Thordrive Insights(EN) | Q1 2025

FIRST STEP TO
SMART AIRPORT!

AUTONOMOUS DRIVING SYSTEM✈️

REVOLUTIONIZING AIRPORT LOGISTICS WITH
THE POWER OF AUTONOMOUS DRIVING SYSTEMS

Did you know that a company in South Korea has become the first to be authorized to operate autonomous vehicles within the restricted areas of Incheon International Airport?

That's Thordrive!

Thordrive has become the sole company in South Korea to receive operation permit for autonomous vehicle driving at Incheon Airport.

This is a groundbreaking achievement for the smarter airport logistics in South Korea.🎉

You may have often heard a lot about autonomous driving cars on public roads, but have you heard about them in airports?

This might be new to you.

Shall we look at how autonomous driving is being used at airports, why it’s important, and what it all means?

How are Thordrive's autonomous vehicles being used?

The recently authorized autonomous ramp tractor will be used to transport cargo and baggage within the airport's restricted areas. These areas, including runways and aprons where aircraft are constantly moving or stationary, are extremely safety-sensitive, making autonomous operation exceptionally challenging.

However, leveraging its experience and proven technology from successfully operating autonomous vehicles in U.S. airports, Thordrive is implementing even more advanced solutions to enhance the efficiency and safety of airport logistics.

Why is autonomous driving necessary in airports?

Currently, airport logistics are facing a severe labor shortage. The workforce is aging, and recruiting new employees is proving difficult. Moreover, steadily increasing labor costs are adding financial strain on ground handling companies. Autonomous vehicles are emerging as a viable solution to these pressing challenges.

What is a Test Operation Permit,
and Why is it important?

The test operation permits the autonomous vehicle to operate within Incheon International Airport. Obtaining this permit requires passing multiple tests to confirm the vehicle's operational safety. Airports, particularly restricted areas, demand exceptionally high safety standards due to aircraft operations, making autonomous driving extremely challenging.

Consequently, operating an autonomous vehicle is impossible without this permit and the rigorous testing it entails.

However, Thordrive is the sole company in Korea to pass these demanding safety evaluations! This includes obstacle detection, pedestrian avoidance, and navigating underground tunnels.

These tests prove that autonomous vehicles can operate reliably even in complex environments. Notably, the technology performed flawlessly even in challenging environments like the underground tunnels, where GPS signals are weak, and the lighting is poor! 🔧✨

What are Thordrive's plans for
autonomous driving in airports?

Thordrive will continue to conduct test operations within the airport to preemptively gather specialized data unique to airport logistics environments. Leveraging this data and our autonomous driving technology, we aim to enhance airport logistics systems and further develop our AI-based autonomous driving platform.

Ultimately, our goal is to optimize complex logistics scenarios within airports and achieve the commercialization of autonomous logistics on the global scale.🌏🚗

Thordrive remains committed to leading innovation in autonomous driving technology and striving to transform the logistics industry into the global market. We sincerely appreciate your continued interests and support! 💡

❗Summary❗

✅Thordrive is the Sole Company in Korea to secure a test operation permit for autonomous vehicles within Incheon International Airport.

✅Moving forward, Thordrive will continue to gather airport- specific data, further refine its autonomous driving technology for airport applications, and ultimately target commercialization.

JOINS IATA WORKING GROUP, COLLABORATING WITH
THE GLOBAL AVIATION INDUSTRY!

Have you heard of IATA (International Air Transport Association)?

It's a vital organization where airlines worldwide convene to establish industry standards and formulate new technologies and policies.

And guess what? To participate in this important organization, Thordrive attended its first meeting in the first quarter of 2025! During the meeting, we discussed our involvement in the IATA Working Group.

What does IATA do?

As briefly introduced earlier, IATA is an organization that establishes standards and policies for the aviation industry. It works on setting operational and safety standards, developing aviation industry policies, providing and analyzing industry data, and promoting sustainable air transport.

What does IATA's Working Group do?

IATA Working Groups are established to address specific challenges and develop solutions within the aviation industry. Composed of IATA airlines and industry experts, these groups collaborate on technical, operational, and policy issues, with the goal of improving airport operations and the overall passenger experience.

IATA has various working groups across different fields, and among them, The Autonomous Vehicle Working Group, comprised of IATA member airlines, industry experts, ground handlers, airports, regulatory bodies, and technology providers, plays a crucial role in shaping the future of autonomous operations at airports. This group will focus on defining prerequisites for autonomous driving, mobility guidelines, and test scenarios, all based on thorough risk assessments. Thordrive had been in discussions with IATA regarding participation in the Autonomous Vehicle Working Group and participated in the first meeting in Q1 2025!

