Autonomous Bus Begins Pilot Operation in Iksan

An 18-seat electric autonomous bus that drives itself without driver intervention will begin pilot operations in Iksan next month. The bus, which will carry passengers on a 4.8km route between Iksan Station and Wonkwang University, is scheduled to expand its operational route to 10.7km in 2028.

Iksan City is introducing the autonomous bus, the first in the province, and has invested 20 billion won in building smart transportation infrastructure four years after being designated as a pilot zone for autonomous vehicles by the government. The bus uses cameras and cutting-edge sensors to recognize its surroundings in real-time, with AI controlling its driving. It operates at speeds of 40-50 km/h, and professional safety personnel will be stationed at all times to prepare for any contingencies.

Iksan City is planning to transform into a city specializing in autonomous driving by building a regional autonomous driving transportation system connecting nearby areas and attracting future mobility industries. Iksan Mayor Jung Heon-yul stated that the operation of this autonomous bus will be a turning point towards becoming a self-sufficient city for future mobility. Attention is focused on whether Iksan's autonomous bus will become a new engine for regional growth, beyond just a mode of transportation.