Kakao T – South Korea’s Transportation Service Solution to Uber

For years, Uber has been the go-to transportation service for people all over the world. However, there is a new transportation service solution in South Korea that is giving Uber a run for its money. Kakao T is South Korea’s answer to Uber, and it has been quickly gaining popularity among locals and tourists alike. With its easy-to-use app and affordable rates, it’s no wonder why Kakao T is becoming such a popular choice for transportation in South Korea! Keep reading to find out more about this innovative new transportation service!

What Is Kakao T?

Kakao T is an online mobility service in South Korea that was launched as Kakao Taxi in 2015. In 2017, the company behind Kakao Taxi, Kakao Corp., established Kakao Mobility, a subsidiary that is responsible for managing the taxi service. Kakao T allows users to book and pay for taxis through the Kakao T app.

The app also provides users with information on the location of nearby taxis and the estimated time of arrival. In addition, users can rate their experience with each driver and provide feedback on the service. Since its launch, Kakao T has become one of the most popular taxi services in South Korea.

Kakao Mobility Technology

Kakao Mobility’s mission is to make people’s lives easier and more convenient by providing innovative mobility solutions. The company has developed a number of impressive technologies, including a car-sharing platform, a bus-tracking app, and a bike-sharing service. Kakao Mobility Corp. is constantly expanding its repertoire of life-changing technologies, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The company’s products are used by millions of people every day, and its user base is only growing.

Getting Ready for the New Mobility Era

Kakao Mobility has developed an AI engine that is based on mobility data. This allows them to dispatch taxis in a more efficient way and also to predict demand for driving. Their autonomous driving research is helping to develop service models that will revolutionize the transportation industry.

Sophisticated Localization Technology

Based on Kakao Mobility’s unique location measurement technology, it has developed the world’s first Fused Indoor Localization (FIN) technology. The technology is able to provide accurate location information even in difficult-to-measure environments such as indoors or in dense urban areas. 

Social Value through Technology

Kakao Mobility adds social value through technology. The service offers a 119 emergency dispatch notification service that notifies users in advance when a 119 vehicle approaches nearby. This allows the users to clear the path, so the emergency vehicle can reach its destination safely.

Addressing Safety Concerns

Safety is always the top priority for Kakao Mobility. It has various systems and tools in place to ensure that all passengers and drivers are safe while using the service. 

Safety Tools on the App

Kakao Mobility has implemented several safety features on its app. They offer a secure number service that protects users’ personal information. In addition, users can share their real-time location and arrival time with friends or family through KakaoTalk. In addition, the app has a taxi driver evaluation function that allows users to rate their experience and provide feedback. Finally, the app also includes a quick call function that allows users to immediately contact 112 in case of an emergency.

Driver Training Program

Kakao Mobility has implemented a Driver Training Program to ensure the safety of both the passenger and driver. All drivers are required to pass a background check and have a clean driving record as well. By taking these steps, Kakao Mobility is working to ensure that its customers have a safe and positive experience.

Insurance System for Emergencies

As any driver knows, safety is a top priority when behind the wheel. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and even the most cautious drivers can find themselves involved in a collision. That’s why Kakao Mobility Technology has instituted an insurance system for emergencies. With top-notch agency-only insurance, drivers and passenger are assured that they will be covered in the event of an accident. What’s more, the mandatory purchase of insurance when driving means that everyone on the road is protected.

Services Provided by Kakao T

Kakao T provides a variety of services to users. These services include taxi, bike, parking, train and bus schedules, shuttle service, etc. The company also offers a mobile app that allows users to book and pay for these services.  Let’s take a look at the services offered by Kakao T.

Kakao T Taxi

Kakao T Taxi has been designed to be both efficient and convenient. The app allows passengers to request a taxi with just a few clicks, and drivers are able to see the best routes to their destination. The service is also reliable, as it uses GPS to track the location of both the driver and the passenger. This means that passengers can be assured that they will be picked up on time, and drivers can be confident that they will not get lost.

Kakao T Driver

Kakao T Driver is a new, smart, data-driven feature that is changing the way people hail taxis. Using data, Kakao T Driver can quickly and simply provide a quote and connect a user with a driver. The app also identifies locations that have the most calls, making it easier and faster for drivers to find passengers.

Kakao T Bike

Kakao T Bike is a new way to get around that is becoming popular in major cities. Connected scooters enable you to move to places that are too far to walk but too close for a taxi or not easily accessible by public transportation. This solution is perfect for those who want to move around without having to use a car. Not only is it convenient, but it is also environmentally friendly and can help reduce traffic congestion.

Kakao T Parking

Looking for a place to park your car can be a frustrating and time-consuming process, especially in a busy city. Thankfully, there’s now a smarter way to park with Kakao T Parking. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can search for nearby parking spots, reserve a spot in advance and even pay for it electronically. No more driving around in circles or searching for spots!

Kakao T Flight

Kakao T Flight is an air travel solution that offers ticket reservations and transportation to the airport. The service is designed to make it easy for travelers to find transportation to the airport, as well as to book tickets and track their flight itineraries.

