Autonomous driving AI technology company RideFlux has joined hands with a commercial vehicle maker to move into cooperation at the mass production stage. RideFlux said on Sept. 7 it signed a memorandum of understanding with Tata Daewoo Mobility to cooperate on developing a Level 2+ driver assistance system for commercial vehicles and Level 4 autonomous driving.

A Level 2+ driver assistance system is technology that integrates control of a vehicle’s longitudinal and lateral movements, including lane keeping as well as lane changes, branching and merging, overtaking and passing through toll gates.

Under the agreement, the two companies will pursue mass production of a Level 2+ driver assistance system by installing RideFlux’s software for five core highway functions on the vehicle platforms of Tata Daewoo Mobility’s large trucks, Maxen and Kuxen. Tata Daewoo Mobility will provide the vehicle platforms and vehicle control interfaces, while RideFlux will take full responsibility for advanced development of DCAS software, a driver control assistance system that meets the international standard UN R171.

RideFlux plans to build a data virtuous cycle structure after mass production application, using real driving data collected from sold vehicles to simultaneously improve Level 2+ performance and verify Level 4, strengthening the reliability of its core autonomous driving technology.

Following the country’s first paid autonomous truck freight transport service launched in July with Hanjin, RideFlux has secured a new B2B revenue pillar through this agreement by supplying autonomous driving software to automakers. It is expected to support its recently launched KOSDAQ listing process as it moves away from a business structure centered on government demonstrations and builds a track record of commercialization.

Tae-sung Kim (김태성), CEO of Tata Daewoo Mobility, said, "Autonomous driving is a core technology that enhances driver safety and convenience and solves the labor shortages and transport efficiency problems the logistics industry faces." He added, "Using this agreement as an opportunity, we will expand the scope of cooperation from demonstrations to application in mass-produced vehicles and reviews of commercialization, while creating results felt in real logistics sites and generating new business opportunities in the commercial vehicle market."

Jung-hee Park (박중희), CEO of RideFlux, said, "This agreement is a milestone for RideFlux to move beyond a government demonstration-centered business structure and expand in earnest into the private B2B market of mass-produced vehicles." He added, "Together with Tata Daewoo Mobility, and further with Tata Motors, we will simultaneously achieve Level 2+ mass production application and Level 4 commercialization in the global commercial vehicle market."