Robots can now legally roam Korea's sidewalks

Korea allowed outdoor mobile robots to operate on sidewalks, following the implementation of new revised regulations that can grant them the same status as pedestrians.

Autonomous mobile robot “Neubie” moves around the Konkuk University Seoul Campus in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul on Tuesday. Neubie primarily delivers food with the help of an algorithm that calculates the fastest route based on its data system, which includes information on entrances, exits, stairs and slopes. [YONHAP]

Robots are now allowed to roam alongside pedestrians on sidewalks in Korea.

The Intelligent Robots Development and Distribution Promotion Act, which took effect on Friday, and the Road Traffic Act, which was implemented Oct. 19, have opened new opportunities for regulators. Authorities have officially greenlit policy revisions allowing businesses to use outdoor mobile robots for delivery, patrol, and more, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the National Police Agency.

Outdoor mobile robots that have received safety certificates can be granted status as a pedestrian, which allows them to operate on sidewalks. They are, however, subjected to the same road traffic laws that pedestrians face, including prohibitions on jaywalking and running red lights.

Robot operators are required to have insurance.

The regulators are now working on the safety certification process. Under the revised Intelligent Robots Development and Distribution Promotion Act, outdoor mobile robots weighing 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) or less with a maximum speed of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) per hour are eligible for safety certification.

The Industry Ministry began accepting applications for a safety certification body Friday and plans to designate a new operation safety certification body for outdoor mobile robots this month.

The ministry also designated the Korea Association of Robot Industry as an implementing agency to help introduce affordable damage insurance options for outdoor robot operators, which will be available in the market by December.

To prevent possible accidents, the National Police Agency has imposed obligations to ensure the safe operation of the robots on the companies.

Two of the 14 companies currently under a regulatory sandbox for demonstration of outdoor mobile robots are considering filing for safety certification by the end of the year, according to the Industry Ministry. The companies are mainly focused on robot patrols and delivery services.

BY SHIN HA-NEE, JEONG JONG-HOON [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]