NSTDA – PANUS joins forces in research Upgrading the transport, automotive and battery industries

Director of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Dr. Ekarat Waiyanit, Director of the Center for Research on Modern Rail and Transport Technology, NSTDA, and Dr. Siwarak Siwamoktham, director of the Center. Technology for national security and commercial applications NSTDA attended the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Technology development and innovation for the benefit of industrial business between NSTDA and Phanat Assembly Company Limited, led by Mr. Panus Wattanachai, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Phanat Assembly Company Limited, Krirk Klomkleaw, Manager Engineering Department and Dr. Wimon Saenum, Director of Innovation Business Unit, Panus Assembly Co., Ltd. attended the event and witnessed the signing.

Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul, Director of NSTDA Said that NSTDA attaches great importance to research and development to create technological innovations that are ready for commercial use and public benefit. Both the industrial sector, the service sector and the social sector, therefore, has established a specialized technology center (Focus Center), which currently has 3 units, comprising a technology research center, facilities and medical devices. Technology Center for National Security and Commercial Applications and a research center for modern rail and transportation technology.

Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul, Director of NSTDA
In addition, NSTDA is also pushing for commercialization of research results. through the Thai innovation accounting system This makes research findings a channel to be utilized in the government agencies that are the largest market today. and work with the Thai Industrial Standards Institute or TISI to create innovative industry standards Set standards for innovation This is considered the starting point for further innovation to be certified.

Two additional examples of work to support the private sector are:

1. Establishment of NSTDA Startup NSTDA has set new rules for NSTDA personnel to be able to hold shares in the company. and let the company hire NSTDA to manage the technology With this mechanism, NSTDA personnel can work in companies that they own shares. At the same time, it is still an employee of NSTDA. It is a model that responds to the concept of the new generation who wants to challenge that. Research can be commercialized. benefit

2. Establishment of NSTDA Holding NSTDA has adjusted its investment model to be a platform. In NSTDA Holding, NSTDA holds 100% of the shares, has an investment budget of approximately 100 million baht, has a separate investment mechanism from the NSTDA. . It is a limited company used for investment. Take the research of the new generation to set up a company Create an investment platform to get research running through these platforms. Including having a certain amount of capital to hold shares in both self-established startups and general startups. It is the mechanism that drives the commercialization of science and technology-related businesses. NSTDA Holding NSTDA will search for investment projects and invest in appropriate proportions. will not spend a lot of money, but will use seed money to attract other agencies to invest in


Director of NSTDA further said that, however, NSTDA. and Panus Assembly Co., Ltd. has cooperation in many fields, such as autonomous vehicle industry, logistics and energy storage batteries, etc. Signing a cooperation between Phanat Assembly Co., Ltd. and NSTDA G. Today, it is part of the mechanism that will enhance competitiveness. and create sustainability for the industrial sector in the country through research and development in science and technology This is the starting point for creating technological innovations with strengths and practical applications in the industrial business in the future.

“Over the past 30 years, NSTDA has transformed its work style from a research and development organization in science, technology and innovation to a mission to initiate and drive the country’s important science and technology infrastructure. to reduce dependence on foreign technology Use the strengths and strength of domestic resources Combined with various mission science and technology capabilities. to lead to sustainable development in line with the National Agenda BCG Economic Model Guideline.”


Mr. Panus Wattanachai, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Phanat Assembly Co., Ltd. said that at present the company There is cooperation with NSTDA in many sectors. including more than 15 years of collaborating resources on Finite Element with DECC, cooperation with technology business incubator Organized a contest for innovative ideas in technology and logistics in the Panus Thailand LogTech Award project, which has been organized for more than 5 years. In addition, there is a development of automated driving technology that is suitable for use under the conditions of Thailand. Development of bulletproof armor plates for locomotive applications to increase operator and passenger safety in the southern region. and many other ongoing and upcoming projects

“However, better than 50 years, the company has undergone transformation. and develop business in various fields to meet the changing era Starting from the business of providing transportation and logistics services. It is well known for producing commercial transport vehicles such as trailers, container trucks, dump trucks, and agricultural vehicles. Including trucks that we have innovation with Toyota, which is currently in the commercial transport vehicle market. We have been holding the No. 1 market share of more than 25% of the market for a long time. We see opportunities in every corner of the world. Therefore, it is not only sold in the country only. but also exported to foreign countries which we currently export to more than 40 countries around the world.”

