Robotic assistant commits suicide
Date
6/30/2024 8:38:43 AM
(MENAFN) A robotic assistant, employed by the Gumi City Council in South Korea, met a tragic end while on duty, plunging down a stairwell, the administrative body confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident unfolded last week when the robot, described as showing signs of malfunction by spinning in place, fell approximately two meters from the top of a staircase, according to reports from the council.
An official from the city council informed AFP that parts of the robot have been retrieved and will undergo analysis by its manufacturer. The robotic assistant, introduced to the council last August and produced by California-based startup Bear Robotics, had been functioning in an administrative capacity. It possessed its own employee identification card and carried out tasks such as document transportation, assisting visitors, and promoting the city during its operational hours from 9 am to 4 pm.
The robot's sudden end has deeply affected the staff of the city hall, with officials expressing sorrow over the loss. Currently, there are no plans in place to replace the robot. A city hall official expressed sentiments of the robot being an integral part of their team, emphasizing its dedicated service.
Local media has highlighted this incident as the first reported case of "robot suicide" in the country. Previously, in Washington, DC, another robot named Steve garnered attention after accidentally drowning in a water fountain, marking another instance of technological mishap.
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