From Science Fiction to the Factory Floor: Taiwan's AI Robots

On the 21st, the Department of Industrial Technology (DOIT) under Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) unveiled its theme booth at the Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robot Show (TAIROS 2024). The booth, organized by three of Taiwan's leading research institutions—the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the Precision Machinery Research & Development Center (PMC), and the Metal Industries Research and Development Centre (MIRDC)—showcased nine of the latest advancements in robotics technology.

One of the standout exhibits is the "Highly Realistic Humanoid Bimanual Collaborative Robot." This innovative robot leverages AI to recognize workpiece patterns and instantly match them with the appropriate assembly program, enabling it to mimic human hands in the flexible assembly of over 120 types of hand tools. This breakthrough marks a significant milestone in the development of AI-driven humanoid robots in Taiwan. According to ITRI, this key module is already being integrated with the hand tool industry, significantly enhancing production efficiency.

Chou Chung-Pin, Deputy Director General of DOIT, highlighted the rapid growth of the global AI robotics market, which is projected to reach $44.3 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.9%, according to Global Information's market research. Chou emphasized that this represents a promising business opportunity for Taiwan. He noted that over the past four years, DOIT has focused on developing critical robotics technologies through various technology projects, integrating AI with robot control, collaboration, simulation, and sensing, as well as incorporating diverse machining and manufacturing experiences. These efforts aim to accelerate the transformation of Taiwan's manufacturing industry towards smart manufacturing and low-carbon production. Chou also pointed out that, beyond manufacturing, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize the service sector, offering greater convenience and innovation in daily life.