AI Meets IA: TAIROS 2024 Showcases Future of Automation

As the curtain fell on August 24th, the automation industry's biggest annual event saw record-breaking numbers. The Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robot Show (TAIROS 2024) and Automation Taipei attracted 1,200 manufacturers filling 4,500 booths, with international buyers from Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Poland, and Hong Kong among the 15 groups that attended. Nearly 320,000 visitors flooded the exhibition, setting a new attendance record. Moreover, with 90% of exhibitors already reserving their spots for next year, the next edition is poised to surpass this year's impressive scale.

Themed "AI in IA," this year's exhibition captured widespread attention across various sectors. High-profile attendees included Vice President Hsiao Bi-Khim, Executive Yuan President Cho Jung-tai, and Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo, all of whom actively engaged with exhibitors, demonstrating strong government support for the robotics and automation industry. In his opening speech, Cho Jung-tai announced that the government is planning a diversified and revitalized development plan for SMEs in 2025, centered around the theme "Industrialization of AI and AIization of Industry," with a budget allocation of NT$10.5 billion to assist SMEs in their transformation efforts.

Kou-I Szu, President of the Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robotics Association (TAIROA), highlighted that the ultimate application of AI technology lies in robotics and automation. This year’s event showcased numerous innovative AI-powered applications that are driving industries toward smart, digital, low-carbon, and sustainable transformation. A major highlight of the exhibition was the robotic arm, with leading manufacturers presenting various collaborative applications enhanced by AI vision technology and energy-efficient solutions. These advancements are poised to help industries such as automotive, electronic components, semiconductors, food, and logistics reduce manpower and production costs by more than 50%. Additionally, the semiconductor industry, with its high demand for plant construction and equipment upgrades, was well-represented, with automation factories displaying cutting-edge solutions for wafer transfer, unmanned transportation systems, and process inspection equipment, all designed to meet the industry's stringent requirements for precision and efficiency.