The technological collaboration between Taiwan and the Czech Republic dates back many years, spanning fundamental research and the development of applied technologies. Through academic exchanges and industrial partnerships, the two nations have consistently driven advancements in technology. Among these collaborations, the semiconductor sector stands out as a key area, with numerous past research projects and joint technical developments laying a strong foundation for cooperation.
The establishment of the Advanced Chip Design Research Center (ACDRC) is no coincidence; it is the culmination of years of technological collaboration between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. Mei-Yu Chang, Director of International Affairs at the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs), stated, “Through bilateral research, short-term courses, and internship programs, ACDRC has injected fresh momentum into innovation and applications in the semiconductor field between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.” She highlighted that this collaborative model has provided valuable opportunities for Taiwan’s IC design startups to penetrate the European market while also helping the Czech Republic establish a robust semiconductor ecosystem.
On October 18, 2024, a milestone in Taiwan-Czech semiconductor collaboration was marked with the inauguration of ACDRC in Brno, Czech Republic. The project symbolizes a new height in bilateral cooperation, combining Taiwan’s expertise in digital design with the Czech Republic’s strength in analog technology. James Yang, CEO of MicroIP, remarked in an exclusive interview with《The Icons》, “The establishment of ACDRC exemplifies the deep integration of technology and markets, showcasing the immense potential of international collaboration.”
While the Taiwan-Czech partnership in technological cooperation has a long history, the launch of ACDRC further deepens their relationship. Yang added, “Through this platform, we aim to significantly reduce the time from product design to market application and create globally competitive technological outcomes.” He believes this marks not only an important milestone in Taiwan-Czech technological cooperation but also a benchmark for delivering innovative solutions to global markets.
Leading Taiwan to Overcome Semiconductor Design Bottlenecks
As global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and automotive electronics surges, the semiconductor industry faces dual pressures: diversifying and rapidly evolving market demands, alongside the need to reduce development costs and shorten time-to-market. Against this backdrop, the ACDRC initiative has emerged as a groundbreaking solution, leveraging innovative virtual platform technology to redefine traditional IC design processes. By enabling concurrent software-hardware development, the platform significantly enhances design efficiency, shortens R&D cycles, and reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions during production, offering unprecedented breakthroughs for the semiconductor industry.
Allen Cheng, CEO of Light Momentum Technology Corp. (LMT), remarked, “ACDRC offers a rare opportunity to accelerate the market introduction of technological innovations. In the fields of AI chips and automotive electronics, LMT has leveraged the ACDRC platform to not only optimize the product design process but also enhance R&D efficiency and market responsiveness through rapid iteration.” He further emphasized that this collaborative model successfully integrates the Czech Republic’s cutting-edge technical expertise with Taiwan’s design strengths, achieving deep synergy in both technological innovation and market expansion. This collaboration not only provides Taiwan’s semiconductor industry with a competitive edge in the global market but also sets a benchmark for international technological cooperation.
The impact of ACDRC extends beyond technological achievements to deliver remarkable economic and environmental outcomes. By utilizing the platform, enterprises can complete design processes with greater efficiency, significantly reduce production costs, and minimize resource waste, serving as a model for the global trend toward sustainable development. Moreover, the project’s success highlights Taiwan’s leadership in the semiconductor field, further solidifying its role as a key player in the global technology landscape.
LMT’s case serves as the best demonstration of ACDRC’s success, showcasing how the platform not only resolves current bottlenecks in design but also enables Taiwanese enterprises to stand out in the international market. Through such technological innovations and collaborative models, Taiwan has elevated its industrial value while injecting new vitality and potential into global technological development.
Using the Czech Republic as a Launchpad: How JMEMTEK is Making Strides in the European Market
“Our products can quickly adapt to market changes, thanks to ACDRC’s exceptional capabilities in technology transfer and market orientation,” said John Chang, CEO of JMEMTEK. With ACDRC’s support, JMEMTEK has launched a series of innovative solutions targeting the automotive electronics and cybersecurity IC sectors. These products are not only technologically advanced but also meticulously tailored to meet the specific demands of the European market.
