The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held a press conference at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts to celebrate the lighting of the wishing tree developed by ITRI with support from the MOEA's Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT). The tree is the largest Mini-LED curved display installation in Taiwan and is an integrated application of sensor technologies. Visitors are able to use the LINE app to upload wishes and interact with virtual 3D animals in real time. The wishing tree thus best exemplifies the way that such displays can be used for smart education and entertainment. Visitors will be able to play with the wishing tree and experience the technologies in 3D at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts before September 25.

Director General Chiou Chyou-Huey of the DoIT pointed out that the MOEA supported technological development by ITRI to build the wishing tree and explore the union of art with technology. The tree achieves three new records, said Chiou. First, the 105-inch trunk is the largest mini-LED curved display in Taiwan, composed of 810,000 mini-LEDs spaced only 1.875 mm apart. Second, the crown and trunk of the tree consist of five curved displays in total, making the wishing tree the first installation that links multiple large curved displays. Finally, this is the first wishing tree that enables people to make wishes by uploading texts and photos whenever and wherever they are.

According to Kaohsiung City legislator Chih-Chieh Hsu, the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts is an important asset to both Taiwan and the Fongshan District of Kaohsiung. Innovation clusters and connections have been fostered from local venues and industrial sectors to create the inspiring technological experience. Director-General Liao Tai-Hsiang of the Kaohsiung City Government Economic Development Bureau pointed out that Mayor Chen Chi-Mai has worked to build the 5G AIoT Innovation Park in the Asia New Bay Area with support from the MOEA and President Tsai Ing-wen, which has already yielded remarkable results.

Dr. Chu Mu-Tao, Chief Operating Officer of ITRI's Electronic and Optoelectronic System Research Laboratories, pointed out that ITRI fused technology, art, and cultural venues and pooled resources from software and hardware vendors, designers, metal components, and optoelectronic systems to create the comprehensive, heartwarming, and  interactive audio-visual experience.

According to Chien Wen-Pin, Art Director of National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, the wishing tree is more than just a tech installation. The interaction between art and technology presents warmth and inspiration from both the design and interactive content. It is hoped that this combination of culture and technology can inspire greater industrial development in southern Taiwan.