Elementary school students win gold for feline exercise device

Elementary school students win gold for feline exercise device

2023-05-22

Taiwan was the biggest winner at this year’s World Genius Convention and Education Expo in Tokyo. Taiwan competitors bagged 27 gold medals, eight silvers and four bronzes, as well as five special mentions. The youngest winner was a fourth-grader from a Taipei elementary school. She and her sister invented a device that motivates pet cats to exercise.

Christine Chen
Inventor
This is our invention: The fitness cat scratcher.

Janet Chen
Inventor
It’s designed to help cats exercise.

Christine Chen
Inventor
We’ve connected this cat feeder to reward cats every time they finish exercising.

Janet Chen
Inventor
We also added this light so the owners can keep track of how many cycles the cat has done. There are Bluetooth speakers here to let the owner record their voice and upload it, to encourage their cat while it’s exercising. Let me show you how this works.

The sisters explain that the inspiration for the device came after discovering that 60% of pet cats are overweight. Their one-of-a-kind cat feeder releases food into the bowl only after a cat has rolled the scratching pole attached to it 20 times. The sisters say they will continue inventing gadgets, and that their next project will focus on environmental protection.

創新天才國際發明展「全場最年輕」國小姊妹花奪金

2023-05-22

2023年日本東京"創新天才國際發明展"，我國傳出捷報，榮獲27金、8 銀、4 銅及5個大會特別獎，總成績排名國際第一。其中，臺北市建安國小一對"小六"和"小四"的姊妹花，發明讓貓咪運動的”餵食控制器”，成為全場年紀最小的金牌得主，帶您一起來看看他們的發明。

[[東京創新天才國際發明展金牌得主陳思穎]]
“這是我們的發明，是一個"健身貓抓板"

[[東京創新天才國際發明展金牌得主陳紀蓉]]
“這個設計是要幫助貓咪運動”

[[東京創新天才國際發明展金牌得主陳思穎]]
“我們連結這個貓咪餵食裝置，這樣貓咪做完運動後，就會得到獎勵”

[[東京創新天才國際發明展金牌得主陳紀蓉]]
“我們還添加了這個燈，這樣飼主就可以知道貓咪抓了幾圈，這裡有個藍牙喇叭，飼主錄下自己的聲音然後播放，就可以在貓咪運動的時候鼓勵牠們，讓我來示範一下”

姐妹花表示，根據AOPO的資料，現在寵物貓咪有超過6成都有肥胖問題，她們的創意可以讓貓咪吃飯前，先做運動。抓完20圈後，飼料就會掉下來。姊妹倆說還要繼續發明，下一個作品將以環保觀念為主題。

Related News

World Health Assembly opens without Taiwan

The World Health Assembly opened on Sunday in Geneva, once again without Taiwan. Even so, Taiwan is making its voice heard. Health minister Hsueh Jui-yuan
held a press conference in Geneva, saying that Taiwan’s exclusion was contrary to the WHO’s goal of achieving health for all. Taiwan’s representatives also joined forums on the sidelines of the general assembly. Premier Chen Chien-jen shared Taiwan’s COVID experience via videoconference.

At the WHA’s opening on Sunday, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom called for a global pandemic treaty.

Tedros Adhanom
WHO director general
The pandemic accord that member states are now negotiating must be a historic agreement to make a paradigm shift in global health security recognizing that our fates are interwoven.

Taiwan will likely not be part of this high-stakes agreement, as Taiwan was once again excluded from this year’s WHA. One hour before the start of the assembly, a Taiwan delegation held a press conference, where the health chief appealed to the WHO.

Hsueh Jui-yuan
Health minister
Excluding Taiwan from the WHO not only jeopardizes the right to health of the 23.5 million people of Taiwan. It also seriously undermines the WHO’s effort to achieve health for all.

A lawmaker and an activist thanked Taiwan’s supporters, saying Taiwan had much to contribute and should not be left out.

Chiu Tai-yuan
DPP lawmaker
Together with the international community, Taiwan can and will continue to contribute more in the post-pandemic era.

Lin Shih-chia
Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance
And this year we have witnessed nearly 500 Taiwanese people coming from different parts of the world to show their support. This is the largest number.

At an event later on Sunday, the health minister had words of encouragement for Taiwan.

Hsueh Jui-yuan
Health minister
We should not be discouraged. We have more and more friends and support at our side. One day, the circumstances will change. One day, we may be able to turn things around.

Taiwan officials joined health forums held on the sidelines of the WHA. At one event, Premier Chen Chien-jen shared Taiwan’s COVID experience via videoconference.

Chen Chien-jen
Premier
A PHEIC (public health emergency of international concern) needs to be announced quickly, transparently and widely. The World Health Organization should play a better coordinating role with professionalism and political neutrality.

Wong Chi-huey
Former Academia Sinica president
In 2019, it became a global pandemic, which infected more than 750 million people.

Earlier in the day, the World Medical Association, Taiwan Medical Association, and Taiwan’s health ministry hosted a breakfast meeting where officials argued for Taiwan’s inclusion.

2023-05-22

Visiting delegations enhance security of Taiwan Strait: FM Joseph Wu

Foreign minister Joseph Wu has hit back at a lawmaker who said that recent visiting delegations have expressed support for Taiwan, but offered no substantial aid. Responding to KMT Legislator Wu Sz-huai, the minister said that when more and more nations express support for Taiwan, they help enhance the security of the Taiwan Strait. He also refuted claims that his ministry had not given enough help to a Taiwanese student attacked last week in New York.

On the internet forum Dcard, a post titled “I was subject to an indiscriminate attack in New York” has gone viral. The post was made by a Taiwanese student in New York, who was struck in the head by a Black woman. When the student asked for help from Taiwan’s consulate, she was only given the contact information of a lawyer. The student wrote that this response was “disappointing.”

Joseph Wu
Foreign minister
We did provide our support. This claim that we ignored the situation is not true. This victim –as the result of our discussion with the victimized national – we found that she wanted to file a lawsuit. So we recommended a lawyer who had a long-term cooperative relationship with our consulate.

Foreign minister Joseph Wu described how the case was handled, emphasizing that his ministry had not been derelict in its duties. He also addressed allegations made by KMT Legislator Wu Sz-huai, who said that visiting U.S. and EU officials have voiced support for Taiwan but done nothing substantial to help.

Joseph Wu
Foreign minister
China is becoming a greater and greater threat to Taiwan. If more countries in the world, including the G-7 nations, stand up against China’s threat to Taiwan, then I believe Taiwan’s security situation will be better.

Besides crossing swords with the legislator, the foreign minister also rejected Elon Musk’s recent remarks on Taiwan. Musk said that “the official policy of China is that Taiwan should be integrated,” and that “there’s a certain inevitability to the situation.”

Joseph Wu
Foreign minister
China threatens Taiwan, without regard to the fact that Taiwan is a free and democratic society. This matter should be decided by the people of Taiwan.

Taiwan has not been invited to the World Health Assembly for seven years in a row. The WHO’s director general said that Taiwan’s participation must be decided by a vote by member states. On Monday, Joseph Wu voiced his objection.

Joseph Wu
Foreign minister
I think that this statement does not match the expectations of our people. Taiwan’s 23 million people are excluded from the WHO. Director General Tedros should accept Taiwan and allow Taiwan to be an observer at the WHA.

Joseph Wu reiterated that Taiwan’s participation in international affairs should not be decided by Beijing.

2023-05-22

Free point awarded to test-takers after oversight on high school exam

2023-05-22

How to make money from YouTube: a guide by finance expert Allen Chen

With social media present in every part of life, many people dream of becoming an influencer. Platforms like YouTube tout big ad revenue for popular channels. But financial advice expert and YouTuber Allen Chen says that even a channel with 100,000 subscribers can’t provide a living. With 140,000 subscribers himself, he knows what he’s talking about. So how can YouTube become a career? Here’s Chen’s guide on how to make online content profitable.

Allen Chen walks into a room, sits down and takes out his laptop, and he’s ready to roll.

Born in 1986, he worked in the finance industry for 10 years before he decided to film his first YouTube video, three years ago. He focuses on labor insurance issues, and he now has more than 140,000 subscribers. His most popular video has almost 1.5 million views.

He uploads one video every week. Because his content has a very defined focus, he quickly made a name for himself in the finance influencer scene. But Chen admits that it’s hard to make a living from YouTube traffic.

Allen Chen
Youtuber
I’ve looked at some YouTube channels with more than 100,000 subscribers. Their average monthly advertising profits are about US$500, or NT$15,000. If you want to be full-time, you need 200,000 to 300,000 subscribers, at least.

Chen realized that most full-time YouTubers don’t rely solely on fluctuating viewings. Most make commercially sponsored content. Some offer online courses or other services. He, too, has expanded his services – some subscribers now reach out to book personal financial consultations.

