Apple advanced display lab eyes Taiwan expansion

2015/12/17

An Apple Inc. R&D lab targeting advanced display technologies for next-generation mobile devices is mulling expanded operations in Taiwan, according to Hsinchu Science Park Bureau Dec. 15.

Currently employing 50 engineers at its facility in Taoyuan City, mostly from AU Optronics Corp. of Taiwan and Qualcomm Inc. of the U.S., the American consumer electronics giant is anticipated as doubling this number going forward.

HSPB Director-General Tu Chi-hsiang said he is pleased to see Apple continue strengthening its operations in Taiwan. “This is testament to the country’s critical role in the global information and communications technology industry supply chain over the last 30 years.

“Leveraging Taiwan’s world-leading display talents and technologies, we look forward to taking this partnership to the next level and furthering the nation’s headway in this field.”

Up and running since mid-April, the facility concentrates on developing state-of-the-art displays like organic light-emitting diode, or OLED, panels. The self-illuminating components dispense with backlighting, enabling the launch of more compact and energy-efficient smartphone and tablet lines by Apple.

The lab was converted from an old facility at HSPB’s Longtan campus built in 2008 by Foxlink Group of Taiwan and Qualcomm to manufacture Mirasol e-paper displays.

Apple is expected to collaborate with local firms in pushing the envelope for global display technology R&D. Its lab, situated nearby business partners such as AUO and chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., could develop into a future base for in-demand technologies like 3-D touch, low-temperature polysilicon and micro-LED.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=240227&ctNode=2194&mp=9)