ANYANG, Gyeonggi Province – In a significant leap toward the future of urban mobility, Anyang City announced on Wednesday that it will officially begin operating a "Level 4" autonomous shuttle service—completely devoid of a driver’s seat—starting March 16.

To mark the upcoming launch, the city held a pre-ride demonstration on March 11. The test run covered a 4-kilometer route stretching from Anyang City Hall through Beomgye Station to the Smart City Integrated Control Center. The event was attended by Mayor Choi Dae-ho, municipal officials, and Han Ji-hyeong, CEO of Autonomous a2z, the tech firm behind the shuttle.

Cutting-Edge Technology on the Road
The shuttle is designed to carry up to nine passengers and operates at a maximum speed of 40 km/h. It is equipped with advanced self-driving systems, including LiDAR and camera sensors, as well as real-time monitoring and communication technology.

While the vehicle is classified as Level 4—meaning it can perform all driving functions under specific conditions without human intervention—a safety manager will remain on board to handle any unexpected emergencies, in compliance with current domestic regulations.

Leading the Smart Mobility Race
Anyang’s initiative makes it the first basic local government in South Korea to introduce a driverless Level 4 shuttle. This milestone follows the city’s impressive track record in the field. Last year, Anyang was the only basic municipality to receive the highest "Grade A" rating from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) for its autonomous driving pilot zone operations.

Furthermore, the city recently secured 450 million KRW in national funding after being selected for the "Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Zone Support Project" for the second consecutive year.

A Vision for Expansion
The city plans to utilize these funds to scale up its smart transportation network. Future projects include introducing additional Level 4 shuttles between Gwanak Station and Anyang Art Park. Additionally, starting this April, the city will extend its existing daytime routes to reach the Pyeongchon Elproud Apartment complex.

"Anyang is committed to being a pioneer in autonomous driving, ensuring our citizens are the first to experience the transformation of smart transportation," said Mayor Choi Dae-ho. "We will continue to innovate until advanced technology becomes a seamless part of daily public transit."

Citizens interested in the future of transport can experience the shuttle for free by making a reservation through the Anyang City Integrated Reservation website.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]