Hyundai Motor, Autonomous A2Z, and RideFlux Join Gwangju Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration City

Hyundai Motor Company, Autonomous A2Z, and RideFlux have agreed to develop autonomous driving technology using dedicated vehicles in the Gwangju Autonomous Driving Demonstration City.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on April 28 that it had selected the three companies through a process of public recruitment and evaluation that began in February. The selected companies are expected to begin full-scale data collection as early as the second half of this year, utilizing 200 specially manufactured vehicles designed for the development of E2E autonomous driving technology by Hyundai Motor Company.

Hyundai Motor Company is simultaneously developing Level 2+ driver assistance technology for B2C purposes and Level 4 fully autonomous driving technology, which operates without driver intervention, for the B2B sector. The company aims to enhance the Atria AI of its subsidiary 42dot and install it in vehicles sold domestically and internationally.

On October 28, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, autonomous shuttles are operating around the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center. 2025.10.28 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

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Autonomous A2Z has developed its own autonomous shuttle, Roy, which operates without a driver's seat and is conducting test drives throughout urban areas. The company is recognized as having the most extensive experience in autonomous driving services in Korea, operating autonomous shuttles or demand-responsive transit (DRT) vehicles in 14 local governments nationwide.

RideFlux is set to conduct the first unmanned autonomous vehicle demonstration in Korea. Currently, test drivers are seated in the passenger seat during operations, but the company plans to switch to fully unmanned operations in the first half of this year. It has also become the first company to receive approval for paid freight transportation using autonomous trucks on highways.

On this day, the government designated the entire city of Gwangju as an autonomous driving demonstration city. Unlike previous cases where only specific regions or districts were designated, this is the first time an entire city has been designated. With this measure, pilot operations of autonomous vehicles are now possible within the 500 km² area of Gwangju. The government plans to create a regulatory sandbox environment to accelerate technological development, while also linking seven major support packages-including financial, fiscal, and tax incentives-to maximize policy effectiveness.

On April 29, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will hold a meeting with participating companies in the autonomous driving demonstration city project to discuss concrete implementation plans with vehicle manufacturers, insurance companies, mobility platform providers, and the Gwangju city government. Minister Kim Yoon-deok stated, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will make every effort to ensure that the demonstration city becomes a hub leading Korea's key future strategic industries."

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