Tag Archives: Naver Labs

Naver 1784 demonstrates how robots can change the workplace landscape

Posted on by

The idea of robots replacing human workers is both the stuff of science fiction and, in some industries, an unavoidable reality. Fiction and media love to create drama and tension when it comes to advancements in robotics and AI that seem to be trained to mimic even the most artistic aspects of human creativity. Reality, however, is far less dramatic, and robots have a long way to go in putting office workers out of employment. Instead, robotics can actually help improve the quality of life of people in workplaces, and Naver’s new 1784 “technology convergence” building tries to serve as the blueprint for this harmonious kind of human and robot interaction.

Designer: Naver x SAMOO Architects & Engineers

Robot Helpers, not Usurpers

From the outside, Naver’s 1784 HQ looks like any other high-rise building. Located at 178-4 Jeongja-dong, where it partially gets its name, the online platform giant’s second and so far biggest HQ stands over a 165,000 sq. m. area and over 28 floors with eight underground floors. As they say, looks can be deceiving, and the 1784 is touted as the world’s first robot-friendly building while also being very human-friendly.

default

The building houses the company’s latest and greatest R&D on robotics, AI, and the cloud, while also serving as sort of the testbed and showcase of these very technologies. Alongside thousands of humans, the 1784 also has around 100 robots under its employ, primarily designed to deliver packages to people inside the building, at least for now. While that purpose may sound trivial, the technology and infrastructure built to support this function are quite novel and still unique.

For example, the building houses what is perhaps the world’s first elevator built especially for robots, which means that the building’s architecture was designed with this in mind. And unlike the technology-loaded pizza or package delivery robots featured in the news, Naver’s little helpers are “brainless,” with a central control system named ARC (short for AI, Robot, Cloud) that is able to pinpoint the exact location of each robot and the path it needs to take inside the building.

Rather than the cold overlords that our imaginations think them to be, these robots are designed and programmed to make life more convenient for humans inside the workplace. There are even character robots inspired by LINE’s mascots that try to study how the presence of more familiar places can help boost morale or offer emotional support for humans that may be a little stressed over work.

New Normal

The Naver 1784 building isn’t just a convergence of technology due to being robot-friendly, though that’s definitely the highlight of its existence. Almost everywhere you go, you’ll find new and old technologies at work to improve the lives of people working inside, especially in a world forever changed by the recent pandemic. The Rookie delivery robots, for example, tries to reduce the risk of contamination by minimizing human contact when handing over packages.

The building is also equipped with CLOVA FaceSign technology that can recognize faces even while wearing masks. This simplifies authentication without having to require employees to touch surfaces with IDs or tags. Meeting rooms also have built-in AI and voice recognition, so you no longer have to worry about separate recording devices that you may forget to turn on at the start of a meeting.

Although construction started back in 2016, Naver and SAMOO had the foresight to design an advanced HVAC system that would have a critical impact in a post-pandemic world. As with any closed space with a single air handling unit, the chances of circulating contaminated air go higher. The 1784 has an independent outdoor air handling unit on each floor to minimize that risk, promising a disease control system almost on the same level as hospitals.

Going Green

Naver’s newest building isn’t just forward-looking because of the advanced technologies operating inside but also because of its attention to sustainability. With a hi-tech office that uses plenty of robots and computers to run the place, you’d presume that it consumes more power and has a higher carbon emission. Normally that would be the case, but the 1784 also employs several technologies to reduce its negative impact on the environment that goes beyond using solar panels and recycling rainwater water.

The building has a double skin wall, where a layer of glass windows is added to the outer wall. This creates a path for wind to flow and more effectively dissipate heat from sunlight. It is also the first high-rise building in the country to use radiant cooling, letting cold water flow through pipes inside floors and ceilings. All in all, these designs help cool the building without using more electricity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of work forever, making virtual meetings a staple in any business, big or small. At the same time, new sanitation practices are being implemented to avoid repeating the same mistakes of the pre-pandemic era. The Naver 1784 building takes these lessons to heart and uses a variety of technologies to create a conducive and healthy working environment. With robots, AI, and eco-friendly strategies, the building tries to show the way toward the human-centric, robot-friendly office of the future.

The post Naver 1784 demonstrates how robots can change the workplace landscape first appeared on Yanko Design.

This sleek Star Wars inspired droid serves beverages with a two-axis gimbal to keep them from spilling!

Posted on by




This friendly robot designed by VLND Studio has a strong Star Wars vibe to it, the R2-D2 astromech droid influence in particular. While the acclaimed Star Wars robot served Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, and Luke Skywalker with reverence – the ARC BOT is the ideal mascot of human-robot relationships. The futuristic-looking bot is reminiscent of the delivery robots who serve their masters with the same devotion. ARC BOT is designed for internet portal NAVER LABS who already uses the robot in its headquarters building and now has plans to deploy the multi-robot intelligence system in its second head office building in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province.

The building adjacent to the Green Factory in Jeongja-dong in Seongnam is going to be the first robot-friendly building powered by the artificial robot cloud (ARC) system. It’s going to be a robotic army of ARC BOT AI robots connected to the cloud for efficient service. For now, the minimalistic robot can serve 4 drinks at a time, driving autonomously aided by the ToF sensors and array of cameras. To counter the shakes while moving, there are 4 built-in gimbals each having a two-axis gimbal structure to keep the beverages from spilling. The hinge of the robot opens up elegantly to keep the beverages snug in place for the eagerly waiting personnel.

