Seoul’s First Self-Driving Bus
Last November, Seoul launched its first bus service using self-driving, or autonomous, vehicles.
On the new route, called the A01, the buses travel in a 3.4-kilometer loop around Cheonggye Stream and complete one trip in 20 minutes.
These minibuses are much smaller than ordinary city buses, but they have big windows and glass roofs so riders can enjoy sightseeing.
Each vehicle can fit seven passengers, and seats can be reserved via a smartphone app.
The buses are free to ride.
For safety, a human helper sits in the driver’s seat.
But the “driver” hardly ever needs to touch the controls.
Instead, the bus operates by itself.
Thanks to a navigation system that uses cameras and tracking sensors, the vehicles can recognize pedestrians, signs, and other objects.
The buses were designed by 42dot, a technology company owned by Hyundai Motor Group.
One rider on the A01 route told reporters the technology was “amazing.”
