The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a bill drafted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) aimed at promoting innovative experimentation with unmanned vehicles. The draft bill will now go to the Legislative Yuan for review and debate. Premier Lai Ching-te instructed the MOEA to take the initiative in communicating with the ruling and opposition parties in order to secure the quick and successful conclusion of the legislative process.

Premier Lai said that the bill is a response to the rising global trend toward expanded application of unmanned vehicle technology, and will encourage local businesses to pursue innovative unmanned vehicle applications. The bill will also create a friendly legal environment for innovative development. Drawing on the regulatory sandbox model, the proposed legislation provides for sensible and safe testbeds for innovative experimentation in order to advance the development of related industrial technology and service applications, as well as lay a solid foundation for smart transportation and logistics systems in Taiwan.