Taipei is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in Asia. With its unique blend of East and West culture, as well as mouthwatering cuisine, Taipei offers something for everyone. To truly experience all that this city has to offer, you’ll need convenient transportation to take you from one destination to the next. This is where the innovative Taipei Self-Driving Gharry comes in.
The Taipei Self-Driving Gharry is a driverless rickshaw service that allows you to explore Taipei on your schedule. Launched in 2021, it has rapidly become a popular way for both locals and tourists to get around the bustling city in a fun and eco-friendly way. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about hiring, riding, and making the most of your Taipei Self-Driving Gharry experience.
How the Taipei Self-Driving Gharry Works
The Taipei Self-Driving Gharry operates similarly to other shared mobility services such as electric scooters. To hire a gharry, you first need to download the official app which is available on both iOS and Android. Once installed, open the app and select your pickup and drop-off locations.
You will then be given an access code to unlock the nearest available gharry. Gharries are stationed at pickup zones throughout the city, including major tourist attractions, subway stations, and shopping districts. Simply enter the code into the console of the locked gharry to start your ride.
From there, the gharry is completely driverless. Using GPS navigation and sensors, it will autonomously transport you to your selected destination. A monitor inside provides information such as estimated time of arrival, current speed, and traffic updates. For your safety, there is also an emergency stop button.
At your destination, simply exit the gharry and it will automatically lock and drive off to its next pickup location. You can then end your trip on the app. Payment is done through major credit/debit cards or digital wallets linked to your account. Rides typically cost $2-5 depending on distance.
Planning Your Taipei Gharry Routes
With the flexibility of driverless transport, you have endless opportunities to design customized sightseeing routes around Taipei. Here are some ideas to help you plan the perfect day of exploring via gharry:
Ximending to Taipei 101 (4km, 20mins)
Starting in the lively youth district of Ximending, ride to Taipei 101 for panoramic views over the city from the observation decks. Don’t forget to check out the ritzy shopping mall.
Taipei Main Station to East Coast Park (10km, 30mins)
From Taipei’s central transit hub, head east through scenic coastal roads to reach the expansive East Coast Park for cycling, jogging or simply relaxing by the waterside.
Zhongshan to Dihua Street (3km, 15mins)
Explore historical Dihua Street, lined with elegant Qing-era architecture housing cafes and boutiques. Then wander through scenic Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park.
Shilin Night Market to Taipei Zoo (6km, 25mins)
After indulging in snacks at Shilin Market, it’s a quick journey to the city zoo where you can feed the pandas up close. The zoo has free admission.
Taipei 101 to National Palace Museum (7km, 30mins)
Marvel at Chinese artifacts dating back thousands of years at this world-renowned museum housed in a spectacular classical Chinese building.
Using our gharry routes, you can optimize your day by tripping around Taipei’s top attractions in comfortable, affordable, and green transportation. Book your trips back-to-back to maximize sightseeing efficiency!
Helpful Tips for Riding Gharries
- Now that you have an understanding of how the Taipei Self Driving Gharrry works and ideas for itineraries, here are some additional tips to ensure a smooth riding experience:
- Book trips in advance during peak hours to guarantee availability. Gharries are shared so may not always have an instant pickup.
- Always check the app and console for access codes before entering gharry to avoid errors. The code resets after five minutes if unused.
- Drive slowly on narrow streets and watch for pedestrians/cyclists. Gharries are small – go with the flow of traffic.
- Gharrries are electric and meant for short trips around 6km max before recharging. Charge won’t be an issue for typical itineraries.
- Gharrries have ample legroom for most but tall riders fold down rear seats for more space. Limit cargo to light bags.
- Gharrries are cleaned regularly but bring your disinfecting wipes if concerned. Open windows for airflow.
- Report any issues to customer service promptly via the app so gharries can be fixed/maintained.
- Most importantly – enjoy the unique experience of autonomous transport! Wave to passersby, relax, and soak up Taipei views.
Safety Features of the Taipei Self-Driving Gharry
As one of the world’s first public driverless mobility services, safety is the top priority of the Taipei Self-Driving Gharry. They utilize an array of technologies and redundancies to ensure smooth and safe operations:
Feature Description
- Collision Avoidance System Advanced sensors continuously monitor surroundings and can brake autonomously to avoid stationary or moving obstacles.
- Dynamic Driving Monitoring Onboard and remote monitoring systems track gharry movements and behaviors in real time to detect and fix any irregularities.
- Emergency Stop Button Located prominently inside the gharry for passengers to press at any time to stop the vehicle and engage the parking brake.
- Automated Inspections Daily automated checks and maintenance procedures scan all Gharry mechanical and digital systems to catch issues early.
- Black Box Recording Accident data recorders log detailed information in the event of a crash to facilitate investigation and system improvement.
- Redundant Sensing Triple lidar sensors, cameras, and radar maintain awareness of surroundings even if one may malfunction for immediate backup.
- Over-the-Air Updates Frequent software updates from the control center enhance gharry abilities based on the latest data to continuously strengthen safety.
- Pedestrian Protection Impact-absorbing exterior and strategic placement of mechanical parts aims to cushion collisions and protect people above all else.
- Strict Pilot Program Started service on a limited trial basis to gather operational learnings before gradual wider rollout based on the maturity of the safety case.
- Oversight Standards Complies and exceeds standards set by national regulators as well as independent international reviews from the automotive industry.
Safety Features of the Taipei Self-Driving Gharry
The successful launch of the Taipei Self Driving Gharry has sparked interest worldwide in how autonomous mobility can revolutionize urban transportation across multiple sectors:
Healthcare
Driverless ambulances could transport patients, equipment, and specimens between hospitals much faster.
Logistics
Self-driving delivery trucks could ply city streets safely 24/7 to resupply shops, restaurants, and warehouses.
Tourism
Visitors could enjoy guided driverless tours around city landmarks at scheduled times with commentary.
Aging Population
Autonomous shuttles/buses could provide handy mobility for the elderly and those unable to drive themselves.
Sustainability
As electric vehicles replace fossil fuel cars, autonomous technology makes transportation more efficient and environmentally friendly overall.
FAQ’s
How do the self-driving gharries work?
The self-driving gharries use cameras, sensors, and GPS to navigate the streets autonomously. Passengers select their destination on a touchscreen and the gharry will drive itself to the location. A remote operator monitors the vehicles to ensure safe operation.
Where can you find the self-driving gharries?
Currently, there are two stations where you can catch a self-driving gharry – one near Taipei Main Station and another near Taipei 101. You’ll know they’re self-driving as they have special markings and signs on the exterior.
How much do rides on the self-driving gharry cost?
Prices start from NT$50-100 per ride, depending on distance. Payment is made electronically using credit cards or mobile payment apps like Apple Pay.
What areas of Taipei can the self-driving gharries travel to?
So far the self-driving gharries can only operate within a limited zone that includes major tourist spots like Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the surrounding streets. The zones of autonomous operation are being expanded gradually over time.
Final Thoughts
Taipei is just the beginning for shared self-driving services. Shortly, we may see entire passenger drone networks taking flight above our heads to transcend existing infrastructure limits. The Taipei gharry blazes a trail other cities will surely follow to create inclusive societies with autonomous ground transport for all. For now, sit back and enjoy the driverless ride!
I’m passionate electric scooter enthusiast and the voice behind this blog. I’m here to share my expertise and insights with you. From in-depth reviews to problem-solving guides, my goal is to help you make the most of your electric scooter experience.
