An EasyMile EZ10 driverless shuttle is now transporting students, faculty and visitors on the Seoul National University of Science and Technology campus, marking the first successful deployment of an EasyMile shuttle in Korea.
EasyMile has partnered with Mobility as a Service (MaaS) provider SpringCloud for the deployment, according to a news release, which is described as a “critical step in a market with purchasing power.” Korea’s government is investing millions into its “Autonomous Driving Technology Development Innovation Project” framework and has a goal of reaching Level 4 autonomy by 2024.
The shuttle, known on campus as the Springcar, travels a 1.9 kilometer route, connecting the main car park to a network of stops at various buildings. The route features a variety of complex elements, including road and pedestrian traffic, roundabouts, intersections and parking lots.
Data obtained throughout the trial will be collected at the on-campus control center. It will be used for driverless technology development.
“In many countries, including Singapore, autonomous shuttle operations are active on campus,” Seoul National University of Science and Technology President Lee Dong-hoon said, according to the release, and “Springcar will establish itself as a new culture.”