"Golf Course Hole Cup Locations Changing Frequently, Real-Time Check with 5G IoT"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seol Gina Jo] The frequently changing golf course hole cup locations can now be checked in real time based on 5G Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

SK Telecom announced on the 21st that, through collaboration with ICT golf device manufacturer VC, it will introduce a precise location information service targeting over 40 golf courses nationwide. VC, the manufacturer of the KLPGA official rangefinder brand ‘Voice Caddie,’ is the leading domestic ICT golf device company with various products including golf watches and laser-type and voice-type rangefinders.

SK Telecom and VC signed a business agreement in October last year and have been working on developing a precise golf course location information service using 5G networks and LTE Cat.M1. As a result, VC has achieved the world’s first application of APL (Auto Pin Location) technology that tracks pin locations in real time on the newly released golf watch ‘Voice Caddie T7’ and laser rangefinder ‘Voice Caddie SL2.’

The service allows users to check the exact location of the current hole cup within a few centimeters in real time during a golf game by using the devices. When the ‘Voice Caddie T7’ and ‘Voice Caddie SL2’ products are linked with the smartphone ‘My Voice Caddie’ application, the rangefinder automatically detects the pin location where the hole cup is placed and provides accurate distance guidance. This is based on SK Telecom’s RTK technology, which offers precise location information within a few centimeters through GPS and IoT networks.

With the launch of this precise golf course location information service, users are expected to enjoy golf more precisely and meticulously by checking accurate course information in real time.

SK Telecom and VC have already applied the APL service to over 40 golf courses nationwide and plan to continuously expand the target golf courses. Additionally, the two companies will jointly develop golf services using 5G and AI for even more detailed location measurement and continue collaboration to apply ultra-precise positioning to various industries such as agriculture and logistics.

Kim Juno, CEO of VC, stated, “We will continuously cooperate with SK Telecom to advance golf services based on ultra-precise positioning and strive to introduce services applicable to various industries based on the capabilities of both companies.”

Shin Yongsik, head of SK Telecom’s Massive IoT Business Division, said, “SK Telecom will lead innovation with partners in various fields through hyper-connected and ultra-precise IoT services in the 5G era.”