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Gangnam Late-night Robotaxi Expanded to 19: Hours, Zone, How to Call

Posted Aug 26, 2026·Event date Aug 19, 2026·Source published Aug 19, 2026
Related routes:Gangnam Robotaxi

Gangnam Late-night Robotaxi Expanded to 19 Vehicles

On 19 August 2026 Seoul announced that its Gangnam late-night autonomous taxi fleet grows from 7 to 19 vehicles starting 20 August at 22:00. SWM operates 13 vehicles and Kakao Mobility 6.

The service has grown in stages: it launched in September 2024 as a free pilot with 3 vehicles, expanded to 7 in March 2026, switched to paid service that April, and now reaches 19.

Gangnam Autonomous Driving Pilot Zone: 20.4 km²

The service covers the entire Gangnam autonomous driving pilot zone — approximately 20.4 km².

It is not a fixed-route bus service. You set your own pick-up point and destination inside the zone, and the robotaxi drives there on demand.

Operating Hours: Weekdays 22:00–05:00

The service runs on weekdays (Mon–Fri) from 22:00 to 05:00 the next morning. There is no weekend service.

It covers the late-night window after subways and regular buses stop — one more way to move within Gangnam after the last train.

How to Call 'Seoul Autonomous Car' in Kakao T

You request a ride in the Kakao T app (Korean app). The steps are:

  • Open Kakao T and tap 'Taxi'
  • Set a pick-up point and destination inside the zone
  • Choose 'Seoul Autonomous Car (서울자율차)' as the vehicle type
  • Select a payment method and call

Robotaxi Fares by Time Band

Fares are a flat base fare independent of distance and duration, with a late-night surcharge applied. Fares did not change with this expansion.

  • 22:00–23:00 — KRW 5,800
  • 23:00–02:00 — KRW 6,700
  • 02:00–04:00 — KRW 5,800
  • 04:00–05:00 — KRW 4,800

Before You Ride

A few conditions to know before riding. This site does not provide real-time information — check the Kakao T app for current availability before heading out.

  • Up to 3 passengers per vehicle; a safety driver is always on board
  • Some narrow sections are driven manually, per the official notice
  • Weekdays only — no weekend service
  • Per the announcement: 15,140 cumulative rides since September 2024, 6,176 since paid service began
Official source: Seoul Metropolitan Government press release · Aug 19, 2026