Autonomous A2Z "Entering US and Singapore Markets... Mass Production of Autonomous Vehicles by 2027" (Comprehensive)

2018 Founded Autonomous Driving Solution Company 'a2z'
Held Press Conference on 9th to Announce Future Business Blueprint
Unveiled Logistics Unmanned Delivery and Public Transport Unmanned Shuttle Platforms
Established US and Singapore Offices...Built Mobility Research Institute

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Autonomous driving startup ‘Autonomous A2Z (hereafter a2z)’ will expand to the United States and Singapore next year and conduct a two-year demonstration project. Additionally, it plans to establish a production plant capable of mass-producing over 30,000 units annually and begin mass production of unmanned autonomous vehicles starting in 2027.

a2z CEO Han Ji-hyung (photo) held a press briefing on the 9th at Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "We will establish a production plant with an area of about 30,000 pyeong (approximately 99,000 square meters) domestically, capable of mass-producing over 30,000 units annually." The production plant is scheduled to be completed in Daegu in 2024 and begin trial operations in 2026.

a2z is an autonomous driving solution company founded in 2018 by four former researchers, including CEO Han, who were in charge of autonomous vehicle development at Hyundai Motor Company. Last year, it launched a project to develop an unmanned mobility platform equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving technology. To mass-produce domestically made autonomous mobility, it has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and is collaborating with major parts manufacturers and related companies.

a2z has focused on developing unmanned autonomous driving technology for special-purpose vehicles operating within limited areas. The mobility platforms unveiled on this day include an unmanned delivery platform for logistics purposes (Project S, Small Delivery Platform) and an unmanned shuttle platform for public transportation purposes (Project M, Mid Shuttle Platform).

Project S applies to ultra-compact vehicles and can carry cargo weighing up to 300 kg. To comply with the domestic low-speed electric vehicle maximum speed standards, the top driving speed is limited to 60 km/h. Project M corresponds to a mid-sized van, equipped with a 100 kW electric motor and can accommodate up to 12 passengers. It has a single-charge driving range of 240 km and a top speed of 60 km/h.

The new platforms are equipped with the autonomous driving technology ‘a2z Smart City Solution,’ which ensures high safety based on LiDAR, radar, and camera sensor fusion overlay. a2z applied this solution to obtain public road operation permits for the largest number of autonomous vehicles (25 units) in Korea and achieved the longest autonomous driving demonstration distance (approximately 200,000 km). It plans to further enhance autonomous driving safety by equipping autonomous driving cameras and 5G-based remote control driving technology.

Next year, a2z plans to establish branches in the United States and Singapore to conduct a two-year demonstration project and export autonomous mobility platforms starting in 2025, when pilot production begins.

Yoo Min-sang, a2z executive director, said, "We already have successful autonomous driving experience in the United States," adding, "At the 2017 CES event, Hyundai Motor succeeded in autonomous driving day and night in a U.S. city, and among the seven Hyundai employees involved, five are executives at a2z." He expressed confidence, saying, "We will bring the title of the first Korean startup to succeed in autonomous driving in the U.S."

a2z registered the autonomous driving guideline evaluation report (VSSA) with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as the 27th worldwide and the first in Korea. Based on this, it is currently acquiring an autonomous driving license from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) this year and plans to conduct public road demonstrations starting next year.

Singapore will be entered with its self-developed V2X system, the ‘LiDAR Infrastructure System.’ Singapore ranks first globally in autonomous driving consumer acceptance and policy level but remains eighth in autonomous driving technology development, creating high demand for technology-holding companies.

Meanwhile, a2z also announced plans to establish a mobility research institute. Through the mobility research institute, it has appointed executives from large corporations and professors to form a technology advisory group in an industry-academia-research alliance and plans to concretize future strategies with the advisory group.

CEO Han said, "I am confident that this period, when the mobility paradigm is changing, is the best opportunity for a2z," adding, "We will do our utmost to become the leader of all driving platforms and the representative player of Korea in the upcoming future mobility era."

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