ITRI seeks to strengthen Taiwan tech by developing drones, robots, and AI

ITRI seeks to strengthen Taiwan tech by developing drones, robots, and AI

2026-07-07

On July 6, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute celebrated its 53rd anniversary. During its celebration ceremony, ITRI exhibited a host of high tech developments, including advanced semiconductors, smart robots, and smart medical technology. These advancements will help bolster Taiwan’s tech resiliency, ensuring that the country remains competitive during this era of digital transformation.

This robotic arm can cook up noodles, grill a patty, and, before you know it, dinner is served.

There’s also this drone, which, when disaster strikes, can do many helpful tasks that improve disaster response efficiency, like flying to hard-to-reach mountainous areas. Celebrating its 53rd anniversary, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI exhibited seven fields of technological advancements. Ministry of Economic Affairs Deputy Minister Ho Chin-tsang and Legislator Ker Chien-ming congratulated ITRI for its good work.

Wu Tsung-tsong
ITRI Chair
Recently, it seems like everybody’s talking about drones, but we at ITRI call these machines uncrewed vehicles. Every branch from the Army and Navy to the Air Force, even the Taiwan Space Agency, is using uncrewed vehicles; robots are also a kind of uncrewed vehicle. So, what’s the point in all this? It’s that, for the most recent wave of agentic AI, the AI’s brainpower has evolved as well as its ability to communicate.

This year, ITRI’s theme is “advancing via cross-domains, breaking new ground together”. Facing the ever-present challenge of AI, ITRI is focusing on 3 key fields: uncrewed vehicles, cutting-edge semiconductors, and all the various fields of AI. The institute is also striving to connect the data and computing power of small and medium-sized enterprises to make Taiwan an even stronger competitor.

Chang Pei-zen
ITRI President
Right now, we’re primarily working towards three directions: one is AI, another is drones, and the third is robots. By utilizing these AI tools that I just mentioned along with systems engineering methods, I hope we can develop technology that industries will quickly adopt.

In its five decades of existence, ITRI has worked hard to upgrade all of Taiwan’s industries in order to help the country become a resilient global center of tech.

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

#ITRI #AI #robots #tech #drones

工研院53週年院慶展出七大領域技術成果

2026-07-07

工研院週一(7/6)歡慶53周年院慶，也以「跨域前行，共創新局」為特展主題，展出包括先進半導體、智慧機器人、智慧醫療等七大領域，面對AI帶來的數位轉型，工研院布局在AI、無人機、機器人三大領域，打造更有韌性的台灣科技島。

機器手臂，也能煮拉麵，放上叉燒，三兩下就完成。

還有無人機，透過多機協作勘災，尤其進不去、看不見的山區，無人機將大幅提升山區搜救效率。工研院歡慶53周年院慶，展出七大領域的技術成果，經濟部次長何晉滄、立委柯建銘也來祝賀。

[[工研院董事長吳政忠]]
“最近大家一直在提的就是無人機，那我們把它叫做無人載具。陸海空到太空都是無人載具，包括機器人也是無人載具，它的重點在哪裡?就是這一波的Agentic Ai(代理式AI)，這AI的進化它的大腦，還有通訊是重點。”

今年以「跨域前行，共創新局」為主題，面對AI挑戰，工研院也布局三大重點領域，包括無人載具、先進半導體，還有AI百工百業，凝聚中小微企業的數據、算力，增加競爭力。

[[工研院院長張培仁]]
“我們現在最近主要著力在三個方向，一個是AI，那另外一個是無人機，第三個是機器人，那這我們運用這些，剛剛提到的這個AI的工具，跟系統工程的做法，那希望我們開發出來的技術，能很快的被業界使用。”

工研院半世紀以來，努力推動產業升級，就是要打造台灣韌性科技島。

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EVA, NTU Hospital launch on-board doctors program

More people than ever are flying abroad for travel and business, but encountering a medical emergency while in the air remains a major source of anxiety, no matter the traveler. One doctor said they’ve encountered three such emergencies in only six months. A national airline has therefore signed an MOU with National Taiwan University Hospital to launch the “Compassionate Doctors on Board” program. Interested physicians can register with the airline, enabling crew members to contact them in the event of an emergency.

When a medical emergency occurs in the air, the only thing flight attendants can do is ask if there’s a doctor on board. This isn’t just a plot for Japanese dramas—it actually happens in real life.

