At AutoTronics Taipei 2026, the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) presented the TARC Pavilion, showcasing Taiwan's advancements in smart mobility and new energy vehicle technologies. Centered on the themes of AI and New Energy, the pavilion brought together 7 research institutes and 28 industry partners to present 10 major R&D achievements, highlighting Taiwan's expanding role in the global smart vehicle supply chain.

DoIT noted that the convergence of artificial intelligence and new energy powertrains is accelerating transformation in the automotive sector. Leveraging Taiwan's strengths in ICT, the output value of its automotive electronics industry is projected to exceed NT$600 billion by 2026.

Two flagship innovations attracted significant attention. The first, the AI All-Around Intelligent Cockpit developed by the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), integrates advanced sensing technologies to enhance both in-cabin and external safety. Key features include driver eye-tracking, AI-based physiological monitoring, child presence detection, and an AI-powered exterior sentry system. These functions enable real-time monitoring of driver condition, occupant presence, and surrounding risks, significantly improving driving safety. The technology has already supported 20 Taiwanese companies in expanding into international markets, including North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Japan.

The second highlight was Taiwan's first 16-ton intercity hydrogen electric bus, developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). Designed to overcome the range and charging limitations of battery electric vehicles in long-distance transport, the bus can be refueled in just 15 minutes and has a driving range of up to 420 kilometers. The project demonstrates strong domestic integration of fuel cell systems, motors, and power control technologies, and is progressing toward UN R134 certification-an important milestone for entering the global hydrogen vehicle market.

Overall, the TARC Pavilion demonstrated Taiwan's capabilities in integrating R&D, manufacturing, and system validation across the smart vehicle ecosystem. By combining AI innovation, energy transition technologies, and industry collaboration, Taiwan is strengthening its global competitiveness and advancing toward a higher-value position in the future mobility market.