Seoul City Introduces 500 'New Ddareungi' Bikes Equipped with QR Codes

Expansion to 5,000 Units in the First Half
Introduction of 'Saessak Ddareungi' for Elementary and Middle School Students Planned

Renting a bicycle by scanning a QR code (Provided by Seoul City)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Seoul City will newly introduce the 'New Ddareungi,' which allows rental and return with a single QR code scan, starting from the 1st of next month. The 'Saessak Ddareungi,' which can be safely used by elementary and middle school students, will also be piloted.

Seoul City announced on the 27th that it will pilot 500 QR-type New Ddareungi bicycles in the green transportation area inside the Four Great Gates starting March 1st and expand to 5,000 units by the first half of this year. From this year, all newly added Ddareungi bicycles will be introduced in QR-type, and existing terminals will be replaced.

The New Ddareungi is a bicycle equipped with a QR-type terminal. Rental is done by scanning the QR code attached to the bicycle with a smartphone application, which automatically unlocks the lock. Returns are made by pulling the lock lever on the terminal to lock it. Compared to the existing LCD-type terminals, it has lower maintenance costs and fewer malfunctions. Additionally, the New Ddareungi can track real-time location using LTE communication networks, preventing unauthorized use.

The Saessak Ddareungi will also be introduced for elementary and middle school students under the age of 15. It can be used for commuting to schools and academies, and detailed operation plans and introduction timing will be finalized after gathering opinions.

The city plans to increase the number of Ddareungi rental stations from the current 1,540 to 3,040 this year.

Meanwhile, the city, in cooperation with the Seoul Facilities Corporation, regularly disinfects the Ddareungi rental stations and has installed hand sanitizers. Handles, terminal LCD screens, and other parts of the Ddareungi are also being disinfected.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.