Taipei: Taipei and New Taipei on Thursday launched a multilingual AI chatbot that provides passengers with information about bus services across the two cities. Passengers can scan QR codes posted at bus stops to access the service, which answers questions in Mandarin, English, and Taigi (Taiwanese), according to the cities' transportation departments.
According to Focus Taiwan, the chatbot provides information on bus routes, estimated arrival times, stop locations, waiting areas, fares, and payment methods. Transportation officials said the service is intended to reduce the number of passengers asking drivers for directions or route information, easing their workload.
The system was jointly developed by the Taipei and New Taipei transportation departments and bus operators' associations in the two cities. Taipei City Bus Management Committee Chairperson Li Bo-wen stated the chatbot is the first service of its kind in Taiwan and can recognize different accents.
The 24-hour service covers more than 12,000 bus stops, from Qingtiangang in Taipei to Fulong Beach in New Taipei, Li added. Taipei Department of Transportation Commissioner Hsieh Ming-hung mentioned that the chatbot requires ongoing training and encouraged the public to try the service.