Semiconductor & Technology Specialist, Ingenuity

William Keating

Semiconductor & Technology Specialist

Ingenuity

Our focus is exclusively on in-depth research & consulting in the broader semiconductor industry. We focus on the key players, namely Intel, Micron, Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, NVIDIA, AMD, TSMC & Global Foundries - as well as some of the lesser known, but nonetheless critical, companies such as ASML (for EUV), Mellanox, Cavium, Xilinx etc. We specialise in their products, roadmaps, process technologies, competitive advantages & threats etc. We also help our clients understand the implications of new and emerging technologies, e.g. 3D X-Point, 3D NAND, Carbon Nanotubes, Autonomous Driving, Graphene, Silicon Photonics, Wafer-Level Optics, Artificial Intelligence, FPGA, GPU, ASIC etc. 

Semiconductor Analysis & Research

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Autonomous Driving represents the perfect fusion of our love affair with automobiles and our fascination with artificial intelligence. It has been part of our collective imagination for decades, first epitomized at the 1939 New York World Fair Futurama exhibit which posited an automated highway system (AHS), sponsored by General Motors. Research on AHS conducted at The Ohio State University led to the development of the world's first partially autonomous vehicle in 1962. Fast forward half a century and the goal of achieving autonomous driving is firmly fixed in the glare of our automobile headlights. Leading automakers, as well as technology companies, are promising autonomous or at least highly autonomous automobiles within the next three years. At the forefront, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/11369" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11369:1">Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US)</a> represented by its automotive spin-off Waymo, is in the process of launching the world's first driverless taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/18811" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18811:1">General Motors Co (GM US)</a>, arguably the closest to Waymo in technology terms, has announced similar plans to launch an autonomous ride-sharing service in 2019.Not all is rosy in the autonomous driving garden, however. The sector has been plagued by high-profile defections of key staff leaving to either create their own startups or join competitors. These moves have led to equally high-profile and in some cases, embarrassing, law-suits. Other companies rush to hire talented artificial intelligence engineers has decimated the research ranks of leading universities.The safety and reliability of autonomous driving technology on our streets today has also been thrown into doubt in recent times. Just two days ago, on March 18'th, the first fatal accident involving an autonomous vehicle occurred in Phoenix Arizona, details <a href="https://electrek.co/2018/03/19/uber-self-driving-prototyp-fatal-crash-police/" target="_blank">here</a>. That vehicle was a Volvo XC90 and was part of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/430" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:430:1">Uber Technologies Inc</a> self-driving test fleet in the city. According to initial reports, the vehicle was operating in autonomous mode and had a safety driver on board. While we need to await the outcome of this particular investigation, previous incidents involving other autonomous vehicles highlight some astonishing shortcomings of the technology being used on our streets today. Indeed, there are now serious questions about the viability of so-called Level 3 autonomous driving in so far as they rely on emergency intervention by a driver highly likely to have been distracted by something more exciting than monitoring an automobile driving by itself. Autonomous driving is a subject far too broad to be covered in a single Insight. Consider this a primer where we begin by examining the origins of autonomous driving, tracing its roots back to 1960s which, by no coincidence, was also the starting point for much of the research on modern-day artificial intelligence. We look at the specific factors which combined to propel autonomous driving from the AI laboratories of prestigious universities to the drawing boards of multinationals around the globe. We review the framework for the different levels of autonomous driving and highlight the fact that most auto OEM's choose to largely ignore them. We then examine in detail the aforementioned issues with Level 3 autonomous driving and reveal that the technology used in the Volvo XC90, the vehicle involved in the recent fatal accident in Phoenix, specifically warns in its user manual that it should not be used for city driving and that it cannot detect pedestrians, cyclists etc. Recognizing the seminal role that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/11369" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11369:1">Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US)</a> has played in advancing the technology, we provide an in-depth review of their self-driving initiative from its inception as a secretive Google X project to its current day incarnation as Waymo. By way of contrast, we examine the autonomous driving ambitions of one of the world's leading auto OEMs, General Motors, and provide a detailed review of their progress to date. Finally, we address the question on everybody's mind when it comes to autonomous driving - are we there yet?

