Robots to Become Citizens
Sunday, April 02, 2006
(SNN Seoul) The government of South Korea has commissioned scientists and business leaders to make robots full members of Society.
South Korea boasts one of the most connected societies in the world
South Korea already boasts one of the most connected societies in the world, with 72% of all homes being connected to the Internet as speeds Americans could only dream about. Now, they are pushing to get robot into every home.
If all goes well, early models could come out in 2007, with full saturation between 2015, and 2020. "My personal goal is to put a robot in every home by 2010," said Oh Sang Rok, manager of the ministry's intelligent service robot project.
These robots are planned to fulfill a number of functions: relay messages to parents, teach children English and sing and dance for them when they are bored, guide customers at post offices or patrol public areas, searching for intruders and transmitting images to monitoring centers, and maintain the border with North Korea. However, unlike the United States, they will not be allowed to vote.
