Developed with Purely Domestic Technology
"C"-Shaped Seating and Advanced Amenities
Full Operation to Begin in September After Trial Runs
The first domestic "driverless autonomous shuttle" is expected to begin operating as early as September at Cheonggyecheon. The "driverless autonomous shuttle" to be introduced by Seoul City was developed and manufactured using purely domestic technology by Autonomous AtoZ, a leading autonomous driving company in Korea.
According to Seoul City on August 24, the autonomous shuttle service will operate at Cheonggyecheon, a popular tourist destination among foreigners, to promote Seoul's autonomous driving capabilities on the global stage. The shuttle will run on a 4.8-kilometer circular route from Cheonggye Plaza to Cheonggye 5-ga (Gwangjang Market) and back to Cheonggye Plaza, with two vehicles scheduled to operate.
The first domestic "driverless autonomous shuttle" operated by Seoul City from September at Cheonggyecheon. Seoul City
The shuttle is a small bus (11 seats, 9 passenger seats) designed specifically for autonomous driving from the planning stage. It is equipped with no driver's seat or steering wheel, and features a variety of advanced amenities, including: ▲ a round, "C"-shaped seating arrangement ▲ a large display for autonomous driving status and travel information ▲ a wheelchair lift, among others.
The shuttle is scheduled to operate on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will not run on public holidays or Saturdays due to the operation of car-free streets along Cheonggyecheon-ro. The fare will be free for the time being, and passengers can board by tagging their transportation cards, just like on regular city buses.
The shuttle has been undergoing trial runs since August 22. After a learning process and safety verification by experts, it will be open for use by all citizens as early as the end of September. Seoul City plans to continue advancing the technology, extending operating hours to nighttime, expanding the route, and eventually developing a fully unmanned shuttle.
Yeo Jangkwon, Director of Transportation at Seoul City, stated, "As this is the first operation of a 'driverless autonomous shuttle' developed with domestic technology, we will prioritize creating a safe environment for citizens to use it." He added, "We will continue to advance the technology to introduce a world-leading autonomous driving service that will become a landmark not only for Cheonggyecheon but also on the global stage."
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