Seeking Fundamental Solutions with Openness

Since becoming President, one of my key reforms has been to clearly separate technology R&D from product R&D. In the past, long-term research was often constrained by short-term business goals. Today, we view it as an investment in the future, not a cost to be trimmed when expedient.

The Hon Hai Research Institute was founded with that vision in mind. Operating independently of business units and free from short-term profit pressures, the Institute focuses on emerging technologies with a three- to seven-year horizon. It serves as a bridge between cutting-edge academic research and the Group's extensive industrial applications, accelerating the transition from laboratory innovation to real-world implementation. This is more than just technology transfer; it is about the dissemination of knowledge and value. As I often ask of our teams, “The Institute exists to bridge academic research and industrial needs.”

Our culture is built on one simple but powerful belief: “We are open, not closed.” This spirit of openness defines who we are. We encourage our researchers to publish academic papers and file patents not only to protect our innovations but even more so to share them. Because only through sharing can the entire technology community advance together.

Openness and Collaboration: Expanding Research Horizons

In 2024, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our colleagues and partners, the Institute published 120 research papers and filed 30 patents. These achievements reflect our open and collaborative spirit, which may be expressed across three key areas:

• Selfless sharing to promote mutual prosperity in the research community: We encourage our researchers to engage actively in academic exchange and share their work with peers around the world. Through sharing, we make Hon Hai's research strengths visible to the world, enhance Taiwan's visibility in the global scientific community, and discover new directions for further advancement through dialogue.
• Embracing fundamentals and championing scientific literacy: I often stress the importance of both popular science communication and first-principles thinking. If complex technology cannot be explained in simple, everyday language, it means we have yet to truly understand it. I encourage our senior researchers to write and communicate science in accessible ways by connecting abstract ideas to everyday life. This deepens understanding and cultivates true scientists who pursue fundamental insights, rather than mere technicians of science.
• Broadening our vision to address global challenges: Our mission extends beyond Hon Hai; we strive to address the challenges facing Taiwan and the world. I encourage our teams to think globally, leverage Hon Hai's platform to engage with global industry leaders, identify the major issues that matter to industries worldwide, and transform them into bold, forward-looking research directions.

Over the past four years, the Institute has partnered with 46 academic institutions worldwide, taking on some of the toughest frontiers in technology. We have built a virtuous cycle that connects world-class problem statements with the strengths of basic research in universities. The Institute's breakthroughs, in turn, are channeled through the Group's CTO network, finding pathways to commercial application. This model, where academic research helps address the Institute's challenges and our innovations drive business applications, is now well established.

In recent years, the Institute has earned renewed respect and recognition from the global community. Our publications in AI, semiconductors, communications, quantum technology, and cybersecurity have been widely cited across disciplines, a testament to the dedication and excellence of every member of our team.

Looking ahead, the Hon Hai Research Institute will continue to uphold the values of sharing, collaboration, and mutual prosperity. We are driven not by short-term profit but by a long-term commitment to industry and society. I am confident that as the value we create becomes increasingly evident, recognition and reward will follow naturally.

The Hon Hai Research Institute represents both an investment in the future and a critical path to realizing our vision of a truly technology-driven company. We walk this path with confidence, conviction, and resolve.