Late-night self-driving taxi service kicks off in southern Seoul

A late-night self-driving taxi will be available in a pilot zone designated for the autonomous driving service in the affluent Gangnam area starting Thursday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday.

This marks the first time in Korea for an autonomous taxi service to operate late at night in the capital city.

The self-driving taxis will be available from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the pilot zone, Monday through Friday, covering parts of Yeoksam, Daechi, Dogok and Samseong-dong in Gangnam District, as well as sections of Seocho-dong in neighboring Seocho District.

Three autonomous taxis will operate along major roads in these areas, including Bongeunsa-ro, Teheran-ro, Dogok-ro, Nambusunhwan-ro, Gaepo-ro, Gangnam-daero, Nonhyeon-ro, Eonju-ro, Samseong-ro and Yeongdong-daero, covering a total area of 11.7 square kilometers.

A driver will be on board for safety, and the self-driving vehicle will operate in autonomous mode on roads with four or more lanes, while the accompanied driver will take control in residential areas, alleys and school zones. Up to three passengers can ride a vehicle at a time.

As this is the first introduction of a late-night self-driving taxi service, it will be offered free of charge until the end of the year.

Starting next year, the service will transition to a paid model, with the coverage area expanding to additional parts of Gangnam, including Nonhyeon, Sinsa, Apgujeong and Daechi-dong. The number of autonomous taxis will also increase based on consumer demand and feedback from the taxi industry.

Anyone wishing to use the service can request a taxi through the KakaoT app, just like calling a regular taxi.

Both the starting point and destination must be within the designated autonomous pilot zone for a customer to request a taxi. In case of service suspension due to heavy rain, snow or vehicle maintenance, a notification will be posted in the KakaoT app.

"Using this opportunity of launching the country's first late-night self-driving taxi service, we will make every effort to develop future transportation services for citizens," an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government said.

Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/09/281_383130.html

Comprehension

Where will the self-driving taxi service be available in Seoul, and when does it operate?
What time will the autonomous taxis run, and on which days of the week?
Which areas of Gangnam and Seocho Districts will the taxis cover?
How many autonomous taxis will operate in the pilot zone, and how large is the total coverage area?
Will there be a driver on board, and what will their role be in the service?
How many passengers can ride in the self-driving taxi at a time?
How will customers be able to request a self-driving taxi, and what are the restrictions for service?
When will the service start charging a fee, and how will the coverage area expand next year?

Discussion

Do you think the introduction of self-driving taxis will change how people commute in cities? Why or why not?
How do you feel about the safety of autonomous vehicles, especially when they operate at night?
What challenges do you think might arise from offering a self-driving taxi service, particularly in busy areas like Gangnam?
How might the late-night availability of these taxis benefit people living or working in Gangnam and Seocho districts?
In what ways do you think the self-driving taxi service will affect the existing taxi industry?
Should autonomous taxis be deployed in other parts of the city as well? Why or why not?
How important is having a human driver on board for safety, even in an autonomous taxi?
Do you think self-driving taxis could reduce traffic congestion or make transportation more efficient in large cities?
What factors do you think will determine whether the autonomous taxi service succeeds or fails?
How would you personally feel about riding in a self-driving taxi? Would you trust the technology?

Vocabulary

Pilot zone – A designated area for testing new technologies or services on a limited basis before wider implementation.
Affluent – Wealthy or rich, often referring to a specific area or group of people.
Autonomous – Able to operate independently, without direct human control.
Transition – The process of changing from one state or condition to another.
Feedback – Information or reactions provided as a response to a particular action or service, often used for improvement.
Suspension – The temporary stopping or halting of an operation or service.
Residential areas – Areas where people live, as opposed to commercial or industrial zones.
Commute – The process of traveling from one place to another, typically to and from work.