New Southbound Policy Portal

ITRI President Edwin Liu (second left) gives the thumbs up at a news conference announcing Taiwan’s 2021 Edison Award winners April 26 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of ITRI)
 

State-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute won gold in the AI applications category at U.S.-based Edison Awards April 22 for its development of a smart warehouse solution, spotlighting Taiwan’s R&D prowess.

ITRI’s entry optimizing logistics performance was among a total of over 400 submissions from countries and territories around the world contending for top honors at the competition. The institute also took home a silver award for its MetabColor microbial textile dyes produced via a nontoxic, environmentally friendly and renewable process.

Edwin Liu, president of the Hsinchu County-based institution in northern Taiwan, said the honor demonstrates that the institute’s technological vision aligns with top global trends. ITRI will continue collaborating with industry leaders to offer efficient solutions aimed at minimizing environmental impact while ensuring Taiwan is an integral part of green global supply chains, he added.

ITRI has won Edison Awards for five consecutive years, claiming prizes for an ultrafast rechargeable aluminum battery, a device for boosting visibility for emergency responders during fires, the iRoadSafe traffic accident prevention system and a groundbreaking cancer treatment.

Founded in 1973, ITRI fosters innovation-driven sectors in Taiwan, with recent research endeavors focusing on such fields as quality health, smart cities and sustainable development. It has helped incubate over 270 high-tech companies, including global integrated circuit powerhouse Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

The Edison Awards, established in 1987, honor excellence in new product and service design, R&D and marketing. (DL-E)