Kiwibot, Robot Delivery Firm, Acquires Taipei Chipmaker Amid US/China Tensions

Kiwibot, a delivery robotics firm based in the Bay Area and Colombia, has announced its acquisition of Auto Mobility Solutions, a Taipei-based company specializing in chips for robotics and autonomous driving. While the details of the transaction have not been disclosed, Kiwibot’s founder and CEO, Felipe Chávez Cortés, mentioned that escalating tensions between the U.S. and China were a significant factor motivating the purchase.

According to Kiwibot, the acquisition represents a significant milestone for both companies in their pursuit of innovation and privacy protection in the robotics industry, particularly concerning intelligent robots sourced from China and deployed in Western markets.

This move could serve as a model for others in the industry, especially considering the recent push from the U.S. Senate for ByteDance to divest its popular social media platform, TikTok. Previously, the U.S. government had targeted various Chinese tech giants like Huawei and DJI.

Taiwan’s geopolitical situation and its substantial share of the semiconductor market have placed it at the center of this conflict. Some officials have even suggested extreme measures, such as bombing Taiwanese chip giant TSMC in the event of a Chinese invasion, highlighting the strategic importance of controlling chip manufacturing facilities.

While smaller operations like Auto Mobility Solutions may not be immediate targets, it’s noteworthy that the company produces chips in both Taipei and Shenzhen, the latter located in South China, near Hong Kong.

Felipe Chávez Cortés emphasized cybersecurity concerns as a key driver behind the acquisition. He stated that Auto’s technological innovation and patent portfolio would significantly enhance Kiwibot’s cybersecurity measures for AI-powered robotics, strengthening their market position and bridging manufacturing expertise from Asia with AI development in the West securely.

Moreover, Kiwibot anticipates leveraging Auto’s presence in Taiwan and China to establish its presence in Asia, complementing its successes, particularly on college campuses, as a UC Berkeley spinout.