Taiwanese industrial computing firm Winmate Corporation reported its highest-ever first-quarter revenue, driven by growing global demand for robotics and edge AI computing platforms, alongside the expansion of AIoT applications across industries.

As AI evolves beyond algorithms and computational benchmarks, focus has shifted to real-world implementation. Robotics—especially humanoid robots—has emerged as one of the most promising vectors for applying AI at scale. Advantech, a global leader in industrial PCs, has been quietly preparing for this shift. In 2024, the company launched a new business unit aimed at becoming the "brain and heart" of next-generation intelligent robots.

The much-anticipated COMPUTEX 2025 kicked off on May 6, with the AI NEXT Forum, setting the stage for groundbreaking advancements in technology. Paul Peng, chairman of the Taipei Computer Association (TCA), highlighted that this year's theme, "AI NEXT," places artificial intelligence at the forefront, with more than 60% of exhibitor booths dedicated to AI-driven innovations.

As AI applications continue to proliferate, industrial PC (IPC) manufacturer Advantech will return to Computex in 2025 after a 12-year absence. CEO KC Liu emphasized that the company will invest in promoting AI within the industry through seminars, forums, and even live streaming, as well as work with various partners to build an industry ecosystem.

Taiwan's industrial PC (IPC) manufacturers are intensifying efforts to localize production and expand their presence in North America amid increasing tariff pressures from the US. Ennoconn has altered its initial strategy to build a factory in Mexico, choosing instead to set up a new facility in Tennessee, with operations expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025. Similarly, Advantech is considering the creation of a printed circuit board assembly and contract manufacturing center in the US, signaling a wider industry move toward domestic production as companies adapt to evolving trade policies.

Computing architecture design has become a focus with the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technology. Industry observers point out that a hybrid model that combines the advantages of cloud, edge, and local computing is gaining traction. With government policy support, the hybrid model can effectively reduce the model training costs for enterprises. Hyper-local edge computing is particularly seen as a solution with great development potential because it can solve both latency and privacy compliance issues.

Electric vehicles are naturally ideal platforms for testing AI technologies. At the same time, the robotics industry is moving beyond 2D control systems into 3D, 4D, and more complex dimensions. The real shift, however, lies in business model innovation, not just technical advancement. Lei Zhang, founder of Hillhouse Investment, highlights this evolution, calling China "not only a leader in technological innovation, but a global powerhouse in business model innovation." A new wave of Chinese entrepreneurs is capturing global attention.

China's EV dominance is already global, but the next front is autonomous driving. It's no longer just about the vehicle; it's about the AI-powered stack behind it: maps, sensors, monitoring, and infrastructure. For AI, smart cars aren't just another use case—they're the ultimate proving ground.

Compared to the wafer fabrication industry, which is highly restricted by equipment limitations, China's IC design sector—based on the opportunities within its domestic market—appears to have a more optimistic outlook. According to DIGITIMES, the output value of China's IC design industry reached US$35.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to US$73.2 billion by 2030, achieving double-digit annual growth. From autonomous driving chips to electronic design automation (EDA) tools, China aims to cover all aspects of the semiconductor industry and cultivate domestic leaders in each field. Huawei's HiSilicon, Cambricon (AI accelerators), Horizon Robotics (ADAS), and Silergy (often referred to as "China's Texas Instruments") all play key roles in this ecosystem.

Taiwan Mobile announced on March 26 a strategic cross-industry partnership with Phison Electronics, focusing on three major aspects—joint software development, co-marketing and distribution, and brand-market expansion.

IP provider Ceva has been actively entering the edge AI sector in recent years. In an interview with DIGITIMES, CEO Amir Panush stated that edge AI presents significant market opportunities and will be a key growth engine for Ceva in the coming years.

Elon Musk said his xAI artificial intelligence startup has acquired the X platform, which he also controls, at a valuation of US$33 billion, marking a surprise twist for the social network formerly known as Twitter.

The widespread market adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has prompted various industries to seek AI applications for transformation and efficiency enhancement. In particular, the integration of large language models (LLM) with edge AI/edge computing is gradually becoming a focal point in market discussions.

Silicon Motion Technology has entered the AI humanoid robotics supply chain and anticipates substantial growth from this area over the next five years, according to the flash device controller specialist.

With the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI), how to leverage AI technology to drive digital transformation in industries has become a focal point of concern.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently revised his earlier skepticism about the potential of quantum computing, now acknowledging its potential to enhance Nvidia's chip sales through synergies with classical computing. As the significance of quantum computing grows, Taiwan is ramping up its efforts in quantum research, backed by major government support and groundbreaking projects, positioning the country as a key player in the next wave of technological advancements.

In a pivotal appearance at AI EXPO Taiwan 2025, organized by DIGITIMES, Qualcomm's vice president and President of Qualcomm Taiwan and Southeast Asia, ST Liew, delivered a compelling keynote on the dawn of the Edge AI era.

Bank of America's (BofA) Global Research division recently hosted an AI forum, spotlighting two major investor concerns: AI return on investment (ROI) and the impact of US tariffs. While Apple has postponed the launch of Apple Intelligence, analysts said the delay reflects a deliberate focus on user experience, which continues to support optimism around edge AI development.

Indian semiconductor startup Netrasemi is set to launch its first AI-optimized system-on-chips (SoCs) for edge computing applications, with tape-outs scheduled at TSMC in April and June.

As inventory clearance gradually comes to an end, coupled with the rise of edge markets associated with artificial intelligence (AI) applications, industrial PC (IPC) vendors generally believe that the market has broken free from its low point and are optimistic about the market momentum for the second quarter of 2025. In particular, applications related to industry intelligence will become a key focus for IPC vendors.

Qualcomm recently hosted a media luncheon in Taiwan to commemorate its 40th anniversary. The chip vendor outlined technological trajectories for the AIoT industry in the AI era and presented its new Dragonwing product line while emphasizing key aspects of its local development in Taiwan.

To promote digital innovation and technological upgrades among semiconductor companies in southern Taiwan, and to assist businesses in developing more diverse and industry-competitive system application technologies, the National Center for High-performance Computing (NCHC), under the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), recently held a briefing in Tainan for the Nano 5 in Semiconductor Industrial Innovation and Upgrade program. The event attracted numerous semiconductor companies and startup teams.

Computex 2025 is set to take place from May 20 to May 23 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) has announced that nearly 1,400 companies will participate, utilizing an exhibition area of up to 80,000 square meters, marking a significant scale for the event.

Global and Taiwanese microcontroller manufacturers are positioning themselves for substantial growth opportunities in edge AI computing, though industry leaders caution that widespread adoption depends on compelling applications that demonstrate clear value to consumers.