Mayor of Seoul: ”We aim to operate self-driving cars and UAM emergency doctors throughout Seoul by 2026”

On the 8th (local time) during his visit to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Seoul Mayor Oh Sehun announced that he plans to operate more than 100 self-driving cars throughout Seoul by 2026.
Wu spoke at the Abu Dhabi Annual Investment Conference (AIC) held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, where he announced plans to use UAM, a mode of transport of the future, as a medical emergency doctor.
He delivered a keynote speech at the 2019 Seoul International Mobility and Innovation (IM) Future Cities segment, introducing next-generation transportation policies under the theme "Seoul's Strategy for a Better Future City."
AIM is the UAE's leading investment attraction event, and this year marks its 13th anniversary. The event is centered around the theme of "future cities, digital cities, and the future of digital technology."
The programme was carried out in six areas: international economy, foreign direct investment (FDI), foreign investment (FPI), small and medium-sized enterprises, and start-ups.
Mr. Wu spoke about the spread of self-driving cars, the realization of emergency medical care using UAM, and barrier-free
The plan outlined a wide range of goals, including improving public transportation in the city and optimizing traffic flow and improving safety using AI and drones.
Based on this, Seoul will promote the commercialization of future technologies and their entry into the global market.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced its intention to promote a pioneering "transport innovation strategy that prioritizes the livelihood of citizens" by 2026. The city of Seoul plans to operate more than 100 self-driving cars throughout the city by 2026.
The company plans to deploy more than 50 self-driving cars in areas with poor transportation access, particularly late at night and early in the morning.
Already late at night, automatic lanes were running on the 9.8-kilometer stretch from Hapjeong Station to Dongdaemun.
Buses are currently in operation, and in the early morning, they will begin operating on the 25.7 km section connecting Dobongsan Station to Jongno, Mapo Station, Yeouido Station, and Yeongdeungpo Station in October.
Seoul plans to commercialize emergency medical services using UAM in 2026 and use it to transport organs and blood, and to use it to transport rescue personnel by 2030.
The scope of emergency medical care and rescue will be expanded. 182 billion won (US$207 million) will be invested to operate 10 UAMs, aiming to innovate public medical care and disaster rescue services.
Taking advantage of the advantage of easier take-off and landing compared to helicopters, the UAM is expected to be an alternative to the Doctor HYERI. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to provide UAM free of charge in all emergency situations and to promote public medical services.
The government also plans to strengthen its services. For citizens who have difficulty using public transportation, it has developed a Seoul companion app and is investing 1 billion won to improve it in three stages.
The app provides customized directions to make walking easier for wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and the elderly. It takes into account the slope of the sidewalk and the difference in height between the road and the sidewalk.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to update the first version of the app released this year to a second version next year that will be improved for the visually impaired.
The plan is to make all public transportation infrastructure in Seoul, including the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Express (GTX), UAM, and the Han River Bus, barrier-free by 2026.
In addition, Seoul will invest 3 billion won to optimize traffic signals based on AI technology by 2026.
Real-time monitoring by unmanned drones around construction sites and large-scale events can help reduce the risk of accidents and facilitate traffic flow.
In addition to the cutting-edge transportation innovation strategy, Wu also announced a number of measures to combat climate change, including a climate accompaniment card, an eco-certification system for buildings, the creation of a garden city, and measures to support the health of citizens.
He introduced innovative policy examples from Seoul, such as the "List Doctor 9988" project, which supports the city's efforts to promote the development of medical technology, and attracted attention from the local community. Prior to the keynote speech, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Qarshi al-Nafis
He met with UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Zeyoudi and Jamal Al Jarwan, Secretary General of the UAE International Investors Council, and discussed economic cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Seoul.
Meanwhile, Mr. Wu visited the Korean Business Pavilion, where many startups are participating, to understand the current situation of the companies and to offer words of encouragement.
He met with the Chairman of the Ministry of Municipal Transport and Tourism and strengthened the friendship between Seoul and Abu Dhabi. The friendship relationship was established last year at the suggestion of the Ministry of Municipal Transport and Tourism of Abu Dhabi. Seoul City
In 2018, it established friendship city relations with Tehran in Iran, in 2019 with Muscat in Oman, and in 2019 with Tel Aviv in Israel. Through this visit, it is hoped that Abu Dhabi will further strengthen its relationship with the Middle East region.
This marks the fourth sister city relationship between the two cities in the region. Mr. Wu also attended the opening ceremony of the World Smart Cities Organization (WeGO) Middle East and North Africa Regional Office, which was held at the same venue.
WeGO is an international organization established to promote exchange and cooperation in the fields of smart cities and e-government using information and communications technology (ICT), with the aim of promoting sustainable urban development and bridging the digital divide.
Currently, more than 200 member cities are participating. At the event, Oh introduced Seoul's smart city policies and invited the city to the Smart Life Week (SLW) to be held in Seoul in October.
In the afternoon, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) to further deepen cultural exchanges between Seoul and Abu Dhabi.
The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, maternal uncle of the current UAE president and Patron of the Abu Dhabi Music Foundation.
Founded in 1996, ADMAF is a cultural and artistic organization representing the UAE and the Middle East, and enjoys the strong trust and support of the Royal Family. Since 2004, it has been the largest cultural and artistic organization in the Middle East.
It also hosts the Abu Dhabi Festival, a festival that introduces cultures from around the world to the Middle East and plays a role in spreading Islamic culture around the world.
ADMAF also has a strong interest in Korean culture and artists, and will host the 2019 Abu Dhabi Festival
The festival has hosted the National Ballet of Korea, the Korean Symphony Orchestra and soprano Jo Sumi, and next year pianist Lim Yun Chan will perform in Abu Dhabi.
With this business agreement, the two cities have agreed to introduce each other's cultures and further expand cultural exchange. In addition, they will also promote exchange exhibitions between museums and art galleries, exchanges and collaborations between artists,
The two parties also decided to continue to promote a wide range of cultural cooperation projects, including mutual invitations for performances between the Seoul Metropolitan Arts Center and UAE arts organizations.
The group is scheduled to take part in the Abu Dhabi Classic, a leading classical music festival.