Chang emphasized that through deep collaboration with Czech research institutions, JMEMTEK has successfully established a robust foundation in both technology and market presence across Europe. “This collaboration has not only enhanced our technological capabilities but also enabled us to respond more swiftly to market challenges. The ACDRC initiative is more than just a technology platform—it serves as a catalyst for enterprise innovation,” Chang remarked.
Looking forward, Chang believes that as the ACDRC initiative continues to evolve, Taiwan-Czech technological collaboration will yield even more groundbreaking achievements.
Integrating Technology and Applications: Exploring New Opportunities with ACDRC
In an increasingly competitive global semiconductor market, the deep integration of technology and applications has become the key to enterprise success. Jiunn Yih Chyan, COO of DEUVTEK, emphasized in an interview that the ACDRC initiative offers companies a unique platform that not only promotes cross-border technological collaboration but also creates groundbreaking opportunities for innovation.
“This is not just a technical collaboration; it’s a global innovation opportunity,” Chyan stated. He highlighted how ACDRC effectively integrates Taiwan’s leading expertise in digital design with the Czech Republic’s strong foundation in analog technology, enabling companies to develop products with greater market competitiveness.
Since joining the ACDRC initiative, DEUVTEK has achieved multiple breakthroughs in collaborative projects focusing on AI chips and automotive electronics. For example, the use of a virtual platform for concurrent software-hardware development has significantly improved R&D efficiency, shortened product time-to-market, and substantially reduced costs. Chyan noted that the resources and support provided by ACDRC go beyond technical aspects, enabling enterprises to swiftly transform innovative concepts into market-ready products. This highly efficient model injects fresh vitality into the global semiconductor market.
ACDRC has not only driven technological innovation but also built a broader international collaboration network for enterprises. Through ACDRC, DEUVTEK has established close ties with top Czech technical teams, further enhancing the company’s global market competitiveness. Chyan believes that this cross-border collaborative model benefits participating companies and provides a valuable reference for other industries. “We believe that the future of the semiconductor industry will be driven by this seamless integration of technology and applications,” he remarked.
DEUVTEK’s success demonstrates that ACDRC serves as a crucial bridge for enterprises to overcome challenges and seize new market opportunities. Through this collaborative initiative, companies can more precisely address market demands and secure their position in the global wave of innovation.
The Future Vision of ACDRC: From Taiwan and Czech Republic to the Global Stage
At the inauguration ceremony of ACDRC, Dr. Tsai, President of the NARLabs, stated, “The establishment of ACDRC is not only a significant advancement in Taiwan-Czech technological cooperation but also sets a new benchmark for global collaboration in science and technology.” He emphasized that the core value of this initiative lies in cultivating exceptional talent and accelerating the development of semiconductor technologies and talent mobility on a global scale through cross-border collaboration. He expressed hope that ACDRC will become a vital cradle for international innovation talent, injecting fresh creativity and competitiveness into the global industry.
James Yang, CEO of MicroIP, also shared insights into the long-term goals of ACDRC, describing it as an innovation-driven mechanism with strong market orientation. “Through the ACDRC platform, we are fostering technological advancements between Taiwan and the Czech Republic while delivering greater value to global markets,” Yang remarked. He identified the platform’s unique advantage as its ability to integrate technology with market demands, enabling participating enterprises to swiftly respond to international needs and secure a leading position in the competitive landscape.
Looking ahead, Yang further noted that as the ACDRC initiative deepens, Taiwan-Czech technological collaboration will ascend to even greater heights. This partnership not only focuses on technological innovation but also promises a broader influence on the global semiconductor market. Yang described the ACDRC model as “a deep fusion of technology and market forces, and an innovative practice that transcends borders,” which he believes will serve as a significant example for the future development of the global technology industry.
The vision of ACDRC is both ambitious and clear: to build upon Taiwan-Czech cooperation and create an international platform that drives global semiconductor innovation and collaboration. By attracting and cultivating highly skilled professionals, ACDRC aims to continuously inject new vitality into the global technology industry, advancing nations toward a new era of progress fueled by the dual engines of technology and market integration.
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