'T Map x Who' downloads exceed 8 million

SK Telecom announced that the number of downloads of its voice-activated artificial intelligence navigation system, ‘T Map x Who,’ has exceeded 8 million, and that about half of all T Map customers have experienced navigation that supports voice recognition.

'T Map X Who' is receiving favorable reviews for significantly improving traffic safety by allowing users to search/change destinations using only their voice without touching the screen while driving.

With the launch of the iOS version, SK Telecom has expanded the reach of its "T Map X Who" service, previously available only on Android, to iPhone. iPhone users can download "T Map" from the App Store, while existing "T Map" users can use it immediately by upgrading their app.

SK Telecom analyzed customer usage patterns and found that the interactive UI (User Interface) of 'T Map X Who' is also changing the way people drive in their cars. Voice commands are rapidly replacing touch controls, with touch operations while driving decreasing by 26% compared to before the launch of 'T Map X Who'.

T Map X Who Changes Customer Driving Habits, Killing Two Birds: Safety and Convenience

According to the analysis of customer usage patterns, the navigation system's original function, 'destination guidance', accounted for approximately 71% of the total, followed by ▲listening to music (11%) and ▲emotional conversation (3%). The most frequently searched destination by voice was a nearby gas station, followed by parking lots, restaurants, and rest areas. The most frequently searched specific locations were home, Incheon Airport, and E-Mart.

Frequently used functions also differed before and after driving. Before driving, the most frequently used functions included searching for destinations, travel times, and traffic information. During driving, the most frequently used functions included finding gas stations and rest areas along the route and listening to/searching for songs.

SK Telecom plans to add features such as voice-activated calling and text messaging with current location and estimated time of arrival in December. Furthermore, it plans to develop and implement new traffic information and route prediction algorithms based on big data and new AI technologies.

' Who' - 'Who Mini'... Artificial intelligence entering everyday life

While customers using 'T Map X Nugu' used the 'Destination Guide (70%)' function the most, customers using 'Nugu' and 'Nugu Mini' used the 'Listening to Music (55%)' function the most. There were also clear differences between devices. While 'Nugu' was used for timer/weather information/IPTV operation/mood lighting, etc., 'Nugu Mini' was mainly used for more personalized functions such as alarm/schedule.

SK Telecom's voice recognition speaker 'NUGU' and portable device 'NUGU Mini', which were first introduced in Korea, have sold over 350,000 units, and are continuously upgrading their functions with the addition of big data from 'T Map'.

Currently, the amount of data coming in through 'Who' and 'Who Mini' reaches 1.3 million. Considering that 'T Map X Who' has an average daily user count of 900,000, this means that 2.2 million pieces of data that AI can learn from are pouring in every day.

SK Telecom's T Map Business Division Head Lee Hae-yeol said, "Voice recognition navigation will be a service that will evolve customers' driving lives in terms of both safety and convenience," and added, "We will listen more attentively to drivers' voices and develop an artificial intelligence driving assistant."