Korean Autonomous Driving Lags at CES... "Regulatory Improvements Must Accelerate Through Real-World Demonstrations"

Industry-Academia-Research Meeting on Autonomous Driving Held on the 13th
Proactive Regulatory Easing Needed for Technology Demonstration
Roadmap for Commercialization of Autonomous Driving Essential

At CES 2026, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, the United States and China showcased cutting-edge autonomous driving technologies. Experts have suggested that for domestic companies to close the gap, it is essential to accelerate regulatory improvements with a focus on real-world demonstrations. Additionally, in order for not only large corporations but also small and medium-sized enterprises and startups involved in autonomous driving to speed up research and development (R&D), the government needs to establish a roadmap for technology commercialization.

Professor Hwang Sung-ho of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University stated at the "Industry-Academia-Research Meeting on Autonomous Driving Technology" held on the 13th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, "A system that connects technology demonstration and verification projects with legislation is necessary."

Professor Hwang emphasized, "So far, there have been numerous demonstrations related to robotaxis and autonomous buses, but these have not been directly linked to laws or regulations. If a technology has been demonstrated, a cyclical system that proactively grants approval is needed."

The slow pace of regulatory easing for autonomous driving technology in South Korea is also recognized as a problem by the government. Ryu Jemyoung, the Second Vice Minister of Science and ICT, who returned from a business trip to CES 2026, expressed on his social media on this day, "Citizens in San Francisco were routinely comparing prices and using Uber and Waymo. Hearing that Hyundai Motor is conducting test drives in the United States due to Korean regulations left me feeling regretful, and I became seriously concerned that if things continue this way, our country may fall behind or be left out in the era of autonomous vehicles."

At CES 2026, global big tech companies such as Google’s Waymo and Amazon’s Zoox exhibited their autonomous vehicles and showcased their technologies. Among Chinese companies, Great Wall Motor (GWM) placed its 'Tank 500' equipped with autonomous driving features at the center of its booth, while Geely Automobile introduced its next-generation intelligent driving system 'G-ASD,' which ensures safety even in complex traffic environments.

Professor Sung-Ho Hwang of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University is speaking at the "Industry-Academia-Research Meeting on Autonomous Driving Technology" held on the 13th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Young-Joo Jeon

There was also an argument that the government should present business models to accelerate R&D for domestic autonomous driving technology companies. Lee Seokju, Executive Director at Hyundai Mobis, stated, "From a corporate perspective, technology development must be profitable. If we cannot answer the question of how to make money with autonomous driving technology, no company or research institute will continue their research."

Park Dongju, President of the Korea ITS Society, also noted, "Startups related to autonomous driving are facing difficulties because their technologies are not directly linked to revenue." He added, "R&D should be promoted from a commercialization perspective, and ministries such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport need to present a clear roadmap for the commercialization of autonomous driving. This will allow companies to embark on long-term technology development."