A Driverless Car That Finds Its Own Way and Picks Up Passengers Runs in Pangyo

Starting from the 29th of this month, RoboShuttle Pilot Service Launches in Pangyo Area, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do

Robo shuttles are operating around the Pangyo Zero City area.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Hyundai Motor Company will start a robo-shuttle service combining autonomous driving and artificial intelligence (AI) technology in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, from the 29th.

Robo-shuttle is a compound word of robot and shuttle, meaning bus. This pilot service uses vehicles equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving technology. Level 4 allows the vehicle to recognize and judge driving situations on its own and control the vehicle. Emergency drivers intervene only in some limited situations.

Initially, two autonomous vehicles modified from the large van Solati will be deployed. An AI-based demand-responsive mobility service called "Shuckle" will be integrated. Shuckle operates by passengers calling a vehicle at a nearby stop through an application, and the vehicle moves along the optimal route generated by an AI algorithm. This reduces waiting time and improves dispatch efficiency.

Robo shuttle driving around the Pangyo Zero City area

During the pilot service period, the robo-shuttle will operate within an area set to a radius of about 540 meters based on Pangyo Techno 3 Intersection. After first unveiling the robo-shuttle in Sejong City last year, this time Pangyo was chosen as the location for autonomous driving demonstration in a complex urban environment. The pilot service will be limited to selected stakeholders and employees.

Jang Woong-jun, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor's Autonomous Driving Division, said, "We are demonstrating various autonomous driving services such as robo-shuttle and robo-ride based on our self-developed autonomous driving technology," adding, "We will continue to develop technology so that everyone can move safely and conveniently even in increasingly complex environments."