Taipei, Aug. 25, 2008 (CENS)--During his tour of the 2008 Taipei Automation Exhibition held August 21-24 at the Taipei World Trade Center, Vice President Vincent Siew said machinery manufacturing will become Taiwan`s next shinning industry with annual output exceeding NT$1 trillion (US$31.84 billion at US$1:NT$31.4).

Over the past several years, Taiwan`s government has helped TFT-LCD (thin film transistor-liquid crystal display) and semiconductor sectors each grab NT$1 trillion in annual output. When visiting the robotics section at the Automation Exhibition, Siew said Taiwan has significantly made breakthrough in developing innovative and practical robotics by using its own technologies. He encouraged domestic manufacturers in this field to concentrate on developing innovative products to step up Taiwan`s competitiveness in the international arena.

Chen Chao-yi, director general of the Industrial Development Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said robotics will become a major sector of the NT$1 trillion machinery industry as the government has united industrial and academic fields to boost the development of the robotics sector, which will soon see annual production value reach NT$25 billion (US$796.17 million).

Robotics is an industry with a wide range of applications in the areas of household security, caring for old person, and damage victim salvage. In addition, the robotics can be used in hazardous places.

Eric Y.T. Chuo, chairman of Taiwan Manufacturing Engineering and Automation Technology Association, said the governments of many nations have shown high regard for the development of the robotics industry.

(by Ben Shen)