Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:54 | Smart City | Editorial INTI
Jakarta, INTI – South Korea continues to demonstrate its leadership in technology and innovation. In a historic move, the government has enacted new regulations granting legal status to robots as pedestrians in public spaces, particularly on sidewalks. This regulation is part of an amendment to the Intelligent Robots Act and the Road Traffic Act, aiming to safely and orderly integrate robotic technology into everyday life.
With the enactment of this regulation, robots are no longer seen merely as tools or delivery machines. Instead, they are granted legal status equivalent to human pedestrians, provided they meet established safety requirements. These robots are allowed to walk on sidewalks and other public areas, as long as they comply with existing traffic laws.
This move represents a significant milestone in South Korea’s efforts to promote a more inclusive, safe, and technology-driven smart city ecosystem.
This regulation does not give all robots unrestricted access to public spaces. The South Korean government enforces strict safety and technical standards, ensuring that only safe robots are permitted to operate in public. Key technical specifications include:
In addition, the government is currently developing and refining a safety certification process for robots that wish to operate in public. This process will be managed by a specialized certification agency being established by the Ministry of Industry.
To mitigate potential risks, the government also requires every robot operator or owner to carry insurance. This insurance is designed to provide legal protection and compensation in the event of an incident involving a robot in public spaces.
Looking ahead, the government plans to launch affordable insurance packages to ensure that this innovation is accessible not only to large corporations but also to startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the robotics sector.
So far, 14 companies are testing robots for various purposes, from delivery bots to security patrol bots. At least two companies have expressed readiness to apply for official certification soon.
These robots have been trialed in several tech-friendly cities and zones, with promising results. Some have already been used to deliver food, documents, and even assist in public security services.
This policy marks the beginning of a major transformation in urban living in South Korea. If implementation proceeds smoothly, we may soon witness robots walking alongside humans on sidewalks—delivering meals, monitoring public spaces, and even serving as personal assistants to city residents.
Beyond this, the presence of robots in public spaces is expected to reduce human workload, improve service efficiency, and create a smarter, more connected urban ecosystem.
South Korea’s bold move will likely spark global discussions about whether other cities are prepared to accept robots as part of the urban landscape. Key questions arise: Is urban infrastructure inclusive and safe enough to support robot mobility? How will society react to these “mechanical neighbors”?
Challenges remain—from data security and accident risks to potential job displacement. However, this also presents a tremendous opportunity for cities to innovate and evolve toward a more efficient and sustainable future.
Granting legal pedestrian status to robots in South Korea marks a critical step toward integrating advanced technology into urban life. With clear regulations and strict safety systems, this policy paves the way for the development of smarter, safer, and more futuristic cities.
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