Since 2020, when COVID-19 began to spread widely, Alicorn has been operating the brand ‘Jibmusil’ (a home office concept near residential areas). However, as the pandemic eased and workers returned to offices, the company faced challenges. To overcome this, Alicorn is preparing for a second leap with services that manage spaces efficiently.
Recently, Alicorn launched a solution called ‘ASA (Alicorn SpaceAI)’ that automates space management. ASA leverages AIoT (AI + IoT) technology to remotely manage everything from access control, MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) checks, heating/cooling systems, and electronic devices, to detecting emergencies such as leaks or unauthorized entries. This allows real-time monitoring and management of business sites online, even without on-site staff.
Minhee Cho, Co-CEO of Alicorn, said, “Implementing ASA in unmanned business sites can reduce space management costs to one-third of the current level,” as noted during an interview on the 1st at the Jibmusil Wangsimni branch in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
ASA was originally developed to manage the 12 branches of Jibmusil. Currently, Alicorn manages all 12 branches across Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Jeju 24/7 with only one staff member, who intervenes only when physical presence is required. Cho anticipates that one person could potentially manage up to 50 branches.
Alicorn launched its service as SaaS (Software as a Service) to allow any unmanned business to choose specific functionalities. This service is being adopted or planned for use in various spaces, including the GS Tower office in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, the Shinhan Investment Corp. office in Yeouido, 24-hour golf practice centers, and over 100 self-operated fitness clubs (Spoany).
Cho highlighted, “For spaces that operate 24/7, AI can save energy by automatically turning off lights when the last person leaves. It can also check essential elements like network status in real-time, air quality, and even the waste level of coffee machine bins.” He added, “In fitness clubs, for instance, staff can focus on more productive tasks instead of constantly checking for towel or workout gear shortages.”
Alicorn has expanded its reach to Japan by partnering with Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s 4th largest telecommunications provider, and applying ASA to the unmanned storage service ‘MarineBox.’ This is the company’s first foray into Japan’s space management market, with plans for further discussions on implementing its technology in unmanned restaurant pickup centers and parking lots.
To date, Alicorn has raised a cumulative investment of 9.1 billion KRW. The company is seeking additional funding to globalize ASA. Cho stated, “It seems that ASA is on track to become Alicorn’s main business soon. We will continue our R&D efforts to create solutions that meet global standards, including data privacy requirements.”
Alicorn 