Car wash uses plate recognition to tip off police about stolen, unregistered cars

Car wash uses plate recognition to tip off police about stolen, unregistered cars

2026-07-10

Drivers usually take their car to an automatic car wash when it gets dirty, although it might be a hassle if you need to go late after work. Enter this 24-hour hybrid car wash in Taichung, which has both coin-operated and auto modes. It also features a rare license plate recognition system that not only enables easy payment, but is also linked to the police database to report stolen cars and fake plates.

Say you want to give your car a wash, but after a long day at work, cleaning it yourself is the last thing you want to do. Many gas stations have automatic car washes, but they don’t stay open overnight. What is there to do?

Chang Chiao-yi
FTV reporter
There are self-service car washes everywhere, but it’s rare to find an automatic one open 24 hours a day.

Our reporter went to try it herself. The water pressure was strong and it cleaned the car well. If you prefer to do it yourself, that’s no problem, either. But the payment method is a little different here.

Mr. Fu
Car wash owner
When you drive in, you don’t have to put in money. It works like a parking lot. When you’re done, just enter your license plate into the kiosk and it will display the charge. After you pay, you can leave. It’s fully automatic and also takes electronic payments.

Customer
Likes the update
It’s super convenient. Once you’re in, everything is easy to use. It’s not like the old days when you had to keep feeding it NT$10 coins.

The most unique part is that this car wash uses a license plate recognition system for entry. Like a parking lot, you pay for however long it takes. But it isn’t just your average setup, either. It also has another special function.

Mr. Fu
Car wash owner
Our license plate reader is linked to the police database. If it detects a plate that matches one provided, it’ll notify the police.

By connecting with the police database, cars with fake plates or canceled registration have nowhere to hide. As soon as they pull in, the scanner will reveal their secret.

Customer
Likes the car wash
Washing my car here feels safe. I think it’s great. It’ll be a big boost to public safety.

By merging convenience with technology, this 24-hour wash will leave your car sparkling while getting dirty vehicles off the road. Criminals beware—but as long as you’re clean, you can come and go with peace of mind.

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

#carwash #fakelicenseplate #criminal #driving #convenience #24hour #licenseplaterecognition #Taichung #crimefighting

洗車也能抓贓車! 洗車場設”車牌辨識"連結警方資料庫

2026-07-10

車弄髒了想洗車，有人會開到加油站用自動洗車機，但晚上就打烊上班族不方便，台中就有一間24小時營業的複合式洗車場，投幣式和自動洗車機，兩種模式都有，並且還設置，超少見的”車牌辨識"入場機制，除了方便電子收費，系統還能和警方資料庫連結，贓車、AB車無所遁形!

下班後想幫車子洗澎澎，但累了一天，根本不想自己洗，加油站雖然有隧道式全自動洗車機，但很多晚間沒有洗車服務，那該怎麼辦?

[[民視記者張喬羿]]
“自助洗車場哪裡都有，但是24小時的全自動洗車機，是真的很少見。"

親自來實測，水力衝勁足，車子洗得乾乾淨淨，心情直接變美麗，如果想自己動手洗的話，當然也沒問題，不過這邊收費方式，不太一樣。

[[自動自助洗車場場主傅先生]]
“進來的時後不用再投幣，結束之後跟停車場是一樣的，結束後，用車牌辨識去按自己車牌，會顯示金額，繳費就可以離場，全自動(洗車機)也是線上(繳費)。”

[[洗車民眾]]
“超方便的，因為進來之後就是什麼設備要用都很方便，不像以前10塊10塊在投。”

最特別的，複合式洗車場，都是採用”車牌辨識"入場，就像停車場一樣，洗多久，付多少，不過這個車牌辨識系統，可不一般，還有一項少見的特殊功能。

[[自動自助洗車場場主傅先生]]
“我們這邊的車牌辨識是跟警方那邊有聯繫，就是只要他是一些警方提供我們的車牌，掃到他的車牌之後，就會提供給警方。”

