Kakao Mobility Launches Autonomous Driving Service 'Dalgubeol Autonomous Vehicle'

Integrated Passenger and Logistics Mobility Service 'Dalgubeol Autonomous Vehicle' (Photo by Kakao Mobility)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Kakao Mobility is launching an integrated passenger and logistics mobility service.

Kakao Mobility and the Autonomous A2G Consortium, consisting of six companies (Kakao Mobility, Autonomous A2G, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, KT, Hyundai AutoEver, Newility), announced on the 29th that they will operate the world's first integrated passenger and logistics 'Dalgu Beol Autonomous Vehicle' mobility service in Daegu.

The Autonomous A2G Consortium was selected as the final operator for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 2nd 'Autonomous Driving Mobility Service Project' and has been preparing to launch the service. The 'Dalgu Beol Autonomous Vehicle' mobility service is a project that provides free autonomous driving services to residents of the Daegu area until 2023.

'Dalgu Beol Autonomous Vehicle' is an autonomous driving mobility service that integrates passenger and logistics services, designed not only to verify autonomous driving technology but also to provide various mobility services.

In the first year, a demand-responsive transport (DRT) autonomous driving service with variable routes focused on passengers will be provided on a 10.6 km section in Daegu Technopolis. In the second year, the operation area will be expanded to a total of 28.2 km, extending to an integrated demand-responsive autonomous driving service for both passengers and logistics, including integrated mobility services using robot delivery.

This mobility service involves Kakao Mobility and the lead company Autonomous A2G, as well as Korea Automotive Technology Institute, KT, Hyundai AutoEver, and Newility, which possess top-tier technology in the autonomous mobility field. A total of eight 'Level 4' autonomous vehicles will be produced and operated for this project.

Kakao Mobility is responsible for planning the integrated passenger and logistics mobility service and building the platform in this project. Through a passenger-friendly Sensor View (AVV), real-time information on how the autonomous vehicle perceives its surroundings will also be provided to passengers.

Jang Sung-wook, Vice President of Kakao Mobility's Future Mobility Research Institute, stated, "This 'Dalgu Beol Autonomous Vehicle' is a new service model that integrates passenger and logistics services, and we expect it to bring us one step closer to the commercialization of autonomous driving." He added, "We will combine Kakao T platform technology and service operation capabilities with excellent partner companies to enable more citizens to experience autonomous driving services."