Developed in collaboration with NVIDIA, Seoul National University, etc.
Accelerating technological development such as 3D HD map production and 5G linkage

SK Telecom announced that it has become the first domestic telecommunications company to receive a temporary permit to operate autonomous vehicles from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

With this, SK Telecom's autonomous vehicles will begin test driving on the test track set up at Seoul National University's Gwanak Campus as well as on regular roads starting this month.

SK Telecom has been working with Nvidia, Seoul National University, and others to develop autonomous driving technology. Based on this, SK Telecom's autonomous vehicle was able to drive safely on the 10th, the day of the test run to obtain a temporary operating permit, even in heavy rain with 60mm of daily precipitation.

SK Telecom plans to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence software, 3D HD map solutions, and terrain detection sensors (radar, lidar, cameras) using a self-driving car modified from the 'Genesis G80'.

In addition, SK Telecom will take on the challenge of raising the level of autonomous driving technology at home and abroad to the next level in the second half of this year by ▲5G – autonomous vehicle linkage ▲creating 3D HD maps of major roads ▲holding public driving demonstrations.

SK Telecom is focusing on developing technologies that significantly increase the accuracy and stability of autonomous driving, such as ▲3D HD maps ▲5G vehicle communication technology (V2X, Vehicle to Everything) ▲driving big data.

Sensors and cameras that recognize the surroundings may have poor performance in special environments such as bad weather or at night. SK Telecom's 3D HD map and 5G V2X transmit sensor and camera blind spot information to vehicles, enhancing the situational awareness and driving judgment capabilities of autonomous vehicles.

In particular, SK Telecom's 3D HD map (ultra-precision map) precisely captures road terrain features, traffic lights, and traffic signs with a size of less than 25 cm, playing a critical role in helping self-driving cars' artificial intelligence computers find the safest and fastest route.

SK Telecom Network Technology R&D Center Director Park Jin-hyo said, “We will develop autonomous driving technology through joint research without industry barriers with various partners from the automobile, electronics, and equipment industries,” adding, “With our technology, we will greatly increase the safety of autonomous driving and contribute to reducing social costs.”