KT and Hyundai Rotem Jointly Pursue Autonomous Driving Business
HR-Sherpa, capable of multi-purpose autonomous driving


KT and Hyundai Rotem announced on the 5th that they have signed a business agreement for the development of 5G-based autonomous vehicles and control platforms, and will jointly pursue autonomous driving projects for the civilian and military sectors.

Moving forward, the two companies will focus on ▲designing and developing 5G-based autonomous vehicles, ▲developing autonomous driving control platforms and remote operation systems, and ▲identifying markets to expand civil and military autonomous vehicle businesses.

This coming December, the two companies will begin their collaboration with a 5G autonomous driving demonstration project utilizing Hyundai Rotem's multi-purpose unmanned vehicle, the 'HR-Sherpa'. The HR-Sherpa is capable of dependent driving, automatically following a person in front of the vehicle, and features autonomous driving technologies including remote control capabilities.

The '3D Digital Site Management Technology Development Project' being pursued by Hyundai Engineering & Construction is a project to verify the efficiency of tasks such as surveying and logistics using autonomous robots in the Seosan reclaimed land in South Chungcheong Province. KT is examining business possibilities at civil engineering and construction sites by linking its 5G network-based autonomous driving integrated control platform with HR-Sherpa.

Both companies plan to expand their business scope beyond industrial sites into the defense industry, including material transport and surveillance and reconnaissance.

Choi Kang-rim, Senior Vice President and Head of KT Connected Car Business Center, stated, “Based on the business agreement with Hyundai Rotem, we plan to expand the application of 5G autonomous driving technology not only to construction sites but also to the defense industry,” adding, “We will continue to pioneer new mobility markets by expanding cooperation with companies in various industrial sectors.”