Autonomous A2Z(A2Z) announced on the 6th that it has officially entered the Japanese market by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the general trading company Kanematsu Corporation (Kanematsu) on the 4th for the joint commercialization of autonomous driving technology.
Founded in 1889, Kanematsu operates global businesses in various fields including mobility, aerospace, information and communications technology (ICT) solutions, electronics and devices, food, steel, materials, and plants. Recently, the company has focused on value creation for solving social issues and establishing a sustainable society as part of its mid-term management plan called 'Integration 1.0.'
Through this agreement, the two companies will engage in ▲ the introduction and validation of A2Z's autonomous driving technology in the Japanese market ▲ joint responses to local certifications and regulations ▲ examination of the possibility of establishing a joint venture (JV). Kanematsu will focus on mobility sales activities in global markets, including Japan, and the establishment of local systems, while A2Z will integrate the latest autonomous driving technology locally and support practical cooperation by dispatching specialized personnel as necessary. Based on this, the two companies plan to contribute to solving key challenges faced by Japanese society, such as the expansion of autonomous driving in the region, alleviating labor shortages, and enhancing traffic safety.
Japan is experiencing a surge in demand for autonomous driving technology due to rapid aging and a declining regional population, which weakens local transportation services. The legislative foundation has also been established, as full unmanned operation at 'Level 4' autonomous driving has been permitted under certain conditions since the revision of the Road Traffic Act in April 2023.
A2Z has been operating 55 autonomous vehicles in 13 regions nationwide, achieving a record of approximately 680,000 km for the longest cumulative autonomous driving distance in Korea. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS) successfully utilized the K-City (autonomous driving test city), which was opened for free access, to proactively develop autonomous driving software optimized for right-hand vehicles. This achievement allowed A2Z to become the first Korean corporation to obtain autonomous driving license M1 for public roads in Singapore and to put the Japanese expansion on a solid trajectory.
Additionally, A2Z is accelerating the establishment of a local joint venture in cooperation with Space42, the largest artificial intelligence (AI) company under G42 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In March, it was also selected as the only Korean corporation to be ranked 11th in the 2024 Global Autonomous Driving Technology Rankings released by the American market research organization Guidehouse Insights.
Han Ji-hyung, CEO of A2Z, said, 'Through this collaboration, we will lead the mobility innovation in Japan based on A2Z's autonomous driving technology and promote the expansion of our business in the global market.'