Kaohsiung ‘smart’ salon offers automatic wash, massage service

Kaohsiung ‘smart’ salon offers automatic wash, massage service

2026-05-04

The era of AI is upon us, and all kinds of industries are thinking of how to incorporate it into their business. A “smart” salon recently opened in Kaohsiung, employing machines that simulate an in-person hair wash. Customers can get their hair shampooed and conditioned while also enjoying a full-body massage, all compliments of the robotic staff. The owner recently invited some local seniors to try it firsthand.

Seniors lie on rows of massage beds in this roomy and comfortable salon. But these aren’t your typical massagers. There are also staff helping them put on towels and earplugs before checking the water temperature. The contraption these seniors are trying out today are new “smart” hair washers.

Salon owner
We’ve tested it on people of all ages, including children 3 years old and pregnant women. Everyone has tried it. Especially seniors. For older folks, it’s harder to bend over.

The owner extended invitations to seniors in the area to come try out the machines. They emulate a classic hair wash, helping customers wash and condition their hair while simultaneously giving a full-body massage. The entire thing takes about 20 minutes. The testers all found it incredibly comfortable.

Tester
It’s great! I just hurt my waist. A little massage is good. I can stand a bit straighter now. It’s not bad. Really.

Tester
Our borough chief is amazing. He really cares about us old folks. At the first opportunity, he brought us to try out the newest AI.

Lin Chih-tien
Lingya District borough chief
The owner invited the local residents to come try it out. It could also be a form of public service, helping out these older folks. It can show them that if there’s no one around in the future, things like this might flourish. Without anyone there, they can go by themselves and wash their own hair.

With the advent of the AI era, “smart” machines like these are becoming more and more common. With a fully automated process, it saves on personnel costs. The customers might have to dry their own hair, but for this price, it might catch on.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#hairwash #hairsalon #salon #smartsalon #hairwashingmachine #agingsociety #Kaohsiung #newtechnology #seniors

AI智能洗頭店進駐高雄洗頭.護髮.全身按摩一次滿足

2026-05-04

AI時代來臨，各行各業無不絞盡腦汁投入研發新產品，高雄近來就有一間AI智能洗頭店，機器仿真人手法，幫顧客洗頭、護髮，同時還進行全身的按摩，業者還特別邀請在地長輩搶先體驗。

走進洗髮店，寬敞又舒適的環境，來到店內的長輩們，紛紛躺好就定位，不過他們可不是單純來按摩的，只見人員協助擺放毛巾，戴耳塞和試水溫，這些長者要來體驗的，就是這一台AI智能洗髮機。

[[AI智能洗髮業者]]
“我們所有的年齡層都試驗過，包括三歲小孩、孕婦啊，他們都有來體驗過了。尤其是老年人，他當然年紀大了嘛，他彎著腰肯定很辛苦嘛”

業者特別邀請社區長輩免費體驗，過程中，機器仿真人手法，幫顧客洗頭、護髮，同時還進行全身的按摩舒壓，一舉數得，整個過程大約20分鐘就能搞定，也讓長輩們體驗過後，直呼真的很舒服。

[[參與體驗長輩]]
“哇很好啊，我剛傷到這個(腰部)，按一下真好，現在站的比較直，很不錯，真的”

[[參與體驗長輩]]
“我們里長最棒了，他很體貼我們這些老人家，他第一時間說，就帶我們來體驗這個，最新的AI的”

[[高雄市苓雅區人和里長林志田]]
“他(業者)說，歡迎我們的里民鄉親過來體驗，也可以提供一個公益，來服務這些長輩們，順便教他們未來可能面對到的生活，可能是一個無人化的生活，未來可能這個會蓬勃發展。在沒有人的狀況下，他們如何自己可以，點到可以自己洗頭”

AI時代來臨，如今智能洗髮機進軍市場，洗頭過程全自動，省下不少人力成本，雖然頭髮客人得自己吹，不過費用相對平價，或許未來會被更多人接受。

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Qidu becomes colorful tourist attraction with gigantic murals

A dreary weather-stained apartment building just outside Qidu train station is now a riot of colorful and intriguing murals depicting the Keelung people’s daily lives. Featuring retro elements the murals include sky lanterns, police dogs and cute cats. They were completed in just 10 days by billboard painter Chiang Chin-feng. The murals are the brainchild of Keelung’s deputy council speaker Yang Hsiu-yu, who obtained corporate sponsorship for the project. She wants to beautify her city. Let’s find out more.

A sky lantern gradually rises into the sky. There is a cute kitty. There’s even a realistic 3D image of a train. As soon as you step out of Keelung’s Qidu train station, you’ll see a decades-old apartment with a completely new façade. The driving force behind this seven-story-high mural with 3D images is Keelung’s deputy council speaker, Yang Hsiu-yu.