What will Thordrive's role be within IATA?

As a member of the IATA working group, Thordrive will actively participate in establishing mobility guidelines and standards for autonomous vehicles within airports. We will share our expertise as autonomous vehicle specialists and contribute to global efforts to address industry challenges. By studying international case studies of autonomous vehicle deployment in airports.

We aim to further enhance our technology and share our knowledge and experience with the global aviation industry. Please look forward to Thordrive's contributions as a member of IATA's Working Group! 🙌

❗Summary❗

✅ Thordrive is now participating in IATA's Working Group.

✅ Through the Working Group, Thordrive will actively contribute to defining mobility guidelines, establishing standards, and developing test scenarios for autonomous driving at airports.

BEYOND LOGISTICS:
AMRS TRANSFORMING INDUSTRIES

What is AMR?

Have you heard of AMR? AMR stands for Autonomous Mobile Robot, a self-driving robot that can perceive its environment, generate its own path, and perform assigned tasks.

Unlike traditional automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that follow fixed routes, AMRs can intelligently sense and react to their surroundings. This allows them to dynamically generate optimal paths and adapt to complex or unexpected situations. Because of this flexibility, AMRs are gaining traction across a wide range of industries, well beyond logistics. ✨

While the specific form, purpose, and functionality of AMR may differ, AMR all fundamentally relies on both indoor and outdoor autonomous navigation technology. In this newsletter, we'll delve into the compelling use cases and advantages of AMR, and we'll also be introducing Thordrive's latest AMR innovation!

What industries are currently utilizing AMR?

AMR are currently being used in a variety of industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and ports. And these robots are used for various purposes such as material handling, delivery, and patrolling. However, AMRs are often compared to AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles). Let’s briefly highlight the differences between the two types of equipment.

To summarize, AGVs are typically used in relatively simple and predictable environments because once a path is set, it’s difficult to change, and they struggle to handle obstacles.

On the other hand, AMRs can autonomously set their own paths and avoid obstacles, making them ideal for complex work environments and areas with high pedestrian traffic.

AMR and Logistics📦

When it comes to AMR, the first and most common industry that comes to mind is undoubtedly logistics. Let's look at how AMRs are being used in both indoor and outdoor settings.

• Indoor Factories/Distribution Centers

Within factories and distribution centers, AMRs are revolutionizing operations by automating tasks such as material transport, sorting, palletizing, and order fulfillment. They are particularly valuable in sectors like e-commerce, manufacturing, and lithium-ion battery production, where they efficiently move goods to designated locations. Industry giants like Amazon and Ocado, alongside automotive manufacturers such as Ford, Toyota, and Hyundai, and electronics leaders like Panasonic, Nikon, Samsung, and LG, have all embraced AMR technology.

Why this widespread adoption of AMRs?
The answer lies in the pressing challenges facing industries today: escalating labor costs, the critical need to improve workplace safety, and persistent labor shortages. AMRs offer a compelling solution to these issues. By operating 24/7, a fleet of AMRs can significantly reduce labor expenses while simultaneously boosting operational efficiency. Moreover, AMRs minimize the risks of human error and workplace injuries, creating a safer and more productive environment.

• Outdoor Logistics

While AMRs are commonly associated with indoor warehouses and manufacturing facilities, their capabilities extend to outdoor environments, including airports and especially seaports. Sea ports present unique challenges, handling massive cargo, operating in complex, dynamic settings, and frequently facing

harsh weather. These demanding conditions make them ideal, proving grounds for the resilience and efficiency of AMRs. ✨

According to a research firm in the United States, the port AMR market is expected to surpass $380 billion by 2030, making it a promising market.

Leading global ports like Long Beach (USA), Rotterdam (Netherlands), and Qingdao (China) are already leveraging AMRs to streamline operations.

AMRs are transforming port logistics by automating the movement of containers between ships and warehouses.

They can also efficiently position containers upon a vessel's arrival, significantly accelerating turnaround times. Furthermore, their ability to automatically track cargo location in real-time provides a substantial improvement to inventory management.

South Korea is also embracing port automation with AMRs, marked by significant government investment. In Gimhae, Gyeongnam Province, over $75 million in national funding is supporting the development of autonomous cargo vehicles capable of transporting loads exceeding 10 tons. These vehicles are slated for deployment at Jinhae New Port and Busan Port.

Additionally, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy is backing initiatives to develop and localize core AMR technologies.

Jinhae New Port plans to integrate up to 284 AMRs and AGVs between 2029 and 2040. The provincial government is also actively involved in AMR development, aiming to establish the port as a cutting-edge smart logistics hub.

This sustained government investment and commitment to technological advancement underscore the critical need for and importance of AMR technology in modernizing port operations.

