Kakao Mobility Corp., South Korea’s leading ride-hailing service provider, has launched a global app to compete with Uber Technologies Inc. The new platform aims to attract international customers and serve foreigners in Korea.
Kakao Mobility, known for its Kakao T service, plans to expand this new taxi-hailing platform to around 30 countries by the end of the year, broadening its reach and enhancing its global presence.
On June 4, Kakao Mobility announced the launch of ‘k.ride,’ a global mobility platform designed for foreigners. The goal is to make ‘k.ride’ as a universally accepted platform by integrating various mobility services worldwide through a single application, allowing Kakao Mobility to compete with global ride-hailing giants like Uber.
Initially, ‘k.ride’ will be available for foreigners visiting Korea, enhancing the previous ‘inbound’ service that allowed visitors to use their home country’s app to call a Kakao T vehicle without the need for additional apps or registration.
Kakao Mobility launched ‘k.ride’ in 14 countries, including South Korea, the US, Japan, China, and Singapore, with plans to expand to 30 nations by the end of the year.
However, ‘k.ride’ is currently a specialized platform designed specifically for foreign users, focusing on improving their taxi-hailing and local transportation experience. The app allows users to easily access Venti, Black, Kakao T Blue and Premium taxi services in Korea without encountering language barriers, account setup issues, or payment difficulties, with plans to gradually expand the range of services offered.
Kakao Mobility CEO Alex Ryu stated, “We are targeting the global market with platform model technology developed at home. We plan to provide customized, convenient service to people worldwide through k.ride.” The app aims to eliminate the inconvenience of different languages and payment methods, making it easier for users to access mobility services globally. Kakao T, the company’s taxi-hailing app, has already attracted 38 million users, predominantly in South Korea.
Signing up for ‘k.ride’ is straightforward, requiring only a phone number and verification via Google, Apple, or email, even without a Kakao account. The app supports automatic payments with international credit cards, and Kakao Mobility aims to add additional international payment options to further enhance user convenience.
The app is available in four languages—English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean—and offers automatic translation services for over 100 languages, including Thai and Arabic, for destination searches and chats with drivers. This feature ensures seamless communication and accessibility for users from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
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