Siew sees 2010 as year for robotics

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TAIPEI: Intelligent robots will bring revolutionary changes to industrial development and the quality of living, and Taiwan stands to gain from the tremendous business opportunities created in the process, Vice President Vincent C. Siew said Oct. 19.

The vice president made his remarks during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Taipei International Robot Show (TIROS), which will run through Oct. 22 at the Taipei World Trade Center.

“Given the thriving development of the local sector, I expect Taiwan’s robotics industry to follow in the footsteps of semiconductors and flat panel displays to become the country’s next sector with an annual output exceeding NT$1 trillion (US$32.36 billion),” he said.

According to the Industrial Development Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, some 500 local firms have committed resources to the intelligent robot sector.

Latest industry statistics reveal that related investment projects in the sector have accumulated to NT$15 billion (US$235.88 million). The government’s goal is to see Taiwan become a global robot design and production center by 2015 with an annual output of NT$125 billion.

First held in 2008, TIROS is the only exhibition of its kind in Taiwan. It is jointly organized by the Robotics Association Taiwan, the MOEA and several state-backed research centers.

Scholars, experts, business leaders and industry representatives from 85 local and foreign entities will set up 296 booths at the exhibition venue, according to event organizers. The number of robots on display is up 30 percent from last year, they added.

In addition to showcasing the latest robots and related products developed by participating firms from home and abroad, the show will also feature competitions for businesses and students, as well as arrange workshops to offer hands-on experience.

To coincide with the event, the U.S.-based Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Robotics Society of Japan are also hosting the IEEE/RSJ 2010 International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) from Oct. 18 to 22 at the Taipei International Conference Center.

More than 900 papers will be presented during the event, which will also feature panel discussions, workshops, tutorials, education forums and a robot competition.