Kakao Mobility Signs NVIDIA MOU to Build Level 4 Autonomous Driving

Kakao Mobility signed a memorandum of understanding with NVIDIA on November 9, 2026, to jointly develop Level 4 autonomous-driving technology, with Kia purpose-built vehicles as the first integration target. The deal pairs Kakao Mobility's autonomous-driving AI and mobility platform with NVIDIA's computing, sensing and safety technology. The stated goal is a Level 4 system aligned with global standards, building on urban driving that Kakao Mobility says has already validated its technology in Seoul's Gangnam district.

What hardware does the agreement specify?

Kakao Mobility is developing an end-to-end autonomous-driving model that connects perception through decision-making in a single model. To run it, the company plans an autonomous-driving computing unit containing two NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor chips, intended to process large-scale AI computation in real time. That hardware plan links the software's development directly to the compute capacity required to run it inside a vehicle.

The architecture work doesn't stop at the chips. NVIDIA describes Hyperion as a standardized reference architecture integrating compute, sensors, networking and safety systems, with DRIVE AGX Thor forming part of the platform. Kakao Mobility intends to use the architecture to optimize connections among the vehicle, sensors and computing unit while pursuing system stability and compatibility.

Safety extends into software development and validation through NVIDIA Halos. NVIDIA describes Halos OS as a three-layer safety architecture built on ASIL D-certified DriveOS foundations, integrating safety middleware and deployable safety applications. Together, Hyperion and Halos supply the system architecture and safety framework around Kakao Mobility's own driving software.

Which vehicle comes first, and why does it matter?

The companies will prioritize integrated development on Kia PBVs, drawing on Kakao Mobility's July 2026 partnership with Kia to develop PBVs for autonomous-driving services. They identify the Kia PV5 as the initial model for the combined technology. The plan is to develop and supply vehicles for Level 4 services using Kakao Mobility's software alongside NVIDIA's AI computing and safety systems.

That gives the agreement a concrete division of labor rather than a vague research pact. Kakao Mobility contributes the driving software and mobility platform. NVIDIA contributes computing and safety technology. The Kia PBV is the first vehicle target, and commercialization remains an explicit objective of the development work.

What do the executives say?

Kakao Mobility CEO Ryu Gung-seon said the collaboration is intended to accelerate end-to-end development and prepare for Level 4 commercialization through an ecosystem spanning software, components and finished vehicles. NVIDIA automotive vice president Rishi Dhall framed the nearer objective as accelerating safe and scalable autonomous-driving services in South Korea.

What does this change for the market?

For practitioners tracking autonomous driving in Asia, the deal creates a specific integration path where most Level 4 announcements offer only roadmaps. The Korean market gains a full stack assembled from named components: Kakao's driving AI, two DRIVE AGX Thor chips, Hyperion as the reference architecture, Halos as the safety layer, and the PV5 as the carrier.

The companies are also leaving open medium- to long-term global expansion, based on technology validated in South Korea. The immediate test is integration on the PV5: turning separate software, compute, safety and vehicle contributions into a validated Level 4 system is the next step toward the commercial driverless service described in the announcement.