In Seoul, South Korea, Autonomous a2z, a company globally recognized in the autonomous driving sector, announced on August 16 that it had achieved a significant milestone: a cumulative urban autonomous driving distance of over 310,000 miles. This achievement marks the longest recorded distance for urban autonomous driving in South Korea, reaching the milestone just seven months after surpassing 250,000 miles in January.
This entire record was achieved on urban roads, which are considered the most challenging environments for autonomous vehicles due to their complexity and variability. This feat underscores Autonomous a2z’s technological capabilities in navigating dense city landscapes. Furthermore, the company recorded 47,000 miles of urban autonomous driving last year alone, placing it in the top 10 companies in California, where autonomous driving activities are most active, according to data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Founded in July 2018, Autonomous a2z has conducted extensive autonomous driving demonstrations across various urban centers in South Korea, including major locations like Incheon International Airport and Sejong Government Complex, similar to Washington, D.C., as well as eight other cities nationwide. The company has strategically focused on the B2B market, particularly for special-purpose-based vehicles (PBVs), with an emphasis on autonomous shuttle services. Currently, it operates around 30 autonomous buses, the largest fleet in South Korea, with services in Sejong and Anyang.
According to a July report from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, South Korea has 440 approved autonomous vehicles. Autonomous a2z operates 45 of these vehicles, the highest number among individual companies in the country.
Autonomous a2z’s strategic focus has garnered recognition, with the company featured in the ‘Guidehouse Insights Leaderboard: Automated Driving Systems’ by the global research firm Guidehouse Insights in 2023. This achievement is particularly notable for a Korean startup valued in the hundreds of millions of US dollars, competing against companies with valuations in the tens of billions of US dollars.
Building on this success, Autonomous a2z announced plans to commercialize its self-developed Level 4 unmanned mobility platform, the MS (Mid Shuttle). This platform, which lacks a driver’s seat, is designed for full autonomy and can carry up to nine passengers. It is equipped with features for enhanced passenger convenience, such as interior displays and wheelchair ramps. The MS platform is scheduled for launch in March 2025, coinciding with South Korea’s introduction of the “Level 4 Performance Certification System,” one of only three such regulatory frameworks in the world. Mass production is expected to commence in 2027, in line with the country’s mobility roadmap.
“The milestone of over 310,000 miles on urban roads is a testament to the advancements in our technology,” said Han Ji-hyeong, CEO of Autonomous a2z. “We will continue to drive innovation and development to secure a leading position in the global autonomous driving market.”
Media ContactCompany Name: Autonomous a2zContact Person: Jihyeong HanEmail: Send EmailCountry: South KoreaWebsite: https://www.autoa2z.ai/
