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Robot Suicide: South Korean Admin Bot Defunct After Plunging Down Stairs
Administrative officials in South Korea are investigating a case of apparent robot suicide. The incident occurred in Gumi, with the civil servant bot in question reportedly plunging down a flight stairs before being found in a defunct state.
Bear Robotics, the bot manufacturer, said it is investigating the incident. | Canva Pro
Administrative officials in South Korea are investigating a case of apparent robot suicide. The incident occurred in Gumi, with the civil servant bot in question reportedly plunging down a flight stairs before being found in a defunct state.
The robot, created by Californian firm Bear Robotics, had been in service since August 2023. It handled administrative tasks, navigating the building independently and even possessing its own employee ID. Eyewitnesses reported unusual behaviour before the fall, with the robot circling in one spot seemingly confused.
According to Gumi City Council officials, the robot was a first-of-its-kind administrative staff member. It worked diligently for ten months, performing tasks like document delivery, city promotion, and resident information services.
While the term "suicide" is a stretch, it begs the question of how such an occurrence transpired, since robots lack capacity for emotional distress or self-harm.
The robot likely suffered a malfunction. Navigational errors, sensor failure, or programming bugs could also explain its erratic behaviour and tragic tumble.
The exact cause of the malfunction remains under investigation. The robot's manufacturer, Bear Robotics, is reportedly analysing the recovered parts.
"We are committed to working with the Gumi City Council to thoroughly investigate this incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future,” a spokesperson for Bear Robotics stated in a press release.
It also raises questions about the the future of AI and the potential for robots to develop human-like emotions, though experts were quick to dismiss this notion.
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