Hyundai Motor Company has initiated a pilot project for the ‘Shucle Mobility Service for Transportation Vulnerable’ to ensure practical mobility rights for people with physical disabilities.
From April 1, Hyundai will operate the pilot service for approximately five months in Dongtan 1 new city, Hwaseong Special City, Gyeonggi Province, aimed at supporting the mobility of transportation-challenged individuals. This service combines specially modified vehicle ‘R1’ with a demand-responsive transport (DRT) based Shucle platform.
The R1 is manufactured based on the existing ST1 vehicle, allowing wheelchair users to board through the side door and sit in the second row. Featuring side entry, wheelchair-specific seatbelts, and adjustable seats, this vehicle is the only special transportation means in the country that allows seating alongside companions.
Features for users with visual or hearing impairments have also been introduced. Displays installed both at the front and back of the vehicle offer high-contrast screen transitions for easy recognition by low-vision users, while communication with the driver via messages on the display is available for the hearing impaired.
This service is based on the Shucle platform operated by Hyundai. Shucle enables users to call a vehicle via an app and optimizes routing, accommodating additional calls during transit through real-time route restructuring to facilitate ride-sharing.
The Shucle app used in this pilot incorporates an electronic voucher function, streamlining administrative processes for operators and allowing users to directly summon vehicles via the app, a feature implemented domestically for the first time.
The service is available to nationals with proof of severe disability, allowing for up to two free trips per day, with initial user verification required through the Shucle app. Up to two companions can accompany the user.
Hyundai has been piloting and operating the Shucle platform since 2020, with a cumulative ridership of over 9 million across 22 municipalities and 50 service regions, using 295 vehicles to date.
