South Korea’s largest search engine operator activated augmented reality navigation inside one of Seoul’s busiest shopping complexes, offering directions through smartphone cameras where satellite signals fail to penetrate.
Naver introduced the feature Wednesday at COEX, a sprawling retail and convention center in the capital’s Gangnam district. The system relies on artificial intelligence and digital twin technology to determine location and orientation without GPS, according to local tech industry reports.
The company tested the service since August at its own headquarters buildings before the commercial debut. Naver said it plans to gradually expand the feature to other high-traffic venues, though it didn’t specify timelines or locations.
Indoor navigation has long challenged mapping providers because GPS accuracy deteriorates inside buildings. Various technologies from Wi-Fi triangulation to Bluetooth beacons have emerged as alternatives, each with limitations around cost, precision, or maintenance requirements.
Naver simultaneously launched “Flying View 3D,” which renders South Korean landmarks in three dimensions. The feature initially covers ten sites including historical areas and convention centers.
The AR navigation launch represents years of research by Naver Labs, the company’s technology division, which has published datasets and competed in indoor positioning challenges since at least 2018.
