Taichung's First Self-Driving Bus Transforms into a Snoopy-Themed Yellow School Bus, Open for Public Rides This Autumn

Taichung City's Department of Transportation has partnered with the globally renowned comic brand Peanuts to launch the 'Follow Snoopy, Welcome to Safely Explore Taichung' initiative, integrating the beloved Snoopy character into traffic safety promotion. Taichung's self-driving bus has received a full makeover, transforming into a playful Snoopy-themed yellow school bus, making its debut at the 1st-floor waiting area of the Waterfront Transfer Center! The public is invited to get up close with autonomous driving technology and experience the charm of future smart transportation.

Transportation Director Yeh Chao-fu stated that Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen's vision of 'Digital power equals urban competitiveness' has driven the city's core strategy of smart governance and urban transformation, successfully bringing Taichung's self-driving bus to life. This autonomous bus has attracted widespread attention and features 100% Taiwan-developed self-driving technology. The Snoopy-themed livery has been completed, transforming the vehicle into a vibrant yellow school bus, complete with a cute Snoopy driver inside. From now until August 23, the bus will be on display at the 1st-floor waiting area of the Waterfront Transfer Center. Large exhibition panels are set up on-site, introducing the technological principles of the self-driving bus and its planned routes in Taichung, inviting the public to learn how the bus 'sees, thinks fast, and travels safely.'

Director Yeh explained that the AI decision-making system acts as the 'super brain' of the self-driving bus, enabling it to observe road conditions, judge directions, and drive safely—just like a human. The bus is equipped with many technological 'secret weapons,' including an AI decision-making system, LiDAR, cameras, high-definition maps, and a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system. These components work together to give the vehicle sensing, analysis, and decision-making capabilities. He expressed gratitude to the city team for overcoming various challenges, analyzing surrounding vehicles, traffic signals, pedestrians, and road conditions, and making safety assessments and careful decisions to achieve rapid deployment of autonomous driving.

Director Yeh pointed out that the LiDAR and cameras installed around the bus act as 'all-around eyes,' detecting surrounding vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles to help the vehicle understand its environment. The high-definition maps used differ from general smartphone navigation maps—they not only record road locations but also include detailed information such as road gradients, curve radii, lane markings, and intersections. This precise memory of road environments allows the vehicle to prepare in advance for turns, deceleration, or stops.

Notably, the self-driving bus can communicate with traffic signals and AI-detection cameras along the route. The Department of Transportation has deployed V2X roadside units and communication systems along the roads, forming an information neural network connecting vehicles and infrastructure. Through wireless communication, real-time data such as remaining traffic light seconds, intersection traffic flow, and pedestrian movements are transmitted to the bus, enabling it to anticipate intersection conditions and further enhance driving safety and smoothness.

The Department of Transportation stated that the self-driving bus will proceed to real-road validation in the Waterfront Trade Park, connecting key nodes such as the Waterfront Transfer Center, Central Park, the Taichung Green & Art Museum, the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center, and the MRT Wenhua Senior High School Station. The service will integrate transportation transfer, leisure, and tourism experiences, with public rides expected to launch this autumn. Riding methods and event details will be announced later—citizens are encouraged to stay tuned.