- Installation of kiosks for real-time interactive translation in 11 languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malay
- Conversational translation system developed by tourism startup Flitto, enabling natural and smooth conversation
- Multilingual services at tourist information centers to now promote city tourism without any language barrier
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced to roll out the nation’s first interactive multilingual translation service in collaboration with the tourism startup and language data specialist Flitto for international tourists to converse with Korean guides in their native languages, enhancing the convenience of tourists to explore every corner of Seoul compared to the past.
Using the translation kiosk, people can talk in real time in different languages. The kiosk utilizes AI-powered translation engine and digital technology that converts audio to text to translate the voice of the speaker’s language, and directly displays both the spoken and translated text on the screen. One of the features includes a transparent screen that allows people to face each other as if in real conversation, increasing a sense of reality.
The kiosks will be installed for a pilot operation at two major tourist information centers in Seoul, one in Gwanghwamun and the other on the first floor of Seoul Tourism Plaza. A total of 11 languages are available, including English, Chinese (simplified), Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Malay, Indonesian, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, and French.
To promote the active use of the kiosk by visitors, Seoul will hold special events for tourists during the six-week test operation period with Flitto from Mon, Nov. 20 to Sun, Dec. 31, and also hold lucky draw sweepstakes at each site for tourists who use the kiosk to enjoy duty-free shopping coupons and souvenirs.
Translation kiosk to be available at tourist information centers
Poster for the test operation