Lotte iNnovate announced on the 24th that it is operating the autonomous shuttle 'MUVU' at major tourist destinations including Gangneung, Jeju, and Gyeongju, while enhancing its autonomous driving technology and control capabilities.
MUVU is a B-type autonomous vehicle without a driver's seat. After receiving temporary operation permits in 2021 as the first in Korea, it has been operated in Gangneung, Gyeongju, Jeju, Suncheon, Sejong, Nae-po New Town, and other locations. To date, it has recorded a cumulative driving distance of approximately 100,000 kilometers and served about 40,000 passengers.
The vehicle is equipped with technology that recognizes the surrounding environment by combining sensors such as LiDAR and V2X. It also utilizes next-generation intelligent transportation system (C-ITS) communication technology that enables real-time information exchange between vehicles (V2V) and between vehicles and infrastructure (V2I). Based on this, Lotte iNnovate is integrating operations for vehicle driving, control, reservations, and safety management.
In Gangneung, the host city of the 2026 ITS World Congress, a tourism route connecting Gangmun Beach, the Green City Experience Center, and the Heo Gyun·Heo Nan-seol-hyeon Memorial Park has been operated since 2022. A passenger satisfaction survey conducted last year showed a satisfaction rate of 91.5%.
A pilot service launched in September last year in the Seongsan Ilchulbong area of Jeju was converted to a paid official service starting August 1 this year. The shuttle connects Seongsan Ilchulbong, Gwangchigi Beach, and Phoenix Resort Island, traveling along the coastal road. Onboard, it provides real-time tourist information based on location data.
In Gyeongju, tourism-focused autonomous shuttle services are being operated at Bomun Tourist Complex this year, following their launch in 2024. On Fridays and weekends, an immersive Gyeongju tourism VR experience space is also operated from the parking lot of Gyeongju HICO Convention Center (HICO).
A Lotte iNnovate official stated, "We have consistently developed core software and hardware technologies for autonomous shuttles independently," adding, "We plan to convert pilot services into commercial operations and expand the operating areas."
in TECH