In this case, an Indonesian passenger on a flight from Taoyuan to Jakarta had difficulty breathing and fainted shortly after takeoff. Doctors say they frequently encounter these kinds of emergencies while flying.

Cheng Shao-yi
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Within a span of six months, I flew three times and encountered an emergency on all three flights. Most were older people who had difficulty breathing, likely due to the cabin air pressure.

Huang Kuo-chin
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One time when I flew to Hong Kong for a conference, a pregnant woman had a miscarriage. After rushing over to help, I discovered the medical equipment on board was extremely rudimentary.

In recent years, travel abroad for pleasure and business has become more common, while older people also have more opportunities to travel. While it’s always possible to consult a physician before flying, the unexpected can always happen. NTU Hospital and EVA Air therefore signed a memorandum of understanding to create the “Compassionate Doctors on Board” program.

Clay Sun
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Since launching the program, precious lives have been saved by these compassionate doctors on board. We encourage more physicians to join this deeply meaningful initiative.

Interested physicians can register with the airline, enabling flight attendants to seek their assistance in the event of a medical emergency. With their help, flying just got a little bit safer.

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

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Hsinchu road signs leave English readers puzzled

A driver in Hsinchu recently noticed some unusual road signage while driving around the city. In one instance, two signs for the same road had the same Chinese, but totally different English translations. Some are literal, while others use transliteration. Someone else discovered that a graphic on one sign was actually upside down. What’s even worse—it’s been that way for three years.

Vehicles on this busy thoroughfare pass a vertical green sign clearly saying the name of the street in Chinese and English: Puding Road. The sign above the road next to the traffic light also says Puding in Chinese, but the English translation for some reason starts with an N. It’s the same road, but has two different names.

People were puzzled by the difference, although it seems like the correct name might have peeled off. But this isn’t the only problematic sign in the city.

This sign indicates the way toward Zhuzhong Railway Station, but do you see what the problem is? The train icon is upside down, making it look like a monorail. The icon should look like this, with the rails on the ground. What’s more ridiculous is that this sign has been up for three years.

Lin Chun-yuan
Hsinchu Transportation Department deputy director
For the sign with an incorrect English translation, the city will ask the contractor to correct it as soon as possible.

Huang Chi
Hsinchu Transportation Department technician
As for the signboard, we will fix the issue by the end of July.

City officials promised to complete improvements by the end of the month. After all, road signs aren’t just for locals. Foreign tourists could be led astray by a confusing sign.

Aside from translation errors, people also discovered an instance in which two road signs showed different English spellings. Both refer to Zhubei City, but the bottom one reads “Zhugbed Shi” in English. Turns out that it’s the Hakka pronunciation, installed only at major intersections as part of an initiative by the Hakka Affairs Council.

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

#roadsigns #Englishtranslation #translationfail #Hsinchu #Hakka #driving

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New Taipei opens long-term care center for elderly, special needs pets

On July 3, the New Taipei City Government inaugurated the nation’s very first long-term care center for elderly animals in Zhonghe District. The state-of-the-art facility shatters the outdated stereotype of traditional animal shelters with special rehab facilities especially for elderly and disabled pets. New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi and the city’s Agriculture Bureau also launched a special medical care card for pets, ensuring that anyone who adopts a dog or cat in need of special attention can receive free veterinary care for life.

At this ceremony held on July 3, the audience applauds as New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi and other guests reveal the sign for a brand-new long-term care shelter for elderly and disabled pets. The facility is the first of its kind in Taiwan.

Turning around the stereotype of old, crowded animal shelters, this newly renovated facility in Zhonghe District has won awards for its design, including the Chinese Architectural Golden Stone Award in 2024 and the 2025 National Construction Excellence Award. But it’s not just about making the animals comfortable—their health is also a priority.

Hou You-yi
New Taipei City Mayor
To care for elderly and special-needs animals in New Taipei City, we will look after them during their old age and when they need care the most through rehab courses, health management, and long-term care.

Vets are on staff to assist elderly dogs and cats through rehab and physical therapy. Free courses on animal care and rehabilitation will also be held every month to teach owners how to care for their senior pets at home. In addition, the city is also offering a pet long-term care card to encourage adoption.

