Experiencing Korean tech in Seoul | TechAltar

The Gist

Seoul integrates high technology into everyday life through AI facial skin analysis costing $180, automated robot cafes, and citywide AI CCTV missing person alerts. The host tests these innovations alongside South Korean vehicle and public transport systems while reviewing the Insta360 Luna Ultra camera.

Quick Overview

South Korea capital Seoul operates as one of the world's most high-tech cities, integrating automated and AI systems into daily routines across beauty, transportation, and public safety. The host explores high-tech skin and hair analysis clinics, automated robot cafes, localized mapping apps, and citywide AI CCTV networks, while filming the entire experience on the Insta360 Luna Ultra camera. Ultimately, Seoul demonstrates an advanced digital infrastructure paired with intense social pressures regarding beauty standards and corporate identity.

Key Points: The host undergoes a high-tech skin analysis in a Seoul clinic using multi-wavelength lighting and special camera booths, receiving an estimated skin age of 37 for a cost of approximately 180 dollars including a Q-Facial treatment. Olive Young beauty stores offer free hair follicle analysis using macro lenses and AI translation tablets, generating customized hair care routines and product recommendations without requiring payment for the analysis itself. Seoul implements citywide AI CCTV face search networks across all 25 districts, capable of analyzing 100 hours of surveillance footage in 10 minutes to locate missing persons and broadcast Amber Alerts directly to nearby phones. International services like Google Maps and Google Pay function poorly in South Korea due to national security laws, requiring users to rely on local navigation apps like Naver Maps and specific payment methods like Samsung Pay. South Korea enforces strict neon green license plates for company-registered cars worth more than 58,000 dollars to combat tax evasion, causing luxury car sales for brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce to plunge by up to 77 percent. Seoul features an extensive and highly integrated public transit network with punctual trains, real-time animated mapping, advanced subway line connectivity, and specialized station flooring that automatically vacuums shoe dirt. The Insta360 Luna Ultra gimbal camera features a detachable screen, a built-in microphone, a second 3x telephoto zoom lens, and Leica natural color profiles that provide high image quality in low-light travel conditions.