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Taiwan Innotech Expo Presents Creative and Functional Marriage of Technology

2018/09/28 | By CENS

Taipei-2018 Taiwan Innotech Expo (formerly known as Taipei Int'l Invention Show & Technomart/Taipei Inst) kicked off on Sept. 27, showcasing 496 exhibitors throughout the three-day event.

2018 Taiwan Innotech Expo (formerly known as Taipei Int’l Invention Show & Technomart/Taipei Inst) kicked off on Sept. 27. (CENS.com)
2018 Taiwan Innotech Expo (formerly known as Taipei Int’l Invention Show & Technomart/Taipei Inst) kicked off on Sept. 27. (CENS.com)

Exhibitors have come all around the world to attend the show, including the U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, rounding up the total of 33 countries, making this year a record high. Organizers estimate visitors will likely exceed 70,000 people over the three-day trade fair.

The industry outlook over its growth and performance remains positive. Government data indicated that last year, Taiwan's smart machinery industry value hit the NT$1.1 trillion mark last year; while investment injected into biotech and medical care industry reached NT$52.6 billion, marking a 3.3% growth compared to 2016.

Show grounds at 2018 Taiwan Innotech Expo. (CENS.com)
Show grounds at 2018 Taiwan Innotech Expo. (CENS.com)

This year, Innotech Expo added three additional pavilions to the existing lineup. Aside from the Invention Contest Area and Excellent Invention Pavilion, the “Future Technology,” “Sustainability,” and “Innovative Invention” pavilions rounded up the event. Exhibitors showcasing under these themes include both foreign and domestic public and private entities, like Metal Industries Research and Development Center and Automotive Research & Testing Center, Microsoft, Nissan and Amazon. Such a mix was designed to bolster business sales, collaboration and networking between foreign and domestic organizations.

Self-driverless bus is showcased at the show. (CENS.com)
Self-driverless bus is showcased at the show. (CENS.com)

Creative and Functional

A look around the “Future Technology Pavilion” shows the necessity of integrating smart technology, both software and hardware, with the traditional sector, especially in the future. However, such uses are not necessarily restricted to offering a cloud-based solution, there are creative and functional applications for it.

Future Technology Pavilion at 2018 Taiwan InnoTech Expo. (CENS.com)
Future Technology Pavilion at 2018 Taiwan InnoTech Expo. (CENS.com)

The typical application for location systems is through wireless or Bluetooth, however an Electronic and Optoelectronic System Research Laboratories team under Industrial Technology Research Institute takes that further with their LED Lighting Real-Time Location System (LED 高精準即時定位系統). Taking advantage of light linear characteristics, the system utilizes technology of VLC to automatically capture the location of people and objects -- the user needs to place the sensor device sensor the object, for example, in its prime use in the medical sector, a patient's bed. The system, integrated with the hospital's led lighting system, will detect the sensor as the bed rolls down a hospital hallway under led lights integrated with the system and uploading the patient bed location back to the servers for hospital staff to monitor.

Industrial Technology Research Institute applies their LED Lighting Real-Time Location System to the medical care sector. (CENS.com)
Industrial Technology Research Institute applies their LED Lighting Real-Time Location System to the medical care sector. (CENS.com)

In the smart machinery section, optimizing production flow is a key proponent in upgrading the traditional industry sector. However, what excels in one field won't necessarily have the same know-how to embrace smart technologies. The teamwork between Chuan Yuan Information Co., Ltd. (詮源資訊有限公司) and Chie Mei Enterprise Co., Ltd. (奇美包裝機械) represents such a marriage -- Chuan Yuan provides “Smart Machine Box” (SMB), which when equipped to traditional machinery, it enables a factory to become smart. The SMB uses a monitor and system that can link different pieces of machinery in tandem, host a cloud-based server where real-time data and production statuses are uploaded into the database, which can be accessed via computer or smartphone.

Chuan Yuan Information Co., Ltd. (詮源資訊有限公司) provides “Smart Machine Box” for machinery to turn factories
Chuan Yuan Information Co., Ltd. (詮源資訊有限公司) provides “Smart Machine Box” for machinery to turn factories "smart." (CENS.com)

Notable Technology

Precision Machinery Research & Development Center (精密機械研究發中心) has rolled out an “Ultrasonic Atomization Technology” (超音波噴塗技術) that atomizes slurry via its ultrasonic horn and when combined with air spraying mechanisms and precise slurry feeding system, it can consistently control the layer thickness and area of the spray. In consideration of the current trends of going environmentally-friendly, the technology avoids waste through its precise and accurate spraying.

Precision Machinery Research & Development Center`s“Ultrasonic Atomization Technology.
Precision Machinery Research & Development Center`s“Ultrasonic Atomization Technology." (CENS.com)

Plastics Industry Development Center (塑膠工業技術發展中心), on the other hand, offers the processing technology of smart polymer material, which can be used in diverse ways. The technology enables the material to take on different shapes and form with external stimulus, for example, they combined the technology into 3D printing material. A 3D-printed model using the processing technology, if disfigured, could retain its original form under heat. The same technology is used in memory foam for shoe pads as well, employing its characteristics to retain its form.

Plastics Industry Development Center (塑膠工業技術發展中心) explains their processing technology of smart polymer material to a show visitor. (CENS.com)
Plastics Industry Development Center (塑膠工業技術發展中心) explains their processing technology of smart polymer material to a show visitor. (CENS.com)