"The Key Area for Fully Autonomous Driving: Intense Global Competition for Technology Security"

Countries that have secured autonomous driving technology at a certain level are accelerating the establishment of the autonomous driving industry base by expediting safety assurance and legal and regulatory preparations for actual autonomous driving. In South Korea, a joint government project team was launched earlier this year for the commercialization of Level 4 fully autonomous driving.

The reason for the global focus on building autonomous driving infrastructure is the ongoing development of various autonomous driving technologies. Particularly, the competition in the industry for LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, which plays the role of the eyes for autonomous vehicles, has become fierce. LiDAR equipment is crucial for the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) operation of autonomous vehicles, enabling accurate and fast perception of not only roads but also all surrounding objects.

LiDAR Market Projected to Grow to $28 Billion by 2025

LiDAR, a portmanteau of "Radar" and "Light," is a core device required for the operation of ADAS in autonomous vehicles. LiDAR sends out pulse lasers, measures the return time, and detects the distance and direction of objects. Unlike radar, which detects objects based on the speed of returning radio waves, LiDAR uses light, allowing it to perceive blind spots that radar might miss.

KPMG, an accounting and consulting group, predicts that the autonomous driving market will grow from $7.1 billion in 2021 to $1 trillion by 2035. Frost & Sullivan, a global market research firm, forecasts that the autonomous driving service market will grow to $3 trillion by 2030.

LiDAR is expected to have a significant impact on the overall growth of the autonomous vehicle market. MarketsandMarkets, a global market research firm, predicts that the global LiDAR market will grow from $1.1 billion in 2021 to $28 billion by 2025. Analysis suggests that LiDAR technology will play a crucial role in the commercialization of autonomous vehicles.

Current ADAS systems in vehicles primarily incorporate radar and cameras, but there is a growing trend among companies to utilize LiDAR for precise detection and control of the vehicle's surroundings. Major automakers such as General Motors (GM), Volvo, Toyota, and Hyundai Motor Group, as well as automotive component companies like Hyundai Mobis and Mando, are intensifying their competition in this field.

Samsung Electronics, Uber, Google Waymo, and Naver, among other IT companies, are also showing interest, contributing to the rapidly growing LiDAR market. Notably, South Korean companies are accelerating efforts to develop technology for LiDAR components, reducing dependency on foreign products.

Major Automakers and Companies Enter the Competition

Competition among major automakers for LiDAR technology is fierce. Volvo announced in its future technology roadmap this year that LiDAR sensors would be standard specifications for its electric vehicle 'XC90,' scheduled to be produced from next year. GM, Ford, and Toyota are also focusing on LiDAR adoption and internal development as they concentrate on the development of autonomous and electric vehicles.

In October, Hyundai Motor Group separated its in-house LiDAR development startup 'AutoL' to focus on the development of a high-resolution LiDAR sensor for autonomous driving with competitive performance, size, and price. While existing LiDAR products were expensive and had to be externally mounted on vehicles, AutoL's LiDAR has been recognized for its competitiveness in these aspects.

AutoL's LiDAR not only overcomes the limitations of traditional LiDAR but is also small, providing more precise perception of the surrounding environment. It is cost-effective, and its easy installation on vehicles makes it stand out. Hyundai plans to provide AutoL products to finished car manufacturers and cooperative companies after completing harsh condition verification for vehicle application. The technology is also under consideration for application in upcoming Genesis models.

A Hyundai Motor Group representative stated, "We will continue our innovative and open activities for Smart Mobility Solutions to become a company that provides continuous freedom of movement and differentiated customized service experiences for our customers." They emphasized the need for active open innovation activities like the AutoL case and efforts to discover and commercialize innovative and creative ideas from employees.

Samsung Electronics is also making strides in LiDAR development. There are reports suggesting that Samsung Electronics has completed the development of LiDAR semiconductors and is currently working on the development of pulse lasers and detectors for LiDAR systems. Some predict that Samsung Electronics could commercialize LiDAR sets within five years.

South Korean Auto Parts Companies Accelerate Development

The moves of South Korean automotive component companies are also noteworthy. Mando and autonomous driving software development startup Seoul Robotics signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this year for the commercialization of autonomous driving 3D LiDAR. Following this MOU, Mando has been focusing on the development of LiDAR and 4D image radar, essential technologies for autonomous driving.

Hyundai Mobis has been expanding collaboration with various global technology companies. Since 2019, Hyundai Mobis has been working on a collaboration for the mass production of Level 3 LiDAR systems with Velodyne, the world's leading LiDAR company.

An IT industry insider commented, "Not only automotive companies but also global IT companies like Google and Samsung Electronics are showing a keen interest in LiDAR development for vehicles." They added, "Especially, there are reports in the industry that Samsung Electronics has already completed the development of semiconductors for LiDAR and is currently developing pulse lasers and detectors for LiDAR systems. Samsung Electronics is expected to commercialize LiDAR sets within five years."

The competition for LiDAR technology reflects the importance of autonomous driving and the role LiDAR plays in ensuring the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles. As LiDAR becomes an essential technology for autonomous driving, the market is expected to continue growing, and companies worldwide, including South Korean firms, are actively participating in this trend.

song@hankooki.com

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