Kakao Mobility and HL Mando Join Forces to Commercialize Autonomous Parking Robots

Kakao Mobility is partnering with HL Mando to advance the technology of autonomous parking robots and develop commercial services. Through this collaboration, they plan to build smart parking lots integrated with parking robots and accelerate the commercialization of robot-based mobility services.

On the 16th, Kakao Mobility and HL Mando announced that they have signed a "Business Agreement for the Commercialization of Autonomous Parking Robot Services" reflecting these plans.

Kakao Mobility and HL Mando signed a "Business Agreement for Commercializing Autonomous Parking Robot Service" on the 13th at Next M in Pangyo.
[Photo by Kakao Mobility]

According to the agreement, both companies will develop smart parking lot services incorporating robot valet parking based on HL Mando's autonomous parking robot "Paki" and explore new markets. HL Mando will be responsible for developing the commercial autonomous driving solution for "Paki," while Kakao Mobility and its parking lot operation and solution subsidiary KM Parking & Space will handle building digital twins necessary for autonomous driving implementation within parking lots, developing and operating smart parking lot services integrated with autonomous parking robots, and developing services linked to the Kakao T platform.

HL Mando’s autonomous parking robot "Paki," unveiled in December last year, features technology that allows it to enter under a vehicle, slightly lift the car body, transport the vehicle, and park it precisely at a designated spot without error.

The two companies will conduct various new service developments and demonstrations based on Kakao Mobility’s digital twin construction capabilities. Utilizing digital twin technology enables pre-testing in locations that are difficult to visit directly, such as existing buildings where robot-friendly infrastructure is hard to establish or buildings overseas.

This collaboration aims to develop various innovative services combining parking robots with mobility services. For example, when a designated driver is called, the parking robot can find the vehicle in the parking lot and bring the driver, customer, and vehicle together at once. Additionally, services such as automatically moving an electric vehicle to a regular parking spot after charging is complete will also become feasible.

Ryu Geung-seon, CEO of Kakao Mobility, said, "Parking lots are important infrastructure gaining attention as hubs for the future mobility industry. Based on mobility infrastructure and digital twin technology, we will strengthen cooperation with various technology companies and support the commercialization of future mobility technologies and the overseas expansion of domestic companies."