Launching the World's First Autonomous Maritime Taxi at Busan Port... Busan City Selects KMCP as Operator

Busan City has selected KMCP as the maritime taxi operator and will introduce maritime taxis equipped with autonomous navigation systems.

In June, the city held a public contest for maritime taxi operators in the original downtown area to alleviate traffic congestion during commuting hours and the crowded traffic around the coastal areas.

KMCP, selected as the operator through the contest, is a company engaged in building eco-friendly vessels and developing marine leisure equipment.

Busan City and KMCP plan to deploy four eco-friendly vessels in the original downtown area routes.

A bird's-eye view of a maritime taxi equipped with an autonomous navigation system.

On the 17th, KMCP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Avikus, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai specializing in autonomous ship navigation, to introduce Busan maritime taxis equipped with an 'eco-friendly autonomous navigation system.'

Under the agreement, KMCP will serve as the operator responsible for the platform specialized for eco-friendly autonomous maritime taxis and overall operations, while receiving the specialized autonomous navigation system 'NeuBoat' solution from Avikus.

Avikus's autonomous navigation system 'NeuBoat' uses artificial intelligence technology to provide real-time optimal route guidance for maritime taxis and automatically avoids obstacles when detected.

This is the world's first application of such autonomous navigation technology to maritime taxis.

Additionally, KMCP plans to gradually add various eco-friendly advanced smart vessels to the currently developing maritime taxi platform as soon as eco-friendly vessel regulations are established. These include hydrofoil autonomous maritime taxis equipped with Hyundai Motor Company's hydrogen fuel cells and small to medium-sized maritime taxis powered by liquefied hydrogen.

Park Hyung-jun, Mayor of Busan, stated, "Once maritime taxis begin operation, they will help disperse land traffic and create hub commercial districts at each boarding point, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy." He added, "If the introduction of maritime taxis in the original downtown area is successful, we plan to gradually expand the service area."