Taiwan leverages MEMS strengths to tap into AI robotics boom

SEMI announced that globally-acclaimed humanoid robotics expert, Prof. Hiroshi Ishiguro, known as the “father of android robots,” will return to Taiwan to speak at SEMICON Taiwan 2025. 

In his keynote, “Avatar and the Future Society,” Prof. Ishiguro will explore how robotics is reshaping the global tech landscape. As curator of the “Future of Life” Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, his visit aligns with Taiwan’s AI policy vision and highlights new opportunities for the semiconductor and electronics sectors to tap into the rapidly emerging robotics market. 

His presence also reinforces Taiwan’s global edge in AI and MEMS technologies and SEMICON Taiwan’s role as a leading platform for innovation and collaboration.

"The global MEMS sensor market is on an impressive trajectory, set to grow to $29 billion by 2030, reflecting strong growth momentum," stated Terry Tsao, Global Chief Marketing Officer and President of Taiwan, SEMI. 

"Taiwan's deep strengths covering the entire MEMS value chain – from chip design and sensor manufacturing to advanced packaging and signal processing – position it as a key player in this growth, supported by a complete semiconductor ecosystem. 

"SEMICON Taiwan remains at the forefront of industry dialogue, and this year’s focus on robotics reflects our conviction that it will be the next major growth driver after EVs and AI. Through this global platform, we aim to empower Taiwan’s semiconductor and electronics sectors to capture emerging opportunities and stay ahead of the next wave of innovation.”

From policy to progress: Robotics to lead Taiwan’s next wave of tech innovation
Taiwan is making a massive push into smart robotics, investing NT$200 billion as part of its AI New Top 10 Infrastructure Projects, to generate NT$15 trillion in output by 2040. 

In line with this vision, SEMICON Taiwan 2025 will feature the MEMS & Sensors Forum – Expanding the Sensing Horizon, Ushering in the Robotics Era, spotlighting the groundbreaking research by Professor Ishiguro, reported by CNN as “Top 8 Geniuses Who Will Change Your Life.”

Famed for his groundbreaking Geminoid series of ultra-realistic humanoid robots, Ishiguro will delve into how avatar technologies promise a future where physical and spatial constraints are a thing of the past. In an era of rapid AI advancement, high-precision sensors are indispensable for equipping robots with autonomous perception. 

Taiwan's outstanding MEMS and sensor ecosystem, from chip design and advanced packaging to edge computing, offers a powerful springboard for capitalizing on the vast opportunities in this dynamic field.

Taiwan's tech prowess: Fostering global collaboration in robotics
"The secret to integrating robots into our daily lives lies in their ability to see, hear, and behave, just like us," explains Ishiguro.

"Taiwan's complete ecosystem, spanning everything from chip design to advanced manufacturing, makes it the perfect collaborator. I'm looking forward to presenting my newest research on humanoid robot interaction and discovering fresh avenues for partnership."

Driving global robotics innovation through MEMS and sensor technologies
At SEMICON Taiwan 2025, Prof. Ishiguro will join top industry experts at the MEMS & Sensors Forum to explore the future of robotics and global strategies. Dr. Scott Huang, VP of Techman Robot, will discuss the evolution of cobots toward intelligent integration in the humanoid era. 

Mina Rezk, Co-founder and CTO of Aeva, will highlight how MEMS and sensor technologies are driving lifelike perception, motion, and interaction in humanoid robots. Dr. Gavin Ho, Chief Strategy Officer at TDK, will offer insights into sensor innovation and its integration in robotics, while Dr. Jwu-Sheng Hu, Executive VP of ITRI, will share the latest trends in AI robotics and industry advancements.

In a critical moment of global tech realignment, the Forum provides a strategic platform for global partnership and ecosystem building with the expected presence of over 200 industry leaders.