Distinguished guests, including Presidential Advisor Shen Jong-chin (third from right), Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Cynthia Kian (fourth from right), TEEMA Vice Chairman Jerry Hsu (fifth from right), TAITRA Chairman James C. F. Huang (fifth from left), and Director-General Chao-Chung Kuo of DoIT (fourth from left), visit the TARC Pavilion. They were hosted by Jerry Wang (third from left), Chairman of TARC and ARTC, who introduced Taiwan's R&D prowess in intelligent auto-electronics.

The Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) today unveiled a powerful lineup of innovations at the TARC (Taiwan Automotive Reseaarch Consortium) Pavilion during AutoTronics Taipei show. Focused on AI Intelligence and New Energy, the pavilion showcases 10 landmark R&D breakthroughs developed through the collaboration of 7 research institutes and 28 industry partners. This exhibition underscores Taiwan’s strategic ascent as a pivotal hub in the global smart vehicle supply chain.

The TARC Pavilion, organized by DoIT under MOEA, brings together 7 major research institutions and 28 industry partners. The exhibit centers on "AI Intelligence" and "New Energy for EVs," showcasing 10 key R&D breakthroughs and industrial collaborative achievements.

Strategic Vision: A NT$600 B. Milestone

Director-General Chao-Chung Kuo of DoIT , emphasized that the convergence of AI and new-energy powertrains is driving a new wave of automotive transformation. "Leveraging Taiwan's ICT prowess, we project the production value of Taiwan’s automotive electronics sector to exceed NT$600 billion by 2026," Kuo stated.

This year’s TARC Pavilion headlined by two flagship innovations. The first is the "AI All-Around Intelligent Cockpit" developed by the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC). By integrating multiple cutting-edge sensing technologies to enhance comprehensive vehicle safety, the system has already successfully penetrated international markets. The second highlight is the "16-Ton Intercity Hydrogen Electric Bus" engineered by ITRI. Boasting a 15-minute rapid refueling capability and a range exceeding 400 km, this achievement marks a pivotal milestone in Taiwan’s advancement toward hydrogen-powered mobility.

AI All-Around Intelligent Cockpit

According to DoIT, the ARTC-developed "AI All-Around Intelligent Cockpit" represents an evolution of the automobile from a mere transportation tool into a "proactive mobility guardian" capable of autonomous judgment. The system features different core sensing capabilities:

• Driver Eye-Tracking Technology: Achieves a 99% recognition rate even during day-to-night transitions or when the driver is wearing masks, glasses, or Middle Eastern religious attire. 
• AI Physiological Monitoring: Utilizes non-contact sensing to detect respiration and heart rate, identifying abnormal driver states in real-time to prevent collisions with roadside infrastructure.
• Child Presence Detection (CPD) & AI Exterior Sentry: Extends safety protection beyond the cabin. The system provides 360-degree life-sign detection inside the vehicle and actively alerts the owner to external threats within 10 seconds.

This core system has successfully integrated Taiwan's robust industrial supply chain, including: 

Imaging Modules (Chimei Motor, oToBrite, Whetron), Radar Modules (TMYTEK, WNC, Hon-Tsai), Smart Display Modules (Pegatron, CarUX, AUO, GIS), High-Performance Computing (ASUS, Neousys, Advantech, VIA), Controllers (ARTC, HCMF, AutoSys, Advancetek), AI Edge Computing (Nutek, ELAN), Chips (ELAN, Novatek, MediaTek) etc..

To date, this initiative has assisted 20 domestic manufacturers in entering the international market, successfully introducing Taiwanese products into North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Japan.

The ARTC-developed "AI All-Around Intelligent Cockpit" features four core sensing functions, including driver eye-tracking. The system has already assisted 20 Taiwanese manufacturers in expanding internationally, successfully entering markets in North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Japan.

Taiwan’s First 16-Ton Intercity Hydrogen Bus

Addressing the range and charging limitations of traditional Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) for long-haul transport, ITRI’s hydrogen-powered bus offers a high-efficiency alternative, and it features:

• Performance: A 15-minute rapid refuel provides a cruising range of 420 kilometers.
• System Integration: The bus represents a complete domestic ecosystem, featuring fuel cells (ITRI, Delta Electronics), power motors (Zero Emission PowerTrain), and power controllers (KopherBit).
• International Certification: The project is set to secure the UN R134 hydrogen vehicle certification, facilitating the transition from component exports to "whole-vehicle" system exports to target the global Net-Zero market.

ITRI has developed Taiwan's first 16-ton intercity hydrogen bus, offering a solution to the payload limitations and long charging times of BEVs in long-haul transport. The bus delivers high-performance efficiency with a 15-minute refueling time and a cruising range of up to 420 km.

Exhibition Details

• Dates: April 14 – 17, 2026
• Venue: Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1, 4F (TARC Pavilion)

The TARC consists of leading research bodies and industry partners supported by the MOEA, dedicated to advancing Taiwan's automotive technology through R&D, international certification, and supply chain integration.