The move is expected to end Kakao Mobility's two-year run as the sole platform operator for Seoul's autonomous taxi calling service.
Under the city's recruitment notice, selected operators will be allowed to provide platform services for two years from the date of their agreement with Seoul.
The platforms must support real-time reservations, ride-hailing, dispatch, payment and route guidance for autonomous passenger transport services.
Operators are also required to share transport-related data with the city and autonomous driving companies.
Seoul opened the recruitment on Aug. 4 and accepted applications through Aug. 24.
The city said in the notice that applicants had to own a mobile app capable of supporting paid autonomous vehicle transport services for citizens and autonomous vehicle operators.
Applicants also had to operate the service as a non-profit project, without charging platform usage fees or settlement commissions to Seoul or autonomous vehicle operators.
Payment-related fees charged through card companies or payment gateway firms must be kept within 2 percent.
Selected operators are required to build their systems in line with Seoul's standard interface rules and launch public services, including calling, payment and autonomous vehicle route guidance, by Dec. 31.
The city also required operators to provide map data on routes, stops and passenger pickup points, along with real-time monitoring screens showing ride status and vehicle operation data.
The recruitment notice said Seoul could select one or more operators that scored at least 85 points in the evaluation.
The evaluation covered service goals, technical capability, route guidance, dispatch plans, monitoring, payment settlement, data-sharing systems and cooperation with autonomous vehicle companies.
The platform competition is likely to widen access points for Seoul's autonomous taxi services, which have so far been closely tied to Kakao T.
Hyundai Motor's entry would mark the first time an automaker directly joins Seoul's robotaxi platform operation.
The three selected operators are expected to sign agreements with the city and connect their platforms before services begin in earnest later this year.
Seoul has been expanding its autonomous taxi program, including nighttime services in Gangnam, as it prepares to broaden operating areas in stages.
AJP Takeaways
- Seoul selected Kakao Mobility, Hyundai Motor and T-money Mobility for its autonomous vehicle transport platform project.
- The city’s robotaxi calling system is set to shift from Kakao Mobility’s single-app model to a three-platform structure.
- Selected operators will provide reservation, ride-hailing, dispatch, payment and route guidance services.
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