The local security industry's production value is expected to surge to NT$400 billion (US$12.6 billion) in 2015, from NT$124.5 billion last year, as a result of an aging population, a government official said yesterday.
Thanks to the growing demand for mobile and information security, the security industry offers vast business opportunities, Industrial Development Bureau director-general Chen Chao-yih (陳昭義) told a media briefing yesterday.
"The government believes that the three following products and sectors -- smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, home healthcare monitoring systems for elderly residents and factory safety and production monitors -- offer vast growth potential," Chen said.
"Given the rising number of aging residents, the government estimates that the security industry will see a 15 percent to 16 percent increase in annual production value," Chen said, adding that the monitor business would see the largest growth.
Derek Lee (李文德), of Taipei-based Leadtek Research Inc (麗臺科技), said yesterday that while Taiwan has wide broadband coverage, the company's video phone products, which support both video and voice applications, have yet to secure a solid market share as voice-over Internet protocol (VoIP) continues to dominate the market.
Aside from video phones, Leadtek offers its trademarked Care Phone, an IP camera that interoperates with the video phone.
"In case of an emergency, elderly residents or children left alone at home can simply press a button on the IP camera to link up to the video phone or 3G phone of a family member who can track or observe their status," Lee said.
Companies can also use the combination video phone and IP camera to keep track of production and safety at their factories at home or overseas, Lee said.
The company is now in talks with Chunghwa Telecom Co (
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