Halla Group-owned South Korean auto parts manufacturer Mando has obtained an autonomous vehicle testing permit in California, US.

With the latest permit, which was granted by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, Mando became the second Korean automobile company to receive an autonomous vehicle permit from California, following Samsung Electronics.

The permit will enable the company to fast-track the development of its own autonomous driving platform known as ‘Hockey’, which the company is developing alone.

Hockey is an autonomous vehicle equipped with sensors independently developed by Mando.

“As part of its plan to develop future automobile technologies, Mando decided to set up Next M, a modern technology institute in Pangyo Complex 2 in Korea in May last year.”

The Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport provided an autonomous driving permit to Hockey in February last year.

A Mando official said that the company aims to create a Level 4 complete autonomous driving platform based on technologies independently developed by the company, which will enable Mando safety systems to be well integrated into autonomous vehicles.

The official further added that the acquisition of a California autonomous vehicle testing permit will allow the company to “advance the future of completely autonomous driving through mutually advantageous competition and technological exchanges.”

As part of its plan to develop future automobile technologies, Mando decided to set up Next M, a modern technology institute in Pangyo Complex 2 in Korea in May last year.

The company also signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean software company Naver Labs to develop autonomous driving technology.

Furthermore, the company believes that Mando Innovations Silicon Valley (MISV), a R&D centre established in May last year, will enable the company to expand technological exchanges and collaborations with global companies in the area.