RideFlux Launches Level 4 Autonomous Car-sharing Pilot in Hwaseong, Unveiling Next March

Autonomous driving software innovation company Rideflux is making Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province, a testbed for future mobility and is commencing full-scale pilot operation of its 'Level 4 autonomous driving car-sharing' service. Level 4 signifies an advanced stage of autonomous driving where no driver intervention is required, and the vehicle operates solely based on its own complete perception and judgment. This project is a key initiative within the national project 'Autonomous Driving Lv.4/4+ Shared Vehicle Service Technology Development,' led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Science and ICT. Rideflux has partnered with leading institutions such as the Korea Transport Institute, Socar, Sest, N-Zero, and Hanyang University, undertaking a grand three-phase journey from 2022 to beyond 2026. Notably, Rideflux has demonstrated its core capabilities in this project by not only developing autonomous driving software but also playing a pivotal role in the construction and operation of the car-sharing system. Starting next March, 10 autonomous car-sharing vehicles, built on KG Mobility's 'Torres EVX,' will be deployed in the areas of Saesol-dong, Namyang-eup, and Madong-myeon in Hwaseong-si. The plan is to expand the fleet to a total of 20 vehicles by 2027. This service, which will commence with the recruitment of a pre-experience group targeting local residents and workers, maximizes convenience as an on-demand, 'free-floating' service where users can book and return vehicles at their desired locations. Of course, in the initial stages, a safety driver will accompany the vehicle to assist with stable operation in preparation for emergency situations. Kang Kyung-pyo, head of the Autonomous Cooperative Driving Technology Research Team at the Korea Transport Institute, stated, "Autonomous car-sharing will significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions and alleviating parking problems by lowering reliance on private cars," adding emphasis on "its infinite potential as a public service that strengthens mobility rights for the transportation vulnerable and residents in areas underserved by public transport." In addition to this national project, Rideflux is already actively operating autonomous bus services in major cities nationwide, including Jeju, Sejong, Busan, and Seoul, and plans to further expand its service areas to major hubs in the Seoul metropolitan area and other regions within the year. Park Joong-hee, CEO of Rideflux, stated, "This pilot operation is an important first step towards fully driverless autonomous car-sharing," expressing his ambition to "leverage the pilot experience as a stepping stone to open a new chapter for the commercialization of Korean-style autonomous driving."