Kakao T Train

The Kakao T Train is a new service provided with the partnership with KORAIL, the national railway operator in South Korea. The service allows passengers to use their smartphones to buy tickets and find the best route for their journey. The app also provides information about the train schedule, as well as real-time updates on the train’s location. 

Kakao T Bus

With Kakao T Bus, you can search for the best route to your destination and reserve and pay for tickets all in one place. Plus, you can receive real-time notifications about changes to your itinerary, so you’ll always know when your bus is arriving. 

Kakao T Rent Car

Kakao T Rent Car is a service that allows you to reserve, use and return rental cars all through the Kakao T app. You can make reservations, returns, and payments for fuel fees all in one place! Plus, the service is available 24/7 so you can always find a rental car when you need it.

Kakao T Shuttle

Group travel can be a challenge, especially when it comes to getting everyone to the same place at the same time. That’s where Kakao T Shuttle comes in. With this service, you can book a shuttle bus for your entire group, making it easy to move everyone during a trip or to an event. 

Kakao T Trip

Kakao T Trip is now available in select cities around the world. With Kakao T Trip, simply enter the destination and a nearby driver will be notified of the request. The driver will then pick the passenger up and take them to the desired location. Best of all, no foreign language skills are needed to use Kakao T Trip which is especially useful for traveling Koreans. 

Kakao T Quick

Requesting a delivery or an express courier service with Kakao T Quick is easy and convenient. You can simply request a pickup or drop-off by inputting your location, and the service will take care of the rest. Delivery times are generally very fast, and you can even track your package in real-time to see where it is. The price is very affordable, making it a great option for those who need to send or receive goods on a budget. 

My Car Tab

Drivers in Korea no longer need to worry about where to go for the best driving experience. My Car Tab, available in both Kakao Navi and Kakao T, offers a variety of services that cater to every driver’s needs. From navigation to car maintenance, My Car Tab has it all. And with new features being added all the time, drivers can be sure that they’re getting the best possible service.

Kakao T Pet

Kakao T Pet is a service that offers mobility for pets so that they can safely and comfortably travel with their owners. With Kakao T Pet, pet owners no longer have to worry about finding a way to transport their pets. Instead, they can simply take them with them, wherever they go. Whether it’s going on a trip or to the vet, Kakao T Pet makes it easy and convenient for pet owners to travel with their furry friends.

Why Uber Failed in Korea

Uber, the international brand in transportation services entered the Korean market a few years ago. But soon after it wrapped up its services and left. Why did such a big company with so many resources fail in Korea?

Uber’s Entry into the Korean Market

When Uber first entered the Korean market in 2014, it initially only offered its Uber X service, which allowed people to hail taxis through the app. Later, they introduced Uber Black, their premium taxi service, as well as UberSHARE and Uber Eats. UberSHARE allows people to share rides with others going in the same direction, while Uber Eats provides a food delivery service. 

Backlash from the Taxi Industry

The taxi industry in South Korea is a powerful force, and it has not taken kindly to the arrival of Uber. The industry is heavily influenced by taxi unions, which have been quick to mount a campaign against the ridesharing company. As a result, it has been difficult for Uber to get a foothold in the market. 

Failure to Differentiate

When Uber first entered the South Korean market, it failed to gain traction with locals. One reason for this was that the company did not take into account the well-developed public transport system in the country. In South Korea, it is easy to find a taxi or take the bus or subway, so there was no need for Uber’s services. In addition, Uber did not adapt its pricing to the local market, and Uber’s prices were not competitive. 

Korea’s Existing Mobility and Delivery Infrastructure

South Korea is a country with a well-developed infrastructure for both delivery and mobility services. There were many players already in the market, and the services have been well-established for some time. Uber was not a special service in South Korea, and it did not have the same impact as it did in other countries. The existing infrastructure was already very strong, and Uber was not able to offer anything new or different.

All of these led to Uber’s failure in South Korea and it eventually shut down its business. But Uber is not yet ready to completely give up this thriving market. It has joined hands with SK Telecom, a local tech company to re-enter South Korea.

UT – Uber’s Re-Entry to Korean Market with T Map

Uber is making its re-entry into the Korean market with a new joint venture with T Map by SK Telecom, a local mobile carrier service. The new venture, called UT, started ride-hailing services in November 2021. This puts Uber in competition with Kakao T service, which is currently one of the major ride-hailing services available in South Korea.

Under the partnership, passengers can use UT services in South Korea and use the same app for other local ride-hailing services when traveling abroad. The partnership is anticipated to offer significant synergy by leveraging Uber’s cutting-edge technology and TMap’s local expertise and resources.

Hailing a Taxi in South Korea

South Korea is a fascinating country with an ever-growing and innovative digital marketing landscape. Kakao T has been successful in providing a transportation service solution that Uber failed to provide, and UT – Uber’s re-entry into the Korean market – will have to compete with Kakao T’s well-established customer base. We’ll have to wait and see how these mobility services fare in the Korean market.

We will continue to bring you information on the ever-evolving digital landscape of South Korea. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about digital marketing or SEO services in South Korea, or you need help with your own digital marketing efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to assist you!