South Korea’s SK Telecom has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) to develop 5G-based infrastructure for self-driving cars.

Under the MoU, the South Korea-based telecom firm will create a high-definition (HD) map covering the entire IFEZ area starting with Songdo International City.

The new HD map can be read by machines with centimetre-level accuracy. It will be built using a dynamic data platform.

It will be designed to deliver required information for autonomous driving such as lanes, road conditions, speed limits and road slopes.

SK Telecom said that the new HD map will support Level 4 of autonomy for self-driving cars as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

The dynamic data platform will allow for automatic updates on the HD maps upon receiving road observation information from the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) via 5G network.

“The core of 5G lies in its power to transform all industries to deliver unprecedented value to people’s daily lives.”

ADAS and 5G communication modules will be installed by SK Telecom to public transport vehicles and official/government cars in the IFEZ area. This will help detect all changes in the road environment.

Additionally, both partners will setup a data hub to systematically manage and analyse information of the floating population to enhance the convenience and safety of citizens through smarter transportation policies.

SK Telecom chief technology officer Park Jin-hyo said: “The core of 5G lies in its power to transform all industries to deliver unprecedented value to people’s daily lives.

“We will work closely with the IFEZ Authority to accelerate IFEZ’s transition to a smart city powered by SK Telecom’s 5G network and mobility technologies.”

Furthermore, the parties will form ‘Venturepolis’ in Songdo International City to incubate start-ups.

SK Telecom expects its plans for 5G-based smart office in Venturepolis and support ICT start-ups to take shape through its ‘True Innovation Programme’.