Inside Taiwan’s Plan To Bring AI Robots Into Daily Life
Taiwan is expanding its artificial intelligence ambitions with a new robotics center aimed at bringing AI into everyday life. This center at the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Tainan is part of Taiwan’s broader plan of “Ten New AI Initiatives.” But these robots are still learning and like humans, they make mistakes. This video has been updated to change Chang Pei-zen's title from director to president of ITRI.
ANCHOR:
Taiwan is expanding its push into artificial intelligence, with a new robotics center in the southern city of Tainan.
Our reporter Lily LaMattina was there for its opening to learn about the new technologies.
REPORTER:
Engineers here in Tainan are testing the kinds of robots Taiwan hopes could power its next tech boom.
Officials say this new center is designed to move AI beyond computer chips — and into factories, hospitals, and everyday life.
REPORTER:
"I want a bowl of pork ramen"
Robots carefully slice pork, lower noodles into boiling water, and serve up fresh bowls of ramen. It’s part of a demo here at this newly opened smart robotics hub in southern Taiwan.
This center at the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Tainan is part of Taiwan’s broader plan of “Ten New AI Initiatives.”
The goal is to turn robotics research into real-world applications.
CHANG PEI-ZEN (PRESIDENT, ITRI)
Because AI’s global development is very rapid and AI is not just software our robotics center mainly focuses on making AI capabilities concrete.
At the center, we're initially focusing on four themes: food and beverage services, healthcare services, warehouse management and logistics, and disaster relief.
REPORTER:
Officials say the technology could help ease labor shortages. As Taiwan faces an aging population and falling birth rates.
They argue robotics will be critical if Taiwan wants to stay competitive in the global AI race.
HSIAO BI-KHIM (TAIWAN VICE PRESIDENT):
Mastering this technology is key to Taiwan maintaining its advantage in the global tech race.
It is also essential for strengthening social resilience and enhancing national power.
REPORTER:
But investing in robotics is costly. And these robots are still learning.
Like humans, they make mistakes.
Engineers here say they must teach robots to react to the unpredictability of the real world — where no two situations are ever exactly the same.
REPORTER:
Taiwan already plays a major role in powering the global AI industry through semiconductors.
Now officials say the next challenge is making sure more of that technology moves off the screen, and into the physical world.