Yang Hsiu-yu
Keelung deputy council speaker
My thoughts at the time were that the sky lanterns represented dreams taking off. I hoped that Keelung’s MRT would be completed soon. I also hoped that these sky lanterns would protect all of us in Keelung.

Walk along streets and alleys, and you can also see hopscotch and games of marbles that evoke childhood memories for the city’s residents. Of course, Keelung’s local snacks are also depicted. Through the artist’s skillful work, each brush stroke depicts the people’s daily lives, with retro elements and playfulness.

Cute police dogs seem to leap out of the walls as they promote anti-drug, anti-fraud and anti-drunk driving messages. Anime-style illustrations add a touch of warmth to Qidu’s police station. Yang obtained corporate sponsorship to promote these murals to beautify the appearance of her city. She is inviting the public to explore Qidu’s alleys and discover the beauty of Keelung.

Yang Hsiu-yu
Keelung deputy council speaker
Taiwan’s counties and cities actually have a vast number of old residential buildings. How many have undergone urban renewal? Really, not many. But at this moment, every city, every county, every village has its own story. I’m starting with the stories of the lanes and alleys where our people live.

Qidu in Keelung is a major railway hub, a starting point for many trains travelling north and south. Now the colorful paintings depict Qidu’s diverse culture and document Keelung’s century-old splendor.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#qidu #travel #tourism #publicart #art #mural #colorful

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Restaurants seeking to capitalize on NT$10bn anime market

Fans of anime and manga are certainly willing to spend on their passion! The market in Taiwan surpasses NT$10 billion every year, and restaurant chains are eager for a slice of the pie. In just one example, a Japanese conveyor-belt sushi restaurant has joined forces with the volleyball series “Haikyu!!” Fans can not only get capsule toys, but even “dine” with their favorite characters. Another fast-food giant is collaborating with “Gundam” for a limited-edition meal set. Let’s take a look...

As soon as you step into this conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, you’re greeted by iconic Japanese characters. This time, the chain is partnering with “Haikyu!!” for a themed restaurant, limited-edition merchandise and capsule toys, all seeking to attract the avid anime enthusiast.

Chen Chih-fan
FTV reporter
With its high-octane matches and a classic soundtrack, when you come to this Japanese sushi restaurant, you can not only get a capsule toy, but even eat with your favorite characters.

Wang Yuan-chih
Sushi restaurant PR
Collaborations provide added value by making dining more fun. Being able to sit with your favorite idols or characters adds a layer of joy to the experience. We always look to negotiate partnerships with IP that is popular or highly requested by our customers. We expect this round to bring in excellent results.

Over at this restaurant, a giant model Gundam stands guarding the entrance. Eyeing Taiwan’s NT$10 billion annual anime fandom, this fast-food chain has collaborated with the classic series “Gundam.” Beyond exclusive set meals, customers can also buy action figures and mugs to add to their collection, sparking a frenzy among the substantial “Gundam” fanbase.

Customer
If there really are limited-edition products, I’ll line up to buy them.

The battle of the anime collabs has begun! It’s not just sushi and Haikyu!!A fast-food chain is working with “Gundam,” while another sushi spot has enlisted “Cardcaptor Sakura” to join their team. By leaning hard into otaku fandom, these restaurants are sure to find a way into their hearts as well as wallets.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#anime #restaurants #IP #brandcollaboration #McDonalds #KuraSushi #Sushiro #manga #otaku #Japan #Gundam #Haikyuu #CardcaptorSakura

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President Lai highlights Taiwan’s capacity building projects in Eswatini

Taiwan runs a number of cooperative capacity building projects in Eswatini, primarily in agriculture. On Sunday evening, President Lai Ching-te showcased the results of a guava grafting project on his personal Instagram account, to highlight results of such efforts. Amid a shifting global landscape, the President said Taiwan is drawing on its strengths of values, resilience and technology to establish deepened relations with trusted partners, including Eswatini. His remarks on Monday touched upon Taiwan’s two largest-yet cooperative projects with Eswatini, namely a strategic oil reserve facility and the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park, demonstrating Taiwan’s current diplomatic strategy.

- Hello, everyone. I am holding a guava in my hand, as you can all see.

President Lai Ching-te published a short video on his personal Instagram account about Taiwan’s agricultural capacity building project in Eswatini.

- You can see from this guava, the close allied relationship between our two nations, Taiwan and Eswatini, and between our peoples.

Taiwan’s own guava variety is grafted onto a local fruit tree to produce fruits of higher market value. Pitaya, strawberry and tilapia are also being introduced to Eswatini. In addition to agriculture, the president expounded on two cooperative projects between Taiwan and Eswatini, after hearing related briefings from Taiwan officials.

Lai Ching-te
President
The strategic oil reserve facility signifies greater energy security and national resilience amid the possibility of risks and crises. The Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park represents a forward-thinking industrial plan and the aspiration to develop. These are our largest and most strategically significant cooperation projects since our establishment of diplomatic relations.

