Naver’s AiRSPACE (AiRS + Place And Context Embedded) is an AI-driven system designed to offer personalized location recommendations based on factors like the user’s current location, time, age, and gender.
It powers the Smart Around service, providing suggestions for nearby restaurants, activities, and events based on real-time data.
Personalized Recommendations
AiRSPACE stands out for its ability to tailor recommendations based on a variety of real-time factors. The system dynamically adjusts its suggestions by considering the user’s location, the time of day, and demographic factors like age and gender.
For example, a user looking for a place to visit in the morning might be shown cafés or breakfast spots, while in the evening, AiRSPACE may suggest bars or nightlife options. This flexibility ensures that recommendations are always relevant to the user’s immediate needs and preferences.
The system analyzes user behavior patterns to learn preferences over time, making future suggestions even more personalized.
Custom Search Radius
One of the innovative aspects of AiRSPACE is its ability to set a custom search radius based on the user’s current location and the local business density. In urban areas with a high concentration of businesses, like Itaewon, the search radius is small (around 200 meters), allowing users to explore nearby options without overwhelming them with too many results.
On the other hand, in less densely populated areas such as Pyeongchang, the search radius expands to about 1 kilometer, providing a broader range of recommendations since fewer options are available within close proximity.
This ensures that users always receive recommendations appropriate to the context of their location, whether they’re in a bustling city or a more rural setting.
Thematic Suggestions
AiRSPACE goes beyond simply listing nearby businesses—it identifies and recommends popular themes based on deep learning. The system analyzes keywords and trends from businesses, such as specific types of cuisine, entertainment options, or local specialties.
In a new location, users can quickly see what types of food or activities are trending. This feature is enhanced by data collected from Naver’s vast user base, which allows the system to offer insights into what other users are searching for in a particular area.
By grouping businesses into themes, AiRSPACE helps users easily discover popular local experiences, even in unfamiliar places.
High-Quality Visuals
To provide an immersive experience, AiRSPACE integrates high-quality images from user-generated content (UGC).
The AI system clusters similar images and selects those that best represent a business, such as appetizing food photos or aesthetically pleasing interiors.
These visuals give users a better sense of what they can expect, helping them make informed decisions. For each recommended place, AiRSPACE displays up to 10 images that combine photos uploaded by the business itself and those curated through AI.
This blend of UGC and AI-driven selection ensures that users get a visually engaging and accurate portrayal of the places they might visit.
Integrated Life Services
AiRSPACE isn’t just for travel; it also supports everyday activities through integrated life services. Users can access information about nearby services such as food delivery, reservations, and even hobby-related activities like local classes or events.
This feature is especially useful for residents looking to explore their neighborhood or find convenient services nearby. The inclusion of these practical services makes AiRSPACE a versatile tool that can assist users in both their daily lives and travel plans, offering everything from entertainment options to essential services like delivery and booking.
AiRSPACE Roadmap
Naver is focused on further refining AiRSPACE in two main areas. First, the system will offer even more personalized recommendations by incorporating data from users’ past searches, bookings, and activity history. By learning from users’ habits, AiRSPACE will be able to make smarter, more individualized suggestions in the future.
Second, the platform aims to expand its content offering by integrating more location-based media, including reviews, videos, and local shopping options. This shift will allow users to engage with local news, trends, and services in a more interactive and immersive way, providing them with a richer experience that goes beyond simple place recommendations.