The city announced the late-night service will operate in a designated self-driving test area in Gangnam, spanning 11.7 square kilometers, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays.
Rides will be free before paid service begins next year. Three vehicles will be available through the Kakao T taxi-hailing app.
Users will see a "Seoul Self-Driving Car" option on the app when autonomous taxis are available. Notifications will be sent to users in case of service disruptions due to severe weather or vehicle inspections.
The taxis will operate autonomously on roads with four or more lanes but switch to manual driving in residential areas and child protection zones.
The city plans to expand the service area in the first half of 2025 and may extend hours and increase vehicles based on demand, industry feedback and vehicle supply conditions.
“As a result of the city’s full-fledged drive and demonstration results, we are on the verge of establishing autonomous mobility as a bona fide transport service," said Yoon Jong-jang, head of Seoul's Transportation Bureau.
In 2021, the capital city announced a plan to implement 300 or more self-driving vehicles and related services by 2026.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
