South Korea is one of the nations most enthusiastic about the usage of robots globally and aspires to be the global hub for robotics.
In Korea, robots were earlier used mainly by large and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing space. Nowadays, however, more small-to-medium-sized companies (SMEs) in various sectors are implementing robotic solutions, as they have become more user-friendly and cost-competitive.
In recent years, the country has emerged as a global leader in robotics technology, with a particular focus on developing human-like robots capable of performing complex tasks.
The government has invested heavily in robotics research and development, funding initiatives like Suseo Robotics Cluster
According to the 2021 World Robotics Statistics International by the International Federation of Robotics, South Korea has the highest robot density in the world, with an average of 126 robots are in use per 10,000 employees in manufacturing industries worldwide
The South Korea Robot Commits Suicide
The South Korea city council said its robot administrator has committed suicide after a year of service.
The unexpected development is sending shockwaves through the AI and robotics communities, with experts scrambling to understand the reasons for the robot’s self-destructive actions.
According to the South Korea city council, the robot administrator killed himself by jumping down a flight of stairs last week on Wednesday, with the local media mourning the country's first robot suicide.
The robot was found unresponsive after having apparently fallen down a two- meter(six and a half foot) staircase last week.
Witnesses who saw the robot before the suicide occurred said it had been circling in one place for some time before jumping, indicating that something was wrong, but the exact cause of the fall is still being investigated.
The robot was one of the first robots to be hired by the mayor's office since August 2023. It has been assisting employees with submission of daily documents, advertisements, and provision of information to local residents.
“Pieces have been collected and will be analyzed by the company,” the official reported.
"It was officially a part of the city hall, and it worked diligently." One of the officials reported to the local media via channel news Asia.
The robot administrator was created by Bear Robotics, a Californian robot-waiter start-up. Like every other official, it had its own civil servant card, and worked standard hours from 9:00 to 18:00.
However, unlike other similar robots, which can typically use only one floor, the robot could call an elevator and move floors on its own.
Headlines in various local media have questioned the sudden death of the robot administrator, with some asking, "Why did the diligent civil officer do it?" While others are asking," Was the work too hard for the robot?"
Though the Gumi city council said they don't plan to adopt a second robot officer at this moment, in a report to AFP.
While the reasons behind South Korea's robot administrator are still being investigated, it’s clear that this incident underscores the urgent need for greater oversight and regulation in the field of robotics.
As we continue to develop increasingly advanced technologies, it’s essential that we also consider the broader implications and potential risk which could arise.