Tag: Hon Hai

While OpenAI's ChatGPT is already quite fluent in speech, the AI ​​company isn't content with that. According to The Information, OpenAI plans to extend its reach to physical devices, focusing its core technology entirely on audio interaction. To achieve this goal, OpenAI has reportedly undergone a major restructuring of its internal team over the past two months, allocating more resources to the development of audio models. All of this is geared towards the long-rumored, mysterious AI hardware expected to launch in about a year (early 2027). Saying goodbye to translation delays and creating native auditory AI: Current AI voice assistants (including ChatGPT Voice) mostly operate on a "speech-to-text (STT) -> text model processing -> text-to-speech (TTS)" process. While usable, the conversion process inevitably introduces latency. Furthermore, according to industry insiders, most current audio models are still less powerful in logical reasoning than pure text models. The report indicates that OpenAI's new team is working on a new "audio-first" model, attempting to enable AI to directly understand and generate sound, eliminating the intermediate step of translating it into text. This would not only significantly improve the immediacy of conversations but also allow AI to more sensitively capture emotional changes in tone. More than just glasses, it will be "Always On." As for what this mysterious hardware will actually look like, Silicon Valley's AI development trend seems to be shifting from screen devices to wearable devices. For example, Google is pushing the development of Audio Overviews voice search, Meta has achieved initial success with Ray-Ban smart glasses, and recently acquired Limitless, a startup specializing in wearable AI recording. OpenAI claims that its hardware will be "more than just a pair of glasses." While specific details remain confidential, the device will emphasize "Always On" functionality. This means that this hardware may not require waking up or unlocking like a mobile phone, but rather will act like a personal, invisible secretary, continuously listening, sensing the environment, and ready to provide assistance at any time. This aligns with Silicon Valley's current vision of "screenless computing"—blending AI into the background and only appearing when needed. Three devices, manufactured by Foxconn?...

According to official sources and media in Louisville, Kentucky, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Group, plans to invest approximately US$1.74 million (about NT$56 billion) to build a brand-new manufacturing plant in the city. This plant is expected to incorporate significant amounts of AI and robotics technologies and is projected to begin production in the third quarter of 2026. While Foxconn is Apple's largest manufacturing partner, any move by the company to establish a factory inevitably sparks speculation about whether it's for bringing iPhone manufacturing back to the US. However, considering the scale of the investment, the supply chain, and the technological details, this new plant is unlikely to be used for Apple products. The transformation of an old warehouse into an AI-powered smart factory: According to statements from Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. will renovate an existing 23-acre warehouse (approximately 350,000 square feet) located on Randy Coe Lane. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. also announced that Foxconn Technology USA Corporation has acquired the rights to use the factory property. The investment plan will be divided into two phases: • Phase 1 ($10 million): Strengthening the foundation to support heavy manufacturing equipment and carrying out internal renovations. • Phase 2 ($52.5 million): Completing the final construction and installing equipment. This investment is expected to create 180 jobs locally and receive approximately $4 million in tax breaks and incentives from the state government. The report further indicates that the factory will use AI and robotics in "all stages of production," even including the "design" phase. Why is it said "not for Apple"? Although US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick mentioned that Apple is waiting for suitable robotic arm technology to move production lines back to the US, foreign media analysis suggests that the probability of this Kentucky factory being built for Apple is "extremely low," mainly based on the following three points: • Too small: Compared to Apple's sales of tens of millions of units, a $1.74 million investment and a staff of 180 people are simply too small for products of the scale of an iPhone or iPad. • Lack of supply chain clusters: Apple's production relies heavily on clustering; it's no easy feat to create an upstream supply chain for displays, chips, batteries, etc., out of thin air in Kentucky. ...

