[Homo Movens] "The Right to Move Is Not Different"... Black Cabs Used by Both Disabled and Non-Disabled Passengers Without Distinction

Song Minpyo, CEO of Coactors
"Solving Social Issues Through Business"

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] "Isn't there a way to solve social problems through business?"

His concerns during university led to entrepreneurship. He believed it was entirely possible to effectively combine the issue of employment for people with disabilities, which he pondered in a school club, with his major in computer engineering. This is the story of Song Min-pyo, CEO of Coactors, a social mobility company known for the 'Goyohan Taxi' (Silent Taxi).

While others worried about employment in their mid-20s, he started a company instead of trying various things. He said, "I thought there could be a way to solve problems not necessarily with cutting-edge technology but by effectively utilizing existing technologies."

In the early days of the company, they developed software to assist communication between hearing-impaired taxi drivers and passengers. Previously, communication was done by writing on paper, but to make it much easier, they linked two tablet PCs to enable real-time communication. Later, with the regulatory sandbox demonstration exception allowing transportation business permits, they built their own platform and entered the transportation business. They received official approval last year.

The business model, which expanded jobs for people with disabilities while enhancing convenience for non-disabled people, quickly received praise. The company directly employs about 40 hearing-impaired individuals, and including those who have worked or been trained so far, the total reaches 115.

Song’s concerns, which began with jobs for vulnerable groups, naturally extended to mobility rights. One of the new services introduced in April is the UK LEVC’s TX5. This taxi, a London icon known as the ‘Black Cab,’ can be used by both people with and without disabilities. Unlike the commonly seen mid-sized sedan taxis around us, which struggle to accommodate electric wheelchairs or even regular wheelchairs, the TX5 allows boarding while seated in a wheelchair. Strollers can also be loaded with children inside. Non-disabled passengers simply sit in the existing seats.

Song said, "With the rapid increase of transportation-vulnerable groups due to aging, it is true that people with disabilities find it difficult to use general vehicle call services, and large call taxis operated by the government and local authorities have low accessibility. I believe the right direction is to realize universal values where anyone can move without distinction between disabled and non-disabled."

Non-disabled people rarely properly recognize universal mobility rights, only briefly thinking about it when inconvenienced by subway protests or similar events. Song believes that if mobility rights are a universal right that everyone naturally accepts, they should be enjoyed regardless of disability status.

The purpose, direction, and model of the business have been recognized both domestically and internationally. In the year following its establishment, it was the only Korean company selected among 4,500 startups worldwide in the Dubai Expo Impact Investment Program competition. It has also collaborated with major Korean companies such as SK Telecom and Hyundai Motor Company to develop technology and introduce new services. Securing vehicles remains a challenge due to semiconductor shortages and other supply issues. Song said, "Dividing service beneficiaries uniformly, like in disabled call taxis, is not sustainable. It would be efficient to provide vouchers to users so that the private sector can actively participate or for local governments to purchase vehicles and entrust companies with their operation."

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