First self-driving car which is made up of South Korean sensor technologies is approved of driving around in South Korea temporarily.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) announced on the 11th that it has approved Mando (CEO Sung Il-mo) of driving its self-driving car temporarily for test and research purposes.
There are now 19 self-driving cars that are approved of driving around in South Korea temporarily. However it is meaningful that Mando’s self-driving car is developed through its own sensors and major parts unlike other 18 cars that mostly use parts that are imported.
Mando has become the first company in South Korea to mass-produce major technologies such as long-distance radar sensor for sensing what is ahead for self-driving cars. Mando’s self-driving cars recognize what is around them through Mando’s front and rear radars, front camera, front and rear image recording devices, driver interface, and driving recording device.
These technologies are implemented through Mando’s won algorithms. Its self-driving cars are installed with ACC (Adaptive Cruise control) that controls distance and speed with cars in front, AEB (Autonomous Emergency Breaking), LKAS (Lane Keeping Assist System), BSD (Blind Spot Detection) that notifies if there are cars in blind spots, and TJA (Traffic Jam Assist).

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<Structure of Mando’s self-driving car>

Mando is planning to improve accuracy in recognizing surroundings along with verification of sensors’ functions while driving its self-driving cars around in South Korea. It is also going to develop technologies such as brake system, steering device, and suspension system that are optimized for self-driving cars along with sensors and go after related markets.
Mando is the only company in the world that develops and produces brake system, steering device, and suspension system. It has equipped its cars with its high-tech steering device called ‘R-EPS’ and brake systems such as ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and caliper and shock observer.
Mando is going to develop new automotive technologies through its self-driving cars and new items after establishing its branch in Silicon Valley, California during first half of this year.
“This self-driving car is a futuristic car with many of our high-technologies.” said a representative for Mando. “We are concentrating our abilities with a goal of completing level 3 which is the step right before complete self-driving car.”
“Because self-driving cars’ sensors are important elements that are directly connected to safety, thorough inspection of their performance in real situations is the most important thing.” said Kim Chae-kyu who is the highest-ranking government official for MOLIT Automotive Management. “We are going to prepare complete testing infrastructures such as ‘K-City’ so that we can have South Korean technologies lead global markets.”
Staff Reporter Mun, Bokyeong | okmun@etnews.com & Staff Reporter Ryu, Jongeun | rje312@etnews.com