‘Eagle Eye’ AI-powered baseball tracking tech at U-15 competition

‘Eagle Eye’ AI-powered baseball tracking tech at U-15 competition

2026-06-19

The U-15 baseball graduation cup kicked off on Dragon Festival at the Taipei Tianmu Baseball Stadium. This year, refereeing is aided by a brand new technology from the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI. It’s an AI-powered ball-tracking system called “The Eagle Eye of Taiwan.” Equipped with a high-definition camera and a margin of error less than 1cm, it’s almost as powerful as the Major League Baseball’s version. Let’s find out more.

Lee Shih-chi
ITRI Central Region Campus director
This system is mainly an AI-assisted image recognition system, and uses a technique in biotechnology called label-free detection, which can analyze every good and bad strike as well as the speed of batting.

Richard Hsieh
Just Best Taiwan CEO
In our discussions with ITRI, we expressed our wish to adopt these systems fully on baseball fields. We also hope that the system can become very easy to use, so that the set of technologies can be used in riverside baseball fields.

Chen Qi-heng
Baseball coach
Most importantly, it has a clear mechanism that allows our players, and even referees and coaches to review performance of every game and training session. There will be precise numbers and clear graphics that allow players to make progress more quickly.

More than an aid for refereeing, the Eagle Eye precisely captures the baseball’s trajectory, average speed, rotational speed and exit velocity. An AI system also automatically creates a playback video for referees and coaches to refer to, for review and training purposes. The system also gives suggestions for players to improve their batting, making for greater improvements in training sessions.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#sports #baseball #training #technology #AI

MIT"台灣鷹眼"強! 媲美大聯盟系統 AI精準捕捉球速

2026-06-19

端午連假第一天，天母棒球場展開了熱血的「U15青少棒畢業盃」！不過，今年場上除了一般裁判人工判球之外，還多了一個秘密武器，那就是由工研院自主研發的「台灣鷹眼」電子好球帶，結合了高畫質攝影機與 AI 多視角影像擷取的系統，偵測誤差不到1公分，精準度媲美美國職棒大聯盟的鷹眼系統。

[[工研院中分院執行長李士畦]]
“其實這個系統，主要是採用了這個AI的影像辨識的系統，還有一個叫作無標示的這個生物技術，可以分析所有的好壞球，揮棒的速度”

[[就是棒執行長謝閔治]]
“在工研院在討論上面，我們就是希望，除了在很完善的球場可以去使用這些系統之外，我們也希望可以把它打造成非常便利性，然後也可以在河濱球場，去使用的一套完整的科技跟技術”

[[棒球教練陳奇亨]]
“最主要就是它有很明確的東西，可以讓我們選手，甚至裁判、教練，可以回過頭來檢視說，你這一場比賽，或這一次的訓練，有更明確的數字，或者是圖形，那可以好讓我們，可以做更好的進步”

除了輔助判決，系統也能捕捉投手投球路徑、球速、轉速與擊球初速，並自動進行影像剪輯，協助教練團與球隊進行訓練及戰術研判，透過科技AI攝影輔助，做出投打姿勢調整，未來也能大大提升選手訓練成效。

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Taiwan’s emerging drone industry is taking off

The outbreak of the Russo-Ukraine war in 2022 drew attention to the importance of drones in modern warfare: countries around the world are now increasing investments in this industry. For Taiwan, which is pitted against a much larger enemy, drones are crucial: they can be made cheaply and can do a lot of damage to large expensive platforms like battleships. The government is strengthening supply chains free of Chinese components, and private companies have greatly increased their capabilities, with Taiwanese drone exports to Europe increasing by 40% last year. Let’s find out more.

The drone, equipped with gunpowder, hovers at high speed in the air, locates the target, and quickly swoops down to complete its mission with precision.

This is the Army’s drone unit, conducting flight training with attack drones.

Major Tsai
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In our training, we’ll have it carrying munitions underneath, conducting a live-fire exercise. This is a bomb-dropping type; it’s not a suicide drone, but it’s still an attack drone.

However, did you know that the drones used in these combat exercises were entirely made by Taiwanese manufacturers? The military emphasized a 100% non-red supply chain, boosting Taiwanese companies to showcase their immense capabilities and rapidly capture global markets in just a few short years.

Yu Fu-yang
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Ukraine actually sourced a large portion of its components from Taiwan for the Russo-Ukraine war. We don’t supply the complete units, but the components are ours. The demand has really boosted our industry.

Fan Wei-i
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In the emerging drone market, the non-red supply chains we provide could actually become Taiwan’s next economic shield.

Since 2017, the US has banned the military from using Chinese-made drones on security grounds and has begun to promote "non-red supply chains," which has caused Taiwanese manufacturers to sniff out business opportunities.

