Naver expands physical AI ambitions with $690 million GPU investment

South Korean technology leader Naver is deepening its AI ambitions through a $690 million investment in graphics processing units from 2025.

A move that aims to strengthen its AI infrastructure and drive the development of physical AI, a field merging digital intelligence with robotics, logistics, and autonomous systems.

Naver has partnered with Nvidia to secure 60,000 of its latest Blackwell GPUs, forming the largest supply deal by any firm in South Korea. These processors will underpin Naver’s next-generation robotics platforms, smart city simulations, and autonomous workplace systems.

Beyond its internal use, Naver plans to monetise its expanded computing power by offering GPU-as-a-Service to clients across sectors, creating new revenue opportunities aligned with its AI ecosystem.

Naver’s focus on physical AI follows years of research through Naver Labs, which has developed robotics and navigation technologies.

Chief Executive Choi Soo-yeon described physical AI as the firm’s next growth pillar, combining robotics, data, and generative AI to reshape both digital and industrial environments. The company already holds a significant share of the global robotics operating system market, underlining its technological maturity.

An investment that marks a strategic shift from software-based AI to infrastructure-driven intelligence, positioning Naver as a leader in integrating AI with real-world applications.

As global competition intensifies, Naver’s model of coupling high-performance computing with robotics innovation signals the emergence of South Korea as a centre for applied AI technology.

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