MOEA's Technology Division Pavilion Showcases 30 Elderly Health Technologies, Facilitating ITRI and Taisys Collaboration for $400M Business Opportunity

In response to the growing health management and care demands arising from Taiwan’s entry into a super-aged society, the Industrial Technology Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) hosted a dedicated pavilion at the '2026 Elderly Health Industry Expo' held from August 7 to 9, 2026, at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. The pavilion brought together four research institutions—Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC), Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), and Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI)—to present 30 cutting-edge elderly health technology innovations across three themed zones: 'Health Management,' 'Warm Care Protection,' and 'Rehabilitation Empowerment.'

On opening day, a cooperation memorandum was signed between ITRI and Taisys Co., marking a significant step toward commercializing R&D outcomes and driving industrial upgrading. MOEA Technology Division Director General Kuo Chao-chung emphasized that technological innovation should solve real-life challenges. Many of the showcased technologies have already been implemented in home care, community centers, and medical long-term care facilities, contributing to industry transformation.

A highlight is the 'Chronic Wound Care Service' co-developed by ITRI and Taisys, which integrates AI into home-based wound monitoring. Home nurses simply take and upload photos of wounds, and the system assists in analyzing wound size and healing progress, enabling early medical intervention. This technology is expected to generate over NT$400 million (approximately USD 12.5 million or JPY 1.8 billion) in output and investment, transforming Taisys from a simple dressing manufacturer into an integrated 'one-stop solution provider' combining AI, mobile apps, and care services.

Looking ahead, the Technology Division will continue to link industry, academia, research, and healthcare sectors to promote technology adoption and industrialization, turning elder care needs into new momentum for the smart health industry.

According to WHO statistics, there are approximately 528 million osteoarthritis patients globally, with about 365 million affected in the knee joint. TTRI’s 'Home-Based Digital Exercise Intervention System for Knee Osteoarthritis' integrates joint assessment, electrical stimulation assistance, and motion analysis, enabling seniors to perform convenient rehabilitation exercises at home. The system has completed clinical trials at National Taiwan University Hospital’s Rehabilitation Department and was selected as one of this year’s 'Top 10 Elderly-Friendly Technologies, Products, and Services.' With the global knee brace market projected to grow from USD 6.51 billion in 2025 to USD 9.39 billion by 2032, this technology shows strong potential in the smart rehabilitation market.

Beyond these achievements, the pavilion featured several advanced technologies centered on seniors’ daily needs:

TTRI combined its fabric electrode technology—having generated around NT$12 million in technology transfer fees—with Quanta’s medically certified ECG measurement device to create comfortable, long-wear physiological monitoring apparel. Clinical testing has been conducted at Changhua Yuanlin Hospital, Chiayi Hospital, and E-Da Hospital, with estimated annual output valued at NT$500–600 million.

MIRDC developed an integrated program using oral light plates, tongue pressure feedback meters, and facial exercise 'digital mirror' courses to train seniors’ chewing and swallowing muscles. Deployed in long-term care centers and communities, it drives demand for devices, platforms, consumables, and professional services, with projected annual output of NT$500–800 million.

FIRDI applied 3D printing to transform pureed food into realistic-looking meals while precisely adjusting nutritional content, ensuring safe swallowing, adequate nutrition, and mealtime dignity. The technology has been transferred to Taiwan Agricultural & Livestock Products Industrial Co., with expansion potential into care, catering, and food manufacturing sectors, expected to add NT$500 million in output.

The MOEA Technology Division Pavilion at the '2026 Elderly Health Industry Expo' ran from August 7 to 9 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1 (Booth B1112), showcasing innovations in smart health care, functional textiles, and assistive technologies. Industry players, healthcare providers, and the public are warmly invited to visit and experience firsthand how technology brings warm, meaningful changes to seniors’ lives.