Chen Shih-che
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The US is taking a phased approach; basically, Chinese components cannot be used in major parts right now. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s drone industry—especially in the defense sector—has a 100% total ban on Chinese components. Looking at this market opportunity from the perspective of a private enterprise, I am fully willing to invest our resources here.

Whether it’s creating non-red supply chains in industries or asymmetric warfare capabilities on the front line of national defense, drones may become Taiwan’s next economic shield.

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Ministry of Labor announces six common wage-related violations by employers

The Ministry of Labor on Tuesday announced the six most common wage-related offenses by employers. Common methods of wage theft they found included illegal salary deductions for late arrivals and overtime violations. The worst offenders are bus companies, which dismissed overtime under 30 minutes. The labor ministry reminded employers that each violation is fineable up to NT$1 million, and encouraged workers to defend their rights.

Are you getting every cent of your hard-earned cash? According to statistics, 55.6% of salaried workers do not get overtime pay. Last year, local governments across the country issued 2,159 penalties for overtime violations. The Ministry of Labor also found that some employers calculate overtime pay on base salary instead of the total package. It also found that in passenger transportation, where long hours are the norm, employers would illegally dismiss overtime under 30 minutes. Moreover, bus drivers also had their salaries illegally deducted for arriving late or incurring fines on duty.

Yang Tsung-pin
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Employers often exercise implicit coercion, such as claiming that the work is arranged based on designated responsibility, and so workers are only allowed to clock out upon completion of the day’s work. On the other hand, supervisors could still keep tabs on workers’ progress after hours, for example, by sending text messages or emails. Actually, you can save screenshots of these chats or emails, as a basis to claim overtime pay.

Starting on Jan. 1 this year, the minimum monthly wage has been raised to NT$29,500 and minimum hourly wage, NT$196. However, some pay-by-day jobs still only pay NT$1,000 per day. At eight hours, the average hourly wage works out to only NT$125, which is illegal. Moreover, should the regular pay day fall on the weekend or on a holiday, employers are also forbidden of making a late payment without prior agreement. They’re also required to send workers details of wage computation upon each payment.

Huang Chi-ya
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Some business entities that get publicized or heavier penalties for repeat offenses usually hope that we’ll remove them from our notice, because it affects their recruitment.

Businesses that violate wage-related labor laws could be fined up to NT$1 million for each count of violation. The Ministry of Labor also encourages workers to stand up for their rights, to avoid becoming victims of wage theft.

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Polish student aces college entrance exam after learning Chinese from scratch

Chinese is widely considered to be one of the most difficult languages to learn. Over in Hsinchu, a Polish teenager managed to prove it’s possible. Ma An-ya’s parents relocated to Taiwan three years ago to serve as missionaries. Starting from complete zero, she was able to learn enough Chinese to take the GSAT alongside her fellow high schoolers, securing admission to several universities.

This cheerleading squad counts Polish student Ma An-ya as one of its core members. She’s not an exchange student, but a regular enrollee. Her parents are both missionaries who moved to Taiwan three years ago, enrolling An-ya and her siblings directly into the local school system.

Ma An-ya
High-school graduate
We came to Taiwan, into a totally new environment. My greatest challenge was not understanding anything. When I first arrived, there wasn’t any school that could take me, since I had just graduated from middle school.

It’s hard to imagine that An-ya didn’t know a word of Chinese three years ago. Today, she can not only converse fluently, but can even write calligraphy. When even saying “hello” proved difficult, you can imagine how overwhelming it was. Luckily, with help from her Chinese literature teacher, she learned to read Bopomofo and kept going from there.

Ma An-ya
High-school graduate
Not understanding Chinese was like being locked inside a dark room. Even though there were lots of people around me, it was very lonely. But this motivated me to learn Chinese as fast as I could.

Lin Kuo-sung
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It’s already difficult for our local students to study subjects like physics and chemistry in Chinese. Just imagine, it wasn’t her native language, but she still had to learn it.

After three years of devoted study, An-ya was able to take the college entrance exam alongside her fellow classmates. She not only finished the test, but was even accepted to Chung YuanChristian University, Fu JenCatholic University, and other schools.

Ma An-ya
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I want to major in electronic engineering, specifically at Chung Yuan Christian University. My two grandparents are both engineers, so I feel like pursuing engineering would suit me best. And also, I figured that electronics is Taiwan’s best field.

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Beside from her Chinese literature marks, which were a little low, her performance in the other subjects all far exceeded our expectations.

Looking back at her hardships over the past three years, An-ya is thankful for the companionship of her principal, teachers, and classmates. In a moving expression of gratitude, she even penned a thank-you note for her principal by hand. By scaling a massive linguistic wall in just three years to conquer Taiwan’s college entrance exams, this determined graduate has proven that no barrier is too high when faced with sheer perseverance.

