AI Patrol Robots Deployed in Gwangsan-gu for Nighttime Security Patrols

Two Patrover Robots to Begin Night Patrols in Cheomdan and Hwangryong
Two New-Model Units to Be Deployed to Ssangam and Suwan as Well

AI-powered patrol robots will be deployed in the Cheomdan area of Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, where the incident involving the late Lee Chaewon occurred. Initially, two robots will begin nighttime patrols in Cheomdan and Hwangryong Water Park, with two additional new robots scheduled for deployment at Ssangam Park and Suwan Lake Park.

According to the office of Assemblyman Moonyoung Im (representing Gwangsan-eul, Democratic Party of Korea) on September 17, a field inspection of the AI patrol robots will take place at Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu at 1 p.m. on September 21. Assemblyman Im, Vice Chairman Youngil Yoon of Gwangsan District Council, Mansoo Kim, Chief of Gwangsan Police Station, and Tae-Soo Oh, policy chief at the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement will attend to observe the on-site mapping process of the robots and discuss operational plans.

On the morning of May 7, a citizen is placing a chrysanthemum at the scene of the incident in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan District, Gwangju, mourning the high school girl who lost her life. Photo by Bohyun Song

The first robots to be deployed are two units of the 2024 model ‘Patrover’. These models have already completed pilot operation in Suwon and will be assigned one each to Cheomdan and Hwangryong Water Park. After completing tasks such as on-site mapping, setting up charging stations, and establishing patrol routes, they will begin nighttime patrols.

The patrols are primarily set to operate from 6:30 p.m. to midnight, when foot traffic decreases. If the robot detects an abnormal sign during its patrol, a control center operator will check the situation in real-time, and if deemed an emergency, will dispatch police via the emergency network. To protect personal information, video footage will only be used for real-time monitoring and will not be recorded.

AI patrol robot to be deployed at the security site in Gwangsan District, Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonnam. Provided by the office of Assemblyman Moonyoung Lim

Two new patrol robots will also be additionally deployed. On September 14, the police agency-led service robot demonstration project was selected for a pilot by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement, meaning two 2026 ‘Patrobin’ models will be assigned to Gwangsan-gu.

The new models will undergo required procedures such as certification for outdoor mobile robot operational safety and will be piloted at Ssangam Park and Suwan Lake Park. The timing for deployment will be determined after these procedures are completed.

Patrobin is a model with improved mobility and AI-powered data processing, expanding upon existing patrol functions. It is under development to traverse 15-centimeter-high obstacles using flexible wheels, and it features functions that analyze patrol situations and generate summary reports using a Vision-Language Model (VLM).

This initiative is the first project of Assemblyman Im's people-centered pledge, "Safe Neighborhoods, AI Life Guardians," launched following the Lee Chaewon incident. After researching patrol robot demonstration projects, his office proposed participation to Gwangsan Police Station, thereby promoting the deployment of two existing and two new-model demonstration units in Gwangsan-gu.

The Gwangsan District Council has also amended related regulations. Vice Chairman Youngil Yoon led the sponsorship and passage in August of a partial amendment ordinance for “Support of Gwangsan-gu Regional Security and Autonomous Police Work.” The revision included a new clause for “Smart Security and Crime Prevention Projects,” enabling the district to support crime prevention initiatives utilizing advanced technologies such as patrol robots.

The district administration will provide support for securing sites for charging station installation. Additional sites for charging stations will be determined in consultation with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).

Assemblyman Im stated, "The goal is not just to deploy a few patrol robots, but to verify and improve the effectiveness and limitations of technology in real-world security operations so that it evolves into a public safety system citizens can actually feel." He added, "I will keep my promise to Chaewon by making Gwangsan a place where children can return home safely, even late at night."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.