Autonomous A2Z to Sell World's First Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle Next Year [Autonomous Driving Leadership Lost to China]

Autonomous A2Z Leads the Way for Korean Self-Driving Technology
Aims to Obtain Level 4 Performance Certification in Q1 Next Year
Paving the Way for the World's First Sale of Level 4 Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous A2Z, a domestic autonomous driving startup, will become the first in the world to sell a 'Level 4' autonomous vehicle on the market next year. If Autonomous A2Z's autonomous shuttle 'Roii' passes the government's performance certification, which is targeted for the first quarter of next year, it will mark the world's first commercialization of a Level 4 autonomous vehicle certified by a national authority.

Yoo Minsang, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Autonomous A2Z, said on the 27th, "With the performance certification system becoming law this March, the path has opened to sell Level 4 autonomous vehicles," adding, "If certification is completed as planned in the first quarter of next year, we will be able to sell Level 4 autonomous vehicles for public transportation and logistics purposes directly to transport operators." Level 4 autonomous vehicles are capable of driving themselves within designated areas or under specific conditions. Drivers do not need to operate the pedals or steering wheel, and there is no need for driver intervention except in emergencies.

South Korea became the third country in the world, after Germany and Japan, to establish legislation related to Level 4 autonomous vehicles last year. The performance certification system is a law that allows the sale of Level 4 autonomous vehicles to passenger and cargo transport operators if they receive government performance certification, even before autonomous vehicle safety standards are established. While similar laws were enacted in Germany and Japan in 2022 and 2023 respectively, there have not yet been any cases of vehicles approved by their respective governments.

Autonomous A2Z operates the largest fleet of autonomous vehicles (55 units) in South Korea and holds the record for the longest cumulative driving distance (690,000 km). It is also the only Korean company to have ranked 11th in the global autonomous driving technology rankings announced by the US market research firm Guidehouse. This ranking is higher than that of Motional, the US autonomous driving company invested in by Hyundai Motor Company, and Pony.ai, a Chinese firm.

The secret behind a domestic startup with annual sales of 10 billion won achieving such a high ranking lies in its 'commercialization potential.' CSO Yoo explained, "While numerous startups worldwide have developed Level 4 concept cars, there has not been a single case of a vehicle that is actually available for sale," adding, "We received high marks for being the closest to commercialization."

Autonomous A2Z autonomous shuttle Roii. Provided by Autonomous A2Z