Image provided by Kakao Mobility
Kakao Mobility (CEO Alex Ryu) recently announced that it will introduce an “autonomous driving DRT service” in the Sangam area of Seoul. The service provides a one-stop system from hail to boarding to payment through the Kakao T platform.
DRT (Demand Responsive Transport) determines optimal routes based on user requests and operates routes and schedules flexibly. It also serves as a “fixed route” service that stops only at designated stops along its path. Kakao Mobility developed the autonomous driving DRT service based on its accumulated autonomous driving service demonstrations and platform technology in areas such as Gangnam, Sejong, Pangyo, Seoul, Daegu, and Jeju.
Kakao Mobility has integrated all autonomous-driving citizen services operated by Seoul City—demand-responsive, zone-based, and route-based—into the Kakao T app since the company became the private provider of the Seoul autonomous driving transport platform last September. Kakao Mobility begins operating the autonomous-driving DRT service on the “A02” route in Sangam, Mapo-gu, in collaboration with the autonomous-driving technology company SWM. The route uses two vehicles, including one wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
Users select the “DRT” icon in the Kakao T app, then choose the route, boarding and drop-off stops, number of passengers, and time to request a vehicle. After dispatch, users can check estimated waiting time, vehicle information, and real-time travel routes. The autonomous driving DRT service operated by Seoul City remains temporarily free during the pilot period. It operates from morning to afternoon on weekdays (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) near Sangam DMC Station (DMC Station Nurisquare, MBC, DMC Station).
Kakao Mobility plans to explore opportunities to operate an autonomous-driving DRT service in rural areas, aging communities, and the outskirts of new towns, where transportation access remains low. The company aims to help address blind spots in public transportation and strengthen residents' mobility rights.
Kakao Mobility CEO Alex Ryu said, “I hope more citizens experience the autonomous driving DRT service through Kakao T with this service introduced in central Seoul,” and added, “We will continue to showcase various types of autonomous driving services to increase user acceptance of the technology and advance the autonomous driving ecosystem together.”
