Fire patrol robots to keep Seoul's traditional markets safe at night

Fire patrol robots are on the watch at traditional markets in Seoul this holiday season.

Fire detection robots patrol Namguro Market in Guro District, western Seoul, on Thursday. The Seoul Metropolitan Government launched a pilot program putting into operation patrol robots that can detect and extinguish fires and help people evacuate at traditional markets in the capital area. [YONHAP]

Fire patrol robots are on the watch at traditional markets in Seoul this holiday season.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Thursday it will dispatch fire detection patrol robots to four traditional markets: Gwangjang in Jongno District, Majang Livestock Market in Seongdong District, Namguro Market in Guro District and Kkachisan Market in Gangseo District.

Operating in the city government's pilot program, these fire patrol robots will be on watch overnight from 10 p.m., when market merchants leave for the night, to 6 a.m. the following day. They will monitor fire safety hazards, including temperature and smoke.

During the daytime, the robots will recharge at charging booths on one side of the market. After three hours of charging, they can run for eight hours.

These hefty robots span 110 centimeters (43 inches) tall and weigh 85 kilograms (187 pounds). Their heads rotate 360 degrees, and they are equipped with a thermal imaging camera in the left eye and a video recording camera in the right eye.

The video camera has a shape recognition function and can detect flames and smoke. It also contains extinguishing powder meant to extinguish fires.

They usually travel between 3 to 5 kilometers per hour, but can go up to a speed of 5 kilometers in times of emergency.

When it detects a fire, it immediately reports it to the 119 emergency hotline.

These robots spout dry powder from their heads when they spot a fire, though their capacity is limited to initial extinguishing efforts.

They can even analyze emergency exit routes to help evacuate people to the nearest and safest exit in case of a fire at the market.

The robot will sound a siren and alert people: "There is a fire. Please follow me to evacuate."

"The fire patrol robots are a new attempt and an effective means for keeping the safety of Seoul citizens," said Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who attended a demonstration of the robot's functions at Namgu-ro Market Thursday. "We will focus all our capabilities for traditional markets through technology and innovation to be safe from fire 24 hours a day."

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, 140 fires occurred in traditional markets in Seoul from 2018 to 2022, resulting in a total of 75.8 billion won ($58 million) in property damage and 10 casualties.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]