Control Center Issues Remote Commands to Operate Vehicles
First in Korea... Initial Application in Car-Sharing Services
Kia is set to test remote vehicle control technology on public roads in Korea for the first time. If remote driving becomes possible before the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles, it is expected to enable quick responses in emergency situations.
According to the government and related industries on September 26, Kia will conduct a demonstration project titled "Advancement of Mobility Services Using Remote Driving Technology" in Jeju Island this November. Remote driving involves a control center issuing commands to operate the vehicle remotely. Unlike autonomous driving, a person who is not inside the vehicle controls it as if playing a racing game. Although current laws prohibit remote driving, Kia received regulatory sandbox demonstration exemption approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Mobility Innovation Committee in April.
Kia plans to first apply remote driving technology to car-sharing services in Jeju Island. Until now, rental car users had to go to the parking location of the vehicle or use a paid service where an employee would deliver the car by driving it. With remote vehicle movement, the car can be sent to the renter’s desired location. This will streamline the vehicle deployment and retrieval process, enhancing user convenience. A Kia representative stated, "By deploying remotely controlled vehicles in car-sharing services, we will verify whether we can effectively address user inconveniences and identify and review the necessary preparations for domestic commercialization."
In leading countries for autonomous driving technology such as the United States, similar services are already underway. The German startup Bay has been operating a service since last year in the Las Vegas area, delivering and retrieving vehicles such as the Kia Niro to users’ doorsteps via remote driving.
The Kia Niro is being delivered to the driver via remote driving. The German startup, Bay, has introduced a service that delivers and retrieves vehicles through remote driving. Bay
The autonomous driving industry expects that remote driving demonstrations could accelerate the adoption of autonomous vehicles in the long term, as remote driving can serve as a supplementary technology before full autonomy is achieved. When robotaxis or buses operating autonomously encounter unpredictable situations such as construction sites or flooded roads, dispatching a person to control the vehicle consumes significant time and cost. Remote driving also allows vehicles to be safely controlled in narrow alleys or other locations where autonomous driving is still difficult. However, the risks of hacking and potential delays in operation due to communication environments remain challenges that must be addressed.
An industry official commented, "In the United States, robotaxis such as those operated by Motional-a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv-switch to remote driving when issues arise, reducing user wait times and improving convenience. Although Korea also possesses sufficient remote driving technology, regulatory barriers have so far prevented its implementation."
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