Couple days before, I had the opportunity to visit the Ericsson Taiwan lab with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce Taipei, and the experience left a lasting impression. From cultural quirks to high-tech facilities, here are a few things that stood out.
1. Why Is There a Snack Beside the Equipment?
Among all the sophisticated communication gear, one thing unexpectedly grabbed everyone’s attention: a small green bag of 乖乖 (Guāi Guāi). For those unfamiliar, this is a classic Taiwanese snack—but it’s also a beloved superstition among local engineers. Placing a green bag of 乖乖 near machines is believed to keep them running smoothly. The reasoning? “Green” means everything’s good and without error, and 乖乖 literally means “be good.” It’s a charming reminder that culture and tech often go hand in hand—even in a lab surrounded by antennas and testing rigs.
Source: www.kuai.com.tw
2. Global Testing, Local Building
Ericsson operates advanced labs around the world to help clients test their cutting-edge communication equipment. But that’s not all—they also offer services to help build custom testing chambers directly at client sites. This not only streamlines the development process but also ensures that critical testing can be done close to home, with the same level of precision you’d expect from Ericsson’s global facilities.
3. A Room That Swallows Sound
Walking into the anechoic chamber was like stepping into a giant room made of trampolines—except instead of bouncing you back, the walls swallowed every sound and vibration.
Source: www.ericsson.com/en/portfolio/cloud-software-and-services/cognitive-network–solutions/device-and-network-testing/device-and-application-verification/device-lab
The chamber is designed with wedge-shaped sponges that absorb echo and prevent high-frequency radio waves from leaking in or out. It creates a pristine environment for testing wireless signals, antenna performance, IoT devices, and phones. Some of the equipment inside was developed in collaboration with MediaTek, showcasing a strong local-global partnership in the wireless tech space.
From snack-based superstitions to silent chambers, this lab visit reminded me that innovation isn’t just about the latest chip or protocol—it’s also about the culture, collaboration, and curiosity that drive it all forward.😄