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Student hammer thrower breaks record at high school sports tournament

Chen Sheng-hsien, a student at Su’ao Junior High School in Yilan is in the spotlight after he broke a record for hammer throw at Taiwan’s National High School Sports Tournament. Despite winning gold in the junior high school men’s hammer throw event, he’s had to overcome a lot of challenges in his life. He used to carry gas cylinders for a gas shop to help with the family finances and he injured his lower back just before the contest. Let’s find out more.

Chen Sheng-hsien, a hammer thrower from Su’ao Junior High School in Yilan, grips at the hammer with both hands, spins his body to move the metal ball, and then throws it out, where it lands far away.

Screams erupted everywhere from the stands as Chen broke the tournament record again. This was the junior high school boys’ hammer throw event at this year’s National High School Sports Tournament. Chen may have broken a record, but his gold medal was hard won.

Chen Sheng-hsien
Su’ao Junior High School hammer thrower
To be honest, I told my coach back then that I just wanted to give up and skip the competition. But then I figured, ’Well, I’m already here anyway.’ The results completely blew me away.

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Actually, he was injured for a while, including the week before this tournament. Because that’s how the National High School Sports Tournament works: you either win glory or get injured.

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Rows of plump and round watermelons line an entire road, creating a scene that was quite a sight to behold.

Many watermelons were dressed with the utmost care: some were wearing wigs, some were transformed into police officers. Some people were creative enough to decorate the watermelons as flower girls, seeming like cute fairies in a watermelon world.

Member of the public
My daughter is getting married, and I thought, since my younger daughter is going to be the flower girl, I’d take out her flower girl dress and put it on the watermelon to wear.

Jiadong Township in Pingtung County is not a major watermelon producing area, but rather is known as the "hometown of watermelon seedlings." Up to 80% of Taiwan’s watermelon seedlings are produced here, earning it the reputation of being the birthplace of watermelons. Starting years ago, to promote the industry, the local area holds a spectacular watermelon-standing event during Dragon Boat Festival.

Lin Shu-ling
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This year we have 1,000 watermelons standing here. A thousand watermelons symbolizing blessings for Dragon Boat Festival. This is the most we’ve ever had.

Adding to the fun was a watermelon eating contest, where participants forgo zongzi to eat out of large watermelons instead.

- Does the watermelon still taste good when you’re in such a rush.
- Yes, still good. I hope we’ll get chilled watermelon next time, haha.

- It’s delicious. I could have more. I’ll finish the other half when I get home later.

Some people dressed up their adorable babies as watermelons, stealing the spotlight. The residents of Jiadong Township used their one-of-a-kind watermelon-standing concept in an innovation of the Dragon Boat Festival tradition, allowing participating adults and children to bring home a big watermelon and a lot of good luck in the hot summer.

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Four scooters and a car plunged down a slope when the ground underneath collapsed, a result of torrential rain in Greater Taipei on Thursday afternoon. Fortunately, no one was injured. However, it’s not the first time a cave-in occurred at this location. Residents of the apartment complex on the block are afraid that it will happen again as typhoon season looms.

Trees along the slope suddenly fall. After about 40 seconds, four scooters plunge as the ground underneath collapses.

Residents on the block hear the loud thud and come out to check on the situation. It was then when another grey sedan slides down as another chunk of ground disappears. They were standing very close to it.

Another white car also teetered, but fortunately was towed away just in time.

Mr. Chen
Car tumbled downhill
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From an aerial view, the hill is left bare in the aftermath. The cave-in measures roughly 15 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 30 meters deep. It seems like the incident didn’t come as a complete surprise.

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Hillside apartment complex
When I returned from taking my dog out for a walk at 4, I noticed that a gap had formed between the road and the unpaved ground. I thought it was weird, but I had not imagined that it would collapse.

The location is Xinpo First Street in New Taipei’s Xindian District, at the doorsteps of a hillside apartment complex. Residents fear that more ground will collapse should it continue to rain.

Chang Po-wei
Soil and water conservation engineers association
If no emergency measures are taken, the collapse will extend upwards. The city government and the local district office are already carrying out emergency mitigation, which involves installing a row of steel rail piles to prevent the collapse from creeping upwards.

Local residents and experts fear that the collapse will reoccur should it continue to rain. The city government is reinforcing the slope.

Jhu Ti-jhih
New Taipei Deputy Mayor
We’ll install steel rail piles along the road and downward slope for support, and cover it with canvas for protection, and at the same time, implement disaster mitigation measures.

Regarding the cause of the accident, civil engineers initially determined that the developer used relatively loose backfill soil on the slope when building the apartment complex. Recent heavy rainfall increased the soil moisture content on the slope. Rainwater washed away the soil, causing part of the roadside ditch to be hollowed out, which in turn led to the collapse.

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