Prototype based on the PV5 model will use artificial intelligence and aerial monitoring to reinforce patrols in Seoul from June
Kia has unveiled an adapted version of its PV5 electric van, developed specifically for high-tech police operations in South Korea. The prototype, the result of a strategic collaboration with the South Korean National Police Agency, integrates advanced artificial intelligence features and an automated drone hangar, aimed at modernizing preventive patrolling in dense urban areas.
The utility, which is part of the brand’s new PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) line, stands out for its compartment installed on the roof. The system allows the launch and retrieval of a reconnaissance drone fully autonomously. Equipped with thermal sensors and 90x optical zoom, the device expands the visual range of garrisons in pursuits or searches for missing people in hard-to-reach places. Upon returning to the vehicle, the equipment is automatically recharged via V2L (vehicle-to-load) technology, using the energy from the van’s own batteries.
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Internally, PV5 functions as a mobile intelligence center. A set of cameras with 360º coverage uses AI algorithms to process images in real time. The technology is capable of automatically identifying license plates, recognizing suspicious behavior, and detecting immediate threats, such as the presence of armed people or injured people in crowds. The system also assists in traffic management and monitoring of major public events.
Despite the structural modifications for the security service, the PV5 electrical assembly has not changed, maintaining the focus on energy efficiency and low operating costs. Kia expects to start operational tests in June 2026, with the integration of the model into the preventive patrol unit. Although the project is initially restricted to the Korean peninsula, the modularity of the platform allows the solution to be exported to global police forces seeking the digitalization of their fleets.
