Seoul expands autonomous taxi fleet in Gangnam district

Seoul authorities have announced plans to significantly increase autonomous taxi operations in Gangnam, one of the city's most affluent and bustling business districts. The expansion will see the driverless taxi fleet triple in size, bolstering transportation options during late-night hours when demand for ride-hailing services typically peaks.

Residents and visitors in the designated operating zone will be able to book the autonomous vehicles through the Kakao T app, the country's dominant ride-hailing platform. The move aligns with South Korea's broader push to establish itself as a leader in autonomous vehicle technology and smart city infrastructure.

The expansion reflects growing confidence in autonomous taxi operations following earlier pilot programs in the district. Late-night service expansion addresses a key gap in transportation availability during off-peak hours, when conventional taxi services may be less readily available.

The initiative underscores Seoul's commitment to integrating cutting-edge mobility solutions into urban transportation networks. As autonomous vehicle technology continues to mature, such service expansions are expected to provide valuable operational data and consumer feedback to support further development of self-driving capabilities in complex urban environments.