Seoul Botanic Park "Meet the Autonomous Robot 'Robotanic'"

Performing Roles Such as Guidance, Patrol, and Information Delivery

Seoul Botanic Park announced on the 28th that it has introduced the autonomous driving robot ‘Robotanic’ to provide plant guidance, botanic quiz games, security patrols, and other services that support convenience for citizens and create a safe park environment by utilizing the latest information and communication technologies (ICT) such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), offering a unique experience.

The autonomous guidance and patrol robot ‘Robotanic’ operates a total of three units: one in the greenhouse, which is popular among citizens as a place for relaxation and family outings, and two in the outdoor park area.

First, inside the greenhouse, Robotanic walks along the viewing paths with visitors, introducing the characteristics of major plants through videos displayed on a screen attached to its body. It operates a program that combines on-site observation with both online and offline explanations to enhance understanding and interest in plants.

The greenhouse tour program with Robotanic is operated for 10 pre-registered participants per session and runs twice a day every Friday in March. Applications can be made through the Seoul Public Reservation Service website and the Seoul Botanic Park website, and participation is free of charge (however, greenhouse admission fees are separate).

In the outdoor park, Robotanic works to ensure the safety of citizens using Seoul Botanic Park. Through the CCTV installed on its body, it monitors safety situations and is linked in real time to the control room during emergencies such as accidents, crime prevention, smoking guidance, and fires, allowing quick response through location tracking, alarm sounds, and situation announcements.

Additionally, Robotanic conducts night patrols autonomously so that citizens can use the botanic park more safely at night, and it announces park usage rules and information such as the closing time of the Plant Culture Center.

In the future, the plan is to enhance smart services tailored to the botanic park by upgrading AI detection and guidance related to park usage such as pets and bicycles, automatic voice recognition Q&A functions, and navigation functions, thereby increasing the utilization of the autonomous driving robot service.

Kim Daesung, director of Seoul Botanic Park, said, “A cute mascot that handles both program operations and patrols has appeared at Seoul Botanic Park,” and added, “In addition to the Robotanic program and patrols, we plan to implement smart services tailored to the botanic park, including various plant, education, and exhibition guidance.”