Kia demonstrates remote driving on Jeju public roads

Kia has become the first Korean carmaker to successfully demonstrate remote driving on public roads. The trials took place on Jeju Island with representatives from government bodies, partner companies, and relevant agencies observing the run.

The setup enables a driverless vehicle to be piloted from a remote control center over 4G and 5G networks. It is framed as a fallback for moments when onboard autonomous systems reach their limits, and as a tool to foster new mobility services while supporting regions with scarce transport options. That dual focus feels practical, balancing reliability with clear real-world use cases.

Kia assembled a consortium with Socar, SUM, and KT. Kia led the program, Socar provided the car-sharing platform, SUM developed the remote solution and test vehicles, and KT delivered the telecommunications backbone. Built around the PV5, the system adds redundant communication channels and multi-layer safety mechanisms. The emphasis on backups suggests a clear intent to handle on-road contingencies rather than just lab scenarios.

In the second phase of testing, the vehicles logged about 70 hours and 1,000 km on routes around Jeju. The project captured the data needed to continue refining the technology, offering useful evidence from real traffic conditions.