JavaScript is off. Please enable to view full site.

Ho Chi Minh City allows controlled testing of self-driving vehicles

Ho Chi Minh City allows controlled testing of self-driving vehicles

Friday, November 15, 2024, 15:03 GMT+7
Ho Chi Minh City allows controlled testing of self-driving vehicles
Employees of Vietnamese drone manufacturer Real-time Robotics Inc. work on the company’s HERA drones. Photo: CT / Tuoi Tre

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council on Thursday approved a resolution establishing criteria, sectors, and guidelines for the controlled testing of drones and unmanned vehicles within the city’s high-tech and information technology zones. 

The designated testing location for drones is the Saigon High-Tech Park, while autonomous vehicles will be tested at the Quang Trung Software City and the Saigon High-Tech Park.

These testing areas must be enclosed, monitored, and equipped with communication, safety, and rescue equipment.

The companies overseeing the testing are required to operate within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park or Quang Trung Software City and must meet specific standards for technology, staffing, and financial capacity.

Unmanned terrestrials involved in such controlled testing must meet standards set forth by local authorities, ensure economic and technological efficiency, cause no negative impacts on the environment or human health, and meet safety and information security regulations.

Unmanned drones used for testing must meet specific technical criteria, including featuring wingspans of 400-1,570mm, lengths of 200-1,570mm, and heights of 100-715mm.

Their maximum take-off weight must be 70kg and their maximum flight speeds may not exceed 100kph.

Members of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council vote in approval for a resolution establishing criteria, sectors, and guidelines for the controlled testing of new technology solutions, specifically drones and uncrewed vehicles on November 14, 2024. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

Members of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council vote in approval for a resolution establishing criteria, sectors, and guidelines for the controlled testing of new technology solutions, specifically drones and uncrewed vehicles, November 14, 2024. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre

Their top landing speeds may not surpass 60kph and their utmost flight heights must not exceed 200m.

Meanwhile, self-driving vehicles' speeds may not exceed 20kph.

All vehicles involved in the testing program may only be operated between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.

The testing program is aimed at using drones and uncrewed vehicles in security, rescue, fire prevention and fighting, logistics, passenger transport, hi-tech agriculture, environment, and art.

Capital from the city’s budget and other legal resources will be sourced to invest in infrastructure at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park and Quang Trung Software City to execute the program.

The Ho Chi Minh City administration noted that numerous innovative products, technologies, services, and business models have emerged over the years.

However, a lack of regulations poses significant risks to their commercialization.

To address this, the city aims to support policies that enable the pilot testing of new technological solutions, fostering an environment where effective solutions can receive legal endorsement.

Phan Van Mai, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, conveyed to the municipal People’s Council that Party General Secretary To Lam underlined the use of science and technology as the foundation and driver for innovation and growth.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Thanh Ha - Thao Le - Cam Nuong / Tuoi Tre News

More

Read more

;

VIDEOS

‘Taste of Australia’ gala dinner held in Ho Chi Minh City after 2-year hiatus

Taste of Australia Gala Reception has returned to the Park Hyatt Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Vietnamese woman gives unconditional love to hundreds of adopted children

Despite her own immense hardship, she has taken in and cared for hundreds of orphans over the past three decades.

Latest news

To Europe's economic malaise, add a leadership void

France and Germany's political crises are a setback for efforts to modernise Europe's struggling economy and are already making it harder for companies to take the investment decisions they need to compete globally