連結警方車籍資料庫，AB車、懸掛假車牌、又或是早已註銷的車牌，通通藏不住，在它面前原形畢露，只要車入場，一掃描，馬上被揪出！

[[洗車民眾]]
“在這邊洗車至少比較安全。我覺得其實很棒，推廣治安應該是有很大幫助。”

24小時自助洗車場，除了有自動洗車機，還特別引進車牌辨識系統，除了方便無人管理，有黑紀錄在案的問題車，最好也別來光顧，讓正當車主能夠洗得乾淨，也洗得安心。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Tamarind fruit is being secretly stolen from a Kaohsiung park

Tamarind fruit, originally native to tropical Africa, has a uniquely bold sweet and sour flavor. It was introduced to Taiwan in the Japanese colonial era and is a key ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine; essential for popular dishes such as Thai green papaya salad. But appreciating this exotic fruit does not mean you should steal them from the Weiwuying Metropolitan Park. Let’s find more about these shady tamarind thieves.

Add fresh dried shrimp, peanuts, tomatoes and other ingredients and stir. Then add a spoonful of special-blend tamarind sauce and top with plump shrimp. Serve with refreshing and delicious green papaya shreds.

There’s also this specialty drink, made with tamarind and a touch of lemon, which is refreshing, helping to cut through greasiness, and cools you down in the summer.

Wang Ken-li
Thai restaurant owner
It’s mostly used in shredded green papaya dishes, as well as in drinks and some dipping sauces; it has a sweet and sour taste.

Tamarind fruit has a wide range of uses. It was introduced to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era as an experimental tree species for street trees and economic crops. However, recently it was found that tamarind trees in Kaohsiung have taken a beating

The tamarind trees in Weiwuying Metropolitan Park in Kaohsiung have branches that are bent and look like they are about to break. Some people have seen people shaking the trees at night so that they can pick up tamarind fruits from the ground.

Member of the public
Doesn’t approve of theft
Shaking the trees is just wrong—they’re public property. Plus, it’s not like you’re even getting much out of it.

Member of the public
Doesn’t approve of theft
It’s quite unsettling, because there are a lot of children here.

Chen Pei-hsin
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Its fruit is said to be used to make tea, or even for resale, so it’s possible that this is why people are destroying the trees.

Such behavior not only damages trees but also violates regulations.

Chen Chin-hung
Kaohsiung Public Works Bureau
Those who refuse to comply after being stopped will be fined between NT$1,000 and NT$6,000, and in addition they will be required to compensate the value of the trees.

Tamarind fruit is popular and actually not expensive, but it is not only inappropriate to shake the trees in the park and pick up the fruit without permission – it’s also illegal.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Animals sheltering in car engine compartments are a traffic hazard

A driver in Taichung was startled by two small animals dropping out of the car in front of him in succession. On closer inspection, he realized they were kittens, and they were on a busy road. Car repair experts say that it’s not uncommon for cats to hide in car engine compartments, especially in winter, where it’s warm and there’s shelter from the rain. They suggest tapping on the hood a few times before driving to check for any small animals. Failing to do so risks injuring the animal or causing a rear-end collision if they dart into traffic later. Let’s find out more.

A driver screams because a kitten darted out onto the road and he nearly ran over it.

How did a kitten suddenly appear on the road? It seemed to have fallen out of the sedan in front of it, and just as the driver was wondering what was going on, another thing happened.

Another kitten fell out of the sedan and rolled to the ground, seemingly injured and panicked, and then fleeing in terror. Within a mere 300m, two kittens dropped out of the car in succession. The driver of the following car believed that the kittens might have been hiding in the engine compartment, and the vibrations caused by starting the vehicle led to their fall.

Member of the public
Reacting to incident
If a creature suddenly dropped out, I would probably slam on the brakes immediately; anyone would be terrified.

Member of the public
Reacting to incident
If you have time, you’ll check your rearview mirror. But it’s actually quite difficult if you’re driving fast.

If the car brakes too late, it could run over the cat; sudden braking could also result in a rear-end collision. An auto repair specialist says it’s not uncommon for cats to hide in engine compartments.

Lin I-hsun
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The openings are all quite large, making it easy to crawl through from underneath. They’re warm in winter, and if it rains, they provide shelter from the wind and rain. Before starting the engine, I’d suggest honking the horn slightly or tapping the hood to scare them away.

