Kakao Mobility is partnering with Kia to jointly develop purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) for autonomous driving services. This strategy aims to enhance technological competitiveness by designing the autonomous driving platform and the finished vehicle together from the outset, preparing for the commercialization of autonomous driving.
On July 16, Kakao Mobility announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kia for the supply of PBVs and related technological collaboration for autonomous driving services. The two companies plan to combine Kakao Mobility's platform operations and autonomous driving technology with Kia's capabilities in vehicle development and manufacturing to enhance their competitive edge in autonomous driving services.
Under this agreement, the two companies will gradually establish a development and supply system for PBVs optimized for autonomous driving services. Kakao Mobility will provide the necessary autonomous driving technology and vehicle specifications for service operations, while Kia will develop and supply dedicated vehicles accordingly.
This year, the initial focus will be on supplying vehicles and a device called DevKit, which connects the autonomous driving system with external vehicle control software. The DevKit will facilitate the interface between the autonomous driving system and Kia vehicles.
In the medium to long term, the companies plan to jointly develop PBVs specialized for commercial services based on data from autonomous vehicle operations. This initiative aims to establish an autonomous driving control environment that directly integrates with the finished vehicle system, thereby improving service stability and operational efficiency.
This collaboration is significant as it expands Kakao Mobility's established ecosystem of autonomous driving technology partnerships to include global automotive manufacturers. The two companies intend to continue enhancing their technological collaboration for the commercialization of autonomous driving services and to strengthen their competitiveness in the global market.
Ryu Geung-seon, CEO of Kakao Mobility, stated, "The strategic partnership with Kia, a leader in the global automotive market, will mark a new turning point for the autonomous driving industry. By combining Kakao Mobility's platform and autonomous driving technology with Kia's vehicle manufacturing expertise, we aim to accelerate technological internalization and secure competitiveness to lead the global market."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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