[Report] Into the 3·1 Movement Site with AI Robots... The Completely Transformed Independence Hall

ChatGPT and 5G-Equipped Robot 'Nuri' and More
SK Telecom Applies Various Advanced ICT Technologies
Providing Unique Experiences with Interactive and Immersive Content

"Let's all shout together. Long live Korean independence!"

On the 17th, inside the experience center at the Independence Hall in Cheonan, Chungnam, an artificial intelligence (AI) robot recited the Declaration of Independence in front of the octagonal pavilion at Tapgol Park in Jongno. It recreated the atmosphere of the March 1st Movement site on March 1, 1919, which denied Japanese colonial rule and declared Korea as an independent nation.

The AI media robot 'Nuri,' equipped with ChatGPT technology, assists visitors with a virtual independence movement experience and provides real-time Q&A at the exhibition hall within the Independence Hall.

The Independence Hall, which is visited by 1.5 million people annually, is being renewed through advanced technology from SK Telecom. Since 2020, both parties have been working on the "Eco Museum Project" with the goal of creating a new concept history experience museum by next year. Various interactive contents incorporating SKT’s information and communication technology (ICT) are providing visitors with a special experience.

The most eye-catching feature is the AI media robot "Nuri," introduced on the 11th to mark the 78th anniversary of liberation. Every hour on the hour, Nuri interacts with visitors, explaining the significance of the independence movement and performing a recitation of the Declaration of Independence. The robot Nuri is equipped with ChatGPT functionality, enabling conversations with people and answering questions related to the independence movement.

However, on that day, when asked questions like "Please introduce Mr. Kim Gu" or "Explain Liberation Day," Nuri initially gave irrelevant answers a couple of times before finally providing proper responses. Lee Chang-seok, CEO of Integrit, the robot’s developer, explained, "Due to echo effects and white noise inside the museum, voice recognition is challenging. We will continue to improve the microphone function and enhance the system."

The robot Nuri, unveiled at MWC2023 this year, combines Qualcomm’s robotics processor with SKT’s 5G and cloud technologies, enabling fast and stable operation. It recognizes visitors through a camera mounted on the front and a large LED screen covering its entire body, and even takes photos of visitors.

LED cube media art sculpture installed in the 3.1 Culture Square within the Independence Hall. AI technology and a voice actor's narration were applied to a photo of An Jung-geun to create a realistic video content.

Faded and damaged black-and-white photos of independence activists have been restored into high-resolution images using SKT’s AI image restoration technology (Supernova). At the "5GX Magic Photo Studio," visitors can merge their own faces with the restored independence-related photos and participate in historical scenes.

In the 3.1 Culture Square inside the Independence Hall, a cube-shaped LED media art installation measuring 3.2 meters wide and tall and 4 meters high has been installed. Here, visitors can watch videos restored and produced with AI technology featuring key scenes from the independence movement.

In particular, photos of patriot Ahn Jung-geun and heroine Yu Gwan-sun have been converted into vivid color images, and combined with voice recordings by professional narrators and natural lip movements to create lively content.

Around the 'Indomitable Korean Statue,' the representative sculpture of the Independence Hall, visitors can easily experience AR using their smartphones.

Outdoor exhibits that might be easily overlooked are also being transformed into immersive experience content that children will enjoy through augmented reality (AR) technology.

On the ground around the "Indomitable Korean" statue inside the "House of the Nation," where annual Liberation Day ceremonies are held, an AR experience zone has been set up. Without installing any application on their smartphones, visitors can simply scan a QR code to enjoy learning the meaning of the Indomitable Korean statue in a fun, game-like way.

SKT plans to launch content in November that characterizes the twelve zodiac animal sculptures and allows viewers to enjoy stories of independence heroes through AR technology.

Han Si-jun, director of the Independence Hall, said, "SKT’s various technologies have brought to life the bright and vigorous images of independence activists. We aim to transform the museum into a place where visitors can feel the strength of those who bravely fought and won against Japanese colonial rule through the independence movement."