Police officers often help cats that have been hiding in the engine compartments escape when they are on duty. Before driving next time, drivers can tap the hood to startle any small animals that may be there and ensure safety.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Rakuten cheerleaders record catchy new handwashing song

Yeom Se-been, Ha Ji-won, and Woo Su-han—three members of the Rakuten Monkeys cheerleading squad—were invited to film a music video for a new song meant to encourage good handwashing habits. The Korean stars sang entirely in Chinese for the first time, promoting good hygiene with their characteristically enthusiastic choreography. The song will even make its way into KTVs nationwide. The trio gave a sneak peek into their recording session, where they shared their struggles practicing their Chinese pronunciation and singing.

Scrubbing the left, scrubbing the right—this catchy dance hopes to catch on as the next national health anthem. The three Rakuten Monkeys cheerleaders Yeom Se-been, Ha Ji-won, and Woo Su-han are here to teach everyone the right way to wash your hands.

The trio gave a sneak peak into their recording session. You can tell it’s really them singing these Chinese lyrics! But it was a challenge getting it down.

Ha Ji-won
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
There are lots of sounds that fall between “wu” and “o,” so I still haven’t quite found the one that sits between the two. I think I still need more practice. For Koreans, blending the “wu” and “o” sounds together for words like shou and dou seems to require some practice.

Woo Su-han
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
My pronunciation of tuichang kept slipping, so it was all a mess. I honestly never figured out which was correct. I had to rerecord it.

The three cheerleaders were invited to record a music video to promote handwashing. It was the first time they sang a song entirely in Chinese, which will eventually be available on KTV systems. The trio are excited for their fans to be able to dance along with them.

Ha Ji-won
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The moves are very simple and repeat a lot. Plus, these are the movements we always do when we wash our hands, so everyone can easily follow along. The song is also really catchy. I think it would be great if everyone can make their own videos as well.

Woo Su-han
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
Please sing along with us at karaoke! After learning it, we hope every time you wash your hands, you’ll think of us.

Through this simple and upbeat song, anyone can master good handwashing habits while also enjoying the irresistible charm of these beloved cheerleaders.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Mailiao education park honored with Italy photography award

The Mailiao Township Office in Yunlin organized an architecture photo competition, drawing over 200 entrants from nine organizations across central Taiwan. From the more than 1,200 submissions, 50 photos won awards. Apart from the contest, the Mailiao Community Education Park has also brought home exciting news: Its Life Aesthetics Hall and Smart Library won the Bronze Award at Italy’s A’ Design Award, showcasing the area’s architectural and cultural beauty on the global stage.

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The office hosted the exhibition to promote the art of photography, inviting over 200 photographers from nine groups across central Taiwan to join in the event.

Hsu Chung-fu
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Through the lenses of these photographers, people can discover the architectural beauty of Mailiao. It’s precisely because of this beauty that everyone can discover Mailiao’s incredible buildings and our exceptional library.

Photographers traveled all over the township, using their unique perspectives to capture the changing look of its structures and local features. More than 1,200 entries were received, out of which 50 pieces stood out to showcase Mailiao’s unique charm.

Hsu Chung-fu
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This month, our team from Mailiao is also traveling to Italy to bring a world design award back home. It makes us feel that the world is once again seeing the architectural beauty of Mailiao and recognizing our transformation.

In recent years, Mailiao has sought to promote the arts and culture. Not only has the local photography exhibition shone brightly, but its Social Education Park’s Life Aesthetics Hall and Smart Library have also won the bronze prize at Italy’s A’ Design Award, allowing Mailiao’s public architecture to shine on the international stage.

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Typhoon Bavi expected to make landfall in early hours of Saturday

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Lai oversees typhoon preparations as almost 30,000 soldiers on standby

With the approach of Typhoon Bavi, which is the strongest typhoon for Taiwan in 25 years, the central and local governments are taking no chances. President Lai Ching-te, Premier Cho Jung-tai, and heads of various ministries were at the Central Emergency Operations Center early this morning, where they held video conferences with four counties and cities. Almost 30,000 troops will be standing by on alert, reading to help out.

