Thailand, Czech Republic Advance Autonomous Driving, Visit Kakao Mobility in Succession

[Financial News] Foreign governments continue to show interest in Kakao Mobility's autonomous driving technology and service operations expertise. Senior officials from the transport authorities of Thailand and the Czech Republic, which are pursuing the introduction and commercialization of autonomous driving, visited Kakao Mobility one after another and experienced its autonomous driving services firsthand.
Kakao Mobility said on the 20th that a Thai government delegation, including Siripong Angkasakulkiat, deputy minister at the Ministry of Transport (Thailand), visited its Pangyo headquarters in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, on the 17th. The visit was arranged at the request of the Ministry of Transport (Thailand) to examine Kakao Mobility's ability to build a mobility ecosystem, examples of its autonomous driving technology being applied to actual services, and its operational know-how.
Thailand has recently been accelerating efforts to establish the institutional foundation for adopting autonomous driving technology. In July, the Ministry of Transport (Thailand) announced plans to launch a regulatory sandbox for Level 3 to Level 5 autonomous driving systems and overhaul regulations needed to introduce the technology, including laws, technical standards, and road infrastructure.
The Thai delegation examined Kakao Mobility's experience connecting various modes of transportation and users through a single platform, as well as examples of its autonomous driving technology being applied to actual mobility services. The delegation also exchanged views on the future direction of the mobility industry.
Before visiting the Pangyo headquarters, the delegation test-rode Kakao Mobility's proprietary technology-based Seoul Autonomous Vehicle Service, which operates in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 16th. The delegates also experienced the actual service process, from requesting a vehicle through Kakao T to boarding it.
The Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic also experienced Kakao Mobility's autonomous driving service firsthand. Adam Kalous, deputy minister at the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, whose country chairs the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s International Transport Forum (ITF), test-rode the Seoul Autonomous Vehicle Service in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 8th while attending the recently held 2026 Global Mobility Conference (GMC).
At the GMC, Deputy Minister Kalous stressed the need for countries to cooperate to expand the institutional foundation for the practical adoption of autonomous driving technology while linking autonomous driving services with existing transportation systems. Global mobility officials attending the GMC also agreed that integrated platforms connecting existing transport services with autonomous driving technology will play an important role in commercializing autonomous driving.
Kakao Mobility CEO Ryu Geung-seon said, "We will actively share with the world the future mobility capabilities we have built up and our experience in creating a self-sustaining AI ecosystem, and contribute to promoting Korea's competitiveness in future mobility."
[email protected] Choi Hye-rim Reporter