President Tsai Ing-wen said Aug. 29 that the government is making solid progress in transforming Taiwan into a global hub for smart machinery and intelligent manufacturing.
Local firms are receiving assistance from the government in the form of expert advice and subsidies in upgrading their manufacturing models, Tsai said. This will enable them to make the transition from manual labor to smart production in line with Industry 4.0, she added.
Industry 4.0, also known as the fourth industrial revolution, refers to the development of digitally connected manufacturing that combines artificial intelligence, big data management, smart automation and the Internet of Things.
Tsai, who made the remarks while opening the Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robot Show at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, said the local machinery industry plays a central role in the country’s economic development, with production value exceeding NT$1 trillion (US$32.57 billion) last year.
A total of 152 companies and institutions from home and abroad are taking part in the four-day event organized by Taipei City-based nongovernmental organization Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robotics Association and supported by the ministries of Economic Affairs, Education, and Science and Technology. The show spotlights the latest technologies and trends in AI, smart manufacturing and robotics.
Some of the highlights include aerospace robot applications and mobile robotic arms developed by state-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute in Hsinchu County, northern Taiwan. Such products are testament to the effectiveness of the five-plus-two industrial innovation program.
A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the economic revitalization program targets the three other high-growth sectors of biotech and pharmaceuticals, national defense and smart machinery, as well as the promotion of two concepts: the circular economy and a new paradigm for agricultural development.
Another important part of the event is the MOEA-organized Taiwan-Japan Smart Manufacturing Forum, which seeks to establish ties and deepen existing connections between firms from the two sides.
The show, one of five held concurrently at the same venue under the umbrella of the Series of Asia Industry 4.0 and Intelligent Manufacturing Exhibition, also encompasses 3-D printing, Internet of Things, the mold and die industry, and mechanical components. (CPY-E)
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