Kakao Mobility announced on the 2nd that the number of paid rides in its autonomous taxis, operating in the Gangnam area of Seoul, exceeded 1,000 cases by the end of June. This was achieved within approximately 80 days of launching paid services on April 6, averaging 12 cases per day. The service began as a free pilot program in September 2024 and transitioned to paid operations in April of this year. Two autonomous taxis are currently in service, operating within the "Autonomous Driving Pilot Zone," covering Gangnam Station, Apgujeong Station, Seonjeongneung Station, Bongeunsa Station, Daechi Station, Gaepo-dong Station, and Yangjae Station. Users can request a taxi through the KakaoT app, with each vehicle accommodating up to 3 people and a safety officer onboard. Fares follow a fixed-rate system: 5,800 Korean won from noon to 11 p.m. and from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., and 6,700 Korean won from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Kakao Mobility launched an autonomous driving task force in 2018 and began South Korea’s first platform-based paid autonomous service in Sejong City in late 2020. The company plans to enhance its technology using an end-to-end approach by the end of the year, involving a single integrated AI model for the entire