SEOUL — In an era marked by growing public concern over sudden unintended acceleration and pedal misapplication accidents, artificial intelligence technology is taking center stage as a vital safeguard on South Korea's roads. SkyAutoNet Co., Ltd. (CEO Tae-keun Kim), an AI-based mobility safety technology enterprise, announced on Saturday that its proprietary pedal misapplication prevention system, "DrSafe," has been officially designated as an "Innovation Product for the Third Batch of 2026" by the Public Procurement Service (PPS).
The official registered title of the device is "Pedal Misapplication Prevention and Speed Limitation Device" (Certification No. 2026-260). Following this official designation, SkyAutoNet has listed DrSafe on the government's official "Innovation Marketplace" (Hyeoksin Jangteo) and secured the legal basis to enter into private optional contracts (sole-source procurement) with public sector entities and local municipal governments.
Pedal misapplication—an error where a driver inadvertently stomps on the accelerator pedal instead of the brake—presents significant hazards on the road. Mounted on the vehicle dashboard, DrSafe uses an AI algorithm to analyze real-time driving telemetry and accelerator pedal inputs. When the system detects abnormal or aggressive acceleration signals indicative of a panic mistake, it automatically overrides the acceleration command. Simultaneously, the unit alerts the driver through warning chimes, text notifications, and visual indicator lights. Notably, the system can be retrofitted onto existing vehicles already in operation.
“This Innovation Product designation acknowledges both the technological excellence and the profound social value of DrSafe. Entering the public procurement market will serve as a springboard to expand our supply into municipal senior driver safety initiatives and corporate fleet safety management.” — Tae-keun Kim, CEO of SkyAutoNet
Field-Tested Efficacy in National Police Agency Trials
The performance and reliability of DrSafe were empirically demonstrated during a public field trial conducted in partnership with the National Police Agency from April 2025 to February 2026.
In this pilot project involving 141 vehicles operated by elderly drivers, DrSafe successfully identified and controlled 71 suspected pedal misapplication situations. By overriding erratic accelerator inputs in real time, the device effectively intercepted dangerous sudden acceleration events before they could escalate into actual traffic collisions.
Market Expansion & Strategic Vision
At the official conferment ceremony, Seung-bo Baek, Administrator of the Public Procurement Service, presented the Innovation Product Designation Certificate to Sung-je Kim, Executive Director of SkyAutoNet.
With public procurement credibility and convenient purchasing channels now established, SkyAutoNet plans to actively supply DrSafe to local government welfare initiatives focused on senior driver traffic safety, as well as commercial vehicle operators and corporate fleet managers.
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