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The robot, developed by California-based startup Bear Robotics, became an officer at South Korea’s Gumi City Council in August 2023.
Image source: Google
The robot officer worked regular office hours between 9 AM and 6 PM and even had a civil service officer card.
Image source: AD
The robot officer could move between floors independently using an elevator. It helped with daily document deliveries, information dissemination, and city promotions.
Image source: Google
On June 26th, 2024, the city council announced the robot was found unresponsive after a two-meter staircase fall last week.
Image source: AD
The robot officer was smashed and lying in the stairwell between the council building’s first and second floors.
Image source: Google
City officials suspect the robot may be depressed due to its heavy workload. The company had collected robot pieces for analysis.
Image source: AFP
Witnesses noticed the robot circling in one place before the incident. The officials stated that the exact cause of the fall is still under investigation.
Image source: AD
Currently, the Gumi City Council is not planning to hire a second robot to replace the fallen officer.
Image source: AD
The robot’s sudden demise raises concerns about the mental well-being of the most advanced technologies, sparking social media discussions on the pressures robots might experience.
Image source: Canva