Shown in this image is a variety of navigation services. (image: Ministry of the Interior and Safety)
SEOUL, May 21 (Korea Bizwire) — Navigation systems are evolving beyond the functionality of providing directions to drivers towards car-related life platforms.
Kakao Mobility Corp., the operator of the nation’s No. 2 navigation service Kakaonavi, recently signed a development cooperation deal with the state-run utility Korea Electric Power Corp. to introduce an all-in-one function that enables Kakaonavi to recommend optimal electric vehicle charging stations as well as to complete payments through its app.
Kakao Mobility also launched a ‘My Car Management’ function last month by rolling out a string of new services, including ‘visiting wash and repair service’ and ‘my car selling service.’
To complement the function of offering directions in tunnels, where vehicles tend to lose their link to GPS satellites, Kakao Mobility started applying the latest technology of providing vehicle location information using LTE and 5G telecommunication networks.
The nation’s top navigation operator T Map Mobility Co. also released a new service to make it easier for users to settle unpaid highway toll fees last month.
With the new service, users can make payments for unpaid highway toll fees simply by using the app’s pre-registered car and card information.
Despite the fact that to date, no company has succeeded in developing a profitable navigation service, a variety of companies are expanding investment and fiercely competing to get the upper hand in this area since navigation is one of the core technologies in self-driving vehicles.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
