[Edaily Reporter Han Gwang-beom] #Kakao is considering entering the artificial intelligence (AI)-based defense market through its subsidiary, Kakao Mobility. The plan is to build a defense operating system (OS) that integrates the management of battlefield mobility and logistics systems by applying the mobility data and optimization technologies accumulated through taxi hailing, real-time dispatch, and control service operations to the defense sector. This is interpreted as an attempt to extend the platform company’s core competitive advantages—data and control capabilities—into the realm of national security.
According to the IT industry on the 19th, Kakao is exploring ways to apply Kakao Mobility’s core technologies—including navigation, route optimization, demand forecasting, and distributed asset management—to military logistics and unmanned system operations. The key focus is on building a “Defense Mobility AI Platform” that integrates the management of military vehicles, drones, and supply assets onto a single platform.
This aligns with the global trend in defense AI, which is shifting away from the traditional weapons-centric defense industry toward one where software and data platforms serve as core competitive advantages. U.S. defense AI companies Palantir and Endure are prime examples. Similar to Palantir’s AI battlefield analysis platform “Maven” and Endure’s integrated command platform for autonomous systems “Lattice,” there are discussions about applying the real-time control technologies Kakao Mobility has accumulated in the civilian sector to military unmanned vehicle and drone operation systems. The plan is to leverage its experience in connecting and managing tens of thousands of vehicles in real time to develop an AI-based command and control platform that optimizes the routes and missions of mobile assets on the battlefield.
In line with the demand for “mixed manned-unmanned systems” on the battlefield, the IT industry assesses that Kakao Mobility’s core competencies could be expanded into AI-based defense platforms. An industry official stated, “The route-finding and dispatch algorithms refined in the civilian sector can serve as the foundation for mobility optimization technology on the battlefield, which simultaneously considers risk levels, detour routes, vehicle status, and supply priorities.” The official added, “Essentially, since taxi-hailing services are also systems that connect and control dispersed mobile assets in real time, there is potential for expansion into the domains of military supply vehicles and unmanned systems.”
In particular, this aligns with the establishment of an AI-based manned-unmanned integrated combat system—a core initiative of the Ministry of National Defense’s “Defense Innovation 4.0” program. In future battlefields, a wide array of autonomous systems—including unmanned reconnaissance vehicles, unmanned supply vehicles, drones, and robots—are expected to be deployed on a large scale.
Consequently, software capabilities that enable the integrated management of dispersed equipment and sensors on a single platform, along with real-time command and control, are emerging as a new competitive advantage. Autonomous shuttles and emergency evacuation systems within controlled environments—such as military bases and ports—are also cited as potential areas of application.
In fact, according to the Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI)’s report, “Domestic and International Trends in Defense AI,” the Ministry of National Defense is expanding the scope of AI application across all military domains, including unmanned and autonomous systems, command and control, and support and administration. Along with the announcement of its defense AI policy, the ministry is accelerating the adoption of civilian AI technologies and the training of specialized personnel. Demand for AI transformation (AX) in the defense sector is also growing rapidly, as generative AI services are being introduced for certain tasks on the military’s internal network.
It is also noteworthy that major domestic tech companies have recently begun targeting the defense AI market. Naver Cloud has unveiled a lightweight, defense-specific omnimodal AI model as part of its push to expand its defense AI business. Analysts suggest that while Naver may focus on serving as the “eyes and ears” through the automation of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and battlefield analysis, Kakao may prioritize building a platform that acts as the “feet” by connecting and controlling mobile assets. Competition among domestic tech companies in the defense AI sector is expected to intensify further.
Moving Beyond Manufacturing-Centric Defense to Expand “Software-Defense”If Kakao’s entry into the defense market becomes a reality, the center of gravity within the domestic defense ecosystem is also expected to shift. This is because it could mark the beginning of full-scale participation by software and data platform companies in a market that has so far been dominated by manufacturing-based defense firms such as Hanwha, Hyundai Rotem, and LIG Nex1.
However, there are no shortage of challenges to overcome. In addition to establishing defense security networks, obtaining defense certifications, and meeting military procurement standards, the strict separation of civilian and defense data is essential. A governance framework is also required to address concerns that citizens’ mobility data could be used for military purposes.
Accordingly, analysts believe it is highly likely that Kakao will collaborate with the Ministry of National Defense and existing defense contractors to pursue pilot projects starting with areas that have relatively low barriers to entry, such as optimizing military supply routes, autonomous shuttles within military bases, and drone-vehicle integrated evacuation systems.
In response, a Kakao Mobility official stated that the company’s plans to develop a defense mobility AI platform are “unconfirmed.”
