Technika a trh

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