Hyundai Motor and Kia will test Level 4 autonomous heavy-duty trucks on real-world logistics routes next year, working with domestic self-driving software companies to develop technology for commercial deployment, the carmakers said Tuesday.
Hyundai Motor and Kia signed an agreement Tuesday with Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Glovis and two autonomous-driving software developers, Mars Auto and RideFlux, to conduct the tests using the Hyundai Motor Group’s existing logistics network.
Level 4 autonomous driving is a level of self-driving in which a vehicle can drive itself without human intervention under specific conditions.
Hyundai Motor and Kia will use the findings to improve vehicle control and safety systems, which allow backup systems to take over if primary systems fail.
Earlier this month, Hyundai Motor and Kia signed an agreement with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to develop Level 4 autonomous city buses and related operating platforms.