AI Robot Conducts Temperature Checks at Seocho District Office and Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

Advanced Robots Equipped with Infrared Cameras and Facial Recognition Technology Installed in 51 Elementary, Middle, and High Schools... Automatically Measure and Display Students' Temperatures During School Entry, Verbally Encourage Mask Wearing... Contactless Method, Simultaneous Multi-Person Temperature Recognition, Faster and Safer Compared to Traditional Methods

A civil service visitor is checking their body temperature through an AI robot on the first floor of Seocho-gu Office.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) is deploying ‘AI robots’ equipped with infrared cameras and facial recognition technology to 51 elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide for the first time.

The advanced robots, approximately 1.2 meters tall, autonomously navigate using location analysis technology to measure the facial temperatures of students arriving at school and display the temperature on a screen.

They can recognize multiple people simultaneously, making the process much faster and more efficient compared to traditional methods. Students do not need to line up or have physical contact, reducing concerns about COVID-19 transmission.

Additionally, if a temperature exceeds a certain threshold, a fever detection alarm sounds, and if a mask is not worn or worn improperly, voice guidance prompts proper mask usage. The district selected a total of 51 schools through applications from all schools in the area and supports educational expenses for robot purchases.

Besides temperature measurement, the ‘AI robots’ also offer functions based on artificial intelligence (AI), such as voice conversations, knowledge searches, and delivering encouraging messages to students. It is expected that these robots will be utilized in various educational aspects within schools in the future. Students can directly experience the robots, engaging in voice conversations through chatbots and receiving AI and data management education, allowing for multifaceted use.

To deploy AI robots in elementary, middle, and high schools, the district has been conducting a pilot operation of AI robots in the first-floor lobby of the government building since May, carefully monitoring operational status and outcomes. Previously, the district assigned 1-2 staff members in shifts from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily to measure the wrist temperatures of all visitors, which caused excessive manpower consumption and concerns about infection exposure.

Staff and visitors also experienced inconvenience and complaints due to long lines for building entry. However, after deploying the ‘AI robots,’ staff burden was minimized, and the safety of visitors was ensured. One visitor said, “I just walked by, and the robot displayed my temperature, which was fascinating and, above all, very convenient. I was hesitant to visit crowded public facilities due to COVID-19, but this service makes me feel reassured.”

So far, the district has also incorporated ‘AI robots’ into senior citizen policies by placing interactive robots and one-on-one desktop robots equipped with cognitive training systems in the IT Experience Zone at Seocho Central Senior Welfare Center. These robots provide news information, notification services, music listening, and knowledge searches, helping activate seniors’ brain functions and offering dementia prevention and cognitive enhancement content. Going forward, the district plans to add chatbot functions to AI robots for use as ▲civil service guides ▲event assistants ▲building security, among other purposes.

By adopting the ‘Naver Clova AI Platform Service,’ AI robots will listen to voice questions from civil petitioners and quickly classify the requested tasks, providing information on the responsible departments and their locations.

Students at Yangjae High School are checking their body temperature at a distance using AI robots.

Mayor Eunhee Jo stated, “We proactively introduced AI robots in line with the contactless society brought about by COVID-19. We will make more meticulous efforts to prevent infection spread within schools and ensure a safe educational environment for children by utilizing advanced technology.”