The New Normal after COVID-19 caused a massive change to our daily lives and fueled the developments of emerging technology applications. To address the post-pandemic trends, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) co-organised to present twelve technological achievements based on the topics in semiconductors, COVID-19 detection, and AI.
Since the signing of an MoU in 2005 between the two parties, both have taken turns every two years to host the joint symposium. The event provides a good opportunity for researchers to exchange opinions and explore mutually interesting topics to launch new collaborations. This can contribute to developing innovative technological solutions to take on new challenges in the post-pandemic era, such as digital transformation and the global chip shortage.
– Edwin Liu, ITRI President
ITRI has fostered entrepreneurship in the development of Taiwan’s industry in the post-pandemic era. The Executive Officer of AIST then presented the fifth medium-to-long-term plan which started from 2020 to address solving social problems, an undertaking that calls for government, industry, research institutes and universities to collaborate.
Other than presenting the joint research achievements of ITRI and AIST, various labs from ITRI also shared their perspectives on advanced technologies in semiconductors, the detection of COVID-19, and AI technologies. These exchanges are expected to inspire innovative ideas, allowing both parties to have a good grasp on the technology needed in Taiwan and Japan.
As important research institutes of Taiwan and Japan, ITRI and AIST play crucial roles in delivering R&D results for industries. Both parties value and hold a high expectation for their strategic collaboration partnership. Based on the solid foundation established, it is believed that ITRI and AIST will continue to exchange industrial technology information and launch collaborative projects, while senior executives will pay reciprocal visits and bilateral seminars will be held on a regular basis. All these efforts will enhance business collaboration and create win-win opportunities for Taiwan and Japan.
ITRI is a world-leading applied technology research institute that has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan’s economy from a labour-intensive industry to a high-tech industry. Its mission is to drive industrial development, create economic value, and enhance social well-being through technology R&D. ITRI is also developing personalised devices and services, autonomous mobility systems, and smart industries and services for the Smart Living domain.
AIST is one of the largest public research organisations in Japan, focusing on the creation and practical realisation of technologies useful to Japanese industry and society, and on bridging the gap between innovative technological seeds and commercialisation. AIST is also actively building a global network by, for example, signing memorandums of understanding for comprehensive research cooperation (MOUs) with major research institutes around the world, such as ITRI.
As reported by OpenGov Asia, ITRI earlier partnered with a U.K. manufacturing and research company signed a cooperative research project on the development of next-gen compound semiconductors. This agreement will help develop a new industry chain for compound semiconductors in Taiwan to create new opportunities in the global market as well as complement the R&D capacities of both sides. ITRI and the U.K. manufacturing company began cooperation on precision testing analysis 15 years ago and have achieved excellent results in multiple fields
This collaboration will enhance the growth of the next-gen semiconductor supply chain in Taiwan, allowing research and development to be implemented in system integration and multidisciplinary innovation. This will further boost the industrial transformation and economic development of Taiwan. This collaboration in compound semiconductors will open the door to some really exciting advanced technologies including electric vehicles, 5G and other wireless technologies, and even the power converters on wind turbines.
