Canadian plant produces flexible chips for wearables and electric vehicles

Shiona McCallum toured a semiconductor fab in Canada on 20 October 2026, reporting on the production of ultra‑thin, flexible chips that can bend without breaking. The visit was part of a BBC World Service feature that also included an interview with Canada’s AI minister and a segment on drones tracking fire‑scarred terrain.

The plant’s new line comes as manufacturers race to meet growing demand for chips that fit into wearable devices, smart textiles and next‑generation electric‑vehicle sensors. Traditional silicon wafers are rigid, limiting design options for flexible electronics. By thinning the silicon to a few microns, the factory can embed circuitry into fabrics and curved surfaces, opening markets that were previously out of reach. The shift reflects a broader push to diversify supply chains after recent shortages disrupted global tech production.

Inside the clean‑room, technicians in full protective gear inspected wafers that hold thousands of microscopic transistors. The images showed a glossy, glass‑like surface speckled with intricate patterns of circuitry. In a separate interview, Canada’s AI minister explained how the government is supporting research that links flexible chips with artificial‑intelligence applications, aiming to keep the country competitive in a fast‑moving sector. Meanwhile, the programme highlighted a new use for thermal‑imaging drones that fly over areas burned by wildfires, mapping heat signatures to help scientists assess damage and plan rehabilitation. Viewers can watch the drone footage on the BBC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKSkIDMZcmc.

The story underscores how advances in chip design, policy support and remote‑sensing technology are converging to shape the future of both industry and the environment. Flexible semiconductors could accelerate the rollout of smart clothing, health monitors and autonomous‑vehicle components, while drone‑based monitoring offers a faster, safer way to evaluate wildfire impacts. As governments and companies invest in these areas, the next few years may see a wave of products that blend electronics seamlessly into everyday life, and new tools that help mitigate climate‑related risks.