Taiwan's first robot show draws mixed reviews

08/05/05

Taipei, May 5 (CNA) Taiwan's first robot show has helped the robotics industry to showcase the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, but still needs to improve if it wants to attract more buyers, some of the exhibitors said Monday. 

The Taiwan International Robot Exhibition (Robot Taiwan) was held alongside the Taipei CNC Machine Tool and Manufacturing Technology Show (MT Duo) at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall from May 1-5. 

As the five-day show drew to a close, many of the robot exhibitors hailed the debut as a success, but others expressed disappointment and said the show had failed to meet their expectations. 

The government aims to increase the industry production value to NT$250 billion (US$8.2 billion) by 2015 -- up from the NT$20 billion in 2007 -- representing 6 percent of the fast-expanding robotics market. 

Eurobot, a Spanish machinery maker and the only European company at the show, commended both the show and the organizer, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). 

"Our booths attracted a lot of buyers, mostly from Asian countries like China, " said German Gonzalez, the general manager of Eurobot, adding that they are planning to come back next year. 

Describing the Spanish experience at the show as positive, with plenty of business opportunities, Gonzalez said TAITRA was very helpful and hospitable compared with other robot shows around Europe. 

Chang Yung-pyng, an engineer at the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology, said the business opportunities the show provided are "not bad, " with enough buyers interested in their products. "The show was pretty good considering it was being held for the first time," he added. 

But he said the show could have drawn better attention if a more diverse array of robots had been represented. "Most of the robots on display are for industrial use, entertainment and educational purposes, " he said, lamenting the fact that other kinds of robots, such as medical and household robots, were missing. 

"If the government really wants to develop the local robotics industry, it should prioritize functional and living-oriented AI gadgets to help this young industry," he said. 

Meanwhile, Hwang Fuhsong, a business manager of the Taiwanese Mark Star Servo-tech Co complained that "there was simply not enough media exposure to appeal to visitors and potential buyers, especially those from foreign companies." 

Hwang said that without the participation of big-name companies such as Japan's Sony, which manufactures the global hit "iBot, " the show lacked enough attraction, and consequently, business opportunities. 

He suggested that TAITRA should hold a separate robot show next time rather than hosting two shows at the same time, to increase the show's visibility. 

However he also admitted that there is more room in terms of academia-industry collaboration, adding that his company has been approached by several local university labs, including those of National Taiwan University and National Tsing Hua University, seeking further research cooperation. 

According to TAITRA, Robot Taiwan, along with MT Duo, together attracted an estimated 11,000 visitors and buyers, including 1,000 from overseas. 

Of the 34 exhibitors at the robot exhibition, 19 were local manufacturers. Unlike Taiwanese companies, which showcased robots mainly for educational and entertainment purposes, while foreign exhibitors displayed industrial robots such as robot arms or machine tools.