42dot: Autonomous Taxis and Holidays the South Korean Way

The start-up 42dot, founded in 2019, aims to provide an autonomous platform for all types of transportation. After now five rounds of financing, the list of investors reads like the who's who of South Korean high-tech companies. Among others, Hyundai, Kia, South Korea's largest telecom company SK Telecom, and LG are on board.

Field Trial in Seoul

Currently, three robot taxis equipped with the start-up's technology are largely autonomous in the city. The programmers ensured that the vehicles operate very cautiously. In particularly demanding traffic situations, such as near schools, the taxi autonomously notifies and hands over control to the driver.

The specially developed so-called UMOS technology is used. The goal is to create a fully autonomous, centralized infrastructure for autonomous and seamless transport services. But despite the use of seven cameras, five radar sensors, and a computer unit in the trunk, the developers at 42dot know that there will always be uncertainties in autonomous driving. For example, if a child suddenly appears on the road in the blind spot, even the robotaxi cannot prevent the accident. Nevertheless, founder Jeong Seong-gyun is convinced of the technology.

"But I do think the number of accidents would decrease, because the machine no longer makes certain mistakes, such as looking at the phone while driving," Jeong explained in an interview with the SZ, "it is a question of societal acceptance."

By 2025, a total of 20 autonomous taxis from the start-up are expected to be on the road in Seoul. Jeong expects that with the increasing number of robotaxis, the acceptance of the new road users could also rise.

The UMOS – Mobility Platform should connect everything

The mobility and logistics platform aims to connect all forms of ground and air transportation services, fleet management, demand-driven transport, and smart logistics. The platform encompasses multiple functional levels that offer enterprise-level scalability. UMOS is to create an ecosystem where the user no longer has to worry about getting around; UMOS takes care of mobility needs and everything associated with them.

To achieve this, engineers at 42dot are working on different levels. A network is intended to provide access to various transportation services. Parking, charging, payment, and mobility networks are interconnected. An algorithm determines the route optimized for traffic flow and the appropriate means of transportation. A proprietary map system plays a key role in connecting users with autonomous transport-based services through reliable map technology and precise location-based solutions.

A standalone UMOS platform for autonomous driving completes the overall concept. The platform comes with its own set of sensor suites and hardware tailored to different vehicle types. The autonomous UMOS vehicles continuously learn and are thus intended to offer a safer and better mobility experience than human drivers.