Hyundai Motor and Kia to Launch Level 4 Autonomous Truck Trials

Hyundai Motor and Kia are gearing up to test Level 4 autonomous heavy-duty trucks on real-world logistics routes in South Korea starting next year. This initiative represents a significant advancement in their autonomous vehicle development efforts.

The trials will feature two types of trucks: a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Xcient and a conventional Xcient model. Both vehicles will be equipped with customized control units and interfaces designed to support autonomous driving technologies.

The testing will cover two routes, approximately 100 kilometers and 400 kilometers long, which will incorporate both highways and urban roads. The program aims to validate the integration of autonomous systems and gather crucial data for future commercial deployment.

Hyundai Motor and Kia have partnered with several companies, including Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Glovis, as well as autonomous driving software developers Mars Auto and RideFlux, to facilitate the trials. These collaborations will enhance the testing operations and contribute to the development of backup safety systems crucial for heavy-duty trucks.

Park Sang-hyun, executive vice president overseeing commercial vehicle lifecycle management, emphasized the importance of autonomous trucks in enhancing logistics safety and efficiency. The findings from these trials are expected to play a vital role in the companies' broader strategy for autonomous commercial vehicles.