Seongdong-gu Installs Smart Safety Facilities in Women's and Disabled Public Restrooms

Installation of 168 IoT-enabled emergency bells and abnormal sound detectors in 42 women's and disabled public restrooms... Security CCTV installed at entrances of 45 public restrooms to prevent safety accidents and crimes 24/7, alleviating anxiety

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Wono) announced that it has completed the installation of a total of 168 units of the ‘Artificial Intelligence Convergence Technology (AIoT) Smart Integrated Solution’ in public restrooms within the district to prevent various safety accidents and crime damage in advance and to alleviate residents’ anxiety.

The ‘Artificial Intelligence Convergence Technology (AIoT) Smart Integrated Solution’ was introduced to create ‘safe, secure, and satisfactory restrooms’ and is a system that utilizes non-identifiable data that does not infringe on personal information.

Instead of responding after a crime occurs, it can detect criminal behavior itself in advance to minimize damage, and it can also prepare for emergencies such as fall detection for the elderly or vulnerable individuals.

In particular, as violent crimes targeting socially vulnerable groups such as women have recently become a social issue, the district has completed the installation of 168 emergency bells and abnormal sound detectors using Internet of Things (IoT) technology in 42 locations of women’s restrooms and restrooms for the disabled (excluding portable restrooms).

The system detects abnormal behavior of people staying in the restroom in real time through infrared sensors and analyzes it with artificial intelligence algorithms to automatically send alerts to managers and the police immediately when dangerous situations such as illegal filming or falls occur, enabling prompt response.

Also, in case of an emergency, pressing the emergency bell quickly transmits the location to the 112 situation room, allowing for swift action.

The district has also installed 20 security surveillance cameras (CCTV) at the entrances of public restrooms so that individuals can be identified from outside in case of a crime, in addition to detecting abnormal behavior inside the restrooms.

As a result, security surveillance cameras will operate 24 hours a day at each of the 45 public restrooms in the area, playing a significant role as safety guardians. Installation at the remaining one public restroom is planned to be completed early next year.

The district is promoting phased facility improvements to create a safe, clean, and convenient ‘Seongdong-type public restroom.’ It is remodeling washbasins, floors, toilets, etc., in a total of 10 public restrooms and installing solar panels, water purification facilities, and more, taking the lead in practicing carbon neutrality through energy savings.

Additionally, the exterior of each public restroom has been improved with designs reflecting local characteristics. The Songjeong Embankment Road public restroom features cherry blossoms, the area in front of Eungbongsan Octagonal Pavilion is themed on sunrise viewing, and the Sowol Art Hall plaza is designed with culture and art themes, adding a clean and pleasant image.

Jeong Wono, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “By installing safety facilities using smart technology in all public restrooms in the district, residents can feel safe from various crimes or emergency situations while using them,” and added, “We will continue to strive to promote community-based policies that add safety and convenience to residents’ daily lives.”