AMR and Delivery 🚚

In addition to logistics transportation, which is not something we often see or experience firsthand, there are AMR robots that are much closer to our daily lives. These are delivery robots! AMRs are increasingly used for item delivery as well. Let's look at their applications in both outdoor and indoor environments.

• Outdoor

Outdoor delivery robots are becoming increasingly prevalent in various settings, including office parks, residential complexes, campgrounds, and public parks. They can autonomously deliver a wide range of items, such as coffee, food, and parcels, directly to homes and offices. For small and medium-sized businesses, these robots offer significant cost savings by reducing delivery-related labor expenses. Customers, in turn, benefit from convenient delivery services and the opportunity to experience cutting-edge robotics technology firsthand.

A prominent example is Uber Eats in the United States. In cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and San Jose, customers can have their meals delivered by these autonomous robots.

What about South Korea? Domestically, delivery robots are making inroads in various applications. These include food and parcel delivery services for residents of apartment complexes, food and beverage deliveries within office areas, and even product transportation at campgrounds. Furthermore, they are being deployed to provide essential delivery services to remote islands, bridging the logistical gap for these communities. These applications demonstrate how delivery robots enhance convenience for urban dwellers while simultaneously improving accessibility for residents of geographically isolated areas.

• Indoor (Hospital, Hotel, Department Store)

How are AMRs being used indoors? In hotels, they deliver food, beverages, and amenities directly to guest rooms, enhancing the guest experience. Department stores utilize them to transport purchases from stores to customers' vehicles in parking lots, adding a layer of convenience to shopping. Hospitals are leveraging AMRs to swiftly transport medications and potentially infectious samples between labs and departments, improving efficiency and safety. Some hospitals are even deploying autonomous wheelchairs (smart wheelchair robots) to enhance the mobility of patients with disabilities.

AMR and Patrolling‼

AMRs aren't just about moving things; they're also stepping up as security guards and safety inspectors! These tireless robots can patrol all sorts of environments, using their smart sensors to detect and report potential threats in real-time. Think apartment complexes, kids' play zones, hiking trails, and even remote industrial sites. They can spot anomalies like fires or someone acting suspiciously, keeping a watchful eye where humans might not always be present.

AMR can also be used in hazardous industrial environments to detect dangerous substances and protect workers. These robots can be deployed in areas where human entry is risky or restricted, thereby reducing the risk of industrial accidents. AMR can patrol 24/7 or more frequently than humans, enhancing security and leading to cost savings in labor.

South Korea is already putting these patrol robots to work! Incheon International Airport is testing out quadruped robots (yep, the four-legged kind!) for inspecting facilities and even helping with remote bomb disposal.

Busan Port is also using these four-legged robots to navigate tight spaces and check for dangerous gases and tasks that would be risky for human workers.

But it's not just airports and ports. Yongin City is using patrol robots on popular hiking trails to keep hikers safe. Seoul, Incheon, and Sejong are deploying them in parks for round-the-clock surveillance, helping to prevent fires, theft, and other incidents.

And that's not all – you'll find these robots patrolling parks, universities, and resorts across the country, ensuring everyone's safety.

AMR and Agriculture🌾

Now, let's talk about how AMRs are revolutionizing agriculture. Ever heard of an autonomous farming tractor? These high-tech tractors can autonomously navigate fields, performing tasks like tiling (breaking up that soil!). And it's not just tractors – other AMRs are being developed to automatically transport freshly harvested crops.

With fewer people entering the agricultural workforce and experienced farmers retiring, AMRs are stepping in to fill the gap. They're helping to combat labor shortages and maintain, even boost, crop yields. The South Korean government is all-in on this tech, promoting autonomous farming machinery through demonstrations, training programs, and even rental services.

They see AMRs and autonomous tractors as key to solving the industry's labor challenges.

Pretty amazing, right?
AMRs are truly making their mark across a huge range of industries!

Benefits of AMR

As we have seen from various examples above, AMRs may differ in their forms and functions, but they are fundamentally based on autonomous driving, providing the following advantages:

✔ Increased productivity through increased working hours
✔ Reduction in human error and safety accidents
✔ Reduced labor costs
✔ Solving the Labor Shortage

Thordrive and AMR

At Thordrive, we're not just watching the AMR revolution – we're driving it! Our work on autonomous airport logistics has made us a pioneer in this exciting field. But we're not stopping there.

We're eager to apply our advanced autonomous driving technology to all the areas we've talked about and more.

We're committed to creating real-world examples of how our tech can transform industries. Stay tuned and cheer us on as we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with autonomous driving! 😊

❗Summary❗

✅ AMRs are proving their versatility across logistics, delivery, security, agriculture, and more!

