[AI Revolution](102) Autonomous Driving Better Than Humans... Made by RideFlux

Development of Essential Solution as the 'Brain' for Autonomous Driving
"Creating Safer and Freer Mobility for Tomorrow"

In May 2020, at Jeju Airport, a passenger car exits the airport and heads toward a Socar Station near Singwang Intersection, about a 10-minute drive away. However, there is something different from other cars. Although there is a person in the driver's seat, their hands are off the steering wheel. Depending on the situation, the steering wheel moves automatically. As the car leaves the airport and heads toward the main road, it slows down when another vehicle suddenly cuts in. This shuttle service between Jeju Airport and Socar Station was the first public service launched by the deep-tech startup RideFlux. From the beginning, RideFlux’s autonomous driving technology operated on uncontrolled public roads and the congested roads near the airport. Over more than 40 months, RideFlux has steadily advanced its technology. At the core of this progress is artificial intelligence (AI).

On the 26th, Park Jung-hee, CEO of RideFlux, said, "For autonomous mobility services to be commercialized in the future, fully unmanned autonomous driving without a person in the driver’s seat must be realized," adding, "This year, we are preparing for that." Founded in 2018, RideFlux is developing essential AI software solutions that serve as the ‘brain’ for full autonomous driving. These solutions cover the entire autonomous driving process, including perception, prediction, planning, and control. To achieve this, talents with diverse experience and technical expertise in AI, robotics, and vehicle systems have gathered, including CEO Park, who holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from MIT, Vice CEO Jung Ha-wook, who earned a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Seoul National University, and CTO Yoon Ho, a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Seoul National University.

Park Jung-hee, CEO of RideFlux, is posing with an autonomous vehicle. (Photo by RideFlux)

Specifically, RideFlux’s AI solution recognizes the vehicle’s precise location and speed, and identifies pedestrians, surrounding vehicles, and potential hazard zones through multiple sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, and radar. The AI predicts the behavior of perceived objects and possible risk scenarios, decides on safe actions, and controls the vehicle according to the planned route. It also determines the optimal path by responding to various traffic variables in congested urban environments.

RideFlux has honed this technology through actual services. In the year following its first service, it operated a shuttle between Jeju Airport and Jungmun, and until December last year, the Tamna autonomous vehicle circular shuttle ran along Jeju Island’s coastal roads. Until January this year, it operated the SangSang autonomous vehicle circular shuttle in Sejong City. Currently, it provides autonomous driving services for the Advanced Science and Technology Complex and Jeju National University members on Jeju Island.

Through these efforts, RideFlux’s technology has advanced to a level capable of autonomous driving not only on highways but also on congested urban roads and under various weather conditions such as snow, rain, and fog. It can navigate intersections without traffic signals by observing surrounding conditions and avoid vehicles parked on the shoulder. In merging lanes, it detects surrounding vehicles, adjusts speed, and can change lanes.

Throughout this process, RideFlux places the highest priority on safety. Their goal is not just to be ‘as good as humans’ but to be ‘better than humans.’ This is why they ensure safety through redundant designs using multiple sensors and monitoring systems. CEO Park said, "RideFlux has the mission to ‘create safer and freer mobility for tomorrow,’" adding, "We will complete the most reliable autonomous driving technology so that everyone can move more safely and freely."

This year, RideFlux is focusing on ‘preparations for unmanned operation.’ Currently based in Jeju, they have expanded their testbeds to major cities nationwide, including Seoul and Sejong. In line with government regulatory improvements, they plan to advance their technology aiming for commercialization in 2027. CEO Park stated, "To achieve fully unmanned autonomous driving, we plan to form partnerships through collaboration with various related organizations and companies to lead the domestic passenger and logistics autonomous driving market."