1 of 2 | Service robots operate inside Naver’s headquarters in Seongnam, South Korea. Photo by Asia Today
April 16 (Asia Today) — South Korean tech company Naver is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities with robots operating throughout its headquarters, as the firm ramps up investment in next-generation technologies.
At the company’s second headquarters in Seongnam, south of Seoul, robots are deployed across the building, which spans from a basement level to 28 above-ground floors. The facility has been described by the company as functioning like a “living laboratory” for AI and robotics.
About 100 service robots, known internally as “Rookie,” assist employees by delivering food, beverages and packages, as well as transporting documents. Workers can summon the robots through a mobile application and verify their identity upon arrival.
The robots are designed to move autonomously throughout the entire building. They can pass through security gates, use elevators and navigate between floors without human assistance, a capability that sets them apart from robots typically confined to a single floor or designated area.
“The ability for robots to use elevators and travel across the entire building is a distinctive feature,” a company official said, adding that the machines are positioned for easy access and operate based on time-specific tasks.
The robotics technology is being developed by Naver Labs, a research subsidiary focused on advancing automation systems. Inside the facility, various robots – including wheeled service units and bipedal machines – are being tested as part of efforts to build a broader robotics ecosystem.
A key component of the system is “ARC Brain,” a cloud-based platform that allows centralized control and coordination of multiple robots. The system is designed to improve efficiency by enabling simultaneous management of a fleet of machines.
“Improving productivity by having robots perform tasks traditionally done by humans is essential,” the official said. “That requires an integrated system capable of managing multiple robots at once.”
Beyond robotics, the company is also strengthening AI features in its core search business. It plans to introduce an “AI tab” following the rollout of its AI briefing service last year.
Naver reported record results in 2025, with revenue reaching 12.35 trillion won ($8.2 billion) and operating profit of 2.21 trillion won ($1.47 billion). Market forecasts suggest the company will post another record this year, with revenue projected at 13.41 trillion won ($8.9 billion) and operating profit at 2.45 trillion won ($1.63 billion).
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260416010005223