Kakao Mobility, together with its subsidiary KM Park and HL Robotics, has launched Korea’s first robotic valet service for general parking users. This service is now operational in the underground parking lot of the Chungbuk Content Enterprise Support Center in Cheongju, thanks to collaboration with the Chungcheongbuk-do provincial government and Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology Innovation.
The robotic valet service is currently available for employees of resident institutions in the building through prior registration, with plans to expand availability in the future. Kakao Mobility entered into a partnership with HL Robotics in May of last year to develop and demonstrate an autonomous parking robot service.
This initiative allows users to enter the parking area, park in a designated zone marked by yellow lines, and complete the process using a kiosk. HL Robotics’ parking robot, named “Parky,” then lifts and transports the car to the actual parking spot. For exit, users receive a link via KakaoTalk, request their cars through their smartphones, and “Parky” returns the vehicle to the designated pickup zone for easy exit.
Kakao Mobility noted that, while kiosks currently control the service, the system is designed for smartphone-based operation. Current laws classify parking robots as “mechanical parking facilities,” necessitating separate robot valet zones in parking lots. Future regulatory changes could allow broader adoption, optimizing the use of parking spaces.
Kakao Mobility emphasizes its commitment to enhancing mobility-related technologies and integrating them into practical services, leveraging its strengths as a comprehensive transportation service platform.