Taiwan scholars reduce distracting noise from hearing aids using deep learning

2022-12-02

A team of Taiwanese scholars has developed a big upgrade to hearing aid technology. It’s the first system to cut confusing noises from hearing aids using an AI deep learning. The computer scientists from Academia Sinica hope their innovative tools will make hearing aids much more effective, and lead to easier communication for people with hearing problems.

When a person’s hearing is damaged, they may rely on artificial hearing aids for daily communication. But environmental noises can make it hard to distinguish sounds. Now this team from the Research Center for Information Technology at Academia Sinica has developed an “AI Oral Communication Support Technology.” They hope to incorporate it in hearing aids and electronic earpieces, and make sounds clearer.

Tsao Yu
Academia Sinica researcher
This issue has been around a long time. Only in 2013 did we start to have lots of data, big data. Then we had big models, and our hardware modeling got faster. Then this tool became really popular, and it got really effective. We are the first team in the world to use deep learning to enhance sounds.

The team says that their algorithm for enhancing speech, based on deep learning methods, can reduce distracting sounds like car noises and music when someone is trying to have a conversation. It also uses an AI speech enhancement system. You can use your phone to clarify sounds that are unclear, making communication easier.

Lin Kuang-hung
National Science and Tech. Council
The research results have received a high level of recognition and support, in Taiwan, abroad, from academia and from industries. We want to bring this into practical application.

The research has won the 2022 Future Tech Award. It’s also been published in more than 50 papers in international journals. The team wants to collaborate with businesses worldwide to bring their work to those who could use it.

開發AI口語溝通輔助技術提升國內智慧醫療

2022-12-02

為提升國內智慧醫療的競爭力，國科會補助中研院，開發"AI口語溝通輔助技術"，利用AI技術協助溝通或幫助聽障者提高學習品質，目前技術已通過臨床試驗，並獲包括2022未來科技獎，也希望未來能跟國內外業者合作，導入產品開發。

有些人因聽覺受損，必須靠人工耳和助聽器來解決日常溝通障礙，但常見的環境噪音經常造成語音品質降低。為了提升語音品質，中研院團隊研發出， "AI口說溝通輔助技術"，將AI語音技術導入包括助聽器、人工電子耳等聽覺輔助工具，要讓聽損者聽得到，也聽得懂。

[[中研院資訊科技創新研究中心研究員曹昱]]
“這個題目其實早又有了，只是在2013年開始，我們有大量的data，我們有big data，然後我們有很大的運算，我們的硬體運算加速了，這個工具就變得非常熱門，然後效果變得非常好。我們是全世界第一個用深度學習，用到語音增強。”

中研院團隊提出"基於深度學習的語言增強處理演算法"，可應用在口語溝通障礙者對話時，能消除車聲、音樂聲等環境噪音，讓他們清楚聽到對方的聲音。另外，也將"利用AI的基礎語音增強系統"，透過手機，將患者不清楚的語音轉換成正常語音發出，提升溝通效率。

[[國科會主任秘書林廣宏]]
“研究成果獲得國內也好、國外也好、學界跟產業界，高度的肯定跟支持。希望可以(盡快)落實在我們生活運用上面。”

目前該研究成果已獲2022未來科技獎，相關研究已發表超過50篇國際期刊論文，未來更希望與國外業者合作，幫助更多有溝通障礙的人。

KMT nominates Taipei Councilor Wang Hung-wei to run in Taipei legislative by-election

The KMT has decided on its candidate for an upcoming legislative by-election. Its contender will be Wang Hung-wei , who was just reelected for a fifth term as Taipei city councilor in last week’s municipal elections. On Friday, Wang offered an apology to the more than 25,000 people who had voted for her, adding that she hoped to earn their support in the national-level legislative by-election. The poll is being held to fill a vacant spot left by KMT legislator Chiang Wan-an , who was elected Taipei mayor in the same municipal elections.

The KMT has decided to field Taipei City Councilor Wang Hung-wei in the legislative by-election for Taipei’s third constituency.

