Autonomous bus service debuts in Busan, South Korea, courtesy of LG Uplus
LG Uplus Launches Flixbus Autonomous Bus Service in South Korea
LG Uplus Corporation, a leading South Korean telecommunications company, has made a significant leap in the automotive industry by launching a self-driving public flixbus service in the Osiria District of Busan. The service, consisting of four 16-seater autonomous battery-powered buses, is now ready to enter public service, connecting key locations such as Osiria Station, Lotte Mall, the Busan National Science Museum, and Gijang Coastal Road.
This innovative service, a potential catalyst for expanding LG Uplus' smart mobility ecosystem, is free to the public. Passengers can board and exit the buses at designated bus stops, just like they would with regular buses. The buses stop and start automatically at traffic lights, ensuring a smooth and efficient ride.
The buses have completed 2,000 km of test drives since July, demonstrating their ability to safely navigate the route, recognizing pedestrians and road conditions. A control centre receives real-time data from the buses and road infrastructure to ensure safety and autonomy.
LG Uplus collaborated with Edison Motors, a renowned autonomous vehicle manufacturing partner, to develop these self-driving buses. They also worked with Rideflux, N-Zero, and Tracom to create a C-ITS-based autonomous driving system for the buses.
Park Jun-seok, head of LG Uplus' mobility business division, stated that their aim is to provide the best customer experience and new transportation convenience through autonomous buses. He further added that this project would help accelerate the expansion of their smart mobility ecosystem.
The Just Auto Excellence Awards, celebrating innovation, leadership, and impact in the automotive industry, would undoubtedly recognize LG Uplus' self-driving public flixbus service as a gold standard example of business intelligence in the sector. The company plans to expand eco-friendly mobility services nationwide based on autonomous driving and smart transportation technologies.
As the service enters public use, LG Uplus expects the quality to improve based on passenger feedback. The buses are also equipped with a hands-free calling system as part of the Internet of Things in Automotive, further enhancing the user experience.
By entering the Just Auto Excellence Awards, companies can showcase their achievements, elevate their industry profile, and position themselves among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. LG Uplus' self-driving flixbus service in Busan is a testament to this, demonstrating the company's commitment to innovation and its vision for a smarter, more efficient future of transportation.
