Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute announced a dozen innovative information and communications technologies featuring user-friendly applications of remote sensing July 4.
Information and Communications Research Laboratories showcased a range of devices that run counter to the stereotyped impression of complexity, including a visual jigsaw for deconstructing integrated circuit designs, a smart vehicle capable of exchanging messages with other cars on the road, and a solar energy converter to be built into mobile devices.
ICRL General Director Wu Cheng-wen cited the Magic Perception Aquarium as an easy-to-use gadget. This is a wireless system connecting household sensors such as thermometers, hygrometers or voltmeters to a TV screen, displaying their readings in the form of fish.
“A jellyfish or puffer, for instance, will register the level of carbon monoxide in the air,” Wu said. “And when the poisonous gas goes beyond safe limits, the animal will swell and send warnings to you.”
Wu said the system is expected to be applied to mobile phones, and has already been adopted by a Japanese telecommunications company.
The lab has also developed an intelligent TV interface that adjusts volume and subtitle size for each family member.
Using mounted cameras and face recognition technology, the ICRL said, the monitor enlarges subtitle fonts for older viewers, while a child sitting too close to the set will trigger a “Harmful to your eyes!” message on the screen.
The ICRL also reported a collaboration with Vizio Inc., the largest manufacturer of liquid crystal display high-definition TVs in the U.S. market, for extending the Android platform to Internet televisions.
These technological breakthroughs are in time for celebrating ITRI’s 38th anniversary July 5, the institute said. (THN)
Write to Aaron Hsu at pj1210meister@mail.gio.gov.tw