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Taiwan highlights AI innovations at CES with 57 startups
Taiwan showcases its AI-driven innovations at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, led by the National Science and Technology Council. Discover Taiwan’s tech advancements and global collaborations.
2026/01/07 18:00
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Taiwan university wins five tech awards for AI innovation
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology wins the 2025 Future Tech Award for innovative methane separation. Discover advancements in AI and humanistic tech.
2025/10/13 12:00
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Taiwan unveils sea drone with dual peacetime-wartime roles
YILAN (TVBS News) — Carbon-Based Technology Inc. (碳基科技) recently unveiled its unmanned surface vehicle (USV) in the waters off Suao (蘇澳), northern Taiwan. The sea drone aims to support an asymmetric warfare strategy currently being developed by Taiwan. Despite encountering a remote control power system issue that rendered it inoperable during performance tests, conducted under the escort of a National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST, 中科院) workboat, this incident highlights ongoing challenges for Taiwan in accelerating the development of unmanned vehicles for military use as it seeks to enhance its innovative and powerful aid forces. Professor Lin Wei-chi (林威志) from Taipei University of Marine Technology (TUMT, 台北海洋科技大學) emphasized the vessel’s innovative design, which allows it to transition between peacetime and wartime roles. The ship can transport resources to remote islands or conduct patrols in Taiwan’s waters, including port detection and environmental oversight. Regarding military applications, such a USV can deter and attack enemies and be commissioned for various missions. However, Taiwan still needs to address several issues, including geographical references in the Taiwan Strait and technical limitations. Lin noted that large waves caused water leakage during the demonstration, which may have affected electronic components on board. Vice President Li Kang-si (李康嗣) of Carbon-Based Technology confirmed that although communication power remained stable, the wave conditions hindered the vessel’s activation, leading to a delay in further tests. According to reports, the island-nation has approximately 1,000 UAVs in service, which is significantly smaller than China’s fleet, especially considering that Beijing is a leading producer of unmanned drones. The scale of the UAV industry is also restricted in Taiwan. According to the Wall Street Journal, Taiwan plans to purchase 3,200 USVs, most of which are small. On one hand, Taiwan’s civilian company is expected to deliver 3,000 drones to the authorities by the end of 2025; however, it is essential to involve larger companies in the supply chain. Amid these challenges, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) plans to enhance its asymmetric warfare capabilities by proposing a special budget later this year. Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (顧立雄) underscored the significance of unmanned vehicles, including drones and vessels, in bolstering defense resilience. He also announced that the ministry will suggest a special budget to reinforce asymmetric warfare forces, following the so-called “Hellscape” coined by the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Samuel Paparo. Uncrewed vehicles have become a prominent trend among nations, with their efficiency particularly evident during the Ukraine-Russia War. In October 2022, Ukraine deployed at least seven naval drones to attack the port of Sevastopol, where Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is stationed in its protected harbor. The assault resulted in damage to one frigate and several other vessels, though no warships were sunk. A month ago, Ukraine successfully employed a USV to shoot down a Russian Su-30 aircraft. This effectiveness has encouraged various nations to invest in the development of unmanned vehicles. Currently, the U.S. has over 10,000 UAVs in service, while its navy plans to expand the integration of a hybrid fleet with USVs. Regarding Taiwan, the authorities are fully committed to the effort of keeping pace in this race against time by all means. Earlier this month, Taiwan unveiled its domestically produced suicide drone developed by Thunder Tiger Group, a civilian company; another firm presented a remotely operated underwater vehicle in collaboration with the military; and Taiwan CSBC Corporation (台船) showcased its USVs capable of withstanding harsh conditions in Taiwanese waters, equipped with combat capabilities, back in March. Additionally, the Taiwan government has acquired 680 Switchblade 300 drones, 291 ALTIUS 600 M-V units from the U.S., and 4 MQ-9B drones, which are expected to arrive in 2026 and 2027, respectively. The global landscape of unmanned military vehicles has seen significant advancements, as evidenced by Ukraine’s deployment of unmanned ships during its conflict with Russia. In response to China’s military pressure, Taiwan must address the dual challenge posed by its geography and technical limitations while enhancing its development speed to achieve a flexible asymmetric warfare strategy.
2025/06/13 19:06
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Defense ministry hosts simulator showcase in Taichung
The Ministry of National Defense hosted a showcase in Taichung, revealing the latest military simulator systems developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, highlighting advancements in AI and dual-use applications.
2024/12/24 16:16
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Taiwan aims to cut animal testing by up to 80%
Discover how Taiwan plans to cut animal testing by 60-80% through alternative methods, highlighting its commitment to ethical scientific practices and leadership in non-animal testing innovations.
2024/04/26 13:29
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When technology and sports meet: smart sports on the rise
Discover how Taipei’s sports scene is embracing cutting-edge technology, from VR cycling experiences to AI-driven badminton training. Explore how the ’Sports Everywhere’ Project aims to revolutionize the sector with NT$4.6 billion investment.
2024/02/19 08:00
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Taiwan unveils first home-built 5-qubit quantum computer
President Tsai Ing-wen visited a quantum computer project funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and Academia Sinica, witnessing the creation of Taiwan’s first self-developed, five-qubit superconducting complete system quantum computer. The president praised Academia Sinica for developing the five-qubit quantum computer in just two years and expressed her hopes for the quantum team to maintain Taiwan’s important position in the field. Academia Sinica’s president, James C. Liao, announced that the institution will continue investing in the quantum base, transitioning from basic experimental development to practical application through vertical integration. Academia Sinica has accumulated significant research and development capabilities in quantum technology, including achievements in quantum computer chip design, production, and state control and reading techniques for quantum bits. In 2023, Academia Sinica successfully developed Taiwan’s first five-qubit quantum chip and made the quantum computer system available on the cloud for partner testing, placing Taiwan among the countries with self-made superconducting quantum computers. This accomplishment has had a significant impact on domestic quantum technology research, serving as a demonstration and inspiration for further advancements.
2024/01/29 17:13
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Taiwanese students excel in civic knowledge, OECD finds
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education’s ’108 curriculum’ has brought about new educational outcomes, as noted by Premier Chen Chien-jen. The 2022 International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS 2022) by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) reveals that Taiwanese students have achieved top global rankings in civic knowledge, gender equality, and ethnic group equality. The government’s efforts to strengthen education through the new curriculum have also been recognized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Among 81 countries assessed, Taiwanese students ranked third in mathematics literacy, fourth in science, and fifth in reading. Premier Chen emphasized that these achievements highlight Taiwan’s exceptional students and demonstrate the nation’s commitment to investing in education. The OECD evaluation further solidifies Taiwan’s position on the world stage for educational accomplishments, showcasing the effectiveness of its educational policies and curriculum advancements. Premier Chen expressed confidence in Taiwan’s youth and the government’s education approach, stating that these high rankings represent a valuable investment in the future generations of Taiwan.
2023/12/18 21:21
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Taiwan popular science train sets out to inspire students
The Taiwan Popular Science Train, now in its eighth year, has embarked on a journey across the island nation, bringing the excitement of scientific discovery to students. Premier Chen Chien-jen praised Taiwan’s digital economic growth and technological advancements, urging students to pursue careers in science. Minister Without Portfolio Wu Tsung-tsong and Digital Minister Audrey Tang also attended the kickoff ceremony. The train will visit both urban and remote areas, with stops including Taipei, Pingtung County, Hualien, Taitung, and Keelung. Approximately 240 elementary students are expected to participate in the event, which will feature over 330 experiments in fields such as zero carbon emissions, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and quantum and basic sciences.
2023/10/30 16:59