Sandbox - how to make it effective

Regulations regarding controlled testing (sandboxing) already exist, but their practical application still faces obstacles and difficulties.

Develop experimental models.

Phenikaa-X is testing a self-driving mini-bus in Binh Duong province. Photo: Anh Thu.

Hanoi is one of the first localities to announce the implementation of the sandbox model, which prioritizes encouraging the testing of strategic technologies and solutions serving the development of digital government, digital economy , and digital society.

Phenikaa-X Joint Stock Company has officially proposed to the Hanoi People's Committee to allow the deployment of a sandbox for four types of autonomous vehicles, including: mini-buses, robotaxis, street sweepers, and delivery robots.

The testing process was conducted at the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park and the campus of Hanoi National University, over a period of 24 months, with the expectation of creating a breakthrough for Vietnam's smart vehicle industry.

According to Mr. Le Anh Son, Director of Phenikaa-X Joint Stock Company, after many years of investment in research and development, Phenikaa-X has mastered two core autonomous technology lines (based on LiDAR and cameras) entirely designed and integrated by a team of Vietnamese engineers.

These two core technologies have been proven by Phenikaa-X through numerous real-world projects at the Phenikaa University campus, with an average autonomous driving rate of over 95%; and in Binh Duong New City, with over 162 passengers experiencing the technology, 95% of whom rated it excellent or good.

This project has also been tested at Ecopark (Hung Yen), The 9 Stellars (Son Kim Land – Ho Chi Minh City) and Vinhomes Ocean Park 2/3. Currently, the proposal to deploy a sandbox for four lines of Phenikaa-X autonomous vehicles is being evaluated and assessed by city authorities.

Another entity, the Hanoi Technology Exchange (HanoiTEX), has also proposed implementing a controlled innovation sandbox. According to HanoiTEX, the sandbox would be a technology sandbox serving science and technology transactions, not a digital finance sandbox.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Ha, Director of BVA International Linkage Joint Stock Company (the unit managing and operating the HanoiTEX exchange), this sandbox mechanism aims to create a limited testing environment to evaluate the applicability of new technologies in science and technology trading activities before applying them on a wider scale.

The HanoiTEX sandbox is designed with limitations on scope, participants, testing time, and transaction value, and includes a real-time monitoring mechanism, an emergency kill-switch mechanism, and regular and ad hoc reporting to regulatory authorities.

The Thánh Gióng computer is on display at the Hanoi Technology Exchange. Photo: TG

The sandbox scope focuses on: Digitizing technology records; identifying technology data; Blockchain for tracking and reconciliation; business smart contracts; multi-party electronic contracts; mechanisms for verifying technology transaction status; transaction monitoring dashboards; and controlled P2P technology connection models.

"The goal of the sandbox is to generate practical data to help refine policy mechanisms for the science and technology market and digital transformation of Hanoi," said Ms. Tran Thi Ha.

A legal framework for the sandbox has been established.

Vietnam Post is surveying and developing solutions for applying UAVs to harvest Shan Tuyet tea in Dien Bien province, integrating it with the logistics and supply chain to increase economic value. Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology

Controlled testing mechanisms, also known as sandboxes, have been stipulated in several legal regulations. This is a flexible legal framework that allows testing of new models, technologies, and products not yet regulated in current laws, with the aim of promoting innovation.

The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation has provided a framework for a sandbox, clearly defining its purpose as creating a safe space for businesses and organizations to test new technologies, products, services, or groundbreaking business models within a limited space and time.

The testing process is conducted transparently and is subject to strict supervision by state management agencies to ensure system safety and protect consumers. Exemptions are granted, providing a reference point for ministries and agencies to further develop specific sandbox frameworks for each sector, as stipulated in the law.

The Law on Digital Technology Industry provides a relatively specific framework for a sandbox, including documentation, procedures, and processes. The Law on the Capital City also includes provisions allowing Hanoi to apply a controlled testing mechanism to new technologies, products, services, and business models that are not specifically regulated by current laws.

Thus, regulations have been established for the sandbox. However, according to Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong, there are still quite a few agencies, organizations, and businesses proposing policy mechanisms regarding the sandbox…

According to Deputy Minister Bui Hoang Phuong, the Ministry of Science and Technology recently collaborated with the People's Committee of Dien Bien province to conduct a pilot sandbox project in the province. The implementation of this sandbox also faced some difficulties regarding the testing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) due to regulations related to national security and defense…

After discussions, the ministries agreed to allow Dien Bien to deploy a sandbox, piloting the use of UAVs in certain areas, provided that certain standards, regulations, and legal provisions related to the deployment of ultralight aircraft are ensured.

"The regulations, processes, and procedures are already in place; the issue is how to implement them. We hope that we will change our mindset, put ourselves in the shoes of the people, and work together with businesses and localities to implement synchronized policies and mechanisms," Deputy Minister Bui Hoang Phuong said.

On the part of Hanoi city, the Department of Science and Technology announced a policy of controlled testing in the area.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong provided information on the sandbox mechanism at the Vietnam-Asia Digital Transformation Forum on May 28. Photo: Organizing Committee

Accordingly, Hanoi encourages organizations and businesses with new technologies, products, services, or business models that are innovative and proactive in researching and registering for controlled trials according to regulations; at the same time, it encourages the scientific community, research institutes, higher education institutions, experts, and scientists to collaborate in proposing solutions, providing professional advice, and supporting the assessment and control of risks during the trial process.

Priority should be given to options that can solve practical problems in the capital city; have the potential for application, commercialization, intellectual property registration, production, business operations, or scaling up after testing; and ensure requirements for safety, security, risk control, user protection, and public interest.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/sandbox-lam-the-nao-cho-hieu-qua-1156574.html