Last week, Wang won a fifth term as councilor in the local elections. And now, even before she is inaugurated to her post, she’s already preparing to run in the legislative by-election. DPP members say that gives them even more confidence that their party’s candidate, Enoch Wu, will win the seat.

Wang Shih-chien
DPP lawmaker
I think the chances that Enoch Wu will win are extremely high. Wang Hung-wei just got reelected as councilor. At the very least, when it comes to the propriety of the electoral process and ethics, Wang Hung-wei will be in the weaker position.

Lin Chu-yin
DPP lawmaker
After his defeat in the previous legislative elections, Enoch Wu stayed committed to local issues. And he’s really focused on matters that concern the public, such as national defense. As for the KMT… I think everyone can see that the KMT is greedy, they want it all. Their councilor just got reelected with a very high number of votes. And now they want to push her onto the next stage.

Wang Hung-wei
KMT Taipei city councilor
I would first of all like to apologize to the 25,772 people who voted for me. I’m sorry. I would also like to thank all of you. I won’t walk back on my promises. I hope you can help me in this by-election, to emerge victorious. Thank you very much, truly.

Wang says she will still be sworn in as city councilor on Dec. 25, before setting off on the legislative race. The legislative vacancy was left behind by her party’s Chiang Wan-an, who was elected Taipei mayor. He says he hopes Wang will be able to take over the spot.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei mayor-elect
Let’s put on a display of team spirit and help Hung-wei win the support from voters in such a limited time. Let’s all stand behind our outstanding Hung-wei, so she can win a place in the Legislative Yuan.

Eric Chu
KMT chair
If an apology is due, it is an apology from the party, and not from her personally. We need Hung-wei. It’s not just the KMT who needs her, but also Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. Taipei needs a good lawmaker like her.

The by-election is becoming an extension of the Taipei mayoral election. The KMT says it hopes it can ride its mayoral victory a little longer, while the DPP says it hopes to make up for its defeat.

2022-12-02

Speculation mounts over who will be the next DPP chair

Now that President Tsai Ing-wen has resigned as chairperson of the ruling DPP, all eyes are on her potential successors. There are reports that both Vice President Lai Ching-te and outgoing Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan are gunnng for the party leader’s role. The party is expected to hold a by-election in mid-January to fill up the spot, which was left vacant after the party’s defeat in the local elections

When asked on Wednesday whether he would run for DPP chair, Vice President Lai Ching-te did not offer an answer. Now, political analyst Kang Jen-chun, says Lai has decided to run in the race after mulling things over. He adds that Lai will make an announcement by next Wednesday at the latest. Other possible candidates include outgoing Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan, who sat with several members of Tsai’s faction over the course of the past week; and ambassador-at-large Lin Chia-lung, who is a highly influential figure in the Taiwan Normal Country Promotion Association, a faction within the DPP.

Cheng Wen-tsan
Taoyuan mayor
I don’t think we’re nearly at the stage where everything’s been finalized. I think the most important thing now is to organize our best lineup in order to respond to next year’s challenges.

Cheng did not confirm or deny any plans. Some within the party say that Lai should run for DPP chair to prepare for a potential presidential bid in 2024.

Lin Chun-hsien
DPP lawmaker
Tsai Ing-wen in 2014 first took on the party chair, and then, as the party chair, was nominated as the party’s presidential candidate in 2015. In the past, there have been many instances when the party chair ran for president. Whether having the party chair run in the presidential election has any disadvantages should be something to consider. I think Vice President Lai Ching-te should make a decision quickly.

Lai’s office has rejected reports that he will make a formal announcement that he plans to run for chair before next Wednesday. It also stressed that only through reflection and improvement can Lai meet the people’s expectations. It offered no comment on the other potential candidates for party chair.

