The pilot project, developed with HL Robotics, marks a shift from concept to commercialization in Korea’s automation journey — demonstrating how robotics and data-driven platforms are transforming everyday mobility.
Kakao Mobility, South Korea’s leading mobility platform, has launched the nation’s first robot valet parking service, marking a significant step in the integration of automation into daily life. The pilot project is being conducted at the Chungbuk Content Enterprise Promotion Center in Cheongju, developed in partnership with North Chungcheong Province, the Chungbuk Innovation Institute of Science & Technology and HL Robotics.
The initiative has shown Kakao Mobility’s broader goal of transforming how people interact with mobility technologies. By combining artificial intelligence and autonomous robotics, the company aims to improve parking efficiency, user convenience, and overall urban mobility — paving the way for large-scale adoption of autonomous parking systems in South Korea.
Strategic Collaboration Behind the Project
The service is a result of Kakao Mobility’s strategic collaboration with HL Robotics, formalized in May to commercialize autonomous parking robot technology. The partnership leverages Kakao Mobility’s Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform expertise and HL Robotics’ engineering capabilities in robotic precision systems.
According to a company representative, Kakao Mobility’s deep experience in platform development was essential in translating advanced robotics into a real-world, user-friendly service.
“We’ll continue to refine our platform to ensure that the benefits of advanced mobility technologies reach everyday users,” said a Kakao Mobility spokesperson.
This initiative reflects Kakao Mobility’s ambition to move beyond ride-hailing and parking platforms toward a complete mobility ecosystem, integrating software intelligence with physical automation.
How the Robot Valet System Works
Kakao Mobility’s robot valet service is designed to be simple, efficient, and fully autonomous. The process begins when drivers leave their vehicles in a yellow-marked robot valet zone and register their license plates through a nearby kiosk.
Once registration is complete, HL Robotics’ “Parkie” robot takes over:
- It slides under the vehicle, gently lifts it, and autonomously transports it to an available parking space.
- When users are ready to leave, they request vehicle retrieval through a KakaoTalk link sent to their phone.
- Parkie then returns the car, positioning it facing the exit for easy departure.
- A real-time alert is sent through KakaoTalk once the vehicle is ready.
Currently, the service operates via kiosk-based verification, but Kakao Mobility plans to enable full smartphone-based control in future updates, further improving user convenience.
Early Trial Phase and Future Expansion
The system is currently being trialed for pre-registered employees at the Chungbuk Content Enterprise Promotion Center. This controlled rollout allows Kakao Mobility and HL Robotics to test the operational efficiency, safety, and reliability of the system before a wider release.
Following the trial phase, both companies plan to gradually expand access to the public. The project serves as a crucial proof of concept — demonstrating that autonomous valet technology can operate effectively in real-world urban environments.
Regulatory Challenges and Industry Implications
While the pilot is promising, regulatory barriers remain a challenge. Under current Korean laws, robotic parking systems are categorized as mechanical parking facilities, requiring specific safety zones and compliance measures.
Kakao Mobility confirmed that policy discussions are underway to modernize these regulations and create a framework better suited for robotic systems. Once implemented, such reforms could:
- Increase parking efficiency for operators
- Reduce congestion and parking stress for drivers
- Encourage wider use of automation in smart city infrastructure
This dialogue between industry and regulators highlights how policy innovation must evolve alongside technological progress.
Building on a Strong Mobility Foundation
Kakao Mobility’s move into robotic parking builds upon years of R&D in mobility infrastructure. The company has previously:
- Developed the world’s first indoor positioning system for parking navigation
- Introduced a universal parking controller that integrates various parking systems
- Expanded its data-driven parking solutions internationally, including through a recent MOU with Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah urban development project
HL Robotics’ Parkie: The Engine of Automation
The heart of this new service is HL Robotics’ Parkie, an autonomous robot capable of sliding under vehicles, lifting them safely, and transporting them with precision. Parkie has already gained international recognition, winning the Best of Innovation award in the Drones & Unmanned Systems category at CES last year.
Its success demonstrates the growing convergence between robotics, AI, and smart city systems — a field in which South Korea is quickly emerging as a leader. Together, Kakao Mobility and HL Robotics are positioning themselves at the forefront of a future where robotic automation redefines urban mobility.
From Parking Lots to Smart Cities
Kakao Mobility’s robot valet service may have begun as a small-scale pilot, but its implications reach far beyond parking lots. It represents a strategic blueprint for how South Korea is advancing toward AI-driven, autonomous urban infrastructure.
If scaled successfully, the project could redefine how cities manage space, traffic, and convenience — making robotics not just a technological achievement, but a practical mobility solution for everyday life.
