Forwell President Wen-Lung Hsiao: Accelerating Intelligent Design Combined with AI Applications to Usher in a New Era of Market Prosperity for Taiwan’s Machinery Industry
By Jen-Yi Chen
Wen-Lung Hsiao, Executive Director of the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry and President of Forwell Technology Group, stated that the global machinery industry is steadily advancing toward intelligent development, with the trend of artificial intelligence (AI) sweeping across the globe, driving innovation and transformation in various industries. Taiwan’s machinery industry is also progressively embracing AI applications, enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of machinery to better meet the demands of "smart manufacturing" processes. It is anticipated that within a decade, AI will significantly reshape people’s lifestyles, operational models, and traditional habits. The integration of "Industry 4.0" intelligent design with AI will become an inevitable trend in the global machinery industry.
Hsiao further noted that in recent years, the world has faced major international events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and conflicts, and now may confront high tariff trade barriers from the United States. To effectively reduce costs and mitigate the impact of trade barriers, supply chains across industries will need to undergo further realignment. Simultaneously, upgrading and simplifying multi-station processing into a one-stop production line will be a critical step toward achieving "smart manufacturing" and "AI-driven production." This approach is also the optimal solution for advancing toward high-efficiency, high-yield production goals tailored to "customized mass production."
He pointed out that this year, economic indicators and market demand have not rebounded as expected, with market conditions remaining sluggish and investment sentiment cautious. Taiwan’s machinery industry, in particular, has been further challenged by the strong appreciation of the New Taiwan Dollar, exacerbating difficulties in export markets and severely impacting normal business operations. However, the trend toward AI-driven intelligent development will not pause. The rise of AI will accelerate the development of "Industry 4.0" smart manufacturing, creating a new competitive landscape and value benchmarks in the global machinery industry. In response to these market shifts and international trends, the machinery industry must proactively upgrade and transform to develop core technologies aligned with intelligent production, meeting the global demand for smart manufacturing advancements and seizing business opportunities to rebuild market standing.
Hsiao emphasized that for the machinery industry to remain competitive and viable in the future market, incorporating AI-driven intelligent design into products is essential. The potential benefits of AI intelligence are unimaginable, and he recommends that machinery companies swiftly adopt innovative products that integrate AI intelligence while aligning with ESG principles and energy-efficient, environmentally friendly standards to prepare for future market demands.
Hsiao suggested that to implement AI intelligence, companies can collaborate with academic institutions to plan future development and conduct employee training to meet comprehensive workforce upgrading needs. Additionally, they should seek support from government research institutions to facilitate industry upgrades and achieve national industrial standards. This includes innovations in materials, tools, operational processes, and design. Machinery equipment must undergo hardware upgrades in materials and structural design, while software can leverage AI for further development.
Hsiao stated that the outdated model of single-machine, standalone production can no longer meet today’s competitive environment. Multi-machine, one-stop production is the current trend, particularly to meet the demand for efficient, customized manufacturing processes. Reintegrating and simplifying various processing stages into a one-stop production line is the future direction, enabling integrated, intelligent, and automated production goals.
