Naver’s outdoor autonomous driving robot “Nuri” undergoing test operation. Photo courtesy of Naver
Naver is pushing to export robot systems to the Middle East following Japan. The plan aims to seize an early lead in the Middle East’s smart city market with indoor delivery robots, outdoor autonomous driving robots, and an integrated platform binding them together.
According to the information technology (IT) industry on the 4th, Naver is reviewing the unveiling and launch of its outdoor autonomous delivery robot “NURI” at “Cityscape Global,” to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this November. Cityscape Global is the world’s largest real estate and urban development exhibition.
NURI is Naver’s first outdoor autonomous driving robot. Equipped with waterproof and dustproof designs and high-temperature environment capabilities, it was developed to perform delivery services on pedestrian roads. Its name is a pure Korean word meaning “world,” and in Arabic it means “my light.” This signifies that it was aimed at overseas markets including the Middle East from the development stage.
Naver is currently test-operating NURI locally in Saudi Arabia. It is in talks with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MOMRAH) and others on introducing delivery services to large-scale new towns and townhouse complexes. Most of Saudi Arabia’s mega residential complexes are built as townhouses, creating strong demand for outdoor deliveries within complexes as well as inside buildings.
Accordingly, Naver will launch “Rookie 2,” a next-generation indoor service robot, alongside NURI, which handles outdoor deliveries, within the year. Rookie 2 is an advanced model of the service robot “Rookie” that has operated at Naver’s second headquarters, “1784,” and is distinguished by enhanced versatility so it can be used in ordinary office buildings. The company plans to link indoor and outdoor delivery into a single platform to realize an integrated robot service connecting the inside and outside of buildings.
The industry sees a strong possibility that a formal contract for the Saudi project will be signed at this exhibition alongside NURI’s launch. A Naver official said, “Since we will officially unveil NURI and Rookie 2 within the year, our goal is to accelerate the business with Saudi Arabia as well.” At last year’s Cityscape Global, Naver board chairman Lee Hae-jin personally attended and discussed cooperation measures with the Saudi government and local officials. Attention is also focused on whether he will attend this year’s event.
If the contract is concluded, Naver will become the first domestic company to export a robot platform to the Middle East following Japan. This means technology verified at 1784 will spread to a Saudi new town after its first overseas commercial deployment in Japan. Naver’s global robotics business will also enter a full-fledged growth stage.