Self-Driving Shuttles to Operate in the National Assembly from Next Year... Hyundai Motor's Pilot Service

Hyundai Motor autonomous driving robo-shuttle operating in the Pangyo Zero City area

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Daeyeol] From the first half of next year, autonomous driving shuttles will operate within the National Assembly.

Hyundai Motor Company and the National Assembly Secretariat signed a business agreement on the introduction of autonomous vehicles on the 4th. According to this agreement, Hyundai Motor will provide autonomous vehicles and service platforms, as well as handle operation and management. The National Assembly Secretariat will assist in obtaining temporary operation permits for autonomous vehicles, designating pilot operation zones for autonomous vehicles in the pilot service areas, and collaborating with related organizations for traffic signal coordination within the sections. They also plan to create an autonomous driving environment within the National Assembly and provide vehicle management infrastructure.

From the first half of next year, a robo-shuttle converted from a large van (Solati 11-seater) will provide pilot service over a 3.1 km section within the National Assembly grounds and the Dun-chi parking lot, which is a visitor-only parking area. The vehicle is equipped with Level 4 core technology developed by Hyundai Motor, allowing the vehicle to perceive, judge, and control driving situations autonomously, with emergency drivers intervening only in some unexpected situations.

The demand-responsive ride-sharing mobility service platform "Shuckle" has been integrated. When passengers set their departure and arrival points via the application, the vehicle is automatically dispatched along the optimal route calculated by artificial intelligence (AI) technology. After starting the pilot service next year, there are plans to expand the service area.

Hyundai Motor first introduced the robo-shuttle service in July last year at Sejong Smart City. Since September, pilot services have been conducted in the Zero City of Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. Attending the signing ceremony were Lee Kwang-jae, Secretary General of the National Assembly Secretariat; Park Jang-ho, Deputy Chief of Legislation; Hong Hyung-seon, Deputy Secretary; Gong Young-woon, President of Hyundai Motor; Jang Woong-jun, Executive Director of the Autonomous Driving Business Division; and Kim Soo-young, Managing Director of MCS Lab.

President Gong Young-woon said, "We will develop optimal autonomous driving technology through technology verification in more diverse environments." Secretary General Lee Kwang-jae said, "The introduction of this service will lead to active legislation that relaxes regulations and supports technological development."

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