Experience the Future: First Self-Driving Shuttle Launches in Seongnam, South Korea!

The area surrounding Moran Station in Seongnam City is always bustling on market days. This was no exception on the 9th. The road in front of the station was congested with cars, buses, and taxis carrying shoppers. Long lines of vehicles waited at every intersection, with occasional honks punctuating the slow-moving traffic.
Amidst this chaos, a shuttle bus decelerated. Its turn signal flashed as it assessed the surrounding traffic flow. When a nearby vehicle halted, the shuttle smoothly changed lanes without rushing. After merging, it maintained a steady pace, keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
Inside the shuttle, there was no visible driver intervention. The steering wheel turned autonomously, while acceleration and deceleration were as smooth as if guided by human hands. The vehicle stopped precisely at traffic signals, waited for pedestrians to cross, and then resumed its journey. Even in the complex traffic conditions typical of market days, the ride remained seamless. This was the inaugural public demonstration of Seongnam City’s autonomous shuttle in real-world conditions.
That afternoon, Seongnam City hosted an “Autonomous Vehicle Test Ride” event at the Mobility Hub Center, located in the Seongnam Sports Complex parking lot. This marked the first public showcase of the autonomous shuttle’s pilot operation.

{v9}) This pilot program goes beyond mere technological demonstration, focusing on enhancing daily transportation in real urban environments. The goal is to improve connectivity between new and old city centers and create tighter links between transit hubs and industrial/commercial areas. The shuttle operates on a stop-based system, allowing residents to use it much like traditional public transportation.

The autonomous shuttle operates on two routes centered around the Mobility Hub Center near Moran Station. The SN01 route connects Moran Station to Seongnam-dong and extends to Pangyo Techno Valley 2, while the SN02 route circulates between Moran Station and Seongnam Hi-Tech Valley. Each route is serviced by one Solati-based autonomous vehicle.
The vehicle is equipped with four LiDAR sensors, one radar, and five cameras. This sensor suite enables the shuttle to perceive its surroundings, including vehicles and pedestrians, and make driving decisions. During test rides, the shuttle changed lanes in sync with traffic flow and adjusted its speed to match preceding vehicles, closely mimicking the performance of a human-driven bus.
A safety officer occupied the driver’s seat. This officer remains on board during autonomous operation to monitor the vehicle’s status and respond to any unforeseen circumstances. While the shuttle primarily operates autonomously, manual driving may be employed in certain high-risk areas, such as those with heavy traffic.

This pilot program is particularly significant as it includes testing autonomous driving in school and senior protection zones. Seongnam City has implemented LiDAR-based infrastructure and an integrated control system in these areas to enhance the vehicle’s environmental awareness and response time. This marks the first nationwide trial of autonomous driving in protection zones, which were previously off-limits due to safety concerns.

The shuttle service will commence on the 26th and run for a two-year pilot period. It will operate four times daily on weekdays from 10 AM to 5 PM, with each vehicle accommodating up to 14 passengers. The service will be free for all residents during the pilot phase.

City Council member Kim Bo-mi stated, “The introduction of Seongnam’s first autonomous bus is a milestone for our community. To ensure this service truly benefits our residents, we need to fine-tune its operations. I will work at the council level to ensure these refinements are implemented effectively.”

Mayor Shin Sang-jin commented, “The autonomous driving performance was impressively safe, with lane changes so natural they were indistinguishable from human driving. By addressing any issues identified during the pilot, we aim to establish a high-quality autonomous transportation service.”

Seongnam = Reporter Kim Dong-seong estar@etnews.com