lin??s LED-based device at a distance between 20 and 60 centimeters for a time duration of 5 to 20 minutes. A six-channel dipole record was collected based on an electroencephalography (EEG) alpha wave frequency review. With these scientific data gathering, the paper shows a table to measure and analyze the effectiveness of light wavelengths. Meanwhile, after this physical light exposure and measurement procedures, each participant will be investigated following the Anxiety Disorder Diagnostic Table GAD-7 to answer a brief self-report questionnaire to assess the emotional ratings and indicate the difference after the light treatment. This study concludes the effectiveness of blue-green and orange-red wavelengths in dark environments, giving the Low-Level Light devices positive results. In this study, 95% of participants experienced positive emotional states, which is a strong understanding of their product design concept. After months of implementing design improvements, the company recently announced its new product series, including AVS (Audio-visual Stimulation) equipment and LLLT (Low-Level Light Therapy) devices. Both products leverage LED-based technology to generate low-level lights based on visual light wavelengths. Lin gives a simple and straightforward demonstration with his smart watch to record the different scores to indicate the effectiveness before and after using LED-based and AVS-based devices. This demo shows the product's capability proposition and possibility. There are several enquiries during Arab Health 2025 in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to introduce devices as effective self-care devices.Credit: CompanyContinuous study of the light and wave effects on skin and bone remodelingThe skin is naturally exposed to light more than any other organ, with visual and non-visual light wavelengths. The company referenced the light wavelength range for skin effectiveness. It still responds well to red and near-infrared wavelengths as the device's base light source. The company is exploring red light electronic devices as a tool to support skin health. To expand its product offerings, the company developed a new product lineup, including the Anti series for visual light wavelengths. Lin provides different mindsets for rehabilitation considerations compared with similar products in the healthcare market. According to understanding the rehabilitation phases, each phase contains different conditions for mixed light wavelengths and waves in frequency. The first product is an Anti-Oxid device, which can be used during the Cell inflammatory phase. The Activation AVS device will consider situations during the Cell proliferation phase. The Strong AVS device will perform the Cell or bone remodeling phases in the third phase. For healthcare considerations, there are always some primary processes to achieve the market's goal. Production is only part of this process. These ongoing development projects show the design capability of Lin??s engineering teams. Nowadays, Light Photons Co. provides Low-Level Light electronic devices for rehabilitation and relaxation purposes. The LED-based series devices consume under 1 watt of power, just like night lamp devices, but provide various functionality with safety and sustainable features for the rehabilitation market. The rehabilitation equipment market encompasses a wide range of devices and tools designed to help individuals recover, improve, or maintain their physical capabilities following injury, surgery, illness, or the onset of chronic conditions. For this high-growth market, the company's business model involves manufacturing and design of products under the OEM and ODM frameworks. They are also open to collaborating on research projects and will likely explore new designs and product concepts.For further product information, please refer to the links ofhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/light-photons-corporate/