Naver Corp, South Korea’s leading portal, has unveiled a new “3-D” navigation feature for its Naver Map app. This enhanced service aims to provide a more immersive, three-dimensional exploration experience by displaying detailed building and business information in a 3D format, even within the street view feature.
Officially launched on December 16, the “Street View 3D” service significantly expands Naver’s spatial intelligence capabilities. Initially rolled out in key commercial districts across Seoul, the update is designed to offer users an enriched navigation experience by seamlessly blending detailed, real-world visuals with location data.
Starting Monday, Naver’s “Street View 3D” feature will be available in key districts of Seoul, such as Gangnam, Yongsan, Mapo, Songpa, Yeongdeungpo, Jongno, Jung, as well as select areas in Gyeonggi Province. The company intends to gradually extend the service to additional regions. To capture precise spatial data, Naver employed its proprietary P1 panoramic mapping system, which combines advanced sensors and LiDAR technology.
This service offers a more immersive, three-dimensional view compared to the traditional 2D street view, enhancing users’ ability to explore locations in greater depth.
The feature provides additional information, such as building directories and business details, as users navigate through different areas. For instance, users can view menus, business hours, and special offers from businesses along their route, even before reaching the location. This information, which was previously available on Naver Map’s desktop version, will now be accessible through the mobile app. A new auto-play mode allows users to simulate real-time movement along walking routes, offering a more interactive experience.
In a preview at its annual developer conference, Naver hinted that future updates could allow users to explore the interiors of large buildings, similar to Google’s Street View inside airports and landmarks. This could include detailed navigation within shopping malls or convention centers. The company also showcased the ability to check business menus and promotional coupons directly within the Street View interface.
Street View 3D also incorporates more specific features like highlighted entrances and parking locations. The service provides clearer guidance at intersections, helping users make informed decisions based on road signs and nearby landmarks. These improvements aim to offer a smoother and more informative navigation experience, making Naver Maps an increasingly valuable tool for both users and businesses.
In addition to the enhanced visual experience, Naver plans to expand Street View 3D’s functionality by adding features like real-time traffic congestion data and popular menu recommendations from restaurants. The platform also aims to integrate dynamic elements, such as interactive route playback, where users can simulate real-time movement along their paths.
This approach not only helps users navigate more effectively but also creates opportunities for local businesses to engage with potential customers by offering coupons and promoting their most popular dishes. Choi Seung-rak, head of Naver Map, emphasized the future potential of this service, noting that these innovations would significantly enhance the user experience and provide more valuable, real-time information to users.
