Hungary Gödöllő “DRT Pilot Project Opening Ceremony” (Image source: Ministry of Economy and Finance)
SEOUL, August 3 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s demand-responsive transport (DRT) system has made its European debut in Hungary, marking a milestone in the country’s push to export advanced mobility solutions.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance announced Sunday that a pilot project for the Korean-style DRT system officially launched on July 31 in Gödöllő, a satellite city of Budapest. The initiative is part of Korea’s Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP), which began in 2022 to promote high-tech cooperation with global partners.
Unlike fixed-route public transit, DRT operates flexibly based on passenger demand, using artificial intelligence to optimize routing and vehicle dispatch. The system is particularly well-suited to smaller European cities where conventional bus networks are sparse or inefficient.
Hyundai Motor Company is leading the Korean contribution to the project, providing its AI-powered DRT platform “Shucle.” While Shucle has been deployed in several Korean municipalities since 2021, the Hungarian pilot marks the platform’s first international rollout. Hyundai will oversee the system’s localization, service planning, and ongoing maintenance in the Gödöllő area.
“This pilot project serves as a launchpad for Hyundai’s global expansion of the Shucle platform,” said Kim Soo-young, executive vice president of Hyundai’s mobility business division. “We hope to contribute to enhancing the local transportation system in Gödöllő.”
The Korean government views the pilot as a stepping stone for broader technology exports and deeper economic engagement with Europe. “The Hungarian demonstration project lays the groundwork for future tech exports and market entry into Europe,” the ministry said, pledging to expand such opportunities under the EIPP framework.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
