The South Korean autonomous driving startup, Autonomous A2G, has officially received government approval for the export of its autonomous driving technology, recognized as the first 'National Core Technology' export approval in this field. This development suggests a significant opportunity for South Korean autonomous driving technology to enter the Middle Eastern market, particularly following recent agreements made during high-level diplomatic visits. The approval was announced in Abu Dhabi, where representatives from the South Korean government and Autonomous A2G participated in the official delivery of the export approval document, signaling a move towards practical commercialization.

The approval is a direct result of collaborative efforts between South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, initiated during President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to the UAE in November. In attendance were key figures, including the South Korean Chief of Staff for Artificial Intelligence and other senior executives from Autonomous A2G and its local partner, Space42. This marks a significant moment as it is the first collaboration in establishing a joint venture focused on autonomous driving within the Middle East.

To export their technology, Autonomous A2G underwent a stringent six-month government review process, indicating the importance of security considerations in the technology transfer. The company is poised to launch its fully driverless autonomous vehicle, 'Roii', into the UAE's public transportation network, complemented by plans to retrofit Kia electric vehicles for this purpose. The company aims to secure contracts worth approximately $7.6 million by the end of the year and anticipates cumulative revenues reaching $78 million by 2035, signaling a strategic victory amid growing competition from Chinese autonomous driving technologies in the global market.