The Seoul Metropolitan Police through June 30 will hold trial operations of "smart patrols" using high-tech equipment including drones, wearable robots and electric bicycles in the Yeouido area of the capital's Yeongdeungpo-gu District. (Yonhap News)
By Jeon Misun
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) has launched pilot operations of "smart patrols" using high-tech devices.
Through June 30, the SMPA will use cutting-edge equipment like drones, wearable robots and electric bicycles in the Yeouido area of Yeongdeungpo-gu District.
Officers conduct hours-long foot patrol wearing WIM S (Walkbot S), a wearable walking-assistance robot developed by the domestic robotics company WIRobotics. Weighing just 1.6 kg, the device reduces the perceived weight of a 20-kg backpack to around 12 kg when worn.
The SMPA said the robot enables extended patrols even in steep or hard-to-access areas such as hiking trails and narrow alleys while also enhancing officer mobility.
This inaugural use of a scientific security model in downtown Seoul is considered a pioneering initiative in raise the perceived sense of public safety.
msjeon22@korea.kr