MORAI and Seoul Government Co-host the Seoul Virtual Autonomous Driving Challenge

Autonomous driving simulation company ‘MORAI‘ (CEO Jeong Ji-won, Hong Jun) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government hosted the Seoul Virtual Autonomous Driving Challenge on October 30, 2023, at Sangam-dong, Seoul’s esports-specialized stadium, Sangam Africa Coliseum.

In the competition, over 100 students from 24 final teams competed, testing their self-developed autonomous driving algorithms in a virtual Sangam-dong city center implemented through digital twin technology. The students performed various autonomous driving missions, such as navigating the given urban course, handling unexpected situations, complying with signals, and avoiding obstacles.

Sponsored by MORAI and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, with the participation of the TS Korea Transportation Safety Authority, Naver Cloud, Naver Labs, and Africa TV, the Seoul Virtual Autonomous Driving Challenge was designed to prepare for the upcoming era of autonomous driving and foster technological development and talent in autonomous driving. The event was intended to provide students interested in this field with practical experience. In line with the purpose of the competition, students from over 15 universities in Korea, including Gachon University, Kwangwoon University, Kookmin University, Dankook University, Dongguk University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yeungnam University, Ulsan University, Inha University, Chung-Ang University, Chungbuk National University, Korea Transport University, and Hongik University, participated.

Chungbuk National University’s team, Phoenix, won the top prize, while the excellence prize went to Kookmin University’s team, Vilab. Yeungnam University’s team @Orai, Gachon University’s team AMSL, and a joint team from Yeungnam University, Chung-Ang University, and Hongik University, known as ‘Turning the Conception,’ won the encouragement prize. Additionally, three teams, including Clothoid from Chungbuk National University, VI2RE from Inha University, and ISLab from Ulsan University, won the Excellent Algorithm Award. At the same time, 32Cylinder from Dongguk University and FASTFOOTS from Kwangwoon University received the MORAI Special Prize.

CEO Jeong Ji-won of MORAI stated, ‘MORAI is hosting various competitions such as the Seoul Virtual Autonomous Driving Challenge to contribute to the growth of the autonomous driving industry and the development of talents. I deeply appreciate the students’ passion and outstanding skills demonstrated in this competition. I hope this event served as a platform for students to test and experience practical autonomous driving technology, not just in the classroom. We will continue our efforts to contribute to the growth of the future mobility industry through a diverse range of programs.’

Significantly, MORAI has its operational base in Pangyo Techno Valley, recognized as a leading domestic autonomous driving hub. Extending their collaborative endeavors, MORAI announced a strategic partnership for autonomous driving tech research with M-City, the U.S.-based autonomous driving-focused experimental city, in October 2023.

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