{
  "id": 1851731,
  "title": "Seoul doubles late-night autonomous taxi fleet in Gangnam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/seoul-doubles-late-night-autonomous-taxi-fleet-in-gangnam",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-19T03:02:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260819/seoul-doubles-late-night-autonomous-taxi-fleet-in-gangnam"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul is set to more than double its late-night autonomous taxi fleet in the Gangnam District, aiming to reduce wait times and enhance accessibility during nighttime hours. Beginning this Thursday at 10 p.m., the city plans to expand the fleet to 19 vehicles from the current seven, according to Seoul city officials. This increase will also extend autonomous driving capabilities to all roads within the designated operating zone in southern Seoul, including child-protection zones, following approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The regulatory change that enabled autonomous vehicles to operate in protected areas was introduced earlier this year. Since the service commenced on September 26, 2024, it has accumulated 15,140 rides, with 6,176 rides occurring after fares were introduced in April. The autonomous taxis will be in operation from Monday to Friday, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., covering approximately 20.4 square kilometers in the Gangnam autonomous-driving pilot zone. Passengers can request a vehicle through the Kakao T app by selecting the corresponding option.",
  "summary": "Seoul will more than double the number of late-night autonomous taxis operating in Gangnam District, betting that a larger fleet will shorten waits and make the service easier to access after dark. Starting Thursday at 10 p.m., the city will increase the fleet to 19 vehicles from seven, Seoul city said. The expansion will also extend autonomous driving to all roads within the operating zone in…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul will double its late-night autonomous taxi fleet in Gangnam District.",
    "Fleet size to increase from 7 to 19 vehicles starting Thursday at 10 p.m.",
    "Autonomous taxis to operate in all roads, including child-protection zones."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The expansion of Seoul's late-night autonomous taxi fleet in Gangnam District will likely improve nighttime accessibility and reduce wait times for residents and visitors.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul doubles late-night autonomous taxi fleet in Gangnam",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/seoul-doubles-late-night-autonomous-taxi-fleet-in-gangnam-1853602",
        "published": "2026-08-19T03:12:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}