NAVER D2SF fuels autonomous future with investment in Whereable.ai

NAVER D2SF, the corporate venture capital arm of NAVER, has made a strategic investment in Whereable.ai, a fast-growing startup specializing in AI-powered autonomous driving solutions. This move aligns with NAVER’s broader vision of expanding its presence in the mobility and artificial intelligence sectors, further solidifying its position in the evolving self-driving market.

As global players such as Tesla and Waymo continue to lead in autonomous vehicle technology, Whereable.ai is advancing a unique approach by focusing on plug-and-play autonomous driving solutions that require minimal infrastructure. This innovation enables immediate deployment across various environments, making it particularly suited for low-speed vehicle automation in controlled spaces like airports, shopping malls, resorts, and industrial complexes.

Whereable.ai was founded by the original co-creators of ThorDrive, one of South Korea‘s earliest autonomous vehicle startups. With deep expertise in self-driving technology commercialization, the company secured a landmark project with Incheon International Airport within just four months of its establishment, demonstrating its ability to translate innovation into real-world applications.

How Does Whereable.ai’s AI-Powered Self-Driving Technology Work?

Whereable.ai has developed an advanced self-supervised learning system that enables autonomous vehicles to continuously adapt to their surroundings in real-time. Unlike traditional AI-powered autonomous driving solutions that rely on extensive high-definition maps and centralized cloud computing, Whereable.ai’s approach leverages on-device AI processing, allowing vehicles to operate independently while dynamically adjusting to environmental changes.

This plug-and-play autonomous driving solution is designed for seamless integration into various mobility systems without requiring pre-existing road infrastructure. By processing data directly within the vehicle, Whereable.ai eliminates the latency and connectivity challenges associated with cloud-based solutions, ensuring faster decision-making and greater adaptability in unpredictable driving conditions.

Whereable.ai’s innovative system is particularly suited for low-speed vehicle automation, making it ideal for environments such as airports, shopping malls, campuses, resorts, and industrial hubs. This flexibility positions the company as a disruptive force in the self-driving technology sector, providing practical applications for businesses seeking efficient and cost-effective mobility solutions.

Where Is Whereable.ai’s Technology Being Deployed?

Currently, 10 autonomous indoor transport vehicles powered by Whereable.ai’s AI are undergoing test runs at Incheon International Airport, a major milestone for the company’s commercialization efforts. These self-driving vehicles are designed to facilitate seamless mobility within the Terminal 2 departure hall, providing efficient low-speed vehicle automation for both passengers and airport operations.

With full deployment set for the first half of 2025, Whereable.ai aims to expand its applications beyond airports, targeting large-scale indoor and outdoor venues such as shopping malls, logistics centers, university campuses, and smart industrial complexes. The startup is already in discussions with international partners to scale its technology into global mobility markets, positioning itself as a key player in the next phase of autonomous driving innovation.

NAVER D2SF’s investment in Whereable.ai underscores its commitment to fostering AI-powered autonomous driving solutions, particularly in segments where self-driving technology can be integrated into existing infrastructures without extensive modifications.

How Does NAVER D2SF Support AI-Driven Mobility Innovation?

As the corporate venture capital arm of NAVER, NAVER D2SF has been actively investing in cutting-edge startups that align with its AI and mobility vision. Through its R&D subsidiary NAVER LABS, the company has been developing advanced technologies in robotics, digital twin simulations, and AI-driven mobility.

NAVER is already operating around 100 autonomous delivery robots under the “Rookie” project at its Tech Convergence Building, 1784, an innovation hub integrating AI and smart mobility technologies. The investment in Whereable.ai further strengthens NAVER’s position in low-speed vehicle automation, reinforcing its ambition to build a next-generation autonomous ecosystem.

NAVER D2SF’s head, Yang Sanghwan, highlighted Whereable.ai’s potential, noting that its technical expertise and industry experience make it well-positioned to take a leading role in the rapidly growing indoor and low-speed vehicle automation market.

NAVER D2SF Expands AI Investments Beyond Autonomous Mobility

In addition to self-driving technology, NAVER D2SF has recently expanded its AI investment portfolio with a strategic stake in STUDIO LAB, a startup specializing in AI-powered e-commerce content creation. STUDIO LAB has developed an innovative multimodal AI system, “GENCY”, designed to automate the generation of product detail pages (PDPs) for online retailers.

By leveraging AI-powered automation, STUDIO LAB’s technology allows businesses to generate PDPs within seconds, significantly reducing the time and resources required to create compelling product descriptions. This investment aligns with NAVER’s strategy to advance artificial intelligence across multiple industries, particularly in the rapidly growing digital commerce sector.

As global e-commerce platforms continue to seek AI-driven content solutions, STUDIO LAB’s innovations are expected to revolutionize online shopping experiences, optimizing product listings for better engagement and conversions.

How Is NAVER Positioning Itself in AI and Self-Driving Technology?

NAVER’s ongoing investments in AI-powered autonomous driving solutions and AI-driven digital commerce reflect its strategic vision to become a leader in artificial intelligence and mobility innovation. By supporting startups like Whereable.ai and STUDIO LAB, NAVER is not only advancing self-driving technology but also reshaping the future of AI integration in multiple industries.

As the global race for autonomous driving accelerates, NAVER’s investment strategy positions it at the forefront of this technological transformation. With Whereable.ai’s plug-and-play autonomous driving solution gaining traction and STUDIO LAB’s AI-powered automation redefining e-commerce, NAVER’s influence in AI-driven innovation is set to grow exponentially in the coming years.