"Robot Era" - Robots That Can Be Both Friends and Enemies Will Become Popular (op-ed)

"Robot Era" - Robots That Can Be Both Friends and Enemies Will Become Popular

In 2024, there will be a significant change in Korean professional baseball: the introduction of "robot umpires." To reduce the controversies over ball decisions in each game, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) will implement the Automatic Ball-Strike System (ABS), or robot umpires, starting this season.

Robot umpires measure the trajectory of the incoming ball and notify the umpire through an earpiece whether it's a strike or not. KBO aims to eliminate the possibility of disputes over ball decisions and prevent an increase in walks. As seen with the robot umpire, robots, once only active in industrial settings, are now entering people's daily lives. With artificial intelligence (AI), robots are now at the forefront of future technologies, marking the beginning of the era of robot popularization.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the global robotics industry is expected to grow from $28.2 billion (approximately 37.45 trillion won) to $83.1 billion (approximately 110.36 trillion won) by 2030, growing at an average annual rate of 13%. In response, the government has announced an advanced robotics industry strategy this year, which will invest 3 trillion won to establish 150 robotics companies and train 15,000 key personnel by 2030.

The Rise of Companion Robots

One clear sign of the coming era of robots is the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's largest electronics trade show, held in Las Vegas this January. One of the most talked-about innovations was the robots displayed by companies from around the world, particularly robots closely connected to people's lives.

At CES, Samsung Electronics unveiled its first "companion robot," a robot designed to provide comfort to people, much like a pet. The yellow spherical robot named "Bolly," which attracted attention after K-pop singer G-Dragon showed interest, can assist with various tasks. For instance, it plays home training videos on the wall or ceiling during exercise.

Bolly is equipped with a dual-lens projector capable of both distant and close-range projection and AI. It can display videos on a selected location based on user queries about schedules or weather. Unlike a remote control, Bolly learns through machine learning what tasks to perform for the user, making it a helpful assistant. It also has functions for caring for the elderly, children, and pets.

LG Electronics also presented a robot called the "Smart Home AI Agent" at CES, designed to assist with household chores. This robot moves on two wheels, displaying various eye expressions on a screen to convey emotions. It analyzes the user's voice to gauge their mood and adjusts the room temperature or lighting accordingly. The Smart Home AI Agent can also suggest TV programs and changes to the user's schedule, while interacting with LG home appliances to gather and manage data.

Robots That Cook and Care for the Elderly

Another notable robot at CES was the cooking robot. These robots can prepare food quickly and consistently, avoiding the mistakes humans might make, such as burning or undercooking meals. For instance, the "ChulChulBox Robot Chef" by Pulmuone, which cooks frozen meals, can make dishes like spicy beef soup, noodles, and bulgogi rice bowls in 90 seconds. This robot has already been installed in six highway rest stops in Korea and will be rolled out to more corporate and school cafeterias.

A Korean startup, Eniai, developed the "Alpha Grill," a cooking robot that grills hamburgers. It can cook up to 200 patties per hour, grilling both sides simultaneously. After cooking, the robot cleans itself. Eniai is planning to expand the installation of these robots in fast food chains, and even McDonald's in the US is testing the Alpha Grill.

With the aging population in mind, robots that assist the elderly are becoming indispensable. Japan has been actively investing in this area. For example, robots developed by Waseda University and other institutions help elderly individuals with walking, cooking, and medication management. The "Fukujo Robot" by Medical Switch reminds elderly people to take their medication at specific times.

Medical Robots That Assist with Surgery and Diagnostics

While lifestyle robots are becoming common, robots are also making significant contributions in more specialized fields, such as healthcare. Medical robots are used for surgery, rehabilitation, and various services. At CES, the "Lapis Platform" by BioT Korea automates the process of collecting nasal swabs for PCR tests, and the "Magnetio Platform" delivers drugs directly to targeted areas of the body for better treatment outcomes.

The "Invers3" robot by Haply Robotics uses tactile technology to assist doctors in training for complex surgeries like cutting tissue and drilling bones. Wearable robots like "Resilion" and "Hector" by Hexa Human Care support muscle rehabilitation for patients recovering from injuries.

Robots for Military Use and the Risks of Autonomous Warfare

Robots are also being incorporated into military applications. In South Korea, there is growing interest in autonomous robots for defense purposes due to a decrease in military personnel. Military experts emphasize the need for technological innovation in the face of declining manpower.

The Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict have highlighted the power of robots in warfare. One of the key innovations is the use of drones, with countries like Russia using low-cost drones to carry out attacks. These drones, such as the Iranian Shahed-136, are made with easily available commercial parts and can carry explosives, making them highly effective despite their low cost.

The Growing Threat of Autonomous Military Robots

Autonomous ground robots are another emerging trend in military technology. Companies like Ghost Robotics have developed walking robots like the "Vision 60," which can navigate rough terrain and extreme weather conditions. These robots are being used for surveillance by the U.S. military, and their development is expected to accelerate as the market for military robots is projected to grow significantly by 2030.

The Dark Side of Robotics: Job Loss and Malfunctions

While robots promise to free humans from hard labor, they also present significant challenges. One of the biggest concerns is job displacement. A recent survey found that the advancement of AI and robotics is expected to lead to job losses and rising unemployment.

Robots are still not perfect, and accidents can occur. For example, a farming accident in Korea occurred when a robot mistook a person for a box and crushed them. There have also been cases of robots causing fatal injuries in industrial settings. Furthermore, ethical issues related to AI, especially in areas like military and healthcare applications, are raising alarms. The European Union has introduced regulations to control the risks of AI, aiming to ensure the safety of technologies that could potentially harm people.

*This guest column represents the views of the author, not the editorial board.