Naver Shocks Tech World with MIT Partnership: Humanoid Robot Tests Begin This Month at 1784 Building

Breaking: Naver's Revolutionary Humanoid Robot Project with MIT

Did you know that South Korea's tech giant Naver is about to make waves in the global robotics industry? The company has officially confirmed its collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to develop cutting-edge humanoid robots, with functional testing set to begin this month at their futuristic headquarters, the 1784 building. This groundbreaking partnership represents a significant milestone in Korea's quest to establish itself as a major player in the rapidly evolving humanoid robotics market. Seok Sang-ok, CEO of Naver Labs, revealed this exciting development during his keynote speech at the IEEE World Haptics Conference 2025 held in Suwon Convention Center on July 9th. Speaking on the theme 'New Connections: Spatial AI, Digital Twin, Cloud, Robotics,' he showcased Naver's remarkable achievements in robotics technology before announcing that the prototype would undergo comprehensive functionality tests at the 1784 facility this month. This announcement has sent ripples through the tech community, positioning Naver as Korea's leading contender in the global humanoid race.

The MIT Connection: A Partnership Built on Excellence

The collaboration between Naver Labs and MIT's Biomimetic Robotics Laboratory is far from coincidental – it's a strategic alliance built on years of mutual respect and shared innovation. The partnership traces its roots back to the legendary Professor Kim Sang-bae, who led MIT's biomimetic robotics research until early this year before joining Meta in April. Professor Kim is renowned worldwide for developing the world's first electric motor-powered quadruped robot, the 'Cheetah,' establishing him as a luminary in the robotics field. His connection with Naver dates back to 2018, when he collaborated with Naver Labs to develop the 'Mini Cheetah' quadruped robot and served as a technical advisor to the company. This long-standing relationship has provided the foundation for the current humanoid robot project, combining MIT's hardware expertise with Naver's advanced AI and cloud-based control systems. The collaboration represents a perfect marriage of academic excellence and commercial innovation, with MIT contributing cutting-edge hardware development while Naver provides the 'intelligence' through artificial intelligence technology and cloud-based control systems.

Global Recognition: Morgan Stanley's Humanoid 100 List

Naver's robotics prowess hasn't gone unnoticed by the global financial community. Earlier this year, Morgan Stanley included Naver in its prestigious 'Humanoid 100' list, making it the only Korean software company to receive this recognition. This acknowledgment came in an investment report focusing on Tesla's humanoid technology, where Morgan Stanley identified key players in the robotics ecosystem. The report categorized 66 global companies into 'Humanoid Enablers' and 'Beneficiaries,' with Naver uniquely positioned in the humanoid technology sector alongside industry giants. Morgan Stanley specifically highlighted Naver Labs' bimanual robot 'AMBIDEX,' which was unveiled at CES 2019 and first introduced in 2017 through collaborative research with KoreaTech. The AMBIDEX robot showcases Naver's advanced capabilities in creating robots designed for safe interaction with users in everyday spaces. This international recognition validates Naver's position as a serious contender in the global humanoid robotics market, setting the stage for the company's ambitious expansion plans.

Inside the 1784 Building: World's First Robot-Friendly Headquarters

Have you ever wondered what the future of workplace automation looks like? Look no further than Naver's second headquarters, the 1784 building, which has achieved the world's first robot-friendly building certification. This architectural marvel currently houses over 100 service robots operating in real business environments, serving as a living laboratory for Naver's robotics innovations. The building's name pays homage to 1784, the landmark year of the Industrial Revolution, symbolizing Naver's commitment to ushering in a new era of technological advancement. Within its walls, autonomous robots known as 'Rookies' seamlessly navigate through human interactions, utilizing 5G technology to deliver parcels, coffee, and meals to employees. These robotic marvels even have their dedicated elevator system called 'Roboport,' emphasizing Naver's dedication to creating truly integrated human-robot environments. The 1784 building serves as more than just a headquarters – it's a testament to Naver's vision of a future where robots and humans coexist harmoniously in shared spaces, making it the perfect testing ground for their new humanoid robot prototype.

