A city council in South Korea reported on Wednesday, June 26 that their first administrative officer robot had become non-functional after throwing itself down a staircase, sparking local media to lament the incident as the country’s first robot mishap.
The Gumi City Council announced that the robot was discovered unresponsive following a fall down a two-meter (six-and-a-half foot) staircase last week.
According to a city council official, witnesses observed the robot officer circling in one spot as if something was there before the accident.
However, the exact cause of the fall is still under investigation.
“Pieces have been collected and will be analysed by the company.
“Adding that the robot had helped with daily document deliveries, city promotion, and delivered information to local residents.
“It was officially a part of the city hall, one of us It worked diligently,” the official said.
Questions about what appeared to be a robot suicide, asking Why did the diligent civil officer take such action and pondering whether the workload was too much for the robot.
The robot, appointed in August 2023, was among the pioneering units deployed in this capacity within the city.
Manufactured by Bear Robotics, a California-based startup specializing in robot-waiters, the robot operated from 9am to 6pm and possessed its own civil service officer card.
Distinguishing it from other robots limited to a single floor, the Gumi City Council’s robot could independently call elevators and move between floors.
South Korea stands out as one of the most avid adopters of robots worldwide, boasting the highest robot density globally.
According to the International Federation of Robotics, there is one industrial robot for every 10 employees in the country.
Regarding the Gumi City Council, there are currently no plans to introduce a second robot officer at this time.
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