Autonomous Driving represents the perfect fusion of our love affair with automobiles and our fascination with artificial intelligence. It has been part of our collective imagination for decades, first epitomized at the 1939 New York World Fair Futurama exhibit which posited an automated highway system (AHS), sponsored by General Motors. Research on AHS conducted at The Ohio State University led to the development of the world's first partially autonomous vehicle in 1962. Fast forward half a century and the goal of achieving autonomous driving is firmly fixed in the glare of our automobile headlights. Leading automakers, as well as technology companies, are promising autonomous or at least highly autonomous automobiles within the next three years. At the forefront, Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US) represented by its automotive spin-off Waymo, is in the process of launching the world's first driverless taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona. General Motors Co (GM US), arguably the closest to Waymo in technology terms, has announced similar plans to launch an autonomous ride-sharing service in 2019.Not all is rosy in the autonomous driving garden, however. The sector has been plagued by high-profile defections of key staff leaving to either create their own startups or join competitors. These moves have led to equally high-profile and in some cases, embarrassing, law-suits. Other companies rush to hire talented artificial intelligence engineers has decimated the research ranks of leading universities.The safety and reliability of autonomous driving technology on our streets today has also been thrown into doubt in recent times. Just two days ago, on March 18'th, the first fatal accident involving an autonomous vehicle occurred in Phoenix Arizona, details here. That vehicle was a Volvo XC90 and was part of Uber Technologies Inc self-driving test fleet in the city. According to initial reports, the vehicle was operating in autonomous mode and had a safety driver on board. While we need to await the outcome of this particular investigation, previous incidents involving other autonomous vehicles highlight some astonishing shortcomings of the technology being used on our streets today. Indeed, there are now serious questions about the viability of so-called Level 3 autonomous driving in so far as they rely on emergency intervention by a driver highly likely to have been distracted by something more exciting than monitoring an automobile driving by itself. Autonomous driving is a subject far too broad to be covered in a single Insight. Consider this a primer where we begin by examining the origins of autonomous driving, tracing its roots back to 1960s which, by no coincidence, was also the starting point for much of the research on modern-day artificial intelligence. We look at the specific factors which combined to propel autonomous driving from the AI laboratories of prestigious universities to the drawing boards of multinationals around the globe. We review the framework for the different levels of autonomous driving and highlight the fact that most auto OEM's choose to largely ignore them. We then examine in detail the aforementioned issues with Level 3 autonomous driving and reveal that the technology used in the Volvo XC90, the vehicle involved in the recent fatal accident in Phoenix, specifically warns in its user manual that it should not be used for city driving and that it cannot detect pedestrians, cyclists etc. Recognizing the seminal role that Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US) has played in advancing the technology, we provide an in-depth review of their self-driving initiative from its inception as a secretive Google X project to its current day incarnation as Waymo. By way of contrast, we examine the autonomous driving ambitions of one of the world's leading auto OEMs, General Motors, and provide a detailed review of their progress to date. Finally, we address the question on everybody's mind when it comes to autonomous driving - are we there yet?

APAC IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Clarence Chu

APAC IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ce-info-systems-mapmyindia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34215:1" rel="noopener">CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) (1052633Z IN)</a> raised around US$138m in its India IPO.</li>
<li>CE Info Systems is India’s leading provider of advanced digital maps, geospatial software and location-based IoT Technologies, as per Frost &amp; Sullivan (F&amp;S).</li>
<li>In our view, the best way to value the firm would be to compare it against its India peers which, based on our assumptions, provide an upside potential of 70.5-80.6%.</li>
</ul>



CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) (1052633Z IN) raised around US$138m in its India IPO.
CE Info Systems is India’s leading provider of advanced digital maps, geospatial software and location-based IoT Technologies, as per Frost &amp; Sullivan (F&amp;S).
In our view, the best way to value the firm would be to compare it against its India peers which, based on our assumptions, provide an upside potential of 70.5-80.6%.


CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) IPO Trading - Poised for a Solid Debut

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ce-info-systems-mapmyindia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34215:1" rel="noopener">CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) (CE IN)</a> is looking to raise up to US$138m in its India IPO.</li>
<li>CE Info Systems is India’s leading provider of advanced digital maps, geospatial software and location-based IoT Technologies, as per Frost &amp; Sullivan (F&amp;S).</li>
<li>Unlike most Indian tech companies that have listed this year, CE Info Systems is profitable.</li>
</ul>



CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) (CE IN) is looking to raise up to US$138m in its India IPO.
CE Info Systems is India’s leading provider of advanced digital maps, geospatial software and location-based IoT Technologies, as per Frost &amp; Sullivan (F&amp;S).
Unlike most Indian tech companies that have listed this year, CE Info Systems is profitable.


CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) IPO - Profitable and Growing, Map Your Way to the Bankers

With the markets finally seeming to reflect the real impact of COVID-19, all eyes are on China's progress in returning to work and restarting production to replenish global supply chains running low on key components. Factual data on this progress is thus far largely anecdotal and often vague, such as was the case with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apple-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:666:1" rel="noopener">Apple's</a> "ramping up more slowly than we had anticipated" remark about their partner sites in their recent profit warning. Furthermore, we know that the situation varies by region and by city. For example, we know that Wuhan remains under complete lockdown whereas Beijing and Shanghai are relatively less impacted.  In order to better assess the actual situation on the ground, we have developed an alternative data approach by comparing real-time, rush hour,  traffic congestion data with last year's average values across China's ten largest cities. The results are very interesting indeed. Here's what we found.

With the markets finally seeming to reflect the real impact of COVID-19, all eyes are on China's progress in returning to work and restarting production to replenish global supply chains running low on key components. Factual data on this progress is thus far largely anecdotal and often vague, such as was the case with Apple's "ramping up more slowly than we had anticipated" remark about their partner sites in their recent profit warning. Furthermore, we know that the situation varies by region and by city. For example, we know that Wuhan remains under complete lockdown whereas Beijing and Shanghai are relatively less impacted.  In order to better assess the actual situation on the ground, we have developed an alternative data approach by comparing real-time, rush hour,  traffic congestion data with last year's average values across China's ten largest cities. The results are very interesting indeed. Here's what we found.

COVID-19: An Alternative Data Approach To Analysing China's Return To Work Status

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Zepp Health Corporation / Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/26706" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26706:1">Huami Corp (HMI US)</a> filed for a potential $150 million public offering without presenting any details on the new ADS being offered. Also, certain selling shareholders will offer shares in the offering. It is a wearable device company backed by its largest customer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/24409" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a>, a 14.8% shareholder. <div class="content-highlight">While Huami has proven to be a good IPO (25% up on the IPO price), we believe this follow-on offering is highly opportunistic and would be tempted to participate only at a healthy discount. </div>

Huami Corp (HMI US) filed for a potential $150 million public offering without presenting any details on the new ADS being offered. Also, certain selling shareholders will offer shares in the offering. It is a wearable device company backed by its largest customer Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), a 14.8% shareholder. While Huami has proven to be a good IPO (25% up on the IPO price), we believe this follow-on offering is highly opportunistic and would be tempted to participate only at a healthy discount. 

Netherlands

TomTom NV provides navigation and location-based products and services.  The Company's maps, traffic information and navigation technology are used to create automotive navigation systems, mobile devices and web based applications. TomTom offers its products worldwide to multiple industries, both in businesses and government.

TomTom NV (TOM2 NA)

Autonomous Driving- Are We There Yet?

I find it fascinating to read this again, almost six years to the day since I published it. I intend to publish an update on this topic in the...

William Keating

CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) IPO Trading - Poised for a Solid Debut

CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) (1052633Z IN) raised around US$138m in its India IPO. Past deals with similar strong subscription rates have performed...

Clarence Chu

CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) IPO - Profitable and Growing, Map Your Way to the Bankers

CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia) (CE IN) is looking to raise up to US$138m in its India IPO. Unlike most Indian tech companies that have listed this...

Clarence Chu

COVID-19: An Alternative Data Approach To Analysing China's Return To Work Status

With the markets finally seeming to reflect the real impact of COVID-19, all eyes are on China's progress in returning to work and restarting...

William Keating

Huami Offering: Forming an Orderly Queue

Huami Corp (HMI US) filed for a potential $150 million public offering without presenting any details on the new ADS being offered. Also, certain...

Arun George