Gyeonggi Province's Autonomous Cooperative Driving ‘PanTa-G’ Bus Begins Trial Operation in Pangyo

The first autonomous public transportation service in South Korea equipped with self-driving technology, the "PanTa-G Bus," ...

The first autonomous public transportation service in South Korea equipped with self-driving technology, the "PanTa-G Bus," started trial operation in Pangyo Techno Valley, Seongnam City, on July 17, 2023.

Named directly by Gyeonggi residents, the PanTa-G Bus ('G' for Gyeonggi) is a self-driving cooperative bus that operates in Pangyo with the aim of addressing the limitations of sensors (cameras, radar, lidar) installed in conventional autonomous vehicles. It incorporates technology that allows it to receive road information – such as signal data, traffic conditions, pedestrian movement, and more – from Gyeonggi Province's Autonomous Driving Center and other vehicles, enabling it to detect potential hazards autonomously.
(As a result of the naming contest held by Gyeonggi Province for the 'Gyeonggi Province Autonomous Cooperative Driving Bus,' the first of its kind to operate on real roads in South Korea, 8 entries, including 'PanTa-G Bus,' were selected as winning names on December 1 of last year.)

The PanTa-G Bus, jointly produced by Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Housing & Commercial Corporation, is a modified version of Edison Motors' commercial low-floor electric bus. Measuring 10.99 meters in length, 2.49 meters in width, and 3.39 meters in height, it has seats for 14 passengers (including 2 seats for disabled individuals), distinguishing it from regular city buses. With a maximum speed of 40 km/h, the bus can automatically adjust its speed based on traffic conditions and steer itself to stay in the center of the lane or avoid lane departure without the need for driver intervention.

If vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, or other objects suddenly appear in front it, the bus can use its sensors to recognize these objects and safely stop, even in emergency collision situations. As a precaution in emergency situations, it also features a function that automatically stops the system if the driver intervenes.

Following operation of the Zero Shuttle in 2018, the PanTa-G Bus is the second autonomous cooperative mobility service operating in Pangyo Zero City, with a total of two buses providing service. It will run 24 times a day from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, departing every 30 minutes from the Pangyo 2nd Techno Valley Gyeonggi Business Growth Center. It is expected to contribute to the convenience of local resident mobility from the Pangyo Techno Valley to Pangyo Station. It can also accommodate transportation-challenged individuals, allowing anyone aged 6 and above to board (children under 6 are restricted from boarding for safety reasons). During the trial operation period, it can be used free of charge.

Kim Hyun-dae, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Future Growth Industries Division, stated, "The trial operation of the PanTa-G Bus marks the beginning of the practical application of autonomous driving technology in public transportation, which is of great importance." He added, "The future vehicle industry is one of Gyeonggi Province's three core strategic industries, and through the operation of the PanTa-G Bus, we will actively contribute to expanding societal acceptance of autonomous driving and activating the related industry ecosystem."