Information Ministry offers glimpse of future

“Don’t move. If you move, I will shoot you.” The warning came not from a police officer but a robot named uPostMate. It shot out a net as it moved toward the intruder, who was about six meters (19.7 feet) away. The Ministry of Information and Communication held a demonstration of seven robots yesterday at its headquarters. The ministry has made developing the robotics industry a priority as a possible economic growth engine for the nation. “We are planning to commercialize the network-based robots that would cost some 1 million won ($974) in the second half of next year,” said Information Minister Chin Dae-je. A consortium led by Samsung Electronics is now developing the uPostMate to help customers at post offices and serve as guards after closing hours. The robot, which recognizes its environment and human voices, acts through a server at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute in Daejeon. Jupiter, a household robot that is being developed by a consortium led by Yujin Robotics, comes to its owner when called and even sings if ordered. It also functions as a computer that features video conferencing. Like the uPostMate, it reacts to commands from a central computer. “Robots that have their own brains are heavy and expensive because they have to carry all their systems in their bodies,” said Ryu Su-geun, who is in charge of industrial technology at the Ministry. “Network-oriented robots are cheaper and lighter, and can even upgrade more easily as the server rules the brain.” by Park Sung-ha, Lee Hee-sung