Reports indicate that Google is accelerating its new AI glasses project and has established a complete supply chain partnership. Foxconn will handle hardware manufacturing, Samsung will provide the reference design, and Qualcomm will design the core chip. However, this project is not directly related to "Project Aura," the smart glasses Google showcased at Google I/O 2025 in collaboration with Xreal. The two are independent projects progressing in parallel, established at the end of last year, and currently in the proof-of-concept and small-batch production testing phase. If all goes well, it is expected to be officially launched as early as the fourth quarter of 2026. Utilizing a waveguide optical solution, the new Google AI glasses are expected to adopt a waveguide optics solution and be equipped with a camera lens to support visual AI applications. One of the project leaders is rumored to be Michael Klug, a former core member of AR unicorn Magic Leap and current head of platform engineering at Google Labs, which adds considerable speculation to the optical performance of Google's new AI glasses. Furthermore, Foxconn announced a partnership with Porotech, a UK-based semiconductor innovation company, at the end of last year to leverage its Micro LED technology to drive the development of global augmented reality applications. Therefore, it is expected that Google's AI glasses will integrate Porotech's technology. Combining Android XR, the Gemini model, and Project Astra applications, Google's exploration in the smart glasses field can be traced back to the debut of Google Glass in 2012. Although privacy controversies led it to shift its focus from the mass consumer market to the enterprise commercial market, its technological advancements in basic design have not ceased. Google is currently collaborating with Samsung and Qualcomm on the Android XR operating system and directly integrating with the Google Play Store ecosystem to enrich its content offerings. Its core software competitiveness comes from the Gemini model. Last year, Google showcased its AI agent technology, "Project Astra," which possesses visual reasoning, memory, and dialogue capabilities, demonstrating its operation through smart glasses, thereby enhancing the potential applications of combining future glasses devices with AI technology. Although lagging behind Meta Ray-Ban in the consumer market, Google's comprehensive Android...

Gogolook announced that it has officially joined Foxconn's ecosystem as a smart city partner. The two companies will focus on the "smart city" field. Gogolook will leverage its AI-powered anti-fraud technology and vast fraud intelligence database to assist Foxconn in promoting its AI-driven CityGPT platform, thereby completing a crucial "fraud prevention" component of the smart city strategy. This collaboration was revealed at the "2025 Foxconn Technology Day" (HHTD25) last week, where Gogolook CEO Chien-Fu Kuo was invited to speak on the topic of "From Smart Cities to Trusted Cities—A New Architecture for Urban Resilience Driven by AI." Foxconn is currently actively developing smart city solutions in Taiwan and overseas markets, using CityGPT as its core and incorporating city-level threat intelligence and trust verification. Gogolook's role is to provide protection solutions from the individual to the city level. In his speech, Kuo Chien-fu pointed out that the trust governance infrastructure in the AI ​​era comprises three key elements: "data traceability and integrity," "content authenticity verification," and "fraud and threat detection." To this end, Gogolook will provide applications such as "city threat intelligence," "city-level models," and "trust verification APIs," thereby aligning with the needs of Foxconn's CityGPT and Super APP. This means that in the future smart cities built by Foxconn, a complete anti-fraud cycle, from intelligent early warning and real-time notification to data integration, will be realized. Integrating Whoscall and Watchmen, the initiative will expand from Taiwan to Asia. Specifically, Gogolook's digital anti-fraud app, Whoscall, will be combined with enterprise anti-fraud services Watchmen and ScamAdviser to jointly address the fundamental municipal issue of "fraud prevention" for cities. The two parties plan to use local governments in Taiwan as the first demonstration site, and then gradually expand to overseas markets. Gogolook stated that it has already partnered with the local government, telecom operators, and financial institutions in Thailand to develop a solution, and will continue to expand this smart city anti-fraud application, which integrates the Foxconn ecosystem, to other Asian markets such as Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Foxconn Technology Day (HHTD25) kicks off today (November 21st), boasting the largest exhibition ever with over 207 products and technologies spanning six exhibition areas. Beyond its strong presence in the electric vehicle sector, Foxconn is showcasing its vertical integration capabilities through deep collaboration with NVIDIA in areas such as "AI Factory," "Smart Manufacturing," and "Smart Cities." AI Factory: GB300 NVL72 Rack System, Asia Bay Supercomputing Officially Operational. In terms of AI infrastructure, Foxconn presented its most powerful NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 AI server rack system. • Core Engine: Utilizing the NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra architecture, through NVLink...

