LG Group is stepping up its humanoid robot efforts by developing proprietary physical AI models and exploring potential partnerships within China's robotics ecosystem—moves that have drawn significant attention.

South Korean startup Stratio has developed a mass-producible short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging sensor based on germanium, costing just 1% of comparable market products. By integrating AI algorithms, the company targets applications across recycling, agriculture, food safety, home appliances, and security industries, aiming to become the smartphone's "fourth camera lens."

Japan-based NSK has announced the development of actuators capable of enabling agile movements in humanoid robots. These drive products include rotary actuators for joints such as shoulders and elbows, as well as linear actuators for arms and legs, achieving both miniaturization and lightweight design.

Optical communications firm Elite Advanced Laser (eLaser) held its earnings call on November 19th, during which company president Tien-tseng Sung pointed to inventory adjustments from major customers that negatively impacted gross margin and overall performance in the third quarter of 2025. However, although revenue from optical modules has dropped due to lower shipments, inventory adjustments are expected to end by year-end.

Consumer electronics distributor Weblink International is strengthening supply chain collaboration and enhancing its product portfolio, with an eye on the surging global demand for memory. As a key distributor for international memory brands, including Samsung Electronics, SanDisk, Western Digital (WD), and Transcend, Weblink will coordinate with manufacturers to secure prioritized supply quotas and ensure availability in Taiwan, and launch integrated memory and storage solutions targeted at AI server system integrators, cloud service providers, and enterprise customers.

Taiwan-based connector vendor Alltop Technology expressed confidence in 2026 during its November 19 earnings call, highlighting the successful pilot production of AI server products on new platforms. The company identified AI servers and new energy vehicles (NEVs) as two key growth drivers, noting there are no factors warranting pessimism about the market outlook.

As the global AI wave pushes computing infrastructure into the megawatt (MW) era, Taiwan's Lite-On Technology is moving quickly to meet the demands of next-generation AI factories. Jin-tsai Wang, general manager of Lite-On's Power & Cabinet Business Unit, said the rising adoption of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) will fundamentally reshape both the manufacturing environment and the technologies required to support high-density AI computing.

The US is intensifying its use of four key non-tariff measures—anti-dumping duties, balancing taxes, antitrust actions, and forced labor bans—creating mounting compliance and operational challenges for Taiwanese manufacturers. These tools have become central to Washington's trade strategy under President Donald Trump and now pose greater business risks than traditional tariff actions, according to insights shared at workshops hosted by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Meta Platforms is intensifying its robotics initiatives by appointing Li-Chen Miller, formerly head of its smart glasses division, as the first product manager for its Reality Labs robotics team while actively recruiting AI and robotics experts.

Netronix-invested Taiwan Biomaterial Company (TWBM) has announced that its stroke negative pressure pump system catheter guidewire—one of only two such products available globally—is scheduled to begin shipments in the first quarter of 2026.

In recent years, Taiwan's automotive component makers have aggressively expanded into adjacent high-growth sectors, including thermal modules for AI servers and parts for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Their diversification strategies are beginning to crystallize.

Taiwan's minimally invasive surgical device maker Lagis Enterprise has completed its second factory, three times the size of its original facility. Chairman Cheng-hung Chen said the plant has completed setup and is undergoing GMP certification, with production slated to begin by late November. The expanded capacity is expected to be a key growth driver in 2026.

Qisda's connector manufacturing subsidiary Simula Technology expects three major growth drivers in 2026—cloud deployment, drones and humanoid robots, and automotive applications—supported by strong customer orders. The company remains highly optimistic about its 2026 outlook.

Debate has recently emerged regarding whether the prospects for humanoid robots are more hype than reality, with recent reports from industry insiders in China noting that US investors have visited China-based suppliers for several well-known brands, only to find production capacity expansions despite an absence of materialized orders. These reports follow news that Tesla has delayed mass production of its humanoid robots, further fueling skepticism about the sector's near-term viability.

Taiwan's Academia Sinica has unveiled its quantum chip fabrication platform (QC-Fab) and quantum computing test platform (QC-Test), marking a major step in the nation's push into quantum technology. QC-Fab began trial operations in September 2025, while QC-Test is expected to open for trials in 2026. A 10-qubit quantum computer chip under in-house development is slated for deployment in the first half of 2026.

As rack-level power consumption and cooling requirements rise in data centers, Taiwanese microcontroller (MCU) suppliers are innovating in power-supply and cooling-fan controls. Nuvoton Technology recently introduced an integrated baseboard management controller (BMC). Additionally, Holtek is upgrading server-fan solutions and expects major growth in brushless DC motor (BLDC) applications.

As the integration of production technology advances, the demand for humanoid robots and robotic dogs is growing, with the reducer—a key component known for its high gross margin and technical challenges—emerging as a competitive focus among Taiwanese and Chinese manufacturers. This competition underscores quality control and mass production capabilities.

Stratio, a Korean deep-tech startup founded by three Stanford Ph.D. graduates, is introducing what it claims is the first germanium-based short-wave infrared sensor designed for large-scale commercial use. During a live pitch session in Pangyo, the company said its "infrared AI" can solve problems that traditional vision AI and standard cameras cannot, including identifying mixed plastics inside recycling facilities, detecting narcotics, and enabling new capabilities inside future smartphones.

Transmission component maker Hiwin Technologies has positioned itself as a key player in Taiwan's humanoid robot supply chain, with its robotics business expected to exceed 10% of group revenue in 2026, according to chairman Eddie Chuo. Additionally, Chuo noted that Hiwin is in contact with all major contract manufacturers aiming to enter the humanoid robot market.

The demand for liquid cooling in AI server racks is soaring, driving significant operational growth for Taiwanese cooling module manufacturer Auras Technology. Chairman Yu-shen Lin said that liquid cooling will be a major growth driver in 2026, with rising needs not only from Nvidia but also Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) servers. The company estimates that revenue will grow by more than 50% in 2026.

Apple is reportedly preparing for a leadership transition, with CEO Tim Cook potentially stepping down as early as January 2026, according to reports from Reuters and TechCrunch, both citing the Financial Times. A formal announcement of the succession plan is expected following the company's financial results at the end of January 2026.

G-Shank, a supplier of stamping parts, achieved double-digit revenue growth in the first three quarters of 2025, driven by demand for AI servers and high-performance computing (HPC), according to the company's general manager Ying-Shuo Lin.

Taiwan's leading backlight module suppliers, Coretronic and Radiant Opto-Electronics, are diversifying into new sectors as demand in the traditional display market slows. The new ventures range from unmanned aerial vehicles to advanced optical systems.

By accelerating customer orders, advanced semiconductor process Airborne Molecular Contamination (AMC) nano-monitoring equipment supplier Tricorntech reported third-quarter 2025 revenue of NT$120 million (US$3.9 million), up 38.61% from the previous quarter, turning profitable and reversing its losses from the first half of the year.

Amid the global surge in AI data center construction, reported delays in third-party data center projects in the US have highlighted hidden infrastructure bottlenecks resulting from aging power grids and supply chain constraints.