Hou You-yi
New Taipei City Mayor
We’ve launched a special card for long-term medical care. Anyone who adopts a dog or cat from a New Taipei City shelter that has special needs can receive medical care free of charge for the rest of the animal’s life from this shelter.

With significant upgrades to shelter facilities and animal welfare policies, New Taipei is taking strides to provide all pets the care they deserve, and hopefully find special needs pets a forever home.

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

#pets #animalshelter #NewTaipeiCity #HouYouyi #adoptdontshop #seniorpets #animalwelfare #animalrehab

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Typhoon Bavi is coming and Taiwan is prepping for its arrival

With Typhoon Bavi looming, it doesn’t seem like anyone in Taiwan is underestimating the year’s strongest typhoon. Crops are getting harvested in advance, seaside swimming areas are bringing their things indoors, and even cities are clearing sewers and trimming trees while they still can. During the calm before the storm, all of Taiwan is preparing for the typhoon.

Even though good weather is still here, this farming family in Taitung are out in their fields, picking mangoes now so their fruits don’t end up being blown all over the place by the winds of Typhoon Bavi.

Mango farmer
Resigned to fate
The typhoon’s coming. We worry about the losses, so we’re picking the mangoes in a hurry. If we wait, they’ll be no good if they end up falling to the ground during the typhoon. Of course we’re worried, because this is our blood, sweat and tears.

Over in Hualien, rice is also getting harvested earlier than usual. This rice farmer has been working for two days already. This area’s done; nonetheless, behind him there’s much more waiting to be harvested. The rice hasn’t fully matured, but he’s collecting it earlier than normal because he’s worried about the typhoon destroying his crops.

-About how many hectares is it?
-Hard to count.
-I was working past midnight last night. I’m exhausted.
-So, a lot of farmers have asked you to help them harvest?
-That’s correct

This saltwater swimming spot on the Northeast Coast is getting ready for the winds and water of Typhoon Bavi. Ties are being undone so this lifeguard chair can be put in a safe place.

All the seaside tables, kayaks, and sun umbrellas have been moved indoors. Even squat toilets need sandbags to be placed on them in order to prevent flood water carrying in sand and rocks, which could lead to the pipes getting clogged up.

And don’t forget the jellyfish barrier nets needing to be pulled onto shore, because large waves could rip the nets.

Yin Te-cheng
Owner of swimming area
I’m thinking the waves along the Northeast Coast will surely start to get really big. The water will basically get really close to facilities along the coast, so, in general, everything is going to get put away, including tables and chairs as well as sunshades and shade nets like these. They all need to be stored away.

These workers in Keelung are clearing out sewers, scooping up palettes, and taking away bulky trash such as old wires; doing all this work to prevent sewers from getting clogged up is part of an effort to avoid another June-like flooding incident.

Trimming these roadside trees while they still can, workers in Taitung are also taking advantage of the good weather. It’s clear to see that all the cities and counties are doing their very best to take on this year’s strongest typhoon.

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Pork chop restaurant offers free meals to the needy

There is a pork chop restaurant in Tainan that allows you to "pay it forward" by purchasing additional meals for those in need. The owner recently received an order on the restaurant’s food delivery app asking for a free meal, with an attached explanation that the person was sick and jobless. The owner promptly responded by sending him a free meal.

Pork chops are deep-fried until golden and crispy, before being placed into bento boxes. Recently, on the food delivery app of this shop, someone ordered a "suspended meal," which is a meal that someone else has already paid for. The person even explained in the remarks column why he ordered the meal, and that made an impression on the shop owner.

The message read:“I was unemployed for a while, and for two months, Iwas trying to find a suitable job. After having finally found one, I caught the flu. I only earned two days’ wages. I have no choice but to order this meal.” After reading this, the shop owner decided to take action.

Hung Chi-shun
Shop Owner
It was all about trust. It was quite a long message, and he was sincere. Since all this money was donated by everyone out of charity, I couldn’t just casually use it, so I wanted to make sure. I wanted to verify, and so I left him a message to call me back. If everything checked out, I would make him a bento, I’d even cover the delivery fee.

The shop has always had the "suspended meal" option on its food delivery app. But to prevent false claims, the owner hopes that people who order it can call in after placing the order to verify their identity. This time, the customer explained in a message that he had the flu and couldn’t talk because he’d lost his voice. The owner said that was understandable and even joked that even if it wasn’t true, he would still give him a free meal.