Foxconn Technology Group recently unveiled its latest strategies in AI and future mobility, focusing on two core areas: "Smart Manufacturing" and "Autonomous Vehicles." Foxconn emphasizes its commitment to injecting new momentum into the manufacturing industry through AI and advanced robotics, and its efforts to accelerate the realization of Robotaxi and electric vehicle plans. Smart Manufacturing Moves Towards "Physical AI," Giving Factories Autonomous Perception and Optimization Capabilities. Foxconn points out that the global manufacturing industry is at a critical juncture in its transformation from "automation" to "smart manufacturing." The core driving force will be "Physical AI," a technology that will enable factories and production lines to possess perception, deductive reasoning, autonomous action, and self-optimization capabilities. The forum will delve into the challenges of implementing smart manufacturing, covering the evolution of Embedded Intelligence, human-machine collaboration, autonomous control, and digital twins. Foxconn hopes to use this to help companies build next-generation smart manufacturing competitiveness and create a new positioning for global manufacturing value. Robotaxi Leads the Electric Vehicle Strategy, Redefining Freedom of Mobility with Partners. In the mobility sector, Foxconn emphasizes that "Robotaxi" (self-driving taxi) is not just a distant vision, but a concrete strategic direction guiding its electric vehicle plans. Foxconn believes that accelerating the future of self-driving mobility requires collaboration with diverse partners, bringing together expertise, perspectives, and aspirations from different fields to achieve substantial progress. Through partnerships, Foxconn hopes to transform bold ideas into a shared mission, redefining freedom of mobility.

Foxconn announced a partnership with IBM to jointly promote the construction of Taiwan's AI Factory, aiming to lower the barriers for enterprises to adopt AI. Simultaneously, the Asia Bay Supercomputing Center, the core engine of Foxconn's AI strategy, has been confirmed as an NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) and is expected to officially commence operations in 2026, aiming to become Taiwan's most strategic supercomputing center. Partnering with IBM: From Imagination to Impact, Leveraging Client Zero Practical Experience. The focus of Foxconn's collaboration with IBM is "making AI easily accessible to enterprises." IBM emphasizes that AI is not only a technological breakthrough, but more importantly, practical application. ...

Foxconn recently announced a collaboration with AI leader OpenAI, focusing on the design and development of next-generation AI infrastructure hardware and establishing a strategic direction of manufacturing in the United States. As part of the collaboration, OpenAI will share its insights into emerging hardware needs in the AI ​​industry to assist Foxconn in design and development. Foxconn, in turn, will leverage its manufacturing expertise to produce the systems at its US locations. OpenAI has priority evaluation rights, but there are no mandatory purchase commitments. According to the agreement, OpenAI will have priority evaluation rights and purchasing options for these new systems. However, both parties have clarified that this preliminary agreement does not currently include specific purchase commitments or financial obligations. Three Core Focuses: Designing Future Racks, Strengthening the US Supply Chain, and Localizing Component Manufacturing. Foxconn and OpenAI's collaboration will focus on three core areas to meet the rapidly evolving needs of advanced models in the AI ​​era: • Designing Future Generations of Data Center Hardware: The two companies will jointly design, engineer, and develop multiple generations of AI data center racks. Through a parallel approach involving multiple projects, combining OpenAI's blueprint with Foxconn's manufacturing expertise, they will accelerate the deployment of new systems and ensure long-term production capacity. ...

