Robot commits suicide in South Korea due to excessive workload
In an unexpected turn of events, a robot civil worker working for the Gumi City Council in South Korea has stirred a national debate following what many are dubbing the country’s first “robot suicide.” The tragedy occurred around 4 p.m. last Thursday, leaving the neighborhood bewildered and in sadness.
The robot, known as the ‘Robot Supervisor,’ was discovered in a heap at the bottom of a stairwell connecting the first and second floors of the council building. Witnesses reported witnessing the robot act abnormally, “circling in one spot as if something was there,” before its unfortunate demise.
City council members responded quickly, reporting that bits of the destroyed robot had been collected for analysis. The cause of the fall is unknown, but the occurrence has raised concerns about the robot’s workload and potential consequences.
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This conscientious and multi-talented mechanical assistant had been with the company since August 2023. The robot was a mainstay at city hall, serving many functions such as document delivery, civic promotion, and informational outreach to the public. It was even issued a civil service officer card. The robot, which had a unique ability of its sort, worked nonstop from 9 am to 6 pm, using elevators to travel between levels.
Bear Robotics, a California-based business best known for producing robot waiters, designed the robot. But the Gumi City Council robot was tasked with considerably more than its restaurant colleagues. It was a part of an innovative project in South Korea, a nation renowned for having one industrial robot for every 10 workers, or a high robot density, according to the International Federation of Robotics.
Robot’s demise sparks row over excessive work
The unexpected death of the robot has sparked a range of feelings and viewpoints in online forums and local media. While some wonder if the robot was overworked, others are concerned about the wider ramifications of incorporating robots into routine human duties.
The Gumi City Council has chosen not to replace their deceased mechanical coworker for the time being. Their intentions to embrace robots have been put on hold as a result of the tragic tragedy, representing a moment of reflection in a country known for its passion for automation.
