Lotte Innovate advances autonomous shuttle technology at major tourist destinations

Lotte Innovate is continuing to operate its autonomous driving service while working to advance its underlying technology capabilities.

The company said Monday that its autonomous shuttle, MUVU, has been drawing positive responses from tourists at major destinations across South Korea.

MUVU is a driverless "Type B" self-driving vehicle. After becoming the first in South Korea to receive a provisional operating permit in 2021, it has run in Gangneung, Gyeongju, Jeju, Suncheon, Sejong and Naepо New Town. The shuttle has logged a cumulative distance of about 100,000 kilometers and carried about 40,000 passengers, according to Lotte Innovate.

The vehicle uses LiDAR and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology to precisely detect its surroundings. It also employs a next-generation intelligent transport system, known as C-ITS, which enables vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. Lotte Innovate said the integrated platform covers everything from vehicle operation and control to reservations and safety management.

In Gangneung — designated as the host city for the 2026 ITS World Congress — the service has been running since 2022, connecting Gangmun Beach, the Green City Experience Center and the Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park. Passenger satisfaction last year stood at 91.5 percent, according to the company.

On Jeju Island, a pilot service launched near Seongsan Ilchulbong last September, and regular commercial operations began Aug. 1. The route links Seongsan Ilchulbong, Gwangchigi Beach and Phoenix Island, with the shuttle passing along a coastal road. The transition to regular service also introduced a fare for riders.

In Gyeongju, operations continue this year following a run in 2024. Lotte Innovate provides a tourism-oriented autonomous driving service at the Bomun Tourism Complex and operates a Gyeongju tourism virtual-reality zone on Fridays and weekends.

"Our accumulated technology and operational expertise have been recognized, and we are in the process of moving beyond pilot services to full commercial service," a Lotte Innovate official said. "We will continue to expand our service areas based on differentiated service models and our stable autonomous driving operational know-how."

MUVU stands for "Move Us to Valuable Utopia," reflecting the concept of guiding passengers beyond the limits of mobility to a utopia of new value. Lotte Innovate also showcased the shuttle at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show last year.