By Tsai Shu-yuan and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer
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Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) yesterday praised a Taiwan-made robotic dog and emphasized the importance of integrating traditional and emerging industries to drive defense and dual-use innovation. Hsiao made the remarks while touring the Taichung Smart and Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Show’s defense industry pavilion, which showcased uncrewed aerial vehicles, small arms and Taiwan’s first domestically made robotic dog named “Taiwan Tu Gou” (台灣土狗), a reference to the Taiwanese mountain dog, also known as the “Formosan dog.”The government places a premium on Taiwan’s precision manufacturing, machine tooling, artificial intelligence (AI), and other innovative sectors based in Taichung, Hsiao said.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, center, looks at Taiwan’s first domestically made robotic dog, “Taiwan Tu Gou,” during a tour at the Taichung Smart and Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Show yesterday.
Photo: Tsai Shu-yuan, Taipei Times
Integrating innovation into traditional manufacturing, national defense industrial base, dual-use technology and civilian applications are major priorities for Taiwan’s economic policy, she added. Hsiao praised the research and development team, saying that they made a laudable contribution to Taiwan’s AI and manufacturing industries.
Parkson Wu Industrial Co chairman Wu Ming-hsi (吳銘禧) said they collaborated with Jia Chen Electronic Co in developing Taiwan Tu Gou. The robot dog’s research and development, component sourcing, manufacturing and assembly process are fully Taiwanese, he said, adding that the system can be utilized for security patrols, transportation and other tasks requiring precise movement. Jia Chen Electronic Co vice president Liu Jen-jui (廖仁瑞) said Taiwan Tu Gou used a planetary speed reducer, and an integrated engine and motor driver board module that made the system extremely compact. The most powerful of the robot’s joints has an instant torque of 250 Newton-meters, he added. The Tu Gou can leap, has a 30kg load-bearing capacity and can navigate complex terrain that would allow it to perform military roles, including autonomous patrols and operations in special environments, he said. Taiwan Tu Gou is a practical design capable of carrying meaningful cargo and performing real-world tasks at a competitive price point, compared with “for show only” pieces produced by the Chinese industry, he added.