Data is Power... Naver's and Daum's Next Step is 3D Data

On the 15th, Naver's startup incubation organization D2SF held a press briefing to introduce startups. At this event, the CEOs of Goodgang Labs, Flask, N.Dot Light, and Recon Labs attended and presented their technological value and vision.

Naver is investing in multiple startups that possess three-dimensional (3D) content creation technology. The plan is to secure 3D technology that can be utilized across various fields such as shopping and content services.

Expanding Investment in Startups with 3D Technology

Naver's startup nurturing organization D2SF held a press briefing on the 15th to announce the technological value and vision of startups and showcase technology demos. At this event, Naver introduced ▲GoodGang Labs ▲N.Dot Light ▲Flask ▲Recon Labs. The 3D technologies these startups possess are gaining global attention.

Naver recently made a new investment in GoodGang Labs, which developed a 3D avatar-based communication platform. GoodGang Labs plans to launch an open beta service for 'KikiTown,' a real-time communication platform based on 3D avatars using artificial intelligence (AI), in the third quarter. The company developed 'Human to Avatar' technology that implements users' facial expressions and motions in real time as 3D avatars.

N.Dot Light received a follow-up investment from Naver last month. Since Naver D2SF's initial investment in 2021, N.Dot Light has maintained close collaboration with Naver, jointly developing Naver Smart Editor and a web-based 3D design studio. The company owns a 3D engine, attracting significant market interest.

Flask possesses an animation automation solution called Flask that automatically creates 3D character movements using AI motion capture technology. Anyone can easily create 3D motions that look like motion capture from images or videos filmed with a smartphone or downloaded from YouTube.

Recon Labs owns a technology called NeRF that concretizes 3D modeling through repetitive learning without separate equipment. They developed 3D content conversion technology that implements videos and images filmed with smartphones in augmented reality (AR). After securing seed investment in June 2021, they focused on commercializing the technology and launched the cloud-based 3D modeling service Plica in December.

Image of 'Kiki Town,' a 3D avatar-based communication platform under development by GoodGang Labs. (Photo by GoodGang Labs website)

Data is Power... Accumulating 3D Data

Naver is building a portfolio related to 3D technology because these technologies can be applied in various fields in the future.

Currently, some of Naver's services incorporate these technologies. Recon Labs established a dedicated AR experience center for furniture in Naver Shopping. They have created and provided 3D models to over 10,000 client companies. In the case of GoodGang Labs, they are also collaborating on avatar technology development with Naver Z, which operates the metaverse platform 'Zepeto.'

Various 3D technologies are expected to be integrated into Naver services going forward. In Zepeto, avatars that reflect users' appearances in real time can roam the metaverse world. It will also be possible to decorate blogs three-dimensionally by converting photos of everyday scenes into 3D.

Especially in the recent advanced development of large-scale AI, which Naver is focusing on, this expanded investment in startups is important. The most crucial aspect of advancing large-scale AI is data training. Naver has sufficiently secured text and image data through its search engine, blogs, and other services. However, 3D data is relatively lacking, so the plan is to build data through technological cooperation with startups.

Yang Sang-hwan, leader of Naver D2SF, said, "3D data is not easy to create. The act of creating it itself is close to power," adding, "Industries are not creating data; data is creating industries. In the next era, 3D data will play a leading role."