Incorruptible guardians

Soon, prisoners in South Korea will think twice before attempting to escape when robots enter the guard duty!

Starting next March, three robot guards will be on probation in Pohang Prison. The cost of the project is approximately 1 billion won ($ 864,000). For the most part, robots will be engaged in night patrols and will also be used as telepresence robots for human warders. An approximately one and a half meter robot guard on a wheeled platform is equipped with microphones, cameras, a loudspeaker - and most importantly, the ability to recognize the potentially dangerous behavior of prisoners, including acts of violence and suicide.

At the moment, according to the authors, the software platform is fully developed and work is ongoing to improve the appearance of the guards so that they look more friendly. Especially the authors emphasize the fact that robots are not Terminators. They are not intended to punish violators, but to help. When their wards find themselves in a dangerous situation, robots immediately come to the rescue.

I wonder if the prisoners will meet robot overseers with the same enthusiasm as other Koreans.

Via cnet.com