Naver Labs

Naver Labs is the dedicated R&D arm of Naver Corporation, South Korea’s leading internet company. Established officially in 2017, it focuses on pioneering future technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous driving, 3D and HD mapping, augmented reality, and ambient intelligence. The company’s mission is to seamlessly connect people, machines, spaces, and information to create smarter environments and enhance everyday life.

Naver Labs operates globally with research centers in South Korea and Europe. In 2017, Naver acquired Xerox Research Centre Europe and rebranded it as Naver Labs Europe, which is now the largest industrial AI research center in France. Naver Labs Europe specializes in AI for robotics, computer vision, natural language processing, robot learning, and human-robot interaction. The company also created the world’s first robot-friendly high-rise office building, ‘1784’, in Seoul to test and develop human-robot collaboration technologies in real-world environments.

Naver Labs has developed products like the autonomous robot Around, the in-vehicle infotainment platform Away, and various autonomous vehicle projects. It invests heavily in R&D, accounting for about 20% of Naver’s annual sales, and is key to Naver’s strategy to innovate in ambient intelligence and mobility.

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• Ambidex: Ambidex performs fast, precise, and safe dual-arm manipulation tasks that require human-like dexterity. It learns complex tasks through haptic teaching, enabling it to execute activities such as food preparation, furniture assembly, and interactive games. The robot is designed to work alongside humans in domestic and industrial environments, providing assistance in daily chores and specialized tasks.

Specializes in AI-driven robotics, autonomous navigation, ambient intelligence, and human-robot interaction. Their research combines computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and robotic control to create intelligent robots that operate safely and efficiently in real-world environments.

• Backed by Naver Corporation, Korea’s largest internet platform with strong financial resources.
• Annual revenue approximately $18 million (2024) with around 210 employees.
• Global presence with major research centers in South Korea and Grenoble, France.
• Strong focus on cutting-edge AI and robotics research with industry-leading experts.
• Unique testbed facility ‘1784’ supports real-world robot deployment and innovation.
• Integration with Naver’s broader ecosystem including search, cloud, and mobility services.
• Active collaborations with academic and industrial partners worldwide.

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