Naver is taking a significant step into the robotics market by unveiling the world’s first robot operating system based on a web platform. Its greatest strength is compatibility with web services, positioning Naver to become the “Android of Robotics” in the still-nascent robot OS market.
During the ‘LEAP 2024’ global information technology (IT) exhibition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from March 5 to 8, Naver showcased “ARC mind,” a robot-specific OS utilizing its proprietary web-based OS, WhaleOS. ARC mind is a robot-specialized system designed to connect the myriad applications (apps) available on the web platform to robot services, including dedicated web application interfaces (APIs) for robot control, cognition, and mobility. This enables developers worldwide to easily create a variety of robot services without the need for additional app development tailored to each robot manufacturer, significantly increasing the efficiency of software development.
Previously, in 2021, Naver was the third company globally and the first in South Korea to launch a hyper-scale artificial intelligence (AI) model called “Hyper CLOVA.” Following this, Naver quickly advanced its technology to upgrade the original model to “Hyper CLOVAX,” solidifying its leading position among Korean IT companies. This move is seen as Naver asserting the presence of a “Korean-style AI model” in a global hyper-scale AI market dominated by fierce competition from companies like Google and Microsoft.
The fact that Naver is focusing on OS development and expanding related services in a global OS market dominated by big U.S. tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Apple is seen as encouraging.
Since launching the Whale browser in 2017, Naver has accumulated expertise and know-how related to web platform technology. Whale has evolved beyond a mere web browser, continuously enhancing web platform technologies to become WhaleOS, a versatile system used in computers, kiosks, electronic blackboards, and in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) across various environments. Since 2021, Naver has also provided WhaleBook, an educational device utilized in schools nationwide, based on WhaleOS.
Taking a step further, Naver, through its subsidiary Naver Labs, has integrated the strength of the web into the field of robot software, culminating in the creation of its own OS. Given that there are no clear leaders in the global robot software sector yet, Naver sees an opportunity and intends to preempt the future robot market.