The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Sat, January 16, 2021 | 12:20
IT
KT allowed to test self-driving bus
Posted : 2017-10-08 18:21
Updated : 2017-10-08 18:39
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
KT's autonomous bus
KT's autonomous bus

By Kang Seung-woo


KT has gained government permission to test-drive its autonomous bus on public roads for the first time in Korea.

"The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has granted clearance for road trials of dozens of autonomous sedans and SUVs, but this is the first time for it to grant approval to test-drive a self-driving bus on public streets," a KT official said.

Since 2015, the nation's second-largest wireless provider has developed autonomous cars. It unveiled the driverless bus in a March event.

KT said an autonomous bus requires more advanced technologies than a self-driving car or SUV because it does not allow electronic control on handles, brakes or other auto parts and is long and heavy.

"In that respect, high-profile carmakers with advanced technologies such as Mercedes-Benz and Scania are leading players in the development of autonomous buses," the official said.

The KT bus, capable of driving on its own, can also move in a "platoon" formation, with one bus following only inches behind the next.

In addition, KT's driverless bus is also equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), as well as a precise detection system using the company's mobile communication network.

KT is now testing the bus' autonomous driving technology on expressways and plans to carry out a variety of tests gradually.

"The government permission enables us to test-drive the autonomous bus under actual conditions," the KT official said.

"With many research partners, we plan to enhance cooperation on developing self-driving technologies."

The Seoul-based company has a plan to commercialize the world's first 5G service in 2019 by successfully demonstrating it at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February 2018.

IT-savvy Korea is currently moving to commercialize level 3 self-driving cars by 2020.

A level 3 self-driving car refers to an autonomous car that can fully assume control of all safety-critical functions in certain conditions, while it automatically senses conditions that require the driver to retake control and provides a "sufficiently comfortable transition time" for the driver to do so.

Among other local developers of self-driving cars are top carmakers Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors as well as Naver, SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics.



Emailksw@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
SKT works on driverless vehicles
Busan -- SK Telecom made the most of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World to show off its self-driving technology. The annual telecom fair that drew more t...









 
WooriBank
 
  • Calls mounting to punish deepfake porn distributors
  • Why treatments unlikely to be 'game changer' in COVID-19 battle
  • Samsung unveils Galaxy S21
  • Coupang to change landscape of logistics market
  • Military parade pressures Biden to take North Korea seriously
  • LVMH to raise prices of its luxury brands
  • Korea, Japan urged to take next steps after court ruling
  • Hana Bank pushes for English-language documentation
  • Philippines' Duterte says presidency not a job for a woman
  • New virus cases in 500s for 4th day
  • Ex-BIGBANG member Seungri indicted for mobilizing gang members to threaten people Ex-BIGBANG member Seungri indicted for mobilizing gang members to threaten people
  • Chinese money flows into Korean culture industry amid streaming war Chinese money flows into Korean culture industry amid streaming war
  • Entertainers in hot seat over apartment noise Entertainers in hot seat over apartment noise
  • 'The Penthouse: War in Life' season 2 set to air Feb. 19 'The Penthouse: War in Life' season 2 set to air Feb. 19
  • Film director says theme of universal humanity in 'Minari' resonates with American audience Film director says theme of universal humanity in 'Minari' resonates with American audience
DARKROOM
  • Second Trump impeachment [PHOTOS]

    Second Trump impeachment [PHOTOS]

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

  • Migrants hard hit by COVID-19: UN migration agency

    Migrants hard hit by COVID-19: UN migration agency

  • Happy New Year 2021

    Happy New Year 2021

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright