‘Robot suicide’ shocks South Korea, authorities investigate sudden ‘death’ of ‘depressed’ cyborg | World news

The pressure of work is now also being felt by robots. Yes, you read that correctly.

South Korea’s Gumi City Council announced on June 26 that its top administrative official robot apparently fell “dead” after the cyborg appeared to jump down a two-meter staircase. The council speculated whether the now-defunct robot’s death was actually suicide, as an official caught the robot “circling in one spot as if there was something there” before the alleged tragedy, according to French news agency Agence France-Presse.

The robot in question was selected as a city council official in August 2023 and would be able to move independently between floors by calling an elevator.

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Investigations to determine the “death” of the “depressed” robot are underway

The question remains: Why did the cyborg do this? Officials in the city of Gumi said an immediate investigation would be launched to look into the death of the allegedly “depressed” robot. “Parts have been collected and are being analyzed by the company.”

Developed by California-based startup Bear Robotics (particularly known for its robots that serve restaurants), the uniquely designed robot was the first of its kind to be used as a city council official. According to one official, it “helped with daily document delivery, promoting the city, and providing information.” Like any other regular employee, the cyborg worked 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and also had an official ID card.

Another official said the robot was a “hard-working” worker. Currently, the Gumi City Council is reportedly not considering deploying another robot police officer.

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South Korea is known for its rapid adoption of robot technology. According to the International Federation of Robotics, the country has the highest robot density in the world: one industrial robot for every ten employees.

As the dystopia becomes an unfathomable reality, several headlines are already focusing on the unprecedented incident, speculating whether the cyborg took his own life after struggling with “work stress.” The vision is quite a far cry from the 2004 sci-fi action film “I, Robot,” starring Will Smith, in which a highly advanced robot develops the very human ability to “dream.”

This news comes days after researchers in Japan reportedly discovered a way to attach living skin tissue to a robotic face.