Locally Developed Self-Driving Bus Unveiled in Lukang Township |100%國人自行研發 自動駕駛小型巴士亮相

Another domestically developed self-driving bus was also unveiled at a testing event. The bus is equipped with radar sensors and GPS. The manufacturer is looking to work with the Changhua City government in the future.


The minibus gradually moves forward. It departs from the Taiwan Glass Gallery in Lukang Township to the Automotive Research＆Testing Center (ARTC). The bus is different from others in that it doesn't have a steering wheel or a driver. It is the first self-driving bus developed completely in Taiwan. It will be put to use as a shuttle bus for tourists.

If the bus will be running locally, it's best to put use it as a shuttle bus for tourists and workers in local factories. Today, it's running by three local factories. This will showcase the bus' benefits to local residents.

Members of the ARTC have spent little more than a year to develop the bus. On September 24, the bus made its media debut and a test ride. The bus also shows that it's capable of breaking when a pedestrian suddenly walk in front of it, and that it reduces its speed automatically when vehicles in front slow down. It can also complete regular maneuvers such as turning and stopping at red lights. The vehicle is equipped with multiple 3D and 2D radars and GPS, which allows it to read its surrounding situation with a 95 percent plus accurately rate.

When we look left, we can see that (an incoming vehicle) has been spotted (by the radar), and is labeled "CAR" on the screen. When a pedestrian walks past, the radar detects the person. These imagery allows the bus to recognize the type of obstacles that are in its way.

The ARTC has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Changhua County Government and plans to put the bus to use starting in Q4 this year. The bus will serve as shuttle that connects three factory tours, it can also drive to as far as the local Mazu Temple. The ARTC believes the collaboration will help boost the local tourism industry and help collect more data to help improve the technologies in this self-driving bus.



小巴士緩緩啟動，從鹿港的台灣玻璃館準備前往車測中心，不過這輛小巴很特別，車上沒有駕駛、也沒有方向盤，它是第一輛完全由國人研發的自動駕駛小巴士，將率先投入鹿港的觀光接駁。

車測中心董事長 黃隆洲表示：「在當地來跑的話，最好的話當然是跟觀光工廠來結合，所以這一次今天有3個觀光工廠能夠來結合，我想這樣比較讓民眾有感。」

車測中心僅花費1年多時間研發，24日終於首次讓媒體體驗試乘，不但模擬前方行人突然闖入車道，自駕小巴能順利煞停，如果遇到前方車輛減速，小巴也會跟著減速，停等紅燈或轉彎更不是問題，能做到這麼安全，全靠車上多個3D、2D感應雷達，還有精準的衛星定位，判讀準確率達到95%以上。

聲音來源 技術人員表示：「左邊有看到有車被框到，有一個橘色的上面有寫CAR，有看到行人走過來了，它上面已經框選到這個行人，所以這個是透過影像，它會知道那個障礙物的類型。」

車測中心和彰化縣府簽署合作意向書，自駕小巴預計從今年第四季開始，正式投入彰濱鹿港工業區3個觀光工廠間的接駁，另外最遠也能抵達鹿港天后宮，車測中認為，這樣的合作不但能提升鹿港的觀光，也能收集更多數據，做為自駕小巴的技術修正。