Autonomous A2G (CEO Ji-hyung Han, hereinafter A2G), a company specializing in autonomous driving technology, announced on the 5th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japanese general trading company Kanematsu Co., Ltd. (hereinafter Kanematsu) for joint commercialization of autonomous driving technology, and is making a full-scale entry into the Japanese market.
This agreement aims to establish a foundation for local verification and commercialization of autonomous driving technology. The two companies agreed on cooperation items such as ▲ promoting the introduction and verification of A2Z technology in Japan, ▲ local certification and regulatory compliance, and ▲ reviewing the establishment of a joint venture (JV). Kanematsu will be responsible for securing sales and institutional infrastructure in Japan, while A2Z will be responsible for technology application and practical cooperation.
Founded in 1889, Kanematsu is a leading Japanese general trading company. It operates globally in diverse sectors, including mobility, aerospace, ICT, electronics, food, and materials. Recently, the company has focused on addressing social issues through cutting-edge technology as a key strategy.
Japan is facing challenges maintaining transportation services due to an aging population and declining local population, leading to a growing demand for autonomous driving technology. In particular, the institutional foundation has been established with the 2023 revision of the Road Traffic Act, which will allow conditional, fully driverless operation of Level 4 autonomous vehicles. Building on this foundation, both companies anticipate that autonomous driving will be used to improve local transportation services and address societal challenges such as labor shortages.
A2G currently operates 55 autonomous vehicles in 13 regions across Korea, accumulating approximately 680,000 km. Its technological prowess has been validated through national projects in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries, and it is expanding its global presence through collaborations with global companies. Furthermore, A2G's competitiveness was recognized by its position as the only Korean company to rank 11th in the 2024 global autonomous driving technology company rankings published by the US market research firm Guidehouse Insights.
A2G CEO Han Ji-hyung said, “Our collaboration with Kanematsu will be a strategic opportunity for us to enter the autonomous driving business in Japan,” and added, “Based on our technology, we will contribute to mobility innovation in Japan and accelerate our expansion into the global market.”
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