Penghu Candidate Pushes for Unmanned Vehicle Industry Development

Wu Shu-jen, a candidate for Penghu County Magistrate representing the Democratic Progressive Party, is making the development of the unmanned vehicle industry a cornerstone of her campaign. She advocates for attracting this burgeoning sector to the island, positioning it as Taiwan's next significant technological advancement.

Wu describes the unmanned vehicle industry, encompassing drones and unmanned surface and underwater vessels, as Taiwan's next 'guardian mountain,' drawing a parallel to the success of TSMC. She highlights the immense commercial and defense applications worldwide and sees Penghu's unique maritime environment as an ideal location for research, development, testing, and training in this field.

Penghu's specific conditions, including high winds, strong waves, and saltwater spray, present a high-standard challenge for unmanned systems. Wu believes this makes the island a perfect testing ground for the entire industry chain. She aims to leverage these advantages to foster innovation, attract international talent and cooperation, and create high-value employment opportunities, encouraging locals to return and contribute to Penghu's technological transformation.

Beyond its established tourism and fishing industries, Wu envisions Penghu becoming a hub for high-value technology. She proposes developing dedicated industrial bases to attract global talent and partnerships. Furthermore, she suggests hosting international drone and unmanned vessel competitions to enhance Penghu's global profile as a 'technology island.' This initiative seeks to diversify the local economy and create a more robust future for the region.