Chief Executive Officer of Phanat said that another important business of the company is Airport ground service business that we have been operating for more than 15 years. It is an aircraft dozer with both diesel and 100% electric power. It is also used as ground equipment at airports, including low-landing buses. When it comes to electric dozers That has been developing products since 2015, which is another pride of the company with this idea and innovation in electric vehicles. Therefore, we have further developed and created another part of our business called Innovation Business Unit that takes care of the company’s new business, both in the defense industry Currently, we have been certified for bulletproof armored vehicles from the Ministry of Defense up to 2 models, including fleet management systems. and the highlight is The commercially-modified electric vehicle, Panus Drive, has recently been launched as an electric vehicle conversion kit. Focus on commercial transport vehicles This is what we see as the future. both the future of the company and the future of the country It can also help build a foundation economy to grow at the same time. As it is a new industry, it is necessary to develop people and spread knowledge to the new generation. including small garages A network of partners, institutions and organizations All sectors that can receive know how or a kit to assemble and modify by themselves.


Dr. Ekarat Waiyanit, Director of the Research Center for Modern Rail and Transport Technology, NSTDA said that this cooperation The objective is to develop technology and innovations for use in industrial businesses, including: 1. Joint research project management. as well as develop a working network of industrial stakeholders. 2. Create new innovations such as the development of a platform to provide transportation and logistics services. 3. Integrate the linkage of resource utilization in each unit. work to increase efficiency. both research and academic personnel infrastructure Equipment and tools for research and development. 4. Creating mechanisms to drive utilization. In research and development, creating innovative technology business entrepreneurs and 5. Developing applied research. as well as promoting the transfer of technology through various mechanisms such as research contract projects; joint research project technology transfer as well as licensing rights to create a differentiated business through innovation Technology and innovation consulting Solve engineering problems Analysis and testing services including to jointly develop business mechanisms through measures to promote finance, tax and Thai innovation accounting of NSTDA

NSTDA has cooperation with Panus Assembly Co., Ltd. in many aspects, in terms of research and development. Specialized research center or focus center of NSTDA. Currently, Rail and Modern Transports Research Center : RMT has jointly conducted research and development with Panus Assembly Co., Ltd. in Develop automatic driving technology that is suitable for use under the conditions of Thailand. to create a prototype of a Level 3 self-driving vehicle in the form of a feeder car that can carry 15 passengers, is powered by electricity Can run at a maximum speed of 35 km/h to connect the public transport network or First-and-Last Mile Connectivity by receiving research funding from the country’s Competitiveness Capital Management and Management Unit ( PG.) under a period of 2 years

Besides that The safety of locomotives has also been improved to prevent bullet attacks for operators and train passengers in the southern region. The budget will be supported by the integrated plan to drive the problem solving of the southern border provinces. under a period of 1 year

On the other hand, Dr. Siwarak Siwamoktham, Director of the Technology Center for National Security and Commercial Applications, NSTDA or National Security and Dual-Use Technology Center: NSD added that In the part of the technology center for the security of the country Has planned research work to cooperate with Panus Assembly Co., Ltd. in 2 projects: 1. Development of a diesel engine exhaust filter with electrostatic precipitation. To filter the exhaust from diesel engines of large vehicles. using electrostatic precipitation technology This can increase the efficiency of diesel exhaust filtration that contains very small particulates. Can be sprayed to clean the filter easily. for installation in trucks public bus to reduce air pollution emissions and 2. to invest in research between Panat and NSTDA in a prototype factory producing alternative batteries In the area of ​​the Eastern Economic Corridor Innovation Zone or EECi in Wang Chan District, Rayong Province

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