South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group plans to start Level 4 autonomous driving trials for heavy-duty trucks on specific ‘real-world’ logistics routes in South Korea in 2027, in collaboration with two local self-driving software companies.

Level 4 autonomous driving allows vehicles to self-drive without human intervention under certain driving conditions, but human supervision is still required. The automaker is stepping up its efforts to further develop and commercialise the technology in both commercial vehicles and light passenger vehicles.

HMG’s two main automakers, Hyundai Motor and Kia Corporation, have signed an agreement to carry out the trials in collaboration with the group’s main components manufacturer, Hyundai Mobis Company, and its main logistics company, Hyundai Glovis Company, as well as two local autonomous-driving software developers, Mars Auto Inc and RideFlux Inc.

Hyundai will provide two Xcient heavy-duty trucks for the Level 4 trials, including hydrogen fuel cell and diesel-powered models, which are scheduled to begin in early 2027 and last throughout most of the year. The trials will take place on two separate routes, including a 100 km route comprising highways and urban roads, and a 400 km route consisting mainly of highways.

Mars Auto and RideFlux will each equip one of these trucks with their hardware and software systems, including customised control units and autonomous-driving system interfaces. The

HMG confirmed that the key aims of the trials are to improve autonomous-driving software and validate its integration with vehicle control systems under actual operating conditions, develop backup systems that can take control of the vehicles in case the primary systems fail, and collect data needed to support commercialisation.