Autonomous A2Z Develops Self-Driving Logistics Platform Capable of Carrying 1.3 Tons

2027 Trial at Gwangju Global Motors
Builds Skateboard-Style Unmanned Platform
Advances Site-Specific AI with Chungbuk National University

Physical AI company Autonomous A2Z said on Oct. 29 that it had completed a prototype of a skateboard-style unmanned autonomous vehicle platform capable of carrying up to 1.3 tons (t) of cargo.

A skateboard-style autonomous vehicle platform developed by Autonomous A2Z. Autonomous A2Z

The platform is the result of a project titled “Technology Development for the Commercialization of a Multipurpose Mid-Size Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle Platform,” which is being supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and overseen by the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology. Autonomous A2Z served as the lead research institution, with KC Motors, Prosco, Metec, Ulsan TechnoPark and Chungbuk National University participating in the joint development.

The prototype is a logistics autonomous mobile robot (AMR) built on the company’s Level 4 autonomous vehicle, ROii. It was designed to transport cargo between indoor and outdoor industrial sites, private property and public roads. Its skateboard-style structure has no roof or enclosed cargo compartment, making it easy to carry industrial components and cargo of various sizes. The design was reinforced to allow it to carry heavy loads of up to 1.3 tons, and tie-down hooks and protective guards were installed to improve operational safety.

The vehicle also features safety functions and controls designed to reflect on-site working conditions. It is equipped with a combined safety lamp comprising an autonomous driving indicator, projection turn signals, safety line lights and work lights, making it easy to check the vehicle’s operating status at night or in low-light conditions. A controller with a waterproof and dustproof cover and an emergency braking switch are mounted on the exterior.

Autonomous A2Z will also advance autonomous driving technology tailored to industrial sites in partnership with Chungbuk National University. Autonomous A2Z will develop a “Scene Understanding” model using AI-based autonomous driving algorithms, while the university will build a precise-map inference model for indoor and outdoor autonomous driving. The companies aim to improve performance so that the vehicle can operate autonomously even at sites without precise maps.

In 2027, Autonomous A2Z plans to deploy the prototype at the production plant of Gwangju Global Motors (GGM) to test transporting cargo from parts suppliers to the factory. The company plans to refine the commercialization model based on on-site driving data and feedback.

Han Jihyung, CEO of Autonomous A2Z, said, “Building this unmanned autonomous platform for logistics has given us a foundation to connect the autonomous driving technology we have developed through passenger transport with the logistics needs of industrial sites. As demand for automated transport grows at manufacturing facilities and industrial complexes where cargo is moved repeatedly, we will validate the platform’s potential through the GGM trial and pursue commercialization.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.