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Not long ago, self-driving taxis started operating in Beijing, China. In Korea, a self-driving public transportation service that takes you to wherever you want to go by paying a fee will be introduced.
Reporter Ho-Gun Lee reported.
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A road in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. A black car makes a smooth left turn and changes lanes.
The person in the driver's seat doesn't even touch it, but the steering wheel turns on its own.
It is a public transportation self-driving car that the Seoul Metropolitan Government will introduce from tomorrow (30th).
As long as it does not deviate significantly from the set course, passengers can call a vehicle through the smartphone app and they will take it to the desired location.
The first month is free, and from next year, it will be converted to a paid service, and the fee is expected to be less than 3,000 won.
This is the first time to commercialize paid transportation with autonomous vehicles in Korea.
Although it is autonomous driving, there is no significant difference in ride comfort from a regular car.
First of all, three vehicles are going to Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, which is the pilot zone.
Next month, the number will be increased to six, and we plan to introduce more than 50 in five years.
Early next year, we plan to expand self-driving paid services in the form of buses in Cheonggyecheon and taxis in Gangnam-gu.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon became the first passenger in a self-driving car.
[Sehun Oh / Mayor of Seoul: I stop and start very skillfully, change lanes, and experience a very smooth left and right turn, so I can commercialize it now.] It is an
autonomous vehicle, but the driver for emergency and quarantine check is boarding.
In addition, the city of Seoul announced that it has purchased special insurance to cover medical expenses in case of an accident.
(Video coverage: Hwang In-seok, video editing: Yoon Tae-ho)