Kakao has announced that it will launch a new service called Kakao Navi, an upgrade of a mobile navigation app that was previously known as Driver Kim. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb.24 (Korea Bizwire) – Kakao has announced that it will launch a new service called Kakaonavi, an upgrade of a mobile navigation app that was previously known as Driver Kim.
Unlike existing navigation apps, Kakaonavi allows users to share their current location, destination, and estimated time of arrival with friends through Kakao Talk.
Since the service is web-based, friends who receive the information can view it through their default web browser without having to download and install the Kakao Navi application.
In addition, by tagging locations saved beforehand, information on multiple locations can be shared at once.
The route guidance is blue, just like the color of street signs, making the maps more similar to the actual driving environment. Daum has also chosen a simple color palette in designing the application, as part of efforts to reduce eye strain.
Kakao’s ‘Kakao Friends’ characters are also featured in the application to add a bright and cheerful mood.
Detailed location images can be enlarged like popup windows, and destination information can be viewed before heading out.
In addition, guidance is provided in a choice of 18 different voices.
To provide more accurate information on traffic and estimated arrival times, Kakaonavi improved the processing of 1,400 crossroads.
An algorithm that expects speed to be more than two times slower than the average speed on straight routes has been adopted.
With the update, the ‘Driver Kim’ name has ceased to exist. Park Jong-hwan, the head of Locnall, the company that developed Driver Kim, will also be the head of the Kakaonavi team.
Park commented that Kakaonavi will be grafted with other services such as Kakao Taxi to provide a more convenient and enjoyable driving experience to users.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
