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Computex 2024: IT titans, 6 major industries under spotlight

Max Wang, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES Asia 0

Credit: DIGITIMES

The highly anticipated Computex 2024, the apex event of the technology sector, is taking place in the Nangang Exhibition Hall from June 4 to June 7.

This year's Computex has been exceptionally busy. Aside from the CEOs of significant worldwide firms such as Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, Intel, and Supermicro, who delivered presentations at the conference, this year's show hosts 1,500 industry professionals. 4,500 booths are showing off their research and development breakthroughs, innovative technologies, and solutions in fields such as artificial intelligence, advanced communications, future transportation, virtual reality, sustainable energy, and innovation.

AI-capable devices

Observing the technology industry's development trends this year, we see that generative AI technology is maturing and spreading from the cloud to edge applications. This year, the technology industry has mostly used AI as the foundation of business and product marketing.

In addition to AI PCs, AI mobile devices and wearables, AI display terminals, smart interconnected robots, and other new products, there is a growing demand for efficient processors, large-capacity memory, high-speed transmission components, and so on. AI PC and AI mobile phone shipments are forecast to surpass 45 million and over 100 million units, respectively, in 2024.

Furthermore, as generative AI introduces a new set of novel applications, the demand for computation in data centers has increased, making AI servers with new cooling architecture, higher energy efficiency, and optimized cabinet design solutions a market favorite. At this year's Computex, Hon Hai (Foxconn), Quanta, Wiwynn, Inventec, Compal, and many other manufacturers are demonstrating their latest AI server solutions.

EVs

Products and solutions pertaining to EVs are another focus during this year's Computex. The market demand growth rate for EVs this year may be lower than in 2023, despite being influenced by the base period increase, changes in various nations' policies on electric vehicle subsidies, and the expected deferral of Europe's fuel vehicle phaseout plan.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that global EV sales reached 14 million units in 2023, expanding at a pace of 35% annually and making up more than 18% of all automobile sales. Sales are predicted to increase to 17 million in 2024, a 20% increase over the previous year and 20% of all car sales.

Furthermore, the global total of public charging piles was nearly 4 million in 2023. The number of new public charging piles will reach 1.62 million this year, including 960,000 DC piles and 660,000 AC piles, as EV sales continue to rise, according to MIC statistics.

The growing demand for electric vehicles has prompted a number of companies to showcase their newly developed products and services related to EVs at this year's Computex.

DFI, Delta, and other companies are showcasing their AI smart charging pile solutions at the event. In addition, Pegatron, Carota, Altek, PSMC, Clientron, MSI, and Sky Genie Auto are presenting their smart driving platform information system, smart cockpit vehicle system, fleet management solution, motor electronic control system, OTA test equipment, enhanced ADAS assistance system, Instrument Control Unit (ICU) and digital instrument, vehicle information security verification, and autonomous driving solutions.

Other themes

As 5G development progresses, many telecom operators have shifted to the architecture of next-generation communication technologies including B5G, 6G, Wi-Fi 7, FWA, and low-orbit satellites. They are actively planning and demonstrating their capabilities at this year's Computex.

This year's Computex innovation and start-up exhibition area is noteworthy, as it features the participation of 400 startups from over 30 countries. These companies are engaging in discussions on many issues including AI, green technology, smart transportation, and semiconductor applications.

In addition, many companies are showcasing innovative green energy and environmental protection technology, including renewable energy systems, intelligent energy-saving equipment, and solutions for environmental monitoring.