In the future, business vehicles will be able to automatically submit operation data through the vehicle's connected features without the hassle of installing separate devices or manually submitting driving records.
On the 19th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hyundai Motor, Kia, and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority at the Namyang Research Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, for the development and dissemination of the 'connected digital tachograph (DTG).'
DTG is an electronic device that records information such as the speed, distance, and location of the vehicle and is mandatory for installation in business vehicles like buses and trucks. The recorded information is collected and analyzed through the Korea Transportation Safety Authority and used for driver training and policy formulation. Until now, users faced significant inconvenience by needing to add a separate device after purchasing a vehicle and manually extracting and submitting data.
Under this agreement, Hyundai Motor and Kia will develop technology that utilizes their own connected car systems to collect operational information in real-time from the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) and automatically link it to the authority's driving record analysis system. This means that data can be submitted immediately without a separate DTG device, expected to reduce the administrative burden on transportation companies and improve data collection rates.
This technology will be completed this year and will be gradually applied starting with new commercial vehicle models launched in 2026. Large commercial vehicles over a certain tonnage, such as trucks, will be prioritized.
According to the agreement, Hyundai Motor and Kia will be responsible for developing connected DTG technology, integrating systems by vehicle type, managing data quality, and implementing automatic submission features. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will support system improvements and administrative backing, while the Korea Transportation Safety Authority will assist with revising standard specifications, certification, and connecting analysis systems.
In the future, the system could also expand to provide real-time alerts by analyzing drivers' driving patterns, instances of speeding and abrupt stops, and compliance with rest periods. This enables a vehicle-based real-time safety management service.
"Jeong Chae-kyo, Director of the Comprehensive Transportation Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, noted that this is a case of public-private cooperation to ensure transportation safety and will be a great help not only to the convenience of transportation operators but also in formulating government transportation safety policies."