○ Test runs of Autonomous Cooperative Bus mixed with general vehicles start in June in Pangyo
– On June 9, temporary autonomous driving permit test passed at Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute’s autonomous driving test center in Hwaseong
– To be introduced to public roads in Pangyo Techno Valley as early as September

○ Autonomous Cooperative Bus is an electric commercial bus equipped with radar and LiDAR
– Gyeonggi Autonomous Driving Center will provide transportation infrastructure information such as crosswalk and road traffic conditions
– Buses will run without passengers during test runs

Gyeonggi Province’s Autonomous Cooperative Bus will start test runs next month in Pangyo Techno Valley. Based on the results, the province plans to start operation of Autonomous Cooperative Buses on public roads in Pangyo Techno Valley from September, making them Korea’s first autonomous buses to operate alongside general vehicles.

Gyeonggi Province announced this plan on May 17, adding that the Autonomous Cooperative Bus successfully passed testing at the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute’s autonomous driving test center (K-city) in Hwaseong City and acquired a temporary driving permit on May 9. It will then obtain a temporary driving permit from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport at the end of this month before beginning test runs in June.

An autonomous vehicle is one that is capable of sensing, judging, and controlling itself without the assistance of a driver or a passenger. The Autonomous Cooperative Bus differs from other autonomous vehicles in that it receives information from a control center about infrastructure such as traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and road traffic status. The bus boasts high efficiency and safety as its autonomous driving system is further enhanced by the control center.

Gyeonggi Province’s Autonomous Cooperative Bus, which begins road tests in June, is an electric commercial manufactured by Edison Motors with autonomous driving technology. It is 10.99 meters long, 2.49 meters wide, and 3.39 meters high—just like general buses—but with 20 seats instead of 48 seats. Outfitted with radar and LiDAR sensors as well as an autonomous driving system, the bus is capable of driving on its own. The Gyeonggi Autonomous Driving Center, located in Pangyo, will provide information on transportation infrastructure such as traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and road traffic status.

The bus will run without passengers, except an onboard operator, during the test period. It will cover a 7-kilometer round-trip route between Pangyo Techno Valley 1 and Pangyo Techno Valley 2 for the convenience of workers commuting in Pangyo. The bus is also programmed to observe the speed limit (0–50 km/h) while operating.

The bus is capable of automatically adjusting its speed depending on the movement of vehicles in front, as well as steering to ensure its does not deviate from its lane. It also detects objects that suddenly appear in its path – such as vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles – and can stop to avoid potential collisions. To ensure operational safety, the automated controls are designed to disengage automatically if a driver takes over by hitting the accelerator and brake pedals.

Gyeonggi Province will decide on matters related to the general operation of the bus, including fares and schedule, following the test runs.

Ryu Kwang-yeol, Assistant Governor for Economy, said, “Gyeonggi Province will play a leading role in advancing traffic solutions and industrial development through a mobility revolution led by autonomous driving.”

Gyeonggi Province conducted a road test of the bus on May 9 at K-city in a simulated real-world road environment. The inter-vehicle distance control, lane departure prevention, emergency braking, and lane-change maneuvering systems were tested with a vehicle operator on board.