The driverless Persuasive Electric Vehicle (PEV) showcased at the Taiwan Air Force (TAF) Innovation Base testifies that Taiwan is the best partner to help innovators worldwide "go from zero to one" and turn their dreams into actual products, Premier Mao Chi-kuo stated today at the "Redefining and Redesigning the Future City" exhibition, where the PEV was demonstrated.
The Taiwan Bicycle Association assisted in the birth of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab's PEV, the premier pointed out. Thus, the product is the combination of "Made in Taiwan" and the MIT Media Lab, or "MIT + MIT," and could even produce the multiplier effect "MIT x MIT."
"Innovation is closely related to daily living; the necessities of life such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, recreation and health care are subjects of ceaseless innovation," the premier observed. "Some people call this 'smart living,' and in terms of infrastructure development it would be a 'smart city.'"
The MIT Media Lab's PEV is a very important link in the smart city, the premier indicated. He expressed his gratitude to the laboratory for collaborating with Taiwan in developing and sharing the fruit of this research.
Noting that the PEV was demonstrated for the first time ever just days before at CES—a consumer electronics show held January 6-9 in the U.S.—Mao said it is highly significant that the MIT Media Lab chose TAF Innovation Base as its product's first overseas exhibition site.
Dr. Kent Larson, MIT Media Lab director of smart urban housing, said at today's event that Taiwan has very strong designing and manufacturing capabilities and the TAF Innovation Base could become a world-class "living laboratory."
Premier Mao pointed out the driverless car has become a hot topic among industries in recent years, attracting many international conglomerates to join in relevant research and development. The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that PEV test runs will be seen in the TAF Innovation Base within one year, and Taipei's transportation information and data will be incorporated into the vehicle to compute the most suitable navigation mode in the city.