Seoul uses digital twin technology to create virtual self-driving car testing area

According to foreign media reports, Seoul, South Korea will use digital twin technology to create a virtual self-driving car test area. The test area is identical to the real-world test environment located in western Seoul, and the virtual clone of the test drive area will be open to the public, allowing all researchers, students or institutions to freely test and demonstrate self-driving technology.

Image source: Seoul City

The Sangam area in western Seoul, which is relatively quiet and has less trafficked roads than other parts of the capital, was designated as a pilot area for autonomous vehicle testing in November 2021.

In February 2022, self-driving taxis were put into commercial operation in Sangam. Four self-driving compact SUVs and minivans each operate on a circular route of about 5 kilometers. People can use a smartphone app to call a taxi, and the taxis along the circular route will pick up passengers on the sidewalk.

Seoul will release a digital twin simulator of its test area on April 29. Using a control tower system, researchers can test the safety and effectiveness of digital clones of their self-driving cars in an environment based on high-definition maps. The simulation can even simulate various weather conditions such as rain and snow.

Digital twin technology can create virtual clones of real objects and environments. The technology can be used to test dangerous equipment or simulate disastrous situations without causing catastrophic damage to the real world. Seoul's digital twin will include Sangam's actual roads as well as elements such as school zones, street trees, traffic lights and real-time traffic.