Rideflux, the only company conducting Level 4 autonomous driving tests in South Korea, has entered the final countdown toward fully driverless operation. Until now, the startup has tested its Level 4 autonomous technology with safety managers on board. It has now applied to the government for permission to conduct tests without any human presence in the vehicle. As the government solidifies its support for autonomous driving, startups are accelerating their technology development.
According to mobility industry sources on Sunday, autonomous driving software startup Rideflux recently applied to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) for a temporary operation permit for fully unmanned autonomous driving. Rideflux received conditional approval for unmanned autonomous driving from MOLIT in 2024 and began testing in November of that year. The temporary operation permit is a system that allows autonomous vehicles to operate on roads for up to nine years for research and technology development purposes. Rideflux is the only company in Korea to have received a government permit for unmanned autonomous operation.
However, as the permit was conditional, Rideflux has effectively been conducting "manned autonomous driving" with safety managers seated in both the driver's and passenger seats. The conditions set by MOLIT at the time of the 2024 permit required test driving for a certain period with managers seated in the driver's seat (Phase 1) and passenger seat (Phase 2). The ministry's policy is to grant final approval for fully unmanned driving once safety is clearly demonstrated through Phase 1 and Phase 2 testing.
Rideflux's application for fully unmanned autonomous driving indicates that safety has been sufficiently secured. "We determined that safety has been achieved within the sections where we conduct autonomous driving with a person in the passenger seat, which led us to submit this application for fully unmanned driving," a Rideflux official said. Rideflux has accumulated 2,600 hours of manned autonomous driving in the Sangam pilot operation zone in Seoul, covering approximately 3.2 kilometers. The company achieved a zero-accident record during this period.
MOLIT and Rideflux are currently coordinating the schedule for the safety review required for final unmanned autonomous driving approval. If Rideflux passes this review, it will be able to conduct unmanned autonomous driving with remote intervention capability within designated operational areas like Sangam. This represents a significant advancement in autonomous driving testing compared to the previous requirement of having safety managers on board. "Even if approval is granted, we will continue safe testing with a safety officer in the back seat for the time being," the Rideflux official said. "We also plan to expand the operational zone to enhance our technology."
Meanwhile, the government began accepting applications from technology companies on Sunday to participate in the autonomous driving demonstration city project in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Industry observers expect major startups including Rideflux and Autonomous a2z to apply. The government plans to separately select automakers, platform companies, and insurers to participate in the project and establish a cooperative model. MOLIT and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority are also holding a company briefing session at the Government Sejong Convention Center in Sejong City at 2 p.m. on Sunday.