자율 배송 로봇의 상용화 대비와 공도 주행 실현을 위한 소고(小考) - 일본의 실증 실험에 관한 도로 사용 허가기준을 중심으로 -

Along with the development of AI technology or such, technologies in diverse areas including autonomous vehicles are developing and growing rapidly. In fact, we are very much expecting it for various benefits to come along like convenience. Particularly, it can be said that autonomous delivery robots have more noticeable advantages as we have been facing the current situation involving COVID-19. To actualize it, however, there are still challenging tasks for us to deal with in terms of the law. About autonomous delivery robots, especially, outdoor use is more important in the aspects of practical value or usability. Accordingly, the law that we will have to examine first is the Road Traffic Act. As there are some parts not yet permitted under the current Road Traffic Act, it is necessary to revise the law in order to realize autonomous delivery robots. To use autonomous driving robots expected to have great usability in society actually, Japan has established standards for road use permission regarding verification experiments. This is to realize the demonstration of autonomous driving robots on public roads by building up a framework for demonstration and establishing related law or such by setting up handling criteria according to applications for permission to use. However, because the substance or limitations are not clear yet, there are difficulties in legislation. Therefore, this study will investigate it decisively in order to establish a roadmap for real use and examine necessary measures, laws and regulations, and safety issues to heighten social acceptance. Also, in terms of regulatory innovation, this study will contribute to devising legal measures realistically, too, by checking whether a particular regulation is really necessary and figuring out essential factors. Since the need to prepare legislation related to autonomous driving technology or autonomous delivery robots is not what Japan has only, this can be references and implications for the improvement of legislation in Korea, too, which is very similar to Japan environmentally. Basically, the Road Traffic Act that needs to be improve and revised regarding the introduction of new technologies mainly deals with safety and security in road traffic. Therefore, the scope or contents that safety and security have influence over may vary according to technological development, but the essence does not change. Considering that, it will be needed to commercialize and realize autonomous delivery robots safely and favorably grounded on legal review and discussion from diverse perspectives.