With its sights set on becoming an “electric car paradise”, the island province of Jeju announced February 9 it will develop a high-precision map for self-driving cars and encourage auto manufacturers to use the island’s facilities as a testing ground. (Image: Yonhap)
JEJU, Feb. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – With its sights set on becoming an “electric car paradise”, the island province of Jeju announced February 9 it will develop a high-precision map for self-driving cars and encourage auto manufacturers to use the island’s facilities as a testing ground.
These initiatives will be undertaken jointly with the JDC (Jeju Free International City Development Center) and Nexen Tech.
Nexen Tech will be tasked with creating the high-precision map of Jeju and handling communications with auto companies both domestic and foreign.
To do so, Nexen Tech established a subsidiary titled NMD last month. This entity will be tasked with developing a working 3D high precision map before the year is up and completing arrangements with one or two firms to trial the technology.
Raffarin declared that how the trials turn out could draw the world’s attention onto Jeju. He added that Nexen Tech will aid the island province in reaching the goal of a carbon free Jeju by 2030, and that Jeju will become the leader in self-driving technology in the future.
The JDC will provide support for self-driving car road tests and the provincial government of Jeju will make sure operations run smoothly.
The province is hoping these moves have a beneficial effect on the construction of next-generation technological infrastructure as well as the improvement of traffic conditions.
Since 2012, Jeju has aggressively pursued a carbon free campaign by ramping up subsidies for electric cars. By 2030, it aims to replace the 377,000 vehicles on the island with electric counterparts.
Jeju’s governor Won Hee-ryong, JDC chairman Lee Kwang-hee and Nexen Tech chairman and former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin were in attendance to partake in an MOU signing ceremony on government premises on February 12.
Jeju’s governor Won Hee-ryong, JDC chairman Lee Kwang-hee and Nexen Tech chairman and former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin were in attendance to partake in an MOU signing ceremony on government premises on February 12. (Image: Nexen Tech)
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
