GNSS profile
Taiwan
In a nutshell
Taiwan is a key player in semiconductors, electronics and terminal devices. It is one of the
largest manufacturers of GNSS products, such as portable navigation devices (with an
estimated global market share of 64% in 2012 for this mature segment) and more recently,
smart handheld devices. As a world leader in the information and communication technology
(ICT) industry, Taiwan is developing innovative applications utilising satellite navigation. This
makes Taiwan a key partner in the development of Galileo end-user devices and applications.
Due to its consolidated manufacturing base and full range of first-tier products, Taiwan’s
manufacturing sector enjoys a significant competitive advantage over its competitors. Taiwan
is home to a comprehensive ICT industry chain.
Key opportunities
Taiwan’s component technologies relating to micro / nano electronics are considered to be the priority domain for
EU-Taiwan cooperation. In particular, there are two major technology trends and opportunities: sensor fusion (e.g.
imaging, inertial and GNSS) and multi-GNSS integration.
Taiwan’s industry can offer the full range of manufacturing capabilities, from receivers up to complete devices. The full supply
chain in the LBS segment has a strong focus on the smart handheld devices sector, notably smart phones and tablets. While
Taiwan has shown good performance in ICT hardware sector, its software business is less developed. European industry
has strong capacity in software development, which provides a good opportunity for the EU and Taiwan to cooperate and
complement each other.
Electric Mobility - Vehicle ICT (Automotive Electronics + Telematics + Intelligent Transportation Systems) is Taiwan’s first
priority for industrial diversification and also one of Europe’s key strengths. The penetration of GNSS receivers into car
“black boxes”, merging different communication and sensing technologies, will be an interesting trend to follow.
There is a growing interest within Taiwan’s public and private sectors in developing better solutions for natural disaster
protection, search and rescue and crisis management. These solutions require more efficient and accurate GNSS services that can be applied in sectors such as road, maritime and aviation.
Taiwan can be seen as the gateway to other Asian markets, notably to China. Taiwan is gradually transforming itself
into a global innovation centre and Asia-Pacific trading hub. Taiwan can become an ideal location for establishing R&D
centres, value-added production units and operating headquarters.
Strengths
Weaknesses
‣‣ LBS Devices
‣‣ Software business is less developed (e.g. sensor fusion
‣‣ Worldwide system integrator and exporter
algorithm, embedded software…)
‣‣ Less applications oriented (vs. technology)
‣‣ MEMS technologies, but catching up
‣‣ No GNSS Agency
‣‣ ICT industrial leadership
‣‣ Semiconductor unique ecosystem
‣‣ Gateway to China, as an end-user market
‣‣ EMS and ODM/OEM business models
GNSS
GNSS industry
‣‣ A highly integrated ecosystem and supply chain (from IC design to application services) for electronic components, devices
semiconductor chips, and to integrate them (System-on-Chip and System-in-Package). Key opportunities with EU are:
− IC Design: partnership with one of the 260 design houses in Taiwan, particularly active on design kits for local and global
smart handheld device manufacturers (e.g. HTC, Chinese Brands, Apple, White Boxes…)
− IC Front-End: MEMS for inertial modules and combo (Taiwan MEMS Foundries: US$83M in 2012)
− IC Back-End: 3D (SiP) capabilities in Taiwan for sensor fusion and multi-GNSS receiver integration
‣‣ Smartphones and Tablets
− LBS segment as No. 1 target up to complete devices integration, with a strong focus on smart handheld devices sector,
e.g. smart phones, tablets and “phablets”
− Software integration and applications development (including Greater China go-to-market)
− Components to system integration
− ODM/OEM Business Model
‣‣ Road segment: the 1st diversification priority for Taiwan ICT
− ITS & Telematics applications, systems and solutions (e.g. eBUS, fleet management...)
− Car “black boxes” including communication and sensing technology fusion
Examples of key GNSS actors
Institutions
Chipsets/Receivers
Applications/System Integrators/Solution Providers
Contribution to Multi - GNSS
Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturers are able to provide a combination of small, low cost, and flexible receivers equipped with multiGNSS constellations.
Taiwan EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services providers) and OEM/ODM makers are important for the local smartphone and tablet
market, but also for Chinese brands and global players (Apple…). Taiwan system makers also have the strength of turn-key solutions to
expand their business opportunities in various emerging markets, integrating multi-GNSS solutions.
Taiwan chipset vendors play an important role in the China white-box handset market. Over 80% of related baseband chips are from
Taiwan. The component distribution and logistics are all well managed through Taiwan IC distributors. Taiwanese are increasingly solicited
by Chinese players to develop Beidou / multi-GNSS related business.
GNSS
Taiwan
GNSS.asia project is funded by the European Union within the Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement no 287244.
The responsibility for the views presented in this document lies exclusively with the members of the GNSS.asia consortium and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission or the European GNSS Agency.
and systems.
‣‣ Semiconductors and Micro / Nano Electronics: Strong capability to design and produce GNSS receivers, as well as other
GNSS.asia partner: European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan
Next event: Taiwan GNSS Opportunities Seminar in Taipei, March 2014 (tbc).
For more information on the ongoing activities of GNSS.asia, specific queries concerning the GNSS markets and matchmaking opportunities please contact
Ms Angela Hsiao at angela.hsiao@ecct.com.tw Tel: +886-2-2740-0236 ext 226 or visit http://taiwan.gnss.asia/home-taiwan
Design, editing and layout: SpaceTec Partners for the GNSS.asia consortium.
Graphic design based on and compliant with the GSA Market Report 3rd issue.