To give the robot an interactive element, there is an array of 11 dots to express the emotions and make possible human-robot interaction. Those twinkling eyes remind of the cuteness of the WALL-E robot too, cutely working on cleaning the decimated planet earth.  While its curved design aesthetics and futuristic shape make me draw a parallel with WALL-E’s crush EVE. Perhaps it’s the offspring of the two – who’s stopping me from imagining!

Designer: VLND Studio for NAVER LABS

 

 

Finally, a 21st century power-assist upgrade for a modern-day electric cart!

Posted on by

Of all the devices that human beings have invented to increase productivity, the humble but formidable handcart has hardly ever gotten an upgrade which keeps pace with the rest. We have had power drills and electric vehicles for years now, and ample new-age tools with plenty of variations to suit almost every need. However, the hand cart has hardly progressed in terms of functionality, safety, and ease of use. There have been a few electrical versions of the cart, but none comes close to the user-centric thoughtful design of this innovation that is the AIRCART. Designed by Kim Seungwoo and Im Minkyo at Naver Labs, the R&D arm of South Korean firm Naver Corporation, AIRCART is a modern take on a traditional transportation vehicle with a considerate infusion of design and technology that has made it the recipient of the prestigious iF Design Award.

Incorporating components of physical Human-Robot Interaction (pHRI) systems, the electronic motor assists the user in moving the cart by delivering power to the wheels as soon as the user pushes or pulls on the handle. The motor automatically increases its power giving the impression that the cart is gliding, even while carrying heavy loads. The handle comes with a force sensor that detects the user’s intent of pulling or pushing the cart and controls the movement accordingly by providing power in the right direction. Thus making the design very intuitive for human interaction with no added training to learn how to use the vehicle. What’s more, the cart also comes with an automatic braking system! The cart detects and automatically stops itself from moving freely when the user has left the handle. A great safety feature to have, especially while moving up or down a ramp or on any inclined surface. Oh, and it can carry up to 100 kilos easily! Now you can say goodbye to back pain whether you are moving luggage at an airport or doing your weekly groceries.

A common problem associated with any standard cart is that they block the view of the things lying ahead and this may lead to an accident. An estimated 530,494 children under the age of 15 were treated in the emergency department in the U.S. for shopping cart-related injuries between 1990 and 2011. AIRCART minimizes the front blindspot by designing a chamfered corner at the front. The users can thereby easily see if there’s sufficient space in front of the cart to prevent any potential collisions. OHS officers here’s looking at you! Another feature that proves the designer’s thoughtful mindset is the inward tilt of the loading shelves meant for books or other such objects so that they don’t fall out. That’s a handy feature to have while transporting lots of small items.

With an appealing aesthetic of coherent straight and diagonal lines and carefully defined curves, this cart is a feature-packed and an elegant device that is surely a leap forward into the future. And it’s not an industry-specific design! AIRCART can actually be used in factories, warehouses, and large bookstores and can surely cater to a much wider range of applications!

Designers: Kim Seungwoo and Im Minkyo of NAVER LABS

An autonomous robot that ensures the only thing you do in a bookstore is read

Posted on by

We’re all familiar with autonomous robots. The idea of little robot butlers finishing up all our household chores is simply so inviting. Well, you’ve thought of robots in your homes, but what about robot helpers at bookstores! Large bookstores can be often difficult to maneuver and manage for the employees and the customers. But Naver Labs’ AROUND B promises to handle all of it. AROUND B is a cute compact robot with wheels that will ensure the books are where they are supposed to be.

When a customer enters a bookstore and begins browsing, AROUND B will guide them and carry their chosen books to a seating area, where they can go through their books in peace without having to stand around and shuffle through them. When they’re done browsing and are sure they want to pick up a certain book, they can simply place the book into AROUND B’s storage unit, and the mini robot will carry the book to the cashier! On the other hand, the books that didn’t make the cut and are left behind, AROUND B picks them up and takes them to a common section, wherein the employees can easily gather the books and put them back in their respective section. Now, in my book-loving mind, these little bots are the perfect accessory to my book-laden arms, ensuring I can stay in my cushy spot and exit without worrying about returning the books and not confronting the world outside of my book’s universe!

Minimal, sleek and futuristic, AROUND B is one good looking robot. The various curves and lines on it create a unique aesthetic and to be honest, it almost looks friendly! I guess browsing through a bookstore has never been smoother.

Designer: Kim Seungwoo and Kyumin Ha of Naver Labs

A Very Smart Speaker

Posted on by

clova_wave_speaker_06

Even at first glance it is clear to see why The Wave is an award-winning (red dot 2018) design; the striking design and presence that it holds within the room make for a highly desirable product. This Voice-Controlled Smart Speaker houses a wide variety of features that offer various services, these are all achieved through Clova, an AI platform.

The rather unique cone shape that has been used ensures for optimized sound performance, this means that the user can experience the best that the 360 degree, omnidirectional sound has to offer! This simple yet visually interesting form also makes the Wave fit a wide range of interior decors and thanks to the 5000mAh battery, it can be used wirelessly for five hours, therefore not limiting it to just the one room.

Due to it featuring voice control the physical interface can be extremely minimal; just six touch sensitive buttons are present on the top of the device, creating a simple and fuss-free addition to the home.

Designers: Seungwoo Kim & Naver Labs for Line Japan

Click here to Buy Now (Japan only)

clova_wave_speaker_01

clova_wave_speaker_02

clova_wave_speaker_03

clova_wave_speaker_04

clova_wave_speaker_05