Meta is pushing forward a pedestrian navigation service based on AI glasses in partnership with Naver (NAVER).
Meta announced on the 29th that it plans to introduce a pedestrian navigation feature based on Naver Maps into its AI glasses, "Ray-Ban Meta" and "Oakley Meta," within the year in cooperation with Naver. Naver is the first domestic company to collaborate with Meta in the field of AI glasses.
This collaboration was launched to enhance user convenience by combining Meta's AI wearable technology with Naver's mapping service capabilities. The two companies are preparing the service by linking Naver Maps with Meta AI Glasses.
The core of this is connecting the real-time pedestrian navigation feature that Naver released in June to Meta AI Glasses. Real-time pedestrian navigation is a service that guides users verbally along their route, similar to an in-car navigation system, when they are traveling on foot. It will be supported first on Android and is scheduled to be applied sequentially to iOS as well.
Navigation via AI glasses is expected to be provided by connecting the glasses through the Naver Maps app. Users will be able to hear information necessary for reaching their destination, including basic direction guidance, entrances, facilities, and whether stairs or escalators are used, without repeatedly checking their smartphone screens.
Guidance audio is provided through open-ear speakers built into the AI glasses. If users have questions about route-related information while moving, such as the location of nearby cafes or hospitals, they can also invoke a Naver Maps-based voice agent via voice to hear answers. The two companies plan to continue strengthening their technical capabilities to improve navigation accuracy until the feature is released.
With this collaboration, the partnership between Meta and Naver will expand from the advertising field to the lifestyle services sector. Meta has collaborated with Naver in the advertising business area regarding Naver's AI-based advertising solution, "AdBoost."
The two companies are collaborating to provide advertisers with customized marketing and advertising efficiency by combining AdBoost's shopping solution, based on commerce and shopping data held by Naver, with Meta's AI-based targeting technology.
A Meta official said, "Through this collaboration, it is expected that users will be able to move safely and conveniently to their destinations while staying connected to the world, without the hassle of constantly checking their smartphone screens when finding their way." The official added, "We expect that through the meeting of Meta's advanced AI glasses and Naver Maps' technological prowess, users will be able to more deeply experience the everyday convenience provided by AI wearable devices."
in TECH
