A robot employed by the Gumi City Council in South Korea malfunctioned and fell down a flight of stairs, sparking sensationalized reports of ‘robot suicide.’ However, experts suggest that the incident was likely due to a technical glitch or malfunction.
Robot’s role and sudden malfunction
The robot, which had been part of the city hall staff since August 2023, assisted with tasks such as document deliveries, providing information to residents, and city promotion. According to a coworker, it had been working “diligently.”
Eyewitnesses reported unusual behavior before the fall, with the robot circling in one spot as if confused. The incident occurred on June 27 at approximately 4 pm, with the ‘Robot supervisor’ found damaged and lying in the stairwell between the first and second floors of the council building.
Investigation
The cause of the fall is under investigation. Officials suspect it may have been due to a navigational error, sensor failure, or programming bug. A city council official stated that the robot’s “pieces have been collected and will be analyzed by the company.”
Developed by Bear Robotics, a California-based startup, the robot was the first of its kind in the city, designed to work autonomously and navigate between floors using the elevator. Unlike other robots typically limited to a single floor, this robot’s ability to move freely made it a unique asset to the Gumi City Council. It worked from 9 am to 6 pm and even had its own civil service officer card.
Manufacturer and council response
Bear Robotics is collaborating with the council to investigate the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
South Korea has a strong affinity for robotics and leads the world in robot density, with one industrial robot for every 10 employees. However, in light of the recent incident, Gumi City Council has decided to temporarily halt plans to introduce a second robot officer.
As investigations continue, the municipality remains cautious. The temporary pause on introducing additional robots highlights the need for thorough examination and improvement of robotic systems to ensure safety and reliability in public service roles.