Kakao Mobility has announced the expansion of its next-generation Intelligent Transportation System (C-ITS) service area to Ulsan and Gwangju. Following its initial implementation in four major metropolitan areas, the company aims to continuously broaden the area coverage and enhance the safety and comfort of Kakao Navi users.
The next-generation Intelligent Transportation System (Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems, abbreviated C-ITS) provides drivers with real-time traffic information such as vehicle and pedestrian signal remaining times, along with accident risk alerts. With C-ITS data integrated into the navigation, drivers can check the current traffic signal colors and remaining time in real-time. This proactive awareness of upcoming traffic signals can help prevent accidents and violations of traffic laws, as well as facilitate defensive driving.
Kakao Mobility has been actively working with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and various local governments to promote the utilization of C-ITS public data. After integrating C-ITS data for Seoul and Daegu through Kakao Navi in March, the service areas have been further expanded through close consultations with local governments to include Gwangju last month and now Ulsan this month. To enhance the foundation for real-time traffic signal information in the future, a partnership with the Korea Road Traffic Authority has also been established.
In consideration of diverse user navigation environments, Kakao Mobility has been the first in the industry to offer C-ITS services through vehicle infotainment platforms. Users can access the C-ITS services by activating the ‘Real-Time Traffic Signal Guidance’ feature under the More > Navigation Settings menu on the Kakao Navi app, which is available on Android, iOS, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.
User response to the service has been notably positive, with a recent increase showing that the proportion of Kakao Navi app users utilizing the C-ITS service has more than tripled compared to the period right after its launch (from August 15 to September 15).
Looking ahead, Kakao Mobility plans to enhance service quality through continuous driving tests while gradually expanding the service areas.
Ryu Geung-seon, CEO of Kakao Mobility, stated, “Since the service launch in March, the number of users has steadily increased, prompting us to expand the service areas and channels for customer satisfaction.” He added, “We are currently providing C-ITS services in the most diverse channels across the largest regions and will continue to strive to offer a differentiated service experience that assists Kakao Navi users in their smart mobility needs.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr