Robot guards to patrol South Korean prisons

A group of scientists has developed robot warders under a one billion won ($850,000) project organised by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.

The robots — 1.5 metres (five feet) high and running on four wheels — will mostly be used at night.

They can connect prisoners with officers through a remote conversation function, according to a statement from the Asian Forum for Corrections (AFC), a South Korea-based group of researchers in criminality and prison policies.

It pioneered the project with the justice ministry’s cooperation.

The robots’ sensors will enable them to detect abnormalities such as suicidal behaviour and violence and report it to officers in charge, the statement said.

via PhysOrg