President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai sit in the Central Emergency Operations Center early in the morning, where they receive briefings from various agencies and issue directives.

Lai Ching-te
President
Given the ferocity of this typhoon, the Executive Yuan as early as it was possible implemented disaster prevention and relief measures. We hope that local governments will notify the central government if they have any further needs. I will also ask all central government agencies to do their utmost to assist local governments, especially in the northern region, where daily rainfall levels could reach 600 to 900mm, particularly in mountainous areas. This is an area that requires special attention.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
The president instructed on Monday that 28,922 troops from the nation’s armed forces would be standing by on alert. Final preparations and a final round of inspections are underway to ensure that local governments maintain their capacity for various mobile support operations.

The leaders also held video conferences on the spot with 4 counties and cities to better understand the state of their disaster preparations

Lai Ching-te
President
Under Mayor Hou’s leadership, New Taipei has mobilized all resources. Is there any area where you need assistance from the central government?

Liu Ho-jan
New Taipei Deputy Mayor
Places like Wulai, which can be easily isolated, have already seen our national armed forces and equipment deployed in advance. We are very grateful for the cooperation from the Central Government.

Liu Shyh-fang
Minister of the Interior
Excuse me, Deputy Hsinchu County Commissioner, you just mentioned that there might be some preventative evacuations in the mountains, including places like Jianshi or Wufeng. Rainfall and wind conditions can change greatly in the mountains, so we hope to complete the preventative evacuations as much as possible during daytime.

Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang, who was in charge, kept a close eye on the entire process, interrupting the report several times to ask questions. However, the public was curious as to why Taipei City, which had been the first to announce a holiday, wasn’t included in the video conferencing.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
It was because we had already scheduled a 9 a.m. meeting at the EOC office.

With the strongest typhoon in 25 years approaching, the central and local governments are on high alert.

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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Shoppers flock to markets and supermarkets ahead of typhoon

Shoppers flocked to markets and supermarkets to stock up on fresh produce and other necessities ahead of Typhoon Bavi’s arrival. Vegetables, meat, eggs and instant noodles flew off the shelves as soon as they were restocked, even despite efforts from retailers to double their inventory. At traditional markets, vegetable prices were surprisingly lower than in previous days, as farmers harvested their crops early to take them to market fast.

- People are buying a little more today. Some of it is cheaper than yesterday. We might not have anything on Sunday.

Veggies flew off the shelves, making this greengrocer sell out before noon. Some customers came to stock up for their businesses.

- I spent over NT$900 for my business. They’ll be more expensive these next few days.
- Did you buy a little extra?
- Exactly.

Shopper
Stocking up on veg
Since we got the day off due to the typhoon, I came shopping. Leafy greens are already expensive, so they’ll probably get even pricier after the typhoon, I think. I only bought some king oyster mushrooms. Maybe veggies will be cheaper next week.

Many made the best of their day off work and class to buy groceries. Taipei’s Binjiang Market was even busier than before the Lunar New Year. Early harvesting has boosted supplies, and even lowered prices.

Greengrocer
Binjiang Market
We received about one-third more than the previous trading day. Prices are noticeably lower. Leafy greens averaged NT$75 to NT$80 per 600g, but now they’re around NT$50. There’s also more shoppers, about a third more. They’re buying veggies that can be stored for several days.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets were packed. Shelves were emptied fast as shoppers swept away vegetables and meat. Checkout lines stretched across the store, as staff worked frenetically to restock.

Shopper
Preparing for typhoon
Cabbage keeps well. Mushrooms too. I bought three days’ worth of food, since the typhoon will be at its worst today and tomorrow. Veggies with a lot of moisture go limp fast.

Voice of Chang Chun-hung
Supermarket PR
We’ve increased our inventory of instant noodles, frozen dumplings and canned food. It’s as if we were preparing for the Ghost Festival shopping season. There were a lot of shoppers yesterday and the day before. We’ll get more deliveries today so we can keep restocking.

As Typhoon Bavi is set to bring strong winds and heavy downpours, people are getting ready to stay safe indoors.

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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