Hyundai and Kia plan Level 4 autonomous truck trials on Korean logistics routes
Two XCIENT trucks will combine partner driving systems with vehicle controls and redundant safety systems on 100 km and 400 km logistics routes.
Hyundai Motor and Kia have agreed to test Level 4 autonomous heavy-duty trucks on existing South Korean logistics routes with Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Glovis, Mars Auto and RideFlux. Announced on 20 October, the memorandum of understanding covers two XCIENT vehicles, including one hydrogen fuel-cell truck, with test vehicles planned for early 2027.
Each truck will receive customised controllers and vehicle interfaces that connect its driving hardware to an external autonomous-driving system. Mars Auto and RideFlux will integrate their respective software, while Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Glovis support the trials through the group’s established logistics network. The programme is intended to build experience connecting different autonomy systems to a shared commercial-vehicle platform.
Trials will run through the end of 2027 on two routes: approximately 100 kilometres combining highways and urban roads, and roughly 400 kilometres of predominantly highway driving. The partners will use operating data to refine vehicle control and safety redundancy, allowing backup systems to maintain a safe vehicle state when a primary function develops a fault. Level 4 operation is designed for specified operating conditions and areas.
The freight programme follows Hyundai and Kia’s 1 October agreement with the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Level 4 city buses, including dedicated vehicles and a control platform. It also extends Hyundai’s earlier work on autonomous heavy trucks: the company introduced a U.S. XCIENT Fuel Cell demonstrator with Plus in May 2024. The new Korean trials connect vehicle development directly to the group’s freight routes and local autonomy suppliers.