The world's IT and auto giants are battling it out to develop the vehicles of the future: self-driving cars.<br />Many believe they will be the vehicle of choice in the coming decades, providing they can be provably safe.<br />Oh Soo-young reports. <br />Can Korea bring its automated car technology up to speed?<br />That's the question being posed at the Pangyo Autonomous Motor Show, <br />showcasing Korea's self-driving vehicles and technology. <br /><br />"We've developed camera and rider technology which picks up on the lanes and the surrounding environment, as well as the ability to change lanes, make a U-turn and decide what to do at crossroads." <br /><br />"Despite Korea's advanced IT and infrastructure making the country a good candidate for self-driving technology, certain restrictions have prevented the industry from taking off at full speed."<br /><br />While the government aims to commercialise level two self-driving functions by the year 2020, European firms have already launched level three cars that can partially steer themselves. <br />In the U.S., some firms have already been testing fully autonomous vehicles with no driver behind the wheel.<br />Industry watchers say action is needed to ensure Korea does not fall further behind.<br /><br />"In other countries, they're setting up a new industrial landscape for services based on self-driving cars. In Korea, we don't even have vehicles that can achieve such functions yet. Also, governments in such countries actively support developers despite small accidents and issues."<br /><br />Countries like Germany and the U.S. allow autonomous vehicles to test drive on public roads.<br />However, in Korea, they can only be tested in select areas with a permit issued by the transport ministry,... and only if a driver is on board.<br />Also, there are safety and regulatory issues that haven't yet been resolved.<br /><br />"Currently, there's on clear standard on who takes the blame when there's an accident. There's no blackbox optimised for automated cars right now. Such a system requires data, picked up by numerous sensors,... and that would have to be recorded, analysed and investigated by somebody."<br /><br />Developers say they face complicated legal procedures to get approval for new technologies, and they need more support for the industry to advance.<br />Oh Soo-young, Arirang News. <br />
