Find the hidden NAVER Cloud technologies in NAVER’s second office building, “1784!” — ARC (AI·ROBOT·CLOUD) edition
My name is Detective Brown, and I’m going to look for NAVER Cloud technologies that are hidden in NAVER’s second office building, 1784.
Today’s mission: Reply 1784 — Find the hidden NAVER Cloud technologies in NAVER’s second office building, 1784!
🔎 “ARC,” NAVER Cloud’s technologies applied in 1784
The technology we will introduce today is the ARC (AI·ROBOT·CLOUD) system in “1784.”
ARC consists of ARC eye, which is in charge of positioning and moving robots, and ARC brain, which is in charge of controlling robots and infrastructure, and they were all developed based on NAVER Cloud Platform.
ARC, which will become the “brain” of all the robots in 1784, is a cloud-based multi-robot intelligence. It is the backbone that connects robots, spaces, services, and users in real time, as well as a system that has commercialized “brainless robot” technology, which enables the cloud to be in charge of the computing power serving as the brain for the robots.
Numerous robots in 1784 can be efficiently controlled through the ARC system. Moreover, all robots benefit from smart technology that enables frequent data and algorithm updates.
🔎 Technology 1. ARC eye that acts as the robot’s eye
How does the ARC eye give vision to robots? Let’s take a look at the process in two steps. We’ll use an example of the car navigation system, which is familiar to us.
You need two types of information to get directions to your destination:
- Your current location
- What the road to the destination looks like
But if you think about it, not only humans but also robots need directions. Usually, most robots handle location recognition and map generation technology with an expensive LiDAR sensor. That accounts for a large portion of the service robot production cost.
* LiDAR: a device that receives light reflected from nearby targets through laser, measures distance, etc., and accurately draws the surroundings
NAVER LABS solves this in a slightly new way. Rather than attaching an expensive LiDAR sensor to every robot, they developed a “robot that creates maps for robots.” “If we let other robots use maps created by robots, wouldn’t it greatly reduce the robot production cost?”
That’s how the Mapping Robot M Series was created. If this M robot first creates a 3D high-precision map and uploads it to the cloud so that other robots can use it, then other connected robots can precisely estimate the location and move along the path indoors using only a low-cost sensor like a camera, instead of a LiDAR.
🔎 Technology 2. ARC brain — Brainless robots
Next up is ARC brain. For service robots that interact with humans, one small operation may directly affect human safety. For example, if it’s too strong, there is a risk of injury. If it’s too weak, it won’t be able to perform the task properly. Therefore, the robot continues to calculate the appropriate strength of force or behavior during the execution of tasks. For instantaneous and fast calculations, the computing device of the robot hardware requires increasingly higher performance. This also means that batteries need to be bigger as well.
What would happen if we perform these operations on the cloud and connect over a network? The burden of high performance on robots will be reduced, and small batteries will be enough. In addition, when multiple robots are providing services, it will enable stable service with the adjustment of distance, speed, and collaboration method between robots. It can handle complex calculations instead of robots, monitor every situation, identify their positions, and control the movement, speed, and location of multiple robots so they can be more efficient. This allows robots to be lighter and smaller.
Robots need to connect with various and unfamiliar clients such as elevators and gates to move in real space. When a robot encounters such a physical facility, if the cloud takes care of the linkage with the client, then the robot will have one less task to perform. As the cloud spreads, you’ll find less need to be concerned about system development and operation. Instead, you can able to focus more on your business or service itself.
By the way, I heard there are lots of robots in 1784. Is there a connection between robots and ARC?
Since 1784 was built as a robot-friendly building, there are infrastructures specialized for robots located throughout the 1784 building. Most notably, ARC (AI·ROBOT·CLOUD) is linked to the building’s infrastructure, ROBOPORT is the world’s first robot-only elevator, and e-Um 5G maximizes the performance of ARC and robots by minimizing the communication delay time between the cloud and robots.
Why 5G is used for robots ❓
While explaining ARC brain earlier, the communication network between the cloud and robots were briefly mentioned. Why is 5G used for robots? 5G is used to connect to the cloud. It’s not just about connecting, but it’s about maximizing the full potential of 5G, cloud, and robots.
In the actual environment, the requirements are much more diverse. To change the network environment according to the purpose by testing various methods and finding effective settings, it is effective to build a dedicated network rather than a general communication network. The synergy between robots and 5G is enormous, and we expect that the 5G communication technology could effectively converge in areas such as digital twin and metaverse.
ROBOPORT, robot-only elevator linked with ARC 🤖
ROBOPORT, the world’s first robot-only elevator, is an infrastructure that currently only exists in 1784. Smooth vertical movement is an important task for robot services in cities where high-rises are densely populated. For this task, NAVER wanted to introduce innovations in the infrastructure itself.
In addition to the robot autonomous driving algorithm, it utilizes an algorithm used for humans. In other words, NAVER aimed to implement the building infrastructure of the future, where robots services will be popularized, in 1784 for the first time. ROBOPORT has a circular structure operated from the second basement floor to the roof. It has maximized the vertical movement speed and efficiency of robots, and it is also linked with ARC.
The future that NAVER Cloud will create with 1784 and users — ARC
NAVER Cloud provides NAVER’s technology and know-how through cloud services. Numerous technologies and services are being provided through NAVER Cloud Platform. The new challenges that we attempted through NAVER’s new 1784 office building are being prepared, one by one, for more widespread service.
In addition, NAVER Cloud is preparing to take one step closer to the users. We are preparing to provide the ARC eye service that can create digital maps of indoor and outdoor spaces and provide positioning information to devices such as robots through NAVER Cloud Platform. The ARC eye technology and service is already being applied to the XR Metaverse Incheon e-Um, which NAVER LABS is working on with Incheon Metropolitan City, and the collaboration with National Museum of Korea is also in progress.
Technology has more meaningful impact when connected and combined than when it exists alone. In 1784, space, technology, people, and robots will be closely connected and converged, creating an original paradigm that will change daily lives and offer new answers to challenges.
Until the day when NAVER Cloud’s technology spreads to all users, Reply 1784 🔎
