– Autonomous a2z signs MOU with MIRA Technology Park to conduct autonomous vehicle trials and collaborate on international and government projects in the CAV field!
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Autonomous startup Autonomous a2z has signed an MOU in future mobility with ‘Horiba Mira,’ the UK’s largest automotive research institution.
The signing ceremony was attended by Bangmun-gyu, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Resources, Kemi Badenoch, UK Minister for International Trade, Declan Allen, CEO of Horiba Mira, and Han Ji-hyeong, CEO of Autonomous a2z.
Moreover, the MOU was signed at the Korea-UK Business Forum held during President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to the UK, where Autonomous a2z was selected to participate in the forum as part of a private sector delegation recruited by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry to strengthen private cooperation between the two countries and promote economic cooperation, coinciding with the 140th anniversary of Korea-UK diplomatic relations.
Following the forum, governments and businesses from both countries signed numerous MOUs for cooperation in various fields to enter the European market. Among these, 31 MOUs were signed between companies and institutions in advanced industries such as energy, AI, defense, biotechnology, and finance.
Last October, Autonomous a2z completed a Series B funding round of 34 billion won and unveiled domestically developed mass-produced autonomous mobility platforms, Project MS (Mid Shuttle) and SD (Small Delivery). MS and SD are autonomous electric platforms capable of fully crewless operations at up to 60 km/h on public roads. MS is a fully crewless shuttle with up to 12 passengers, while SD is a crewless delivery vehicle for mid-mile and last-mile logistics. Following a process similar to the development of finished cars, they are in the testing-prototype-pilot development phase, aiming to release a pilot model in 2025.
Horiba Mira is a globally leading automotive research institution with 40 test and crash facilities on a 1.04 million sq. meter site, boasting the world’s largest 100 km test track. In 2021, it aimed to promote future mobility technology cooperation between Korea and the UK by signing MOUs with Korea Automotive Research Institute and Korea Transportation Safety Authority Automotive Safety Research Institute in 2023.
Recently, it introduced a program through the UK government’s Certus (Certification & Testing for Autonomous Vehicle Systems) project, reducing the actual costs required for autonomous driving test certification by 40%. Through this, the UK is emerging as a critical player in the autonomous driving sector’s testing and certification evaluation field.
Through this MOU, Autonomous a2z and Horiba Mira plan strategic collaboration to conduct autonomous vehicle trials within the MIRA Technology Park, joint research and development for international and government projects, and the advancement of advanced CAV technologies.
Additionally, Autonomous a2z aims to improve the completeness of its autonomous mobility platform under development using Horiba Mira’s state-of-the-art research facilities and development expertise and provide technical support for expanding autonomous driving business within the UK.
Han Ji-hyeong, CEO of Autonomous a2z, said, “Through this cooperation between the two countries, I am pleased to lay the groundwork for introducing Korea’s advanced technology to the UK and pursue global joint R&D projects in the field of future mobility.” He added, “We hope that conducting autonomous vehicle trials at MIRA Technology Park, which supports autonomous driving research by global automotive companies, will enhance the quality and performance of our autonomous driving solutions, leading to successful entry into the UK market.”