Naver launches CEO-led task force to advance AI, smart cities work

Naver has set up a new task force, R-TF, to advance its work in AI, digital twins, and smart cities.

The initiative, launched under CEO Choi Soo-yeon, aims to bring technologies developed by Naver Labs, the company’s research arm, into wider business use.

R-TF will focus on expanding Naver’s presence in global B2B and government markets, and will look at commercializing emerging technologies such as physical AI.

Naver Labs CEO Seok Sang-ok will lead the task force, while Chang Sung-wook, formerly of Kakao Mobility, has been appointed team leader.

Naver has previously implemented digital twin platforms in Saudi Arabian cities and is working with NTT Group on a smart building project in Tokyo.

The company is also collaborating with Saudi Arabia’s New Murabba smart city project in Riyadh.

🔗 Source: The Korea Times

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Naver R-TF lacks clear budget, targets, and contract status

R-TF is Naver’s new commercialization group (Revolution-Task Force) for AI, digital twins, and smart-city systems. Naver has not shared its budget or headcount. It has not said if Saudi or Japan MOUs became funded contracts. That keeps the 2025-2026 impact uncertain.
The company finished digital twin platforms for Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah that cover 6,800 square kilometers and 920,000 buildings 1. The $100 million award in October 2023 was its first large Middle East deal 2. Backlog, pipeline to Riyadh and Dammam, and revenue milestones remain undisclosed.

Vendors can target Saudi smart city bids as Naver ties open doors

New Murabba has a three-year MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Naver Cloud (the company’s cloud computing subsidiary) 2. Scope covers robotics and autonomous vehicles, plus smart city platforms and digital construction monitoring. The project plans phase one with the Mukaab by 2030 and full opening by 2040 3, across 14 square kilometers 2.
Digital twin work from Naver already plugs into Balady’s national mapping platform 2 (Balady is Saudi Arabia’s municipal services and mapping portal). This creates subcontract and direct deal options tied to Riyadh, Dammam, and New Murabba 2. Focus areas include sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) gear plus 3D modeling and cloud or edge compute. Expertise in terrain analysis, disaster simulation, or construction compliance can win work, which Naver’s platform already delivers in other Saudi cities 1.