Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim visited National Sun Yat-sen University’s underwater vehicle facilities on Tuesday. She toured the College of Marine Sciences to examine recent progress in underwater vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, and AI-controlled platforms. The visit showcased Taiwan’s growing strength in marine technology.
During the visit, Hsiao praised the university’s breakthroughs in autonomous underwater and surface vessels. She also highlighted the university’s sensing technologies. Furthermore, she emphasized their practical applications in marine conservation, fisheries, and underwater exploration. Moreover, Hsiao pointed out their potential for strengthening national defense.
Hsiao described the university’s ocean research as a cornerstone for Taiwan’s maritime exploration efforts. She encouraged the researchers to continue advancing both manned and unmanned underwater vehicles. Additionally, she suggested enhancing capabilities through international cooperation to boost innovation.
The underwater vehicle facilities at the university collaborate closely with several key partners. Together, they developed Taiwan’s first two-seater submarine prototype. This submarine has undergone more than ten sea trials. Currently, the team is upgrading it with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies.
Besides the submarine, these institutions deploy various manned and unmanned underwater vehicles. They support projects like wind and ocean current power generation, submarine mineral resource surveys, and underwater rescue operations. In 2022, the university built Taiwan’s first mini-submarine. It completed a successful two-hour autonomous dive off Xiaoliuqiu island, reaching depths of 10 to 20 meters.
In 2021, the university founded a research center focused on autonomous underwater vehicle technologies. This center focuses on critical technologies such as sonar, navigation, AI-based recognition, communication systems, underwater charging, and multi-vehicle coordination. Consequently, the center has created both autonomous and remotely operated sensing systems.
Furthermore, the underwater vehicle facilities developed a vehicle capable of operating at depths up to 4,000 meters. It features advanced photography and mapping capabilities. Back in 2017, the university launched an underwater vehicle that recorded over 300 hours of deep-sea footage.
This effort helped gather important data on marine ecosystems and mineral resources in Taiwanese waters. Overall, Vice President Hsiao’s visit to the underwater vehicle facilities underscores Taiwan’s leadership in marine technology. Her encouragement and the university’s ongoing efforts promise exciting developments ahead.
