ThorDrive Pilots Autonomous Freight Trucks at Incheon Airport, Targeting 2027 Commercialization

ThorDrive, a leader in autonomous driving technology, is signaling an innovative change at domestic airports. With the goal of commercializing Level 4 autonomous cargo tow tractors at Incheon International Airport, it has embarked on large-scale technology demonstrations and the establishment of an operating system. Following its acquisition of the qualification for autonomous cargo tow tractor test operations within the restricted area of Incheon Airport last November, a first for Korea, ThorDrive recently partnered with Incheon International Airport Corporation, Korean Air, and Korea Airport to sign a four-party supplementary agreement for commercialization, taking a substantive first step. This agreement, pursued with a target commercialization date of 2027, goes beyond a simple pact, representing a stage where concrete operational plans are being developed, including technology exchange, training of specialized personnel, system linkage and definition of ground handling processes, institutional improvements, and promotional cooperation. In particular, ThorDrive plans to acquire a permit for autonomous driving test operations with dollies (cargo transport carts) connected this month, and by the first half of 2026, it will secure qualifications for autonomous driving test operations in aircraft intersection areas, embarking on high-difficulty demonstrations. From August, autonomous cargo tow tractors connected with dollies will regularly travel round trip along major logistics routes within the airport, securing safety indicators and promoting technological advancement. Through this, the company aims to prove the possibility of Level 4 autonomous driving commercialization in domestic airport environments and lay the groundwork for a transition to actual operations. This demonstration is the first instance of 'Physical AI'-based autonomous driving technology, which independently judges and drives in physical environments, being implemented at a domestic airport's ground handling site. Through this, ThorDrive plans to firmly prove the safety and commercial viability of its autonomous driving technology. Gye Dong-kyung, CEO of ThorDrive, emphasized, "Autonomous driving technology is a key to solving the structural problems of the air logistics industry, namely labor shortages and the risk of human accidents," and stated that through this demonstration, they will prove that domestic autonomous driving technology can be stably applied in real-world settings and successfully lead the commercialization of autonomous driving within airports based on close cooperation with key partners. Building on the successful demonstration experience at Incheon Airport, ThorDrive plans to expand the application scope of its autonomous driving solutions to various industrial sites, including overseas airports, manufacturing facilities, and logistics centers. The blueprint for future airport logistics, envisioned by artificial intelligence, is becoming a reality.