Pyongyang: North Korea has displayed "human-like" robots at a polling station and schools, in what seems to be an effort by Pyongyang to advance in the rapidly evolving global robotics technology landscape.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korea newspaper based in Japan, published a photo of a robot with a humanoid appearance at a university in Pyongyang in its Tuesday issue. The image depicted a robot adorned in a white and navy hanbok dress, highlighting the integration of traditional attire with modern technology.
The newspaper reported that these robots are being used by teachers and students, working alongside educators to provide educational assistance. However, detailed information about the robots' movements or operational capabilities remains unconfirmed, as no video footage was provided. Additionally, the newspaper did not clarify whether the robots are mobile or stationary.
A similar female humanoid robot was introduced to foreign diplomats stationed in North Korea. The Russian Embassy in Pyongyang shared an image of the robot deployed at a polling station during the parliamentary elections held last Sunday. The embassy noted on its Telegram account that "a robot in the form of a young lady wearing traditional Korean dress welcomed voters," and it provided information on voting procedures.
As robotics technology, including humanoid robots, progresses globally alongside advancements in artificial intelligence, North Korea appears to be aiming to enhance its domestic robotics sector, despite having limited resources and restricted access to global technology.