Tata Daewoo Mobility, RideFlux partner on autonomous driving technology

Tata Daewoo Mobility announced Monday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with autonomous driving AI software company RideFlux to cooperate on developing a Level 2+ driver-assistance system for commercial vehicles and commercializing Level 4 autonomous driving technology.

The agreement expands on an existing partnership between the two companies, which have been jointly pursuing what they describe as the first Level 4 autonomous truck pilot program in South Korea's commercial vehicle industry.

Under the MOU, the two companies will co-develop a Level 2+ driver-assistance system based on the platforms of Tata Daewoo Mobility's heavy-duty truck Maxen and medium-duty truck Gussen. Tata Daewoo Mobility will provide the applicable vehicle models, platforms and control interfaces, while RideFlux will develop and integrate autonomous driving software focused on the core functions required for commercial vehicle highway operation.

Their existing Level 4 autonomous truck collaboration will move beyond pilot testing into full commercialization. Tata Daewoo Mobility will review vehicle model selection, modification and mass-production plans, while RideFlux will develop and supply autonomous driving software solutions. The companies plan to establish a roadmap targeting mass production of fully driverless Level 4 trucks after phased technology upgrades and business model validation. They also agreed to pursue cooperation for entry into global markets.

Tata Daewoo Mobility and RideFlux have maintained close collaboration in the commercial vehicle autonomous driving space. Last year, they conducted Level 4 autonomous driving pilot runs with the Maxen on highways and general roads between Seoul and the Chungcheong region. Since July, they have been operating South Korea's first autonomous truck paid freight service on Hanjin's Gunsan-Jeonju-Daejeon route.

"Autonomous driving is a key technology that enhances driver safety and convenience while addressing the labor shortages and transportation efficiency challenges facing the logistics industry," said Tata Daewoo Mobility President Kim Tae-sung. "Through this agreement, we will expand the scope of our cooperation from pilot testing to mass-production vehicle application and commercialization, while delivering tangible results at actual logistics sites to create new business opportunities in the commercial vehicle market."

RideFlux CEO Park Jung-hee said the agreement marks a milestone for the company as it moves beyond a government pilot-focused business structure into the private B2B market of mass-production vehicles. "Together with Tata Daewoo Mobility — and by extension Tata Motors — we will simultaneously realize Level 2+ mass-production application and Level 4 commercialization in the global commercial vehicle market," Park said.

Meanwhile, Tata Daewoo Mobility has been actively expanding its business portfolio to broaden its presence in the domestic market, having recently signed an MOU with mobile energy storage system specialist Ionus for the joint development and commercialization of mobile ESS units.