Tainan is setting up a new hub to grow smart robot makers locally, good news for Taiwanese robotics startups and traditional factories looking to automate.

• The Tainan Robot Industry Development and Innovation Center opened at the Liuying tech park service center, tying together research, real-world testing, business matchmaking and investment help.
• Thirteen working robot applications were shown off, covering factories, warehouses, restaurants, tour guiding, medical care and safety patrols.
• Mayor Huang Wei-che wants the site to help old-line manufacturers adopt AI and automation, and to let robot startups test, scale and mass-produce in Tainan, with companies already lining up to move in.
• Global efforts to build supply chains that avoid China are seen as a tailwind for Taiwan's robot makers, though getting the machines into everyday use is still the hardest part.
• Robots and drones are being framed as must-win technology for Taiwan, both military and civilian, with one local firefighting robot already used in a real rescue.

Outlook: Tainan plans to court more domestic and foreign robot developers as the third phase of the Liuying park is built out.