Smartwatches developed by three Taiwan high-tech firms will be gifted to athletes and event staff participating in the 2017 Summer Universiade, the Taipei City Government announced Jan. 20 at a news conference in the capital city.
Scheduled to run Aug. 19-30, the international sporting event will be the largest of its kind ever staged in Taiwan and involve an estimated 7,700-plus participants from nearly 150 countries. Athletes will vie for top honors in 21 sports at 38 competition venues around northern Taiwan.
The smartwatches were jointly developed by fabless semiconductor firm MediaTek Inc., PC maker Acer Inc. and EasyCard Corp., operator of the capital’s smartcard system that facilitates payment on the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit System and other public transportation services as well as at many businesses.
Each smartwatch can function as an EasyCard, monitor vital signs and act as a fitness tracker. A total of nearly 13,000 devices will be distributed, giving recipients easy access to many services during their stay in Taiwan, according to representatives of the city government.
Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je said the three companies’ collaborative efforts will not only increase the visibility of Taipei, but also enable local industries to shine on the international stage. “Giving smartwatches as gifts is a good way to spotlight the nation’s technology sectors and our impressive soft power,” he said.
Taiwan plays an essential role in the global integrated circuit industry. The estimated total production value of the local IC industry in 2016 was roughly US$74.9 billion, a 7.2 percent increase year on year, according to the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association. (SCK-E)
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