✅They're tackling labor shortages, cutting costs, and boosting efficiency.

✅ Thordrive is dedicated to developing and deploying cutting-edge AMR solutions across various industries!

INTERVIEW with
CEO of Thordrive

Hello everyone! I'm Dong-Kyoung Kye, CEO of Thordrive. I'm delighted to contact you through our first newsletter.

We aim to keep you updated on the latest trends in autonomous driving, share news about Thordrive, and outline our vision for the future. We hope this is the start of a closer relationship with all of you!

How did Thordrive get its start?

It began in 2015, with a team of students at Seoul National University. We developed Korea's first self-driving taxi. Driven by the ambition to transform the world with autonomous technology, we established Thordrive in 2016. In 2017, we achieved another first for Korea, successfully demonstrating autonomous driving in the uncontrolled, bustling urban environment of Yeouido.

Having developed Korea's first autonomous taxi and achieved that urban driving milestone,
why the current focus on logistics?

Initially, Thordrive focused on accumulating technological expertise through various pilot projects involving autonomous delivery and shuttle services on public roads.

However, we recognized that widespread commercialization on public roads faced significant hurdles – legal and regulatory issues, limitations of existing insurance models, and the need for broader public acceptance. These factors have contributed to a longer timeline.

Therefore, while continuing to lay the groundwork for future public road applications, we sought a sector where we could more rapidly commercialize our autonomous driving technology.

“That sector was logistics.”

What makes the logistics market so different from public roads, and why did you see greater potential for near-term commercialization there?

We focused on three critical questions when considering commercialization:

First, where are regulations most favorable for deploying autonomous vehicles?

Second, how can we maximize the value delivered to a global audience with our limited resources?

And third, where does a societal consensus already exist regarding the need for automation?

The answer to all three questions pointed us squarely towards logistics, and particularly airports. Firstly, regulatory barriers are comparatively lower because we're transporting cargo, not passengers. Additionally, the operational environments within logistics, especially airports, are fairly standardized globally, which creates significant opportunities for international expansion. Finally, airports have long grappled with labor shortages, so there's already a widely accepted understanding of the need for and benefits of autonomous solutions.

As it happened, around that time, the state of Ohio was looking to attract our California-based company and offered to help us find potential clients. We asked them to connect us with Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), and that led to our first autonomous logistics project in 2021. Building on that success, we completed autonomous driving operations at Louisville International Airport (SDF) and have now secured the first-ever permit for autonomous vehicle test operations at Incheon International Airport, where we are currently conducting trials within a designated area.

How does autonomous driving in airports differ from that on public roads?

Airports present a far more complex environment than typical roads. Runways, taxiways, and aprons are just part of the equation. You also have terminals, cargo warehouses, and a constant flow of specialized vehicles – large aircraft, tugs, mobile stairs, baggage carts – all requiring highly sophisticated perception technology.

Moreover, GPS shaded zones, such as underground tunnels, pose significant challenges to maintaining reliable autonomous operation. Since aircraft operate on the same routes used by autonomous vehicles, the safety requirements are exceptional stringent. To secure our test operation permit at Incheon, we had to pass 7 rigorous tests – 5 short-distance and 2 long- distance. These challenges explain why Thordrive is the only company in Korea currently undertaking autonomous driving projects within airports.

We also possess the only dedicated dataset for airport-specific environments. Leveraging this data and our technological capabilities, we plan to continuously enhance our competitive edge in the global airport logistics automation market.

What are your plans and goals?

Thordrive is committed to ongoing research, development, and innovation to deliver world-class autonomous solutions tailored for confined-area logistics.

We are dedicated to enhancing the automation and efficiency of logistics systems across a range of industries.

In the short term, we aim to accelerate the commercialization of our autonomous ground support equipment (GSE) systems at airports and expand our operations to major airports both domestically and internationally.

In the medium to long term, we plan to broaden the application of our autonomous driving technology to diverse sectors, including manufacturing plants, warehouses, and seaports.

We are also developing an AI-powered autonomous mobile robot (AMR) platform to expand our service offerings.

The launch of our AMR robot this year will be a significant step in this direction.

Ultimately, Thordrive's vision is to become a company that leverages autonomous technology to make people's lives safer and more convenient, contributing to a more sustainable future.

To realize this vision, we will actively collaborate with government entities, relevant organizations, and various industry partners to contribute to the advancement and commercialization of autonomous driving technology, and furthermore, to play a leading role in shaping the autonomous era.

🙋 Got a question?
We're always happy to connect. Reach out through any of the channels below.

This newsletter is published by ThorDrive.
We are pioneering the era of autonomous airport GSE systems.
We'll be back soon with more stories and possibilities.