2026 ITRI ICT TechDay Advances Connectivity and Intelligent Systems for Real-World Use

HSINCHU, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 2026 ITRI ICT TechDay opened on September 29 with a focus on turning advanced ICT research into real-world solutions. Co-hosted by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and partner research organizations under the theme "Creating a Smart Future Together," the event brings together experts and leading companies from Taiwan and abroad. More than 30 technologies are on display across three focus areas: 6G and satellite communications, unmanned vehicles, and AI applications. Many have already advanced to field validation or industrial deployment.

"As AI capabilities expand worldwide, next-generation communications are shifting from bits to tokens, moving beyond data transmission to support AI computing and intelligent services. Taiwan's ICT industry must therefore move beyond hardware-focused contract manufacturing toward higher-value services that integrate software, hardware, and broader ecosystems," said Pang-An Ting, ITRI Vice President and General Director of Information and Communications Research Laboratories. He noted that future networks will serve not only people, but also AI agents, self-driving vehicles, drones, and robots. In response, ITRI is working with industry partners to combine advanced AI algorithms with next-generation communications architectures to advance 6G, agentic AI, physical AI, AI-RAN, integrated sensing and communication, and terrestrial–non-terrestrial network integration. The Institute will turn these technologies into practical, trusted services that help Taiwanese companies overcome technical barriers and compete in global markets.

One example of this software–hardware integration is ITRI's 5G/6G Network Management and Orchestration Solution, based on AI-RAN technology. Acting as a 24/7 "AI network butler" for base stations, it dynamically allocates and optimizes network resources. ITRI is collaborating with Pegatron and G REIGNS on base station development, and with Groundhog Technologies and Auray Technology on network management software. Field validation showed that the solution can reduce network recovery time by 97%, improve network performance by 50%, and lower base station energy consumption.

Among the event's unmanned vehicle technologies is ITRI's Intelligent Indoor Precision Drone Inspection System. Using visual-inertial odometry (VIO) for indoor positioning, the system can navigate and inspect indoor spaces autonomously without a prebuilt map. This reduces manual inventory checks from several days to a few hours, helping warehouse operators improve efficiency and workplace safety.

The event also looks beyond individual technologies to the broader challenge of putting AI into practice. A dedicated advisory zone for AI adoption across industries features 15 research organizations, giving companies a single point of access to technical consultation and cross-sector technology matchmaking. The wider initiative also pairs research organizations with industry partners to establish demonstration sites in manufacturing, chemicals, semiconductors, and consumer products. These sites apply industry-specific AI models in operating environments to develop approaches that can be replicated and scaled. The initiative aims to help more than 1,400 companies accelerate their AI transformation.

About ITRI

The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is a world-leading R&D organization dedicated to innovating a better future. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. Over the years, ITRI has incubated hundreds of startups and spinoffs, including well-known companies such as UMC and TSMC. Headquartered in Taiwan, ITRI also operates offices in the U.S., Germany, the UK, Japan, and Thailand. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng.

SOURCE Industrial Technology Research Institute