Page 38 - HSP Annual Report 2022

A global leader
in ISP technology
The world’s No. 1 supplier of disposable endoscopes
Alex Hsia, chairman Altek Corp.
Established in 1996, Altek Corp. now employs approximately 2,000 people worldwide. Over the years, Altek has developed a world- leading core competence that integrates optical imaging technology, proprietary algorithms, and chips. This integration has resulted in the creation of various products, starting from digital cameras and eventually expanding into smart imaging solutions such as the all-in- one lens Imaging Module, ISP imaging chips, AI imaging chips, 3D depth sensing chips, and IP licensing, among others. Altek's end- user applications encompass four main areas: metaverse (AR/VR), smart vehicles, precision medicine, and robotics.
Decisive transformation in the heyday of digital cameras
Altek was formed mainly for the sake of making digital cameras. To fully meet customer needs, the company launched into the design of image signal processors (ISP). Over time the move unexpectedly turned Altek into an ISP
A decade in preparing for launch of high-end medical devices
Talking about innovation and transformation, Chairman Hsia becomes quite emotional with a blood-glucose meter in his hand: Altek was literally shocked into the medical devices business. Early on, the company came up with a prototype in a very short period of time only to be frowned upon by the client. The lesson was that instead of following the ICT industry’s longtime norm of providing a sample first, product documentation should be the first step for launching into the medical devices market. “Our entry into the business was met with numerous customer complaints,” Hsia says. “But ‘a strict teacher makes a good student.’ Of Taiwan’s CDMO suppliers of high-end medical devices, we must be the most experienced one.” Hsia also repeatedly points to the especially stringent regulatory regime for the healthcare sector. Patience is of utmost importance.
From image processing to smart vehicles
leader with the capacity to license its IP to first- tier manufacturers. In its heyday, Altek ranked as the world’s No. 1 manufacturer with an annual output of 20 million digital cameras. But this heyday soon faded amid the ubiquitous use of smartphones. Altek thus started to reinvent itself in 2012. Its unique strength in ISP technology soon led to a clientele composed of virtually all the major smartphone brand names. And now Altek is also diversifying to such areas as smart vehicles, precision medicine, and robotics.
To fully meet customer needs amidst geopolitical tensions, Altek has established a second production base in the ASEAN bloc. Further investment in automated manufacturing will be made to help mitigate the impact of manpower shortages and rising wages. In terms of product development, the company is now placing emphasis on emerging areas such as precision medicine, smart vehicles, and robotics. The fact that most carmakers have yet to assert themselves in face recognition (DMS) image processing means a great opportunity for Altek to make its foray into the smart vehicle sector.
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Hsinchu Science Park Annual Report 2022