《TAIPEI TIMES》Start-ups showcase AI tech at Taiwan Pavilion

Guests pose for a photograph at the Taiwan Pavilion at VivaTech in Paris on Wednesday. Photo: CNA

Staff writer, with CNA Thirty-four start-ups are showcasing artificial intelligence （AI） technologies at the Taiwan Pavilion at VivaTech, one of the largest start-up and tech events in Europe, which opened in Paris on Wednesday.

Organized by Taiwan Tech Arena, the pavilion highlights how AI technologies are enabling smart life in fields such as training, security, energy and retail, said the National Science and Technology Council, parent body of Taiwan Tech Arena.

The pavilion aims to generate business opportunities for the participating firms, the NSTC said.

Taiwanese start-ups have been participating at VivaTech for the past seven years, mainly to learn from their foreign counterparts, said Lin Der-sheng （林德生）, director of the council’s Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs.

However, the 34 participating this year are seeking opportunities to attract business and secure orders, Lin said.

As part of Taiwan’s efforts to build a comprehensive tech supply chain, 61 suppliers are supporting the start-ups to boost their chances of securing business deals, he said.

While VivaTech is focused on tech start-ups, it also hosts major established global companies such as Microsoft and Airbus.

This year, Taiwanese manufacturing giant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, also known as Foxconn globally, is participating at VivaTech, displaying its advanced AI server racks and AI-based smart solutions in a dedicated exhibition area across from the Taiwan Pavilion.

Hon Hai, a supplier to Santa Clara, California-based AI chip designer Nvidia Corp, debuted the Nvidia Vera Rubin NVL72, Nvidia HGX platforms and Nvidia MGX architectures at VivaTech.

In a display of its recently diversified product portfolio, Hon Hai also showcased two electric vehicle prototypes.

Made by subsidiary Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, the prototypes are the Model B, a sporty crossover, and the Model D, a lifestyle multipurpose utility vehicle.

Hon Hai, an iPhone assembler, also introduced its smart manufacturing innovations such as humanoid robots at the tech event.

VivaTech head of global partnerships and public affairs Julie Lamande said at the opening of the Taiwan Pavilion that Taiwan’s tech ecosystem is critical to VivaTech.

The presence of Hon Hai, in particular, demonstrates the importance of Taiwan’s role in AI and semiconductor development, Lamande said.

Hon Hai vice president James Wu （巫俊毅） said that his company is strengthening its “build-operate-localize” business model, which has helped the firm sign letters of intent with partners in several European countries and launch discussions on cooperation.

Initiated in 2018, Taiwan Tech Arena is building a flagship start-up ecosystem in Taiwan, the council said, adding that it is a platform to connect technologies and talent with markets and capital.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES