Kia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KT and SUM to commercialize remote driving services for its PV5 purpose-built vehicle (PBV), with a commercial launch targeted before the end of 2026.
Partnership to Advance Remote Driving
The agreement brings together Kia, telecommunications provider KT and remote driving technology company SUM to develop the infrastructure and operational framework required for remote vehicle control.
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The collaboration follows Kia’s first public-road demonstration of remote driving technology in South Korea in November 2025.
Remote driving enables vehicles to be operated from an external control center using 4G or 5G mobile networks. The technology is intended to provide operational support when autonomous vehicles encounter unexpected situations, require repositioning or cannot complete a journey independently.
Defined Roles for Each Partner
Under the agreement, Kia will lead vehicle development and integration of remote driving technology into its PBV platform.
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KT will provide telecommunications infrastructure and network quality management, while SUM will supply the remote driving control systems.
The three companies also plan to collaborate on commercial service development, business model expansion, and discussions related to legislative and regulatory frameworks needed to support wider deployment.
Supporting Future Mobility Services
Kia said remote driving technology could enable a range of future mobility applications, including home vehicle dispatch and unmanned mobile services such as retail stores and public libraries.
The company expects these applications to be particularly relevant for local governments and public-sector mobility services.
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Operational data collected through commercial deployments will also be used to support further development of autonomous driving technology, with the longer-term objective of progressing from remotely operated vehicles to fully driverless operation.
Building South Korea’s Autonomous Mobility Ecosystem
Kang Joo-yeop, Senior Vice President of New Business Planning at Kia, said the partnership is intended to establish the commercial foundation for remote driving services while supporting the broader development of an unmanned mobility ecosystem centered on Kia’s PBV platform.
Kia also said the collaboration is expected to contribute to the standardization of South Korea’s autonomous driving industry and support the development of future regulatory frameworks for remote and autonomous vehicle operations.
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