Hung Chi-shun
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I felt that this guy needed help, and I’ve been keeping tabs on him to see if he’s recovered from the flu.

Shop employee
Well, the guy said he couldn’t talk, and the boss is caring and wanted to help.

It turns out the shop owner had his share of hardships when growing up. When he opened this establishment more than15 years ago, he introduced the “suspended meals,” hoping that a bit of charity would help out those in need.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Presidential office condemns assault on media personality Yaita Akio

In Taiwan, free speech is enjoyed by all, but with that freedom comes the reality that some want to take it away, especially with violence and intimidation. On Monday, veteran media personality Yaita Akio was suddenly punched by a Chinese man who had come to Taiwan as a Hongkonger, and on Tuesday the Presidential Office condemned the incident, saying in Taiwan violence like this is never permissible.

Yaita Akio
Media personality
If they sent someone here, it’s because they’re hoping to get me to shut up. It’s as if they’re saying they can sanction me from abroad. This is something akin to Lam Wing-kee’s red-paint attack or young exiled Hong Kong activists now living in Taiwan. For China, they use criminals in Hong Kong who come to Taiwan to commit crimes before fleeing. They’ve found success at creating an environment of fear, and so I think this time what happened to me is an extension of that.

Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
We absolutely do not condone violence. For incidences like this, I’m confident that they serve as a warning sign for Taiwan. We need to defend freedom of speech, so, going forward, we all need to work even harder.

Karen Kuo
Presidential Office spokesperson
Around the world, China is stalking, harassing, and using violence in order to suppress a variety of voices. When it comes to clamping down on free speech, Taiwan is a democratic society governed by the rule of law, so, for our legal system, situations like this cross the line, and therefore this kind of behavior will not be permitted.

Police found that the Chinese man surnamed Liao had entered Taiwan with a Hong Kong passport on July 2. On July 5, Liao went to the hotel to check out the area’s surroundings. On July 6, Liao, who knew exactly when Yaita Akio’s speech would end, attacked the veteran media personality and then fled to the airport. Someone revealed that the suspect has a criminal record in Hong Kong, so it seems like he was motivated by someone else to come to Taiwan to commit this crime. Yet many questions remain unanswered, such as where did he go between July 2 and July 5? Where did he stay? And, was someone else in Taiwan offering support to him while he was here?

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Coast Guard saves drowning bather with remote-controlled lifebuoy

On Monday late afternoon, the Coast Guard saved a drowning bather off the coast of Longfeng Fishing Port in Miaoli in minutes, all thanks to a high-tech device acquired in recent years. It took only three minutes to reach the victim, who was struggling to stay afloat, giving him something to grab on. Then, Coast Guard officers dragged him back onshore. The victim was conscious and was sent to hospital for treatment.

In the video, you can see someone carried by the waves. Meanwhile, another person onshore maneuvers a black object. What’s happening?

Turns out, he’s operating a remote-controlled power lifebuoy, which does not require rescuers to go out to sea. Within three minutes, the lifebuoy reached the victim, giving them something to hold on to.

Chen Wen-wei
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Normally, we operate it onshore if the target is visible with the naked eye, but it has a maximum range of about 100m.

While the victim grasps onto the lifebuoy, rescuers drag them back onshore.

Tsai Chong-ying
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We immediately deployed the power lifebuoy to rescue the individual who was drowning and reached him within three minutes. We then swiftly and safely transported him back onshore.

The Longfeng Inspection Office in Miaoli, under the Coast Guard’s Central Branch, was reported of the incident by a member of the public a little past 5 p.m. Monday. The caller said that someone was drowning off the coast of Longfeng Fishing Port, in the direction of the Lovers’ Bridge. The Coast Guard immediately rushed to the scene with the high-tech equipment, pulled the victim up and sent him to hospital on an ambulance.

Lin Tzu-chieh
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When we arrived on scene, Coast Guard officers had already rescued the patient from sea and assessed his level of consciousness. He was able to walk on his own. We kept him warm and gave him oxygen, then sent him to Weigong Hospital.

The victim is a 24-year-old man surnamed Chen. He and two other friends had gone out to sea, but he ended up drowning. He was conscious when rescuers pulled him back onshore, and sent to the hospital for treatment.

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

#tech #devices #coastguard #lifeguard #lifebuoy

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