When AI avatars can not only converse but also understand emotions and assist older adults in their daily lives, technology is no longer a cold computational tool but becomes a trusted companion for an aging society. Generative AI is redefining our vision of smart living. Starting from September 25th , the Institute for Information Industry (III) is hosting the two-day Living Lab+ Open Day, bringing together 20 companies and more than 30 exhibits. The event showcases innovative applications of AI technologies and robotics in senior care, fitness, and everyday life. Related solutions have already generated more than one million user experiences, demonstrating how AI is moving beyond laboratory research and into real-world adoption.
Dr. Johnny Huang, Chairman of III, noted that Living Lab+ Open Day has been held for three consecutive years since 2023, evolving from a simple exhibition space into a cross-sector co-creation platform. Over the past three years, III has collaborated with startups and enterprises to conduct more than a hundred product testing, validation, and co-creation projects.“This year, we are advancing further toward an ecosystem co-creation model,” Huang said, emphasizing that Taiwan’s AI development is no longer confined to isolated innovations but is integrating across domains to strengthen the value chain of the industry.
AI in Action: From the Lab to Real-World Family Interactions
The 2025 exhibition spotlights three major application scenarios, offering a comprehensive look at the diverse potential of AI technologies. In senior care innovation, the Institute for Information Industry’s (III) Digital Transformation Research Institute (DTRI) has integrated AI avatars with large language models (LLMs) and connected them to CommonHealth Magazine’s diabetes education materials. The “Diabetes AI Doctor,” a virtual companion that answers patients’ questions anytime, is therefore developed, benefiting Taiwan’s 2.5 million diabetes patients. Other highlights include the “Brain Voice Cognitive Assessment Platform,” which generates an assessment report within one minute based on just a 30-second spoken story from a test subject, supporting early-stage dementia detection, and the “NIR+ Health Screening,” which produces hydration, sleep, and stress-related indicators within 5–8 minutes. From silver-age monitoring to lifelong learning and elder care, the exhibition presents a full suite of smart health-support tools.
In everyday life applications, AI avatars are not only able to be virtual health advisers but also serve as sign-language interpreters to promote accessible communication. The “Magic Salon” uses facial detection and AI-driven styling to help users change hairstyles and outfits with a single tap while switching backgrounds through voice commands. Meanwhile, “AI Face-swapping” technology has been adopted by E-DA Theme Park in Kaohsiung for its popular 5D Ghost Ship attraction, debuting on October 11 for Halloween. Visitors’ faces are detected by sensors of the LED mega-display adjacent to the ship and instantly merged with virtual ghosts—turning them into horror-movie protagonists in a matter of seconds.
In terms of sports and interactive experience, III’s DTRI collaborates with partners such as SEDA G-Tech and no.X Media Digit to build the gaming environment for immersive experiences. Take WhizToys sports mat for an example, it now includes a “Ring Toss” game to enhance enjoyment and improve overall engagement, with deployments at multifunctional venues including the Yilan Green Expo and Kaohsiung Sports Centers. The “OrinArch” digital archery system pairs radar sensing with suction-cup arrows for added safety, transitioning from lab prototype to a hit family attraction at the Yilan International Children’s Folklore and Folkgame Festival.
Beyond technology showcases, III is partnering with AI artists for the first time, adopting a kaleidoscope motif to symbolize the fusion of creativity and AI. In addition, DTRI has also collaborated with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) on “Painting A New World of Sounds—Hear! Paint the Past: Creating Memories through the Digital Approach ,” a project that helps older adults transform memories into digital artworks. Through techniques such as visual deconstruction and reassembly, the initiative demonstrates new possibilities at the intersection of technology and art.
III emphasized that as Taiwan advances toward a super-aged society, how to apply emerging technologies such as AI to meet senior needs and expand their applications in sports and daily living will be crucial for industry development. The Living Lab+ Open Day is not only a showcase but also a proving ground to accelerate deployment and real-world validation. Moving forward, III will continue its commitment to the “AI Rapid Research” approach, deepening collaboration with industry partners to bring AI into everyday life and elevate Taiwan’s visibility in the global digital innovation ecosystem.