One-of-a-Kind! NFU Shanghuyun Team Wins “Heart of Taiwan” Selection with “Craft AI Empowerment” Initiative
The Only Student Team Showcasing Cross-Disciplinary Innovation
(Huwei/Nantou) Led by Professor Lin Zheng-Min of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at National Formosa University, the “Shanghuyun” team, guided by Lin who also serves as Executive Director of the Office of Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility, won selection for the “114 Heart of Taiwan - Craft and Cultural Innovation Enhancement Program.” Their proposal, the “Craft AI Empowerment Action Plan,” emerged as one of the 12 selected teams, being the only team composed entirely of students, while other selected teams were mostly companies, NPOs, or local revitalization groups, demonstrating the strong potential of the younger generation in digital transformation and community development.
This cross-disciplinary team is led by junior student Huang Pei-Feng from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at National Formosa University, with members including Yu Jia-Hao, Wen Bo-Jun (NFU), Liu Jin-An (NCYU), and Zhou Yu-Yan (NYCU). Spanning three universities, this innovative team embraces the philosophy of “University and Local Communities Co-Learning and Co-Thriving”, aiming to apply professional knowledge to deliver practical and innovative solutions for local communities and industries.
Integration of Craft AI and Sales Platform Digitally Empowering Traditional Craft
The Shanghuyun team’s proposal builds on their prior experience in community revitalization projects across Yunlin and Nantou, including the development of the “Shanghuyun Sales Platform” connecting farmers and consumers. The core goal of this initiative is to spark innovation by combining digital technology with traditional craftsmanship. Using AI and the existing Shanghuyun sales platform, along with AIoT technology, the team aims to establish innovative product sales channels locally while addressing the challenges of craft inheritance and market scalability.
The proposal focuses on Nantou craft brands and small-town cultural creative clusters, collaborating closely with “Su Bao-Hong Bamboo Workshop” and the National Taiwan Craft Development Center’s “Craft AI Workshop” in Caotun for in-depth partnership.
Modular Design Combines Aesthetics with Sustainability
The “Craft AI Empowerment Action Plan” features a life art assembly set that balances practicality and aesthetics. The core consists of four modular components, which users can freely assemble into common objects such as table lamps, bookmarks, storage containers, or interactive mini assistants.
Design highlights include:
• Modularity and Sustainability: Each of the four components can be independently disassembled and reassembled. The modular design facilitates replacement and upgrades, effectively extending product lifespan, reducing waste, and enhancing sustainability.
• Smart Interactive Features: The modular set includes AI sensor chips, microphones/speakers, light and humidity sensors. The product can automatically adjust lighting, function as a doorbell, and even provide soil moisture alerts and other interactive functions.
• Integration with Natural Craft: The product design incorporates local materials and traditional crafts, using Nantou seeds and threads, and handcrafted techniques to create lampshades and components, elegantly merging natural materials, artistic vision, and smart technology.