Allen Chen
YouTuber
Some people can’t solve their issue by watching videos. So, some send me a direct message, or they fill in a form I have, to book a consultation with me.

If Chen breaks his income down, 20% of it comes from media. The biggest earner is financial consultations, which comprise 40% of his income. Financial planning is 20%, and the final 20% is online courses.

Chen recommends that rookie YouTubers find three to five areas of expertise, and post regularly to test the waters and see what viewers like. That’s how to quickly zero in on a profitable niche.

2023-05-22

Spotlight on Cheng Ching-mu, antique electric fan collector and repair expert

The world of antique electric fan collecting is a rarefied one. Electric fans have changed a great deal since they were first invented. Some thousands of Taiwanese collectors still cherish the old fans with their heavy metal frames and unique designs. Taichung-based collector and repair expert Cheng Ching-mu knows more than most about the industry. When other collectors need help repairing a vintage fan, they go to him.

A fan collector made a special trip to Japan to buy this antique fan. When it was smashed in transit on the way home, his heart was broken.

Cheng Ching-mu
Antique fan collector
When he got home and opened the suitcase, he saw it had been smashed, and he was horrified. So he came and found me straight away.

To some, these fans might seem like secondhand junk. But fan collectors know with one glance that they are vintage antiques, examples of classic brands like Tatung. They’re all at least 60 years old, and some were produced in Japan during the colonial era. After a little repair work, they’re collector’s items, and some are worth tens of thousands of NT dollars.

Cheng Ching-mu
Antique fan collector
It’s about the design style. Everyone wants to get fans that look different from the others. Really. The designs and styles used to be so unique. Like perfume fans – they have a very special grill design. That’s what collectors love best.

Cheng says there are 2,000 or 3,000 antique fan collectors in Taiwan. They share their passion and exchange information online. Antiques are nothing like modern plastic electric fans. They cherish everything from the old motors and coils, solid materials and heavy metal frames, to the delicate, musty “old fan smell.”

Cheng Ching-mu
Antique fan collector
In the old days, electric fans were all about real, solid materials. Now they’re all plastic, which is light, easy to tip over, and breaks easily. They used to be aluminum alloys, or pig iron, so they were very steady.

Unlike many antiques, electric fans take lots of love to get working again. They need to be appraised and repaired, and often get parts replaced, until they can get back into movement. For collectors, acquiring a fan is just the first step – when it’s working again is when they feel a real sense of accomplishment.

2023-05-22

Tech war escalates as China bars Micron chips

The U.S.-China tech war escalated on Sunday, with China failing Micron in a security review. China says Micron products have severe cybersecurity problems and will be banned from key infrastructure projects. Micron says it looks forward to engaging in discussions with Chinese authorities. Experts believe the restriction won’t deliver a significant blow to the company, as only about 10% of its revenue is derived from China.

The tech war continues between the U.S. and China. After repeated U.S. sanctions on China’s chip sector, Beijing retaliated in March with a cybersecurity probe against U.S. memory maker Micron Technology. China announced Sunday that Micron had failed the review. It’s ordered operators of critical information infrastructure to stop buying Micron’s products.

News Anchor
CCTV
Micron Technology’s products have severe cybersecurity problems that could pose significant security risks to China’s critical information infrastructure supply chains. The company’s products pose a national security risk. Domestic critical information infrastructure operators should stop purchasing Micron products.

Micron has acknowledged the results of the review. It says it’s assessing its next steps and hopes to engage in dialogue with Chinese authorities.

Chai Huan-hsin
Photonics Industry and Technology Development Association
Currently, Micron’s production lines in China are limited to one testing and packaging facility in Xi’an. Its production centers are in Taiwan and Singapore. The sanctions will have some impact, but it will be quite limited. After all, Micron’s revenue from China has continued to decrease. The symbolic significance of the sanction could outweigh its actual impact.

Only about 10% of Micron’s revenue comes from its China operations, and so experts believe the sanctions will have a limited effect. According to a Financial Times report, the U.S. asked South Korea to ensure that Samsung and SK Hynix Semiconductor don’t “fill the gap” that’s left in China by Micron’s sanctions.

Chai Huan-hsin
Photonics Industry and Technology Development Association
The likelihood of them complying is not high. China is the biggest client for both Samsung and SK Hynix. They won’t just pull out of the Chinese market just because of the U.S.-China trade war or these chip wars.

