Taiwan startup taps CMOS infrared chips to give robots an electronic 'nose'

The Taiwanese startup N&M's adoption of CMOS process for mid-to-long wave infrared sensing marks a significant shift in sensor technology, challenging the dominance of III-V compound semiconductors. This innovation could force traditional infrared chipmakers to accelerate technological upgrades or pivot toward cost-efficient CMOS solutions. Supply chain dynamics may shift as foundries reassess infrared sensor capacity, especially impacting TSMC and UMC's resource allocation. If scaled successfully, this technology will disrupt industrial robotics, smart security, and environmental monitoring sectors through cost reduction and performance enhancement. With potential international tech restrictions and geopolitical tensions, N&M must navigate compliance risks, particularly in export controls. Competitors like Infineon and TI may expedite their own CMOS infrared developments to counter market disruption. Over the next 12–24 months, if N&M achieves mass production, it could trigger a paradigm shift from material-driven to process-driven infrared sensing, establishing new technological barriers.