Taichung's AI 'Sky Eye' Catches Illegal Open-Air Burning, Fines Up to NT$5 Million Possible

Taichung City is leveraging advanced AI technology and drone surveillance to crack down on illegal open-air burning. Since 2022, the Environmental Protection Bureau has deployed an AI image recognition system coupled with a "smoke detection model" and drone patrols. This "land-air joint defense" system has proven highly effective, successfully issuing real-time alerts for hundreds of open-air burning incidents. The rapid response has surprised many offenders, with some caught shortly after starting fires. The system has already resulted in fines totaling approximately NT$1.28 million. The bureau has installed nearly 170 smart smoke detection systems in areas prone to air pollution. These systems provide precise AI-assisted inspections. The city warns that open-air burning pollutes the air and poses fire risks. Violators face fines of up to NT$100,000 under the Air Pollution Control Act. Industrial facilities can be fined up to NT$5 million. The Environmental Protection Bureau urges citizens not to burn waste illegally and to report any sightings by calling 1999 or the public nuisance hotline 0800-066-666.

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The "land-air joint defense" monitoring of illegal open burning has successfully issued real-time alerts for hundreds of cases, with cumulative fines of about NT$1.28 million.