Autonomous A2Z and Taxi Association to Jointly Promote Transition to Robotaxis

Developing a Hybrid E2E Model
Integrating AI into Rule-Based Systems

The transition of corporate taxis to autonomous driving is expected to gain momentum. Based on autonomous driving technology that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) tailored to Korean roads and traffic conditions, the company is moving toward the commercialization of robotaxis.

Autonomous A2Z announced on the 3rd that on the 2nd it had signed a business agreement with the Korea Federation of Taxi Transport Cooperatives, Hyundai Motor Company, Kakao Mobility, and others to convert corporate taxis to autonomous driving.

Autonomous A2Z said on the 3rd that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Federation of Corporate Taxi Transport Associations on the 2nd to convert corporate taxis to autonomous driving. From the left: Dr. Kim Dongyoung, KDI; Jung Youngho, Director of the Traffic Safety Culture Research Center at Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance; Jung Sungmin, CEO of Humax Mobility; Han Jihyung, CEO of Autonomous A2Z; Park Bokgyu, Chairman of the National Federation of Corporate Taxi Transport Associations; Yoo Junghun, President of the Korean Society of Transportation; Lee Dongmin, Senior Vice President of the Korean Society of Transportation; Hwang Yoonyoung, Vice President of Legal at Kakao Mobility; Kim Sooyoung, Executive Director at Hyundai Motor Company; Kim Hyoseong, Attorney at HwaWoo Law Firm. Autonomous A2Z

Since November last year, Autonomous A2Z has been participating in a "win-win consultative body for converting corporate taxi licenses to autonomous driving" together with the federation of taxi cooperatives and other autonomous driving-related institutions and organizations. To prepare for the era of autonomous driving, the consultative body has discussed from multiple angles how corporate taxis can enter the autonomous driving market, including methods of applying the technology and directions for amending relevant laws.

This agreement establishes a cooperative framework among the members across technology, operations, and the overall regulatory system, based on those prior discussions. With the taxi industry directly participating in autonomous driving technology development and service design, it is expected to minimize conflicts between new and existing industries and to generate mutually beneficial synergies.

In particular, instead of simply importing foreign technologies, the parties will reflect the characteristics of the domestic transportation field and users to build a Korean-style autonomous taxi service model, thereby supporting a stable transition of corporate taxis to autonomous driving.

Autonomous A2Z will jointly develop with the taxi industry customized autonomous driving software and vehicle, control, and operation models that reflect the domestic taxi operating environment, business structure, and institutional requirements.

Although E2E (End-to-End)-based robotaxis are rapidly spreading in the global market, there have been pointed out concerns that, in Korea, a phased approach is necessary due to the complex road environment and the high safety and regulatory requirements. Autonomous A2Z plans to promote the transition to a Korean-style robotaxi through a "hybrid E2E" technology strategy that gradually combines AI with the rule-based autonomous driving technology it has focused on so far.

Autonomous A2Z has been operating designated-route, rule-based autonomous driving services and has accumulated approximately 1 million kilometers of driving experience and data. The hybrid E2E technology to be developed will sequentially expand the scope of AI application, starting with core functions such as perception and decision-making. Building on its real-world experience and data, the company plans to flesh out a roadmap for converting to autonomous taxis that are suited to domestic roads and the transportation environment.

Han Jihyung, CEO of Autonomous A2Z, said, "This is a milestone of a new era in which autonomous driving technology and the taxi industry together create a practical transition model," adding, "As a win-win partner cooperating with existing industries, we will lead the sustainable growth of Korea's autonomous driving industry and the commercialization of robotaxis."

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