Internet robots take control in South Korea

THE SOUTH KOREAN government, along with the country's biggest ISP, has built more than 1000 internet connected robots.

According to the Hankooki Times, the ISP, KT will install the robots, which can be updated every day through a wireless Internet network.

There are five models of wheeled Robots which will be tested in homes in Seoul, Kwangju and Taegu in the next two weeks. The Robots will also be placed in airports, train stations and robotic exhibition halls in Seoul.

If the robots do what they are told and don't do things like hunting for Sarah Conner or attempt to having sex with the cat they will go on sale for about $1,000 each.

The more expensive models will recognise human voices to follow instructions. Others will give orders via a remote controller or a touch-sensitive screens.

However they will not be able to do your dishes or clean up yet. In fact the robots seem only be able to read books, use the net to order food, and operate remote controls. So you will need a remote control to operate your remote control.

Because the robots are network based, rather than stand-alone, it means that the software can be updated via the net. Thus if the North Koreans wanted to attack the south, all they would have to do is hack into the system and they would have access to an army of warriors who could turn the channels on the South's tellies at a moment's notice. µ

L'INQ
hankooki