KT to run 5G-based autonomous shuttle bus to prove commercial potential

South Korea-based operator KT will be running a 5G-powered self-driving shuttle service in the central city of Sejong, in a pilot project to demonstrate the commercialisation of autonomous buses. KT – the carrier formerly known as Korea Telecom – alongside Seoul-based self-driving vehicle tech provider Unmanned Solutions, had previously announced a partnership in April in order to develop a 5G-based virtual control tower for self-driving vehicles. As reported by Aju Business Daily, the two companies will modify a 1.3km long street by the end of 2019 and begin testing level 4 autonomous shuttles during the first half of 2020. For the first time in South Korea, KT will be testing a new platform that requires no control tower on a six-seat shuttle bus.