The long-rumored foldable iPhone (tentatively named iPhone Fold) has yet to be officially announced, but numerous details regarding its production and cost structure have been revealed. According to market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the actual production cost of the hinge mechanism used in this product may be lower than market expectations, helping to reduce the overall manufacturing barrier and improve mass production feasibility. Kuo points out that the average cost per hinge unit in the official mass production phase of the iPhone Fold is approximately $70 to $80, significantly lower than the previously estimated $100 to $120. In other words, Apple may be able to reduce the production cost of each device by approximately $20 to $40 without sacrificing structural strength, positively impacting the overall gross margin of its first foldable phone. Foxconn and Shin Zu Shing are jointly manufacturing the hinge, holding nearly 65% ​​of the orders. Reports indicate that production of the hinge will be handled by a collaboration between Foxconn and Shin Zu Shing, with the two companies jointly handling approximately 65% ​​of the orders. The remainder will be manufactured by Amphenol, located in Wallingford, Connecticut. If the market response is positive, Apple may introduce Luxshare Precision as a third supplier to further increase production capacity and reduce unit production costs. However, Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Luxshare Precision will not join mass production until at least 2027. With the addition of competitors, Apple is expected to gain more bargaining power in component procurement, further controlling costs and establishing a more efficient supply chain structure for future models. Titanium and aluminum alloy structures remain the mainstay, while the weight of the liquid metal version may be a consideration. Previous market rumors have suggested that the iPhone Fold may adopt a folding structure "combined" from two iPhone Airs, continuing the ultra-thin and lightweight design philosophy. The frame is expected to use a hybrid of titanium and aluminum alloys to ensure the rigidity and durability of the folding structure. Ming-Chi Kuo's earlier analysis also mentioned that Apple had considered a stainless steel frame with a liquid metal hinge, but this design would increase the overall weight, contradicting the thin and light design philosophy. Therefore, it is more likely that the titanium and aluminum alloy combination will remain the current choice. The mass production timeline remains unclear. While market rumors suggest the iPhone Fold will launch in 2026, there is still no clear timeline for whether this product will actually enter mass production. Since 2019, there have been almost annual reports of Apple preparing to launch a foldable phone, but it has always remained at the "a year from now" stage. With Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, vivo, OPPO, and other brands successively launching new-generation foldable phone products, Apple's progress in this field has been remarkably low-key. However, judging from the adjustments made in supply chain preparation and cost optimization, it is generally believed that Apple is still steadily advancing its product development; however, the launch timeline may depend on whether the screen durability, structural lifespan, and software experience meet the brand's standards.

Earlier reports suggested that Nissan would partner with Foxconn to produce electric vehicles in Japan, potentially reviving its Yokosuka-based Oihama plant. However, Nissan's subsequent announcement of the plant's closure in 2027 indirectly confirmed a change in rumors surrounding Foxconn's potential acquisition of the underutilized plant. According to a report by TV Tokyo, Foxconn officially cancelled its acquisition of the Oihama plant in September of this year due to delays in negotiations with Nissan. The Oihama plant, with its full vehicle production capacity, was one of Nissan's main production bases and was responsible for assembling various gasoline and electric models. Nissan recently announced the closure of the Oihama plant in fiscal year 2027, transferring production lines to its Kyushu plant to further consolidate capacity and reduce operating costs. Currently, Nissan is in talks with other potential buyers regarding the future use of the plant assets and is considering a sale or conversion into new industrial applications. In response, a Nissan spokesperson stated that the company is exploring various options to revitalize its assets in the region; Foxconn declined to comment on the rumors. Reports indicate that Foxconn originally planned to strengthen its electric vehicle and smart manufacturing footprint in the Japanese market by acquiring the Oihama plant, and to use it as a starting point for deeper cooperation with the Japanese automotive industry. However, sources suggest that Nissan's repeated delays in negotiations hindered the progress of the cooperation, ultimately leading Foxconn to withdraw from negotiations in mid-September. Over the past few years, Foxconn has continuously promoted an open electric vehicle ecosystem through its MIH platform and actively sought strategic partnerships with automakers and component suppliers in various countries. Acquiring Nissan's Oihama plant would have provided a production base in Japan, not only facilitating market expansion but also symbolizing Foxconn's strategic transformation "from OEM to complete vehicle manufacturing." However, the current obstacles to cooperation highlight Nissan's continued conservatism regarding the opening up of its existing automotive manufacturing assets. For Foxconn, while it has lost a concrete foothold in Japan, its investment in electric vehicle markets in other parts of the world will continue. Industry observers believe that Foxconn's withdrawal may reflect a "reassessment period" of its international electric vehicle cooperation strategy. In particular, given the slowdown in the global automotive industry's electrification transformation and rising costs, how to flexibly adjust resource allocation will be key going forward.