The president also reiterated the importance of trusted relationships in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Lai Ching-te
President
Taiwan will continue to leverage its core strengths – namely, its values, resilience, and technology – as it works with Eswatini and like-minded partners. Deepening cooperation and exchanges, we will build a more secure and reliable supply chain system and partnerships.

The president says that Taiwan remains a dependable and enduring cooperative partner to Eswatini.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#taiwan #eswatini #africa #diplomacy #賴清德

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Pundits weigh in on how President will return to Taiwan from Eswatini

Despite China’s interference forcing President Lai Ching-te’s team to cancel a state visit to Eswatini earlier, in the end, Lai still pulled off a surprise landing in Eswatini on Saturday, by traveling with a Swazi chartered flight. The question now, is how he will return to Taiwan. Pundits have weighed in on several options, but a DPP legislator said that just as the presidential team had surprised everyone with Lai’s arrival in Eswatini, he’s confident that the return will be just as successful.

It’s been three days since President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini for a state visit. On Sunday, the president had visited the Queen Mother of Eswatini Ntfombi Tfwala at her royal residence. Lai’s state visit came as a surprise, since it had been blocked earlier due to pressure from Beijing. However, KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun seemed reluctant to give due credit to the president’s team.

Cheng Li-wun
KMT Chair
Even though we’ve made it, but the entire process—shouldn’t we thoroughly reflect on it? Who put in us in such a dire state, forced us into a corner? I’ve talked about this a million times already, but I know that they won’t listen. It’s OK if they don’t. The ruling party will change in 2028.

Fan Yun
Legislator (DPP)
Be it the KMT’s former Chair Hung Hsiu-chu or the current Chair Cheng Li-wun, it seems that neither are happy to see Taiwan achieve breakthroughs on the international stage. If you’re not happy, could it be that you’d rather side with the CCP?

Lai would’ve departed for Eswatini on April 22, had three African island nations not abruptly revoked overflight permits for Taiwan just one day ahead. In the end, the presidential team still made it, landing on May 2 with Eswatini’s chartered plane. But the question now is how the president and his team will return to Taiwan, as Beijing’s interference cannot be ruled out yet again.

Pundits have weighed in on the matter. Taipei City Councilor William Hsu of the KMT says that Lai and his team could use another Swazi charter flight to Paraguay, before returning westward. Some also suggest that Taiwan’s flag carrier, China Airlines could pick up the team in Paraguay. However, a former China Airlines pilot, Chang Chih-hao says that taking a Swazi chartered flight back would be the most feasible. Meanwhile, Professor Yen Chen-shen at NCCU says that another option is to take an airliner flight to Europe before heading back to Taiwan; whereas Professor Lin Ying-yu at Tamkang University said that the team’s return via a Swazi chartered flight back could still be sabotaged, should Beijing decide to hold military drills.

Hsu Chih-chieh
Legislator (DPP)
A surprise move made this visit, so it doesn’t matter whether to announce the return trip. I believe the Presidential Office has its own plan. We shall wait and see.

The DPP legislator is confident that the Presidential Office has already made arrangements to return, which should again surprise everyone.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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A celebrity cheerleader found herself in a scary situation after a fan barged into the lounge where she was resting at, alone, at Hsinchu Municipal Stadium. The cheerleader is Chang Hsin-hsuan, a member of the Pilots Crew for the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots. In a social media post, Chang said that she was having a meal when the man broke into the room without permission and tried to start a conversation with her. He even asked her out on a dinner date. Chang kept her distance and cautiously persuaded him to leave, in an exchange she recorded on her phone. Fortunately, he left the room without further harassment. Let’s see how it went down.

- You don’t have the badge.
- There wasn’t anyone.
They are all far away.
- It’d be best if you go out,
or you might get scolded,
and I’ll get scolded too.
- Are you free later?
- Why?
- Nothing… I was just thinking
that if you’re free,
we could have dinner together.
- I have to go back to Taoyuan.

Member of public
Commenting on incident
I would be scared if someone barged in like that. They really should ramp up security to protect the cheerleaders.

Member of public
Commenting on incident
It must’ve been so emotionally taxing for the cheerleader. She was all alone in a closed off space like that. It’s terrible. Fans really need to learn about boundaries.

There have been many reports of cheerleader harassment in Taiwan in the past. Last year, South Korean cheerleader Lee Da-hye was stalked by a paparazzi after she wrapped up a round-the-island trip. She says she was so scared she didn’t dare return to her own home. She was also on the receiving end of a lot of sexual jokes after heading to Guangfu in Hualien to help clean up in the aftermath of a flood. Even More alarming was the case of South Korean Yeom Se-been, who was groped by her Korean manager. This time around, things could’ve gone a lot worse. Fortunately, it was just a scary encounter, and Chang has posted it online in hopes to raise awareness of the issue.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#harassment #taiwan #cheerleader #李多慧 #廉世彬 #張心璇

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