Ainavi Launches Development of Level 4 Autonomous Driving Platform... Selected for National Project

Inavi Systems Selected for National Project on 'Level 4 Autonomous Driving Vehicle Platform Technology Development'
Autonomous Driving Startup Sonet Also Participates... Aiming for Commercialization Within 5 Years

Ainavi Systems logo. [Photo by Thinkware]

[Asia Economy Reporter Junhyung Lee] Thinkware subsidiary iNavi Systems announced on the 6th that it has been finally selected for the national research project "Point-to-Point Minibus-Level Level 4 Autonomous Driving Vehicle Platform Technology Development."

This national project is part of the government's "Autonomous Driving Technology Development Innovation Project." It is jointly planned and executed by four ministries: the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the National Police Agency. The project aims to commercialize converged Level 4 autonomous driving technology, with approximately 1.1 trillion KRW invested over the next seven years. Level 4 autonomous driving refers to autonomous driving technology that does not require driver assistance during driving.

iNavi Systems formed a consortium with the autonomous driving AI startup Sonet. Together with Sonet, iNavi Systems plans to research and develop a Level 4 autonomous driving service platform and vehicle integration technology applied to robot taxis and shuttle buses by 2025 for commercialization.

Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, is test-driving an autonomous vehicle ahead of the 'Innovative Growth BIG3 Promotion Meeting' held on the 16th at the Future Mobility Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

In this project, iNavi Systems is responsible for developing its own map engine and route generation algorithms. Sonet develops and operates a full-stack autonomous driving software (SW) for perception, decision-making, and control. Sonet was the first small and medium-sized enterprise to receive temporary driving permission for autonomous vehicles and possesses Level 4 autonomous driving-related technology, so the company expects rapid technology development.

Jongguk Han, Director of iNavi Systems' Business Division, said, "It is highly meaningful that the company's entry into the autonomous driving technology market has been fully launched based on its strengths in map big data and solutions," adding, "We expect to develop a highly complete autonomous vehicle-dedicated platform through the strengths of each company in the consortium." Director Han added, "We plan to commercialize the system used in autonomous driving-based robot taxis and shuttle buses, along with expanding connected black box integration, to generate stable revenue."