TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has unveiled its first Level 3 AI-powered autonomous electric bus, marking a major milestone in the nation’s development of smart transportation technologies, CNA reported Wednesday.
The vehicle features cutting-edge systems, including intelligent cabin monitoring, AI-driven vibration and noise analysis, and electronic rearview mirrors. Equipped with advanced safety and driving-assist functions such as lane keeping, active obstacle avoidance, and driver condition monitoring, the bus complies with the United Nations Regulation No. 157, or UN R157.
According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, driving automation ranges from Level 0 to Level 5. Levels 0-2 require the driver to maintain primary control, while Level 3 allows the vehicle’s system to manage all driving tasks within specific operational conditions. However, the driver must remain alert and prepared to assume control when prompted.
To ensure safety and regulatory compliance, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe established Regulation UN R157 in 2021, setting a legal framework for manufacturers developing Level 3 autonomous vehicles to meet stringent performance and safety criteria.
The project, led by the Automotive Research & Testing Center, unites several leading Taiwanese companies, including Elan Microelectronics, oToBrite Electronics, and Chimei Automotive. Based on Mastertrans’ electric bus platform, the vehicle incorporates ARTC’s proprietary decision-making control software, enabling critical functions such as sensor fusion, autonomous driving control, driver takeover detection, and risk response planning.
ARTC highlighted that this achievement represents a significant step in transitioning autonomous driving technology from research labs to practical applications on Taiwan’s roads.
In the domain of AI smart cabins, ARTC utilizes deep learning image recognition combined with heterogeneous sensor fusion and bio-radar technology to develop advanced features such as driver monitoring, child presence detection, and passenger fall recognition.
The center further explained that the AI system continuously tracks the driver’s eye movements and head position to evaluate alertness. When driving conditions exceed the vehicle’s autonomous capabilities, the system prompts the driver to take control.
If the driver shows signs of drowsiness or illness, the vehicle automatically decelerates, safely pulls over, and issues an alert, enhancing public transportation safety.
Looking ahead, ARTC predicts that by 2030, while Level 1 and Level 2 autonomous vehicles will dominate the global market, Level 3 vehicles will steadily gain market share by handling more complex driving tasks and reducing driver workload.
