Asustek reportedly plans to launch motherboard with support for USB 3.1 at the end of February, as it tries to gain an advantage over competing companies. The Taiwanese company will use USB 3.1 chips developed by its subsidiary ASMedia Technology, Taiwan-based supply chain makers told Digitimes.com.

However, ASMedia has not yet obtained USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) certification for its USB 3.1 chip solutions because the organization has been slow in specifying testing standards.

Asustek has not commented on the report.

VIA Labs has also developed USB 3.1 chip solutions, which can reach a data transfer speed of 10Gbps, double the level for USB 3.0.

Gigabyte Technology estimates demand for USB 3.1 devices to take off in the second half of 2015 and will possibly launch USB 3.1-ready motherboards as early as June.