Though China’s sanctions could hurt Micron’s revenue, the company’s operations are expected to remain largely unaffected. For now, the impact on the memory industry is minor, but with the U.S.-China chip war intensifying, sanctions could spread to more companies.

2023-05-22

Major upgrade to Ji’an ice cream factory heralds expansion of ice cream capacity

Ji’an Farmer’s Association in Hualien has been famous for ice cream for 23 years. But now, with a major upgrade to their factory, they’re more than doubled production capacity. And the Ji’an ice empire looks set to expand further. They plan to enable farmers from across the country to make ice cream with their own produce at the Ji’an ‘factory. But just how much of a money-spinner is ice cream? And does factory-made ice cream taste any good? Let’s go to Hualien to find out.

Member of public
It’s delicious, tastes great – especially the taro.

Member of public
It’s such a strong peanut flavor. It doesn’t seem to have any additives in it – just pure peanuts.

These ice creams from Ji’an Farmers’ Association get high scores across the board. Customers say the flavors are fantastic.

Member of public
It feels like drinking fruit juice – or eating a real pineapple.

This little ice lolly contains a quarter of a pineapple. All the treats are made with real ingredients. The association earns NT$23 million a year from ice cream. That’s about 11% of their annual revenue. The association never expected frozen treats to become such a golden goose.

Last year, it spent more than NT$35 million on a brand-new processing factory, with upgraded, fully automated production lines. Production capacity has more than doubled.

Wu Chun-ying
Ji-an Farmers’ Association
In the past, we could only produce 2,000 to 3,000 ice lollies a day. Now we can produce 6,000 to 8,000.

Chang Chien-tsai
Ji’an Farmers’ Association
Our ice cream business has grown about 20% in the last two years. We’ve invested in these production lines in recent years, and we hope they can grow to be 40-50% of our sales revenue.

Ji’an Farmers’ Association first started making frozen treats in 2000, and it’s still the only farmers’ association in Taiwan with an ice cream factory. Initially, it found success with the “rice ice cream” line. Later it launched many local flavors, like pumpkin, taro and pineapple. Now it plans to offer an ice production service for Taiwan’s 301 other farmers’ associations, enabling growers all over the country to make icy profits from their produce.

2023-05-22

Taiwan’s older population embraces weight-lifting with the right support

The gym is becoming a hot choice for Taiwan’s older adults! Today we meet some of Taiwan’s older weight-lifting champions. Sixty-one-year-old Lee Tsai-wei recently brought home a slew of medals from a power-lifting championship in Dubai. Ninety-year-old Ling Chou-cha wowed audiences at a weightlifting competition in Taiwan. We also chat to a fitness coach to find out how he helps older adults get into training in a safe and fun way – sometimes, for the first time in their life.

Sixty-year-old Lee Tsai-wei lifts a 115-kilo barbell into the air in a clean sweep.

Last year, she competed at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships, clinching four gold medals. In 2022, a Taiwanese deadlifting competition was graced by the participation of this 90-year-old grandmother, Ling Chou-cha. She lifted 62.5 kilos.

Ling Chou-cha (Dec. 10, 2022)
Nonagenarian powerlifter
My grandson takes me to the gym once a week.

We spoke to fitness coach Danny, who says lifting weights and fitness training are great for older adults. It can prevent muscle loss and slow down the aging process.

Danny
Fitness coach
I normally look first at whether they have any history of injuries. If they do, then they will have some discomfort in their joints, and there will definitely be some actions they should avoid. If it’s just their muscles that are limited, then it’s a question of expanding their mobility, so that they’re not in pain during training.

But if it’s your first time entering a gym and you have absolutely no regular exercise routine, it pays to be cautious. A coach will first check your history of injuries, and get you started with beginner moves like the squat. Gradually you can add more weight. Of course, some people can go straight for the barbells.

Danny
Fitness coach
I had an older student who was in his 60s. At the start he had poor mobility in his thoracic spine, and in his hips. When I first showed him how to squat, he couldn’t complete the movement correctly, basically. We gradually corrected the movements. For example, we got him doing exercises with light dumbbells. Now he can lift barbells of 50 or 60 kilos.

The gym is not just for youngsters! When older adults get support from a knowledgeable coach, they can make a fitness plan that will take care of injuries while building up strength. With the correct technique, and perseverance, you can reach your personal best in your twilight years.

2023-05-22

Capybara captured in Hsinchu after three-hour case

2023-05-22