Haesung Optics Acquires 10% Stake in GeoSoft... Expanding into Mobility and Metaverse Businesses

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Jeong-su] Optical company Haesung Optics is acquiring a 10% stake in GeoSoft Co., Ltd., a company specializing in Geographic Information System (GIS) and Location-Based Services (LBS) solutions. This move aims to actively enter the mobility and metaverse businesses, which will become key demand sectors for optical devices such as cameras.

On the 20th, Haesung Optics announced that it will acquire a 10% stake in GeoSoft, which owns proprietary GIS and LBS solutions. According to Haesung Optics, GeoSoft holds domestic map data and road network data and possesses core technology for LBS platforms. Using this technology, GeoSoft has been providing services in Japan for over 20 years. Currently, they are building and developing a 'digital twin platform' service that extracts spatial information identical to the real world based on map data and 3D spatial information.

Through this equity acquisition, Haesung Optics plans to accelerate projects related to electric ship control and charging platform construction. Recently, they established a new GIS/LBS business division and are developing a vehicle control system based on MaaS (Mobility as a Service). By integrating their accumulated camera module technology with GIS/LBS-based technology, they aim to implement an integrated mobility control service covering land, sea, air, and rail.

Additionally, by utilizing 3D LiDAR technology, they are developing an indoor positioning system (IPS) that automatically generates indoor space maps and measures location information indoors where GPS reception is impossible. They are promoting the development of services based on an integrated digital map that combines indoor and outdoor spaces. In the future, they plan to enter the metaverse market by combining digital twin and XR technologies based on this foundation.

The funds for the equity acquisition were raised through a third-party allotment paid-in capital increase. Haesung Optics recently completed fundraising of 27 billion KRW on the 15th by promoting a third-party allotment paid-in capital increase to strengthen new and existing business capabilities. Of this amount, 13 billion KRW was allocated for acquiring securities of other companies.

A Haesung Optics official stated, "Through the acquisition of GeoSoft shares, we will accelerate the eco-friendly electric ship platform business agreement signed last October with Humax Mobility and Electrin," adding, "This acquisition is an important turning point for expanding our GIS and LBS business areas and will also serve to further solidify our position." The official also said, "We will do our best to prepare future revenue sources by actively entering the mobility and metaverse industries, which will become the main demand sectors for future cameras."