Autonomous A2Z will cooperate with KG Mobility and KGM Commercial to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles and core components. The tie-up links an autonomous-driving software company with passenger and commercial vehicle makers to build a mass-production system for Level 4 autonomous driving based on electric buses. Autonomous A2Z, also known as A2Z, said on April 20 it signed a memorandum of understanding with KG Mobility, known as KGM, and KGM Commercial, known as KGMC, on April 17.

The agreement aims for large-scale mass production of Level 4 autonomous vehicles and to secure platform competitiveness. The three companies agreed to combine their core technologies and capabilities to speed up commercialisation of autonomous driving at home and abroad. They plan to set up a joint consultative body to flesh out the development schedule, the scope of technical cooperation and commercialisation strategies.

The cooperation spans the full cycle from parts development to commercialisation. The partners will pursue joint development of parts needed to implement Level 4 autonomous driving based on electric buses, build a stable parts supply system, advance autonomous-driving technology, obtain performance certification and develop follow-up businesses and generate sales based on that certification.

A2Z will lead development and vehicle integration of autonomous-driving systems based on its Level 4 autonomous-driving software, vehicle control and operation technology, and what it said is the largest-scale urban demonstration data in South Korea. It plans to apply full-stack autonomous-driving technology covering perception, decision-making and control to the joint vehicle platform to secure stability in real-world driving environments.

KGM will handle vehicle design and production technology based on its SUV and electric-vehicle development capabilities and provide a base platform for mass production of autonomous vehicles. KGMC will take charge of developing and applying the autonomous bus platform based on technologies accumulated in commercial vehicles and electric buses. Building vehicles suited to actual transport environments is KGMC's main role.

Han Ji-hyung (한지형), CEO of Autonomous A2Z, said electric buses and commercial vehicles are areas where Level 4 autonomous-driving technology can be commercialised the fastest. He said the cooperation will quickly build a mass-produced autonomous-driving model by combining domestic vehicle manufacturing capabilities with A2Z's autonomous-driving technology and continue Level 4 commercialisation and global expansion.