The outcome of NAVER LABS’ research on ambient intelligence has led to its winning of four CES 2019 Innovation Awards. Every year, a judging committee comprised of industry experts including engineers and designers selects exclusive products equipped with excellent technological prowess and competitive designs to present them with the CES Innovation Awards. This year, NAVER LABS participated in three product categories, and four of its products were honored with the prestigious award.
AHEAD and AWAY received awards in the in-vehicle audio/video category, while NAVER LABS R1 received an award in the vehicle intelligence and self-driving technology category, and the AMBIDEX was recognized in the robotics and drones category.
AHEAD, 3D AR HUD
AHEAD is a three-dimensional augmented reality head-up display (3D AR HUD) unveiled for the first time at DEVIEW 2018. Unlike conventional HUD technology, which creates an image at a single focal length, AHEAD provides driving information in the way that is more naturally integrated with the real road environment. It allows drivers to feel like the visual information really exists on the road, and more easily immerse in the various driving information provided, such as navigation instructions, front collision warnings, lane departure warnings, safety distance warnings, and so on.
AWAY, in-vehicle infotainment platform
AWAY is an infotainment platform for vehicles invented by NAVER LABS. It offers a range of media services optimized for the driving environment, including a UI designed for driver safety, various location-based information systems, an exclusive navigation program with a voice agent that can search destinations, Naver Music and Audio Clip, and so on. One of the defining features of the AWAY head-unit display showcased in the CES this year is the 24:9 split-view system which allows the user to simultaneously enjoy multiple functions such as media content and a navigation system without visual interferences.
NAVER LABS R1, mobile mapping system
NAVER LABS R1 is a mobile mapping system designed to create a hybrid high definition (HD) map for self-driving vehicles. The hybrid HD maps based on Naver’s proprietary mapping solution are HD maps created by organically integrating the information retrieved from preexisting precision aerial photographs, and the point cloud information collected by an R1 vehicle. Both the 2D and 3D data are processed with a unique algorithm that automatically extracts the features required to draw the HD maps. This reduces the production costs compared to conventional MMS devices while ensuring the same level of accuracy and recency.
AMBIDEX, robot arm with innovative cable-driven mechanisms
AMBIDEX is a robot arm that can safely interact with people through an innovative cable-driven power transfer mechanism. One single arm of the AMBIDEX barely weighs 2.6kg, which is lighter than a fully-grown male human arm. Despite its light weight, it can withstand 3kg of weight, and operate at a maximum speed of 5m/s. Its strength across the seven joints can be intensified simultaneously, and it can operate with precise control. Being able to develop its operative skills through deep learning, it can provide people with a range of services that directly help them.
Starting on 8 January next year, NAVER LABS will be participating in CES 2019, to be held in Las Vegas, USA, where the products that won CES 2019 Innovation Awards will be introduced along with various other achievements in the field of ambient intelligence, including artificial intelligence (AI), self-driving vehicles, robotics, and so on. NAVER LABS hopes to take this opportunity to create new possibilities in the location and mobility sector with partners playing in the global stage.