Cheng Yun-peng
DPP lawmaker
All the claims we have come from media outlets writing stories based on groundless speculation. It’s just that when you lose an election, everyone’s remarks are taken a little more seriously and the media blows them up a little more. But I’ve always had confidence in our DPP, our own internal democratic structures in the party, and our review of our election losses. It will take a little time for the dust to settle.

It will take a little longer before the DPP’s future leader emerges.

2022-12-02

Mayor Ko meets Okinawa governor, uses EasyCard to buy souvenirs in Japan

2022-12-02

China Medical University shows off development and various inventions at Healthcare+ Ex

The 2022 Healthcare+ Expo, one of the largest international trade fairs in Taiwan, is being held at the Nangang Exhibition Center until Sunday. Of note was the exhibition from Taichung’s China Medical University and its related healthcare system. It showed off innovations reflecting six major themes including artificial intelligence and smart medical care. Overall, the university has won 22 national awards for innovation, the highest number in Taiwan.

The booth from China Medical University and its related healthcare system at the 2022 Healthcare+ Expo showed off a number of achievements related to innovation and award-winning products.

Wong Chi-huey, the head of the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry, was among many drawn by the exhibits. This year, China Medical University focused on six themes, including AI, smart medical care and regenerative medicine. The university has won 22 national awards for innovation, the highest number ever.

Put a patch on a patient’s chest and install a special instrument. An electrocardiogram can be performed directly on a smart phone via Bluetooth. The university has developed a heart attack remote diagnosis system using AI, which greatly shortens the process of patient checkups upon arrival at hospitals. It’s already used by ambulance staff for 14 fire brigades in Taichung and Nantou.

Cho Der-yang
China Medical University president
Ambulance personnel are not doctors, so it is difficult for them to judge whether it is a myocardial infarction. This takes up a lot of time and can be shortened. You can know just after a minute after the patient’s in whether there is or isn’t a myocardial infarction.

Take a swab from your mouth and you can use a genetic test to determine if you are sensitive to the smell of coriander. China Medical University has invested in a number of research and development projects. Among them is a big data platform that utilizes environmental and clinical data from over 3 million people, and a smart anti-germ platform that can effectively combat superviruses in hospitals and also save patients from septicemia. So far, it has served more than 100,000 people

Cho Der-yang
China Medical University president
It can take as little as one hour to know what kind of bacteria it is, and then whether there is any drug resistance, and then offer assistance in determining which medicine is most appropriate to use.

The university will promote its findings and inventions in the 18 nations that are part of the government’s New Southbound Policy so that the world can see Taiwan’s innovative capabilities.

2022-12-02

TSMC shares close down amid reports of advanced operation plans in US

2022-12-02

Taipei to lift 44-year-old scooter ban on Zhongxiao West Road starting Dec. 14

Starting Dec. 14, Taipei will be lifting a ban on scooters on a section of Zhongxiao West Road that has been in place for 44 years. Riders say they welcome the change, as the road is a major thoroughfare in front of Taipei Main Station. But Taipei officials warn that the lifting of the ban is only partial. The stretch of road will only be open to scooters between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. They say scooters will still be banned on the busy road during the day for safety considerations.

Cars move along Zhongxiao West Road in Taipei. The road is lined with shops, and Taipei’s biggest transport hub: Taipei Main station. This area is always busy with traffic. Later this month, this thoroughfare will get even busier, with the lifting of a 44-year-old ban on scooters.

Scooter rider
Having four-wheeled vehicles, and two-wheeled vehicles separated like this is not good. It’s just a road, after all.

Scooter rider
I support the lifting of the ban. I once drove into the road, because I didn’t know scooters were banned. There were no alleys that I could drive into to go out, so I was stuck on the sidewalk. It was awkward.

Scooter riders say they support the lifting of the ban. Some say people from outside Taipei often mistakenly drive into Zhongxiao West Road only to get slapped with a fine. The ban is soon getting lifted, but that doesn’t mean scooters will be allowed on the road all the time.

