First, autonomous minibuses will run along a 5-kilometer ring along Cheonggecheon creek in the popular tourist entertainment district in the center of the South Korean capital. During the launch period, the trip will be free, you can book a place via the mobile application.

Service will be renewed with a third minibus at the beginning of December and the route will be extended in the first half of next year. Seoul also plans to launch free unmanned buses near former presidential residence Cheong Wa Dae in December.

What is known about the unmanned bus system

The drones were created by autonomous technology startup 42dot, which was acquired by Hyundai in August. According to the representative of the initiative, the 4th level autonomous driving system is used in the vehicles. However, an insurance driver will be inside to take over the controls on a busy part of the route.

The vans are equipped with 12 cameras and six radar sensors to read traffic light signals and track nearby vehicles and pedestrians in real time.

The service’s launch ceremony on Thursday was attended by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and executives from Hyundai and 42dot. In November of last year, Seoul launched its first commercial autonomous taxi service, and in June of this year, the city launched a robot taxi project in the bustling Gangnam district.

The Seoul government has developed a roadmap where more than 400 autonomous buses and taxis will operate here by 2026, and the city’s infrastructure will support the possibility of autonomous transportation on all roads with two or more lanes.

The Seoul government will allocate approximately $875 million to develop driverless vehicle infrastructure and regulatory framework. The task is also set to achieve the commercialization of cars at the 4th level of autonomy by 2027.