Self-Driving Cars Set For Real Test In Seoul

Self-driving cars will soon hit the road in South Korea as the country seeks to overtake other nations that have sped ahead with automated driving technology. Seoul National University professor Seo Seung-woo says a self-driving car develop by this team will start roaming Seoul streets early next year, thanks to a revised law that took effect on 15 November. His team has been testing automated driving inside the university’s campus with a sedan outfitted with sensors and cameras. The vehicle drove more than 10,000 kilometres in the past two years without incident, but could not leave the campus because of regulations. The new law allows automated cars to travel on public roads around the country. Eight self-driving cars, including those of Seo’s team, are registered with the country’s transport ministry and have been tested in limited conditions. Seo unveiled two upgraded vehicles that can navigate narrow streets and identify road signs and traffic lights. One will be tested in traffic after it is certified by the government. South Korea has been slow to introduce driverless cars on public roads while other countries have been testing automated driving for public transport, such as taxis and buses, in real traffic conditions.