Level 4 Autonomous Vehicles Should Be Allowed for Domestic Sales for Research Purposes

"World's First Unmanned Operation Oil Recovery Robot for Marine Spill Response, Exported but Cannot Be Tested Domestically"
Park Joobong, SME Ombudsman, "Encouraging Possession of High-Level Technology and Equipment... Will Support Institutional Backing"

An autonomous driving vehicle at 'Level 4' equipped with software developed in-house by Autonomous A2Z (a2z).
[Photo by Autonomous A2Z]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] A venture company that developed a 'Level 4' fully autonomous vehicle but faced blocked sales channels due to the government's roadmap has requested permission to sell unmanned vehicles for research purposes.

The startup 'Autonomous A2Z,' which develops autonomous driving software and verification systems for autonomous driving capabilities, expressed difficulties as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport set the commercialization timeline for 'Level 4 fully autonomous passenger cars' (unmanned vehicles) to 2027 under the 'Mobility Innovation Roadmap,' meaning that unmanned vehicles cannot be sold before then even if developed. 'Level 4' is the final stage of autonomous vehicles that can operate solely with an autonomous driving system without a driver or without the need for driver or passenger intervention.

On the morning of the 1st at 8 a.m., Park Ju-bong, Deputy Ombudsman for Small and Medium Enterprises, held a regulatory innovation meeting jointly with the Venture Business Association at the Venture Business Association's main conference room in Guro-gu, Seoul, to discuss current issues and difficulties faced by the venture industry. The early morning 'sandwich meeting' began with a moment of silence to mourn the victims of the Itaewon tragedy that occurred on the 29th of last month, and proceeded in a solemn atmosphere with attendees wearing mourning ribbons.

Han Ji-hyung, CEO of Autonomous A2Z, said, "Although the company possesses the technology and has developed a Level 4 autonomous vehicle using that technology, sales are blocked, making it practically impossible to generate revenue," and requested, "Since there is considerable demand from general companies for Level 4 unmanned vehicles for research purposes, please allow vehicle sales even before the commercialization target date." He explained that despite having technology and developing groundbreaking products, the lack of actual sales performance is causing difficulties in attracting investment.

The venture company 'Koi,' which developed the 'Unmanned Operated Oil Recovery Robot (KOBOT)' used in marine pollution control operations, boasts excellent performance that has attracted active overseas purchases but is struggling in the domestic market. They lamented that not only sales but even practical testing cannot be conducted domestically. The unmanned operated oil recovery robot is expected to be highly useful in pollution control operations due to its ability to respond faster than current systems when marine pollution occurs.

Park Kyung-taek, CEO of Koi, said, "It is the world's first developed unmanned operated oil recovery robot," and lamented, "Although purchase requests continue from overseas markets, sales and even testing cannot be properly conducted domestically due to the requirement to register as a pollution control business." Koi exported approximately 200 million KRW worth of KOBOTs to Malaysia at the end of September and to Kuwait last month, and has received favorable reviews at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) currently underway in Abu Dhabi, UAE. CEO Park said, "Although this robot is more necessary in Korea, where pollution control operations are still conducted with equipment from 30 or 50 years ago, it is regrettable that domestic regulations prevent its utilization."

Based on these requests, the Ombudsman consulted with the relevant ministries, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport replied to the Ombudsman that "a performance certification system for fully autonomous vehicles will be established in 2024, and sales between companies and corporations will be permitted for certified unmanned vehicles," while the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries responded that "it will actively cooperate with the Coast Guard and related agencies for corporate demonstration tests."

Jubong Park, Ombudsman (Vice Minister level).
[Photo by Small and Medium Business Ombudsman]

Ombudsman Park said, "Global interest in autonomous vehicles is high, and it is very encouraging that high-level autonomous vehicles are being developed and can be launched in Korea," adding, "With the technological development of venture companies supported by appropriate systems, it will be possible to lead the fully autonomous (Level 4) vehicle market in the future."

Regarding the unmanned operated oil recovery robot, Ombudsman Park said, "This is a case where the business itself did not progress due to insufficient related regulations," and added, "Since the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has expressed willingness to actively cooperate in demonstration tests, I hope the business proceeds properly, and the Ombudsman will actively assist in the process."

Other participating companies also requested △ improvements to regulations under the Attorney-at-Law Act that block services such as legal platform advertising and automatic legal document drafting, △ active government mediation plans between professional sectors and platform companies suitable for the platform era, and △ improvements in medical device supply procedures.

Kang Sam-kwon, Chairman of the Venture Business Association, said, "Regulatory innovation is a matter of corporate survival, so I hope this will be the starting point for establishing a practical cooperation system for regulatory reform," and added, "We will continue to work with the Small and Medium Enterprises Ombudsman to revitalize the innovative venture ecosystem and promote regulatory innovation for venture companies in new industries."

Ombudsman Park emphasized, "Since we gathered during a national mourning period, we take the issues discussed at today's meeting more seriously," and said, "We will consult with relevant ministries to respond quickly to corporate demands."

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