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Concepts

This document introduces the features of the Kakao Navi API.

Overview

You can implement the navigation function in your service.

If you use the Kakao SDK, you can launch the Kakao Navi application (hereinafter referred to as 'app') and then start navigation or share a location. To implement the navigation function in your service app, you can use the Directions API or the Directions SDK.

Finding right API for your service

Purpose	Kakao SDK	Directions SDK (Embedded)	Directions API
Get directions according to the specified vehicle type or navigation options.	●	●	●
Navigate to a specific place by detecting live traffic information.	●	●
Navigate through the Kakao Navi app.	●
Navigate inside a service without launching the Kakao Navi app.		●
Customize Kakao Navi's UI elements or map components.		●
Get route data such as recommended routes or travel distance to a specific place.	●	●	●
Share recommended routes or travel distance to a specific place by launching the Kakao Navi app.	●
Get route data from multiple origins or to multiple destinations.			●

Navigation on Kakao Navi

The Kakao SDK provides the Kakao Navi module that allows you to use the functions to get directions and share locations through the Kakao Navi app. If the Kakao Navi app is not installed on a user's device, the user is directed to the download page for the Kakao Navi app.

Name	Description
Navigation	Launches Kakao Navi and gets directions to the specified destination. Available to set navigation options such as vehicle type and specify up to three waypoints.
Location sharing	Launches Kakao Navi and shares the desired location. Provides information such as the recommended routes, travel time, and total fare. Available to combine this function with the Navigation function.

Getting directions on service app

Directions API

The Directions API provides route data, such as the estimated time or travel route for the specified origin, waypoint, and destination. The Directions API supports diverse parameters allowing you to provide alternative routes and decide the priority or limit options. To find the best route, the Directions API also provides the car options related to car types, fuel types, and whether or not to use the electronic toll collection system called 'Hi-pass'.

You can use the Directions API using a REST API and use it for a scenario to give information on the estimated travel time or distance when a user searches for a place. You can also process the route data obtained through the Directions API by combining the Directions API with the Maps SDK.

To see how to use the API and use cases, visit Kakao Mobility Developers.

Directions SDK (Embedded)

If you want to integrate navigation into your service on your own without launching Kakao Navi, use the Directions SDK (Embedded). While the Kakao Navi module provided through the Kakao SDK launches Kakao Navi to navigate or share location, the Directions SDK (Embedded) provides the user interface elements of Kakao Navi and the development kits that allow you to implement the Kakao Navi's navigation function within your service.

Depending on the usage purpose, you can choose either the Directions SDK or the Directions SDK with UI.

With the Directions SDK, you can implement the navigation function including the turn-by-turn navigation with voice instruction in your service. With the Directions SDK with UI, you can customize the components such as maps or overlays to fit your service style or environment.

To download the Directions SDK or to see more information, visit Kakao Mobility Developers.

Scope of support

API	Android SDK	iOS SDK	JavaScript SDK	Flutter SDK	REST API
Navigation	●	●	●	●
Location sharing	●	●	●	●