Seoul prepares for driverless future with 500 autonomous buses by 2030
In a move that could permanently reshape urban transit in one of Asia’s most densely populated metropolises, Seoul city officials announced an ambitious strategy, Thursday, to integrate 500 fully autonomous buses into regular city transit routes by 2030. The initiative took a major step forward when the Seoul Metropolitan Government signed a landmark agreement with Hyundai Motor Company and the…
Seoul city officials unveiled a groundbreaking plan on Thursday to transform public transportation in the bustling Asian metropolis by deploying 500 fully autonomous buses by 2030. This ambitious initiative took a significant leap forward following the signing of a landmark agreement between the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Hyundai Motor Company, and the Seoul Bus Transportation Business Association at the city hall.
The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between experimental technology and practical public utility, paving the way for Level 4 automation to be implemented city-wide on the bus network.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hyundai will design and manufacture specialized 11-meter buses tailored for autonomous operation. Unlike retrofitting existing vehicles with aftermarket sensors, these factory-built models will incorporate advanced electronic steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems, multiple layers of redundant safety controls, and robust cyberattack defenses, as confirmed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
By taking the lead in integrating cutting-edge technology, Seoul aims to set a new standard for urban transit in the region.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