Chen Shih-yun
Taipei Department of Transportation
There is less traffic at night. So for safety considerations, we want to avoid all vehicles being on the road together. So for the sake of rider’s safety, starting Dec. 14, scooters will be allowed on the road, but only at night between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Starting Dec. 14, scooters will be allowed on the road. But only between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. According to Taipei’s Department of Transportation, the reasoning is that opening up the road to scooters in one go could result in more traffic accidents.

Officials say Zhongxiao West Road has many in-lane bus stops, which could lead to accidents as scooters weave in and out of traffic. They say the situation will be monitored for a while before deciding whether to open up the road to scooters during the day as well.

2022-12-02

31 runners from six countries to take part in 24-hour run ultramarathon

2022-12-02

Taiwan holds regional qualifier for International Super Model Contest

The Taiwan division of the International Super Model Contest has revealed the winners of this year’s qualifying round. Organizers held a regional qualifier for the event on Nov. 21, which was Taiwan’s second time being the host. The models are now gearing up for the Asia Final in China’s Chengdu. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a closer look at the event and Taiwan’s contestants.

Models strut down the runway in elegant evening gowns featuring colorful flower prints. The flowers on these dresses were crafted by designers at a French flower school in Taiwan. This is the regional final of the International Super Model Contest in Taiwan.

Claude Cossec
Flower designer
I have a flower school here in Taiwan. I teach how to make flowers. We have a chance to collaborate with the CCIFT and also with the model to create some nice flower designs, so I provide the flowers on the dress for the catwalk and the fashion show.

Stephane Peden
French Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan
Today, I’m here at the event to be a judge for the competition. What we do at the chamber is also to help our members connect with other members in order to create events.

In first place for the Super Model category is Chung Chiu-yu . Lin Shih-ya took the top spot in the Fashion Model category, while Wang yu won the Male Model category. Winning the contest can give these aspiring supermodels a wide range of opportunities in the fashion industry both in Taiwan and overseas. For example, they can get signed by an international agency and participate in international fashion week shows.

Shahad Huang
International Super Model Contest
Our Taiwan champions from last year have already participated in the Chengdu Fashion Show. We are very happy because our contestants are all receiving training at the Taiwan Dream institute which is jointly established by Catwalk and Taiwan Creative Content Agency. We are very happy to see the results today. After the competition today, they will fly to Chengdu to compete in the Asian Finals.

The International Super Model Contest is in its 10th year. Every year, competitions are held in different countries including the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, Italy and Thailand. Taiwan held the regional contest for the second time this year. Models who competed in Taiwan hail from Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Throughout the course of the competition, contestants completed a series of photo shoots around Taiwan and attended training sessions.

Shahad Huang
International Super Model Contest
We are very happy to have different models from Taiwan and Malaysia competing in Taipei this year. They are all outstanding models, and we really look forward to their performances, where they can demonstrate their conversation abilities and talents. We really look forward to their performances, and to their development as models, and their developments in acting, singing live streaming, and cheerleading. We all think they have great potential for development in all these areas.

The Italian Trade Agency Taipei director Enrico Condemi also attended the competition to support the models. He said that Taiwan and Italy have many areas of cooperation to look forward to in the fashion industry. He said there are a number of Taiwanese students studying fashion in Italy, and he also sees potential in exchanges between Taiwan and Italy on fabric design.

Enrico Condemi
Italian Trade Agency Taipei Office director
I believe that Taiwan and Italy can cooperate in the fashion field, especially by exchanging their talents. That is something that is already happening because there are a number of Taiwanese students that study fashion in Italy, Milan especially there’s a number. Florence as well. There are a number of very good fashion schools. As a matter of fact, there is a Taiwanese designer who has just been showing his creations at the Rome Fashion Week last February. I think another field, apart from talent exchange, another field where there is enough room for cooperation definitely is fabrics. Working on new textiles, non-woven. All of the textiles that are now used in sportswear, casual, and streetwear which day by day are becoming more and more part of Haute couture of fashion in the highest sense.

The finalists will now compete in the Asia Final contest in Chengdu.

2022-12-02