National Taiwan University unveiled student-developed smart phone applications March 3 that enable users to learn more about the island’s flora and improve life in Taipei City.
Flora, an app created by NTU’s Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, can recognize over 60 species of flowers with its archive constantly expanding as users upload new images.
“Whenever a user photographs a flower, the app searches for database matches and generates detailed biological information,” said Chen Yen-yang, an NTU assistant professor who oversaw the Flora project.
Another NTU app allows users to report public infrastructure issues, trash-strewn streets and traffic violators to the Taipei City Government. Uploaded images and report details are directed to the relevant agencies for action.
“This function will help the local government to quickly address issues affecting day-to-day living in the capital city,” NTU app researcher Hsiao I-chun said.
According to NTU, the apps are available free of charge from Apple Inc.’s App Store. (JSM)
Write to Kwangyin Liu at kwangyin.liu@mail.gio.gov.tw