The autonomous driving software startup RideFlux is moving forward with the long-standing challenge of full hub-to-hub freight transport in the logistics industry.

On the 21st, RideFlux announced that it has signed a mutual cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Development Corporation, and Jeju Logistics for the 'Jeju Samdasu Paid Autonomous Freight Transport Demonstration Project'.

This MOU aims to foster the autonomous driving-based freight transport industry in Jeju, and is established to prepare for technology development, demonstration, trial operation, and commercialization. The parties involved in the agreement will build a collaborative system, selecting transport routes, verifying safety, and performing their respective roles.

In particular, unlike the existing large truck freight transport which has gone through various intermediate stages from manufacturers (shippers) to logistics companies and carriers, the collaboration between the manufacturer, Jeju Development Corporation, and the autonomous driving specialist RideFlux is significant in realizing middle-mile autonomous freight transport and driving structural innovation in the logistics industry. Through this, manufacturers can expect cost reduction in transportation and solutions to the shortage of drivers. Middle-mile transport connects mid- to long-distance segments between logistics hubs and is the stage prior to ‘last-mile’ delivery to consumers.

In the enhanced photo, Jo Hwa-hyun, CEO of Jeju Logistics, Baek Kyung-hoon, President of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Development Corporation, Oh Young-hoon, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and Park Joong-hee, CEO of RideFlux (from left), are attending the mutual cooperation memorandum signing ceremony for the ‘Jeju Samdasu Paid Autonomous Freight Transport Demonstration Project’ held at the Jeju Provincial Office on the 21st and taking a commemorative photo. [RideFlux]

RideFlux will deploy one 25-ton autonomous freight truck from Maxion for this demonstration, operating from the Jeju Samdasu headquarters factory to the Hoecheon Logistics Center over a distance of 15.7 km once a day in one direction within the Jeju smart logistics autonomous vehicle trial operation area.

The demonstration route includes complicated general roads such as signalized intersections and unprotected left turns, which is expected to serve as a verification ground for technology that expands the range of large autonomous truck operations, previously limited to highways, to urban general roads.

RideFlux previously verified its technology through the demonstration of a 25-ton autonomous truck in the Gunsan-Jeonju section and the signing of an MOU for the highway trial operation area, and plans to lay the groundwork for the commercialization of paid middle-mile freight transport through this Jeju Samdasu demonstration.

(Source: Maeil Economic Daily, Lee Young-wook, Reporter, 25.08.21.)