Taiwan's Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC) has reached a major milestone in the field of smart mobility. Through the integration of advanced technologies and collaboration with local industry partners, ARTC has successfully developed the country's first domestically produced electric bus with Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. This innovation was internationally recognized with a Bronze Award at the 2025 Edison Awards, underscoring Taiwan's growing influence in global intelligent transportation.

At the core of this achievement is a highly intelligent electric bus equipped with a suite of advanced sensors and control systems. The vehicle is capable of real-time monitoring of the driving environment, autonomous control, and seamless transitions between manual and autonomous driving modes when road conditions permit. These features are enabled by an integrated platform that combines perception, decision-making, and vehicle control technologies.

The autonomous system is designed to maintain lane discipline and avoid obstacles by analyzing road features. When the driver activates the turn signal, the system ensures that a safe gap in traffic is available before assisting in the maneuver. These capabilities not only enhance driving safety but also alleviate the driver's workload-particularly in complex or congested driving environments.

In addition, the vehicle incorporates a driver monitoring system that uses facial and posture recognition to assess the driver's readiness to take over control. If the environment becomes unmanageable and the driver is unresponsive-due to fatigue or distraction-the bus will automatically reduce speed and come to a safe stop or pull over. This significantly reduces the risk of accidents caused by human error or delayed reaction times.

Currently, most buses in Taiwan still rely heavily on manual driving, making driver fatigue a key safety concern. The implementation of Level 3 autonomous functions provides a practical solution for improving operational safety and passenger comfort. It also marks an important step toward more intelligent and sustainable forms of public transportation.

The project was made possible through ARTC's partnership with Taiwanese bus manufacturer CHTC Motor. The resulting vehicle meets both domestic requirements and key international standards, including UNECE regulations UN R79 and UN R157. These cover features such as automated lane keeping, emergency steering, and lane change assistance-essential functions for Level 3 autonomy.

Being named a Bronze Winner at the 2025 Edison Awards-one of the world's most prestigious accolades for innovation-demonstrates the global competitiveness and technical excellence of Taiwan's smart mobility initiatives. The Edison Awards honor excellence across industries in technology development, product innovation, and applied science.

Looking ahead, ARTC will continue advancing next-generation intelligent transportation technologies through industry collaboration and applied research. The successful deployment of Taiwan's first Level 3 autonomous electric bus is not only a technological achievement-it signals that Taiwan is ready to compete in the global race toward smart and sustainable transportation.