---
title: "Hyundai Tests Autonomous Semitruck Technology on South Korean Highway"
description: "A Hyundai Xcient semitruck drove about 25 highway miles without human intervention."
date: "2018-08-22"
modified: "2018-08-22"
authors:
  - name: "Stephen Edelstein"
    job_title: "Weekend Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/stephen-edelstein.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/tech/23069/hyundai-tests-autonomous-semitruck-technology-on-south-korean-highway"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Hyundai News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Self-Driving Tech"
  - "Trucks"
tags:
  - "Commercial Vehicles"
  - "Hyundai"
  - "self-driving trucks"
  - "semi trucks"
  - "South Korea"
---

# Hyundai Tests Autonomous Semitruck Technology on South Korean Highway

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/08/large-34051-hyundaimotorcompanycompletessouthkoreasfirstdomesticautonomoustruckhighwayjourney.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

A Hyundai Xcient semi truck just drove itself on a 40-kilometer stretch (24.8 miles) of South Korean highway, according to the automaker. While this was just a one-time demonstration, Hyundai hopes to develop fully-autonomous truck technology, which the company believes will improve efficiency and safety.

According to Hyundai, the test truck had an autonomous-driving system functioning at [SAE Level 3](<https://www.thedrive.com/self-driving-cars/15724/what-are-these-levels-of-autonomy-anyway.md>). That meant the system could control the steering, throttle, and brakes, as well as maneuver the vehicle through traffic, without human intervention. But Level 3 systems only enable autonomous-driving tech in specific circumstances, usually highway driving. During the demonstration, a human safety driver was onboard and ready to assume control in the event of a problem.

The test truck was equipped with three front and side-rear cameras, two front and rear radar units, and three lidar units mounted on the front and sides of the vehicle. A hitch-angle sensor monitored the change in angle between the tractor and trailer, which Hyundai said helps stabilize the rig during sharp turns. Data from the sensors was compared to high-definition maps, allowing the truck to orient itself and make driving decisions.

The demonstration was conducted on a well-traveled stretch of highway between Uiwang and the port city of Incheon. Hyundai said this route sees a lot of traffic on a regular basis from trucks transporting cars and other locally-manufactured goods to Incheon for export. The Xcient semitruck, which has a cargo capacity of 40 tons, traveled the 24.8-mile route in one hour, according to Hyundai, while "abiding strictly" to the 90 kph (55.9 mph) speed limit.

Hyundai hopes to put trucks with a greater degree of autonomous-driving tech capabilities on the road by the 2020s. The company is one of several interesting in "platooning," an industry term for operating a convoy of autonomous trucks together, with trailing trucks taking their cues from a lead vehicle. Hyundai is also working [on autonomous technology in passenger cars](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/17355/aurora-will-help-hyundai-and-volkswagen-develop-self-driving-cars.md>), most recently conducting a demonstration run of prototype vehicles [between Seoul and Pyeongchang](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/18234/convoy-of-autonomous-hyundais-drives-from-seoul-to-pyeongchang.md>) during the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Self-driving truck technology is attracting a similar level of interest to self-driving tech in cars. While Uber recently [scrapped its autonomous-truck program](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/22514/uber-cans-self-driving-trucks-program.md>), other companies like Waymo, Daimler, and startup TuSimple are continuing development work. [But it's unclear](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/22740/new-study-says-autonomous-tech-wont-replace-truck-drivers-in-large-numbers-anytime-soon.md>) how soon autonomous trucks will arrive in large numbers, or what human truck drivers will do for work when that happens.

## Author
Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he's not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/SAEdelstein>)