Cultural Commentary Robot 'QAI' Becomes Even Smarter

Providing Real-Time Companion Service with AR Technology
Remote Access Enables Artwork Guidance in Mountainous and Island Areas

The cultural interpretation robot 'Q.ai' is becoming even smarter. It provides real-time accompaniment services using augmented reality (AR) technology and guides art pieces in remote mountain and island areas through remote access.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Culture Information Service announced on the 2nd at the National Museum of Korea the unveiling of Q.ai equipped with new services. Q.ai is a robot that offers over 340,000 cultural interpretation and multilingual artificial intelligence (AI) guidance services annually. It operates in thirteen cultural spaces and exhibition facilities, including the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Jeju Aerospace Museum, the National Institute of the Korean Language, and the National Theater. Since being appointed as Korea's first robot public official, the 'robot cultural interpreter,' it has been widely loved as a companion for cultural viewing.

The newly added real-time accompaniment service features guidance of artworks through screens on the front and back of its body. Visitors can experience a rich and interactive journey from the History Road on the first floor to the Donation Hall on the second floor of the National Museum of Korea.

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is piloting a remote access service via Q.ai to enable viewing of artworks in mountainous and island regions. The first exhibition to apply this service is "Back to the Future: Exploring the Contemporaneity of Korean Modern Art," held at the MMCA Seoul until May. A Ministry of Culture official stated, "Visitors who have difficulty traveling can apply in advance by phone to the MMCA Public Relations Department to remotely view the exhibition."

Q.ai's services for culturally marginalized groups will also be upgraded. It plans to provide sign language cultural interpretation and voice guidance subtitles for the visually impaired, picture explanations and cultural interpretation services, and accompaniment guidance services for those with mobility difficulties. A Ministry of Culture official said, "We are applying digital new technologies according to the demands and needs arising in cultural sites," adding, "We will spare no effort to support so that more citizens can feel the benefits."