Hyundai demonstration sees hydrogen vehicles self-drive 118 miles

A fleet of Hyundai fuel cell electric vehicles have completed a self-driven 118 mile journey from Seoul to Pyeongchang.

This is the first time in the world that level 4 autonomous driving has been achieved with fuel cell electric vehicles.

Until now, autonomous driving has been demonstrated only on selected sections of Korean domestic roads and at a limited speed, this is the first time autonomous vehicles have operated on public highways at 110 km/h, the maximum speed allowed by law on Korean highways.

Three Hyundai vehicles completed the journey, all based on NEXO, Hyundai’s next-generation fuel cell electric vehicle which is scheduled to be released in Korea next month. All vehicles were equipped with level 4 self-driving technology, as defined by the SAE international standards and equipped with 5G network technology.

The vehicles moved in response to the natural flow of traffic, executed lane changes, overtaking manoeuvres and navigated toll gates using Hi-pass, South-Korea’s wireless expressway payment system.

Hyundai aims to commercialise level 4 autonomous vehicles in smart cities by 2021 and plans to commercialise fully autonomous driving technology by 2030.