Technical Innovation: The ARC System and Cloud-Based Intelligence

At the heart of Naver's robotics revolution lies the ARC (Agora Robot Cloud) system, a groundbreaking cloud-based multi-robot intelligence platform that serves as the 'brain and eyes' of all robots in the Naver ecosystem. This sophisticated system enables seamless operation of multiple robots simultaneously, providing real-time coordination and control across the entire network. The ARC system eliminates the need for individual robot 'brains,' instead offloading computational tasks to the cloud, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and battery consumption. Currently, the 100+ Rookie robots operating in the 1784 building are controlled through this innovative system, demonstrating its effectiveness in real-world applications. The upcoming humanoid robot tests will verify whether ARC can successfully integrate with new robot platforms, expanding its compatibility and demonstrating Naver's commitment to creating scalable robotics solutions. This cloud-based approach represents a fundamental shift in robotics architecture, positioning Naver as a pioneer in distributed robotic intelligence systems that can support diverse robot types and applications across various environments.

Patent Portfolio: One-Third of Innovations Focus on Robotics

Naver's commitment to robotics innovation is evident in its patent filing strategy, with one-third of all patents registered in the first half of 2025 related to robotics and robot control systems. According to Korea's patent information platform KIPRIS, Naver registered 72 patents in H1 2025, with 24 specifically focused on robotics technologies. These patents encompass core technologies for operating autonomous and remote-controlled robots in robot-friendly buildings, including large-scale indoor/outdoor mapping systems, robot training methods, and building-integrated robot charging and control systems. Notable patent categories include systems for controlling robots within robot-friendly buildings, computing devices for indoor/outdoor large-scale mapping, gesture-based robot control in built environments, and offline robot skill training methods. This extensive patent portfolio demonstrates Naver's systematic approach to building a comprehensive robotics ecosystem, ensuring they maintain competitive advantages in key technological areas. The company's intellectual property strategy reflects its long-term vision of becoming a dominant force in the global robotics market.

Global Expansion: From Seoul to Saudi Arabia's New Murabba

Naver's robotics ambitions extend far beyond Korea's borders, with the company recently securing a major international contract to deploy its technologies in Saudi Arabia's futuristic New Murabba smart city project. Naver Cloud signed a memorandum of understanding with the New Murabba Development Company (NMDC) last month, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion strategy. This partnership will see Naver's robotics and smart city technologies integrated into one of the world's most ambitious urban development projects. The New Murabba project represents Saudi Arabia's vision for future urban living, making it an ideal testing ground for Naver's advanced robotics solutions. International recognition of Naver's capabilities continues to grow, with government officials and business leaders from around the world visiting the 1784 building to experience the company's technological innovations firsthand. This global interest validates Naver's approach to robotics development and positions the company as a key player in the international smart city and robotics markets.

The Future of Humanoid Robotics: Community Reactions and Cultural Impact

The announcement of Naver's MIT collaboration has generated significant excitement within Korea's tech community, with many viewing it as a crucial step toward establishing the country as a major player in the global humanoid robotics race. Industry experts believe that while the United States and China currently dominate the humanoid robot market, Korea's strength lies in AI-based precision components and software capabilities. Tesla's Optimus robot, priced at $20,000-30,000, and Figure AI's partnerships with companies like BMW demonstrate the commercial potential of humanoid robotics. Korean tech enthusiasts are particularly excited about the potential for Naver's cloud-based approach to revolutionize how humanoid robots operate, moving away from traditional standalone systems toward integrated, intelligent networks. The cultural significance of this development cannot be understated – it represents Korea's technological coming-of-age in a field that was once dominated by Western companies. Social media discussions reveal widespread optimism about the potential applications of humanoid robots in Korean society, from elderly care to service industries, reflecting the country's aging population and labor shortage challenges.