South Korea has officially launched its first fleet of robot taxis in selected districts of Seoul, marking a significant step in Asia’s race toward autonomous mobility. The pilot program allows commuters to book rides through an app and be chauffeured by AI-driven vehicles, though safety operators remain on standby.
Initial feedback has been mixed. Enthusiasts highlight the convenience, reduced wait times, and futuristic appeal, while skeptics point to technical glitches, erratic traffic handling, and unresolved liability issues in case of accidents.
For South Korea, the rollout reflects its ambition to position itself as a leader in next-generation mobility, competing with Japan, China, and the United States in autonomous driving technology. Policymakers have provided regulatory “sandboxes” that give companies space to experiment without being hampered by conventional transport laws.
Investors are watching closely. Shares of Korean mobility and AI companies surged following the launch, signaling strong market optimism. Yet, analysts caution that mass adoption may be years away, given infrastructure demands and public trust concerns.
Globally, the Seoul pilot underscores how Asia is setting the pace in applied robotics. While Western firms dominate software, Asian governments have been quicker to enable public trials and large-scale integration.
For now, Seoul’s robot taxis are as much a social experiment as a technological one. Their success will depend not only on AI performance but also on whether citizens embrace the shift from human drivers to algorithmic chauffeurs. If successful, South Korea could set a benchmark that reshapes urban transport models across the world.