Taiwan and its diplomatic country Paraguay have a close relationship in education and trade, actively assisting Paraguayan students to study in Taiwan and promoting deep cooperation in education and technology. To enhance Taiwan Tech students' understanding of the smart manufacturing industry, Associate Professor Meng-Kun Liu, Director of the Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University (UPTP) Project Office, led exchange students from Taiwan Tech to visit the Industrial Technology Research Institute’s Smart Technology Center during the winter break. This visit allowed students to gain an in-depth understanding of Taiwan's advanced technologies in smart manufacturing and experience the latest trends in the field.

Taiwan Tech exchange students from Taiwan and Paraguay took a group photo at the Industrial Technology Research Institute’s Smart Technology Center.

The Smart Technology Center at the Industrial Technology Research Institute has long been dedicated to supporting the automation industry and smart manufacturing, while also engaging in multiple international research collaborations with Canada and the European Union. During the visit, Dr. Shuo-Peng Liang, the manager, introduced the latest research achievements to the students, with a particular focus on the application of digital twin technology in smart manufacturing. He explained that the digital twin system significantly enhances production efficiency and accuracy through real-time data monitoring and precise simulation of physical systems and production processes, ultimately achieving full automation of technology.

Students attentively listened to the Industrial Technology Research Institute's recent research and applications in the automation industry and smart manufacturing.

Additionally, the students visited a smart factory to gain a deeper understanding of the practical applications of advanced technologies. For example, the battle management system provides real-time production feedback, the tool wear prediction system effectively improves production yield, and the energy management system optimizes energy usage to enhance overall production efficiency. The integration of these technologies highlights Taiwan's forward-thinking development in the field of smart manufacturing.

Students visited the smart factory to gain an in-depth understanding of advanced technologies and the automation of batch processing applications.

Taiwan Tech students paid special attention to the application of digital twin technology in remote work environments, particularly how workers can interact with machines virtually to achieve the goal of internationalized remote operations, thereby saving time, costs, and resources. Manager Shuo-Peng Liang also shared case studies on the use of robotic arm simulators and augmented reality (AR) technologies, further showcasing the powerful potential of digital twin technology in real-world production scenarios.

However, the implementation of digital twin technology still faces some challenges, such as the need for stable wireless network connections, ensuring network security, and potential issues with timeliness in international collaborations. Despite these challenges, students expressed great anticipation for the future development of digital twin technology, believing it will become a key driver for the growth of smart manufacturing. As global companies increasingly adopt simulation analysis, digital-physical systems, smart robotic arms, and information visualization technologies, traditional industries are gradually transitioning from automation to smart manufacturing. Through technological innovation, companies can optimize production management processes, enhance global competitiveness, and create maximum benefits for the industry.

ITRI has developed AI-controlled parameter optimization technology for precision manufacturing, enabling businesses to quickly complete accurate machine adjustments and optimize processes.

The digital twin system enhances production efficiency and accuracy through real-time data monitoring and precise simulation of physical systems and production processes, achieving full automation of technology.

This visit not only allowed Taiwan Tech students from Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University to observe the practical applications of smart manufacturing technology up close but also provided more opportunities for their future career development. Since 2018, Taiwan Tech has been responsible for coordinating specialized courses in the Departments of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, and Industrial Management, while also arranging company visits and internship matching opportunities. This initiative further expands students' international perspectives and professional skills.

In the future, Taiwan Tech will continue to strengthen academic and technical exchanges between Taiwan and Paraguay through education and industry collaboration, jointly promoting industrial development and cultivating more outstanding talent for the global smart manufacturing sector.