T A I W A N B u s i n e s s . E U l institutions l agencies
Czech-Taiwanese "Technology Days" play
a significant role in the development of
scientific cooperation, as this event serves
as a platform for establishing contacts,
sharing of know-how and experience, as
well as for match making. New partnerships usually result in various research projects. Its meetings are alternately held in
Czechia and in Taiwan and they allow
participants to familiarise themselves with
local modern research infrastructures.
Czech universities show great interest in
joint research projects with Taiwanese experts in many areas. Artificial intelligence,
robotics, medicine, nanotechnology as
well as smart cities belong to the most popular ones.
The Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei also provides assistance to various research teams in connecting them
with their counterparts, thus enhancing
cooperation in many areas, such as precision agriculture, environmental protection
and circular economy. On the occasion of
his visit to Taiwan in September 2020, the
rector of the University of Chemistry and
Technology in Prague signed three memoranda with local universities. A long
term cooperation between the Czech
Technical University in Prague and the
National Taiwan University of Science and
Technology recently resulted in an agreement on joint research program.
The fight against the coronavirus not only confirmed globally a pivotal position of
science for society, but also demonstrated
the immeasurable value of contacts and
links established in the past. The exchange
of findings regarding COVID-19 between
CAS and Academia Sinica represents an
illustrative example. Joint Statement on
a Partnership against Coronavirus (April
2020) constitutes another framework for
the scientific cooperation and marks the
creation of expert teams in the field of research and health technology. Technological advancement and an innovative approach play a fundamental role in Taiwan.
Many high-tech devices help facilitate not
only the treatment of patients but also the
work of medical staff. Robots, for instance, are able to measure body temperature and to remind people to put on a face
mask. Some can destroy the virus using
UV light, while others can be used for
testing or to disinfect the premises of
hospitals. Just like Czechia, Taiwan faces
the challenges of aging population and
a shortage of health professionals and
carers.
Digital health definitely has a bright future in terms of patient care. Taiwanese
elderly people can benefit from health
monitoring and testing devices. For instance, they can measure blood pressure
or detect health dysfunctions in time.
Other tools help prevent dementia
through games that train brain and body.
More specifically, the diverse programs
are focused on attention, reaction speed,
movement coordination or joint flexibility.
The data are sent to doctors and they can
evaluate and compare results over time.
This system is advantageous for both sides. On the one hand, it enables performance of independent health care in the
comfort of home, on the other hand, it
makes the job easier for healthcare professionals and saves their time.
The Taiwanese experts work on interconnecting scientific community (academic, public and industrial).
Large database of medical records, including medical images, serves as an instrument to develop cloud technologies
as well as medical artificial intelligence
enabling Taiwan to increase the quality of
health care services and to secure its leading position in biotechnology, medical
care and in AI-based precision medicine.
A unique ability to use AI and IoT offers
very good cooperation prospects in healthcare and related industries.
Precision agriculture undoubtedly represents another common trend. Taiwan cares about the quality of food and resists
the use of genetically modified plants.
Moreover, it excels in the semiconductor industry and is the producer of most sensors
used in IoT and high-tech devices required
in robotics and solar technologies, i.e. in
areas essential for agriculture. Farmers
use specialized horticultural LEDs, which
are able to adjust wavelengths of light at
each stage of crop growth with the objective to increase yields.
Special drones help farmers with spraying, dusting and with monitoring soil properties as well as the quality of fertilization
and sowing.
Both Czechia and Taiwan are interestedin
developing AI for Manufacturing. The
Czech Republic ranks among the most industrial countries and is highly specialised
in the automotive sector, which requires
further progress in the field of autonomous vehicles. Taiwan has accomplished
and succeeded in substantial achievements in this field and is already in the
phase of testing vehicles in heavy city traffic. The island is very proud of its high level traffic management and city logistics.
Along with the USA, Japan and Korea,
the Taiwanese society has entered the era
of 5th generation networks this summer
and has started the development of 6G.
The use of low latency networks is expected to positively influence many areas,
ranging from autonomous vehicle technologies to medical care and disaster management systems. Launching 5G networks
marks another milestone in the semiconductor and IT capabilities of Taiwan.
The Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei is glad to provide any further
assistance in enhancing scientific and research cooperation.
Author: Marie Leflerová
Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei
www.mzv.cz/taipei
www.taiwanbusiness.eu
7