Jeju rolls out 25-ton autonomous trucks

Autonomous driving technology leader Rideflux is set to commence an innovative paid autonomous cargo transportation service demonstration in Jeju Island. Teaming up with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Development Corporation (manufacturer of Jeju Samdasoo), and Jeju Logistics, they signed a business agreement for the 'Jeju Samdasoo Paid Autonomous Cargo Transportation Demonstration Project,' opening a new chapter for future logistics. This agreement aims to foster the autonomous driving-based cargo transportation industry within Jeju Island, promising multifaceted cooperation from technology development to demonstration, pilot operation, and establishing a foundation for commercialization. Particularly noteworthy is that a 25-ton autonomous cargo truck, to be deployed in the demonstration project, will operate a one-way trip daily along a 15.7km section from the Jeju Samdasoo headquarters factory to the Hoecheon Logistics Center. This represents a bold challenge, extending the operating range of large autonomous trucks, which was previously limited to expressways, to complex general roads involving signalized intersections and unprotected left turns. Furthermore, it introduces a 'middle-mile' transportation model where the manufacturer (Jeju Development Corporation) and the autonomous driving technology company (Rideflux) collaborate directly, presenting a more efficient model than the existing method involving multiple intermediate steps. Rideflux has already proven its technological capabilities based on extensive experience, including a 25-ton autonomous truck demonstration on the Gunsan-Jeonju section. Park Jung-hee, CEO of Rideflux, stated, "This Jeju Samdasoo demonstration project will be an important stepping stone to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous driving technology in the middle-mile cargo transportation market," expressing his ambition to lead future logistics innovation by providing safe and reliable services. Attention is drawn to what changes this innovative endeavor in Jeju Island will bring to South Korea's autonomous driving logistics industry.