Lotte Innovate and SK Telecom are teaming up to develop an autonomous driving test facility in Hwaseong City, South Korea, marking a notable expansion of the country’s self-driving infrastructure.
The project, backed by four government ministries including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, will feature three distinct areas: a demonstration zone for showcasing technologies, an operation zone for equipment testing, and a creative zone for experimental development.
Lotte Innovate will oversee the construction of the center’s core systems and intelligent transportation infrastructure across multiple zones. The facility aims to offer eight different autonomous driving services accessible to the public.
The initiative represents South Korea’s push to accelerate autonomous vehicle development, putting it in direct competition with similar facilities in the United States, China, and Europe. The project’s scope suggests significant investment, though specific financial terms weren’t disclosed.
The test site will integrate cooperative intelligent transportation systems (C-ITS), allowing vehicles to communicate with infrastructure and other road users, a critical component for advancing autonomous driving technology beyond current capabilities.
Industry analysts note this development could help position South Korea as a key player in the autonomous vehicle sector, though success will depend on effective integration of various technologies and regulatory frameworks.
