Kakao Mobility Launches Autonomous Car Service in Gangnam

Seoul, South Korea – Kakao Mobility has launched an autonomous vehicle service in Seoul's Gangnam district after being designated as a passenger transport operator by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the company said.

The service, called "Gangnam Late-Night Seoul Autonomous Car," began operating on March 16. It runs on weekdays from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. within a designated autonomous-driving pilot zone in Gangnam.

Rides are currently free, with plans to introduce fares in April 2026 in line with Seoul’s autonomous transport service policy. Passengers request rides using the Kakao T application.

The vehicles use Kakao Mobility's artificial intelligence data pipeline and a sensor module named "AV-Kit," which, according to the company, has collected urban driving data since 2018. The system employs a deep learning-based model to identify traffic signals and pedestrians.

Kakao Mobility says its autonomous driving system combines an "AI Planner" for situational assessment with a rule-based system for urban environments. Operations are monitored via a safety management platform that analyzes vehicle data in real time, and vehicles are equipped with displays showing the planned route and nearby obstacles to passengers.

The company has previously conducted autonomous vehicle testing in South Korean cities including Pangyo, Daegu, Jeju, and Sejong.