Autonomous A2Z "Entering US and Singapore Markets... Mass Production of Autonomous Vehicles by 2027"

Autonomous Driving Solution Specialist 'a2z'
Holds Press Conference to Reveal Business Blueprint
Unveils Unmanned Logistics and Public Transportation Platform

Autonomous driving startup ‘Autonomous A2Z (hereinafter a2z)’ will expand to the United States and Singapore next year to conduct a two-year pilot project. Additionally, it plans to establish a production plant capable of mass-producing over 30,000 vehicles annually and begin mass production of unmanned autonomous vehicles starting in 2027.

a2z CEO Han Ji-hyung (photo) held a press conference on the 9th at Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "We will establish a production plant of approximately 30,000 pyeong domestically, capable of mass-producing over 30,000 vehicles annually." The plant is scheduled to be completed in 2024 and begin trial operations in 2026.

a2z is an autonomous driving solution company founded in 2018 by four former researchers, including CEO Han, who were responsible for autonomous vehicle development at Hyundai Motor Company. Last year, the company launched a project to develop an unmanned mobility platform equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving technology. To mass-produce domestically made autonomous mobility, a2z has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and is collaborating with major parts manufacturers and related companies.

a2z has focused on developing unmanned autonomous driving technology for special-purpose vehicles operating within limited areas. The mobility platforms unveiled on this day are an unmanned delivery platform for logistics purposes and an unmanned shuttle platform for public transportation. Equipped with autonomous driving cameras and 5G-based remote control driving technology, the company plans to further enhance autonomous driving safety.

Next year, a2z will establish branches in the United States and Singapore to conduct a two-year pilot project, and from 2025, when pilot production begins, it plans to export autonomous mobility platforms.

a2z registered its autonomous driving guideline evaluation report (VSSA) with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), becoming the 27th worldwide and the first in Korea to do so. Based on this, the company is currently pursuing autonomous driving license acquisition from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) this year and plans to conduct public road pilot tests starting next year.

Meanwhile, a2z also announced plans to establish a mobility research institute. Through the mobility research institute, it has appointed executives from large corporations and professors to form a technology advisory group combining industry, academia, and research institutes, and plans to concretize future strategies together with the advisory group.